The Tea House on Los Rios
31731 Los Rios Street • San Juan Capistrano, California 92675
theteahouseonlosrios.om • 949-443-3914
With a motto of “building relationships one cup at a time,” it is evident that The Tea House on Los Rios is a family-run business founded on the simple principle that sharing a cup of tea is better than sipping alone. In 1995, an abandoned 1911 cottage on the oldest street in California caught the eye of Claudia and Allan Niccola and gave birth to the idea that a tearoom could one day find a home in the neglected structure. After three years of restoration and tedious city planning due to its historical significance, The Tea House officially opened in 1998 in San Juan Capistrano and has been a popular destination in the community ever since.
Allan and Claudia didn’t have any experience in the restaurant or tea industry when they purchased the space that would become a tearoom. They both fell in love with the concept of taking tea in the early 1990s and admired the way that teatime allows you to slow down and spend quality time with loved ones. With a background in music, the couple relied solely on their entrepreneurial spirit and adoration for the pastime to start the business. “When my grandparents were doing research for The Tea House, we would go to different tearooms in Orange County,” explains current owner Damian Orozco. “I got picked up from school one day when I was seven, and we went to this big Victorian house to drink tea and learn the proper etiquette of teacups placed at 4 o’clock and not hearing the teaspoon as you are stirring your tea. We truly learned the benefits of taking tea.”
In the early years of the business, while he was in high school, Damian waited tables and helped on the weekends. He went on to college to receive his CPA license and worked at an accounting firm for several years. After an unexpected leave of absence at work due to sickness, Damian reflected on what mattered to him most and concluded that “making people happy by food, service, and ambiance” was of utmost importance to him. With his grandparents deciding to retire and Damian having the desire to return to the family business, the timing was serendipitous.
The tea venue is best described as a “delighting of the senses” with the gorgeous gardens providing a tranquil respite from the busy city life. Dining alfresco at The Tea House on Los Rios is a lovely treat with light music softly playing in the background and calming water features placed throughout the property adding to the spa-like effect. Patrons of the tearoom visit for the afternoon-tea service but return for the extraordinary atmosphere that is cultivated here.
Servers at The Tea House double as tea sommeliers and are well versed in the 56 different types of loose-leaf tea that grace the menu. The teas range from proprietary blends created specifically for the tearoom, such as Private Reserve, an Assam base combined with Madagascar vanilla and hints of pomegranate, and a Sencha green tea imparted with cherry notes and rose petals, to infusions like Vanilla Almond Rooibos and Peach Apricot.
At The Tea House on Los Rios, guests can choose from four afternoon-tea services, entrée salads, savory fare, and various desserts. The options, ranked from the most lavish and hearty to the smallest portion size, include The Royal Tea ($69 per person), The Victorian Tea ($49 per person), The Mission Tea ($42), and The Garden Tea ($37 per person.) Each service offers a freshly baked, heart-shaped currant scone accompanied by raspberry preserves and “Early California Cream”—a signature blend of clotted cream and crème fraîche, assorted tea sandwiches (like cucumber with herbed cream cheese and egg salad with chive), fresh fruit served with brown sugar and cream, a delightful selection of petit fours, and, of course, a pot of tea. The additions of a specialty soup, a garden salad, extra sandwiches and sweets, and a glass of Veuve Clicquot Champagne increase the level and price of the preferred service.
“I make sure that every guest is treated like family, and my serving staff knows that,” states Damian. “If people have five minutes of questions on teas, they should all be answered. That’s part of the benefit. My serving staff is there to help answer questions.” No matter if you have studied tea for decades or you’re taking your first sip of the elixir in San Juan Capistrano, Damian and everyone else at The Tea House on Los Rios are sure to welcome you and your many questions with a warm smile and a cup of hot tea.
The Tea House on Los Rios is open Tuesday through Friday from 11:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. and Saturday and Sunday from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Reservations are recommended, especially for weekends.
