My vision of smith&hsu is of a contemporary adaptation of the traditional teahouse as it could once be found in Britain and all over Asia. I wanted to create a new type of tea experience that has a direct cultural impact on its surrounding environment – a place where you can socialise, rest, work, read and of course, enjoy a great cup of tea. And I believe this is exactly what we have achieved. smith&hsu unites the tea culture of the East with the tea culture of the West and it creates a beautiful new atmosphere using simple modern design and architecture.
I envisioned a lively smith&hsu, which offers a multitude of tea related experiences, from tasting the latest arrival of the tea harvest to shopping for the newest smith&hsu teapot. At the same time, I wanted to establish a sanctuary where customers can find that much needed moment of relaxation immersed in a friendly atmosphere.
Our experienced 'tea clerks' serve a rich selection of black, green, herbal, oolong, fruit and blended teas (to stay or to go, of course). As a supplement, our traditional British Scones, served with clotted cream from Devonshire and original British jam or our homemade tea gels, have simply become a must have. You will find that smith&hsu strikes a good balance between health and taste, east and west. But most importantly, you will find the best teas in the world.
A new tea culture demands new tea tools. My experiences with some of the world's leading designers and some very skilled Chinese craftsmen – all of whom are rooted in traditions that reach back thousands of years – have ensured that smith&hsu T-tools have become as beautiful as they are functional. I have no doubt that our new designs will be a must-have for the contemporary tea drinker. We have a passion for simplicity, here at smith&hsu, and we are constantly looking out for innovative and timeless design.
Our Tea Clerks are among the most competent you can find in the business. They are all aficionados and they are always willing to give little tips on the best way to brew a delicious pot of tea. They will do this because they are passionate about tea and because they like to interact with their customers.
We have reached the highest level of service when our guests feel at home. If customers come to smith&hsu to chat with close friends while enjoying a great cup of tea, if they come by weekly to buy their 100 grams of premium black tea, or even if they are just dropping by to purchase a gift for their dear relative, then I believe I have realized my dream.
Kind regards,
James Hsu
|
|
 |
