Zen Zoo
13050 San Vicente Blvd.
L.A., CA
26th Street
310-576-0585

For a tea experience akin to what you might find in Taiwan, stop into Zen Zoo Tea, near the Brentwood Country Mart. Here, a small counter dominates the room. And there are only half a dozen tables, with three more outside. The walls are painted a rich, earthy red and the floors are slate. High above head, decorative painted screens dress up the modern, organic space.

More than a few locals have made Zen Zoo a part of their daily routine. Try one of their signature ZenFusion drinks, available with either black or green tea, and you'll understand why. Made to order in gleaming cocktail shakers, the peach ZenFusion tastes like essence of peach: sweet, but not overly sweet, and far more refreshing than soda. Many people order "black pearls" as an extra with their ZenFusion or iced coffee. These are chewy balls the size of marbles that sit at the bottom of the glass. You suck them through an oversized straw. It may sound strange, but Taiwanese tea house-goers have been drinking pearl tea for years.

To eat, Zen Zoo offers a compact menu but one that hits the spot: assorted dim sum, substantial rice bowls and several salads, including a ginger chicken salad that every other customer seems to order. For sweet tooths, there are oversized cookies and moist brownies augmented with Chinese herbs. Dessert in good conscience.