Hot tea

The mod teahouse trend has been a little slow in coming to Sacramento, but with the recent opening of Hina’s Tea—which moved from a prior Folsom location—you can get a perfect cuppa in surroundings that are entirely free of lace and ruffles. The eponymous proprietor, however, is as warm and welcoming as any English tea lady; indeed, she is English, and her encyclopedic but never intimidating knowledge of all things black, green and leafy makes it easy to emulate Alexander Pope’s Queen Anne, who “dost sometimes counsel take—and sometimes tea.” Upon learning that I like Assams and smoky black teas, she steered me to the (delicious) Canadian Blend, and discoursed happily about Yunnan teas and tastings. You won’t find finger sandwiches and clotted cream, but you can abate hunger, as well as thirst, with jewel-like pastries and little snacks. The main attraction, however, is tea: Sit down for a taste or take home a sampling. 2319 K Street, (916) 443-9100, www.hinastea.com.