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| - This review is based on a delivery order, so I can't compare it with how the dine-in experience is. I went into I Tea Cafe once before and had ordered a tea to-go, which was pretty decent, but have yet to eat a meal there.
Was looking forward to trying the food and decided to order delivery since I lived close enough to the restaurant that the food wouldn't go cold by the time it reached my apartment. Delivery took about 45-50 minutes, so I would not recommend getting delivery from here if you are really hungry. (I live about 7 minutes walking from the place, just for reference).
Ordered 2 dishes: the hot beef noodle soup and thai curry chicken over rice. Food was okay; more oily than I expected, which overpowered much of the taste. Chicken was prepared Chinese-style, so it included bone and skin. (In my opinion, that's more flavorful than dry pieces of chicken breast, but I realize that's not for everyone.) The beef was pretty fatty. I was expecting thin slices of lean meat, so it was disappointing, especially since the broth itself was more than oily enough.
All in all, OK Chinese food if you are in a pinch, live in Shadyside and don't feel like going out to Squirrel Hill. I've read in other reviews that the food is hit-or-miss, so maybe I'll give them another try someday.
FYI, delivery fee costs $1.00 on a minimum order of $15. With dishes ranging $8 and up, it's easy to go over $15. Kicker for me was, the delivery guy asked me for a tip. My principle is, if a delivery fee is charged, then tip is optional. Even if it's a $1.00 charge. If it was pouring rain or middle of winter with snow all over, I would've tipped on top of the delivery charge. But for someone to ask for a tip - no, I think his exact words were "that'll be $21.22, and don't forget tip" - no way in hell was I giving him extra money. I gave him $22, and let him keep the 78 cents in change.
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