I still have much to learn about Tea but I'm really starting to like this establishment. The tea proprietor is a very friendly, unassuming fellow who is very patient. With him there are no stupid questions. I purchased 2 Tea types: Milk Oolong and Yellow. I have yet to try the Yellow but the Oolong is truly fantastic. Even when I'm done with drinking I keep it in a mug as I love the smell of the steamed Oolong leaves.
While I have yet to purchase any Black Teas I smelled some and I was able to tell that they weren't as strongly flavoured as the Indian & Sri-Lankan based teas of "House of Tea", which admittedly is my preference. But for East-Asian grown teas, I'm really starting to believe that this is the place to go to.
I was a little thrown off by the price--the cost is rather high-end, but the proprietor has a personal relationship with Chinese growers and he selects them for the store himself! There's no middleman here--so you know beyond doubt that you're getting what is labelled.
Also worth noting is the packaging; smaller portions come in conveniently resealable bags and the 85g portions can be packaged in wonderful airtight canisters that are of course reusable when finished with the tea, which I prefer to the bags packaged by "House of Tea". "House of Tea" is much more generous with free samples, however.
In summary, I would say "Tao Tea Leaf" definitely deserves a look, although you probably should brace yourself for sticker shock. I'm no expert on Chinese grown teas but if the Oolong Teas are any indication this is the place to buy all East-Asian Teas.
I still prefer "House of Tea" for the Indian and Sri-Lankan Black Teas and wonderful Orange-Eucalyptus Rooibos, and for the generous assortment of free sampling, but I'm also liking the great value for the reusable, nicely designed airtight canisters of "Tao Tea Leaf". Why limit yourself to one Tea-store anyway?