Royal/T Cafe - Culver City

I'd been hearing about this place from several bloggers so we couldn't pass up the chance to come here...

I was already intrigued by the astroturf covered walls and the whimsically painted windows...

Royal/T Cafe is a cosplay cafe/shop/ and art space in Culver City.

The interior was amazing - lots and lots of artwork everywhere. However, the art was going to have to wait...

Lunch was the main thing on our minds after our longass drive from Santa Maria without any stops.

Did I mention how amazing this space was?

I ordered a pot of the Kyoto Sunrise which was very fruity, light, and not at all "tea-like". I'm not a fan of teas in general. If it's really fruity and light like this one, I'm good. None of that tea that tastes like flowers or grass for me please. Even Bert liked this tea. The tea, by the way, came with the High Tea Set ($19.50).

TC had the mint limeade which she really enjoyed. It was quite refreshing since it was a pretty hot day.

This was the current exhibit going on. Royal/T changes it up every few months or so which is cool. It's also a great way to keep people coming back!

This three tiered platter was part of  the High Tea set. On top was a cranberry scone. The middle tier held various sweets and the bottom, savory sandwiches. So cute!

There was a crustless smoked salmon and cream cheese sandwich, a round of tuna tartare, a mini chicken salad sandwich in a tiny bun, and hiding in the back, a mini grilled panini with ham.

Here's the other side (panini and smoked salmon).

Fresh berries were interspersed aong the tiny desserts: a brownie, some sort of bread pudding, and hidden behind the blueberries, a red velvet petit four...

Here's the other side: strawberry mouse and a green tea flan. Myfavorite was the mousse while Bert liked the bread pudding.

Royal/T is also known for their waitresses who are dressed like French Maids. No, not those slutty ones that you see during Halloween or in a Frederick's of Hollywood catalog. They were more "kawaii" (Japanese for "cute") than slutty. The shop in the gallery was selling the long socks ($14) and no, I did not buy a pair even though Bert wanted me to! Ha ha. I didn't see any outfits for sale! The maid with the blond wig (all the way in the back) complimented me on my lotus earrings.

Here's another look at our tea pot (love the design) and my tuna tartare.

TC ordered the trio of Kobe Beef sliders (Quail Egg Up, Tomato Chutney, and Blue Cheese with Caramelized Onions). Her favorite was the quail egg because it was so cute and tiny. I liked the tomato chutney.

Bert and I shared the Chicken Katsu Curry which was delicious...

along with the Soba Noodle Salad...

As you can see, we polished off most of the dessert tray. The scone on top was the only thing left.

Can you see it? The lonely cranberry scone? Here's that Quail Egg Up mini slider...

One of the desserts on the tray I forgot to mention was the red velvet petit four.

After our fabulous lunch and desserts, we checked out the shop. Lots and lots of interesting and cute items like cupcake earrings (too expensive, at $18 a pop), tote bags made to look like giant strawberry Pocky boxes, and these fake Octopus tentacle fingers.

They sold books, artwork, stationary, and clothing here as well. What do you think of the Mr. T/ET?

Here's that Pocky tote bag...

Loved the variety of the art pieces here. I wish I knew or remembered the works/artists but I don't, so sorry about that! This one below however is by Takashi Murakami (Remember his collab with Louis Vuitton?)

These little Momiji Dolls were so cute! They are "message dolls". You turn one upsdie down and inside there is a tiny card for you to put a secret message!

Look! Coin purses that look like real food!

View of the Cafe from the shop...

A My Melody stuffed character in a bike basket (near the shop).

Not sure what those items were on the selling floor but I took this photo for the frou-frou chandelier.

The shop was also selling rainbow colored bike accessories. Purple tires anyone? I'd totally ride a bike with purple tires!

More Murakami and what looks to be a spoof on Spongebob Squarepants (turns out it's by the artist Kaws)...

A graffiti'd piano...

Who else went to Royal/T Cafe?

Darlene from My Burning Kitchen did a nice write up of her tea experience (2009)
WC of Wandering Chopsticks went here for 35th Anniversary of Hello Kitty (2009)
Jenn of JustJenn Recipes went here for the Mother's Day Tea (2010)

Official Website of Royal/T Cafe

Here's a short video about Royal/T (made by UCLA students):

I can't wait to go here again!