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According to Fantasia co-owner Mike Chang, people wait in line all day Saturday and Sunday for Fantasia's unique coffee and tea drinks--as presented here by Fantasia employee Serene Wu.

Fantasia's milk and tapioca teas draw broad clientele

By Eric Drudis

Fantasia co-owners Mike Chang and Sam Wang say their caffeinated drinks are so good that people are willing to go to great lengths to secure a few sips.

"There are people waiting in line all day Saturday and Sunday to get a drink," Chang says. "There is no place else they can get this kind of tea or coffee."

Some customers drive in from as far away as Berkeley, Fremont and Milpitas for a taste of Fantasia's drinks, Chang says. In fact, the demand for Fantasia's milk tea in Milpitas may evolve into a November expansion into the South Bay community, the co-owners say.

Milk tea and the tapioca-based pearl tea are the restaurant's most popular drinks, although the cafe also serves a variety of other drinks and pastries. "Our coffee is very good," Wang says. "It is stronger and tastes much better than our competition's."

Fantasia also offers French tiramisu and a hazelnut dessert, both priced below $4.

Chang and Wang started the restaurant after hearing about the health benefits of tea. Chang says that the level of Vitamin C found in two small cups of green tea can equal the amount found in one large glass of orange juice.

"In China, tea was prepared as a medicine to cure digestive and nervous behaviors as early as 350 A.D.," Chang says. He adds that current research has shown that green tea lowers cholesterol levels and reduces stress.

Chang, an engineer, and Wang, who formerly worked in business retail stores, say they opened the business in Cupertino because it is a good community. "I live in Cupertino, and I like it here," Chang explains. "I like the people here, and I like doing business here."

The diverse city has given Fantasia a very diverse customer base. Chang says everyone from toddlers to centenarians can enjoy something at the coffee, tea and pastry store.

"I want to present a pleasurable place families can enjoy," Chang says. The restaurant is decorated in mellow blue colors to "make this a place everyone can come in and chat with friends and feel comfortable," Chang says.

"We would like people to come into the restaurant, get the drink they want, and feel as comfortable as possible," Chang says.

A typical order at Fantasia costs about $4, although menu prices range from $1 to $5.

Fantasia Coffee and Tea is located at 10933 N. Wolfe Road in the Cupertino Village. It is open 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. weekdays, 9 a.m. to 10 p.m. weekends. For more information, call 865-1689.

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This article appeared in the Sunnyvale Sun, September 16, 1998.
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