Yes, tea is really there. You are given a small glass bowl (on the cart) of each exotic tea blend to sniff and pass around the table. You choose which blend you like best and the waiter fixes you your own small pot (on second shelf) of tea. No you can't have coffee.
My husband once asked if he could come with us, but that he didn't want tea, he wanted lemonade. We told him no he had to drink TEA. It is a TEA. So he didn't go with us. It just goes to show where as women enjoy the ceremony and tradition of the event, men think only of their creature comforts.