A charming little place to go for tea is the Podunk cafe on East 5th Street, between Second and Third Avenues. A variety of tea sets are available, from the savory to the sweet, plus in-between. The tea sets are pretty substantial, so you can split one and order an additional pot of tea, as Gothamist did last weekend. We had the "rustic" tea set, with wonderful savory tarts, scones - especially the andouille sausage scone - and other breads and cheese.
Owner Elspeth Treadwell seems to be adding and refining the menu, so we'll be stopping back again. We didn't get any sweets since the rustic tea was so filling, so we need to try the cardamon cake with dipping sauce. Or assorted cookies with dipping sauce. (Gothamist is all about the dipping sauce.) Also, Treadwell doesn't accept tips. It's probably built into the prices, but it's a nice touch, making it seem especially homey and generous.
New York's write up of Podunk.
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Any thoughts on Teany?
That's right under our good friend Peter Rojas' apartment! Actually, I haven't been to Teany yet, but Peter likes it a lot (when I'm down there, I tend to exercise my non-vegan leanings...I will go some day).
As for NY tea spots, I've been to T Salon, Alice's Tea Cup, The Plaza, Lady Mendl's, Tea & Sympathy, and that place in TriBeCa whose name escapes my mind as many things do. My faves: T Salon (went there the day after a breakup and had tea with T), Lady Mendl's (super civilized but too much food), and Alice's Tea Cup (my hood and really laidback).
You may also want to try the Wild Lily Tea Market on E. 12th Street between A & B. Its small but very nice and relaxing. The same person owns the Wild Lily Tea Room on W. 22 in Chelsea (I haven't been there yet). The web site for the stores is: http://www.wildlilytearoom.com/tea_room/index.html
Oh, I've been to Wild Lily in Chelsea also! The Chelsea location is really ethereal.
Mmm. I went to Podunk for a friend's goodbye get-together tonight. It was perfect. We had this really great iced fruit tea...and hot tea, as well, along with a big platter of quiches and a platter of sweets. The three of us rolled out the door we were so full...
Even funnier was that the owner asked a friend how we'd heard of the place and we mentioned Gothamist-- she was so excited to hear that she'd been featured on the web (she explained that she's not an online person, though). We gave her the web address...
The rudest place I have ever been to. The lady working told my husband and I we were not welcome to sit at the window table meant for 3 people, despite the fact that the place was completely empty except for us. When I pointed out that this table had just been occupied by another couple, she stated that they had spent $45 (in comparison to the $20-worth that we had ordered) and that she'd actually be very happy if we left. I am stunned at how rude these people are and do hope their materialism puts them out of business soon.
I wanted to send you an email to update your information about Alice's Tea Cup, 102 West 73rd street, NYC 10023
The hours are now:
Mon-Thurs: 8am-8pm
Friday: 8am-10pm
Sat: 10am-10pm
Sun: 10am-8pm
Breakfast menu runs from 8am-11:30am every morning and consists of egg dishes, pancakes, specials, fresh coffee and of course tea and scones. (we also do muffins and cupcakes for commuters in the am now)
Brunch runs on weekends from 10am-3pm and consists of egg dishes, Benedicts, crepes and a Breakfast Afternoon Tea, in addition to our regular menu. Our hottest item is a French Toast Bread Pudding which is french toast cubes baked in a pudding dish and "attacked" with creme anglaise, maple syrup and carmel sauce... the further down you get into the dish, the more pudding-like it becomes.
Dinner is on Friday and Saturday from 6-10pm and consists of entrees and salads including lamb, cod, risotto, beet and goat cheese salad and a seafood salad in addition to our regular menu.
We also have come out with a children's party book so that parents can customize their own party at Alice's Tea Cup, choosing from fairy dress-up parties or an Alice-themed party where Alice does face painting, a magician's party, party favors, cakes, you name it!
We now carry over 130 loose teas from all over the world, throw AMAZING baby or bridal showers or birthday parties, and, our newest addition: WE NOW OFFER MADE-TO-ORDER CAKES for weddings, parties, you name it (starting at $55 and up to $13 a slice, depending on intricacy, etc.)
Dinner just began and it has become pretty popular already. The food remains up to our old standards, service has improved dramatically and the ambiance remains the same (maybe a little more fun at times)!
Please update the information and call or email with any questions!
Haley Fox
President / Alice's Tea Cup
917-806-8663 cell
haley@alicesteacup.com
Podunk is adorable! I went with a friend yesterday, and we loved all the mismatched furniture, plates, and cups. Their unique house blends are tasty!
For those who plan to visit, I'd like to note that it's actually between Bowery and 2nd Ave, not 2nd and 3rd Ave (as stated in the review above). The block is mostly residential; look for the yellow/white awning on the north side of the street.
I *do not* recommend this establishment.
Yesterday my friend and I met here. He purchased a specialty pot of tea. The table was small, I arrived after him, and our time was limited; I did not. As we left, a man who seemed to be the owner stood behind the counter and yelled violently at me. He called me a b*tch several times, kept repeating that it was not a "f*ing mcDonald's" and said he never wanted to see my prissy b*tch face again. My friend and I stood there aghast as the owner continued ranting for 2-3 minutes. We just stared at him and left.
I caution against management with such uncontrolled, visceral anger. It would have been far more effective for this owner to kindly suggest that I purchase a pot of [jasmine, etc] tea when I next return.
I thought it was curious that the place was mostly-deserted. Now I am not surprised.