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Early Addition
Whenever out-of-town friends come to visit, Gothamist finds that in the rush to see and do everything, we can get pretty tired. Pushing through mental and/or physical exhaustion can make fun activities like museum-going and shopping seem like chores. Yet a friend's visit to New York needs to maximize both day and evening activities, so that when they return home they'll be able to brag to their friends of all the New York things they got to do.
Perhaps the best way to break up a long day of playing tourist is taking your friend for a proper afternoon tea experience. Because proper tea isn't just about the tea itself (which will provide energy through caffeine). And it isn't just about the scones, finger sandwiches, fresh fruit, and cookies, either--though Gothamist can't get enough of any of that stuff.
It's really about the ritual aspect of sitting down and slowly, deliberately, working your way through sweet, then savory, then sweet again foods, with a hot pot of tea at your side. The fine china, tablecloth, and silverware give a grown-up feel to your newly relaxed and reflective state--all the better in which to sit back and discuss the art you just saw or plan your bar hopping for later that night.
Our favorite spot for afternoon tea is the T Salon and Emporium in the Flatiron district. Conveniently located near our favorite portion of Fifth Avenue shopping, Gothamist knows it's there, ready and waiting for us, when we need sustenance but don't want to fill up too much. Proper afternoon tea for one is $35 and the shared rate is $45. For two people, the shared tea of two scones, five little sandwiches, two pots of tea, and several cookies, cakes, and fruits is the equivalent of a light meal.
In particular we're fond of the T Salon's chocolate cake infused with Earl Grey tea, and their rather vast selection of teas means that just about anyone can find a tea to their liking. The upstairs Emporium, which sells many loose teas in a quasi-Buddhist setting is as relaxing as the Salon itself, and inspires us to attempt an afternoon tea experience at home, though we'll probably just go back to T Salon.
Where's your favorite place in the city for proper afternoon tea?
T Salon and Emporium, 11 East 20th St. (bet. 5th Ave. & B'way), (212) 358-0506
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Tea and Sympathy! (I think it's worth the wait in line.)
rats, I forgot the name, but there is a really sweet little place on Irving, a converted brownstone. I took my mom for mother's day one year, and it was filled with multigenerational grammas/moms/daughters. And they have this cake made of crepes layered with creme, sooooo good.
Isn't this the same place that used to be on Mercer Street in Soho?
Yes, Tim, this is the same place that used to be located in the Guggenheim Soho museum.
Lady Mendl's on Irving Place.
Alice's Teacup on Columbus/73rd. 1) because I have a softspot for mismatched furniture and silliness and things that aren't cool, and 2) because it's nearby for me and also close to Central Park and museums. There are a few too many bachelorette and baby shower related festivies, but I can live with that.
The woman who runs T Salon is a STICKLER for British tea tradition, which makes it fun (ooh, a lace tablecloth!) and a little intimidating at the same time. It's all good fun and yummy.
As a tea sucker, I've been to all of the places mentioned in the comments and like them for different reasons. Tea and Sympathy to stuff my face, Lady Mendl's for a refined experience, and Alice's Tea Cup for a more scattered boho time.
A recommendation:
Keko Cafe: 121 Madison Avenue @ 30th Street.
http://www.kekocafe.com/
They're tiny but a great refuge, quiet with friendly service and yummy treats. And a full tea set option complete with tiered trays and little sandwiches (although I don't know if it would meet the standards of English high tea fans not ever really having done high tea). Worth checking out!
As a future crazy cat lady, I feel more than qualified to comment on tea houses- crazy-cat-ladyish and otherwise!
1) T Salon- service ok, tea-the best, scones- pretty good, ambience- the bestest!!
2) Alice's-service- pretty good, tea- awesome, scones- warmed and big! My personal favorite. Ambience- this is the least ambient, personally. The low ceiling, or something, makes the room really loud, even when it's not the bachelorette party/shower crowd. And even though I'm a girly girl, it gets a little too shreikey for me.
3)Tea Box- service- haughty, impersonal. Tea- great. My husband gets that thicker green tea here (sorry, I don't know what it's called). Food- neat fusion of East and West, if a bit pricey for tea time.
4) Tea and Sympathy service- great. Tea- awesome. Scones- a close second behind Alice's, and if you don't like your scones very sweet, then probably first place. Ambience- besides its small size, which can be a pain w/the wait (but avoided, if you go at off times), it's so cozy and warm. Love the shop next door.
5) Palm Court- haven't been- want to go before it's too late!!!!!!
my friend and i got food poisoning at lady mendl's last summer. overrated and expensive. not worth it esp. with other quality and more affordable options in town such as alice's tea cup and tea & sympathy.