Afternoon Tea at the Baccarat Hotel NYC

I've had many afternoon tea experiences in NYC, and always love to try new places. A few weeks ago I joined Jee and Lisa for a surprisingly delightful tea experience at the Baccarat Hotel in Midtown. I hadn't heard much about this fairly new hotel and didn't even know they offered afternoon tea. But Jee is always on the lookout for new spots, and she suggested checking it out.

I was very skeptical in the days leading up to our tea- from the research I'd done it looked like an overpriced, over-the-top hotel and I didn't have high expectations. Tea is served in the 'grand salon' which sounded a bit too posh for its own good. Walking in to the hotel everything was dark and dramatic. But then I entered a palatial, sunny room twinkling with light dancing off all of the Baccarat crystal. Ok, it did feel a bit like a grand salon. This is a place sure to make you feel luxurious and important. Everything feels very 'cool', expensive, and decadent. Thankfully there is a friendly vibe to the staff, so nothing feels too terribly stuffy or snobbish. With all of the gorgeous Baccarat tableware, my nerves were a bit rattled. My klutz game is strong. But I tried to focus on the experience, and not my lack of coordination.

I must note this may be the most expensive afternoon tea in NYC. Even more than the Plaza, which is overpriced with mediocre food (but in a glorious setting). A full afternoon tea at Baccarat is $80, which definitely gave me sticker shock. There is a smaller afternoon tea service for $65 called 'King Louis XV' but it only comes with one savory and a few sweet options. I can't believe I'm writing this, but the $80 'Prince of Wales' option is more worth your money, as you get an enormous amount of food, and a large pot of tea (with hot water refills). This is assuming you think paying $80 for afternoon tea is a rational thing to do in the first place!

We all decided on the 'Prince of Wales' afternoon tea, which included (yes it's quite a long list):

Roasted Chicken Roulade, Smoked Ricotta, Pesto on Everything Crisp Lobster Salad with Truffles on Buttered Parker House Roll Deviled Quail Egg with Sturgeon Caviar, Pickled Onion on Brioche Cucumber with Watermelon Radish, Goat Cheese on White Bread Smoked Salmon with Dill, Robiolina Cheese on Marble Rye Bread Pineapple Coconut Napoléon Lemon Ricotta Cheesecake Chocolate Sacher Torte Raspberry Roulade Assortment of scones served warm with Devonshire cream and crab apple gelée. 

The tea menu consists a nice list of Mariage Frères teas. I have enjoyed this French brand in the past, and it's difficult to find in restaurants and cafes in the area (but can be found in some specialty stores). I was a little disappointed to see that all of the teas were blends with added flavors. I usually prefer to go with a pure tea. After considering of all the sweet and savory bites to come, I chose the Black Orchid blend which is black tea with 'notes of caramel, vanilla, and spice'. I admit I enjoyed this tea, it was sweet but not cloyingly so. The vanilla worked well with both the sweet and savory food we enjoyed. It was smooth, a little earthy, and of course sweet. Not bad, but not something I'd select if I had a choice of pure teas. The tea is served in large pots so it took quite a long time before we needed refills. The leaves were cleverly suspended in filters inside the pot (see picture below) at just the right height so the tea doesn't sit too long and become bitter. After pouring a couple of cups, the tea isn't touching the water.

Almost everything I ate was delicious, which is rare for an afternoon tea selection. There are usually a few clunkers but here almost everything was successful. The scones were perfectly light, moist, and crispy. The savory food was traditional yet interesting, and expertly prepared. The sweets were also quite good but by that point I was getting full.

Throughout our meal we had attentive, friendly service. We were paid a few visit by the tea sommelier, Gabrielle Jammal. Gabrielle was knowledgeable and friendly yet professional. She is passionate about tea and was happy to chat with us. We discussed tea places in NY, her tea sommelier certification, and other tea-related chit-chat. It was lovely to talk with her and learn a little about the tea program she helped set up for Baccarat. Towards the end of the meal she brought us a strong, clean single-estate Assam to try that she's planning on adding to the menu. I'm relieved there will soon be pure teas to choose from!

I want to go back and sit in one of the furry chairs!!

As expensive as this meal was, I cannot wait to return to Baccarat for afternoon tea. I'm eager to try the new teas they are adding to the menu. The food is delicious, the room is airy and stylish, and the service is attentive. It feels like you are tucked away in a decadent tea salon, which is exactly what it's supposed to be.

Tea at Grand Salon at Baccarat Hotel & Residences- Recommended for splurgy special occasions
Afternoon tea is served Wednesday - Sunday
1:30pm - 3:30pm
28 W. 53rd St.

The Littlest Critic Visits: Podunk

Why yes, I will 'say yes' to some tea!

Last weekend we were in need of some special tea time, so The Littlest Tea Critic and I decided to check out Podunk Tea Room. I hadn't been to this sweet little spot in the East Village in years, and when Nicole mentioned it recently, I knew it was a great suggestion.

Podunk is a warm and inviting place for a cozy tea experience. The food is all homemade, and you can taste the care and attention that goes into it. I remembered how much I liked the sweets on my last visit and I was eager to try them again. We decided to get a mix of savory and sweet treats.

For our teas, I chose a Russian black tea. It was bold, smoky, and satisfying. We each recieved a good sized teapot. My only gripe is that the leaves sit in the teapot until you are ready to pour each cup. The first cup or two are lovely, but if you are slow to finish your pot, it gets bitter by the end. I was able to remedy this with a little bit of milk for my last cup. The LTC got a vanilla rooibos that she thoroughly enjoyed.

As I mentioned, our food was a mix of savory and sweet. We each had a hearty portion of cucumber sandwiches, cheese biscuits, two delicious slices of cake, and a couple of little cookies. There was lots of jam and cream to accompany the meal. Everything has a rustic, homemade look and taste. My favorite item was actually the cheese biscuits. I love anything in cheese form, and these crispy, flaky, cheesy squares were no exception. I could eat a whole plateful! The cucumber sandwiches were satisfying, and the cakes were the perfect end to the meal with our last sips of tea. We had a tender cake that was laced with cinnamon and sugar, and a melt-in-your-mouth slice that had a strong vanilla flavor and a texture similar to pound-cake. 

The LTC enjoyed the entire experience- the pretty mismatched teaware, relaxed and homey atmosphere, and tasty treats. She liked Podunk far better than our last outing. In fact, she asked me today when we could go back to to the 'yummy tea place'. So we'll be back very soon! 

The tearoom is small, so I'd suggest making a reservation. Especially since they often have larger parties coming in on the weekends. If you are looking for a casual spot for tea, lunch, or brunch, it's a great choice. Especially with a little tea critic in tow.

Podunk Tea Room: 235 E. 5th street, NY, NY 10003
Pros: casual, homey atmosphere, delicious food, good tea selection
Cons: small space, be sure to call ahead on weekends
Recommended

Visit: T-Shop

On one of the coldest days of the year Jee and I decided to venture out to T-Shop, a recent addition to NYCs growing tea scene. It was so cold, even walking a few blocks from the subway felt like traversing a snowy tundra. I was frozen to the bone but once through the door at T-Shop I felt an immediate calm. The serene, minimal room is focused solely on tea. You are here to take a tea adventure, and learn quite a bit along the way. Our trip was the right decision.

 T-Shop's owner Theresa is a peaceful presence, and guided us through our tea journey with grace and knowledge. Tasting Table has a nice little piece on Theresa, which you can read here. We asked her to recommend the tea, and started with a high mountain black. She chose this tea for us because it has a warming quality perfect for the season.

Her tranquil preparation of the tea in a simple gaiwan was meditative to watch. The tea was perfect for our occasion. Earthy and malty but with a sweetness that creeps up on you. After a few rounds of this tea, I felt as if I was glowing from the inside. My body had a comforting warmth as if I were wrapped in cashmere blankets sitting in front of a crackly fire. Theresa carefully laid out the beautiful leaves for us to admire. I silently thanked them for giving us so many flavorful steepings.

We enjoyed the first tea so much, we knew another selection was necessary. How could we leave such an oasis of peace when the angry wind awaited us outside? Theresa suggested the charcoal roasted  cui feng oolong after our warming black tea tasting.

Theresa told us the charcoal roasting of this tea created more complex flavors. The tea was sweet, yet toasty, floral, and a bit tangy. Lots of umami on the palate. The roasted flavor from the charcoal was layered within the others, and did not dominate. Such a nice contrast to the first tea. This is a tea I could drink all year round. Soothing and surprising in the winter, refreshing in warmer months. I was a bit tea drunk and forgot to pick up some leaves to take home. I'll definitely be back for some.

We were lost in an afternoon of tea fueled conversation, the weather dissolving into distant memory. I can't wait to return to T-Shop and go on a new tea exploration. I'm so thankful Theresa decided to share such a special place with the world.

T-Shop: 247 Elizabeth Street (rear store), NY, NY.

Visit: Puff Cha

Tucked away on a quiet street in Hell's Kitchen is a new Thai cafe offering a tasty spin on the classic curry puff, along with other Thai dishes. More importantly, they have a large tea menu that's worth some attention.

I was happy to see a few selections of black, oolong, green, white, and pu-erh teas. There is also chai and lots of herbal choices. My friends and I all wanted different teas so we chose a cup each instead of a pot. When the teas arrived they smelled wonderful and tasted just as good.  I chose a Darjeeling oolong which was delicate and flavorful. On a separate trip I had the organic pu-erh which was also quite nice and a great pairing with the greasy (but delicious) puffs. My companions enjoyed their teas as well.

I did however have two small gripes. First, the cups don't have handles and are extremely hot to the touch. A thin napkin wrapped around the outside didn't help (seen in the first photo above). We had to wait quite a bit for the tea to cool before we could touch the cups. My second issue is with the infusers. I don't like using small restrictive infusers since the leaves don't get a chance to open and breathe. However, our teas were still quite tasty and satisfying. Our server was also attentive with hot water refills.

Pu-erh leaves

Puff Cha has a narrow but cheerful dining area. The staff is friendly and let you sit as long as you like. It's a cute place for lunch or a cup of tea and a pastry. If you are going to try a few of the curry puffs I'd recommend a pu-erh tea to wash it down, as eating more than one will definitely exceed your daily grease allotment. Next time I go back I will probably order a pot of tea, and one of the tempting sweets.

Puff Cha: 457 50th street NY, NY 10019- Recommended for a pot of tea and treats 

Visit: tea drunk

Last year I was fortunate to attend a wonderful tea tasting with passionate expert Shunan at the NY Coffee & Tea festival. Shunan mentioned she was hoping to open a tea house named tea drunk.and I have had it on my list to visit ever since it opened a few months ago.

Recently my husband and I had a rare day to ourselves, so we had a delicious lunch at Momofuku Ssam bar and waddled over to tea drunk. This tea house is a place for serious teas with an authentic experience. The teas are hand selected directly from the farms in China, and you can see Shunan's passion through the list of carefully curated teas. To get a better sense of what the tea house is about, check out the 'about us' page. It expresses just how much love and expertise is put into each tea they carry.

After perusing the tempting menu of Chinese teas, we settled on the raw puerh 'song'. We wanted something bitter and strong enough to help our full bellies digest. After ordering you can pick out a tea pet that will cheerfully sit on your tea tray and take an active role in your tea preparation.

Sit back and focus on your tea being prepared in a gaiwan. The vessel is filled with leaves and the tea is steeped quickly, which allows for many infusions. We sat and enjoyed several cups of tea, and each infusion led to a deeper, more complex flavor. The tea was pleasantly bitter and earthy, with a an herbaceous taste that brings an ancient magical forest to mind. The flavor of the tea lingered long after we left, a gratifying reminder of our experience.

tea drunk also hosts classes, check out their events page for the schedule. I hope to try one soon. This is a true NYC gem, a place you can't find anywhere else in the city. Go sit at the tea bar, chat with with expert staff, and enjoy a beautiful tea. We will definitely be back as soon as possible!

tea drunk: 123 E. 7th St NY, NY Highly Recommended 

Visit and tasting: Ippodo Tea

Kanro Gyokuro prepared cold-can you spot the ice cube?

I recently had a beautiful tea tasting at Ippodo, well known in Japan for high quality teas. The teas I tasted were fresh, vivid, inspiring. It was such a pleasurable experience.

Chihiro, one of the tea experts at Ippodo prepared many delicious teas for us. The first was the kanro 'sweet drop' gyokuro. Ippodo is well regarded for their gyokuro, and I couldn't wait to taste it. Since this was prepared cold, it took 20-30 minutes to brew. So more on this amazing tea later...

The first tea I tasted was hosen sencha,one of Ippodo's most popular teas. It is a mid grade sencha that is slightly bitter and vegetal. A delicious well-balanced sencha, and I can understand why it's so popular. The sweet freshness lingers on the tongue long after it is tasted.

I was fortunate to have arrived after they recently received the delivery of spring nodoka matcha. I love matcha but cannot seem to get it right when I prepare it at home. Chihiro mentioned the secret is to sift the matcha in the bowl before adding water. This seems like such a logical step, but one I have skipped over. I can't wait to try again at home! Water was taken from a decorative pot and added to the matcha bowl. The spring matcha was light and fresh, yet almost chocolaty with slight bitterness and umami. Definitely not like others I've tried.

Matcha!

Next we tried a hojicha, roasted sencha that is low in caffeine. It was smooth and bitter, reminding me of coffee you'd find in New Orleans that has chicory added to it. I could see this as a good starting point for coffee drinkers looking to move over to tea. I've had hojicha before, but not one quite as flavorful as this.

Iribancha leaves

We then sampled iribancha, which really stood out. After the first picking of the year, leaves, twigs and stems are taken from mature leaves found lower down the tea plant. The leaves are steamed, dried and roasted. The flavor of this tea reminded me of tobacco, or a fine scotch. Very smokey and strong but without a hint of bitterness. Chihiro said she enjoys this tea iced. I could definitely see doing this as it's refreshing yet interesting to drink. Definitely a tea I will be back to purchase, along with the gyokuro I mentioned earlier...

Kanro Gyokuro, not sweet, but a precious drop indeed

After tasting so many diverse teas, the kanro gyokuro was ready. This tea was unlike anything I've ever tried. Umami, seaweed and a savory flavor reminiscent of chicken broth bursts on the tongue. Such a surprising tea! I found it interesting that this tea isn't sweet at all even thought it is called 'sweet drop'. But it is certainly a tea you want to savor in small, precious drops.

The matcha selection. The Nodoka is in the back, in the pretty pink box

As a final tea, Chihiro prepared the New Year's matcha to compare with the spring matcha we tried earlier. It was rich yet gently sweet giving it a pronounced delicate feel.  Luxurious.

If you are new to Japanese teas you may feel intimidated to enter this small shop. But take my advice, and go! The staff is extremely friendly and knowledgeable. Tell them what flavors you like best, and they will steer you towards the right tea for you. The teas here are high quality and better than many Japanese teas you can find around the city. Ippodo occasionally offers tea workshops, and one will be coming up in April. You can follow their facebook page for updates.

A big thank you to Chihiro for presenting such lovely teas, and to Ana for coordinating the tasting!

Don't be intimidated, amazing tea awaits!

Ippodo Tea NY Store: 125 East 39th st. Highly recommended for tea to purchase, and a quick cup to go

Visit: Miansai Tea Bar

Miansai is a handmade accessories shop known for their nautical rope and hook bracelets. A fashionable friend mentioned they recently opened a shop in SoHo that includes a tea bar up front featuring a large selection from Tea Chai Té. I was unfamiliar with Tea Chai Té, which is a family run company based in Portland. The menu at the Miansai tea bar is quite varied with black, green, and puer blends, along with herbals, yerba mate, and rooibos as well. They also have kombucha on tap or bottle, which also comes from Tea Chai Té. I tried the lavender white tea kombucha which was very delicate compared to most kombuchas I've tried. On a sunny warm day I would definitely have gone for a cup. But considering we are still experiencing arctic weather, I decided on something a bit warmer.

The tea bar is in the front of the light and airy store, so you can't miss it. There are miniature copper mugs holding each tea for you to smell, before choosing your brew. You can also sample the kombucha. I chose the ginger puer, since the spice would be very warming on this chilly day. A large cup of tea is $4.00 before tax, which seemed reasonable given the quality. While my tea was brewing I took a look around the store which is filled with tempting hand-crafted accessories. As much as I'd love to take home a hook bracelet, my wallet steered me back to the tea bar just in time for my cup to be ready. There is a small bench if you decide to sit and sip, and the store does have a relaxing atmosphere. But you are in the middle of SoHo so I'd recommend window shopping as you enjoy your tea.

Little cups to smell the leaves

The ginger puerh  has the satisfying earthy, mushroomy flavor that reminds me of old polished dark wood. It has an aged, but sturdy feeling. To me it also smells like an old Chinese herb shop that has secrets to reveal. The ginger tingles and compliments the musty puer flavor. Definitely a nice cup.

There are many options for tea in the area, the most popular being Harney & Sons less than a block away. But if you're looking for a quick cup in a stylish atmosphere definitely give the Miansai Tea Bar a chance.

An example of the oh-so tempting accessories

Miansai Tea Bar: 33 Crosby St. NY, NY- Recommended for a quick cup

Visit: Physical Graffitea

 
Last Friday my husband and I found ourselves with a rare day to ourselves. We went to a movie and ended up walking around the east village in tropical humidity. Looking for shelter from the heat, we found Physical Graffitea, a tea shop that has been on my list to visit for ages. The shop's name comes from the building it is housed in, featured on the Led Zeppelin album cover for Physical Graffiti.

The location is in the heart of the east village on St. Marks, across from the popular Yaffa cafe. It was previously a vintage clothing store until the owner decided to turn it into a tea shop. A smart move in a neighborhood full of vintage stores but missing a great tea shop. Until now, of course.

Down a few steps we entered the funky and cheerful space lined with a wall of teas and tea accessories. Familiar sounds of The Smiths welcomed us in, and The Postal Service played as we waited for our drinks. I felt right at home. Service was friendly and genuine. We felt truly welcomed, as if we were regulars popping in for our daily drink.

During our visit there were three iced teas ready to be poured, but we were told that any tea on the wall could be made iced as well. We both ordered an iced matcha latte. The matcha was well prepared, and each sip helped erase the sticky memories of the day. It had a deep green vegetal flavor with just enough milk (soy milk was also available). There is a huge range of teas to drink or take home. Everything from tea basics to mate and pu-erh, even medicinal herb blends. I would definitely be a regular at this shop if we lived nearby. It is a tea oasis in the east village.

Physical Graffitea: 96 St. Marks Place NY, NY 10009- Recommended for a leisurely cup, loose leaves to go, a quick cup, iced tea, and everything in between.

NYC Iced Tea review, and Suggestions!

Iced black tea from Cold Process

Happy 1st Day of Summer! I thought it would be the perfect time to talk about places for Iced Tea. First up, a review of a new one. On a gorgeously warm day I recently visited the pop-up Cold Process Coffee & Tea at Pier 57. This cheerful spot is located right near Chelsea Piers and a stone's throw from Chelsea Market. It's a difficult place to find, but if you just look past the highway towards the water at Pier 57 you can't miss the turquoise structure. When I was there they were offering an iced green as well as black. They cold steep the tea for 24 hours and the result is a strong brew that is smooth as can be. Not even the slightest hint of bitterness. Add a wedge of lemon and you're ready for refreshment. The tea and coffee come from Lamill, which I had read about but never tried. The black tea was so perfect that I look forward to tasting more. The friendly salesperson gave me two sample tea bags to try, and I can't wait to steep them. Review soon!

You may even spy a celebrity enjoying a drink here, Jake Gyllenhaal and Philip Seymour Hoffman are among the celebs recently spotted there. This is a great spot to take a break if you are cycling down the west side, or meandering the High Line on a hot day.

Where do you go for Iced Tea in NYC? You can visit almost any cafe and get a serving to go, but here are some of my favorites to try:

Press Tea- all of their tea preparations can be made iced. You really cannot choose poorly here! Delicious!

Harney & Sons Soho- Some of the best quality teas around, a solid choice for an iced tea.

Cold Process Coffee & Tea- as you can see from my review above, a great place for an iced tea near the pier.

DAVIDsTEA- their teas never disappoint, and there is always a refreshing flavor to try iced.

Kanlo Tea- A perfect place to pick up an iced tea and sit by the water in Tribeca.

Argo Tea- Argo has many different iced varieties, one of my favorites being their bubble tea.

Tea Lounge (Brooklyn)- There are usually a few iced tea selections. The black iced tea is surprisingly strong and tasty.

Culture tea Bar- I haven't been here myself, but it comes highly recommended from a trustworthy source.

Do you have a favorite spot for iced tea that isn't on the list? Please mention it in the comments! Happy Summer!

Visit: Press Tea

Press Tea had a huge presence at the NY Coffee & Tea Expo in March, along with a trial store on the Lower East Side for a few months to hone their product. Now after months of preparation, Press Tea has finally opened their West Village shop. 

I have visited the new shop twice now, and both times I had to battle the crazy NY elements to get there. Torrential rain the first time, extreme heat the next. Both times I entered the shop in a foul mood because of the weather, and both times my mood lifted after a first sip of tea.

For those of you unfamiliar with the Press Tea process, you can read my visit to the trial store here which mentions how the tea is made in something similar to an espresso machine. Also here is an adorable video discussing their brewing process.

On my first visit I was soaked and chilly, so I went for a hot tea latte. I tried the Himalayan Black tea and added rose flavoring. I remembered at the NY Coffee & Tea Festival they were giving out rose flavored samples, and tasted divine. My latte was a bit too sweet for my taste and the rose was more overpowering than I remembered, but still very comforting and warming on such a raw day. I could taste the black tea even through the sweet rose flavor. A very nice first cup.

Black Tea Latte

Black tea Macchiato

On my second visit I wanted to cool down, so I had an iced macchiato which is black tea with milk. I went without sweetener this time, so I could taste the tea loud and clear. It appears that most of the drinks come with sweetener unless you specify otherwise. As I sat with my drink and listened to the subway rumble distantly underneath me, I enjoyed the intense black tea flavor. the bold bitter taste reminded me of a coffee drink. It is almost impossible to find an iced black tea with such a fabulous intensity. The flavor holds up to the ice and mocks the milk with its robust flavor. The heat of the day was obliterated.

The store is well situated on a busy stretch of 7th avenue in the West Village. The interior is

cheery with a few little tables. The two times I visited there were a selection of mini cupcakes you choose with your tea if you are hungry. The shop is painted with clean, soothing grey hues while natural wood and Victorian wallpaper decorate the space. 

This is a perfect place for a drink, no mater what the cranky NY weather throws at us. I will definitely be making frequent trips here if I am in the area. Even if I'm not thirsty, that bold tea will lure me inside.

Press Tea: 167 7th Avenue South, NY, NY: recommended for a quick cup, a lingering drink with a book, or anything in between.