Put the TKettle On!

Bubble Tea Fix on St. Marks!

I was walking to pick up jewelry I got fixed at a great shop in the East Village (http://pilarjewelry.com/services) and passed one of my favorite bubble tea shops on my walk: TKettle (http://www.tkettle.com/). One of my favorite items to order is a Taro slushie with tapioca pearls.

So tasty!

The bubble tea is great here but sometimes I feel like it is too sweet. When I go, I request for only 50% sugar and it is much tastier! I encourage you try this place out - the Black Milk Tea is great too!

Cheers,

Liz

 

Instead of Brunch, How About a Cuppa Tea?

Bosie Tea Parlor for Brunch

Instead of enjoying to an unlimited brunch, Courtney and I decided to class it up with Afternoon Tea at Bosie Tea Parlor (http://bosienyc.com/).

Bosie Tea Parlor

I wanted to order the Dorian Gray Tea, which of course they were out of! The waitress suggested Earl Grey Crème Tea. It was OK. I sort of felt like a novice because I lacked the ability to detect the tasting notes listed in the tea menu. It felt like when you have wine and cannot pick up the tobacco smoke essence. What gives?

Earl Grey Crème Tea

We ordered the Bosie Tea Service for Two ($55). You get a two-cup pot of tea (per person) from $5.95 / $6.95 teas (not the premium-priced teas, that is a supplement). I misread this as two-pots of tea. HUGE mistake. I drank the tea too quickly - before my food even came! Other tea services I have been to have unlimited tea which is much more realistic. The service also included two mini scones with clotted cream and jam (DELICIOUS), choice of two macaroons (I chose passion fruit and milk chocolate and salted caramel - YUM), and three portions of tea sandwiches. We picked the egg salad, cucumber and curried chicken breast. The chicken was the best, followed by the egg salad and the cucumber.

Bosie Tea Service

Everything was brought out at once. This took A LONG TIME! It would have been better if items were brought as ready so you could pace yourself. We got so hungry by the time the tower arrive that we stuffed our faces. It was embarrassing. The spot seemed a bit understaffed at such a busy time so water refills (since I chugged my tea) were few and far behind. I'd recommend going during a slower time and not weekend brunch.

Beautiful Presentation!

The check is presented in a classic NYC book! What a nice touch. Check this spot out!

Cheers,

Liz

 

Tea for Two at Cha-An

One Last Get Together Before Break!

Before we parted our separate ways for break, Melissa and I got together for one last fun activity! We wanted to meet for afternoon tea and did some research. We ended up selecting Cha-An (http://www.chaanteahouse.com/) after debating among many choices. As my review will show you, we may have not made the best decision!

The Outside is Inviting!

I took a peek at the menu online before we got there. I ordered a dessert set-up: Cha-An's Sweets, with cookies, a fresh baked earl grey scone (the highlight of the visit) and pound cake. This was $16 and I assumed it would included Tea....since it was for Afternoon Tea. I read the fine-print and it was $5 more for tea!! I thought this was a bit expensive for what it was, especially since a tea set-up generally includes tea.

Cha-An's Sweets - earl grey scone on the lower right!

I (unhappily) paid $5 for tea - I got a black tea - Darjeeling 2nd Flush. It was a smallish pot and I drank most of it before my desserts even came. I could get refills of course...but it was $5. Other places I've been for tea, the tea is unlimited. I've been spoiled apparently!

Darjeeling 2nd Flush

There are much better places in the city for tea. I doubt I'll come back. If you stop by, maybe just order a small dessert - the black sesame crème brulee with black sesame ice cream is "famous" there.

Cheers!
Liz

 

A Trip to the Orient

Cocktail & Tea Time!

I wanted to surprise Amber with something special so I made reservations for afternoon tea at the Mandarin Oriental Hotel (http://www.mandarinoriental.com/newyork/). The tea is daily at starts at 2:30pm. We got there a bit early (2:00pm) to make sure we could secure a window seat. Most of the seating has a good view, but when you're spending $$$ you want to make sure it is the best!

While we waited for tea time to start, we (naturally) ordered a cocktail. One immediately caught my eye: the Summer Solstice. It is a heavenly mix of vodka, blood orange juice, mango puree and Solerno liqueur (blood orange). This cocktail was magical and at $19 (!!) I was hoping it would be. I knew at a place like this you're paying for the view and it was worth it. 

Once we finished our cocktails, we moved on to tea! I ordered the Thunderbolt Darjeeling tea. It was a delicious black tea. Check out the scones, finger sandwiches and desserts! Nom! I highly recommend this spot for a special event - a mom in town, good friend or to impress a lady!

Until next time!

Liz