Alice's Tea Cup, New York, NY

Visited: September, 2007.  Meal: Retail only. Type of tea: Loose leaf. Served: --.
Tea: Poor.  Food: --. Service: Good.  Appearance: Excellent.
Comments: I bought a 1/2 lb. of Puerrh tea and I found a piece of cement, shell bits and other "fillers" in the mix. I was extremely disappointed in the very low quality of the loose tea I purchased here.
Would you go back? Sorry, no.
Reviewer: cassatg8 11/7  Add your review    

Visited: July, 2007.  Reviewed: July, 2007.
Meal: Afternoon tea. Type of tea: Loose leaf. Served: In a teapot.
Tea: Excellent.  Food: Excellent. Service: Excellent.  Appearance: Excellent.
Comments: My wife wouldn't stop talking about Alice's Tea Cup. The food, the decor, our daughter's face when she ate the cake - so I had to go with her ... I have had 10 business meetings there since. I have been to all 3 locations and my son and daughter are addicted to the chocolate chip cookies. I think the place is charming and the food is great. This is a must for tourists and Chapter 2 with its Mar-TEA-ni's is a great biz lunch anytime.
Would you go back? Yes, can't wait!
Reviewer: ebarber44  Add your review    

Visited: April, 2007.  Reviewed: June, 2007.
Meal: Afternoon tea. Type of tea: Loose leaf and teabags. Served: In a teapot.
Tea: Excellent.  Food: Excellent. Service: Good.  Appearance: Excellent.
Comments: (Alice's Tea Cup II) We came here for a birthday celebration for my 21 year old and for my grandchildrens' first formal tea. The experience was enchanting and so what if the service is a little slow, it was certainly worth the wait!!
Would you go back? Yes, can't wait!
Reviewer: Rev. Susan Beyer  Add your review    

Visited: December, 2005.  Reviewed: January, 2006.
Meal: Afternoon tea. Type of tea: Loose leaf and teabags. Served: In a teapot.
Tea: Fair.  Food: Poor. Service: Poor.  Appearance: Fair.
Comments: (Alice's Tea Cup II) Where to begin? It was my mother's birthday and I took her to Alice's Tea Cup, Chapter II after hearing such wonderful reviews of the original Alice's Tea Cup. I initially did not mind the 45 minute wait and the inexperienced hostess with no clue. However, my patience shortly ran dry after experiencing the worst dinner I've ever had. We waited 45 minutes for our table only to have the less than experienced, social butterfly of a hostess give our table to someone else. It was ANOTHER additional 30 minute wait and had I know the food would have been that horrendous, I would have left. After finally being seated, it took another 20 minutes for our order to be taken. We ordered the Jabberwocky and shared it. First off, our waiter never told us what the scones were, what choices we had or even what the specials were for the evening. We selected their chicken salad sandwhich (told to us by our waiter to be 'what we're known for..'), the egg salad sandwhich and the cuccumber sandwhich. If there's one positive thing I can say about this place it would be that their portions are HUGE. However, their scones were hard as a rock and dry to the bone. Their 'what we're known for' chicken salad sandwhich was the MOST DISGUSTING thing I have ever had the displeasure of consuming. Their egg salad sandwhich was flavorless and their cucumber sandwhich was again; dry .. and all of this served on STALE BREAD. Honestly, I needed that soda the waiter FORGOT just to get a bite down. And their desserts? There's a reason why their 'almost famous, but isn't yet' mocha cake isn't famous, because IT IS HORRIBLE. Their cookies could chip a tooth. I should also mention that while eating we had SEVERAL GNATS AND FRUIT FLIES constantly flying in our food. The atmosphere was nice, but nothing I would write home about. It is far too small and cramped to fully enjoy, but there really isn't much of anything to enjoy about or at this place. Save your money. 
Would you go back? Sorry, no.
Reviewer: Valeri  Add your review    

Visited: November, 2005.  Reviewed: December, 2005.
Meal: Lunch. Type of tea: Loose leaf and teabags. Served: In a teapot.
Tea: Good.  Food: Poor. Service: Fair.  Appearance: Excellent.
Comments: The place was very nice, small & cozy BUT they have to really need to improve the service and the food. Five of us order three differences tea and end up only one was the correct order. We had no complaint of the tea they provided after all of us got the right tea. But the food was mediocre. We had ordered the high [sic] tea set, which had associated muffins, some scones, cookies and sandwiches. The muffins and scones was crude made, same as the sandwiches, the bread was dry like old bread. I was very disappointed of my high [sic] tea experience at Alice, especially after hearing so many go compliments about them.
Would you go back? Sorry, no.
Reviewer: High tea lover  Add your review    

Visited: May, 2005.  Reviewed: August, 2005.
Meal: Afternoon tea. Type of tea: Loose leaf. Served: In a teapot.
Tea: Poor.  Food: Fair. Service: Poor.  Appearance: Good.
Comments: Though the ambience is appealing and the location convenient to Upper West Side shopping, parks, and museums, I will never return to Alice's Tea Cup. The service is terrible, and the teas are ill-prepared. On my most recent visit, my friend and I were served hot water instead of tea. Our server promised to correct the problem, then disappeared for 20 minutes. We complained to the manager, who was unapologetic and did nothing to address our complaint. We left without receiving the tea we had ordered. 
Would you go back? Sorry, no.
Reviewer: Katherine  Add your review    

Visited: May, 2003.  Reviewed: August, 2004.
Meal: Afternoon tea. Type of tea: Loose leaf. Served: In a teapot.
Tea: Excellent.  Food: Excellent. Service: Excellent.  Appearance: Excellent.
Comments: I was in town on business and had a friend join me for the weekend. Though it was a bit rainy, we headed over to Alice's Tea Cup. I was a fan of the annex they had at the Burberry store off Fifth Avenue, the Mad Tea Cup -- which has sadly closed -- so wanted to hit the original shop. The shop/tearoom is lovely -- lots of gifts and pictures of a model dressed as Alice making her way around NY. The food was excellent and service was good as well. Highly recommend it to any Alice in Wonderland fans and tea fans alike.
Reviewer: Wendy  Add your review    

Visited: January, 2003
Meal: Afternoon tea. Type of tea: Loose leaf. Served: In a teapot.
Tea: Excellent.  Food: Excellent. Service: Excellent.  Appearance: Excellent.
Comments: The first time I visited this restaurant I was not completely happy with the food. My main problem was that I was served a pumpkin scone when all I wanted was a traditional scone, which they do not serve. But after leaving I started longing for another pumpkin scone. It turns out the scone was completely delicious -- it just wasn't what I wanted at the time. I've been back twice now and I adore this restaurant. I took my three-year old daughter and she was charmed by the murals of Alice. I can't wait for my next visit to NYC so we can go back to Alice's. The food is excellent, the tea choices are extensive -- and they have white tea, which can be difficult to find.
Reviewer: Heather from Alaska  Add your review    

Visited: August, 2002
Meal: Afternoon tea. Type of tea: Loose leaf. Served: In a teapot.
Tea: Good.  Food: Excellent. Service: Poor.  Appearance: Fair.
Comments: Alice's Tea Cup is a tiny tea room located in a basement. The murals and quotes painted on the walls are cutesy, but not charming. The waitress was rude and the service was very slow. The sandwiches and scones were excellent. The food was good, but the location and service were lacking. This place does not live up to its fun, whimsical title. 
Reviewer: Katie  Add your review   

Visited: October, 2002
Meal: Afternoon tea. Type of tea: Loose leaf. Served: In a teapot.
Tea: Fair.  Food: Fair. Service: Poor.  Appearance: Excellent.
Comments: Alice's is a very cute shop and cozy tea room. They have a very wide range of teas -- black, blends, green, and herbals -- to drink there or buy to take home. Unfortunately, the servers are not very knowledgeable about tea, and although the sisters who own it seem to know tea, it is very rarely brewed properly. I have visited many times and most of the time have had to add milk to the tea because it was over-brewed and bitter (even though they do not leave the leaves in the pot, correctly). The food is uneven, and seems to be falling in quality in the year since the shop opened. The scones, which used to be very good, have gotten huge and fluffy muffin-like. The service is also unpredictable -- the last time I went will indeed be my last because I waited 45 minutes for a sandwich and had to ask three times for a glass of water. The waiter was downright rude throughout, and when I notified the manager (hopefully she was not one of the owners), she didn't even apologize! Go for the ambiance only.
Reviewer: Krolika  Add your review   

Visited: July, 2002
Meal: Afternoon tea. Type of tea: Loose leaf. Served: In a teapot.
Tea: Excellent.  Food: Excellent. Service: Excellent.  Appearance: Excellent.
Comments: Walking into Alice's Tea Cup, you are immediately transported into the fairy tale, Alice In Wonderland. This tea room continues to successfully create a fantasy environment by offering an enormous selection of exotic and unusual teas as well as tea lover favorites. On the day I visited, I chose a remarkable rose sencha that was perfectly brewed and wonderfully aromatic. I also selected a warm chocolate cake with a smooth dark chocolate sauce topped with an amazing sorbet. The service was friendly and inviting, the room was warm and comforting, and the tea selection was one of the best I've seen. A "must" for all tea lovers visiting the great city of New York. 
Reviewer: julietrenee@handbag.com  Add your review    

Chez Laurence Patisserie at Café Laurence, New York, NY

Visited: March, 2006.  Reviewed: March, 2006.
Meal: No meal, just a cuppa. Type of tea: Teabags. Served: In a teapot.
Tea: Fair.  Food: n/a. Service: Fair.  Appearance: Fair.
Comments: As the name suggests, Chez Laurence Patisserie is more of a bakery and bistro with a coffee shop setting. However, I glanced at their menu and saw that they serve teas in teapots. Their tea is too plain and bland to waste any time sitting in for a tea tasting. 
Would you go back? Sorry, no.
Reviewer: SonicBoom  Add your review      

Essex House, New York, NY

Visited: March, 2008.  Meal: Afternoon tea. Type of tea: Loose leaf. Served: In a teapot.
Tea: Good.  Food: Average. Service: Poor.  Appearance: Excellent.
Comments: The decor was very nice and the view of central park very pleasant. The food was average to bad. The sandwiches are premade earlier in the day and "plated" as the waiter stated and the bread was stale when served. The deserts were very good. I gave the food average due to the tea itself and the display of sweeteners that came with it. That was superb. The deserts for the most part were very good also. The sandwiches and scones were very poor. I chose the Essex House due to it being highly reommended to me. I would not go back!
Would you go back? Sorry, no.
Reviewer: Anne-Marie 3/08  Add your review    

Franchia, New York, NY

Visited: December, 2003
Meal: Lunch. Type of tea: Loose leaf. Served: Teapot and gong-fu style.
Tea: Excellent.  Food: Good. Service: Good.  Appearance: Good.
Comments: We visited Franchia during mid-December while in NYC to view the Christmas decorations and to do a little shopping :-). It's located in a very nice area; the old building front is deceptive because when you walk in your first impression is of open space. Terraced seating on two levels above the ground floor include tables, what appeared to be a gallery with tables overlooking the main space, and private tatami room. Predominant colour scheme is green in varying shades, fitting in perfectly with their specialty of Korean green teas, with dark tables and chairs. I would not recommend Franchia for anyone who is unable to handle stairs, so although it is a lovely space it must be slightly downgraded for this (not only do you need to climb stairs to reach your table on the second or third level, but the bathrooms are on the ground floor). Still, when seated at a table on the top level, there is a wonderful view of the entire space and out the glass front to the passersby on Park Avenue below. 
When we arrived at just moments before noon we were told we were early, although the posted opening time is 11.30am. They did seat us, but for the first fifteen minutes or so we endured the sounds and smells of the middle level being cleaned and vacuumed. 
I ordered the Royal Afternoon Tea, and asked the server to recommend one of the Korean green teas since it was the first time I would be sampling them. He suggested the highest quality green, and it was a very good choice. Brought to the table already poured in ... well, the Korean version of a gaiwan, with ceramic strainer, along with a carafe of hot water for refills. The initial infusion tasted much like a Japanese gyokuro, although the appearance of the leaves was quite rounded, not at all like the spiky dark green leaves of a gyokuro. I reinfused these leaves three or four times, with the tea becoming less vegetal and slightly more sweet on each infusion. Very nice. DH chose a mushroom dish with rice that was very tasty and will very likely be my choice on our next visit :-).
The Royal Tea arrives in a six-compartment box with a small plate in each compartment; each plate holds two of the same morsel. One was green-tea infused zucchini pancakes, with very good flavour but too mushy in texture. The tofu-based scallion pancakes were exceptional, as were the spring rolls, dumplings, and nori rolls. I didn't care for the other pancakes, which tasted like Bisquick and were also mushy in texture. Two complementary dipping sauces were included. It was a beautiful presentation, and all in all a tasty lunch, but the size of the compartmented box overwhelmed the small table that already held teas, carafe, and DH's meal. 
Following the meal I was served two desserts, beautifully presented on a long plate lined with a ti leaf. One of the desserts seemed to be a cornbread with maple flavour; I'm a great fan of both cornbread and maple, and it was tasty, but this seemed somewhat out of place and a little heavy. The other dessert, however, was heavenly: a mochi ball covered in a thick layer of coconut agar gel. Perfectly complemented by the Nantou oolong (a favourite variety) that I chose as my second tea -- and frankly if the entire meal had consisted of only the coconut mochi with the Nantou I think it would have been just fine ;-). The oolong was also served, perfectly infused and of excellent quality, in the "gaiwan" in gongfu style, with another carafe of hot water. 
DH chose the only plain black tea on the menu, a first flush Darjeeling. This was served in a small teapot resting on a heating stand with candle, both made of their signature china. A charming presentation, a good tea but not great. 
The tea selection at Franchia is very specifically limited, with only the one plain black tea and the one oolong, the Korean greens, one or two others I believe, and the rest flavoured teas or infusions. If you prefer plain black or oolong teas you may be disappointed in the offerings here, but be adventurous and try the Korean greens; they won't disappoint. The green teas are available for retail purchase in the small shop right inside the entrance, along with the "gaiwans" and all the serving ware in their signature china, including the teapot/warmer. The teas are very pricey. 
We enjoyed a very leisurely lunch, with gentle background music (taped). When we were ready to leave, however, the servers were nowhere to be found. After a while we heard a voice downstairs; we waited somewhat longer for someone to stop by but no one did, so eventually we were obliged to go two flights downstairs to ask for our check. It's always wonderful to be able to linger, but I would expect someone to keep an eye on guests and be available for additional service or the check. (I wonder if service is quicker, and the tea room busier, during the week for lunch?) 
If you are in the neighbourhood it is certainly worthwhile to try Franchia, for the tea, the vegan cuisine (there were a lot of interesting-sounding dishes on the menu), and the ambiance. We will certainly be stopping by again.
Reviewer: CTC Add your review   Keep reading for another review of this tea room

Visited: June, 2003
Meal: Afternoon tea. Type of tea: Loose leaf. Served: Gong-fu style.
Tea: Excellent.  Food: Excellent. Service: Excellent.  Appearance: Excellent.
Comments: A really great Asian tea ceremony experience. We got the $25 afternoon tea tray which includes your choice of two teas, one at the beginning and one at the end (or it can be split with two people). We started with their special tea, a first-picked wild Korean green. It came via a whole tea tray with tiny teapot, cooling vessel, tea cup, and tea container. The waiter got us started with how to brew the tea, then left a thermos of hot water so we could keep refilling. This was our first experience brewing tea this way and we found it very therapeutic (even if it took a bit of concentration to get the timing right).
On the side we got the food: a tray of six mini-appetizers with three sauces, very appealing. Everything is vegetarian. 
Their tea menu includes iced teas and several unique herbals. With the dessert we tried the date paste tea (great!) and persimmon leaf tea (not as interesting). 
The place is very calming, with a black lacquer motif, and the service was very attentive and pleasant -- we were not rushed at all, but got exactly what we needed. Highly recommended.
Reviewer: Krolika Add your review   

Hungarian Pastry Shop, New York, NY

Visited: October, 2002
Meal: No meal, just a cuppa. Type of tea: Loose leaf. Served: In a teapot.
Tea: Fair.  Food: Excellent. Service: Fair.  Appearance: Good.
Comments: This is more of a café than a tea salon. They do not serve afternoon tea. They specialize in pastries, which are great. It's a very casual place, where people cram together and you can sit for hours and work without being disturbed. Students from nearby Columbia University go there. The tea, however, is to be avoided. It is loose leaf, but they add WAY too much -- a third of the pot is leaves! -- and there's no way to get the leaves out; they serve with a strainer. The tea comes in a thin, stainless steel teapot, certainly not ideal for brewing. They also have herbals, probably a better bet if you must do tea.
Reviewer: Krolika  Add your review    

Jenny Chang's Café, New York, NY

Visited: November, 2003
Meal: Afternoon tea. Type of tea: Loose leaf and teabags. Served: In a teacup.
Tea: Excellent.  Food: Excellent. Service: Excellent.  Appearance: Excellent.
Comments: I really enjoyed this tea shop; it was very cozy and was a great place to meet a friend that I was meeting that day. I have gone back numerous times and each time is just as pleasant as the last.
Reviewer: berrycuteny Add your review 

Keko Café, New York, NY

Visited: March, 2006.  Reviewed: March, 2006.
Meal: Just a cuppa. Type of tea: Loose leaf and teabags. Served: In a teapot.
Tea: Good.  Food: n/a. Service: Good.  Appearance: Good.
Comments: A hodgepodge of decorations from an Easter bunny figurine, 2 small 18th century pistols, paintings, old luggages, tea sets, including an antique mirror line the walls and shelves of Keko Cafe. It's a small cafe with only 8 small round tables and a corner counter. The seats get filled up quickly during lunch. I ordered 2 small pots of tea (Japanese Sensha and Jasmine; I visited the cafe twice) good for 3 - 6 oz cups. I was slightly dissapointed with the taste of the tea. It was ok, but I have tasted better quality tea elsewhere. They serve loose tea by Harney and Sons, which is the same tea brand that Chez Laurence also serves.
Would you go back? Maybe.
Reviewer: SonicBoom Add your review    

Lady Mendl's Tea Salon, New York, NY

Visited: October, 2005.  Reviewed: October, 2005.
Meal: Afternoon tea. Type of tea: Loose leaf. Served: In a teapot.
Tea: Good.  Food: Good. Service: Good.  Appearance: Good.
Comments: It was a very rainy afternoon, and tea in a dry place was welcomed. Everything was nice, however, in the small room where we were served, they had Christmas music playing. It would not normally have even caught my attention, but the music was quite loud. It was early October. Had it been late November or anytime in December, it would not have been out of place. Overall, we enjoyed our visit. 
Would you go back? Hope so, but we don't live nearby.
Reviewer: Marine Mom  Add your review    

Visited: October, 2004.  Reviewed: October, 2004.
Meal: Afternoon tea. Type of tea: Loose leaf. Served: In a teapot.
Tea: Excellent.  Food: Excellent. Service: Excellent.  Appearance: Excellent.
Comments: What a completely impeccable and fabulous tea experience! My mom and I visited Lady Mendl's for my birthday, and we were overwhelmingly pleased with the five-course afternoon tea service. We had China Kunnan tea and lemon verbena tisane, and both were tasteful and soothing. The atmosphere was quiet and calming, and the Victorian décor makes Lady Mendl's completely elegant. I highly recommend Lady Mendl's Tea Salon.
Reviewer: CWT  Add your review    

Visited: March, 2004.  Reviewed: March, 2004.
Meal: Afternoon tea. Type of tea: Loose leaf. Served: In a teapot.
Tea: Excellent.  Food: Excellent. Service: Excellent.  Appearance: Excellent.
Comments: Lady Mendl's Tea Salon offers a very nice afternoon tea experience in New York City. New York City has many fine tea rooms, many of them at hotels. If you prefer a cozier experience, Lady Mendl's is a very nice outing for a group of lady friends or baby or bridal showers. The décor is beautiful. A pretty, hand decorated sugar cube is placed at each cup and saucer ... a very nice touch. Crystallized ginger is set out on the tables and is very tasty. A fine selection of teas is offered. The tea sandwiches included smoked salmon, cucumber, goat cheese with sun dried tomato, and smoked turkey with cranberry ... all very good. The scones are served with authentic Devonshire cream from England ... delicious! An assortment of cake and sweets finish off the fine service. A lovely experience and very fine service. Highly recommended. Reservations necessary.
Reviewer: "Lady Gayle", The Tea House Times  Add your review    

Visited: February, 2004.  Reviewed: February, 2004.
Meal: Afternoon tea. Type of tea: Loose leaf. Served: In a teapot.
Tea: Excellent.  Food: Excellent. Service: Excellent.  Appearance: Excellent.
Comments: What an absolute delight! Lady Mendl's came highly recommended and we were not to be disappointed. The candlelit room with the fireplace burning was the perfect setting on a very cold day in February to enjoy tea. The tables with white linens were set with fine china and silver and small fresh floral arrangements. Our five courses were perfect from beginning to end. We particularly enjoyed the dessert which was a crepe cake with perfect little berries. The staff was attentive and friendly. When we return to New York this will be at the top of our list for afternoon tea.
Reviewer: Diana and Cherri  Add your review    

Visited: February, 2003
Meal: Afternoon tea. Type of tea: Loose leaf. Served: In a teapot.
Tea: Excellent.  Food: Excellent. Service: Excellent.  Appearance: Excellent.
Comments: Lady Mendl's Tea Room is a tea drinker's dream come true. Written up in the book The Great Tea Rooms of America by Bruce Richardson, it is the epitome of tea rooms. Located in the Gramercy Park area, the tea room is housed in two 1834 townhouses. Old world ambiance greets you as you climb steep stairs to the heavy front door. Entering the black and white tile foyer you are immediately transported back to a another period of time. Waiting in the parlor you are summoned by a waiter to your table. The two of us were there to celebrate my friend Diane's birthday. She long awaited sipping tea here, as she had tried unsuccessfully three times to visit the tea room. Reservations are necessary. They will only take reservations a month in advance so it is wise to plan ahead. I seized an opening they had and reserved a spot before it was gone. Our table was set with Lenox china, cream with a gold band. Candles were lit everywhere giving off warmth. Covering our table was an antique cloth with a white underskirt to the floor. We were seated in the back room as a wedding shower was taking place in the front parlor. Twelve-foot pocket doors separated the two rooms keeping the noise to a minimum. Sitting on the table was a small oriental dish which held candied ginger to start us off. Diane selected Darjeeling and I chose the Connoisseur tea. The tea was decanted much to our delight. The first course of a five-course tea was mesclun greens, served with a light dressing. This was followed by four varieties of tea sandwiches -- smoked turkey on brioche, goat cheese and sun-dried tomatoes on seven grain bread, cucumber with butter on brioche, and smoked salmon with crème fraîche on pumpernickel. The server gave us second rounds if we desired. The third course was scones with Devonshire clotted cream (no look-alike was this) and raspberry preserves. The dessert course was a cake made with multi-layered crepes filled with cream custard, accompanied by fresh raspberries and blueberries, which held a birthday candle for Diane. The fifth and final course were three different types of cookies, Russian walnut, chocolate walnut, and shortbread. Not that this was enough, an added treat was a huge strawberry dipped in Belgian chocolate. Be sure to take a hearty appetite because there is an abundance of delectable food to partake of. Diane critiques tea rooms that we visit in anticipation of opening a tea room herself one day. She was as I was, particularly impressed with this establishment. The service was flawless and everyone acted in a professional capacity.
You never felt rushed to leave; you could sit and relax as long as you desired. The tea room has a European feel to it with antiques, wood paneling, lit fireplaces, and glittering chandeliers. We were truly taken with the place, the food, and staff, and will soon return to create more memories that will be long remembered.
Reviewer: Carole H. King, Tea Lady  Add your review    

Visited: May, 2002
Meal: Afternoon tea. Type of tea: Loose leaf. Served: In a teapot.
Tea: Excellent.  Food: Excellent. Service: Excellent.  Appearance: Excellent.
Comments: Overall rating: Excellent! Couldn't be better. (Even if the fixed price of $35 is a bit high for non-New Yorkers.)
Last visited the tea room in May, 2002 (I've been half a dozen times) for afternoon tea.
Tea: Excellent choices, wide selection, including delicious house blends. They serve leaf tea, brewed in the pot (which can get bitter, but they will exchange it as often as you ask). The staff provides good recommendations once you tell them types of tea you normally prefer. Some herbal tisanes are available.
Food: Excellent. Traditional service of finger sandwiches and tiny desserts, served by the waiter, typically two passes per course. I normally go with a vegetarian friend and they are quite accommodating about providing extra non-meat sandwiches. Really creative and lovely tiny desserts, which vary from day to day. They serve five courses. After delicious scones and clotted cream, it's a shock to get "dessert" with everything from fruit tarts to chocolate mousse, Scottish shortbreads, petit fours, and fresh berries.
Service: Excellent, relaxed, and formal. Non-intrusive staff replace with fresh pots as the tea gets cold, and they will serve or leave you to eat and talk in peace, as you prefer. Every time I've gone the group I was with ended up staying 2 to 3 hours, and we were never rushed.
Ambiance: Excellent. This is an absolutely charming, must-visit tea room! Near Union Square, it's a little hard to find from the street -- an old brownstone with an iron gate at sidewalk level, with very steep, outdoor stairs up to the second floor entrance. A little brass plaque in the ivy beside the entrance is the only indicator that you are in the right place. The stairs can be daunting in winter, and I'm not sure there is any other alternative entrance for anyone with a knee problem or walking challenge. Once inside, you are treated to the sweet, cozy scent of candles burning, and in winter, a log fire in the fireplace. The furnishings are well-worn wood, with eclectic antique furniture, and there are vases of flowers and overstuffed chairs, brass lights gleaming and reflecting in the mirrors, and heavy velvet draperies. I return there regularly with friends, because no matter what other tea rooms we try, we always seem to want to go back to the relaxed pampering of Lady Mendl's! One note New Yorkers will appreciate: they have a very nice, clean, and attractive small restroom, decorated with the same sort of amenities as the tea room. You can't go wrong with Lady Mendl's if you want to impress a client or just get away with friends or co-workers for the afternoon. Reservations recommended.
Reviewer: Kaye Vivian, Pleasantville, NY  Add your review

The Lowell -- Pembroke Room, New York, NY

Visited: December, 2007.  Meal: Afternoon tea. Type of tea: Loose leaf. Served: In a teapot.
Tea: Excellent.  Food: Excellent.  Service: Excellent.  Appearance: Excellent.
Comments: Wonderful setting, outstanding service and wonderful tea and food. A great experience.
Would you go back? Yes, can't wait!
Reviewer: Pat a tea lover  12/7  Add your review  

Visited: October, 2006.  Reviewed: October, 2006.
Meal: Afternoon tea. Type of tea: Loose leaf. Served: In a teapot.
Tea: Excellent.  Food: Excellent.  Service: Excellent.  Appearance: Excellent.
Comments: A hidden gem! The Lowell Hotel serves a delicious afternoon tea in a beautiful and elegant room, plush yet cozy, with rose print curtains and starched tableclothes. The tea is hot and quickly refreshed, the food comes in courses, each fresh and delicious, and the service is exemplary -- they'll leave you to talk, but will appear when needed. A perfect stop after shopping in the Bloomingdale's area.
Would you go back? Yes, can't wait!
Reviewer: TeaMom  Add your review    

Mandarin Oriental New York, New York, NY

Visited: January, 2006.  Reviewed: January, 2006.
Meal: Afternoon tea. Type of tea: Loose leaf. Served: In a teapot.
Tea: Excellent.  Food: Excellent.  Service: Excellent.  Appearance: Excellent.
Comments: My daughter and I recently enjoyed afternoon tea at the Mardarian Oriental in NYC. The food was delicious with an asian flair. The tea was also delicious. The atmosphere is beautiful, very Zen oriented. The tea is served in the Lobby Bar on the 35th floor overlooking Central Park. Fabulous View!! Highly Recommend!!! 
Would you go back? Yes, can't wait!
Reviewer: Barb - Tea Lady  Add your review       

Morgan Court Café at Pierpont Morgan Library, New York, NY

Visited: June, 2002
Meal: Afternoon tea. Type of tea: Loose leaf. Served: In a teapot.
Tea: Excellent.  Food: Good. Service: Excellent.  Appearance: Excellent.
Comments: This café, where the afternoon tea is served, is located in the sun-drenched glass atrium between the two Morgan Library buildings. The atrium is full of plants, making the ambiance perfect for a relaxing tea experience. I ordered my favourite tea, Lapsang Souchang, which was wonderful. The scones were different; they were smaller and sweeter than the ones we have had with teas in other places, but served with Devon cream and very high quality marmalade. The sandwiches -- watercress, egg salad, smoked salmon, tomato, and chicken finger sandwiches -- were quite ordinary, but the upscale miniature French pastries more than adequately made up for it. The prices were comparative with five-star-hotels ($20 per person), but the peace, quiet, light, and greenery ensures my return to this place.
Reviewer: Saheb  Add your review     

The New York Palace, New York, NY

Visited: August, before 1999
Meal: Afternoon tea. Type of tea: Loose leaf. Served: In a teapot.
Tea: Good.  Food: Fair.  Service: Fair.  Appearance: Poor.
Comments: Tacky, tacky, tacky. When this place was run by Leona it was over-the-top, campy-as-hell afternoon tea -- and I mean that as a compliment. I always felt I had been put in a time machine and landed in the British Raj. They had tons of Indians waiters who knew how to do up a supercilious English tea, in a gold room with a harpist on the balcony. Now tea is served in a nasty room with tacky Italian pottery. The sandwiches are beastly and the service -- I thought they had forgotten I existed. Horrid.
Reviewer: Michele  Add your review  .

Visited: July, 1999
Tea: Fair.  Food: Fair.  Service: Good.  Appearance: Poor.
Comments: My mother and I used to go to the Helmsley Palace for tea. Since the hotel has become The New York Palace the tea has gone down hill. It used to be a treat to come here for the food, ambiance, harpist, etc. I was so very disappointed at the tea now being served. There is no longer anything special and the food was truly just okay.
Reviewer: Shari, a "tea experience" lover  Add your review  . 

Oren's Daily Roast, New York, NY

Visited: March, 2006.  Reviewed: March, 2006.
Meal: No meal, just a cuppa. Type of tea: Teabags. Served: In a mug.
Tea: Excellent.  Food: n/a.  Service: Good.  Appearance: Good.
Comments: Oren's has a wide selection of teas - from Assam to Peppermint tea. The retail stores even sell teas not currently listed on its website, such as Japanese Sencha tea. I've tried several cups of tea. My favorite tea (and I also think is the best of Oren's teas) is the China Jasmine. It has a fragrant aroma and is authentic in taste as the jasmine teas served in a Chinese restaurant. 
Would you go back? Hope so, but we don't live nearby.
Reviewer: SonicBoom  Add your review  .  

The Pierre, New York, NY

Visited: May, 2001
Meal: Afternoon tea. Type of tea: Loose leaf. Served: In a teapot.
Tea: Excellent.  Food: Excellent.  Service: Good.  Appearance: Excellent.
Comments: Expensive, and worth every bit of it! We were served Harney & Sons loose leaf tea in the Rotunda and chose the full tea service with tea sandwiches, scones, and sweets. There was a nice selection of teas from which to chose, and the food was absolutely delicious, well prepared and presented on three tiers in a traditional manner. The only disappointment was our server, who virtually ignored us once the table next to us was occupied by a pretty blonde and her friend. Ah, well, these things happen. We did notice that the other server in the room was doing a much better job of spreading herself equally among her patrons, so I think our experience was an exception to the usually attentive service here. I wouldn't hesitate to go again. Relaxing atmosphere, not at all hurried, and a nice refuge from the hustle of the city with wonderful tea and exquisite food. 
Reviewer: Amy  Add your review     

Visited: January, 2002
Meal: Afternoon tea. Type of tea: Loose leaf. Served: In a teapot.
Tea: Excellent.  Food: Excellent.  Service: Excellent.  Appearance: Excellent.
Comments: You must have been there on a terribly off day. The Pierre serve tea in the Rotunda, usually -- a beautiful trompe-l'oeil room. I have never had tea in the bar, and I've gone there for years. Also, I don't know why you thought French people would be sitting around -- it is not that kind of place at all. I like their slow tea. I curl up and relax, and take my time. I've found that they are distant but give good service. Perhaps you were there on a day when the main room was being used for an event -- it does not sound like anything I've ever experienced.
Reviewer: Michele  Add your review    

Visited: February, 2001
Tea: Fair.  Food: Fair.  Service: Fair.  Appearance: Fair.
Comments: Oh, another disappointment! When you think "Tea at the Pierre" -- well, I think of Eloise and her mother [Editor's note: Eloise was normally busy at The Plaza hotel. :-)] ... French tourists sipping away and smoking cigarettes ... women dressed in silk and pearls. Well, there was me -- dressed in jeans -- and about two other parties. They had room for me, especially since there was virtually no one else there! The service was quite slow, even for a tea. The waiter suggested a flavored tea, which I agreed to (against my better judgment) and disliked intensely -- my fault, not his. The food was very paltry and unmemorable, and the setting is ... well ... undistinguished. The room is a bar in its off-hours (and the staff pretty much threw me out as the bar opened at 5pm on the dot) and it's dark and small. Overall a very pricey tea for a mediocre experience. I'd choose elsewhere next time. I'm sure there are much nicer places in Manhattan!
Reviewer: kiki361@yahoo.com  Add your review  

Plaza Hotel -- The Palm Court, New York, NY

Visited: September, 2004.  Reviewed: September, 2004.
Meal: Afternoon tea.  Type of tea served: Loose leaf.  Served: In a teapot.
Tea: Excellent.  Food: Poor.  Service: Poor.  Appearance: Fair.
Comments: I joined several ladies for afternoon tea at the Palm Court and unfortunately the service was quite poor. It took almost a half hour to order tea, and many of the ladies were not given the opportunity to select a tea of choice -- it was assigned to them instead. They never received additional hot water from their servers or even a follow-up visit from to see if everything was okay. Only one server, named Jesse, was incredibly nice and attentive, and truly one of a kind. The Palm Court is quite beautiful, but very noisy and touristy. Tip: If you do choose to go, the Chocolate Mint tea is incredibly good!
Reviewer: CWT  Add your review     

Visited: March, 2004.  Reviewed: August, 2004.
Meal: Afternoon tea.  Type of tea served: Loose leaf.  Served: In a teapot.
Tea: Good.  Food: Good.  Service: Good.  Appearance: Good.
Comments: Of three afternoon teas in the US, the Palm Court at the Plaza Hotel was the second best. While the room is starting to show wear and tear (holes in the rattan chairs for example) the food was good. The ambiance was lovely, with a soloist (harpist), and the service was good, but not labor-intensive. The various "courses" are delivered together on a three-tier stand. The server only reappeared to refill the teapot. 
Reviewer: J. Jones, Pilot Mountain NC  Add your review     

Visited: January, 2003
Meal: Afternoon tea.  Type of tea served: Loose leaf.  Served: In a teapot.
Tea: Good.  Food: Poor.  Service: Fair.  Appearance: Excellent.
Comments: We visited this tea room January 12, 2003. The décor was stunning; the harpist and flowers and just being at THE PLAZA really helped to get over the rest of it. The sandwiches, scones, and pastries were put on the table, all at once, on a three-tiered server. The lack of attentive waiters could have been acceptable if the sandwiches actually tasted as if they had been produced on the same day. The scones were hard and dry and the pastries were tasteless. I was very disappointed in this excuse for afternoon tea, ameliorated only by the surroundings. The waiter informed us he had been there for thirty years as he proceeded to spill hot water all down the sides of the teapot of the person seated to my left, while leaning over me. This is luxury??
Reviewer: Suzanne Levy  Add your review     

Visited: January, 2002
Meal: Afternoon tea.  Type of tea served: Loose leaf.  Served: In a teapot.
Tea: Fair.  Food: Fair.  Service: Poor.  Appearance: Good.
Comments: Unfortunately, I had a dramatically different experience from the earlier reviewer of the Palm Court, and suggest that there are much better and more enjoyable places in NYC to have tea. 
The tea I ordered at the Plaza was in very tiny pieces and slipped easily through the holes in the strainer. When I pointed this out to our server, he told me that it was supposed to be that way and I should wait for it to settle to the bottom of the cup. They had no other strainers that were better suited to that type of tea, nor did they have any other way of preventing the tea from landing in the cup. So I ended up with a (very expensive) cup of sludge. Next, our sandwiches were forgettable -- soggy bread and otherwise just ordinary. Service was slow and reluctant, and our napkins had several holes (each!) in them. Finally, the atmosphere at the Palm Court is something of zoo. I believe I was the only New Yorker in the room full of tourists, and the room's open setup in the middle of the lobby leaves one feeling like a prize cow on display for the judges and other onlookers (more tourists) while having what is supposed to a calm, relaxing, enjoyable experience.
Overall, I found this to be typical of most tourist traps: overpriced, under-whelming, and frequented only by other tourists.
Reviewer: A lover of good tea experiences  Add your review   

Visited: October, 2001
Meal: Afternoon tea.  Type of tea served: --  Served: --
Comments: My daughter and i recently took tea at the Plaza Hotel. Being the recipient of a gift certificate from her boyfriend we decided to redeem it. What an experience! Memories were made. Tea is served daily, from 3:45 to 7:00 pm on a first-come, first-served basis. The Palm Court serves a Traditional Tea and a Deluxe Aristocratic Tea. While pricey it was worth it. Live harp music played as we were seated in the elegant Palm Court. I chose the Traditional Tea accompanied by decaf orange pekoe. My daughter chose the Aristocratic Tea and ordered the Palm Court Blend. My sandwiches were served club sandwich style (2). One sandwich had cucumber, watercress, tomato, and egg salad all in one. My daughter's sandwiches were more hearty; ham on carrot bread, black and orange caviar on a blini, smoked salmon on ficelle, and prosciutto with basil leaves. Next came the still-warm currant scones with real Devon cream and preserves. The fig preserves were unique. The miniature pastries were comprised of chocolate mousse with gold-leaf trim, banana cream tart, custard tart with fresh fruit, and a mango/kiwi confection. The service and food were outstanding. The elegant beauty of the Palm Court transported us back to a simpler, more peaceful time. This is a great place to go to pamper yourself and connect with a loved one. Taking tea is healing; much needed during these times. 
Reviewer: Carole H. King, Tea Lady  Add your review  

The Ritz Carlton, New York, NY

Visited: January, 2008.  Meal: Afternoon tea. Type of tea: Loose leaf. Served: In a teapot.
Tea: Excellent.  Food: Excellent. Service: Excellent.  Appearance: Excellent.
Comments: Sublime! Neither too touristy nor too snobbish. Some wore suits, others wore jeans. Very comfy and cozy. Our server was so attentive. Always refilled our cups without request, even if they were partially full. The tea was delicious. The petit fours and dainty desserts were not only beautiful, but scrumptious. Satisfying, yet not too heavy. Then fluffy, delicious scones with devonshire cream and fruit preserves. Everything was served on silver and china. The lighting was wonderful - the general room was a bit on the dark side with the wood-panelled walls, but there were cunning lights so that each table was individually well-lit. Our coats were taken without additional fee, and piano music was heard in the background, providing a comfortable and relaxing aura. Overall sublime. For those who enjoy high-class teas, but dislike pomp and formality. Really excellent.
Would you go back? Yes, can't wait!
Reviewer: aspeth100 2/08 Add your review   

Visited: May, 2004.  Reviewed: August, 2004.
Meal: Afternoon tea. Type of tea: Loose leaf. Served: In a teapot.
Tea: Excellent.  Food: Excellent. Service: Excellent.  Appearance: Excellent.
Comments: Having been to several tearooms, both privately owned and hotels, I was very much looking forward to having tea at the Ritz-Carlton. I was in NY for business and had a friend from college join me for the weekend. We went to afternoon tea at the Ritz on a Friday afternoon. It was all I expected and more! The ambiance was so elegant and luxurious. The tea selection was great, better than most hotels, and the food -- there was so much food we didn't even make it to the desserts as we were full from the decadent scones, sandwiches, and other tasties. The service was excellent and though a bit pricey (end tab was $100 for 2), it was a wonderful experience. Highly recommended if you are in NY.
Reviewer: Wendy Add your review