Ippodo tea house

This tiny place hidden in between two buildings, not far from Grand Central, is only providing Japanese green tea from a matcha base. They have “here” or “to go”, ice or hot.

I chose “to go” and ordered an ice matcha slushy for $4. It tasted really good! They have different type of matcha, some bitter, some sweeter, depending on your taste.

This teahouse was first created in Japan with several stores in Tokyo, Kyoto, Hokkaido, and opened one abroad in New York City.

It takes only 2mn to make the tea and for the busy people in Grand Central, you will have a “to go” in your hands in less time than you think.

I also discovered there was a Japanese restaurant on the 2^nd floor but I was mostly interested in there tea.

http://www.ippodo-tea.co.jp/en/shop/ny.html

Hiroko's place

Hiroko’s place isn’t a place dedicated to tea but I absolutely wanted to mention it because I actually love that place. It is more known as a Japanese restaurant but it doesn't serve traditional foods like ramen or sushi. They have curry, omurice, French fries, a bit different from what you are probably used to.

They have a small selection of 5 teas and a few deserts for those who would like to stop for a small 4pm break, which I highly recommend as a shopping break in Soho.

I haven’t found any places like that in New York City yet. It’s a very cute place that releases a very special atmosphere. I would like to say this restaurant is a coffee place where you feel like home. There are a couple of tables, a piano, a shelf with Japanese manga and magazines, two sofas, and of course Japanese music.

When I entered the café, it was empty. I was the only customer. There was just the two cook, the three waitresses and ooji-sama (grandfather) as I like to say. I always see him there, sitting on the sofa, and I’ve never understood what he is actually doing, but I feel now he belongs to that place so each time I come, I know he will be there cutting some papers and stuff for some reasons I don't know.

Back to my story, I sat at a table near the window at the back and I could here all the employees talking all together in Japanese. I ordered one of my favorites desert: “a green tea parfait” and a hot Ceylon tea. The parfait reminds me some of my nostalgic time in Japan and I know I can only find it in that café.

Hiroko’s place, a well-chosen name that makes me think that each time I’m going there I’m actually going to a friend’s house.

http://www.hirokosplace.com/

(Closed on Wednesday)

Cha-an Teahouse

My first place was Cha-an Teahouse a Japanese room. I passed by intrigued and willing to know what was that secret tea place. Located in the East Village, next to St. Mark’s Place, this charming teahouse is almost unrecognizable. 
I opened the wood door, walked up the stairs and arrived in this tiny place where I could hear the waiters talking in Japanese. There were only ten tables distant from each other so the customers could keep their privacy. Everything was in wood and bamboo, as if it was an old traditional teahouse in the Japanese countryside. I instantly forgot I was in New York. I sat at the bar and I ordered the traditional matcha. After a couple of minutes, the Japanese green tea arrived in a ceramic bowl served with a side of tiny sweets, some red bean paste and mochi. Both of them were perfectly accompanied: a bitter tea with a side of a sweet pastry. It made a perfect combination. 
(For more info http://www.chaanteahouse.com/wp/)