NewYorkFirst.com: Tea Sommelier

Tea Sommelier.

In New York City’s hectic, cell-phone-dominated, espresso-powered world, more diners are seeking the quiet comfort of a cup of tea and treasure places that provide the respite a pot of tea symbolizes. Afternoon Tea is the ideal way to entertain neighbors, friends, and even business acquaintances.

An English-themed restaurant and teashop located in Greenwich Village, Tea & Sympathy has developed a cult following among British ex-pats, celebrities, and tourists who share the common love of really good, authentic English tea in the afternoon. Owner Nicola Perry, former tea lady at the London Stock Exchange, offers the teashop's own brand of imported English loose tea leaves in 4-ounce tins, including:

English Breakfast is a blend of several black teas deriving from India, Sri Lanka, China, Kenya or Malawi. It makes a robust, full-bodied drink with light floral undertones. Brits like to add milk, resulting in a comforting aroma likened to hot toast, which contributed to its popularity as a "morning tea."

Earl Grey is a blend of black teas, whose distinctive flavor and aroma is derived from the addition of oil extracted from the rind of the bergamot orange, a fragrant citrus fruit.

Rosie Lee Blend is the shop's own special blend of black tea. It is closely related to English Breakfast but with a twist to refine it towards American tastes.