Alice’s Tea Cup Chapter II NYC
156 East 64th Street, New York, NY 10065-7411 (Alice’s Tea Cup Chapter II)
After shopping at Kusmi I headed down to Alice’s for lunch. The reviews on Steepster left me a little wary but friends on Facebook had recommended I visit it next time I was in town.
I did need to look around a bit to find it as it was around the corner and the entrance was set down below the sidewalk.
Once I found it I headed in and asked for a table for one. The hostess was pleasant and happy. I did feel a little guilty coming in at peak time alone.
I was seated on the level below sidewalk next to the kitchen; there was definitely a second floor that plates were being brought up to.
The restaurant was skinny and long. The décor was mismatched china and framed prints of pictures of various Alice films, and artist pictures and painting inspired by the same.
There were little notes around (think eat me and drink me) like on the dessert case (come closer, come closer).
They did pull off the wonderland tea party, grandmomther’s parlor theme well.
The tables were wooden with wooden chairs; the table I was on was actually an old converted sewing desk with footpedal.
The staff seemed to have droopy too large and mismatched attire as a uniform (which makes sense) that added to the theme.
The tea menu was very large and descriptive – and sorted by type. I wished I were not alone and could order more than one tea to share and try with someone. The food selection was also diverse and tea themed (scones and such).
The wait staff didn’t seem happy with me; I guess I was taking up space at a four person table for only one person. I felt a little bad but wished they didn’t seem so grumpy about it.
I ordered Alice’s Tea (house blend and apparently a favorite).
The tea I received in a whole, not small, teapot with an interesting drip catcher sponge attached. It was served abruptly with my cup only half poured and sloshed about. Was this thematic to the mad hatter’s tea party or just an angry waitress that she got the one patron table?
The tea itself was a translucent orange brown color. There was not a strong aroma to the brewed tea. The tea was slightly astringent, so I added sugar to the first cup, but as I kept refilling it I didn’t bother as it was so slight. The tea was a smooth, medium bodied black with citrus notes. I couldn’t taste the green tea they blended into the black. It was a little floral.
For lunch I ordered the cumin carrot sandwich. It was delicious and filling and presented well.
I tried not to be a burden and to eat and drink in a not dawdling way, but I could not resist the cookie plate at the end.
There were chocolate peanut cookies; butterscotch chip cookies, crasin macadamia cookies and what I believe were shortbread.
Overall good food, not bad tea, and a grumpy wait staff.
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Lovely photos and informative review. It’s a pity they made you feel a little bad for being just one person there. However I know of several places who advocate table sharing, you’re placed with another person, or they are seated at your table, if you’re on your own.
Anyway, we have a forum discussion going on about tea rooms in New York city, so I linked to your article, so everyone can add this place too. If you’re interested in the other tea rooms mentioned there, here’s the link:
http://teatra.de/talk/topic/can-you-recommend-tea-shops-tea-rooms-in-new-york-city/
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I did go back a second time, with a full group, for a better experience, but I can not find those notes!
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Sloshing your tea is not on. Next time I am in NYC, I shall drop in and chastise them. That’ll teach them.
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I want to check this place out. Thanks for the introduction.
You know, this is a perfect example of how social media affects business. You went to this place hesitantly, and although the actual product was ok (good even), the service tainted the experience.
Unlike in the past, where you might’ve told a handful of friends, here I am in Germany aware that this place is to be approached with caution.
I’m very sensitive to the issues of waitstaff, but there’s no excuse for making you feel unwelcome.
Off of my soapbox now.
Having said all that, I’d definitely check it out were I in New York. Again, thanks for the tip.
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The second time I went was better (with two others) waitstaff wise. i also hear from friends chapter III is less busy and hence less rushed. I meant to visit I & III but never enough time….
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As with many places in NYC it’s the luck of the draw, they have good days and bad days. I have been there as a single (at the same location) and the service was fine. It might have been because of the hour I arrived which was a slow period. Glad you had a better time the second time around.