The other day I was walking through the East Village and came across a new tea shop. It's called Sympathy for the Teapot, and it's on 8th Street, between 1st Ave. and Avenue A. I've since been back there twice.
The Queen Catherine was very good hot, as was the Darjeeling second flush. Today I had the Jasmine Pearl tea on ice. It was served with dried rosebuds sprinkled on top.
The shop also sells teapots, loose teas by the ounce, and simple desserts from the Black Hound. The atmosphere is pleasant, and there are a few games and books to entertain people. There's usually something acoustic on the stereo- today 'The White Album Unplugged' was on. It was definitely a place to sit for a few moments and relax.