The Tea Box - NYC

A weekend visit to the eldest sister's home in New York included a train trip into NYC, on one of the coldest days of the month I might add. Walking briskly around the City, we added to the hustle and bustle as we took in the sights and sounds of this exciting destination. American Girl Place, Toys 'R Us, and the Empire State Building included a few of our stops. Last year we (Carrie, Angelica, and Nancy) enjoyed brunch at the American Girl Place.

For lunch, we headed to Takashimaya, an upscale Japanese department store on Fifth Avenue (which unfortunately closed in 2010). Located on the lower level is The Tea Box, a simple yet elegant tea room where East meets West in a tranquil setting. Too early for their Afternoon Tea option, we ordered off the lunch menu.
Carrie enjoyed the Bento Box, a wonderful assortment of unique treats, tofu, shrimp, salad, and rice; she enjoyed each bite skillfully using the chop sticks.

My lunch featured a grilled sandwich stuffed with melted mozzarella cheese and sun dried tomatoes all accompanied with a delicately dressed salad and tasty vegetable chips.

My sister, Carrie, a die-hard coffee drinker, has willingly attended tea rooms with me when we travel into the City. And, after several years, she has finally stopped announcing 'I don't like tea' and will share a pot with me; although, she always leaves the selection up to me. To start, I ordered a pot of the Takashimaya blend which is a nice traditional hearty tea, comprised of 3 black teas. She enjoyed it, or so she says. Deciding to push the envelope a bit, and broaden her horizons, I ordered a pot of Genmaicha, a Japanese Green tea with toasted rice and popped corn. Not her favorite; but I was happy to sample this tea. Definitely, a slightly nutty flavored tea with a distinct sea weed undertone. She tried it, afterall, it's a Japanese tea room, but she let me finish the pot!

The black tea was served in the ceramic tea pot with a white mug with handles and a swizzle stick of crystallized sugar (which Angelica ate!). The Japanese green tea was served in the iron tea pot accompanied with the handleless cup shown in the photo.

The lunch stop was indeed serene; a rather tranquil location to enjoy lunch and tea, and then it was back out into the bitter cold. Our day concluded with a mad dash, New York style, to catch the train home. We no sooner sat down on the seat when the train pulled out.

Thanks Carrie and Phil for a very fun and memorable weekend excursion.