Famished Girl
Sympathy for the Kettle, East Village
If you’re jetting about on autopilot, you very well might miss Sympathy for the Kettle, a magical oasis in the uber-hip East Village where the vibe is decidedly rock and roll. This teeny haven serves up a smattering (150+) of organic, free-trade, and luscious mix-brewed teas in teapots from the dainty to the Orient. Don’t be deceived by the softly-lit wire lamps, serene pink walls, and the display cases filled with whimsical china cups, sterling silver tea strainers, and aficionado books - owner, Jodi Holiday, stocks up whimsy alongside a rock and roll edge (from the tattoos to the Page and Plant blaring from the stereo).
But the teas are nothing short of divine. Holiday serves up the classic mainstays: earl grey, english breakfast, however, she’s creative, much like an obsessed French perfumier, creating new blends such as a Provencal blend of black teas and lavender. Customers have a choice of kettle teas, healing teas (infused with date, ginger citron or quince) or their famous honey/green tea lattes.
While the majority of their teas are from China, Sri Lanka, Japan, India, Indonesia, Taiwan, and emerging Rwanda, Kettle also offer herbs from South Africa, Argentina, Turkey, Iran, Egypt, France and the United States (including ginseng from Wisconsin and organic peppermint from Oregon).
So if you’re interested in proper tea with an edge, visit this favored East Village haunt where the teas and homemade treats (palmiers, scones) never fall short on flavor.
Sympathy for the Kettle
109 St. Marks Place
New York, NY
212-979-1650
