SHARED by: Leigh Goldman, Gymtime Mom

Call it the ultimate in retro chic. Tea, which has been around for thousands of years, is going big on the Upper East Side, giving mainstay coffee a run for its money as the hot beverage of choice.

Whether you relish rooibos, go gaga over green or are into herbal infusion, chances are there’s a tea for you and your kids in the neighborhood.

Teavana

Teavana Fine Teas + Tea Bar  – 1142 Madison Ave., between 84th and 85th Streets, (212) 288-1506, and1291 Lexington Avenue (between 86th and 87th Streets, (212) 831-5738).
The Teavana name implies “heaven of tea” and the concept is part tea bar, part tea emporium. Hot beverage connoisseurs take note: the company behind Teavana? Starbucks. The Seattle coffee company purchased the Atlanta-based Teavana last year. Teavana Teas recommended for kids (and caffeine free!) include: Strawberry Lemonade Herbal Tea, Pineapple Kona Pop Herbal Tea, Wild Orange Blossom Herbal Tea, Blueberry Bliss Rooibos Tea and Chocolate Bananas Foster Herbal Tea.Alice’s Tea Cup: Chapter II and Chapter III–   (Chapter II) 156 East 64th Street (between Lexington and Third Avenues), (212) 486-9200 and (Chapter III) 220 East 81st Street (between Second and Third Avenues),  (212) 734-4TEA, (Chapter I is the Upper West Side counterpart).
Along with a range of teas, Alice’s Tea Cup is a local institution offering an experience, complete with pastries, cakes and fairytale décor. The restaurants throw great birthday parties. For tots, there’s the Wee Tea service (scones, sandwiches, chocolate mousse and tisane tea), and for teens and adults, there’s the Mad Tea Hatter tea service.

DavidsTeaDAVIDsTEA1124 Third Avenue (between 65th and 66th Streets), (212) 717-1116.
This Canadian transplant has a selection of more than 150 types of tea. Caffeine-free kid favorites include Birthday Cake Tea – with sprinkles and bits of freeze-dried ice cream! – as well as  Goji Pop, Mint Chocolate Rooibos and White Chocolate Frost.
Kusmi-Tea Kusmi Tea1037 Third Avenue at 61st Street, (212) 355-5580.
This tea company from Paris is 140 years old, but don’t let the age fool you. Kusmi is plenty relevant today with cleverly named teas, including Detox, Euphoria, Be Cool and Boost. The teas are divided into families – Wellness, Russian, Traditional, Flavored and Decaf – and classified by categories – Black, Green and Iced. Locally, we have Kusmi shops at Third and 61st, in Bloomingdale’s and at The Plaza Food Hall.

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