Tea & Sympathy
108 Greenwich Avenue • New York, NY 1001
teaandsympathy.com • 212-807-8329
A visit to Tea & Sympathy is much like a trip to a local shop in a small English village to pick up, perhaps, a jar of Branston Pickle, a bag of Walkers crisps, or a box of Weetabix before popping in next door for a cup of tea and a homemade scone. The neighborly feel of both the all-English stocked grocery store and adjacent folksy restaurant/tearoom seems a bit of an anomaly in busy Manhattan, except that Tea & Sympathy is located in the heart of the West Village. The neighborhood spans the area between 14th Street and West Houston and from the Hudson River to Broadway, and as the name implies, the “village” breaks from the uptown grid structure with pretty town houses, secret courtyards, and country-style gardens. It’s filled with small streets that run higgledy-piggledy at a variety of angles, giving the neighborhood a European feel—or as in the case of Tea & Sympathy, the feel of a cozy English shop.
A far cry from the stereotypical elegance of a formal English tea spot, tables in the restaurant/tearoom are topped with sturdy printed oilcloth tablecloths, paper napkins, and diner-sized sugar shakers. The walls are filled with English memorabilia—a photo of Charles and Diana, one of the Queen drinking a “working class” pint, a framed university diploma, chalkboards advertising daily specials, you name it—all hung in a haphazard-by-design style. It’s this cozy, some call it “cramped,” charm that people love, to say nothing of its proprietress, the affable Nicky Perry, a transplant from Blackheath (near Greenwich, England), who’s operated the premises in her own inimitable style for three decades.
Beloved of Anglophiles who appreciate a homespun touch and locals who enjoy a place where the waitress knows your name, they all come for “British fare with American-sized portions.” Afternoon tea ($40 for one, $75 for two) is no exception. The two-tiered stand comes with generously portioned sandwiches made on white, seven-grain, and multigrain breads from Orwashers, an artisan bakery famous in Manhattan since it was founded in 1916 by Hungarian immigrants. The bread elevates pedestrian egg salad with watercress or Scottish Cheddar with ham to a new degree of deliciousness, suggesting perhaps, that you linger a bit longer on the sandwich course before moving on to the scones with clotted cream and jam—on some occasions, Nicky’s homemade marmalade might replace the jam. If not, it’s also available in the shop. The second tier of sweets is an irresistible selection of Victoria Sponge, Lemon Drizzle, or Ginger Cake, along with a Sticky Toffee Cupcake swirled with a Caramel Buttercream Icing. Sweets are subject to change depending on the season or on the baker’s mood that day.
Tea choices are, likewise, perfectly suited to the venue. Classics teas such as Earl Grey and Darjeeling complement thoroughly English brands like PG Tips (a British blend of Assam, Ceylon, and Kenyan teas in pyramid-shaped tea bags); Typhoo (originally created in Birmingham to cure stomach ailments); and Taylors of Harrogate Yorkshire Tea (a strong breakfast blend of teas from India, Sri Lanka, and Africa).
If you’re still craving the British vibe, the restaurant/tearoom serves a traditional English breakfast (beginning at 9:30 a.m. on weekends) and Sunday roasts—chicken or roast beef dinners with trimmings of crispy roast potatoes, Yorkshire pudding, and Bubble and Squeak (from noon to 9:00 p.m. on weekends).
Tea & Sympathy serves afternoon tea daily from noon until 9:00 p.m. Lunch and dinner are served Monday to Friday from noon to 9:00 p.m. Reservations are suggested.
