Argo Tea 02-13-2010

Location: 949 Bway
Time: 6pm
People: RB and myself

Feelings: Argo Tea, a Chicago based tea cafe chain, opened at the former Jo Malone location in the Flatiron building. If Starbucks specialized in the leaf instead of the bean, this is what it would be. One major difference is the lack freelance of scriptwriters or poets on their PowerBook. It is striking to find how many people don't enjoy tea or tea breaks in NYC. And no, Snapple doesn't count. RB still has not picked up this tradition I thoroughly enjoy, unfortunately. He prefers the Scottish way: pint at a pub.

They had an overwhelming variety of tea and mixed tea drinks to choose from, but I chose Armenian Mint ($2.95). It was real deal, high quality mint tea, and the temperature was perfect (unlike burning hot tea you may find at many places). The refreshing mint flavor soothed my throat and warmed my belly. I hadn't had that good of tea without spending $5-$6 at more authentic tea houses.

I am not sure if RB was trying to protest against this tea movement, but he ordered coffee at the tea cafe of all places. He said the coffee was just okay. That's what you get when you go against the movement.

I am extremely excited to find this tea chain slowly invading our area despite the similarity to the "Coffee Empire." Perhaps the popularity of tea would rise, it would be easily accessible, and more people would be willing to take a tea break with me!