The Tea Set 01-05-2012

Location: 235 W. 12th St.

Time: 12pm

People: Effie, JR and myself

Feelings: Most women, regardless of country of origin or age, enjoy three elements in life: a cute little French cafe, tea, and a buttery croissant. On a chilly Thursday afternoon, this cozy French cafe in West Village was packed with women, warming up to a beautifully brewed pot of tea. The attentive service from a charming French owner doesn't hurt either. If men go to a sports bar to release their overactive testosterone, this would be the place women can expell their estrogen without hesitation.

The extensive menu includes breakfast dishes like pastries, eggs, granola and lunch fare like soup, salad, quiches, and sandwiches. Even escargots can be found on the "Winter Day/Brunch" menu, served from 9am to 5pm. My Veggie Croque Croissant ($10, croissant, organic tomato, cheddar, bechamel sauce, organic salad) was not healthy by any means, but it was superbly constructed. The flaky, buttery croissant softly supported the fresh, tangy tomatoes and the creamy sauce. It was of course on a heavy side, but a pot of tea I ordered, genmaicha, soothed the digestion process.

Effie also enjoyed her Organic Eggs in Whole Wheat Croissant ($12, croissant, bechamel sauce, organic cheese, ham, organic salad) with a pot of "Organic French Kiss" tea (rosehip, orange peel. hibiscus, apple and apricot). The bright red-pink color of the tea matched her pink hair, and it was nice sitting across from such an aesthetically striking image of coordination.

JR tried their soy chai tea, but she was not too fond of the strong aroma. Needless to say, I grabbed and finished the rest of it. Thank you JR.

Overall, The Tea Set is a charming cafe with excellent food and tea. It is conveniently located by the 1 train, so why not relax here during your lunch hour over a warm cup of tea and buttery, heavenly croissant? Places like here make me happy to be a girl in NYC.