15. Cha-An
Opening its doors in 2004, the Cha-An Tea House is for lovers of tea and elegant Japanese snacks. The chef is trained in Japanese cooking as well as French pastry making, having apprenticed at Bouley Bakery with short stints at both the Russian Tea Room and Le Bernardin.
Here, in her own shop, she offers a Japanese version of the traditional afternoon tea with matcha and sencha teas as well as avocado toast on homemade Japanese milkbread and sweets like matcha tiramisu. Located at 230 East 9th Street, Cha-An serves afternoon tea from noon to 11 p.m.
You can contact the author at AFineLyne. Additional reporting by Laura Itzkowitz.