Subtle Tea

One of my favorite tea spots… unfortunately closed down now. Used to love the yerba mate teas here, really hit the spot on a hot summer day with just a bit of Agave nectar.
Bought some of there Ooo Long mix and Yerba Mate with me to the office for my own brewing… the last remnants of a great tea spot. Always filled with folks on there computers and bright and airy, just a great spot to hang out or walk to on a nice spring/​summer day. Will be sorely missed.

I’m shedding a tear of sadness for the loss of Subtle Tea. It was the best place to study that I’d found since moving here despite being all the way downtown and on the evil East side. I’m completely heartbroken.
I’m going to pour out a lil’ liquour for y’all tonight. RIP. (Please come back!)

For review number 300?
A requiem for the recently departed Subtle Tea. A great local establishment, loved by people on Unilocal,run by good people, driven out of business by a greedy New York landlord. No word on whether they will set up shop elsewhere, but thanks for the good times, sweet teashop.

I love Suble Tea! What a cute name– nice and inviting (props to this entrepreneur on his business antics!) and more so, I’ve been taking GREAT advantage of this joint since I live around the corner. My wifi internet has decided not to work on me (damn you, linksys piece of shit router!) so Subtle Tea has become a frequent stop for me when needing to get work done in the hood.
The meager 3 stars is because as innovative as the tea list is, I just think it’s meh. Maybe that’s just tea in general– well strike that; I happen to know tea well since I prefer it over coffee any day (and I don’t drink coffee, actually) so shame on you Subtle Tea. You do indeed have «subtle tea” — too subtle. Not enough flavor. I’m talking about the prized Almong Cookies, Blood Orange (blegh), and Chocolate Covered Strawberry. Those are the ones I’ve tried recently– the first and third tasted exactly alike. The Blood Orange did actually have an AFTERTASTE orange flavor but just tasted too sour. I don’t know … to me, I like TeaSpot in the W. Village for their actual tea.
The tea ain’t expensive though– maybe for what is essentially a 2 inch bag and water but these exotic teas at $ 2.50 are much better than a Starbucks, aaaand yay to supporting the local biz! They do have a great selection– at least 15 – 20 teas PER each time of the day. Morning tea, afternoon tea, and evening tea. Coool. As it’s been noted, I second the fact that you can use ORGANIC agave to sweeten up your tea as a major plus. I’m no vegetarian but this place seems. you know, vegan/​vegetarian/​hipster friendly. I bet I’d see more of this if it were not in Murray Hill.
In any case, back to the shop itself. Nice décor, with everything all bright, white and summertime. I try to snag a spot at the communal table where I browse through Vogue, and enjoy the Wifi as I work on my laptop. They have plugs-​and yes they have IPOD chargers. Wowza! They would be somehow ripping people off (though I don’t feel that way) or just doing good biz to pay for all the amentiies. This, and the nice side couches.
I kind of wish there were more seats here, but it’s Manhattan and we’re all starved for space. I hear the bathroom is decrepit and scary. Glad I live close by so unfortunately I have no commentary to offer on that front.
I’ve had some food here too– and it’s better than the tea. I don’t have much to say about the cranberry oatmeal I had once in the morning for breakfast. It was really goopy and flavorless– they did ask me if I wanted it with milk or water and came to bring it to me. That was nice. I’d also had their fro-​yo, which others have had lukewarm feelings about. The fro-​yo indeed is drastically different from a Pinkberry (which is my crème de la crème of fro-​yo) being that it’s way too thick, and way too sweet– for me. Some may like this. Just beware it is rather like eating soft serve ice cream? I got the orignal flavor. I’m sure that souds wonderful to most but I really wanted my sour, natural, as-​lactose-​free-​as-​can-​be, Pinkeberry esque Fro Yo. Yeah, not it at Subtle Tea.
What is good here, is the scones. Notably, the chocolate scone. It was so fluffy and moist and gooey– it felt like a cookie-​biscuit (yes, cookie-​biscuit how wonderful sounding), and was BIG (ugh like a meal or feel like you’re going to throw up) and expanded in your stomach. These, amongst the other muffins and pastries tend to run out qucikly.
As far any other hot food such as the salads, soups, sandwiches– lunch items; I’d skip. They are overpriced and microwaved.
The staff is super nice and friendly. Pretty sure they’re all actors, since some Actors’ Academy is across the street.
Stop by.

Very chill place. We killed about an hour here because I wanted to visit yet another tea place before we left town. I ordered a large strawberry green tea and a pomegranate frozen yogurt and my boyfriend got a vanilla yogurt parfait and iced chai latte. Everything was refreshing and delicious. Many chai drinks by other places are under spiced and cloyingly sweet but Subtle Tea makes a very good one, albeit heavier on the cinnamon. I would’ve loved to try the green tea frozen yogurt but it wasn’t available that day. We sat at the communal table and read magazines while we sipped our refreshments.
Asides from tea and sammiches, they sell a variety of bath and beauty products, including my very favorite lip balm Crazy Rumors (they are vegan and have tea and coffee flavors). Loose leaf tea and tea ware are also available for purchase.
The free wifi was very much appreciated. I was checking my email on my iPod Touch and discovered that our 5:00pm bus to DC was canceled and we had to take the 5:30pm. Thank goodness for that wifi!
There was one guy who wandered in and sat at the communal table, read the Sunday paper, and left without buying anything. First of all, what a mooch, and second of all, did he really trek all the way here when he could have done the same thing at a bookstore or even the library?
Not sure if I will be back but I did enjoy my time here and recommend it to all my fellow tea addicts.

This is a great place to go for tea. Bright and colorful décor with comfy seating on the side or sit at the communal table.
There is a variety of tea to select from with a small sandwich & sweets section. You can also purchase bath & body products as well as ceramic cups & tea pots that look pretty cool.
I hope Subtle Tea does really well so that they can expand. Would love for there to be more more space. I feel kind of awkward chatting with a friend at the communal table when everyone else is quiet reading their magazine or book.

yummmm!
If you love tea… this is the place to go! Yesterday I went for the first time and I got an iced strawberry green tea… DELICIOUS! It was also also cheaper than starbucks. The frozen yogurt was a bit expensive but it was also delicious!
The staff was super nice and they let me try the tea before ordering… it was definatly good times. Going back again soon. :D

Their pomegranate iced tea is off the hook.
They have a huge selection of loose teas you can purchase, but mostly I go there for the takeaway sandwiches and salads. I get emailed a menu every week and am able to pick and choose my favorites and know that they’ll be there on that day (because the menu changes). Love the chargers, love the fact that they have the ipod connectors so if you’re like me and always forget my wall charger, I can go in and just set it up like God intended.

My favorite place to sit to get some work done. Let me list ALL the reasons why…
(1) Good coffee and amazing chai tea lattes — the peanut butter chai tea latte is great too, dessert in a drink
(2) Plenty of outlets and space at a long communal table — ipod chargers too.
(3) Friendly staff that never make you feel rushed or like you have to keep ordering every hour to earn your spot at the table.
(4) Healthy breakfast options — fresh yogurt parfaits with toppings, healthy bars and drinks… plus less healthy but yummy looking pastries
(5) Frozen yogurt for dessert with fun toppings
(6) Cute things for sale (tea pots, loose tea, mugs, etc) that provide a nice distraction when I need a break
And who can resist such a cute pun? I love it here!

During my last trip to NY I joined Kevin L here for a caffeine fix. No tea for me, but they did make me the most uh-​mazing iced vanilla latte. And I couldn’t resist buying a scrumptious chocolate muffin as well.
I walked out sipping my latte and said to Kevin «wow, this sure beat Starbucks.» He looked at me confused and said «is that supposed to be a compliment?» Shhhh… don’t tell anyone, but I do happen to think Starbucks makes some pretty incredible lattes (especially with their cinnamon dulce syrup– yum!). However, I’ll be supporting this local biz during future trips to the Big Apple.

A wonderful tea spot! I wish this place was closer to where I worked, lived… or did stuff.
A wide-​spread variety of teas, timed for the time of day. Late at night? Have a 7pm (or whatever it’s called) tea! Morning? They have suggestions for that too.
Tea-​like snacks are available as well and are decent.
There is communal seating and I believe WiFi. A good place to chill or hang out with a couple people.

Free WIFI!
Subtle Tea is a cozy little tea bar in Murray Hill with one large wooden community table complete with ipod docking stations, power strips along the table with a variety of complimentary magazines and news papers to catch up on all your news, fashion, and pop culture.
There are also two other comfortable seating areas with large over-​sized contemporary khaki pillows that you can pile up and and make a cozy nook along the windows.
Now onto the menu.
I had the strawberry green tea with a banana, but there is a full parfait bar with everything from mochi to chocolate chip. I don’t have much of sweet tooth, but something note worthy that I would like to try it their cupcakes. I was eye-​ing the chocolate cupcake which looks exactly like the Hostess Ding Dongs we used to eat when we were kids! I have to go back and try it just to time warp back into childhood!!! We NEVER have to grow up!!!

Free Wi-​Fi? Check.
Cute, kind and accommodating employees? Check.
Squishy window couches and comfortable chairs along the communal table? Check.
Puppy friendly policy? Check.
Chillax and inviting atmosphere with good music? Check.
Great selection of teas, coffees, snacks and brewing accoutrements? Check.
Clean bathroom? Check.
…and most importantly; the ability to brew a deliciously fragrant and strong milky cup of Earl Gray? Check.
Hi, my name is Oriana, and I think I’ve found my new office.

On a somewhat cold and merciless block between 30^th and 31^st street on bustling Madison Avenue lies a warm little sanctuary known as Subtle Tea. While not technically a coffee shop, this tea house possesses many of the redeeming qualities that make a coffee house stand out, among them brewed coffee and espresso drinks.
The wood-​paneled walls, pillow-​y window seats, and communal table welcome guests to sit, sip, and stay for hours. Electrical outlets are plentiful, wi-​fi is free, and there are even ipod docks fixed to the table if you need to juice up. The staff is very friendly and accommodating and late in the evening is known to give away full sized iced tea samples instead of trashing the excess.
There is an impressive array of teas to choose from at Subtle Tea for every time of day including flavored chai lattes and iced drinks. According to staff, there is also a hearty morning coffee rush; customers prefer the brewed coffee here over the burnt coffee at the ubiquitous chain down the street. And discerning soy drinkers be warned: this is a plain Vitasoy coffee shop.
There’s a modest selection of baked goods including a few vegan options, along with some soups, and pre-​packaged sandwiches and salads. In addition, they serve frozen yogurt with a choice from a spread of toppings. The walls are lined with all kinds of tea brewing merchandise, soaps, and gift-​y knick-​knack thing-​a-​ma-​jigs.
When in this neighborhood, Subtle Tea is a must! Grab a drink, soak up some ambience, and thumb through a magazine. If you’re hoping to grab a seat, your best bet is after work when that area of town clears out.

I ADORE THIS PLACE.
I wasn’t much of a tea fan before, but I’ve totally converted. I love the Pearls of the Nile tea, a fruity African rooibos to die for, and the almond cookie green tea is pretty good as well.
The place itself is really cute and communal — one long table of outlets, magazines, and lamps. There’s also a couch, and shelves of tea and tea-​related goodies.

If Anthropologie created a tea house, it would be Subtle Tea. Not only do they sell an amazing array of classy warm beverages, they have gigantic cupcakes, fro-​yo (chicks dig it!) and a bunch of homey stuff like candles and soap.
While the pun-​y name kind of annoys me, the chai americaine has become my new substitute for coffee and they sell a bomb vegan ginger cookie.
I like it so I must really be turning a corner and becoming a true lady.

Lately, I’ve been on a random craving kick. It involves: strawberry flavored Laffy Taffy, Original Combos, Reeses Pieces, anything that involves mochi (
), and chai lattes. This review relates specifically to my quest to find a chai latte in Philly that is equal to or greater than (unlikely) Subtle Tea’s version.
It’s been over two weeks since I had my first and only Subtle experience and I still can’t shake it. Since I don’t live in NYC, I’ve been desperately trying to recreate the unparalleled tastiness of this latte here in Philly. First I started with making it at home from scratch. It took Subtle Tea a brisk 5 minutes to make mine. It took me a solid hour and I tossed it after two sips. Next, I tried Green Line Café (Locust St): too watered down, no spice kick. Tossed that one as well. Finally, there was Chapterhouse (my favorite locale for all things morning beverage). Even they don’t cut it.
So, Philly, where’s a girl to go for a spicy but mellow, creamy and just right morning chai latte? Save all the clever, «how about trying an actual tea house?» I know, I’m on it. Reviews to follow…

I feel odd giving five stars to a tea shop. But Subtle Tea deserves it.
1. Great name. Punny does not always equal funny to me, but I think this is kind of clever.
2. The «8 Treasures of the Shaolin» green tea is the best tea I have ever had. It combines 8 different green teas, and it tastes of pineapple and strawberries. And let’s be honest, that name rocks too.*
3: It’s just a pleasant place to be. The music is mellow, the seats comfortable, and there are outlets so you communicate with your virtual friends all day.
I’ve seen the same guy sitting at one end of the table, every single time I’ve come in. Sometimes he’s alone, sometimes he’s with someone, but he’s clearly using Subtle Tea as an office. And I don’t blame him at all. I almost wish it was my office; they serve amazing tea, and I wouldn’t have to deal with the girl that sits on my right… let’s just say she’s a little grabby. And she may or may not have a flatulence problem.**
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*I wanted to say something clever about Wu-​Tang here, but I couldn’t think of anything. Let’s just pretend I did. Feel free to send me «You’re Cool» compliments if you like Wu-​Tang. Even better, if you can think of something, PM it to me and then I’ll edit my review and pass it off as my own.
**I don’t want to name names… but hers rhymes with Shmane K.

Subtle Tea,
You’ve won me over. Your chai lattes are beyond reproach.
Since we met a couple months ago I’ve diligently returned to you and time and again you impress me with your congenial staff and of course with the high quality of your chai lattes.
I look forward to our brief, sweet encounters the way I long for spring, the ocean lapping at my toes and Mission-​style burritos.
Until next we meet again.. .

LOVE this place! After long trecherous visits to find the best coffee shop that offers free wifi, I finally found Subtle Tea. Bright lights, great drinks, fair prices, extremely friendly staff, casual atmosphere and jazzy alternative music, this place rocks.
There may be times with groups meeting up or people staying for hours with their laptop (such as myself) so it might get crowded, but just lounge around on their comfy pillow sofas by the window.
And not to mention they have great teas! Try Strawberry Chocolate Tea or Almond Cookie Green Tea, very subtle flavors that makes such a difference.