Dominic, For trips to the city, I would go to Ten Ren, but they tend
to be a little pricey. I would probably get their King's Tea Green(3rd
or 2nd Grade) for Chinese/Taiwanese. But this board is right, there
are other great places, and I would for sure stop at Takashimaya
(downstairs Tea Box) and Itoen for interesting loose teas.

A
http://blog.ateava.com/


Dominic T. wrote:
> Sorry to inundate you all with my cluelessness on NY and it's
> Chinatown, but I have one last question. I have heard mention of Ten
> Ren on this NG a number of times and just realized that it is located
> right where I will be in NYC at the end of this week... I leave
> Thursday.
>
> What are my best purchases to make here? What would be your top *must
> purchase* teas? (can be for Ten Ren or any other tea shop in NYC) I do
> want to try some bubble tea as well, since I've been kicking myself for
> passing it up at a restaraunt in Penn State last summer.
>
> I'm just looking for some last minute ideas or teas that I may not have
> thought of, and any advice about Ten Ren is helpful too. I know I've
> searched back and there are many mentions of it positive and negative.
>
> So far, I have Mott Street as my main destination with Canal and
> Mullberry streets as well. Peking Duck House, Ten Ren, a few standard
> Chinatown shops and little Italy. I'm not sure about the Tea Gallery,
> because it seems to be very highly acclaimed but a bit counter to my
> personal sensibilities and outlook on tea. Also a trip to the Empire
> State building and the Statue of Liberty are in the cards... which
> leaves us a day and a half to just explore. Probably Central Park,
> Times Square, etc. I've thought about hitting TeaNY only because it is
> owned by Moby and personal interests not so much the tea/vegan stuff.
>
> Thanks!
> - Dominic