SpotLight: Sanctuary T, NYC

Who doesn't need a little safe haven from all the madness and buzz that is New York City? After much anticipation, Sanctuary T has opened its doors on West Broadway (at the corner of Grand Street) in New York's fashionable SoHo District. The Madam had the opportunity to visit Sanctuary T recently and I simply must tell you about it...

This very modern, sleek city spot is much more than a teahouse. While it is also a cafe restaurant and bar, the overwhelming emphasis is definitely on tea. Decked out in warm rich chocolate brown and the dimmed glow of candles at each table this upscale teahouse is cozy, warm and inviting.

Sanctuary is open early and stays open late, allowing for a variety of different options. You can order breakfast, lunch, dinner, brunch, tea and/or cocktails. The afternoon that I stopped in, my friend and I split a thin crust pizza with sliced tomato, arugala and goat cheese (which I have since tried to replicate but never with the quality or taste and ingredients as I had at Sanctuary), and a carafe of SoHo Chai. Yes, I said carafe....

The tea is steeped for you and then decanted into a glass carafe, wrapped appropriately so you don't burn your hand while pouring it...to which I of course quipped, "This place is so fashionable even the carafes are wearing ascots!"

We promised ourselves we would come late one night (open until 12:30am on Friday/Saturday) to sample one of the many tea-inspired cocktails and check out the hip tea-loving cognoscenti of New York. Tea Cocktails here.

The staff is knowledgable and very pleasant (if you're expecting SoHo snobbishness, you won't find it here!) I had the good fortune to be served by the Sanctuary T's tea sommelier, Stanley, who is responsible for their wide variety of tea selections and their blends. I can't possibly list them all, but it was obvious the level of distinction, knowledge and quality.

If you're there around the holidays, and feel like some holiday fun, check out the Winter Dessert Drinks! We tasted the Flight of 4: Santa's Sleigh, Candycane Lane, Apple Pie and Peppermint Hot Chocolate. Each tea-based concoction is a little taste of Christmas!

So put this on your "Go To" List and grab a little Sanctuary in the City!