UYE: Afternoon Tea at Press Tea

Cute, sweet and yummy. A good place to take friends for a quiet little time of chatting with good treats and sweets!

So glad that I was able to make it to this UYE coordinated by Lori L and a tea party too! Yay! It is a total treat for me to be able to meet other Unilocalers since I am a newbie (no hazing please) but it is so great to be invited into the fold by such warm and friendly people.
Despite the drizzle (use the umbrella or not use the umbrella) and trying to get here after the Pride festivities were winding down right outside (how do you get around all these people? crowdsurf?) it was a nice Sunday get together. Everything seemed cool and legit down to the name tags and the «UYE Reserved» table signs. (I pretty much pounced on Lori L. when I came in. Sorry! I guess I was that eager and happy to be there.) Despite our number it didn’t seem stuffy but even seemed like a kind of intimate party. I met some Queens Unilocalers and was informed that Queens Unilocalers are some of the nicest people which I definitely believe to be true. (Flushing representin!)
The tea was good, the company was nice and the setting was very chill. We were even able to listen to George one of the owners of Press Tea talk about the process of making the teas and his vision for the business. My only regret was not asking Dave H. where he got his cool shirt at and getting a scone to go. But definite kudos to Lori L. for a great UYE. (Internet High Five!)

This UYE was fun, educational, and delicious.
Fun because I got to sit in the company of friends and Unilocalers I had just met for the first time, all there for the common love of tea.
Educational because George, one of the founders of Press Tea, explained the process of pressing tea to extract more flavor and richness from it as compared to simply steeping it.
Delicious because, well, derrrrrr. Tea and pastries!
Overall, this was a lovely event in a lovely new establishment. I am so happy Lori L. and Dave H. fell in love with this place, because they shared it with us and, I think it’s safe to say, make us all love it as well. Thanks again, you two, and everyone at Press Tea!

Lori can definitely plan a UYE better than me! Little name tags, little signs on the tables that says «Reserve for Unilocal», and huge turnout! The group is small enough to have decent conversations without a noisy atmosphere (which is great for tea locations). I was late, but forgiven since I had a great excuse (trapped by the police and the parade).
George, the owner of the tea shop, was very interesting and passionate. At first he was talking about tea, then he went off in a tangent about old ladies on plantation fields, cancer kids, and Victoria Secret fundraising? (I’m not sure). Kudos!
*WARNING — there is no alcohol in the tea.*

UYE at Press Tea was a solid event. Lori L. and co-​host Dave H. were successful in both coordinating with George and team at Press Tea but also riling up the max capacity of Unilocalers that the space could accommodate.
It was a great time to be had on a Sunday. I got to learn about the origins of the business that included sourcing tea from Southeast Asia and what their outlook is for the future of «pressed tea» and their original blend. George mentioned that the strength of tea you get in a 12oz is about 6 tea bags and cannot be compared to regular bubble tea which is mostly sugar. They also make their pastries in house and shows they really care about the quality of the products.
Looking forward to the next trip over to this tea room. Loved the featured drink which was Iced passion fruit green tea! Simply perfect. Fresh purée is used versus fruit juice.

The company of awesome Unilocalers, complimentary sampling of sweet and delicious pastries (made in-​house), tasty custom teas, plus meeting/​greeting the owner of Press Tea himself equate to a wonderful Sunday afternoon UYE at Press Tea in the West Village. The parade and the rain wasn’t stopping anyone. Thank you so much Lori L. and Dave H. for hosting and organizing a great time for all of us.
George, the owner of Press Tea, carries a lot of passion for his business, and it’s clearly evident. He took the time to personally provide us with a full background on the history of Press Tea and what makes their tea different. Instead of the traditional steeping of tea bags, they have a unique press system to create their custom tea creations. I have to say, you haven’t had a very good cup of tea until you’ve had Press Tea. As someone who loves tea, I am glad to know a place like Press Tea exists in Manhattan. I’m frankly tired of seeing only coffee shops on every corner and always hoped to find a quality tea spot. Undoubtedly, I think I found it thanks to this introductory event to a NYC gem. I’ll be making a trip back again soon for some more of that iced Passionfruit Green Tea, which I have to say is absolutely refreshing and delightful. Thank you, Lori, for the recommendation!

Lori L. did a bang-​up job of organizing this. (I might have co-​hosted, but she did the heavy lifting.)
In spite of the Pride parade, many tea-​loving folk made it out to try Press Tea’s many custom blends.
Many thanks to George, Petty, and Richard for opening the doors of Press to us, and providing salubrious samples of bites and drink to everyone.