Restaurant Mon Apr 30 2007

Steep House

Filter coffee shop, in the congested heart of Wicker Park/Bucktown is shutting its doors to make way for Bank of America, as reported in Gapers Block. But just down the street, where the sidewalks aren't choked with hipsters and tourists, just beyond Scoop NYC and before the Green Eye Lounge, there's a new spot for caffeine and lounging--though the caffeine here is of the loose-leaf variety. Tea Essence opened a few weeks ago in a big and airy space, helping to lead the way in the coversion of this gritty industrial strip. The owners, Tanya Govert and Heidi Brown, both left behind their former day jobs for their new jobs: helping each person to find his or her own tea. At the front of the shop there's a table with little glass jars of tea, so before ordering a cup, you can inspect the leaves and perhaps even sniff. There are green teas, white teas, black teas, herbal teas and teas blended with fruit or flowers. The teas, once ordered, are steeped in a French press and then served by the cup. In addition to the hot beverage, Tea Essence serves scones and other pastries and soups and sandwiches from Kitchen Chicago. And, as part of their commitment to passing on to the public the benefits of tea, Tanya and Heidi are also hosting meetings for a local tea club, with tastings and visits to other tea shops. This is the perfect place to stop on your way to a show at Gorilla Tango Theater, either for a snack before the show, or for detox tips after taking in the interactive show, "Bye Bye Liver: A Chicago Drinking Game."

— Lori Barrett / Comments (0)