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Had enough muddy muck at certain coffeehouse chains? Try this soothing tea retreat, backed by a 150 year-old Osaka tea purveyor. Literature explaining the differences between the six brews offered helps one break away from the bean and learn about the leaf. The low-caffeine “Golden Leaf” is good for the tummy, for example; the sweet “Shiny Slim” comes packed with vitamins; and the smooth “Kyoto Emperor” maccha particularly earns its title when served hot and frothy. Whether iced, hot, or latte-style, all complement mellow tea-themed sweets like fudgy, slightly bitter chocolates; moist financier cakes; buttery, earthen-flavored cookies; and the popular daifuku, mushy rice-flour dough stuffed with tea-flavored cream. Loose tea, tea sets, and gift boxes are also for sale, and anything is available to go. Better yet, take a seat on one of the cushy leather stools along the minimally appointed bar and revel in the relaxing vibe, absent of laptop toting hordes and noisy barista sound effects. — Kathleen Squires

Though the address is on Lexington Avenue, direct access from the street (not through the hotel) is around the corner on 51st St.

Kyoto Emperor hot maccha, $2.50; financier, $4; cheesecake, $4.50; daifuku, $4.