NEW YORK CITY, NY – SanctuaryT is a cozy restaurant situated in the heart of the energetic SoHo neighborhood. The atmosphere and menu selection are unique with special events unlike any other tea establishment in the city.
Owner Dawn Cameron was raised a tea-lover by her mother. In 2007, she opened SanctuaryT to realize her vision of a haven where busy New Yorkers could retreat from the hustle and bustle of the streets and unwind in the rituals of tea drinking. The atmosphere is indeed relaxed but also lively, owing partly to the fun and friendly staff. The menu contains both traditional and innovative offerings.
The variety is certainly exciting, if not somewhat overwhelming. Customers can choose from 80 kinds of loose-leaf tea, a selection that would excite any tea connoisseur. The most recent addition to their portfolio is a fresh pressed juice menu that includes a super green juice made with practically every vegetable in the garden. It’s no wonder that SanctuaryT was recently named one of the top 50 healthiest places to dine in New York City by Clean Plates NYC.
Customers can reserve seats for several different afternoon tea ceremonies, each of which is thoughtfully planned and more intricate than typical. Chef Donovan Tian explains that his kitchen, “is a tea laboratory in which we generate new ways for people to enjoy teas.”
Customers start by choosing from a menu of specialty savory tea sandwiches that include flavors 
like peanut butter & jelly foie gras and truffle egg salad. Then, there is their “scone service,” which is not-to-be-missed. Chef Tian was inspired in his menu choice from living in the United Kingdom. One of the tastiest parts of the scone service platter is the “cream scone,” a delicate and airy cupcake-shaped scone that is complemented by homemade preserves and crème fraîche. Chef Tian even invented his own new hybrid pastry that is a puff pastry with a crumble top muffin in the middle.
In addition, there are macaroons with distinctive tea and herbal flavors like rose, orange blossom, and Earl Grey. Tian sprinkles dried botanicals on top of the macaroons to add an extra tasty, visual touch. He says that all of his menus are seasonally inspired, offering customers what they love at that time of year drawn from foods locally grown.
SanctuaryT invented ChocoTea®, a line of chocolates made from tea, including delicious matcha tea white chocolates. ChocoTea® and other unique tea products are available with the afternoon tea ceremonies or for purchase on the SanctuaryT online store.
For celebrations or happy hours, SanctuaryT boasts a one-of-a-kind tea cocktail menu. The manager, East Lee, is a tea mixologist. Lee said, “We promote education among consumers, but we’re doing it in a really fun way that also respects traditional tea customs.”
Lee concocts fancy cocktails with tea-based and herbal ingredients and holds tea mixology classes at SanctuaryT. Some of their most popular tea cocktails are the “Maplehattan” and the “Harvest Acai Sangria,” each made with fresh ingredients. With exceptional food, tea libations, and a fun atmosphere, SanctuaryT is a great location to hold private parties that seat up to 45 people, or 70 people standing. In addition, they offer tea and cheese pairing classes and host iced tea festivals in the summertime.
Everything is well thought out, from the crystal sugar sticks used to stir sweetness into tea to the double paned glassware that keeps the tea hot longer in a glass that is comfortable to hold. It would be impossible to experience all of the joys and offerings of this place in just one visit, so better to make it a regular occasion.
SanctuaryT
337B West Broadway, SoHo, NYC, 10013
Daily Hours: 8 am until 11 pm Sun-Thurs, and 8 am to 12 am Fri-Sun
Afternoon Tea: 3 pm until 5 pm by reservation only
Website: http://www.sanctuaryt.com/
Contact: 212.941.7832