CHA-AN

230 East 9th Street
[6 to Astor Place, N/R to 8th Street]
www.cha-an.com

"A Japanese tea room?" said Aaron. "I took a girl there once - good night."
There's almost nothing as seductive as the close surroundings and hushed atmosphere of Japanese tea rooms. Giorgio just happened to luck out - he'd wanted to go, and not alone. The establishment takes full advantage of its location; you literally feel above the city, even if you're only one flight above Astor Place. The waitstaff is indulgent, if not informed; after we baffled the waiter with our simple query ("Uhm ... what is this?"), he scurried back to the kitchen to bring our reply with a fresh pitcher of hot water (it was a Red Bean Macaroon). Also note: tea is far more complicated than we thought - it is, yes, I daresay, wine-like in its body, layers and blending. Will wonders never cease?
Finally, I have to mention the neorest toilet in the bathroom, with its naughty, bidet style sprayer with its temperature control and positioning remote, not to mention the 'oscillating' and 'pulsating' functions. Ma Donna Santa.