With an underground, quasi-clandestine touch, this tea house has no big commercial or signpost leading to it from the main street (even though it lies across the street from the main entrance to Cotroceni Palace). A small, next to unnoticeable sign, a small, not so well maintained yard and then a door that seems to lead to one’s closet. Then a few stairs down and another door lead the connaisseur to this den of tranquility and relaxation, away from Bucharest’s torrents. It might be a bit shocking to find this otherwise unadvertised place full during the evening, but one soon finds out the reasons. It is quiet, they serve good teas, home made cookies, as well as a good selection of jam and honey. Nothing much other than that, but it is more than what one needs to lay down and enjoy some peace in this madding world.

And then, there is the setting: a wooden table with those small stools, as well intimate sitting areas featuring pillows and small, Japanese style tables for the tea. If lucky enough, one can choose to sit on the “ground” level or on the first floor. There are no ashtrays (because smoking is thankfully not allowed), but one is provided a bell to call the waiter (of the young and smiling type, quite welcome in this country), a comprehensive menu of teas, ranging from Darjeeling to green tea with jasmine, as well as dim light and low music. No wonder the place is popular with young couples. And no wonder they do not want too much promotion among the hip, noisy hordes outside. Let them keep it as it is. And let the hordes go elsewhere, where they can listen to Dub FM and drink pink juice-would-be liquids.

GPS - N44 26.024 E26 04.028

Str. Profesor Dr. Gheorghe Marinescu 25, tel.: 0721669535

The same good people run the bookshop at Vasiliada (on 12 I.C.Brătianu, across the street from St. Gheorghe Nou Church), which also hosts, on the first floor, another tea room with the same menu. And they also used to have the La Metoc, a beautiful garden in summer, which they closed for some reason.