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The Good Leaf Tea Co. - CLOSED
- Price Range:
-
$
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Parking:
- Street
- Outdoor Seating:
- Yes
- Wi-Fi:
- Free
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- No
15 reviews for The Good Leaf Tea Co.
Review Highlights
"I was here in July to try the bubble tea."
(in 8 reviews)
"...are also the delicous chocolates from the Chocolate Gecko..."
(in 3 reviews)
"The Good Leaf is tucked away in a little basement-level..."
(in 3 reviews)
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15 reviews in English
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Review from Ashleigh H.
Albany, NY
8/25/2010 1 photo
For my first visit in Albany, while waiting for my boyfriend during his 3 hour interview at Albany Medical, I decided to check out the area. After wandering around the institute of history and art, I strolled down lark street where I found The Good Leaf Tea Company. A small little place but don't be deceived- it holds a whole lot of tea goodness. I was told that they have over 90 teas and they're blended here in the store. With that many teas, they've made each available for you to smell- you can order tea to stay, tea to go and buy tea in bulk. Now keep in mind, it's all loose leaf- none of that boxed tea bag business, this is the real (and amazing) stuff. I treated myself to an iced Berry Medley tea which was to die for. Perfectly sweet with great flavor. I also picked up a few sample tins of teas to try. I'm hoping his interview went well and we will be calling Albany home in the not too distant future because I would love for this place to become my go-to tea haven!!
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The above review was written 4 months ago; since writing and visiting, the Good Leaf Tea Co. has closed. This was very upsetting as my boyfriend was offered the job and we moved into an apartment only blocks away a few weeks before closure. -
Review from Nick P.
Saratoga Springs, NY
Updated - 4/15/2009
I really like this place but I'm taking a star away for the size. It's really small. Someone was tying their shoe and there was absolutely no place to move around.
The ceiling is low and that makes the acoustics kind of weird. You feel like you are having a conversation with everybody in the place. While I was there they were some enthusiastic youthz who were getting annoying, and because there were several of them it might have been their clubhouse I was intruding on.
The other thing I don't like is that they close at 7. I rarely get out of work before 7, and this night was an exception because my bookclub meeting was at 7:30 at Dixies. I needed to finish the last several pages and was forced to go across the street to Hollywood cafe to have a beer and finish my book in some quiet.
Beside that it's great. wonderful tea, and the owner is very knowledgeable.1 Previous Review: Show all »
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8/13/2008
4.5 stars
I asked for an iced green tea, and she had 2 varieties on hand. I was really thrilled as I… Read more »
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Review from Carrie A.
Albany, NY
10/7/2008
I stopped in yesterday to pick out a couple small tins for a co-worker. I was here in July to try the bubble tea.
The owner helped me out at first, told me prices and said she can pack any tea into tins, handed me a copy of the pricelist/menu (available online) and left me to sniffing. She also had a tea out for sampling, quite delicous! She waited patiently as I opened jars, peered at it's contents and inhaled.
At 4:30 there was one regular, I almost asked her how the green tea cupcake was. There are also the delicous chocolates from the Chocolate Gecko and a few other baked treats.
The space is very small, but y'all, it's good tea. GOOD tea. Cozy up and drink up kids.
I will certainly stop by this shop more often, I can't wait until payday to get some tea for myself!Listed in: My Neighborhood
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Review from Rachel B.
Albany, NY
1/20/2009
Have you seen the movie Chocolate? The woman in that movie can cure anything that ails you with one of her chocolate specialties. Well, Michele Marks does that with Tea.
Although the Good Leaf is small, which does not always leave adequate seating for everyone there, it is still my favorite place to go to meet a friend, grab a drink, or just warm up.
The atmosphere is very welcoming and the teas will warm your hands and something about the way Michele prepares her decadent teas will warm your heart.
I usually opt for a bubble tea- I get it warmed with coconut milk and boba, but there seems to be an infinite number of choices. I've had the longevitea, a sparkling tea, a vanilla tea. . . the list goes on. She is helpful in making suggestions if you're not sure what you want, and if you're not into tea, she'll make you a latte or an egg cream.
In addition, Michele makes delicious home made tapas and snacks that have never disappointed me. I think we are very lucky to have this cozy little shop here in Albany. -
Review from Jess P.
Santa Cruz, CA
6/14/2008
In addition to their spot at Albany's local market, At The Warehouse, the Good Leaf Tea Co. now has a retail shop and tea house on Lark. I stopped in today and it's adorable. It's cozy, with it's soothing green walls and Japanese-inspired decor.
I had a bubble tea today and it was delicious. It wasn't overtly and cloyingly sweet like most bubble teas and I could substitute these little coconut gels for the tapioca pearls. I'm looking forward to trying one of their 70 varieties of tea on a cold, rainy day.
The only downside to it's coziness is that it's a small space with only a couple of places to sit. -
Review from andrew f.
Albany, NY
9/18/2009
Great products! I'm not a big tea person and I was delighted to find out you have coffee, with soymilk AND you accept credit cards! The coffee is made a cup at a time and is REAL good.
Perfect in my book! -
Review from Skye J.
Wynantskill, NY
9/10/2008
Excellent quality tea from a pitch-perfect teahouse. I first found out about The Good Leaf when Googling for 'bubble tea', and came across Michelle's [Marks, the owner] tiny cafe in At the Warehouse. She's done a wonderful job translating this to the Lark storefront, where in addition to tea she also offers 'tapas', mainly chocolates and cookies and a few other sweet treats.
The only thing that might be overwhelming to first-timers is the sheer number of choices for a cup of custom-brewed tea, but Michelle is extremely knowledgeable about each variety she carries.
In addition to plain tea, she offers mixed drinks such as tea 'lattes', tea mixed with juice and sparkling waters, yerba mate served in a gourd, egg creams, bubble tea, and coffee (shame on you if you order coffee, I say).
I adore bubble tea, and hers is quite good, but just be warned you won't find it to be like traditional Vietnamese bubble tea, but more of an upscale, I want to say 'Americanized' version.
The decorations and atmosphere are superb and so is the product.
It's beautifully done and a beautiful addition to Lark. -
Review from Angela O.
Schenectady, NY
10/14/2009
I need to visit this place more, because I think I'm in love.
The Good Leaf is tucked away in a little basement-level shop. Even though I know where it is, there is a prominent green sign, and the chair and tables outside are a dead giveaway, I sometimes lose track and walk past it (whoops). Inside, it is small yet cute and cozy. Perfect for popping in for a drink, maybe hanging around to warm up, then going out again to wander around Lark/Washington Park.
If you can't find anything you like here, you are nuts. There are options upon options, and I swear every dietary need is taken into consideration.
Have a question? Michelle, the owner, is like a tea encyclopedia, and very sweet to boot. She no longer bakes the goodies on a regular basis, but wherever she gets them from now (someplace in Saratoga, I think?) are equally good.
I'll support this place over going to Teavana, hands down. Local has it good. -
Review from Emily G.
Rome, GA
7/11/2010
Very quaint. They have an enormous selection of teas, and number of ways to drink them! They also have little gifts near the register, where you can buy cute tea cups or teapots. I even purchased tea soap for $1 once!
I have only been a few times, but the staff is always very helpful if you are the indecisive type. I prefer tea over coffee, so I was pleased to see there was a tea shop tucked in amongst the many coffee shops.
I will miss it once I'm done with grad school! -
Review from Kelsey L.
Albany, NY
1/19/2009
Looking for a charming local tea-house in Albany?
Then come check out the Good Leaf Tea Co. on Lark St. It is a small cozy tea house, with a huge selection of delicious teas from around the world.
From Bubble Tea, to Mate' , to Sparkling Teas she has it all. There is even latte's for the non tea drinker as well as tasty sweets like chocolate buddahs and green tea cupcakes too.
My favorite is warmed creme brulee' with bobas or coconut milk (real) bubble tea. ITS THE BEST EVER!
Michelle creates magic in a mug! -
Review from R B.
Albany, NY
2/13/2010
A very nice neighborhoody type of place.
The Good Leaf is a tiny little shop tucked away below groundlevel on busy lark street. It has an elegant green sign, and in the 1 month it's warm in Albany, the chair and tables outside are a dead giveaway,
Inside it is cozy, warm and very restful.
There are about a zillion teas, so it is never a problem to find one you like. If you have a good idea about a tea she does not have, the owner Michelle might just make a new tea on the spot.
All in all, you should try it. -
Review from Laura K.
Albany, NY
6/14/2008
I stopped by The Good Leaf on Lark today. It looks beautiful. I tried something called Jasmine Champagne, which was really lovely. Despite the name, there's no alcohol in it. It has a really delicate floral flavor, but it's crisp and dry. I enjoyed this along with two pieces of chocolate, which are from the Chocolate Gecko. According to the owner, one of the chocolates - the buddha - is infused with her chai tea. It was delicious, as was the dark chocolate orange star. The place is small, but very comfortable.
I also played a quick game of chess, which is usually how my games go because after a point I realize I have no idea what I'm doing and just try to end the game gracefully by killing off as many pieces as I can without thinking a few plays ahead like a real player.
Anyway, it's a really relaxing place to hang out and the owner knows a lot about tea. -
Review from Victor C.
Albany, NY
5/2/2010
Loved the selection in this place...and the owners knowledge is unparrelelled. They have an large selection of tea's and tea related products as well as some excellent proprietary blends. It is a very warm a friendly place...my only complaint is the pricing. It is a bit pricey for there items. They can be found online cheaper. All in all it is still a great place and a must for tea lovers!
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Review from Melmel G.
Houston, TX
9/3/2008
I really appreciate that this place has real tea. When you get their bubble tea it isn't corn syrupy crap. It is real tea. The owners are really nice. The only down side is there is too much variety. With their eight million varieties of tea as well as the other beverages it was almost too much to handle to choose one. Having the teas out to smell did make it easier.
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Review from Cheska L.
Clifton Park, NY
8/7/2009
I was initially on a cupcake hunt and after a search on Yelp, results showed that this place at one time sold green tea cupcakes. I thought that was interesting and was intrigued by all the other high reviews on the shop's other selling items so I decided to check out the place today.
Definitely not a cupcake place, which was okay, but I was surprised that there were no other food items offered. I came in on a weekday afternoon so that was even more disappointing. Though the place was very small, I liked the cozy decor. Since I was there already, I decided to try one of the bubble teas. Cost was not bad, around $6 for a bubble tea and Italian soda. Other than that, I really honestly don't know what the buzz is. I was served by a young lad - he had a snotty attitude and service was crap. The bubble tea and Italian soda were also crap - very weak, watered down. I've had better. Don't think I'll be going back again to this place.Comment from Michelle M. of The Good Leaf Tea Co. 8/13/2009
We take customer service very seriously and contacted Cheska… More »
