
Photo Courtesy of the website for Indigo Arts
I am now in Maui for my friend Beth's wedding and had a great time on Monday in NYC searching for the perfect gift: a Moroccan tea set. I was in Morocco in 2002 and instantly fell in love with their tea which seemed to be available just about everywhere. Served in small, colorful tea glasses with intricate patterns and poured from a relatively small silver teapot, the mint tea is a sweet and gratifying thrill. I visited the following three stores that specialize in goods from Morocco:
Sheherazade
121 Orchard Street, off of Delancy
212.539.1771
This gorgeous Lower East Side spot is where I bought my wedding gift. I cannot say enough I how much I love this store. It sells items mostly from Morocco, but also Syria, Egypt, Turkey, and Central Asia. Everything is displayed beautifully with furniture, pillows, shoes and accessories in the front room of the store and the back room has their rugs and a variety of poof chairs. The teapots and tea glasses are in the middle of the store and there were plenty of colors and patterns to choose from. I was told that more are expected in April when another shipment will be coming in from Morocco.
The store has been profiled in magazines such as Elle Decor, Domino and Vogue. The man who was working made the experience really easy and made me look forward to my next visit (which will probably be when I return from my trip to buy a tea set for myself).
Imports from Marrakesh
Chelsea Market
88 10th Avenue, between 18th St. and 19th St.
212.675.9700
Before I went, I learned that this is often the go to place for the sets of photographers and filmmakers. They have a large selection of elaborate light fixtures and decorative tiles, but when I was there they were out of teapots and were low on tea glasses. The man working inside was not very helpful or friendly and barely looked up from his computer.
I am forgetting the name of the third store but it was also very nice, though I wish they had more space so it would be easier for them to display their items. Located on 7th St. between 1st and 2nd, the shore has a large assortment of glasses and tea pots. The man working was also extremely helpful with a great laid-back style. When I get back from my trip I will look at their business card and post their contact info.