forget java, tea is totally the new black coffee. you can't throw a rock in this town without hitting a fun tea shop that's just opened. forgo the joe for some quality tea-time at these.


table for tea.
what does oprah have to do with tea? well, in chicago the answer is a lot. the daytime diva's personal chef, art smith, decided to open table, a teahouse and patisserie in the former albert's locale. the stand-alone, two-floor gold coast "house" still has construction paper lining the windows, but is opening this summer. tea lovers will soon be able to hang out in the planned upstairs tea room, to be called "teaspoon." 52 west elm street at dearborn. www.artinthekitchen.com


nada 'nother teashop.
you may think of nothing (literally) when you hear "nada," but not at the just opened nada tea & coffeehouse in lincoln park, specializing in japanese teas, where nada refers to a region in kobe, japan. cool colors, minimalism, and sleek, wooden furniture make for a soothing sipping spot. 1552 west fullerton at bosworth avenue. 773.529.2239. www.nadateahouse.com


hi time.
the south loop's brand new tea spot has got nothing to do with smoking tea. tom and dino bezanes, brothers and co-owners of standing room only, the long-lived, famed lunch spot in printer's row, opened hi tea last spring offering an extensive, private label line of loose-leaf teas from the big three - asia, argentina, and south africa, as well as green teas from japan, all neatly packed in small glass containers available for the sniffing, tasting, and taking to go. if you still jones for joe, they have specialty espresso drinks. 14 east 11th street. at state street. 312.880.0832. www.hiteachicago.com


gschwandering.
albert gschwender (pronounced gesh-wend-er) finally brought his upscale tea concept, teagschwender, to the u.s. after nearly 30 years in germany. chi has the first three: a gold coast location that opened last year, another one in lincoln park since the spring, and a suburban outpost in algonquin. if you have trouble making decisions, stay away. there are 300 varieties of loose-leaf teas displayed in floor to ceiling drawers and yet more in the store's "book of tea." 2142 north halsted street. at dickens avenue. 773.55.0671. www.teagschwendner.com


go-go.
first it was starbucks, then intelligentsia. now, with seven locations throughout the city argo tea is everywhere with teas from around the globe, all organic. summer cool-down favorites include the iced "mojitea" with mint and lime, or try the "green tea ginger twist" that's mixed with a little cold sparkling water for extra quench. next month, the stores are rolling out croissants, pastries, cookies, and other freshly baked baked goodies. 140 south dearborn street. at adams street. 773.663.4471. www.argotea.com