Serene and calm, Saikolee Tsukamoto's piano project, "Museum of Plate," is music to kick back and relax to. With a dollop of Erik Satie and a hint of ambient electronica of the gentlest kind, her latest album "Saon (Music for Tea)" is, as the name implies, inspired by tea drinking. Listen to the record and imagine sitting in a groovy cafe with your favorite book or your best friend, and a cup of aromatic tea.
Tsukamoto has produced just the spot to enjoy this sort of moment in her other venture: the Dessert Company. Inspired by her wandering through Hong Kong's tea shops, this Harajuku cafe features a menu of Asian treats and specialty teas for those tired of the milky coffee confections that have taken over in the wake of Starbucks.
While most cafes give tea only cursory attention, the Dessert Company presents connoisseurs with everything from more usual varieties like Darjeeling to more obscure choices from hidden corners of India, China and Sri Lanka. Huge canisters of fluffy black, green and brown tea leaves crowd the counter of the sparkly silver interior infused with the warm scent of jasmine.