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| - I've been a fan of this place since waaaaay back when it was called "The Living Room." That's right: like any good hipster, I was doing it before it was cool.
Chaye has the distinct honor of taking me from being a casual, fannings-in-a-paper-bag tea drinker to a full-blown tea-head, who can't start his day without a pot of pu-erh. It was my introduction to the world of loose-leaf tea, and even though nowadays I stop there maybe once or twice a year at most, the owner recognizes me every single time.
There aren't many storefronts in Murrysville or the surrounding area where you can get loose-leaf teas, and (with possibly one exception) there are even fewer at which you can get such a diverse selection. You can either select something and have it brewed right there, or you can get little sachets to take home.
They also do mixed coffee and tea drinks, but I'm less familiar with those. If I recall correctly, their iced matcha was pretty delicious, though, especially on a hot day.
The atmosphere inside isn't bad, though if it's empty then you feel sort of odd carrying on a conversation: the room's got a bit of an echo-y feel. The service is sometimes really slow, as well, but this isn't always a problem. Prices of the teas are noted by how many "stars" each one is awarded. If you get one with four on it, it's kind of expensive, but the rest are reasonable enough.
Chaye is definitely a place worth going for a drink, hot or cold. It's independent, and that alone counts as a good reason to stop by.
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