Park Slope's Tea Lounge: Is it a Day Care or a Coffee Shop?

I'll admit I am fairly new to the whole coffee shop scene. I'm also a neophyte at actually drinking coffee. My current job is a work-at-home deal, or work wherever I can take my laptop and get some wi-fi going. To avoid getting cabin fever, I venture into Park Slope, Brooklyn and settle down in the Tea Lounge on Union Street near 7th Avenue. I am writing this review for someone who is looking for a place to take their laptop and get some work done, not for someone who is meeting a friend for a cup of coffee and a nice chat. Also, I have no children and don't mean to sound anti-children at all, just reviewing the Tea Lounge as a place to get some coffee or tea and get some work done on my computer.

When you first walk through the doors, don't be confused; you haven't accidentally entered a daycare. You just need to walk around the stroller parking lot near the entrance to make your way back to the lounge.

I'm sure it varies for different times of the day, but when I get in line to order a beverage it usually doesn't take too long. Like I said, I'm not a coffee expert, but I'd say the Tea Lounge's cup of Joe is good. Sometimes I get their freshly squeezed orange juice - it rules. Aside from a muffin or two, I have not eaten at the Tea Lounge. They do serve up some lunch which I have heard is quality grub.

After getting my drink, I settle down and do some work. Their wi-fi is always running well. I usually rock out to my tunes with headphones, however the music they play is good - if you like Beck, Neil Young, Stones, Sam Cooke. Although the headphones do come in handy on the mornings when some guy does a live acoustic set of children's songs for all the youngsters. Unless you want to hear an acoustic "Yellow Submarine" with a dozen two year olds singing along, I suggest you bring some headphones.

There are a couple of drawbacks to the Tea Lounge. The furniture is rather shoddy. Many of the couches appear as though they were found on the sidewalk and rescued before they could be taken to the landfill. This doesn't bother me too much as I am not a big germaphobe, but I wouldn't be opposed to them investing in some new seating.

Another investment the Tea Lounge should consider - updating the bathrooms. I've seen worse, but they almost look like East Village bar bathrooms.

Overall, the Tea Lounge is cool. Good people, good coffee, good atmosphere. If you live in Park Slope and need to get out of the house and work on your laptop, check it out.