Dandelion Communitea Cafe   

Message to leaf lovers: stop weeping and start steeping. From College Park to UCF, teahouses are offering an earthier alternative to the barrage of beaneries pervading the city. And like its namesake flower, Dandelion has blossomed on a destitute downtown tract, its green (not yellow) facade beckoning parched passersby for a stimulating pick-me-up. The flower-power, Mother-Earthy, Bohemian vibe infuses the parlor like orange pekoe in H2O, with thrift-store sofas, recycled furnishings, off-the-wall art and a curtained ceiling resembling rays of the sun. More than 30 organic tea blends are offered, each with its own unique scent, flavor and cutesy name -- 'oh my dar-jee-ling,' 'morockin' mint,' 'jasmine haze' and the like. Early risers can get a kick out of the energizing yerba mate, or kick back with 'sunshine daydreams,' a fruity blend of cranberries, orange peel and rosehips with chamomile and South African rooibos. Health-enhancing elixir tonics, concocted according to principals of traditional Chinese medicine, are designed to address ailments with their mix of vitamins, minerals, antioxidants and plant nutrients. The menu was developed by 'Sandra the Vegan' and features such meatless delicacies as the colorfully appetizing 'Just Dandy' salad with seasonal edible flowers, and the hearty vegetarian chili sure to gratify even the most ravenous of carnivores. For a whole new twist on 'high tea,' sip the Satori Ceylon while noshing on the happy hempy hummus. Dandelion is more than just a parlor for protesting peaceniks, nonconformists and tea-totalers; it is, pardon the pun, a 'grass-roots' movement where local denizens can gather to celebrate creativity and foster environmentally sound practices while sampling organic, eco-conscious beverages and fare. -- Faiyaz Kara