#teaandsympathynyc

[stefanp1]

Sean Kavanagh Dowsett

Another Irishman with a British accent and a store in NYC's Greenwich Village. I cannot say it any better than so so many others have already done today. One of the kindest, nicest people I have shared this planet with. May your next chapter be full of the love and laughter you gave to us all..........I am devastated by this news and will miss sitting on the bench for hours discussing politics, both national and local, all while watching you treat everyone who came by with so much love and respect.

Amy Pickard

1h  · 

This guy. Sean Kavanagh-Dowsett. Funny, punny, beautiful. So many memories of laughing and joking with him. There was almost nothing he couldn't take care of and he was always looking out for me (and everyone!). I will miss him terribly and my trips to NYC will not be the same without his presence. My heart goes out to Nicky Perry, Audrey and his family. An unbearable loss that they must bear. He will always live on in our hearts.

COOL FOR CATS! One of my dearest friends Sean Sean Kavanagh-Dowsett @kavanaghdowsett has left us..and has left a hole in my heart. We met in the 1980s and years later saw Sean at Bleeker Park in NYC he was the only dad in a Fluffer shirt and would pass the time watching our kids play and grow up. Every Halloween with the amazing costunes he made for Audrey, he and I would walk around Chelsea with our kids. But the really amazing thing Sean did was to accompany me on my annual cancer check ups and after we would go to Tea & Sympathy for my fav skineheads on rafts, cottage pie, and a cuppa. We would talk about fashion and denim of course, rant about politics, or he'd tell me a totally inapproriate joke. He would pick me up in his English taxi and was always there with a smile and a joke. We had this routine for many years and I feel gutted that will not see or talk to my amazing and true friend. My heart goes out to you Nicky ( one of the strongest woman I know ) and I have always admired your unbinding love for each other...and Audrey... may your love be your strength. I will miss You Sean! Thank you for being my friend...the Pearly King of NYC!

I’m devasted by the passing of one of the most joyful and charismatic people I’ve ever met - Sean Kavanagh-Dowsett, co-owner of Tea & Sympathy. A loving husband, father, community leader, gracious host and all-around character, his absence leaves a hole in all our hearts. Upon meeting him for the first time, Sean would treat you with the same jocularity, kindness and familiarly as someone he had known for decades. My heart goes out to his wife Nicky and daughter Audrey, whom he loved more than life itself.

Oberon Sinclair

We lost a British King in New York today. Sean Dowsett-Kavanagh. Loving husband to @nickyperry.kd & father to @audrey.kav. Sean was a friend for 30 years. I met him when he started dating Nicky, and I’ve never seen a man swoon over a woman, like he did with Nicky. They married and was always boastful about how much he loved her. Would always share his joy at finding rare gifts that were impossible to find for her. He never minced his words and could take the Mickey out of anyone, myself included and you’d tear up laughing. He was kind to everyone and didn’t suffer fools. We raised our daughters together and would pop into Bleecker Park back in the day, often by the sandpit with @abekton @samanthahall666 & bring us @teaandsympathynyc food and alcohol disguised. We’d sit on the park bench and laugh with Nicky for hours. They both made parenthood bearable amongst all the competitive parents we had to endure back then. He’d often be riding around the west village in his British Black taxi Cab and one day we took our girls to see One Direction at Jones Beach and were in line to get into Jones Beach-traffic line for days. He had a British flag on the taxi and as people passed us in line, Sean screamed out the window, “I’ve got the boys in the back”- he was referring to One Direction and of course it caused a Beatlemania craze around the taxi. Girls scrambling to look in the car. I cried laughing so hard. I never thought I’d be writing these words so soon, to someone that gave so much love to our community. He showed all of us how much he loved Nicky and Audrey. Today, I salute this fine gentleman, friend, one of a kind man that will remain in our hearts forever. Rest in peace, Sean. Love to you @nickyperry.kd & @audrey.kav

Adam Nelson

To have lost such a light seems so incredibly unjust. What a twinkling spirit! What a bawdy beaut of a man! Sean Kavanagh-Dowsett encapsulated love in all of its vividness and that was evident in every single pebble pressed into the asphalt of Greenwich Avenue. It shined through his everlasting devotion to his soul mate Nicky and their divine daughter Audrey, the blockbuster businesses they built together which thrived with theatricality, his fantastic dialect delivered with devilish delight, his comradery with longstanding customers, the joy he derived from political finger-poking and the problems of New York City proper, the grand jokes that always gassed the guts, his keen insights into almost everything. To say he was unique, impressive, charming, kind, dapper, and absolutely cool as fuck would be a disservice to description. He was quite simply one of the wisest, quick-witted wonders of the world. One the best blokes under the sun and I will love him forever. From the very bottom of my broken heart, it hurts to say goodbye. — with Sean Kavanagh-Dowsett at Tea & Sympathy.

Lady Bunny 

3d  · 

Last weekend was a sad one, because we lost Sean Kavanagh-Dowsett. One of the friendliest faces on Greenwich Avenue, along with his wife Nicky, Sean ran Tea & Sympathy--the quirky english restaurant which somehow manages to make UK food tasty. (One trick is pureed parsnips to thicken and slightly sweeten their divine soups.) The restaurant's been on my block for decades, and a familiar pattern emerged. I'd see Nicky outside, she'd gripe about something and I would, too. Then Sean would pop out and punctuate our bitchfest with a dirty joke. He loved people and joking, even though sometimes his delivery was better than the jokes themselves. (He loved a looong joke with a suspect punchline.)

Together, Sean and Nicky cultivated a scene which attracted celebs from Boy George to David Bowie to Dame Judi Dench to SJP--along with neighbors like myself, and passersby like Flotilla Debarge. While I'll miss being "tag-teamed" by this couple of Brits, I know that Nicky is a right ol' scrubber who will grieve for a while and then get back to her old ways. Just without dear Sean. He'd been battling cancer for months, so his passing wasn't sudden or a shock. But that doesn't make it any less final or less depressing. After his diagnosis, Sean would refer to himself as a "skinny bitch" due to his dramatic weight loss. I wondered if he was aware that was a Trixie Mattel saying.

One day, I'd found some furniture on the street and was trying to drag it home. Sean ran up to help, grabbing it and single-handedly managing this dresser on the stairs in a way which would've taken me hours to do. In a world where so many frown on Alpha males, Sean was a benevolent Alpha, who used his brain and brawn to help others. A loyal friend, he once tried to hook me up with the producer of a radio show in the UK to do my own show. Sitting here crying now, and this time it ain't allergies.

Here's Sean, in all his gorgeousness, with his daughter Audrey on his left side. (I'm Aunt Bunny.) A young lady now, I bumped into her yesterday outside the shop and she seemed to be coping. And the circle of life continues.

R.I.P. Sean. You made so many of us oddballs feel welcome 'round the old avenue, and every single one of us misses you terribly. My condolences to his wife Nicky, who must be going through it like anyone who loses a loving spouse would be. Maybe even a little more, because these two made one helluva team. But Nicky will be holding court again outside Tea & Sympathy before you know it. And in Sean's honor, I'll tell the long, crappy jokes for him from now on to keep his memory alive.

A memorial is planned for May 9th. See less

[saltiestsoprano]

Early birthday for @nyfiddler at @teaandsympathynyc We also got yummy treats from @myersofkeswick #tasteoflondon (at Tea & Sympathy) https://www.instagram.com/p/CFYFeFEDjsA/?igshid=pm6pw92vq4ge

[jenzie-in-the-city]

Tried the "CoCo Loco" tea today @teaandsympathynyc. Rooibos tea with hints of coconut and chocolate...It was lovely! ❤🍫☕️ #jenziesips #Jenzieinthecity #teaandsympathynyc #nycrestaurants #westvillagerestaurants #westvillagelife #westvillagebestvillage #nycblogger #lifestyleblog #nycfoodie (at Tea & Sympathy)

[herbanwytch]

This is one of my favorite food memories… my mom worked in our family business everyday , but she never left until she’d gotten me off on the school bus what what she considered to be a “proper breakfast” . This was what I ate almost every morning or elementary school…toasted cheese with mayonnaise , tomatoes, American cheese and sometimes a couple of pieces of risky bacon all tucked into the oven long enough for it to get melts. She’d make it, and I’d sit on the floor by the heat vent with a book, ( usually the British Pony Club Manual)the dog and enjoy those quiet moments before I had to race down the driveway to get onto the bus. She almost cried when I announced one day that I wanted brown sugar cinnamon pop tarts instead , but she acquiesced I think , because she knew that my infatuation with them wouldn’t last. It didn’t and very quickly I was back to this really comforting and easy to prepare breakfast. I like to think of it as an cheaters version of Welsh Rarebit… and truthfully? It’s awfully satisfying. I thought of you @angie.gehring when I made it… and the yummy breakfasts we’ve eaten together at @teaandsympathynyc … I think we’re due for a visit next time we’re in the city… I feel a proper English breakfast calling to me. #breakfast #toastedcheese #welshrarebit #englishbreakfast #foodmemories #schooldays #mother #comfortfood #grilledcheese (at The Herban Inn) https://www.instagram.com/p/CYr9cDopmId/?utm_medium=tumblr

[orpheusterminals]

Ten Years with @marnikotak at @teaandsympathynyc (at New York City, N.Y.) https://www.instagram.com/p/CT8KaRbFJ61/?utm_medium=tumblr

[melodymanny]

Reposted from @poppinsfan Tea with my best friend!! Does NOT getting any better than this. #tealife #teamakeseverythingbetter @teaandsympathynyc (at Tea & Sympathy) https://www.instagram.com/p/CSSRaAUrROu/?utm_medium=tumblr

[nicks-lunchbox-service]

6.20.18 Lunchtime drawing: A building on an angle with a turret-like corner at the corner of Greenwich Avenue and Jane Street.

[jun-nakayama]

ニューヨーク マンハッタンで英国式アフタヌーンティーがいただけるところはいくつかありますが、私がアイルランド出身のオネエとよくつるんでいた場所は@teaandsympathynyc でした。イギリス生活を懐かしみながらお茶してました。 It’s Tea Time!!!: Check out New Women’s HARAJUKU Editorial “WHERE THE CATWALK GOT ITS CLAWS” in SPIRIT & FLESH MAGAZINE @spiritandflesh Photographs by HAROLD MINDEL @harold.mindel Starring JUN NAKAYAMA @junnakayama Styled and Creative Direction by YACHI GAULT @neko_babooshka Hair by MAKO LIJIMA @makohairmakenyc Makeup by DMITRY @makeupbydmitry Wigs by STEVEN PERFIDIA @steven_perfidia Styling Assistant CHRISTOPHER SANDERSON @fashion_will_kill_you Retoucher WOJCIECH CYGANIK @abuzzretouch Wearing Dress by DOBS NY @dobs_ny Shoes by NINA @ninashoes #editorial #エディトリアル #ニューヨーク #ファッションモデル #ファッション #プラスサイズ #プラスサイズモデル日本人 #プラスサイズモデル #オートクチュール #spiritandflesh #リュクス #ドラァグクィーン #おこげ #lgbtq #lgbt #セルフエスティーム #英国式アフタヌーンティー (Central Park) https://www.instagram.com/p/B9YxA9bJ7JM/?igshid=1e9a6p3zzd0o1

[bsaschields]

Hard to believe I was able to run errands on a #summer #day #last week in #february on #bsa #britishfood @teaandsympathynyc @myersofkeswick #motorcyclelife #68degrees #nyc #westvillage https://www.instagram.com/p/B8jexJcBgsM/?igshid=os5hl5q3m3s4

[blackaproncraft]

A quick bight at @teaandsympathynyc yesterdaybefore the blackout and unfortunately not seeing @puffsplay. Thankfully we managed to score tickets to today's matinee! This will be our 3rd attempt to see this show. If things go wrong today, we may have to accept that the universe different want us to see it. #Slytherin #Ravenclaw #sisters #potterhead #selfie #selfies https://www.instagram.com/p/Bz5kx_7FrAW/?igshid=1fy88b4upzna5

[dishourtown]

Whenever we miss our London, we like to head to the West Village eat at @teaandsympathynyc, and have a proper #EnglishBreakfast - want some? #dishournyc #teaandsympathy (at Tea & Sympathy)

[maccardisanders]

#teaandsympathynyc

[jenzie-in-the-city]

Welsh rarebit up in da NYC say whaaaa?! Could have done without that bacon tho. 😶 #Jenzieinthecity #Teasalonnyc #thatscheesyright #rarebit #instalike #instagood #dinner #westvillagebestvillage #westvillagelife #westvillagerestaurants #nycrestaurants #teaandsympathynyc (at Tea & Sympathy)

[clarkegiles]

Pot of tea on the way #teaandsympathynyc

[dishourtown]

Whenever we miss our London, we like to head to the West Village eat at @teaandsympathynyc, and have a proper #EnglishBreakfast - want some? #dishournyc #teaandsympathy http://ift.tt/2zSPSmj