Verse

Is there anything that can be done about the laptops on weekends? This is my favorite spot in Astoria, the best matcha, weekend menu is delicious and the staff is really nice. PLEASE stop allowing laptops on Saturdays and Sundays! My friend and I wanted to try a few things off the weekend menu but every table was full and most people had empty cups and were parked w laptops all day :( the place has the perfect ambience for weekend brunch but the laptop use really brings the vibe down

Persimmon matcha seasonal option is definitely one you NEED to try- the cinnamon flavor that peaks out just ties everything together. I love that they make their own syrups & I hear the strawberry matcha is great so I’ll definitely come back to try that. Least favorite item was the Yuzu Espresso Tonic so save your $$ on that & get something better- it tastes like a sparkling espresso with a citrus finish. Earl grey lavender matcha was also very good and would recommend to enjoy that one hot over cold. The persimmon I prefer (lightly) iced. Cute space, but small - I’d say about only 6 tables. The scallop hand roll I had was very good was for $11 I would’ve wanted a bigger portion. Scallop is from Hokkaido so that may justify the price for some. Egg Sando was delicious and you can tell it was made fresh.

It was my first time trying this place. I went to try one of their specialty drinks: matcha calamansi spritz for fundraising money for the typhoon in the Philippines. It's a refreshing tart drink and they used real calamansi juice! I also tried the iced strawberry matcha and the matcha einspänner. I wished they had the strawberry matcha and einspänner as a hot drink as well. The strawberry matcha is good if you want a sweet drink but you still taste the matcha. If you just want a strong matcha drink, get the iced matcha einspanner. The cream is really good. For the experience, I would say I agree with another commentator that mentioned a time limit (2 hrs) for tables for those who dine in. I had to share the booth with a friend while a girl in front of me with a laptop was there way too long even though I already had the table with my belongings there in the first place. I suggest getting your drinks to go and the time limit for tables since I noticed people still kept the table with their laptops for an extended time and finished their drinks.

I am actually not very into matcha drinks but my kids are. So we sought out Verse and I got in on the action and wow the strawberry matcha and the Einspanner was amazing. Still not a convert but I enjoyed it enough. The egg Sando was amazing too. Soft fluffy bread, eggy filling and the crunchy texture they sprinkle on top. It was great. Love the vibe, very homey. Line was crazy but goes by very fast .

Overall 3.5/5 I found the matcha here to be quite light bodied, lacking the deep nutty notes I typically enjoy. If you prefer a milder matcha flavor, it might be good enough. Be prepared for a wait if you go on a Saturday, the line was quite long during a late afternoon.