To Do List

It's been a while... ok, almost 2 entire months since I've posted a review. Admittedly, I've been slacking on the Java Haus blog, but do not think I've given up! The last two months have been very busy. Between being a full-time college student and juggling a part-time job, I haven't had much time to write reviews for the blog. To make it even harder, I'll be heading out to Long Island for the summer in just two weeks.

Going out to Long Island for the summer makes blogging about New York City tough, but there are also some good things that will come out of it. I will be reviewing eastern Long Island coffee shops. While there are probably less coffee shops in eastern Long Island than there are in the West Village alone, the few we have give hip-Manhattan coffee shops some good competition. I'll also be working on a coffee-related project with a friend of mine, but won't reveal the details just yet.

As I prepare to leave New York City until the fall, I want to get in a few more reviews. Cafe Grumpy has caught the attention of blogs and news websites, as they now serve a $12 cup of coffee. I'm not sure if I have the financial resources to experiment with this, but it is high on my list for things to try. I also want to get a review up of Blue Bird Cafe in the East Village. I've spent a lot of time at Grounded lately, and recently tried the Grounded Spiced Latte, the shops signature drink. It may be my favorite drink there, and contains honey, vanilla, nutmeg, and cinnamon. I like going to Grounded for a cozy atmosphere where I can get work done. It's certainly my favorite spot I've found so far.

I know I've probably lost the attention of many readers since I haven't posted in a while, but I'd love to hear suggestions of places you enjoy, or places you would like me to review.

Grounded Coffee Featured in Daily Show Segment!

Although I usually don't watch much television, The Daily Show is one program I try to watch regularly. Last week, during a segment on open-carrying rights, I noticed a familiar place. Daily Show correspondent Wyatt Cenac went into Grounded in the West Village strapped with (presumably fake) guns to order his tea. The clip in general is funny, and also great to see one of my favorite coffee shops!

Open Carrier Discrimination

The Daily Show With Jon Stewart	Mon - Thurs 11p / 10c
www.thedailyshow.com
Daily Show Full Episodes Political Humor Tea Party

Gorilla Coffee Workers Walk Out

The employees at Gorilla Coffee in Park Slope have all walked out due to what they describe as a "perpetually malicious, hostile, and demeaning work environment." I have never been to Gorilla Coffee, but this is pretty big news that goes beyond just coffee. The New York Times has even covered the incident. Read the New York Times article here, where you can also read the employees statements.

West Village Review: Third Rail Coffee

The New York Times recently mentioned Third Rail Coffee as one of the top 10 coffee shops in New York City (Read it here), and I've been eager to try it since. Located in the heart of the West Village, a neighborhood where good coffee is becoming almost as common as sex shops, Third Rail has been able to stand out as one of the best coffee shops around.

Third Rail is located on Sullivan Street, just a block south of Washington Square Park. Although seating is limited in this small shop, you can take it to go and enjoy whatever festivities are happening in the park, which I always find enjoyable since there is almost always a jazz improv band playing. What they lack in seating is made up for in their coffee itself. I ordered a cappuccino, and I must say it was the best I've had yet! It was noticeably fresh and slightly more sweet than others I've had so far.

There are a few things that separate Third Rail from other coffee shops around the city. They were the first place in New York to use Chemex coffee makers and filters, in which they brew four different single origin coffees, as well as their decaf in. Other shops have followed their lead and also began using Chemex, which is a new, top-notch way to brew coffee. Still, Third Rail remains one of the few in the city who use Chemex, and are also the only coffee shop in New York to carry both Intelligentsia and Stumptown coffee. Of the four single origins they have, two are Intelligentsia, and two are Stumptown, and offer the following:

Intelligentsia:

Papua New Guinea: Agoga

Burundi: Miyonge

Stumptown:

Ethiopia: Michelle

Rwanda: Muyongwe

Besides great coffee, they also offer pastries, some of which are vegan-friendly. They serve tea and hot chocolate, and support direct trade with high quality companies. The New York Times ranked Third Rail Coffee as one of the Top 10 coffee shops in New York City. Does it deserve such an accolade? In my opinion, yes. They are able to separate themselves from other shops around the city on more than one level, a difficult feat in a neighborhood that offers some of the best coffee in New York. I've had my best cappuccino to date here, and I'm certain it was not by chance. Though it is not ideal for laptop users looking to stay for a while, it is perfect for anybody looking for a great cup of coffee.

Location: 240 Sullivan Street, bewteen Bleecker and West 3rd

Website: http://www.thirdrailcoffee.com/

Ost Village Review: Ost Cafe

I have started a few recent blog entries with a sentence about the beautiful weather, and always note how eager I am to take advantage of it. Unfortunately, this weekend felt like February all over again. That didn't stop me from getting down to Ost Cafe (which I hope means "East" in German) in the East Village last night. I had actually ran into Jason Schwartzman on my block the other day, and after a brief chat about coffee, he recommended I check out Ost Cafe. My day was off to a late start, but I was able to make it down in the evening and warm up in this cozy shop with a great cappuccino!

The first thing I noticed about Ost Cafe was comfortable and spacious it was. There is plenty of seating, including a counter, but it is not cluttered or cramped inside. The inside is modeled after two coffee shops in Slovakia, and the atmosphere is relaxing and welcoming. There is a certain sense of community inside that can't be found in every coffee shop, especially in a major urban environment like New York City. The baristas are also some of the friendliest I have encountered yet, and their sense of humor keeps the mood of the shop light-hearted and fun. Even though it is one of the better shops I've seen to sit down and relax in, they do not allow laptops after 7 p.m, which is important to note if you plan on being there late.

The menu is basic, however besides coffee, they also serve wine. With that wine, you can order meat and cheese plates. They brew Intelligentsia coffee, which they make sure is fresh and in season. All espresso drinks are made with two shots, which I see as only a good thing. I got a cappuccino, which as I mentioned in a previously blog, is normally not something I would get, but have been quite fond of lately. They also have small pastries, though I was there in the evening, so I'm sure most were sold out.

The small town, neighborhood feel is definitely what stands out about Ost Cafe. The drinks are certainly of high quality, and the baristas are exceptionally friendly and have a great sense of humor. The atmosphere is refreshing, and there is plenty of room and chairs if you would like to sit down inside for a while. Perfect to escape the sometimes chaotic, small coffee shops in the neighborhood.

Location: 12th Street and Avenue A

Directions: 4, 5, 6, L, N, Q, R, W to Union Square

Website: http://www.ostcafenyc.com/

Upcoming Reviews and Going DIY!

This weekend I finally got my hands on a coffee grinder. I've been without one since moving to New York, and all it took was a trip back to Long Island for me to grab one from home. I've relied on buying coffee from stores, which has been unwise financially. Don't think I'll visit shops to review less often now that I can make quality coffee from home though. It's not an everyday thing for me to buy a four dollar espresso at a downtown coffee shop, and I'm usually stuck with mediocre, cheap coffee from Tal Bagel (best bagels I've had in New York though!). I don't know all that much about specific coffee grinders, but this one is virtually silent, which is enough to impress me!

I also brought back some organic, fair-trade Columbian coffee from Aldo's, a local coffee shop in Greenport that certainly deserves its own review in the future. I only brought back a little, and plan on getting the Alphabet City blend from Ninth Street Espresso when I run out. In the meantime, I'm really enjoying the coffee from Aldo's. It will especially come in handy this week with the three midterms I have! After that my schedule opens up, and I plan on getting down to Third Rail Coffee in the West Village and The Bluebird Coffee Shop in the East Village by the weekend. I did go back to Grounded today to get some work done, and unfortunately right after I ordered my Nutella espresso, I noticed the Grounded Signature Espresso. I can't remember the exact ingredients, but I do remember thinking it could possibly be even better than their Nutella latte.

If you have any suggestions or requests on which coffee shop I should review next, please let me know! More reviews will be coming in the following weeks at a more consistent rate, and I am always looking for new places to try out.

My current set up (the coffee is from Columbia, just in an Ethiopian bag):

Joe: The Art Of Coffee

When researching the best coffee shops in New York City, you are guaranteed to see one name mentioned in all blogs: Joe. Joe Coffee is one of New York's most reputable coffee shops, and I decided that it was time for me to see if its coffee lived up to its reputation. I screwed up this past weekend by not going to the original location for Ninth Street Espresso, another one of the top dogs in New York, and made sure not to make the same mistake with Joe. There are five different locations around the city, but the one most often talked about is located on Waverly Place in the West Village. The West Village is home to some of the best coffee shops in New York, including my personal favorite, Grounded coffee on Jane Street.

I had first heard about Joe because I had read that Amy Sedaris would occasionally sell her famous cheeseballs and cupcakes there. I called Joe almost every free day I had asking if they had them in that day. I was always met with them telling me she rarely does that anymore, but I refused to accept that. In my mind, she would have to make them eventually, and I was relentless with my calling. It wasn't until after the daily phone calls that I began reading about Joe online. So many bloggers, and even sources like The New York Times, would praise Joe as one of the best coffee shops in the city. I still continue to think of it as "The Amy Sedaris Place," and after reading so many positive reviews, I decided it was finally time for the baristas to meet the man behind the phone.

Considering its prestige, I expected a line out the door. It wasn't chaotic, but there weren't any seats available inside. I decided to go with the drip coffee without milk or sugar, in order to get the true Joe experience. The coffee was fantastic, and the baristas were very friendly. In fact, they even have biographies for all of their baristas on their website. Joe gets their coffee roasted from Ecco Caffe, a company from California that roasts high quality, fair trade coffee from around the world. It is clear why Joe is considered one of the top in New York. They even offer classes for those interested in learning anything from basic brewing to making the perfect espresso.

I'm sure if you're a New Yorker with a coffee habit, or obsession, you have at the very least heard of Joe, and most likely have gone there. This is maybe at the top of my list of "must visit" coffee shops in the city. I have only been to the Waverly Place location, which I believe is the original, and definitely most popular location. I plan on going back here, and to Ninth Street Espresso, to really get a grasp of the entire menu.

Location: Waverly Place and Gay Street in the West Village.

Directions: 1 and 2 trains to Christopher Street, A,C,E,B,V,F trains to West 4th street.

Website: www.joetheartofcoffee.com

East Village Review: Ninth Street Espresso

This weekend, I decided to take advantage of the beautiful weather yet again, and spend my saturday afternoon wandering around downtown. Like many people in need of a morning fix, I found mine near Tompkins Square Park. I had read about Ninth Street Espresso online and went with a few friends to try it out. Ninth Street Espresso has three different locations in New York, and I found myself in the one located at East 10th street between Avenue A and B. It is right across the street from the north end of Tompkins Square Park, which is one of my favorite parks in New York.

Many other bloggers and New York coffee critics rank Ninth Street Espresso as some of the best espresso and coffee places in the city. Normally, these people talk about the location on East 9th street between Avenues C and D, but all locations serve the same drinks. The menu is very limited compared to a place like Grounded in the West Village, where they offer Nutella, Mint, Pumpkin, and all sorts of lattes. Even though the menu is simple, the quality of their drinks makes it seem exceptional. I got a cappuccino, which is normally not on the top of my list, but I certainly was impressed. It was actually the first time I've ever had the baristas make images in the foam, and although it's only appeal is visual, I absolutely loved my leaf (or palm tree?).

This Ninth Street Espresso location was very small, with only a few places to sit. I can't speak for the location on East 9th street, but this one isn't ideal for laptop use or studying. Though the menu is very basic, they do an exceptional job with ordinary drinks. The baristas were jovial, and made images with the foam of my cappuccino, which was enough to win me over. The prices were a little high, but nothing I haven't seen before, especially in New York. I plan on visiting the other location on East 9th street, and also plan to try their Alphabet City blend. This place gets a lot of hype, and while I personally don't think it's the best place I've been to, I would recommend this as an essential destination for New York for coffee. You can look at their menu, and order their Alphabet City blend on their website.

Locations:

East 10th street between Avenue A and B

East 9th street between Avenue C and D

Website: http://www.ninthstreetespresso.com/

Upper East Side Review: World Cup Cafe

The Upper East side is generally considered bland and barren when it comes to coffee culture. Sure, like anywhere in New York, there is always a place to get a cup, but there are very few authentic coffee shops. Since I live in the east 90's, and go to school at Hunter College, I spend most of my time in the upper east side. I find most aspects of this neighborhood to be irritating; young yuppie couples, pretentious sports bars, yoga moms--I can go on--are just some of those aspects. What really bugs me, is the lack of coffee shops, and the culture that surrounds said shops. For the most part, I've accepted this fact, but still keep my eye out for new places I may have overlooked.

However, just because most shops do not meet my standards, I still have caffeinated needs, especially during my Greek Political Theory class at three in the afternoon. Hunter's choice of coffee would certainly depress even the most amateur coffee drinkers. There is the mock Starbucks, which serves Starbucks coffee at Starbucks prices; A problem that needs to be addressed in it's own post. Then there is the vending machine coffee, which I still haven't quite figured out, but have no intention to ever learn. This forces those who desire at the very least a cup of Foldgers quality coffee to venture off campus. Luckily, just a block north is a small coffee shop called World Cup Cafe.

If I had to describe what a "hole-in-the-wall" shop was, I would simply take you to this coffee shop. It is uncomfortably small, and often times crowded with students, but it's only a small price to pay when vending machine coffee is your next best choice. Despite it's size, there is actually a variety of food and drinks to choose from. They have a great selection of muffins, from basic blueberry to pineapple coconut, as well as other types of pastries. If you're in the mood for something a little more substantial, they have sandwiches, soups, and smoothies. Apparently the empanadas are absolutely delicious, but I have yet to try one.

I visit this place often, but today something caught my eye that I must have overlooked in the past: the creme brule latte. Since lately I have been in the mood for more obscure coffee drinks, like the nutella latte from my last post, I decided to give it a shot. The creme brule latte contained Ghiradelli white sauce, and Ghiradelli caramel sauce, which gave the impression it would be of high quality, or at least higher than that dreaded vending machine coffee. I must say though, I was fairly disappointed. I know that creme brule is always very sweet, but this drink was almost pure sugar. I was surprised that it did in fact taste like creme brule, but the sugar was too overwhelming. I couldn't finish the drink, and suffered a terrible sugar headache almost immediately.

Overall, I consider this place a good coffee shop, especially for the neighborhood. It's uncomfortably small, with only three chairs to sit in, and usually busy with students. The creme brule espresso was disappointing and gave me a massive headache, so I would recommend just a simple cup of coffee and a muffin. This is not an ideal place if you want to sit and relax, but is one of the best places in the upper east side for a quality cup of coffee. If you are looking for a bite to eat, they have a great selection of pastries, as well as sandwiches and soups. Another perk for Hunter students is the 10 percent discount on all drinks when you show your school ID! I wouldn't recommend going too far out of your way to get here, but it's certainly one of the better places if you're already in the neighborhood.

World Cup Coffee is located at 69th street and Lexington Avenue

Directions: Take the 6 train to 68th street

West Village Coffee Review: Grounded.

One of my favorite things about living in New York, is how enjoyable simply walking around different neighborhoods can be. Since the last few weeks have been bitterly cold, windy, and very wet, I have spent most my time indoors, whining when I’m forced to walk five blocks to the subway. Today was the first day in weeks that it finally began to feel like spring, and I was eager to spend my Saturday afternoon outside. I decided to head down to the West Village to visit a coffee shop I had read about on the Internet. The place was called Grounded, and reviews claimed it was one of the best places in the neighborhood for espressos. Besides for the excellent espresso reviews I read, I was also excited to try their vegan tofu scramble breakfast wrap. I’m not vegan, but a tofu scramble breakfast wrap with an espresso sounded like a perfect Saturday brunch to me.

I think it is generally agreed upon by New Yorkers that the West Village is one of the hardest parts of Manhattan to navigate. It often feels like every street in that neighborhood is West 4^th street, but at least it’s a fun place to get lost, especially for coffee lovers. With coffee shops being outnumbered only by sex stores, it’s not too hard to find a place to sit down and relax. This shop in particular is located on Jane Street, and luckily it didn’t take me too long to find. From the outside, it appeared to be a very small place, but I was pleasantly surprised to see that there was actually a lot of room inside.

There were a lot of people sitting down, in fact there were no open seats available, but there was no line for drinks and food. I suppose two o’clock on a Saturday afternoon is prime time for labtop users, and not necessarily those in need to kick start their day with their fix of caffeine. I ordered a small caramel-hazelnut espresso, and was pleased to see that their definition of small was the Upper East Side’s version of large. Unfortunately they ran out of the tofu scramble, but it also was fairly late to be ordering breakfast. The baristas were exceptionally friendly, and very helpful in helping me decide which of their many mouth-watering drinks I should choose.

Grounded prides itself on being organic, as well as fair-trade. All of their milk is from Evans Farms in upstate New York, supporting both organic and local farming. They have a breakfast menu, pastries, salads, and sandwiches if you’re looking to grab a bite to eat. Their coffee drinks are unique and varied, yet you can clearly understand what each drink contains. They also have a great selection of organic teas, as well as smoothies. Even though it was tough to find a seat, the atmosphere is relaxing, and they have a decent amount of tables and couches if you want to sit down. They have an hour and a half limit for how long you can sit, but with so many things to do in the neighborhood, that isn’t a big issue. They also provide free wi-fi.

My experience here was excellent. The espresso was delicious, the baristas were some of the friendliest I’ve seen, and it’s organic and fair trade friendly. I couldn’t find a seat, but it was also primetime for labtop users, and I was happy to take advantage of the beautiful day and explore the village. Plus, shortly after I got my drink, I ran into Amy Sedaris on the street, who is one of my absolute favorite actresses! I plan on returning to Grounded soon to try their Nutella Latte, and hopefully get there in time for the tofu scramble.

2/21/10 Update:

I couldn't wait any longer to try their Nutella espresso. It was yet again a nice (though slightly windy) day in New York, and since the forecast for the next few days is rain, I knew this was my best opportunity to make it to the West Village. Luckily this time they had their tofu scramble, and open seats so I could sit down for a little while. The nutella espresso was everything I expected it to be. If anything, I suggest Grounded for this drink alone. The tofu scramble wrap was also delicious. They played great music (though I couldn't tell you who the artists were), and once again were exceptionally friendly. After my second visit, I can only recommend this place even more! I will definitely be visiting this place many more times in the future, which will surely come in handy with the buy 10 drinks get one free card they give you!

Picture of my nutella latte and tofu scramble:

Grounded is located at 28 Jane Street in the West Village between Greenwich Avenue and West 4^th street.

Directions: Take the 1, 2, 3, A, C, E, or L trains to 14^th street.

Website: www.Groundedcoffee.com