Iconograph (NYC)

Thanks Smdlr for tweeting about this. #w2w

This is a breakdown of cafe types in NYC, but if this were Toronto, I believe the spectrum would be tilted towards Tim Horton's, Second Cup, Starbucks and Timothy's... then smaller chain or single locations...

Am I right?

http://www.nycedc.com/blog-entry/coffee-and-tea-new-york-city

HAPPY VALENTINE's DAY  - Boy do I love Coffee!

M^4: NYcC this past weekend

M^4: Coffee's notable news... 


Coffee Common busted onto the seen for a 4 day pop-up experience in Chelsea this past weekend. Read up and experience the ride with smdlr, through the vivid photos and amazing write-up, I felt as if I got a "fly on the wall" view of the event.

Bamboo Tampers... whoa

In case you missed it "Shit Barista Say..." (youtube) Thanks Sprudge



In response to what I made for Sunday Brunch:

Apple smoked Chardonnay Chicken Sausages, caramelized onions, organic Rye, velvety soft scrambled eggs and slices of ripe avocado..... super yummy! (not in photo DH Americano) Gluten-Free!

NY: Kaffe 1668

Kaffe 1668
Address: 275 Greenwich Street
Neighbourhood: Tribeca
website, @twitter, Tel:(212) 693-3750

Smacking you in the face is Tribeca, where it's nestling tendency is quite strongest in New York. It's the place to be for young families. What better way to embrace the NY lifestyle, than Wholefoods and Kaffe 1668 across the street. Don't get me wrong, I'm not knocking the location, I think it's a wonderful marriage.

NY: Gorilla Coffee

Gorilla Coffee
Address: 97 5th Avenue
Neighbourhood: Park Slope
Borough: Brooklyn
website, @gorillacoffee,

Getting back into the Brooklyn scene meant that travel over to Park Slope and head up some vintage shops. Along the way we stopped off at the famous Gorilla Coffee were - at one point in time, the entire staff walked out - Even with this shocking news, the buzz of this cafe did not seem to stop.

NY: Oslo

Oslo Coffee
Address: secret Roastery location
Neighbourhood: somewhere in Williamsburg
website, @twitter, Tel: 718 782 0332

These NY food laws are very meticulous and zoning is "unique", Red-Tape, loop-holes.... who knows. But the Guys from Oslo were kind enough to direct me to their off-site roasting location.

YEAH, out in the middle of industrial land - thanks guys (light-hearted jokes aside). They operate their Probat out of a small space, but it works for John and JR. It's taken me a while to finally post up their secret location, and the barista are very good at protecting their privacy. Not everyone can name drop and collect phone numbers right....

NY: Bakeri

Bakeri
Address: 150 Wythe Avenue
Neighbourhood: Williamsburg, Brooklyn
website, @twitter, Tel: 718.388.8037

Finding those local charms is fair from easy, not only do you need to have a good insight, but recommendations from trusted sources is key. Sure, one can look up top 10 cafes in Brooklyn, but Bakeri may not be included. It really should. Located on the outer limits of Williamsburg, past all the industrial warehouses, but still within a good walking distance from the Metro is this cafe.

NY: Birch Coffee

Birch Coffee
Address: 5 East 27th Street
              inside of Gershwin Hotel
Neighbourhood: Flatiron District
Borough: Manhattan
website, @BirchCoffee,Tel: 212-686-1444

Busting back to the New York Scene we arrive here at a mid-town location; Birch Coffee. From the outside it seems like an eccentric facade, with a deep red painted on the exterior and horns sticking out - I seem to have been landed on someones dream-like state. It's the iconic style that helps to make this cafe stand out. Where else in Manhattan can you say that your cafe resides in a building that has horns sticking out? 
Situated in the main lobby of the hotel, sits Birch Coffee.
Cold Brew, many different espresso types, and a nook for reading, perched up on the next floor. More of a library.

NY: Counter Culture Coffee (Educational Centre) DC

Counter Culture Coffee - DC edition
Address: 1836 Columbia Road NW Suite 202
Neighbourhood: Adams Morgan
City: Washington, D.C.
website

North Carolina, Durham - WHADDUP!
The epic-centre for transparency within the micro-roasting community brings our US trip to Counter Culture - DC training centre.

1995 - Statrt of CCC
2011 - 9 Training Centres in the USA. (LARGE!)

NY: Van Leeuwen Ice Cream

Vanleeuwen Ice Cream
Address: 632 Manhattan Avenue (Bedford/Nassau)
Neighbourhood: Greenpoint, Brooklyn
Address: 81 Bergen Street
Neighbourhood: Boerum Hill, Brooklyn

website, @vlaic,

NYC is such a charmer with cafes being cafes, but they also know how to use space, and in a creative way. Food Trucks are a large part of Urban culture and we're glad to see Food Trucks come to Toronto this July (#FoodTruckEats) Good food on the go, makes a huge difference in the lives of native NewYorkers.
Spotted on Bedford Street were many Mexican/Taco food trucks, slinging out not the usual suspects of Chinese food (we see around Robarts), but freshly grilled and served straight up good eats.

NY: Culture Espresso

Culture Espresso
Address: 72 W 38th St.
Neighbourhood: Midtown/ Times Sq.
webiste, @cultureespresso, Tel: 212 302 0200



Serving Flat whites, raised eyebrows... Found out that the owners are from Sydney, AUS.
With wall to wall window-front, it's a little hidden as there is some scaffolding outside, but chalk drawn signs help you find your way as your coming off of 6th Ave. (Avenue of Americas).

Once you walk in, there are friendly staff to greet you, with two decadent chandeliers hanging from the rafts. Narrow 6 seater counter located in the middle, window marble topped bar allows for people watching and a soft banquette and 3 wooden tables fill the rest of the space.
Fills the space well.

Machine: 2 group Cyrna Synesso.
Grinder: Mazzar Robur
Beans: SO Brazilian Daterra Estate
Roasters: PTs
Located:  Topeka, Kansas.

Special Feature: Cooper Piping Brew Bar, using Beehives for single cup brewing.
Added Bonus: They also will pull Black Cat





Verdict: longer than normal tight triple ristretto NY syrupy shots, it's full of bright notes of blueberry, chocolately goodness.
Pulled longer than what I've been having...
enjoyable nonetheless.
All shots are triple ristretto.
Is it a NYC law to wear chapeaus? I'm noticing this trend...every since those charming chaps at Stumptown (ACE hotel) swooned me over.

Hmmm.... Jacked up on caffeine...
Love,
Espresso Adventures

NY: Joe (Union Square)

Joe (Union Square)
Address: 141 Waverly Place
Neighbourhood: Union Square
Borough: Mahattan
212.924.6750   website
@JoecoffeeNYC 

Okay, so let's recap the day:
Cafe Grumpy - Chelsea
Ninth Street Espresso - Chelsea
Ninth Street Espresso - Tompkin Square
Clinton Street Bakery - Lower East
Arcabo - East Village
RBC - Tribeca
Kaffe 1668 - Tribeca
Final stop by hitting Upper East Side.... JOE

NY: RBC

RBC
Address: 71 Worth Street
Neighbourhood: Tribeca
Borough: Manhattan
website, @rbcnyc

Needed to stretch the legs - went for a walk, had to cut many other locations that I wanted to do in EAST village - but needed to be prompt for my 11amish meeting with Cora - manager of RBC.
Having heard that RBC housed the SLAYER machine- which is the limited/ exclusive machine from Seattle. Amazing technology that allows the barista to change the bar pressure during the extraction of the shot.

Had trouble getting my bearings as it was already 11 AM and the sun was shining at the peak behind the towering skyscrapers. There was no way if I could tell what direction I was walking in. I followed a bunch of people walking at lightning speed head towards NYU campus = which I knew from my research was close to RBC NYC

NY: Kaffe 1668

Kaffe 1668
Address: 275 Greenwich St # 4

Neighbourhood: Tribeca

Borough: Manhattan
(212) 693-3750
website

Tribeca came calling and I meant to stop off and look around the Financial Area - but was distracted by Wholefoods...
wait.... did I just say that?

Kaffe 1668 was a hard cafe to spot, not only are NYC streets diagonal and unlike the grid system of TO, but locals really don't know shortcuts. I ended up looking for random landmarks, only to make a wrong turn and push my LONG day of cafe hopping into a whirlwind of map consultation.

Once I found the shop in what looked like the mixed-purpose building, incorporating businesses on the main floor and office of condo/living space above it, seemed like a great use of space.
The coffee smell left me lifting my nose to it's door.
The first thing I spotted was the iconic "sheep" and the cartoon drawings adorning the walls.
Next I spotted a large menu, with single-origin and single-cup brewing of Direct Trade coffees from many local roasters. 3 different espressos on the bar, and Synesso workhorse.

I'll leave you with a photo memory of the place. lets just say I have to give this location a good sit down and absorb the atmosphere that is Tribeca.

Hustle, hustle, hustle!

NY: Abraco Espresso

Abraco Espresso
Address: 86 East 7th Street
Neighbourhood: East Village
Borough: Manhattan
Tel: website, twitter

OK, I couldn't bring myself to go in - because I  needed a break from Coffee - 10 shots in 3 hours... excessive. Yet, I needed to know where this small storefront was located, such that it would be on the top 3 locations I would visit on my next trip to NYC... so until I get back, I'll have to just tease you with the exterior.

Machine: E61 if my memory serves me correctly.
Otherwise I loved the outdoor bar, for consumption of beverages. The square footage - is astonishing. It's smaller than SJCP for sure!

NY: Clinton St. Baking Company

EASTER SUNDAY!
BUNNIES, CHURCH, DAY OF BRUNCH??

FOOD for Thought: 

Clinton St. Baking Company
Address: 4 Clinton Street (south of Houston)
Neighbourhood: Lower East Side
Tel: 646-602-6263
website

Having been rooted in Toronto for a while - I've noticed that there is quite the brunch culture. Many will line-up at the TOP locations for hours to be seated for an eventual dining experience. This was no different in NYC. Taking advice from good friend MS of Mesmer Mantra a trip to the EAST village was worth the trek to experience hearty morning ritual to fuel the body, and to infuse all of your clothes with that  AMAZING brunch smell.

NY: Ninth Street Espresso (Tompkins Square)

Ninth Street Espresso - Tompkins Square

Address: 341 East 10th St. (Between Ave A & B)

Neighbourhood: East Village

Borough: Manhattan

Tel: 212-777-3508 website

 The directions and advice to take the L train cross town was probably the best - as I've yet to try and figure out MTA's web of bus routes and bus stops. Quick jump off, and a scuttle down to
East10th street meant enough time to experience another triple shot of Alphabet Blend.

Circa 2001, the triple basket creating a syrupy rich shot, reminiscent of how overdosing was the rage - Ninth street continues this method developing that rich body an hyper-aware mouth feel, that's what we all love in Black Cat.
Overkill with 6 shots in 30 minutes... possibly, but I needed to experience the madenss and the limits that ones body could reach.
Death by caffeine would mean at least 115 shots...

NY: Ninth Street (Chelsea Market)

Ninth Street Espresso
Address: 75 9th Ave. (Between 9th & 10th Ave)    
Neighbourhood: Chelsea
Borough: Manhattan
Tel: 212-228-2930 website, twitter

Former stomping grounds for the National Biscuit Company - baking everything from Oreos to saltines has become modernized and after a bit of a transformation,  its' become a must visit location for any New Yorker. Described as the a postindustrial theme park interspersed with food stores and restaurants lined throughout the main floor.
Inside of Chelsea Market, the lushish aromas start to tickle your nostrils as you stroll through the hallways allowing your imagination get the better of you wind down the path to Ninth Street Espresso. Coming around the corner of the winding path, I spotted a line-up at 8am... NO way.
It was Ninth Street with a line-up 9 people deep.
Hustlers!

NY: Cafe Grumpy (Chelsea)

Cafe Grumpy
Address: 224 West 20th Street
Neighbourhood: Chelsea
Borough: Manhattan
website; @cafegrumpy ;212-255-5511

Day 4 of NY: Espresso Adventure meant that I would have to get an early start if I wanted to fit in 2 locations before brunch date in the Lower East Side (Clinton's to be exact).
Early departure of 7am just felt right, like I was on my way to work. BEAUTIFUL crisp North East Winter Morning, with the sun gleaming down, it was my mission to get'er done.
Riding the A Line uptown from Greenwich made me feel like a local. Grabbing the Metro, I caught up on the news and was ready to emerge into Chelsea.

NY: NOLITA/SOHO/MOMA

This post isn't really too much about any one particular cafes.

Pitstop *bux flagship store
Address: 72 Spring Avenue
Neighbourhood: SOHO
Experienced the new CLOVER machine.
Managed to get a hold of a S/O El Salvador Montecarlos Estate Pacamara (link)

But we all know coroporate, and stealing a photo would be a "no-no". It's not like I haven't experienced the CLOVER... just wanted to see how they're managing the technology and incorporating this brewed to cup perfection. (Yes I did go into corporate big chain store, but they're 40 years old - give 'em a break........)

Great pitstop, before shopping adventures ensued...
(click on the jump for more photos)

NY: Gimmie! Coffee (Nolita)

Gimme! Coffee
Address: 228 Mott Street
Neighbourhood: Nolita
Borough: Manhatten, NYC
website, @gimmecoffee, tel: 212-226-4011

A great morning walk from our Greenwich apartment into the hood of Nolita (North of Little Itlay) brought us to Gimmie! Unlike our trip to Third Rail, I was spot on with directions to this charming hallway of a cafe.

For those in Toronto - if you think Sam James Coffee Pocket is small, this  narrow cafe gives SJCP a run for it's money.
Welcome to Manhattan - opening up their shop in 2008, they've seen a steady following of customers diving right into the cafe scene. It's a great location off of Broadway, and a hop n skip away from shopping mecca SoHo.