Tag Archives: #coffee-trail

Walking the coffee trail

Cositas, so near but worth a bigger walk

Walking around looking for good coffee could be a job, but it’s more like a pleasure trip, especially when the results are so fine.

Two nearby shops offer authenticity both being from coffee countries.

787 is a farm to table sort of place with Puerto Rican origins. (Since there are local outposts of 787 within 10 blocks of each other, I guess it’s more like 3 shops on the UES.).

For a change of pace, I tried the lovely Coquito Latte  on my latest descent to the 80th Street location. This is a robust, sweetened brew with a silky finish.

The other place with excellent coffee is Cositas. I enjoyed the drip on 2 visits. Each occasion this was simple and delicious.

My Starbucks diversion has come to an end for now.

Like with 787, there are (more) than a few stores all right in the immediate neighborhood. The staff are pleasant, and it’s a great venue for hanging out. The coffee leaves a lot to be desired, but I do like their Impossible breakfast sandwich.

Coffee, anyone?

It’s a three-fer on Amsterdam and 80th. The Bluestone Lane is crowded and busy. I never checked in at the Black Lab, but it looked inviting enough. The Sandwell, home to the “healthyish breakfast sandwich” and a dollar cup on the side, got my morning business.

The coffee is gently delicious, and the Fun Guy sandwich, chosen for its inclusion of mushrooms, was perfect. If a bit larger-ish than healthy might suggest.

Trailing

Sitting in the little streetery that’s taken away someone’s parking spot.

My coffee snobbery is sadly evidently throughout my long quest. Yet, I think I have also demonstrated some flexibility.

Sampling coffee all across my neighborhood has taught me valuable lessons. Taste is always a subjective thing. My taste in coffee requires it be robust. I am partial to foamy coffee concoctions of the old school.

Plain old coffee with milk. Well, not so plain. It’s Kimbo from Napoli.

Over the course of my struggles to try all the best, I have realized that sometimes there’s a specialty that is better in one shop. Ordering a flat white at 🌟 Starbucks is a wiser choice than getting a so-so latte.

Thus, I have come to enjoy the one I’m near when I am not near the one I love.

Coffee, nah! Make that Latte

The cookies (with Claudio’s signature penguin) are a great addition to a latte-break at Tozzo.

Your tastebuds may not be as forgetful as mine.

Shame on them for dismissing the most memorable latte ever.

Latte or cappuccino is often the question, but I enjoy one or ‘tother wherever I find myself.

Gotta be sure to find myself at Tozzo more regularly.

That’s one epic coffee drink!

Peace and latte

* * * * * plus * * * * *

There’s a bakery, Patisserie Vanessa, where there is no music piping in. What I first noticed was how quiet the girls behind the counter are. It’s refreshing.

You might call this little cafe the inverse Starbucks. Whisper-quiet patrons spread out at their little workstations.

It’s like Starbucks-meets-librarie.

My coffee trail review gives Vanessa’s 5-stars for the cappuccino I enjoyed and another 5 for the lush latte that followed.

Where to?

I admire the moxie when a little coffee bar sets up shop across from a Starbucks. This one uses a simple lure with the plainest of names. It calls itself Coffee. Ha! [Just “meh,” btw.]

My coffee trail reviews always stray away from the big chain. I’ve had to have a small change of heart recently.

It all started when my gorgeous friend D gave us gift cards. Her note said, “Enjoy something sweet or savory….”

Savory generally gets my attention, so I walked into my local. Their brekkie Impossible sandwich has become a habit. It’s often washed down with a shaken espresso. The air conditioning is great.

My friend J joins in. We savor the atmosphere of the business model where stay all day is a likely outcome for many patrons.

On my route

I feel like these houses are part of my commute

Today, that commute also included diamond studded crocs [no photo documentation available].

I have also been noticing [there is my split infinitive again] little birds at foot level. They do fly away as soon as we are toe to toe, but they are walking the sidewalks a lot.

The “famous” Tozzo cup with the best latte.

This diner and the sushi place next to it have been empty except for some pop-up art exhibits for a long while. My friend M liked the sushi joint. The hubs and I enjoyed an occasional meal at the diner. Service was awful, but the food brought us back. Looks like they are working some construction here now.

Great helmet.