Village Coffee and Goods

Part of the Fill in the Coffee Map Series

Subject: Village Coffee and Goods
Location: Kingston, NY
WiFi?: yes
Rating: 6+ [see key]

While everyone dreams of vacations being in far-off and exotic places, sometimes the most relaxing ones exist in your backyard. Recently I had a few days to spend with the family and we decided to keep it local and head north to the Adirondacks.

American Bulldog Coffee Roasters

Part of the Fill in the Coffee Map Series

Subject: American Bulldog Coffee Roasters
Location visited: Ridgewood, NJ
WiFi?: yes
Rating: 6+ [see key]

Long ago, I found the lovely NJ town of Ridgewood and it seems to only have grown in beauty since. Outfitted with a pleasant downtown, a slightly bucolic train station and good local coffee, I have visited the area more often in these past years than some towns 20 miles from my house. To put it simply, if I had to move to north, Ridgewood would be on my shortlist.

e-shot Cafe

Part of the Fill in the Coffee Map Series

Subject: e-shot Cafe
Location visited: Larchmont, NY
WiFi?: yes
Rating: 6+ [see key]

Even though I am a huge fan of the automobile, trains are still my favorite way to get around a metropolitan area. Sadly when those trains get out into the suburbs, most towns do not possess a complimentary infrastructure, with the train station often being far from shops and cafes (usually to accommodate parking). Thus, to find a decent coffeehouse near a train station appears as rarely as an open seat during the morning commute. 

Mugged: Overwinter Coffee

Subject: Overwinter Coffee
Coffee Mugged: The Lemon Drop

Rating [see key]: 6+

For a couple of years in the early 21st century, I called Upstate New York home. While it took me some time to warm up to it, I genuinely do miss being close to the raw beauty of the Adirondacks, the exorbitant snowfall and visiting the old towns that remind me of Bedford Falls. 

Qathra Cafe

Part of the Fill in the Coffee Map Series

Subject: Qathra Cafe
Location: Brooklyn, NY
WiFi?: yes
Rating: 5+ [see key]

Many people think that most of New York City is a blurring labyrinth unfit for the visiting motorist. Sure many people who live and work in the area drive around, but most tourists to Manhattan tend to think that driving in the other four boroughs are just as bad as gridlock in Times Square. The truth is that once one gets out of Manhattan, the majority of NYC neighborhoods are fairly drivable and less chaotic.

Stacks Espresso

Part of the Fill in the Coffee Map Series

Subject: Stacks Espresso
Location Visited: 260 Lark St, Albany, NY
WiFi?: yes
Rating: 6+ [see key]

Though Albany has been the crossroads for many trips, it has not always been a dependable area for great coffee. Fortunately, the city is growing its cafe culture and establishments of repute have taken root in the capital city. One such business is Stacks Espresso, a shop with two locations in the city, one of which happened to be not far out of my way on a trip going north.

Birch Coffee

Part of the Fill in the Coffee Map Series

Subject: Birch Coffee
Location Visited: Upper East Side, Manhattan, NY
WiFi?: no
Rating: 6+ [see key]

Despite the enormity of great coffee in Manhattan, it can still be difficult in certain areas to find a great stop later in the day. Sadly, not all New York City cafes are created equal, and especially for those who enjoy an evening cup of lovingly-crafted joe, it can be hard to locate a provider. Fortunately, the quality coffee scene grows stronger and shops are expanding like wildfire, but in the meantime there is one place in particular that always seems to be nearby when needed: Birch Coffee.

Mugged: Copper Horse Coffee

Subject: Copper Horse Coffee Roasters
Coffees Mugged and Rating [see key]:

Ngoma Microlot #3 Burundi  6+

Bloom and Bough Blend  5+

Finca Auroro Xolhuitz Guatemala  5+

As a former resident of Central New York, it always warms my heart to see great coffee gaining a stronger foothold in the land of finger lakes and (seemingly) eternal winter. Back in my first days up north, the options for coffee roasters were few and thankfully, the options have grown varied and delicious ever since I left. One of the newer and more delicious of these entities is an Ithaca operation called Copper Horse Coffee Roasters. Getting three of their coffees sent down my way, I took each for a spin via pourover, french press and siphon.

Gypsy Donut and Espresso Bar

Part of the Fill in the Coffee Map Series

Subject: Gypsy Donut and Espresso Bar
Location: Nyack, NY
WiFi?: yes
Rating: 6+ [see key]

Back some ten years, Nyack first appeared on my radar when a good cousin and chum decided to attend Nyack College, a small Christian institution of higher education on the Hudson. Having never actually been in the town of Nyack, I recall being delighted to discover its charm and array of local shops, but somewhat disappointed that for many a year there existed not a drop of worthwhile coffee.

Bluebird Coffee Shop

Part of the Fill in the Coffee Map Series

Subject: Bluebird Coffee Shop
Location: Manhattan, NY
WiFi?: yes
Rating: 6+ [see key]

I never grow tired of discovering new coffee spots in New York. It's the one city that regardless of how often I stop by, there's always a new or rejuvenated shop to hit. It's a never-ceasing coffee adventure.

Bluestone Lane

Part of the Fill in the Coffee Map Series

Subject: Bluestone Lane
Location: Manhattan, NY [Bryant Park shop]
WiFi?: yes
Rating: 5+ [see key]

Update 11/14/17
In the past few years, Bluestone has started roasting their own coffee amidst their expansion, moving towards a darker roast as a default. 


If there's a continent that seems to burst so much with coffee love that it begins to take over other continents, it's Australia. Having been to both various Aussie operations in the UK as well as in the States, I stand amazed at how much their cup runneth over into foreign lands. And unlike the outposts of many other countries, Australians seems to sincerely love and produce high quality and delicious coffee.

Mugged: Driftaway Coffee

Subject: Driftaway Coffee
Coffee Mugged and Rating [see key]:

- Profile 1 (Fruity): Rwanda Gitesi 6+

- Profile 2 (Classic): Brazil Fazenda do Serrado 4+
- Profile 3 ( Balanced): Nicaragua Las Nubes Co-op 5+

- Profile 4 (Bold): Honduras San Vicente 4+

It's no secret that there are different types of coffee drinkers. Some like the beautiful nuance and vibrant flavors of a lightly roasted African coffee, brimming with fruit and luscious chocolate. Others like their coffee a bit stiffer and thicker, a brew with a mellow sweetness and smatterings of different flavors. And then there's some folks who like their coffee to bathe their tongue in bitterness and smoke, favoring the dark roasts bearing European country names. 

The Shop Cafe

Part of the Fill in the Coffee Map Series

Subject: The Shop Cafe

Location: Ithaca, NY
WiFi?: Yes
Rating: 6+ [see key]


Back when central New York was a regular stomping ground, Ithaca was one of my favorite haunts. Its lovely small town shops, independent culture and its array of good coffeehouses always made for a nice little day trip.

CC: Hi-Collar

Subject: Hi-Collar
Location: Manhattan, NY
No WiFi
Rating: 6+ [see key]

When most people think of stopping by a coffee establishment for their morning fix, the majority think of a large, spacious room where they can sink into isolated bliss with their laptop. In most parts of the country, this model knows no rival (so fear not freelancers and budding authors!). But slowly over the past few years, a handful of spots have dared to spice it up, encouraging different experiences for patrons.

CC: Box Kite NYC

Subject: Box Kite NYC
Location visited: Manhattan, NY
Free WiFi ? : yes
Rating: 6+ [see key]

The fight to offer a better coffeehouse experience is a daunting challenge. So many great establishments have set the bar so high that it can be difficult to postulate how one can make a better mousetrap. But truly, I'm surprised every year with a shop or two that's taken the concept to a different level.

CC: Nolita Mart

Subject: Nolita Mart and Espresso Bar
Location: Manhattan, NYC
Free WiFi ? : yes
Rating: 6+ [see key]

Sadly when many people think of a "convenience store" the concept only conjures up images of a Kwik-E-Mart, complete with the beef jerky, sub-par coffee and various unhealthy munchables to sate the general needs of the average consumer. By no means do I detest the existence of this variety of one-stop shops, as they absolutely serve their purpose (where else will you get a wrinkly hot dog and a gallon of milk at 3 AM?), but I more detest that by and large, there are few small-scale markets that take it to another level.

CC: Budin

Subject: Budin
Location: Brooklyn, NY
Free WiFi ? : yes
Rating: 6+ [see key]

Access to coffee roasters across the ocean has been something of a head scratcher in the past. Very few shipping and parcel services could economically get you coffee from one continent to the other well within the window of peak freshness. But recently, things have changed in the equation so that certain roasters are able to get their coffee over the pond from Europe to the States for, by comparison, what seems like a song. 

These new shipping realities, as well as the genius of bulk purchasing, have allowed for new swaths of frontier in US coffeehousing. One of the more interesting and recent openings of the past year is Budin, a coffee bar in Brooklyn serving only Scandinavia's finest coffee. Having received publicity from the local press for their unique coffee roasters, their slightly higher-than-domestic-coffee prices and their stylish nordic merchandise, I could not resist a trip to the shop.

I arrived one overcast afternoon to the unassuming, brown-framed shop with a large glass window that peered out into the calm, city street. Inside, the shop is quite voluminous; a long layout easy on the eyes that accommodates a long bar and plenty of tables, complete with the many Scandinavian wares and a patio in the back. For my coffee, I decided upon an espresso of Colombia Tampana from Norway's Tim Wendelboe, and a pourover of Brazil Fazenda Ambiental Fortaleza from Sweden's Koppi. The espresso, pulled short with brown crema, relayed orange, grapefruit, wheaty beer, hazlenut, cocoa and little barley broth, making for a deliciously bright and sweet extraction. The pourover also bedazzled my tongue, with potent flavors of cherry, Cabernet Franc, dark chocolate, honey, elderflower and rye amidst a mellow, light body. 

Delighted with my coffee and the extremely friendly staff, I left Budin satisfied that I had received my money's worth. If you're looking to try out some great coffee from abroad, make your way to Brooklyn's Budin. 

CC: Smile To Go

Subject: Smile To Go
Location: Manhattan, NY
Free WiFi ? : yes
Rating: 5+ [see key]

If there's one thing emerging more and more in people, it is a staunch desire to eat less chemicals. Whether that's meat free of antibiotics, vegetables sans-pesticides or groceries free of preservatives, folks seem to prefer getting away from many of the chemical additives our forefathers heralded as improvements to the marketplace.

Last I was in Manhattan, I found myself looking for some great coffee and a bit of the aforementioned nourishment. In my search for nearby places, I found Smile To Go, a carry-out and catering offshoot of The Smile over on Bond St. With both eateries known for quality ingredients on an ever-morphing, delicious menu PLUS a variety of coffee from Plowshares Coffee Roasters, I deemed it a good fit and merrily made my way over to Smile To Go. 

The space impressed me as unique and energetic, with the cozy-yet-vertically-spacious feel of the front interweaving with the bustling kitchen that made up the back 2/3 of the hall. With food second on my mind at the moment, I approached the counter to talk coffee and ended up ordering an espresso of the A-Train espresso blend and a drip of the Costa Rica Finca Gamboa. As the barista handed me my espresso, he warned me that the machine was not pulling the best shots that day and that it might be a bit sour. Sure enough, the espresso was slightly tart, smacking of pungent raspberry, but not to the point of it being unpleasant, with the other flavors of buttermilk biscuit, vanilla, a little nutmeg and a touch of clove shining through to make it a fairly wonderful infusion (aka only a touch off). The drip belted out joyous melodies of Belgian ale, apple slices, walnuts, cola, light nougat and basil within a medium body, making for a hearty, sweet brew.

As for the food, I had but a sampling that made me only wish I had been hungrier. In the end, if you're looking for a great meal to compliment some great coffee (and/or visa versa), make a point to hit Smile To Go (though get their well before the thick of lunch, as I was advised by the barista that lunch time can be nuts).  

Mugged: Breakfast Blend, El Salvador Cafe La Reina, Mills 1860 Blend [Queen Bean]

Subject: The Queen Bean Coffee Emporium
Coffee Mugged and Rating [see key]:
  - Organic Breakfast Blend 4+
  - El Salvador Cafe La Reina 3+
  - Mills 1860 Blend  3+

Not many companies, never mind families, can claim a 1.5 century legacy of working with coffee. But the Mills family of the Mills Coffee Roasting Company and the Queen Bean Coffee Emporium (their online retail arm) can. Hailing originally from lovely Providence, they recently sent out three coffees to my home lab, each I took to task via pourover, french press or Impress, and siphon.

The first coffee up to bat was their Organic Breakfast Blend. Utilizing three different coffees from Central and South America, the blend is roasted to a Full City Roast. Via pourover, it conveyed malt balls, red bell pepper, vanilla, seltzer, spinach and saltines within a medium-deep body. The french press proved less heavy and slightly different in profile, with notes of corn chip, raspberry, asparagus, almond, light olive oil and biscuit. The siphon proved consistent with the french press, with notes of gala apple, corn chip, caramel, almond and cream, amidst a smooth and medium body. While the pourover seemed a bit out of line with the other two (a possible "mis-brew"), the coffee overall proved smooth, sumptuous and slightly complex in flavors.

The El Salvador Cafe La Reina, a coffee grown in the Apaneca-Ilamatepec Mountain Range near the Guatemalan border, was the second one up to cup. The pourover poured out salty pretzel, honey, oats, basil, rye, slight lemon zest and a bit of apple in a medium body with a slight grassy aftertaste. The Impress similarly smacked of salty pretzel, oats, lemon zest, apple, dates and rye, all within a slightly deeper body. The siphon held steady with pretzel, apple, rum raisin, tomato, a bit of tobacco and malt, measuring smooth, deep and heavy. All in all, a coffee with a lot of positives with the sweet and bright aspects, but the strong salty quality up front and an off-note or two on the back end left me a little ambivalent.

The final coffee, their Mills 1860 Blend, was last in the order of ingestion. The pourover fiddled out notes of birch, Tootsie Roll, spinach, lemon zest and a touch of malt. The Impress similarly held Tootsie Roll, spinach, birch, tobacco and seltzer, having a slightly smoky and bitter manner to the usual bright and deep notes. The siphon concluded with Tootsie Roll, spinach, sourdough, apple, birch and sunflower oil in a medium body. In totality, a coffee that proved sweet and bright up front, yet leguminous and heavy thereafter.

Thus, the Breakfast Blend left a fond impression with the other two faring slightly behind in my favor. Needless to say, these are but three of the many coffees that Queen Bean offers, so check out their wares and choose accordingly; you'll be supporting a coffee legacy dating back to when Abraham Lincoln walked the Earth.


note: coffee was provided free of charge and the above review is objective feedback.

CC: Bowery Coffee

Subject: Bowery Coffee
Location: Manhattan, NY
Free WiFi ? : yes
Rating: 6+ [see key]

Wandering the streets of Manhattan, I had a good, strong craving for some smoked fish and hence, I mapped out a straight line to get to the esteemed Russ and Daughters on Houston St. And sure enough, after waiting amongst the throng to get some various tid bits of high-end lox, I was able to feast like a Nordic fisherman. But soon after completing my meal, my appetite sought a bit of a palate cleanser (fish does not linger well) and then, some great coffee.

Fortunately not far away sits Bowery Coffee, a local coffee establishment that is among the few five borough shops to roast their own beans, operating under the roaster name American Bulldog Coffee Roasters. I arrived at their brick shop to find a cozy spot, with wood slatted walls and classy white tables, complete with chipper baristas. I ordered an espresso of their Yemen and a drip of their Burundi. The espresso, pulled short with brown crema, rustled up some lemon, chocolate nibs, salt, cream, Chianti and granulated sugar, making a syrupy pull with a slight tart punch. The drip yodeled out caramel, buttered corn muffin, snap peas and light blackberry amidst a medium body, proving thick and succulent.

The only thing I could think of suggesting as an improvement would be adding smoked fish to the menu, but then again, maybe that would be too much of a good thing. Nonetheless, head over to Houston St for some great beans at Bowery Coffee.