Cafe Grumpy (193 Meserole Ave @ Diamond St), Greenpoint’s famous coffee shop (have you see all those episodes of Girls!?) has some great gift ideas for the coffee lover in your life!
Complimentary coffee or tea beverage with gift set purchase when you mention Greenpointers
Home Brewing Kit $100
which includes Chemex Coffee Maker & filters, Hario Hand Grinder and
bag of coffee beans (your choice) in a Cafe Grumpy logo tote-bag.
During the holidays, time is on fast forward and we need our caffeine fix without a lot of waiting around. Here are some of the best coffee shops in Greenpoint for when we are on the go. That being said, I don’t care what kind of a rush you are in, never order you espresso in a to-go paper cup (the blasphemy!) and don’t forget to tip your barista.
Excellent brew and my favorite cappuccino in the hood, the space was designed just for a coffee line. These efficient baristas magically fill orders so the wait is never long.
• Champion (1108 Manhattan Ave)
If you live this far up Manhattan, you will need a warm coffee to help you speed walk to the train. Champion has some of the best espressos in Greenpoint and some of the most on point baristas who will get you on your way without a lot of fuss.
Located steps from the G on Norman Ave, Cup, which has the best espresso in Greenpoint also has some of the quickest and friendliest service so you’ll be out the door in minutes.
If you catch the G at Greenpoint, check out Upright, rated the second best espresso in Greenpoint on our tour, they also have fun latte flavors and offer almond milk for anti-soy vegans.
You have to love how incredible search engines are. A while back I heard about a taco joint in Williamsburg that makes breakfast tacos with potato chips sprinkled on top, a major hook, but I couldn’t remember the name so I typed into the google: “breakfast taco potato chips” and there was the article, New York Magazine’s The Most Important Taco of the Day, featuring Whirlybird breakfast taco: Continue reading →
When I walked into the new wine bar called Adelina’s on Greenpoint Ave for a tasting, two things caught my eye: the back corner of the bar was lined with wine barrels labeling each wine on tap with white chalk, and seated at the bar was a row of gorgeous faces, the staff, who was there for a tasting.
“Care to join us?” Toby Buggiani, Adelina’s owner asked.
“Are you asking me to drink before noon. Of course!”
Adelina’s passed the Greenpoint restaurant test of friendly servers without a doubt. Not a surprise since Toby is such a sweetheart.
I also chatted with Josh, a customer who said he liked the former Gypsy Bar, but Adelina’s is “perfect” because he lives up the block and “to get a vibe like this [he'd] have to go to Troost,” which also has a morning coffee routine and a wine and beer menu. Continue reading →
Sometimes you gotta be where you don’t want to be and you need an oasis (of espresso) to quell your fears and anxiety. I work in Midtown and the only comfort I have from the bustle of suits is a swedish espresso bar called Fika, tucked on 58th St, between 5th & 6th. When you walk in, all the insanity stays outside. Plus, their chocolate balls are to die for.
I feel the same “get me the hell out of here!” when I walk to the L train at Bedford & North 7th. There are too many, too skinny people buzzing around and my jeans feel tight but not small enough at the same time. Have no fear; Kinditori is here! And, it’s a Swedish espresso bar, too.
The subterranean nook’s low ceilings is a cave of espresso heaven. The barista is always nice and the espressos are short and tasty. Their croissants are delicious to boot. Next time you are about to have a panic attack on Bedford, slip into Konditori, and leave it all behind.
The East River Ferry is already the most pleasant and gorgeous commuting experience, and now it is the most delicious with a new snack bar run by Bench Marc Events. While Karen was making us a Housemade Egg Cream ($3), which blew my mind, she told me that everything on the menu is “made in Brooklyn,” including the McClure’s Potato Chips and the Butter Lane chocolate caramel cupcake we enjoyed on the short ride from Midtown to India St. They better put some extra large life preservers on the ferry!
I am always on the hunt for a great espresso. There is a little coffee shop, in the middle of nowhere, on Woodpoint Rd. in the 11211 called Tar Pit Café. Their motto is “Espresso, Pastry, Love.” I can get behind that. What I found when I strolled over was a pleasant teeny coffee shop with a friendly barista name Ginny, who served me the shortest espresso (in a great way) that was perfect and made with Kitten Coffee, which comes from Bed-Stuy.
The technique for their short espresso pulling is called ristretto, which should be the standard for which every espresso is pulled, much in the same way all steaks should be rare and all eggs should be runny. They would have made a great contender in the Greenpointers Espresso Tour.
Cafe Grumpy Valentine’s Day Gift Box $30
½ lb Heartbreaker Espresso
1 Café Grumpy signature demitasse
2 Raaka chocolate bars – 71% with Sea Salt & Black Coffee Bar
Upright Coffee has finally opened it’s doors on Manhattan Avenue. God, I remember when that spot used to be Fat Louie’s candy & ice cream shop. Now it’s candy for adults – fresh brewed coffee…
