As You Like (428 Humboldt St.) is a new Japanese coffeeshop that recently opened its doors in Williamsburg. The shop sells a variety of coffee, matcha, and chai beverages alongside a small selection of pastries, plus ceramics and florals from local artists.
As You Like will soon serve sake, according to the shop’s Instagram page, but for now, customers can enjoy espresso drinks like lattes and mochas or a cold brew. Matcha lattes and chai lattes are also offered, in addition to a small selection of tea, while the pastry selection includes croissants and cookies. Don’t miss the adorable bear-shaped cookie.
As You Like sometimes serves a more robust food selection on weekends. Last weekend, they sold bagels from Bagel Bunny, made with wild fermented vegetable yeast. As You Like wrote on Instagram, “ You can taste the vegetables,” promising to bring the bagels back soon.
The charming coffeeshop doubles as a ceramics store, selling beautiful designs by local artists, including Jordan Colon, Kazu Oba, and Brad Lail. Several shelves showcase ceramic coffee mugs, smaller cups, bowls, plates, and floral vases. The beautiful pieces double as decoration for customers even if they are not in the market for new kitchenware.
As You Like wrote on Instagram, “We are excited to create a new cafe culture through hand-made ceramics and fun drinks.” The Instagram page also says that the store is looking for more ceramicists who “want to be part of this movement.”
The shop also sells bouquets of dried flowers from New York-based Hana Botanical floral studio, owned by florist and paper flower artist, Akiko R. Nakamura. A small sign near the floral bouquets reads, “She offers a life with flowers with beautiful and sophisticated flower arrangements and paper artworks.” The sign goes on to explain that Nakamura creates her works with the belief that her flowers will bring good luck.
Good fortune has favored As You Like’s manager and co-owner, Mai, who told Greenpointers that the opening has been successful. “We have good customers,” she said excitedly.
As You Like has a very cozy and pleasant atmosphere, with plenty of seating. There are currently two cute cafe tables outside on the sidewalk, but a larger outdoor area is in the final construction phase and will open any day now, offering more outdoor seating to enjoy these last weeks of summer.
Visit Williamsburg’s newest Japanese cafe everyday from 8 a.m. – 5 p.m.