Bitter Sweet: Truly Julie’s best cup of latte (ever!) was from Caffeteria, which sadly closed. Velvety, smooth and rich, you could say there’s a lot of love in this cup. Pun intended:)
As New York City (and much of the East Coast) scurries to prepare for the pending Hurricane Irene, I’m seeking mental solace by thinking about my weekend cup of joe. I limit myself to 3 coffee/espresso drinks a week, so when I do get my taste buds on that bitterly rich, sweet perfection, I want to make it count. This usually means, saving my coffee experiences for the weekend, so I can really savor each drop. And quite frankly, I love the cafe culture. I almost NEVER get my favorite beverage in a to-go cup…because that’s just sacrilegious. There’s nothing quite like licking the foamy froth off a latte on the rim of a porcelain cup. I know most people get hooked on coffee for the caffeine fix, but for me, it’s all about the taste. With or without the jolt, I’d still love it! Ok, ok, the caffeine does give my personality an extra sparkle factor and who doesn’t enjoy that? I guess between the taste and the buzz, it’s a win-win. I’ll drink to that!
Below: Frothy cup of love at Abraco in the East Village
All the latte pics are from some of the best coffee spots in NYC. I’ve noticed that they use yummy coffee brands such as Blue Bottle, Sumpton and Intelligentsia. Caffeteria, my favorite cafe, which sadly closed in Soho after less than a year, used Blue Bottle AND the awesome Battenkill Valley milk. This milk makes a HUGE difference! With its density and hint of sweetness, even its 2% milk tastes almost like delicious cream. When I make filter coffee at home, I brew Cafe Rey’s Tarrazu. I fell for it in Costa Rica and ordered two boxes worth:) I’m always on the lookout for good coffee, so let me know of your favorite joint! For more “coffeenerdness” (extra points if you get this Peter King/Sports Illustrated reference) check out my gallery below, which includes lattes from Grumpy’s and Third Rail.
