This is definitely one of my favorite cafés in the city. First of all, the area is the lovely Lower East, right across the street from a little park.
Iris Café – Café Review
Joyride Coffee, Iris Café
Iris Café is located in one of the most beautiful spots in New York City, in a lush corner of Brooklyn Heights.
They serve a delicious brunch, which made for an amazing brunch and coffee combination.
Be ready to share a table because they have benches set up, which act as communal tables.
They also have an Iris Take-Out (Willowtown Store #7) just a couple of doors down, which is full of snacks and small meals, from breakfast sandwiches to salads.
Joyride Coffee, Iris Café
I ordered a latte, which my friend argues is the best one in the city, which I now completely agree with.
Joyride Coffee, Iris Café
It is very close to DUMBO, so after a nice brunch, I would recommend walking just a few blocks over to the Brooklyn Bridge Park to relax, where there is the Brooklyn Bridge Wine Bar and lots of green grass to hang out.
20 Columbia Pl Brooklyn, NY 11201
Yirgacheffe Showdown
Ethiopia is considered the indigenous birthplace of coffee. The coffee of southern Ethiopia has an incredibly beauty to its taste. The region surrounding Yirgacheffe is very special in coffee history, as it was the first place with a washing station, which set the precedent for the quality that is associated with the region and those around it today. It is a diverse ecosystem with plenty of plants and shade, despite being relatively heavily populated.
Ethiopia Kochere Yirgacheffe
Coffees from Yirgacheffe are currently in season, and all of our roasters happen to have one. Unlike some of the more densely planted parts of the country, there is still a massive presence of traditional indigenous coffee types. The Yirgacheffe varietals tend to exhibit intensely floral, sweet, almost tea-like washed qualities, as we'll see below.
The washing process is unique. It begins with washing the coffee cherry in order to remove the fleshy fruit material. This is done right after the harvest when the fruit is still moist. Next is fermentation to get rid of the mucilage. After the underwater fermentation, the coffee is then washed and then sent to a soak tank. The coffee is soaked for about eighteen hours after washing and fermentation. The wet processing creates a "clean" cup of coffee, whereas dry processing results in a more full-bodied but less clean cup.
Joyride Coffee, Intelligentsia Yirgacheffe
Region- Gelana Abaya Varietal- Ethiopian Heirloom Processing-Washed Process Elevation- 1800-1980 m Cup- Clean, sparkling layers of lemon blossom and juicy pomegranate, balanced by the sweetness of clover honey, build to a crisp and elegant finish. Retail Price- $18.00/12 oz.
Joyride Coffee, Joe Yirgacheffe
Ethiopia Yirgacheffe Adado (Joe)
Region- Adado Varietal- Ethiopian Heirloom Processing- Depulped and mechanically washed in an eco-pulper before being dried on raised beds in the sun. Elevation- 2000-2400 m Cup- Spiced Apple Cider, Mandarin Orange in a heavy molasses cup. Retail Price- $15.oo/12 oz.
Joyride Coffee, Stumptown Yirgacheffe
Ethiopia Yirgacheffe Chelbessa (Stumptown)
Region- Gedeo Varietal- Ethiopian Heirloom Processing- Washed Process Elevation- 1900-2200 m Cup- Lavender and Jasmine bouquet. In the cup, it explodes with juicy key lime, chocolate and pineapple. A classic Yirgacheffe. Retail Price- $16.50/12 oz.
I personally think this one has a very delicate, smooth taste. Juicy body, clean finish.
Joyride Coffee, Blue Bottle Yirgacheffe
Ethiopia Yirgacheffe Peaberry (Blue Bottle)
Region- Sidama Varietal- Peaberry Processing- Shade grown Elevation- 1800-2200 m Cup- Apricot, jasmine, cucumber, rose Retail Price- $14.50/16 oz.
Peaberries are actually special because the beans are round. Normally, the beans split, but these ones remain small and in tact. As David so aptly described, "not only is the word Peaberry cute, but so are the beans!"
Joyride Coffee, Counter Culture Yirgacheffe
Ethiopian Konga Yirgacheffe (Counter Culture)
Region- Yirgacheffe Varietal- Ethiopian Heirloom Processing- Wet processed. Elevation- 1800-2100 m Cup- Lemon zest and flowers in the aroma, softening in the cup to ripe lemon and nut-toned cocoa. Balanced, gently bright acidity; impressively silky mouthfeel. Flavor carries decisively into a mildly drying finish. Retail Price- $12.95/12 oz.
I think this is much more full-bodied than the Stumptown. VERY flavorful.
So get yourself a cup of Yirgacheffe and tell us what you think!
Joe Coffee – Café Review
Aptly named "Joe" for a great cup of joe, Joe Coffee is one of the leading artisanal coffee brands that we have the pleasure of working with. In fact, they have a book called "Joe: The Coffee Book," which is a fun read for those interested in learning more about coffee culture. I visited two of their locations: the one in Chelsea and the one by Union Square.
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There are tables where people are talking with friends and others are on their laptops. However, there is no wi-fi at either of these locations.
I ordered a Caffé Latte. It was very thick and creamy, with a full-bodied flavor. Very, very good. Barely any wait time.
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Important to note: Cash only!!!!
They also recently opened a "Pro-shop/HQ," which is a kind of Joe University where you can learn more about coffee and try out different equipment.
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Joe Coffee
514 columbus avenue new york, ny 10024
44 grand central terminal new york, ny 10017
9 east 13th street new york, ny 10003
550 west 120th street (northwest corner building) new york, ny 10027
141 waverly place new york, ny 10014
1045 lexington avenue new york, ny 10021
405 west 23rd street new york, ny 10011
Pro-shop/HQ
131 west 21st street new york, ny 10011
Introducing the Beautiful Joyride Vans
Joyride Coffee, Wrapped Vans
Voilà! Thanks to our friends from Endash Space, we have beautiful, newly wrapped Joyride Vans! If you see these colors rolling around Manhattan, expect some cold brew kegerator action and some great office coffee.
Joyride Coffee, Wrapped Vans
Joyride Coffee, Wrapped Vans
Blue Bottle Coffee – Café Review
Blue Bottle Coffee is one of the premium coffee roasters nationwide, and so I was lucky enough to visit one of their outposts in the Rockefeller Plaza.
The interior is very modern and simple. The only sense of color is the blue logo that can be found on just about everything.
Joyride Coffee, Blue Bottle Coffee
The one in the Rockefeller doesn't have any seats, but outside of the café, there are tables and chairs. It would be a good spot to stop by after some shopping, or as a palate cap after a meal. The other locations are about 50/50 in terms of seating, so it's not necessarily a place you want to set up a meeting or grab a coffee with a friend. It's the perfect place to go in the morning for a good cup of coffee and maybe a pastry, and then get going.
Joyride Coffee, Blue Bottle Coffee
They have a relatively simple menu, with options like Hot Chocolate (which is apparently very good) and Iced Coffee (although surprisingly, no cold brew?)
I ordered a Sidamo Howolso, which the barista made right in front of me. It was very flavorful and fruity, with hints of violet, hibiscus, and even canteloupe. It's so flavorful on its own that it doesn't need anything else to go with it.
Joyride Coffee, Blue Bottle Coffee
Joyride Coffee, Blue Bottle Coffee
The barista was explaining the process of brewing the coffee to me with such passion, that I couldn't help but be sucked in to the art of coffee making in that moment.
Blue Bottle keeps things simple, so their spots are good places to go if you don't feel like dealing with the hustle and bustle of more elaborate cafés.
Joyride Coffee, Blue Bottle Coffee
Blue Bottle Coffee
1 Rockefeller Plaza Concourse Level, Suite D New York, NY 10020
450 W. 15th St. New York, NY 10014
102 Franklin Street New York, NY 10013
The High Line 10th Ave and West 16th Street New York, NY 10014
160 Berry St. Brooklyn, NY 11249
Momofuku Milk Bar – Cafe Review
Joyride Coffee, Momofuku Milk Bar
Considering the fame of the Momofuku franchise, I was not surprised that Momofuku Milk Bar is one of my new favorite places in NYC.
But on that same thread, considering how successful Momofuku is as a business, I was surprised by the Milk Bar's modest design. The one I visited in East Village is not particularly chic or ornamental, but very incognito, except for the neon sign.
The inside is quite small, with a little bar along the window, no seats, a large chalkboard with the menu, and then the ordering area and kitchen. It also has a full functioning air conditioner (very relevant for the hot summer months).
Joyride Coffee, Momofuku Milk Bar
Before ordering, I asked what they recommended. One of the two very friendly workers gave me a sample of the "Cereal Milk" soft serve. I was absolutely blown away. Although it looks like any other soft serve, it tastes exactly like cereal and milk. So I went ahead and ordered that, with crushed corn flakes sprinkled on it.
While I was tempted to order cold brew, I ordered a Stumptown cappuccino based on a Foursquare recommendation.
Joyride Coffee, Momofuku Milk Bar
Before I received my cappuccino, the barista asked me if I wanted a bear or a heart as the design, and I said bear. I was given a cappuccino with possibly the most adorable design...ever.
Joyride Coffee, Cappuccino
The thing to do: take a scoop of the Cereal Milk soft serve and dip it in the cappuccino. Trust me.
While I was there, a girl came in and ordered a soy latte and left quickly, which suggests that it's easy to grab a quick, good coffee and go. But I also have come here in the evening, and it was quite crowded, with people primarily ordering desserts after a dinner, or in my case, a snack before a movie. It's a very versatile spot to visit for coffee, dessert, or a savory snack.
However, it's a little bit pricier if you want more than just a coffee. My cappuccino and soft serve came out to be just under $10.
Overall, the two girls working there were very nice, accommodating and quick. I also can't emphasize enough how amazing the Cereal Milk was. I very highly recommend it and Momofuku Milk Bar. I'll definitely be going as often as possible.
Coffee by: Stumptown
Momofuku Milk Bar
Manhattan
251 E. 13th St.
15 W. 56th St.
561 Columbus Ave.
Brooklyn
382 Metropolitan Ave.
360 Smith St.
