411 15th Avenue EWhile admittedly, I have lots of coffee options still to explore in what is known as a coffee heaven, I hadn’t yet met anything iced quite as satisfying as my old Blue Bottle… until we came across Victrola.
A bustling cafe with beards and laptops that made me feel at home, this Capitol Hill favorite delivers lovingly poured exceptional lattes. Happiness.
The Pride of TexasPeople get fanatical about Shiner Bock – a Texas beer that outsiders once freaked over if they ever found it outside the Lone Star state. (Now it’s distributed to most of the U.S. with the exception of the NE).
Hill Country in Manhattan wooed the company for years in order to get it served in their Austin style BBQ joint, because it was so key in defining the Texas culinary experience (they finally won them over and now even New Yorkers can partake in the admired brew).
Unlike many things with such hype, though, Shiner is really that great. It’s slightly sweet, rich and malty but with zero after taste. Drinkable and satisfying.
Seattle Brew in Cans, 550 NW 49th Street Seattle WAHilliard’s modern design and small price tag stand out in the sea of fancy beers at the local grocery. The local brewery is making very good beer though, not just pretty cans, with their refreshing Saison tops my list.
They also have a taproom not far that claims to be all ages.. Maybe a visit is in store.
2901 NE Blakeley Street, Seattle, WA (as well as other locations)While there are many, many local roasters and shops to try in the coffee Capitol, so far we’ve been quite happy with Zoka. Whether using their beans (I like their darkest roast, Tuscan Blend) to make at home or having a latte at their large, comfy, and welcoming shop in the University District, it’s consistently good stuff.
Coffee and Espresso MakerThe AeroPress was my birthday present to myself and like everyone who has one, I love it. I mean, have you seen anything else on Amazon with over 1700 reviews and nearly five stars?
It makes a great cup of coffee in minutes with ease.
Add a frother (I recommend the Cuisinox) and good beans (luckily we’ve moved to the epicenter of local coffee roasters) and delicious lattes in the comfort of your own home are yours.
Thanks, self, for such a useful thoughtful gift!
From Fresh DirectFor those we leave behind in NYC: I think I’ve finally found Fresh Direct’s best every day coffee before we left!
I give you Columbian Supremo French Roast!
So enjoy it. And cherish your FD. I miss it terribly.
674 Manhattan Ave BrooklynOn these frigidly cold past weeks I’ve seen the darkened walls of Beloved more than any others (besides my home). I need to get a few cocktails with Mike and Shaun in before leaving and beat cabin fever so the close location of this new cocktail bar is ideal.
But it’s not just proximity that makes it worth a mention, the drinks are good (the lemony DB Cooper being a personal favorite) and, at least early on in the evening (my days of bar hopping past 9pm are long gone), it’s a nice environment to relax with booze and friends.
Once a Polish-only drinking hole, Beloved fits the mold of the “new” post-Girls Greenpoint. Sure it’s a bit predicable in its schmancy Brooklyn vibe, but it’s also inviting and will service the area’s new generation of cocktail sippers nicely.
At the corner of Leonard and Richardson Streets in BrooklynAn upscale cocktail bar with signature concoctions isn’t exactly what Williamsburg is hurting for, but when it’s as inviting and delicious as The Shanty, it’s more than welcome.
The menu demands tough choices (it all sounds tempting) but so far, everything friends and I have tried has been good enough to recommend. There’s a new seasonal menu already up on their site since my last visit, though, so I can’t direct you to the exact wonderful concoction I enjoyed.
The main reason the drinks here are special is that the bar is actually secondary to the attached distillery run by a team of booze experts. It churns out the Perry’s Tot and Dorothy Parker gins used in the drinks which are also available at local shops.
While your likely to rub shoulders with more than one spirits snob, at least you know your in the right place to get a fantastic cocktail, possibly the best in the area.
BodumDaily coffee shop visits are an expensive habit. Ultimately I had to be reasonable and fulfill my needs with a nifty Bodum French press.
We like to get beans from Upright but am trying to find the best fresh direct has to offer (any advice?).
It’s such a simple device that I can operate it on few hours sleep without anyone getting hurt. Hard to imagine life before it.
From Chow RecipesIt wasn’t easy to find the exact right punch for Thanksgiving. Fruity? Yes, but I wanted it to taste like the holiday season. This exquisite Holiday Champagne Punch was perfect. And while you may be tempted to omit the nutmeg, it adds a delicate spice and is transformed by the mixing of flavors. Use the best gin and champagne possible.
Summer PerfectionWhile I wait to make this myself, I’d like to share this refreshing concoction of Watermelon Lemonade while the days are still so steamy.
Thanks to Chloe who made this for a recent party. It’s really a pregnant woman’s dream but, of course, delicious for everybody:
I used one of those mini watermelons. In 2 or 3 batches in my food processor i blended up the watermelon then put it through a sieve. Once it was all processed I put the whole batch trough the sieve again to take out more of the solids.
Juice of 5 or so lemons and a lime or two. Add to the watermelon juice.
Then I added maybe 1 part water and some simple syrup to taste (not necessary if you like it less sweet of course)- the turbinado sugar gives it a slightly more caramel flavor.
I like it diluted with seltzer too.
The photo comes from Smitten Kitchen, which has a similar recipe.
Available at The Meat HookIf anyone’s going to jump on the cold brew concentrate band wagon, it may as well be Stumptown, who offer some of the best beans around.
I found a small bottle of this refreshing stuff at The Meat Hook (where I still can’t leave without at least one impulse buy).
It’s smoother and milder than Grady’s with less of a chicory taste but they are equally delicious.
135 Kent Ave.While it could be easy to overlook the Williamsburg branch of Sweetleaf because of it’s slightly hidden location and the sea if coffee spots it swims in, you should seek it out.
A long time coffee spot in LIC that I’ve driven past frequently, Sweetleaf offers a standard coffee menu, baked treats, a stylish open space, and a few enticing special drinks.
I indulged in a creamy, sweet concoction called a Voo-doo that was more of an early morning dessert than a usual pick me up but I think I’m allowed to play the old “I’m pregnant” card once and a while.
The scone we had was great, there’s easy access via stroller and a welcoming staff. I’ll be back.
Could be perfect for grabbing an iced coffee before Smorgasburg when lines there are too long.
from Kelvin SlushI’ve been wanted to try the Kelvin Slush for some time but have never been lucky enough to happen upon the Vendy-winning truck. Fortunately, Smorgasburg delivered the natural, icy treats to my doorstep.
The sign for Arnold Palmer slushies stopped me in my tracks. It sounded like heaven. Granted, heaven ended up a little more sugary than I expected, but it was still a noteworthy, refreshing summer treat.
447 Graham AveDo you miss the mid 1990’s? Like really, really miss them? If so, there is a home for you and you don’t even have to travel to Austin Texas to find it.
Beaner Bar will welcome you with Beck and Nirvana blasting and dia de los muertos murals, but most importantly you’ll be welcomed with friendly service. It is forgotten so often, but really kind and warm service is golden.
The few times I’ve been I found a host of regulars called out by name, smiles that greet everyone, and I know it may not seem like much, but there’s even a ramp to make getting a stroller in easy.
Plus, the iced lattes are good.
Word has it that the mochas are made with ground Mexican chocolate and that the tamales are incredible – will have to try both next time.
Creamy lattes and sweet macaroons the size of sand dollars; there’s much to love about the popular Thomas Keller Bouchon Bakery.
The environment is all about civility and the baked goods taste fresh and delicious so you don’t even mind walking out thirteen dollars poorer.
We tried the vanilla and passion fruit macaroons- both recommended.
427 Graham AveImagine this: iced coffee, filled with crushed iced coffee that’s been run through a gelato maker, topped with milk. Mmmmmmmmm… Sounds delicious and it is.
Caffe Capri has been boasting about their coffee since 1974 and it’s truly excellent.
Caffe Capri is one of those old school neighborhood gems that make you happy to live in Brooklyn and that you just couldn’t find anywhere else.
I am just kicking myself that it took so long for me to come here.