Coffeehouse Review: Think Coffee

As I said in one of my last posts, I went to quite a unique and rustic coffee shop just south of Union square. On 4th between 12th and 13th, you'll find Think Coffee, a spacious, sparsely decorated, yet charismatic coffeehouse.

This is a very popular place for NYU students (*cough* hipsters *cough*) to hang out. So if you don't mind the possibility that you might have to drink your coffee standing at the bar for all the students using the tables as their second desks, this place is for you. Seriously though, it's not uncommon to consume your latte in between Tisch students and pretentious, women's studies majors sipping wine.The actual venue is quite nice, with a combination of hard wood and classy tiled floors, it looks like a mix between a 30's speakeasy and a 70's diner.

Their menu is pretty straightforward, though we did have a little trouble actually finding someone to ring us up (let alone do it with a good attitude... but that's another matter). Ashley ordered a hot chocolate while I grabbed a small latte (I did end up drinking half of her's). While their coffee is good, a classic coffeehouse red flag is when their main selling point is the fair-trade aspect of the beans, not the actual quality. This was the case, and thus I have concluded after finishing Ashley's hot chocolate, that Think's strength is in non-coffee drinks.

If you visit, you have to ask for a hot chocolate with two shots. Also, their brownies and other baked goods are out of this world. Ashley said the brownie was too cakey, but seeing as how her definition of a good brownie is chocolate-flavored shoe leather, I don't take her opinion on such things anymore.

I hope you are all having a lovely Thanksgiving. I am currently sitting here writing while Ashley and her brother try to figure out how to bake an entire turkey (this is the first year we've tried). After this, I will be making a green bean casserole all for myself, because neither of them like green beans. But I'm not complaining...

~Happy Turkey Day~

-H

Coffeehouse Review: Bluestone Lane

For my first coffeehouse review, I decided to stay in my neighborhood: the classy streets of the Financial District. I had planned to walk into a random coffee shop near my apartment, and I walked around for a good 30 minutes trying to do just that. But after a while I realized, who am I kidding? Bluestone Lane is the best--and my favorite by far--coffee shop in the FiDi and it deserves to get my first coffeehouse review. So without further ado:

My budget: $10 (for my entire breakfast since I hadn't had any this morning)

Location:  30 Broad Street, New York, NY 10004

Who doesn't like Australian anything? Seriously though... this place completely owns its ausieness, as evidenced by their walls covered in sports memorabilia. It gives the entire shop a rustic, homey feel without coming off as too hipster. This is your classic, hole-in-the-wall shop that is just overflowing with personality. While the limited space may seem like a drawback (the place is crowded with 10 people in line, and there aren't even as many seats), it works as a stop-in on your way to work. New Yorkers don't let limited space get in the way of something good, anyway.

Everything, and I mean everything, about this place is Australian, including the baristas. Did I mention they flirt with you? My barista asked me where I went to school, and as my mouth was full, I gestured behind me (my school is literally across the street). He then asked me if I was an MCA major, and I about choked on my coffee. 

I ordered my usual: a large flat white (a basic coffee with milk), as well as something new off their lunch menu: a Jaffle (I was confused as to what this could possibly be as well). My coffee was on point, and the barista had even embellished a bit:

Then I got my Jaffle and my eyes were opened. Whatever made a grilled cheese sandwich taste like the food of the gods when we were little kids--this thing has it. It is essentially a panini-pressed swiss on white with tomato and honey-smoked ham, except that the edges are pressed shut so that the cheese melts with everything else inside the bread... Pure. Genius.

I would hit you over the head with how much you need to visit this place, but I think the Jaffle just made my point for me. I love this place, you will too, end of story. 

Total $$ spent: $9.99

XOXO

-H