Is There Decent Coffee In Grand Central Station?

When I was a photographer's assistant years ago, I was hired to take large format photographs of landmark buildings around 42nd Street in Manhattan.  One of my best images was of the main concourse inside Grand Central Terminal.  It was a beautiful photograph shot from above the floor where the Apple Store is now.  Beams of light were streaming in from the three large windows and onto the floor.  While I knew how to work a large format camera, I was far from proficient.  And yet the resulting image was one of the most beautiful architectural photographs I've ever produced.

Since I was hired to assist this photographer (she didn't know how to use a large format camera), I had to give her everything we developed.  I did sneak one 4X5 Polaroid that has long since been lost or misplaced.

Fast forward to a few days ago.  I had some free time while visiting New York City and thought that it would be interesting to do a coffee crawl inside Grand Central.  The range of options is much broader nowadays, including Joe Coffee, Irving Farm, Magnolia Bakery, and Financier Patisserie (Cafe Grumpy is also opening another store really soon).

42nd Street Subway

Entering Grand Central Station

 Entering The Main Concourse

Going to Grand Central is like traveling through Kansas to the land of Oz. Upon entering the main concourse what struck me is the grand majesty and beauty of this monumental space.  When I lived in Manhattan the ceiling was dark and covered in dirt and grime.  A 12 year renovation completed in 1998 has restored it to its original splendor.  The concourse is extremely busy (it serves close to 2 million people monthly and is a huge tourist destination).

 Main Concourse, Grand Central Terminal

The Concourse Floor

While the coffee options have much improved since the old days of Dunkin Doughnuts, Grand Central is not a place to hang out with your friends and enjoy a great cup of craft coffee.  This is Joe Coffee's busiest shop and the line is almost continually snaking down the hall.  The baristas are very pleasant and obviously know what they are doing but the sheer volume that this and all the other coffee shops handle translates to a loss in quality.  In my opinion Joe makes the best coffee within Grand Central.  Irving Farm has an impressive setup including a pour-over bar, but the baristas could use a lot more training.  I ordered a Cortado and it lacked that careful interplay of milk and espresso and seemed imbalanced.  Both Financier and Magnolia did an ok job offering drip coffee, Financier roasts their own and Magnolia uses Peet's.

So is it worth a trip inside the terminal?  If you are nearby the answer is definitely yes!  The architecture of the space will blow you away.  The Terminal covers 48 acres and you can spend hours exploring its halls.  Check out the coffee inside for yourself or step outside for a multitude of other decent options.

Joe Coffee

Irving Farm Coffee

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Coffee and Photography

Last week I showed slices of city life in Philadelphia I found intriguing but didn't fit in a longer blog post.  This week I feature Mud Coffee and Think Coffee in New York, and briefly have a cup of La Colombe with the really interesting Luciano Begnoni, Owner of Santa Sophia Winery located in Piedmont.

[caption id="attachment_597" align="aligncenter" width="560"] New York From Williamsburg[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_596" align="aligncenter" width="560"] Mud Coffee, NYC[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_609" align="aligncenter" width="560"] Think Coffee[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_602" align="aligncenter" width="560"] Luciano Begnoni, Owner, Santa Sophia Winery Enjoying A Cup Of La Colombe[/caption]

Bonus Photograph, 10/2/13

Earlier today I had lunch at XIX, located at the top of the beautiful Bellevue in Philadelphia.  The Bellevue-Stratford was built in 1904 in the French Renaissance style.  As I looked above me, I captured this image.

[caption id="attachment_632" align="aligncenter" width="560"] Ceiling atop the Bellevue, Philadelphia[/caption]

CoffeeGuru features over 7,000 independent coffeehouses in the US, Canada, UK and Ireland. Download the app here: https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/coffeeguru-indie-coffeehouses/id547969523?mt=8

Mud Coffee: http://www.onmud.com

Think Coffee: http://thinkcoffeenyc.com

La Colombe Coffee: http://www.lacolombe.com

Santa Sophia Winery: http://www.santasofia.com/index.php/en/

Food Discoveries In NYC

Best Pizza

[caption id="attachment_420" align="aligncenter" width="392"] "Best Pizza" Williamsburg, Brooklyn[/caption]

Want a fantastic slice of brick oven "Brooklyn style" pizza? Then head over to Havemeyer Street where two slices and a soda is all you'll need . The perfect ration of cheese, sauce and dough.

Naruto Ramen

[caption id="attachment_421" align="aligncenter" width="369"] Naruto Ramen[/caption]

The Upper East Side is notorious for overpriced and not so interesting food. That is until you dig a little deeper. Head over to Naruto Ramen on 3rd Ave between 89th and 90th, step inside and suddenly you're thousands of miles away in Japan. Just 14 seats, you might not get in right away but it's worth the wait.

Chinatown

[caption id="attachment_464" align="aligncenter" width="560"] Fruit Vendor selling Longan, Chinatown[/caption]

While shopping around Chinatown, I discovered a fruit vendor selling this strange fruits. A few of my Twitter followers told me it's called a Longan which translates to "dragon eye". It tasts similar to a Lychee and was a rather nice discovery.

Economy Candy

[caption id="attachment_423" align="aligncenter" width="392"] Economy Candy[/caption]

I've been to Dylan's Candy Bar quite a few times. When I stumbled upon Woodward Gallery, John the owner clued me into Economy Candy just down the block at 108 Rivington Street. This is the real deal. Not nearly as organized and much smaller than Dylan's, Economy has them beat on selections and price. After posting this photograph on Facebook, one of my neighbors commented "My girls' eyeballs would explode if they walk in there!"

Shake Shack

[caption id="attachment_422" align="aligncenter" width="392"] Shake Shack & Malbec[/caption]

Finally, the Upper East Side has the hamburger heaven Shake Shack just a few doors from where I stayed for a few weeks. Sometimes you just want to settle in and have your own foodie experience at home. Nothing beats these hamburgers paired with a fabulous Malbec and enjoyed right in my temporary city courtyard.

Support CoffeeGuru download the app here: https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/coffeeguru-indie-coffeehouses/id547969523?mt=8

Best Pizza http://best.piz.za.com

Naruto Ramen http://www.narutoterakawa.com/default1.aspx

Economy Candy http://www.economycandy.com

Shake Shack http://www.shakeshack.com/location/upper-east-side/

Great & Mediocre Coffee In NYC

Doughnut Plant

[caption id="attachment_435" align="aligncenter" width="560"] Doughnut Plant[/caption]

In Chris Rock's stand-up act, he calls Crispy Creme doughnuts "Kracky Kreme". If only he'd try Doughnut Plant's creations he would sing a different tune. These are the real deal. Addictive? You bet, when I wasn't there I thought about the next day when I'd return to taste another flavor. I tried Peach, Vanilla Bean and Coconut Lime Yeasts, Creme Brulee and Peaches & Cream filled Doughseeds. These remarkable creations are simply the best doughnuts I've ever tasted. My only regret? They didn't have the Rose Petal Doughseed on either day I visited. Coffee was also great, made by Kobrick, a local roaster that's been around since 1920.

[caption id="attachment_436" align="aligncenter" width="392"] Magic In A Doughnut Plant Box[/caption]

I Am Coffee

[caption id="attachment_503" align="aligncenter" width="560"] Interior, I Am Coffee[/caption]

If you were standing in the middle of St Mark's Place, you'd never guess that one of the city's best coffee shops is just a few steps away. Look carefully. Right alongside the Ramen noodle joints and next door to Sing Sing Karaoke Lounge is a coffee destination unlike any other, I Am Coffee. Giovanni Finotto and Caterina Musajo hail from Crema, Italy and they concoct some of the most amazing coffee "cocktails" (sans alcohol).

[caption id="attachment_460" align="aligncenter" width="392"] Preparing My Shakerato[/caption]

Take the Shakerato that I ordered. Cateriana vigorously froths the drink in a cocktail shaker and serves it in a martini glass. This is not "Third Wave" but a different way of presenting coffee. There's twists on caffè freddo, Macchiato, and drinks of the day with fresh Ginger and other fabulous ingredients. The roast is from Bologna’s Manuel Terzi and is that darker Italian style. Sure there's the traditional drip and pour-over but the magical concoctions are what it's all about.

[caption id="attachment_459" align="aligncenter" width="448"] The Shakerato[/caption]

A few weeks ago I stated that Parlor Coffee in Williamsburg may be the smallest coffee shop in the city. I Am Coffee is even smaller. Three customers is a crowd at this bar. Even though I'm not a Catholic, when approaching Cateriana with my order, I felt like I was entering a very intimate setting.... almost like a confessional. It's a one-on-one experience that every coffee lover should experience.

Eataly

[caption id="attachment_502" align="aligncenter" width="560"] The Flatiron Building[/caption]

The Flatiron Building is one of my favorites in NYC. But I'm sorry to say that not all things about the city is remarkable when it relates to coffee. Eataly by Mario Batalli just a stone's throw from this marvelous building is one of those unfortunate missteps.

[caption id="attachment_461" align="aligncenter" width="560"] Coffee At Eataly[/caption]

Eataly is an Italian food market chain that started in Turin and is now in 11 locations in Italy and 6 additional venues in the United States and Japan.  The New York location is the first in the US (soon to be expanded to other cities).  It is a joint partnership between Mario Batali and Lidia and Joe Bastianich.   Walking into Eataly my anticipation and expectations were quite high. I've read a lot about this cavernous market and avoided it up until now as it has been really chaotic & crowded since its opening.  Although it was busy, the market was easy to manage. There's over 50,000 square feet of space, with retail food, six restaurants, and of course Italian coffee waiting for you as you walk in. I was struck by how antiseptic the space seemed. It's like a tourist's conception of "Italy". Look, the food is good (and the prices high) but it's a "safe" version of Italy for those who like to be led by the hand and told what to buy. And led by the hand you are!  Product placements are everywhere. A huge Lavazza sign greats you at the coffee bar. I've got to wonder... how much did it cost that company for the sponsorship? It reminds me of Food Network cross marketing. In another section of the store you can buy any of Mario's numerous cookbooks.   House wine is, of course Bastianich winery.

What about the coffee? I ordered a cup and was served a dark, bitter roast that wouldn't have been so bad if it didn't have lots of grounds waiting for me at the bottom. I got a big mouthful and had to spit it out.

Everyman Espresso

[caption id="attachment_458" align="aligncenter" width="560"] Everyman Espresso[/caption]

During my coffee explorations I tried to visit Everyman Espresso on 13th Street only to find it closed for renovation. On may last day in the city, I struggled across Canal Street to get to the Holland Tunnel. Making a quick right turn up West Broadway, I suddenly saw Everyman's second location. Pulling over I ran in for a quick cup of Counter Culture. I found myself petting their beautiful Strada while the Barista pulled a perfect shot. although I was a bit beat-up at that point and the shop was filled with the perfectly coiffed guests from the Soho Grand right across the street, the staff couldn't be friendlier. It was the perfect ending of my brief Big Apple visit.

Support CoffeeGuru download the app here: https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/coffeeguru-indie-coffeehouses/id547969523?mt=8

Doughnut Plant http://doughnutplant.com

I Am Coffee https://www.facebook.com/iamcoffeenyc

Eataly http://www.eataly.com

Everyman Espresso http://everymanespresso.com

Kobrick Coffee http://www.kobricks.com

Counter Culture http://counterculturecoffee.com

Coffee In Park Slope, Brooklyn

Park Slope is within the borough of Brooklyn and just few subway stops from Manhattan but if you live there, it feels like an oasis from the stress and fast pace of the urban living.  Lot's of young families call "The Slope" home amongst the brownstones and tree-lined streets.  The neighborhood abuts Prospect Park, a 600 acre park designed by Frederick Olmsted and Calvert Vaux  after they completed Manhattan's Central Park.


[caption id="attachment_419" align="aligncenter" width="560"] 7th Avenue Donut Shop[/caption]

Gentrification and high rents make it difficult to afford this enclave, but there are still signs of the old guard.  Not far from the F train resides 7th Avenue Donut Shop, a local favorite since 1977.  Here you can get coffee, oj, eggs, potatoes and toast all for only $3.75  Sure the coffee is lousy, but it's an honest meal for an honest price.

[caption id="attachment_418" align="aligncenter" width="560"] Crespella[/caption]

Directly across the street you'll find an example of the new Park Slope, Crespella slinging Stumptown and offering exquisite crepes.  It's a modern twist on the classic Italian espresso bar.

[caption id="attachment_415" align="aligncenter" width="392"] Cafe Grumpy[/caption]

A few blocks away resides Cafe Grumpy, a coffeehouse with five locations who roasts their own beans.  Here you'll get a sense of the Park Slope vibe, relaxed, warm and inviting.  Local artwork lines the wall.  There's a few seats for reading the paper and a bench outside.  The coffee is well executed.

[caption id="attachment_416" align="aligncenter" width="560"] Gorilla Coffee[/caption]

As I sat on the bench outside I decided to head down to 5th Avenue.  Back about 100 years ago when I lived in the Slope 5th Avenue and South was a no man's land.... Kind of dicey and not that safe.  Things have vastly changed.  There's an explosion of great clothing stores, restaurants and coffee shops with Gorilla Coffee right in the middle of this renaissance.

Gorilla's approach to coffee roasting is a bit different.  I sat with co-owner Carol McLaughlin and discussed her philosophy.  To Carol, roasting great coffee is not about establishing a specific house style (say a lighter vs darker roast) but rather understanding the individual lots and roasting that optimally expresses the beans.

[caption id="attachment_417" align="aligncenter" width="560"] Results from a barista challenge[/caption]

Barista training is extremely important so that there's optimal expression each time a cup is ordered.  Carol believes in constant training using in-house challenges as a learning tool.  Baristas go toe to toe preparing V60s or Chemex and then their results are voted on.  The goal is not only to decide who made the better cup but why and use it as a learning tool.  Senior baristas are expected to constantly train newer one.   It's also the reason Gorilla doesn't do wholesale accounts.  They feel quality control is too easily compromised.  While this is an unorthodox view, I do understand the argument.  There's been times when I've ordered from an independent who grinds a great roaster but they do it sub par.

During my two weeks revisiting old haunts in and around NYC, I discovered that as much as I love the energy of life in Manhattan, I prefer the calm laid-back attitude of The Slope.

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7th Avenue Donuts Luncheonette http://www.7thavenuedonutsanddiner.com

Crespella: http://crespellabk.com

Cafe Grumpy: http://cafegrumpy.com

Gorilla Coffee: http://gorillacoffee.com