The Cheap, the Best, and the Hidden.

Sadly, this venue is now CLOSED. Super healthy awesome natural reasonably priced goodness. That’s my summary of this post. You like? Read on. Bonobos is just a fantastic place. The description is best left to them. I’m extra excited about a few things in particular. Coconut chai. Just ridiculous how good it is. It’s a daily routine changer. You’re body is going to require at least 4 of these per week. It’s a simple blend of fresh young coconut, spicy sweet chai masala, and organic raw agave. THAT’S IT. Everything here is made in house. Including the coconut water. The sweets vary from day to day. When I went, the truffle called to me. It’s really rich, but in that healthy rich way. It’s really decadent; and is best described as a ball of sweet health. Ingredients? Walnuts, pecans, dates, and agave; rolled in carob and mesquite powder. I LOVE carob, but it’s an unfamiliar flave to most. Go ahead and try it out. It’s actually good for you.

Lunch to snack to dinner to coconut water to…EVERYTHING, in the Flatiron.

Tip: eat here. The food is incredibly fresh and ridiculously good for you.

Tip: take your meal to go to Madison Square Park. It’s across the street.

Bonobos

212-505-1200

18 East 23rd street

Ay dios mio!!! Translation; this is a serious coffee spot that doubles as a 24 hour Cuban luncheonette. It’s open, airy, and awesome. Walk in, grab a window seat, or a spot at the counter. There is plenty of sunlight, and free wi-fi. I repeat, free wi-fi. The cappuccino’s here are great and topped with a super light foam. This is the sort of place you could just spend hours. Come in for a coffee, get some work done on your laptop, roll into lunch, and before you know it, it’s time for another coffee. By the way, the food is fantastic here and incredibly priced. The pastries are by infamous pastry chef Pichet Ong, so that whole pastry thing is covered real good. And did you see how cheap the coffee is?! Look at the prices on that menu! Did I mention how conveniently located Coppelia is? 14th between 7th and 8th. So why aren’t you there now? They’re open..like, right now.

A Cuban treasure, open all the time.

Tip: Sit near the front of the restaurant. There is a ton of natural light that flows in.

Tip: Check in on foursquare, there’s a special.

Tip: There’s free wi-fi

Tip: The food is super cheap, and it’s just fantastic.

Coppelia

(212) 858-5001

open 24hrs

212.858.5001

Lincoln Center. Coffee. Not Starbucks. WHAT. Yes, there is now another option. A great one at that. Epicerie Boulud. It’s an eat in cafe and take out market with a variety of sandwiches, salads, cheeses, pastries and coffee. The coffee is great, and the pastries are just perfect. With such a huge variety, it can be really tough to choose. This is the kind of place where you just go with what you feel like. Why? Because everything will be amazing. On the particular day I was there, I chose the berry pistachio tart, and the blueberry financier. The tart was overflowing with strawberries, and had a delicious creamy pistachio base. The financier had this blueberry crumble on top, with a perfectly balanced base. Go to Epicerie Boulud, explore, frolic, and most importantly drink coffee and eat pastries.  

Another best of the Upper West, found.

Tip: Seating is extremely limited, so plan to stand or go across the street to Lincoln Center.

Epicerie Boulud

(212) 595-9606

Mon-Sun 9am-10pm

I’m about to ruin iced coffee for you. Well, actually Blue Bottle is. Ever heard of New Orleans Iced coffee? Well it’s freaking incredible and you will never want a non-New Orleans iced coffee ever again. It happened to me, and it will happen to you. It’s served with milk and slightly sweet. Organic raw brown sugar is added during the brewing process, and a splash of milk is added by the barista. The flavor is nothing like you have ever had before. At first you’re like, yea, I dig this. Then suddenly POW, BAM, SHAAAZOW! You’re addicted. An expensive addiction at that ($4 each).  Until now, you would have to trek to Williamsburg for this marvelous creation. We now have the pleasure of enjoying one on the High LIne. So come, take my hand. Let’s go have a life changing coffee experience and walk through the park in the sky. 

Iced Coffee, New Orleans style, the way it should’ve been all along.

Tip: Cash only

Tip: Extra seating down on the porch. Just below The Blue Bottle Stand.

The High Line

Open 7am-11pm daily. Last entrance is at 10:45pm

Bicerin. Some of you may already be excited. For those who have no idea what a bicerin is, get ready for a life change. It’s basically a combination of espresso, hand-shaken cream, and a blend of chocolate. It’s even better than it sounds. As with most everything, it depends where you have a bicerin. Some places just do it right. Pubblico Espresso Bar does it right times a hundred. Maybe a thousand. Screw it, a million. They make the best bicerin you will ever have, and they know it. I haven’t had the willpower to try anything else from Pubblico. But hey, why mess with perfection. 

World’s best Bicerin, discovered.

Pubblico Espresso Bar

124 Macdougal St.

212-228-9626

Score one for Kava Cafe. With competition from the newly improved High Line, Kava now has a back garden to sit in and enjoy your java. It’s no High Line, but if you’re not feeling the few hundred tourists lurking in the park above, the back garden at Kava is pretty fantastic.