The Cheap, the Best, and the Hidden.

There are a few things that get me to love a place. One of the things that is becoming hardest to find, is a space. Let me explain the context in which I am using “space”. When I say “space”, I mean the look, feel, people, music, light, comfort, outlets, wifi, location, etc. This sort of “space” (yea I’m saying “space” a lot, sue me) is becoming harder to find in New York City with the recent shift toward coffee bars and the anti laptop movement. What if I told you there is a place which feels amazing, the people are cool (not Ace Hotel, Williamsburg Bridge, or LES trying to be cool), amazing music (think classics you actually want to hear), bright and airy, comforting, outlets EVERYWHERE, wifi, and in an amazingly private, yet convenient location. Well, I’m telling you. I haven’t been this impressed with a place in a while. Partly because I’ve never seen anything like it. Everything excites me here. From the center island coffee bar, to the surrounding tables that you can sit at and just have coffee. The walls are covered in beautiful photos that you actually stare at, rather than just notice. There is a real New York cool about this place. The majority of patrons are on their laptops, and broadcast this positive, “let’s make it in the world feeling.” I’m telling you, it’s major and motivating. The coffee is amazing; I’m especially impressed with the french press (it’s huge, accompanied by a tiny heated milk, huge plus), and the cappuccino. Pastries are good. We’ve all had better, but the chocolate croissant has a delicious pudding/mousse sort of filling that is a few miles ahead of enjoyable. Of course a doughnut hole is always hard to hate. You may need the name as well. Cafe Minerva.

What a coffee bar should be, in the West Village.

Tip: Sit at the bar. You feel productive and cool.

Tip: Don’t pass the cafe. No signage, just a sleek iPhone like glass storefront.

Tip: The french press is big enough for 2 

Tip: free wifi

304 W 4th St.

(212)242-4800