Tag Archives: New York City

Bluebird Coffee Shop Review

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One of the perks to going to school an hour north of NYC is that I occasionally get to venture into the city for an adventure or two. The problem is that the barriers to entry are large – logistics of where to stay, how to save money, and who to hang out with have prevented me from getting into the city nearly as often as I’d like. Today is one of those opportunities I rarely have – a free evening in New York City with little on my plate, and a hankering for good coffee.

Bluebird LogoToday I find myself at Bluebird Coffee Shop in East Village, Manhattan. Good coffee has slowly been seeping into this turf – one that until recently has been heavily steeped in the likes of Dunkin Donuts and Starbucks. In March of 2010 the NYT ran an article titled “New York Is Finally Taking Its Coffee Seriously” where it outlined some of the quality coffee that was only then starting to pierce the veil of commodity coffee. One of the coffee shops covered in that article is Bluebird Coffee Shop, where I just ordered a standard latte.

The Snapshot

Bluebird Coffee Shop is small, located on the corner of 1st Avenue and 1st Street in East Village. It has a bar that can be sat at from the inside or outside, and three small tables (they can fit your coffee or your laptop – not both). Half of the room is dedicated to the coffee bar and storage shelves in the back. They serve whatever is in season from Counter Culture, with several roasts for sale by the bag. Their menu is composed of espresso drinks and drip coffee. To my chagrin, no pour-overs are available. Still, the coffee is excellent, and the shots are pulled well. The environment is minimalist, the music is low but enchanting. It’s the type of place to stop while on your way elsewhere, not necessarily ideal to stop and smell the roses.

Since I’ve been sitting here, several locals have come in for an espresso shot and to discuss coffee with the barista. This is a place that depends on regulars.

The Coffee

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Lattes are hard to make poorly, but equally as hard to make excellent. I ordered one because, well, I felt like one. That being said, it was excellent. And I don’t use that term lightly. The barista frothed the milk to exactly the right consistency, and the shots were pulled without flaw. The latte art was impeccable (I had already taken a sip in the picture on the right) and from the conversations the barista was having with customers I could tell he loves his craft.

While it was hard to tell the specific notes of the espresso due to the creamy and delicious milk, I could tell that they had light, fruity tones to them. Definitely nice for a summertime latte. I just got into town, and it was exactly what I needed after a day of flights and time change.

 

Final Thoughts

Bluebird Coffee Shop is worth visiting if you can make the trek to East Village or if you live nearby. A few notes: they have a $10 minimum for card swipes, but gladly accept cash. They have bags of freshly roasted Counter Culture for sale, and they also sell KeepCups (which I can personally endorse having used one for months). Additionally, wifi is free, as is people watching!

 

The Coffee Guy

Find Bluebird Coffee Shop Online:
BluebirdCoffeeShop.com
Bluebird’s Facebook Page
@bbcsnyc
Instagram

A Few Pics from Coffee Common

I spent the morning enjoying the company and community at Coffee Common. I met some amazing baristas and learned several new brewing methods that I’m anxious to find out more about. I also got a great chance to talk to Brent Fortune, Co-Founder of Coffee Common. Check out another project that Brent is a part of: BrewMethods.com.

Here are some pics I snapped while there.

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BoiseCoffee is going to Coffee Common!

World-class baristas and roasters. Excellent coffee brands collaborating. Lessons on how to brew great coffee. Heaven? No, but close. I’m talking about Coffee Common.

Coffee Common brings together world-class baristas and roasters with shared values, to create unique experiences that introduce people to the nuanced joys of exceptional coffee. We believe that great coffee is, at its best, a collaboration of an empowered coffee farmer, an artisan coffee roaster, a dedicated barista, and an enlightened consumer. We believe that great coffee requires study, experimentation, craftsmanship, and humility.

When I heard Coffee Common was coming to New York City, I immediately marked it on my calendar. I’m going to college about an hour north of NYC, and this was the first widely-publicized coffee event that I’ve heard of coming to the city in the recent past. Needless to say, I’m super stoked.

Coffee Common was hosted in London in July and from the pictures and videos, it looked to be a huge success. It’s on again – this time being hosted at “A Startup Store” on Tenth Avenue and 19th St. in the Big Apple. It’s taking place this Thursday, Friday, Saturday, and Sunday, which means day 1 has already come and gone.

I’m making the short train ride over on Saturday and will be spending nearly the entire day learning tips and tricks on how to make exceptional coffee from some of the best in the industry. While there, I’ll take pictures and video and will do a recap post upon returning. I’m looking to not only expand my abilities, but also to meet some great people and share the joy of our mutual passion: superb coffee.

Coffee Common is being hosted by Google+, and as a result they are posting livestreams, or “hangouts,” through that social media service. What does that mean for you? You can join in on the fun all throughout this weekend! Check out the streams on Coffee Common’s Google+ page, here.

Also, follow my twitter (@BoiseCoffee) for regular updates on the event, as well as pictures throughout the day on Saturday.

Stay classy!
The Coffee Guy