Sunday, February 24, 2013

Incredible Desserts from Two Little Red Hens


One of the great loves of my life is pie. It's a problem solver, a friend, and a social advocate. I made up the third thing.

The best pie I've had in New York (and in a long while) can be found at Two Little Red Hens Bakery on the Upper East Side (http://www.twolittleredhens.com/). I had the apple crumb, which was divine on every level. My mother tasted their chocolate pecan, also a killer. One must also try the Brooklyn Blackout Cupcake, one of their most popular items. I easily could eat everything in that bakery. In fact, should the world be coming to an end and I cannot return home, you will find me at Two Little Red Hens. I will be the crazy girl attacking the scones, cookies, and pie. This is becoming more and more a set plan as I write this. Yes, I like this idea quite a lot. Yes.





My Conversion to Light Roast Continues


My wonderful friend, Aly, recently sent me a care package with this incredible light roast from George Howell. I've been drinking it for the last week and it has a very unique, memorable aftertaste. It's called La Esperanza and it originates from Guatemala. It has a complex process of creation that yields a hint of fruit.

I highly recommend it, as does my roommate, Jorge (pictured above).

Mudshop Review: Light, Sweet and Wonderful



    Let me start this review with a confession: I am not a fan of light roast coffee. Throughout my life, I have avoided it whenever possible. Perhaps it's because it struck me as a weakling, despite the fact that it holds more caffeine then it's brother, dark roast.
     Mudshop comes as a recommendation through various friends. There is also a Mud Truck that barrels around the NYU scene, but in this snowy weather, I prefer the indoors. There's a few things that stand out to me about Mud...First of all, total hippie digs. Red brick walls with Christmas lights, mis-matched tiles, vintage artwork. Splashes of uncoordinated colors as the main design scheme. One small, square canvas ironically warns, "Beware of the Square." Indeed.
    Every table has a candle lit. The mellow music vibe is quite eclectic: from Beatles to Indie Rock to  everything in between. It seems like a pretty groovy place to hang out (groovy is still a thing, yes?). They even serve beer here, which strikes me as unusual for a coffee shop. One can imagine a lot of NYU students might hang around here, just trying to be cool. That, and actual cool coffee blog writers. Right, guys? Right. Thanks for that.
    I order a decaf Americano. It's unlike anything I've ever had before. It's light, naturally sweet and foamy. In other words, exactly what I normally avoid from my coffee. But what would normally fail miserablly, totally works here. It's a surprise and I'm slightly intrigued by how these elements function together. It's just perfectly sweet, and the light roast has none of that bitter aftertaste I've come to accept from dark blends. Perhaps, I've been judging light roast all these years without just cause.
   In any case, As I finish up my drink, the winged-eyeliner waitress seems fatigued that I'm not ordering any food. Little does she know, I've already acquired a warm cup of knowledge.

Coffee: 8/10 Bring on the light-roast!
Location: (Off 9th and 2nd Ave.) Right around NYU
Atmosphere: Mellow, hippie-ish. Great to meet a friend or group of friends for dinner, dessert, drinks, etc.
Cost: $3 + tip
Recommend: Yes!

http://www.onmud.com/

Monday, February 11, 2013

You must try a latte and gelato at French Roast (85th and Broadway)! I recommend both within the same visit. Excellent atmosphere as well. Formal review of French Roast to come in the near future!

http://www.frenchroastny.com/

Swedish Import: FIKA in Review


I have never given much thought to Sweden. Their neutrality and cheese are perhaps their biggest claims to fame. But I have to admire the country for their ability to FIKA. That's right. I said it, I think I'll say it again, FIKA. It's a Swedish Verb which translates to "taking a coffee break." The Swedes got it right when it comes to how they respect their coffee. Where as, here in America, we (well, obviously not I) tend to rush around and grab our coffee on-the-go. In Sweden, it is something to be savored and cherished. Also, coffee is usually accompanied by something sweet. Like I said, the Swedes do coffee right.
   Fika, the coffee chain, has been in existence since 2006. I recently ventured out to their Columbus Circle Venue (58th and 6th Ave). The place was interesting... and by interesting, I do mean cool, but not super welcoming. Like that aunt that you never hug because she seems too important.
That kind of vibe. Black and white is the theme, with new age music playing in the background. Metal tables line the walls of the tiny interior. Lots of awesome Europeans inside. I felt like the frizzy-haired, frumpy American in the corner (the title of my auto-biography).
     The coffee is super strong. It's the kind that "grows hair on your teeth," as my mother would say. It has a bitter aftertaste. It's also expensive. A small is $2.50. And it's European small, not American small; meaning that you take three sips and you're almost through. This is the type of place to read a book and occasionally glance at the outside world. It's not an especially homey location. But if you deeply desire to feel cool and artistic, by all means.

Coffee: 7/10 super strong brew
Location: 10/10
Atmosphere: classy, rigid
Cost: $2.50 for a small
Recommend: Maybe. For a strong blend, but not for a warm environment. 



Monday, February 4, 2013

Upper West Side Gem: Sasha's Coffee

   Located in the Upper West Side (94th and Amsterdam), this place is a hole in the wall. Crammed between (and connected to) a children's care center, it would be all too easy to overlook. However, inside is probably one of the friendliest atmospheres I've encountered in New York. The barista gave me a free shot of orange juice just for buying some coffee, which by the way, was incredible. Strong, rich and fully realizing its dark potential. And speaking of potential, this place definitely has it.
    It's in its early days, the barista tells me it is one year into its journey. And because of this, there's a lot of room for it to grow (in the actual literal sense). Sasha's has lightening fast internet. But be warned, it looks like it could seat 10 at most. And even then, it would be tight. The coffee equipment spills out into the seating area- a bench and some bar stools against wooden counter tops. A few Christmas lights line the window. It's definitely modest and understated.
    But I'll be honest, I kind of enjoy the small-time feel of it. In opposition of more established and thus non-personal coffee shops (Starbucks, Coffee Bean and Tea Leaf), it's a unique change of pace. And don't get me wrong, I'm not at all against big corporation beans. I'm actually a fan of both above listed places, but it is nice to feel more like a person and less like just another number.
      There is a real sense of community inside. One of the customers tells me that his brother and he found the place after stellar Yelp Reviews.  They've been supporting it ever since. A local guy comes in and praises the coffee. It's clear he's a regular.
If other people of his neighborhood actually venture inside, I think they'd like what they find quite a lot. Sasha's Coffee is on the top of my list.


Recommend: Yes

Coffee: 10/10
Location: 6/10
Comments: Intimate atmosphere, not great for a conversation (but ideal for a quiet work space)