In New York, there are things that are expensive for no reason, and then there are things that are expensive because they are the best.
Joe is expensive because it is the best. It’s called “the art of coffee” for a reason. It’s worth the extra cash flow. And since New Yorkers are accustomed to paying more for quality, it’s why the coffee shop thrives.
They have several locations in Manhattan (and even one in Brooklyn), and will soon be opening another on the UES. Gossip Girl, did that get your attention? Good morning Upper East Siders indeed!
After a morning run mid-day jog in Central Park, Kyle and I made our way to Joe to get caffeinated.
As you can see the menu is minimal. They are in the coffee business, not the breakfast business. I think it’s better to do one thing perfectly, than a few things well though.
Make no mistake, their breakfast offerings certainly aren’t terrible. 😉
Usually Joe’s baristas make gorgeous designs in the milk foam, but we had to take ours to go since there was no sitting room when we ordered. So sad. The good news was that a table freed up by the time we got our drinks. The bad news was that we still got the bevies in to-go cups.
I got a soy cafe au lait (and had some byo stevia packets in my purse).
I tried not to make love to the cup at first touch, but it was definitely a challenge. It was quite possibly the best cup of Joe I have ever tasted in my life.
I added half a packet of stevia and sipped my way to heaven. The flavor of good coffee…mmmm…nothing like it. The warmth in your hands, the intoxicating smell, the smooth taste. I could have died. It’s a good thing this addiction is put in check by 2,790.2 miles (yes, I just googled the distance between Los Angeles and New York). Habit forming is an understatement. Joe Coffee is the best.
To the coffee snobs lovers – do you remember your best cup? What’s your favorite coffee shop?
*Edited to add* Click HERE for a coupon to get $20 at whole foods for only $10 (Kyle and I each did so already). Just think – that’s five extra pounds in your hot bar dinner on the house. 😉
Joe seems to be priced the same as my favorite locally roasted coffee, Drew’s Brews. There’s a guy in his early thirties here that roasted for a local coffee shop, Bongo Java for a long time. He ended up leaving and opening his own business. Drew’s Brews is amazing. Paying for good coffee is totally worth the extra funds!
The best cup of coffee I ever had was with my dessert after a delicious dinner at the Ritz-Carlton on Maui! I ordered the coffee to come with my dessert, but it didn’t come until I was done with my dessert. That’s because they brewed a cup just for me when I ordered it, and it took that long. Fresh-made, 100% Kona coffee — it truly was the best!! But I’ve never been to Joe (spent less than a day in New York City one time in my life), so I’ll put that on the list for when my husband and I make it back there again!!
p.s. What are the must-sees in Barcelona? My husband and I will be there for a week in October! I know he’s making plans, but I told him I would ask you what to do since you lived there for a year. Let me know when you have a chance! Thanks!!!
Mmm! Nothing beats a good cup of coffee! 🙂 I don’t really have a favorite coffee shop right now. I usually just go to Starbucks because central Nebraska doesn’t really have much otherwise! lol.
Lovin’ these NYC posts! I live in the area and it’s always great to know what other people like. I’ve never been to the coffee shop but might have to get there soon 😉 My best coffee is a cappuccino that I get across from my office from time to time. The cafe is owned by Italians and they make the best over there, even though I’m not a big cappuccino lover.
I am a coffee fiend. I need to go to New York one day. (Never been, it’s tragic) I love finding good coffee in new cities.
My favorite coffee is a soy cappuccino! Oh so good! I still haven’t found the best place that makes it yet and I would love it if I could find a local place instead of Starbucks since I would go broke fast. It’s weird I used to have to have sugar in my coffee but now I just love the steam soy milk and espresso. I actually bought my own espresso machine so I could make them at home instead of buying them all the time, but it never tastes the same. I’m thinking I should buy the same soy milk Starbucks uses since I’ve seen them whip it out on many occasions.
i recently went to san francisco for the first time and had blue bottle coffee co…it was so good. waiting in the long line was worth it.
I need to go there! Good idea about bringing stevia packets with you; I hate using splenda at coffee shops.
The boyfriend is the coffee lover (obsessor), but I may be able to convince him of an NYC foodie trip if I tell him they have the best coffee!
That looks heavenly. Now I’m, curious, how much is a soy au lait at Joe?
Nothing like an amazing cup of coffee.. your so right! There is a local roaster here in RI The Coffee Exchange and they have a pretty amazing brew- though I never get fancy designs in my foam.. Hmm. I’m going to have to write a complaint!
Oh man…I’m a total coffee snob. Cafftea is PHENOM. Have you tried it? Campfire S’mores is awesome along with Birthday Cake…yes, it’s COFFEE.
This post makes my current cup of “Seattle’s Best” from the cafeteria at work taste that much worse. Blech. My \favorite coffee these days comes from Le Pain Quotidien. There’s just something about it.
i havent tried it but im droooooling now. where is this place?
awesome chpice. le pain quotidien is totally on par with joe.
haha…i love when baristas make fancy designs – makes the exorbitant price seem worth it somehow 🙂
i have blocked it out – i think it was 3 dollars for the small.
agreed!
blue bottle is AHHHH-some. great choice!
i had a soy cafe au lait yesterday sans sugar and it was heavenly. youre right though – it only seems to be that good without added sweetener when others make it. i dont know why that is??
it IS tragic!! book a flight asap.
i used to love bruno’s coffee – it was across from the hospital i worked at in nyc and also a small place owned and run by an italian family.
YIKES! Sometimes (often) I find myself choosing Starbucks over another coffee shop simply because I get free soymilk and a shot of sf vanilla in my darn soy misto.
i feel ya. when im outside of nyc, la, or sf its pretty slim pickins’ coffee wise. plus they are often the only place that has soymilk so i turn to it by default. i had made a pact going into this trip that i wouldnt go to sbux or WF though.
ohhhhh…i will email you for sure because that list is a fun one 🙂 you are gonna LOOOOOVE it!
kona coffee is exceptional. reason enough to go to hawaii as far as im concerned!
where is drew’s brews?
It’s in Nashville-that’s where I live. I love the Thickest French and Gravel Springs varieties best, but honestly, all his coffees are good. Here is his website if you want to look around.
http://www.drewsbrewscoffee.com/
Joe’s coffee looks amazing. This will probably get me in trouble with your other readers, but American coffee is – in general – terrible. Coffee in Australia is surprisingly much better than in the US (I’m originally from the US, but live here, and am a coffee addict, so I have extensively tested ;-), so it’s hard to say what’s my favourite because I kind of have a dichotomy in my head: American coffee and Other. Don’t get me wrong, I’ve had a few good cups in the US, but in my experience it’s usually not strong enough which (oddly) gives me heartburn not to mention tastes absolutely terrible. The Ugly Mug in Ypsilanti, Michigan is pretty great, but even visiting a few years ago I was disappointed. I usually have to ask for an extra shot, but even when the strength is right, it’s often too bitter or the roast is burnt. I have heard many good things about Joes so maybe I just need to try that before I make my blanket statements about American coffee 🙂
ive never been to australia, but its not surprising.
in paris (and a few places in spain) i had great coffee…but its rare for the average coffee shop to have soymilk available. so its a bummer to have to turn to somewhere like starbucks. i should just have cafe solo but i like mine milky much of the time.
This is the truth. This whole post. 🙂 Joe and I have become both dear friends and bitter enemies (at least according to my wallet) this summer. The iced toddy drink is off. the. hook.
Welcome back to the city! Eat it all up ASAP. 🙂
OMG! i have that shirt AND that skirt!! are you wearing my skirt in that pic? that is so funny that we both have that outfit! i wish you were still in nyc. i miss you. xoxo
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