Sweetleaf Coffee & Espresso Bar

November 29, 2013

So, I have been sitting on this review for over a year! I'm such a bad blogger! But I am finally getting to it! Totally unintentional but I visited this location almost a year to the day that I am posting it's review!

The Sweet Leaf in Williamsburg is the 2nd location and opened in 2012. The first location being in Long Island City and the third also being in Long Island City but also serves cocktails after 6pm! The third location is starting to offer savory food along with their cocktails and the first location has a laptop room and a record room in the back complete with a turntable and tons of records! I really have to check this out for myself!

The Williamsburg location is a 'Green Build' according to their website and was built with reclaimed wood. They sell coffee from Stumptown and Ritual Roasters. Supposedly, they do karaoke on Thursday nights but I didn't see anything specifying what locations or times.

Foosball! Haha! (I can never say that word without laughing!)

Lots of space to sit and work or just relax!

Comfy Chairs! Also, this location shares a space with a real estate company: Modern Space.

Really like this idea: labeling the lids!

On The Shelf: looks pretty, but I hate to see space wasted like this. Has anyone read that book? Curious if it's any good...

From the Left, Clockwise:  Blueberry & Coconut Vegan Scone, Ginger Matte Tea, Raspberry Coffeecake, Cortado

Now, I have been a little reluctant to post this because I hate giving reviews that are less than glowing but I was not very impressed with their food and coffee. Some of that may have been because we came in the afternoon and pastries are usually at their best early in the morning or, ideally, right out of the oven. Also, part of my disappointment may have been because I'm not a fan of vegan pastries in general (I'm a traditionalist when it comes to my baked goods), but I love coconut and scones so I decided to go for it. However, the Blueberry & Coconut Scone I ordered was dry and tasteless and the Raspberry Coffee Cake was only marginally better than the scone. I really do believe that food just tastes better when it's made with butter, eggs and real sugar. Sorry to rub it in to all those who have diet restrictions and I have complete respect for anyone who can withstand the pull of real fat and sugar for the sake of taking a moral stand.

As for the cortado, it was a little too strong for me to comfortably drink and sadly, adding sugar did not help it. I'm afraid I had to leave this drink unfinished, which a true shame for me. After reading a few reviews from others, super strong coffee seems to be a something Sweetleaf is known for.

I recently (as in the day of this posting) come upon a Yelp review and I'm very upset that I did not get a chance to try either of these iced drink options when I went as they sound delish!

"Rocket Fuel - A perfect New Orleans style coffee laced with full-bodied chicory and sweetened up with just the right amount of maple syrup.  It's better than Blue Bottle I must say.

Voodoo Child - Thick coffee sweetened with condensed milk is Sweetleaf's version of Vietnamese iced coffee.  It's ridiculously delicious.  After nursing this baby for four hours, I still have some left.  Ice is long melted, but flavor still remains.  Def a must try."

Street Art from the area...

View Crossing the Street to get to Sweetleaf. Hello NYC!

This is one of the few coffee spots I've found in NY that actually has decent seating and I didn't feel like I would have to fight for a spot. While I did not LOVE the coffee and food, I would definitely go back to give it another shot. Especially for those iced drinks I just found out about! Maybe I'll go in the Spring when it starts to warm up a bit. It's always possible I just caught them on a bad day.


Photos by Nathanael Maharaj

Ovenly

Sept. 15, 2013

Ovenly is more known for their baked goods than their coffee but it is still worth reviewing because they supply the pastries for many of the best coffee shops out there! They also have a pretty fun blog, especially their 'Pleased To Meet You' series. Although I am posting this in December, I actually visited Ovenly in September and I am learning that they are now offering Wedding Cakes and other wedding goodies! As can be expected of a bakery, their website focuses on selling such things as: a holiday shortbread sampler, snacks, and even a gift box! But like many coffee shops, they are also offering classes but for baking, of course! These classes are being offered at The Brooklyn Kitchen.

A single bench outside for people who want to enjoy the day. I was wondering why they didn't take advantage of the space on the sidewalk more when I discovered a beautiful park at the end of the block! (more on that later)

I love the white herringbone tiles with touches of brass. The pastry display is backed with mirror, which I have mixed feelings on. I feel like it's a little harder to see what's what.

Again, I have mixed feelings about using mirror to write the menu on. It's a cool idea but I think it makes it difficult to read. 

I came at the end of the day as they were getting ready to close and so I had my pick of seating. The solid wall of windows is really the highlight of the space and makes what would otherwise be a small room seem much bigger.

I love how they package and display their signature Spicy Bacon Caramel Popcorn on a metal dowel attached to the counter and held with clips. Also, notice the Time Out New York: 2013 Food and Drink Award for Best New Bakery proudly displayed on the counter? And that's really a great chandelier!

 This whimsical wall-paper gives just the right touch of Mark Twain-iness (not a word, I know) to this otherwise very simple decorating scheme.

 Something about the combination of white-washed wood, dried flower arrangements, brass, and iron gave me the impression of a wild-west/Little House on the Prairie decorating style that was very open and comfortable.

Iced Ginger Hibiscus Tea & Goodies!

Although Ovenly uses Stumptown coffee, I decided to be adventurous and try the Iced Ginger Hibiscus Tea, which (a word of warning) does not come sweetened! haha! This is great for those who do not care for everything to come pre-sweetened (a la: Dunkin Doughnuts) but it's a bit surprising if you're not prepared for it. The ginger is very subtle and really more of an after-taste. The Hibiscus is truly the star of this drink and can be a bit overpowering, but I think this could have been remedied if I had countered it with a little more sweetener.

Super Dark Chocolate Brownie, Pistachio and Dark Chocolate Cupcake, and Salted Peanut Butter Cookie (gluten free)

These were all pretty great, but the Salted Peanut Butter Cookie was my favorite. It had a great texture and flavor and the salt was just right. I feel like you can't really go wrong with chocolate and the Super Dark Chocolate Brownie certainly delivered- my only critique being that it could have been darker. To me it still tasted a bit on the milk-chocolate side, but it was very smooth and not too sugary. The texture was dense and a bit cakey- very nice. The Pistachio cupcake was ok, I'm not a huge fan of icing in general but I could taste the pistachio which can be a challenge in this type of combo.

Transmitter Park

I was not expecting to find this park at the end of the block! It's a bit hidden by a tall fence and some ornamental grasses but what a great surprise! I saw a few other people walking into a small gate and after seeing a few groups go in, I got curious enough to check it out for myself. I was lucky enough to find it at a great time of day when the sun is just starting to set... so beautiful and definitely worth a stop.

Williamsburg Bridge

Milk and Roses

This highly romantic, Italian cafe, located in Brooklyn is agreed, internet-wide, to be a "charming, unassuming gem of Greenpoint", and I would have to agree. My boyfriend and I arrived around 5 pm on a Sunday in early August. It was a very quiet atmosphere and almost everybody was in the back enjoying the beautiful Summer weather in the al-fresco seating area.

Everywhere I turn in this place, I feel like I've stumbled upon a still-life of old European antiquity. It's like I've walked into some kind of Casablanca-esque film-noir.

The inside has a huge collection of books, which I have learned was collected over time by the owner and his wife! I have no idea if anyone ever reads these books, or if there is some kind of lending policy, or if they are just for show, but I'd love to hear more about it if anyone knows!

In the back, you can see a piano that is in use on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and weekends when they feature live music. Unfortunately, we were not lucky enough to catch the show that night.

Porchetta Panini with Gorgonzola, Mustard, and Caramelized Onions- $12

Unfortunately, I do not remember where there bread is from (although I know they do not bake it on site), but it was amazing.

Chicken Panini with Basil Pesto, Tomato, and CaciocaVallo- $12

Again, I don't know what kind of salad this was but it had just the perfect amount of dressing. It's weird for me to say this about a plain salad but it was one of the best I've ever had.

My iced latte was served in a Hoegarden glass, which I thought was kinda funny given how cute and studied the rest of the atmosphere seemed to be (note the diamond paned jelly jars and the unmarked wine bottle containing water). It was very strong but eventually mellowed in flavor, probably done on purpose to counter the ice melting into my drink. 

The outside seating was not too crowded, with just a scattering of customers ranging from their 20's- 40's, some were working away on their laptops. It's definitely romantic, but also a slightly beer-garden vibe, probably due to the fact that this cafe also serves wines and beers.

Despite the amount of people, it was a very subdued and muted atmosphere, and there was a definite feeling of privacy. You can hear a gentle clink of dishes and running water coming from the open kitchen window. At one point, one of the cooks was standing in the kitchen doorway companionably chatting up a near-by table.

After we were seated, the waitress lit a citronella candle and placed it on the ground underneath our table to ward off bugs. The lemony scent of the citronella gently mixed with the cedar chips carpeting the ground.

Each seating area is sectioned off in some way, with plants. Here we have rosemary, cabbage, sage, and cilantro or parsley in little pots around our table.

I wish I had taken a picture of the menu as it looked like it was hand-written on an old-fashioned envelope with red & white diagonal stripes around the edge. Very old-world. Milk and Honey does not have a formal web-site but there are many reviews online, usually glowing, and there is a link to the menu here.

All in all, I'm still not quite sure what to make of this place. It's definitely on the romantic side, maybe trying a little too hard, but you can't argue with how excellent the food is and the price is not bad considering. BTW- I've read that they have a happy hour from 5-7 during the week. Also, they don't accept cards, so be sure to bring cash! 

I can't help but feel that I am trying to find something wrong with it when there is nothing really to point out. Maybe it is that it is a true cafe and I am used to going to little coffee-shops, but I couldn't quite figure out how I felt about the atmosphere. Was it romantic? Relaxed Sunday brunch with friends? Energetic study session?

Maybe I just need to go back at a time when there is more going on. I just felt like I was catching someone in the middle of getting dressed. Not quite on their game. But, maybe that's the whole point of this place: casual, relaxed, anything-goes.

(photos by: Nathanael Maharaj)

Cup

Cup is a cute and bright little neighborhood coffee-shop located in Greenpoint, Brooklyn. I was surprised to learn that there are actually quite a few great independent restaurants and coffee-shops in this area. I have spent very little time in this area and Manhattan Ave. (the main drag in that area) seemed very unassuming. Cup is located off of the Nassau Ave stop on the G train. Greenpoint is just North of the oh-so-trendy Williamsburg and, while popularin it's own right, is kind of like the slightly less cool little sister of Williamsburg.

My boyfriend and I went there on a Sunday afternoon in early August and I really had to look for the place, hoping that my Google Maps directions were not leading me astray. (usually my motto is: 'Trust in Google') It did not help that it was a weekend and, as usual, the MTA was having 'issues', but sure enough we found Cup, a bright emerald gem, in the middle of a very quiet and residential block. There was another interesting shop right next door, Brooklyn Mac, and I still can't believe we didn't try it.

There were a lot of cute gardens in the neighborhood and I really got the feeling that Cup was a popular community spot.

Cup's claim to fame is their Cococano (advertised above). It is basically an Americano made with coconut water and apparently a great hangover cure... so of course I had to get one! The barista helpfully recommended adding a lot of milk to help adjust to the flavor. He also said that if you're not used to it, it can be a bit of an acquired taste and I have to agree. I was getting used to it by the time I was about half-way through but I'm not sure I will ever order it again. It's a shame I didn't really like it because I've read other reviews on Yelp that say the coffee there is great and brewed from local roasters! I guess it doesn't always pay to go for the gimmick.

Luckily there was no wait when we got there on a lazy Sunday afternoon, but I can easily imagine the line going out the door with early weekday commuters. The interior is on the tiny side, but it has very cute window seat with a little community library! The policy is: you bring a book, you take a book! Brilliant! They even had a decent selection of children's books!

It's surprising to me that their website is such a basic webpage, rather than the elaborate setup that most of their competitors seem to have, especially considering they have been opened since 2009. Their webpage includes a description, location, hours, and an email to contact them. Perhaps that is because they seem to be a much smaller setup then other chain spots (imagine running a coffee shop out of a garage). Come to think of it, most of the companies with an elaborate site, classes, etc have at least two locations.

Actually, visiting Cup has really given me hope for my own ventures. It can be very intimidating seeing the highly polished cafes that NYC offers but Cup proves that good coffee is really all you need to be successful. 

FYI- Cup takes cash only.

On a side note, we were also hunting for good record stores (it's one of the only ways I can lure my boyfriend into coming with me on my reviews). We were having a nice discussion with the barista and when we told him we were looking for record stores, he recommended a place just two blocks away called: Co-Op 87! Luckily they placed this sign at the corner or we would have had a really hard time finding it. It's very easy to walk past it in this residential area. Incidentally, it's a great record store and the salesperson was very funny and helpful. Definitely a place to check out while you drink your coffee from Cup.

Roasting Plant Coffee

Roasting Plant Coffee has two New York locations and one recently opened in Detroit. The location I visited is in the West Village, which is known for having a strong artistic and cultural community, filled with theaters, restaurants and shops. This is their 2nd location, their first and flagship store located in the Lower East Side. Upon approaching, there is a definite industrialist vibe to this place with lots of exposed concrete, big glass windows, and steel materials. Inside, this is further emphasized with a maze-like system of clear, pneumatic tubes winding all over the interior of the shop, going along the walls and even the ceilings. The industrial, mad-scientist look is broken up by a counter and benches made from ply-wood, and bright primary accent colors scattered about. Something about this combination of hard industrial materials mixed with warm plywood and primary colors always reminds me of the west-coast, California-surfer vibe, and indeed, their owners feel that an infusion from the west is just what the New York coffee culture needs to shake things up a bit.

I actually discovered this place completely by accident when I was on my way to brunch at the nearby Morandi Restaurant. I was very surprised that this shop was not listed in my beloved New York Coffee Guide, as it seems to already have had an extensive number of reviews done on it by some pretty big names!

Menu

I noticed that they seem to have the basic sugary coffee options, but not of the coffee shake variety such as Starbucks' Frappuccinos. Maybe they will make something like this if you ask nicely, but I kinda doubt it.

Eureka! At last! This wall explains everything!

On The Shelf: Bodum Products

Their shelf products consist primarily of Bodum products, which you can buy directly on their website, including drink-wear, grinders, and brewers. They have a very pretty Cona Vacuum Brewer which I am currently lusting after and looks like a Steam-Punker's wet dream (see top shelf of pic above).

The JavaBot System

The JavaBot. Where to begin? This is a patented system of pneumatic tubes designed to keep the coffee beans at their peak of freshness. The coffee is changed every 48 hours and is meant to take the human element (i.e.- mistakes) out of the usual roasting process. I won't go into detail about the entire system as you can find multiple explanations across other reviews and on their website. Also, I have to include the usual maniacal, paranoid warning/reference about the machines rising against us, but other than that, I will say it's pretty darn cool to watch this baby in action! Dinner and a show!

If I drink this, will I become lucky?? I'll let you know...

As usual, I don't really like to review the actual coffee because I think it is highly subjective and I hardly consider myself a connoisseur on the subject. Instead, I prefer to review a shop from the average consumer's point of view and try to comment on what I see as good marketing/business strategies. I don't know enough to say that this is actually as fresh as they claim but as coffee goes, I liked it.

Milk Bar

Love this high-tech way of pouring the milk! So easy- no muss, no fuss! Brilliant! Although, I am curious how they clean it- seems complicated, but I'm sure they have their ways. I have no complaints about the cleanliness of this place. Everything seemed polished and cleaned to within an inch of its life!

Chocolate Chip Cookies are said to be the 'best in the city' according to Serious Eats

According to Serious Eats, the chocolate chip cookies, baked fresh 4-5 a day at the Roasting Plant cafes, are the Chocolate Chip Cookie Champion of New York City. A pretty lofty title if I do say so myself! The dough is actually made by Tom Cat Bakery and is sold in many cafes across the city, but Roasting Plant is the only one which bakes them fresh at their location throughout the day. What did we learn from this? Freshness is key! Also, exceptional ingredients. These cookies are made with pastry flour and Callebaut chocolate, commonly believed to be the best quality chocolate by professional pastry chefs (or at least the French pastry chef I used to work for, who has been in the industry for almost 20 years).

I wish I had known this before I went there, (I usually like to do a little research before reviewing a place) as I would have tried one, but who am I to turn away from fate just because of a lack of research? Instead I purchased the Peanut Butter & Jelly Bar, a scrumptious concoction that looks like a giant chocolate candy bar and does little to hint at the yumminess inside. I did not take a picture of this as it was a scorching hot day in July and my purchase completely melted before I had a chance to even eat it! Luckily it was packaged in plastic or I would have had a gooey disaster inside my purse. I didn't let that stop me though. I solved this little problem by briefly sticking it in my fridge at home to harden up the chocolate enough to peel the plastic off before devouring it. Wow. So- good. It was a little hard to tell as it had melted together and re-solidified before I had a chance to eat it, but it seemed to have 3 layers: peanut butter with little bits of peanut, a thin layer of something spongy (maybe a cake?), and jelly that was not your typical straight-up jelly- it seemed like it did not have as much moisture as regular jelly and was probably made from scratch and boiled down to make it concentrated, but I have no way of confirming this. If anyone happens to know how this was made, I would love a blow-by-blow! All-in-all, I was very impressed.

Their website is also very good and offers a 'subscription' service where you can sign up for a regular, scheduled delivery of coffee, either:  weekly, bi-monthly, or monthly. On their Shopping Section, you can order from a decent selection of their coffees. What I really like about this feature is that they include a very detailed description of each coffee and include a scale of how the coffee rates according to Acidity, Body, and Roast. You can also specify what kind of grind you need for the coffee according to your brewing method and even whether you want the coffee roasted or un-roasted! It really takes the guesswork out of the equation for both the average consumer who just wants the coffee they make at home to be the best it can be and the connoisseur who wants to control every aspect of their brew. A very smart plan of attack!