Coffee Bars

brooklynred87 wrote: We walked past 704 Washington tonight -- looks like lots of work going on in there (beautiful woodwork and chandeliers?!) and that they *might actually open* sometime soon. Didn't get a chance to talk to anyone directly...has anyone heard recent scoop?

I'll have do breeze by tonight on the way home from work or w/the dog. Sounds cool.

This thread dates from Jan, 2006... there may be earlier examples, too...

For the last four years or so, the owner of the building (and the coffee shop) has been saying that he's a couple of months away from opening, so no news is reliable.

WhyFi wrote: For the last four years or so, the owner of the building (and the coffee shop) has been saying that he's a couple of months away from opening, so no news is reliable.

May be circumstances out of his control.

I had a very competent, intelligent friend who opened a sushi place and it took him 4 years.

Or the dude may be a ding dong.

Lo Kee wrote: Or the dude may be a ding dong.

Did you think that I was kidding when I mentioned the spa-like accoutrements planned for the basement? I heard it from the horse's mouth. Alternatively, how many coffee shops have you seen with a big-ass screen for watching the game? He's no ding dong, but he clearly doesn't have a focus on the identity of this shop.

PH is unfortunately sorely lacking in good coffee. Perk makes pretty poor coffee (although I have grabbed a cup there on my way to the subway when I had no other options), and I've never been to keen on Heights either - the coffee doesn't wow me, and it's not the most comfortable place to sit. For these reasons I often find myself down in Park Slope, either at Gorilla (although seating there isn't great either), or Tea Lounge on Union (which is also not fantastic coffee, and often way over-crowded on weekends, but which I prefer for reading).

Incidentally, schufu:

I stay away from the Starbucks-style stuff, and honestly Gorrila's coffee makes Starbucks seem like Dunkin.

I have no idea what this is supposed to mean. Is it that Starbucks' coffee is over-roasted? I've heard other people level that claim before, and I usually prefer something closer to a medium roast, but I actually like Gorilla because however they roast their beans, they have a strong flavor without tasting burnt (which is often the problem with dark roasts).

I'm surprised, though, that no one here has mentioned Outpost Lounge (http://www.outpostlounge.com/) - I've actually never been there myself, but I ran into a fellow PHer at a party some months ago and she told me she liked going there on weekends to read. In all that time I've still somehow failed to make it up there myself, but given the dearth of other options I suppose I should give it a try. Does anyone else want to speak for or against it?

Mougar wrote: unless you drink PBR ironically and ride a fixed gear bike, it might be unappealing.

People are always insisting to me that they actually like the taste of PBR (usually qualifying to say "as cheap beers go"). I figure most hipsters have been doing it long enough they may have actually convinced themselves they like it. But I can't stand the stuff. Anyway, I do bike (though not a fixed gear), so I guess I'll bike over there some weekend and check it out.

madman wrote: I live very close to Heights Coffee, and as a former coffee roaster and current coffee snob, I'm very dissapointed by the quality of their brew. It's sad really. From my travels in PH, I'd have to say that Joyce is the only place with decent coffee (Gorilla roasts pretty good beans and Joyce brews it well), and their pastries are damn yummy.. I love their berry-filled croissants. But - and here's the kicker- they open SO DAMN LATE I never go there during the week. I mean seriously, a morning coffee spot that isn't open by 7 AM? Maybe I'll find some funds and open my own place here someday. The coffee here needs some work.

Agree completely about the swill that is Heights Coffee. Joyce makes great coffee, but it's true they open pretty late. The new ice cream parlor, Blue Marble, on Underhill actually brews a nice cup and is open pretty early.

madman wrote: [quote=Carnivore]
Agree completely about the swill that is Heights Coffee. Joyce makes great coffee, but it's true they open pretty late. The new ice cream parlor, Blue Marble, on Underhill actually brews a nice cup and is open pretty early.

Good to know. I live much closer to Flatbush, so that's a bit out of the way for a commuter's cup, but maybe this weekend I'll take a walk over there.
think if I lived on or near Flatbush, I might just go to Gorilla.

I had friends in from Baltimore and we got some Gorilla coffee, they were hooked. They had it all weekend and bought a bag to take home. It's seriously some of the best coffee I've ever had. Given, I'm not a HUGE coffee drinker, but from what I've noticed from every person I take there, it seems to be the best.

WhyFi wrote: Go buy yourselves some Gorilla beans and save the trouble by makin' your own... geez!

Generally what I do on weekdays, but sometimes I want to sit somewhere that's not my home and enjoy a cup someone else made. Meanwhile, who the hell as $1500 to drop on an espresso maker?

Re: Joyce; there seems to be some community consensus that 1) there aren't many great early-morning commuter coffee options, and 2) people would prefer Joyce if it were open. So why not make a point of telling Joyce to open earlier? It sounds like they'd easily pick up a decent sized morning crowd. Does anyone know if they've ever tried earlier hours since they opened?

the issue with Gorilla is that, sometimes, the line is just beyond ridiculous. forget getting a cup of coffee on a weekend morning anytime after about 9:00 AM.

i wind up at Heights too often because their swill is about as bad as Ozzie's, and i can get in and out quickly. Helio's on 6th started doing coffee early in the morning, so that's not a bad option for folks who aren't on the side of Flatbush this section of the forum addresses.

i don't live near Joyce, but i am shocked they don't open early enough for folks to get their coffee. it'd seem like a natural solution to me!