A Visit to the Tasting Room in NYC

[Abe Carmeli]

I remember a time, not too long ago when writing about Espresso in New York was a one paragraph affair. Since the good people at Counter Culture Coffee discovered New York, (it is the city right next to Newark NJ), things have been moving rapidly in the right direction. Well, kind of.

The Tasting Room, a coffee shop and wine bar on First Avenue and East First Street has been awarded the title of Best Espresso in New York in 2007 by New York Magazine. It is a bit amusing that a place that opens at 6:00 p.m. wins that title, but there it is. I stopped for a visit today and loved everything I had there.

The store front

The owner Renee Alevras was pulling the shots today. It is a tiny place with an upscale menu of fine french patisserie and cozy coffee shop atmosphere.


A Window seat

Wine rack


Brick Wall

I ordered a shot of Espresso. Renee packet a triple basket and pulled me a 3 oz lungo of Toscano

Pulling a shot

In the cup

It was a wonderful nutty, chocolate & citrus cup. I ordered it with a side of brioche which came a few minutes later.

Toasted Brioche with home made jam

The Tasting Room has a second and bigger location, which is a full fledged restaurant, where no espresso is served, but some of Counter Culture Coffees are brewed in a French Press

The restaurant bar at 264 Elizabeth Street

Restaurant interior

The Coffee Shop is open daily from 6:00 p.m. to 11:00 PM and from 10:00 a.m. on weekends. A weekend destination well worth the schlep.

So why am I complaining? It appears that all the good shops that have opened in the past two years are serving Counter Culture Espresso, and for the most part Toscano. I love the blend and the people at counter culture, but please, give us something else to taste for a change. This is a call to other roasters to step up and join the party.

It was still a wonderful shot

[AndyS]

Nice report, Abe!

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Pulling a shot

I love the little stubby screwdriver in front of the Synesso. Shows the baristas are dedicated to keeping the machinery clean!

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In the cup

Looks gorgeous.

So why am I complaining? It appears that all the good shops that have opened in the past two years are serving Counter Culture Espresso, and for the most part Toscano. I love the blend and the people at counter culture, but please, give us something else to taste for a change. This is a call to other roasters to step up and join the party.

It was still a wonderful shot

My information may be out of date, but I believe CCC has John Moore doing full time sales and Katy Carguilo doing full time Customer Service. That certainly is a formula for a big time presence in New Yawk.

[Abe Carmeli]

Nice report, Abe!



My information may be out of date, but I believe CCC has John Moore doing full time sales and Katy Carguilo doing full time Customer Service. That certainly is a formula for a big time presence in New Yawk.

Right on Andy. I met John Moore, an excellent fellow and he is doing a great job. To my amazement, CCC has been the only game in town for two years. It appears that the city that never sleeps has become the sleeper of the coffee industry. It is the biggest coffee bonanza in the world, and why the other roasters are failing to see it is a question for the ages.

[AndyS]

It appears that the city that never sleeps has become the sleeper of the coffee industry. It is the biggest coffee bonanza in the world, and why the other roasters are failing to see it is a question for the ages.

I imagine the folks at Gimme Coffee see it the same way you do!

[Nick]

Right on Andy. I met John Moore, an excellent fellow and he is doing a great job. To my amazement, CCC has been the only game in town for two years. It appears that the city that never sleeps has become the sleeper of the coffee industry. It is the biggest coffee bonanza in the world, and why the other roasters are failing to see it is a question for the ages.

Oh... I don't think they're failing to see that... stay tuned.

[Abe Carmeli]

I imagine the folks at Gimme Coffee see it the same way you do!

Nice!

Man, those guys at Gimme really move fast. I don't think my post was up for more than an hour before they managed to put a down payment on space on Mott Street...on a Sunday .

[Abe Carmeli]

Oh... I don't think they're failing to see that... stay tuned.

Nick,

For how long should we hold our breath?