Cafe Mocha

Located at 2nd Ave. and 7th St., Cafe Mocha is the single most convenient place for me to go for coffee before class. It is one block from Cooper Square, for any New Yorkers who have obligations there.

It took me a long time to make it in there because:

a) it is sort of dark and scary-looking and

b) it is also kind of a restaurant.

But, lured in by the promise of cheap brunch and the name "Cafe," I finally made it in here-- and now I'm practically a regular (at least, as close to one as a coffee-player like me can get). Cafe Mocha serves a quality cup of java, and they even do that thing with the lattes where they draw you pictures in it. It's pretty cute. What's more, they have a pretty comprehensive selection of pastries. And they make smoothies! For real! There are a lot of options here, which is part of why this place is so great.

But I think the main selling point for me-- and maybe this is kind of cheesy-- is the friendliness of the atmosphere. These are the most attentive and smiley baristas I have ever had the fortune to meet. They will tell you they like your coat; volunteer discounts; generally radiate a goodwill toward man. ALL OF THEM. If someone told me these people piss mochas and shit cupcakes, it would not entirely shock me. They are probably all immigrants from Candyland. It is that serious.

Plus also they have a student discount.

4.3/5 mugs of battery acid (in a good way!!!)

ETA: The brunch is fantastic, no lie. Biggest mug of coffee ever and pretty fabulous French toast. Check it out next weekend!

3rd Rail

Over the past several weeks, Katy and I have been swamped. Results of this included multiple nervous breakdowns and the eventual inception of my radio show, which will be on air every Monday from 10AM-12pm on wnyu.org, so everybody should tune in. Other results of this are that we have been failing at updating this blog... but, due to our reasonable human needs, we have not been failing at continuing to drink (and evaluate) coffee.

One of the places we've started to frequent is 3rd Rail, located at Sullivan and 3rd st (extra handy because it is about two feet from Bobst Library, an important location for midterm-related freakouts). Tiny, clean, classy place with sweet wooden benches and cute little round tables. Drip coffee: good. (They make it in vases, which is super awesome to see.) Espresso drinks (esp. lattes): alright; Katy swears by them. Pastries: good. The prices are really reasonable (8oz. latte is $3.50; medium drip is around $2), and the baristas are way nice and real adorable. Everybody in this place is well-dressed. But also none of them would judge on you if you looked ratty, so don't worry! Everybody knows how it is when you are in that zombielike state of pre-caffeination. The populace of this coffee shop is particularly friendly, maybe because of the setup where all of you are sort of sitting together, as if on the L train. People here usually aren't on laptops. Instead they are reading used books or talking with friends. It's an old-school class act.

Also notable is the awesome heating system at 3rd rail. Their heater pipes are wrapped in this rope stuff which is the best thing to snuggle on a rainy day. It's a good break from the recent development of Real Autumn, which while often wonderful can be uncomfortable too.

And Katy is in love with one of the baristas (he's from Michigan!).

So overall, we dig 3rd Rail Coffee. Scope it sometime.

Rating: 4.5/5 cups of black gold