Coffee Coffee Buzz Buzz Buzz

I’m a sucker for a good cup of coffee. And let it be on record that I HATE STARBUCKS. Living in New York City, it’s amazing how much money a seemingly level-headed person (like myself) will spend on a few small sips of the stuff. Be it for the taste, the buzz, the excuse for a break, the refreshing nature of it poured over ice on a sticky summer day, or really - as the perfect accessory to a good conversation, coffee has furtively stolen our hearts and at times broken our budgets. I don’t really know how or when it happened (though, I’m sure Starbucks had something to do with it) but in Manhattan, the going rate for coffee is nearly $2, an iced coffee (which instinctively one would think would be cheaper, seeing as it’s old coffee poured on ice and therefore diluted) somewhere between $2-3; cappuccino’s range between $3-4 (and god help me, I’ve become hooked on espresso); and the rest of the fancy and often seasonal coffee drinks can cost upwards of $4 or 5. It’s madness.

The thing about these pricey coffee houses is the coffee is not always good. Sometimes the iced coffee is so watery it looks like tea. Cappuccinos are often loaded up with [barely] foamed milk, negating the taste of espresso and completely throwing off the intended ratio. Coffee may be overly acidic, or lacking in any body, flavor or kick. Or, of course, there might be nothing in sight except Starbucks, yuck. But along my meandering, over-caffeinated path, I’ve realized a few truths worth sharing with my fellow penny-pinching coffee drinkers.

1) Garden of Eden (The Gourmet Grocery Store) makes damn good coffee. Stop in, check out the salad bar, get some unbruised produce, and drink down a good sized coffee (of any kind: iced, regular, or fancy cappuccino-like) for under $2!! The quality of coffee may vary slightly depending on what Garden of Eden you're in .. but the one up at 107th and Broadway is delicious. They even put foamed milk on top of the regular coffee – that’s pretty remarkable.

2) If you’re going to spend the crazy prices on coffee anyway, make sure you stop in at Café Regular in Park Slope, Brooklyn. It’s a cozy, nook of a place on 11^th Street between 4^th and 5^th Avenue that beams a vibe reminiscent of classic France. Their blend of beans is perfection, and a well kept secret (believe me, I’ve tried to get it). The coffee is strong and smooth and full bodied, and always adds a bit of euphoria to my day. Sometimes they make foam art, too. Pastries are fresh and if you visit later in the day (and make friends with the owner), you may get some croissants for free. We still haven’t figured out if you’re supposed to pronounce “regular” like an American or a Parisian, but the coffee is much more than regular and well worth a visit.