Thoughts: Good espresso. The coffee bean and machine here are worthy. So far,  this is the best espresso I’ve had on the UWS.

I can’t give it the “very good” rating because it wasn’t dense, or thick, or full enough.  But I’d happily order this again if I am eating at French Roast in the future.

French Roast Uptown
2340 Broadway
New York, NY 10024
(212) 799-1533

Thoughts:  Buying your espresso at the entrance of a grocery store does not typically inspire confidence, but the Chock full o’Nuts Café delivers a shot of espresso that was relatively easy to sip and even bordered on enjoyable — i.e. “not so shitty.” It is always a nice surprise to taste something bordering on good when you are expecting only the worst.

The Cafe is outside of the downtown 1-train subway entrance at 86th and Broadway. I wonder what sort of business they do with morning commuters. Those in need of an early morning boost could certainly do a lot worse in a pinch. In any case, Chock full o’Nuts is just as good as Starbucks.

Chock full o’Nuts Café at Gristede’s Grocery
251 W. 86th
New York, NY 10024

Thoughts: This is a very typical NYC bodega/deli and you don’t really expect such places to deliver quality shots of espresso. However, in the spirit of RateMyEspresso, it is always worth a trying a new place because you never know where you might find a gem. Unfortunately, Cafe on Broadway does not deliver anything close to a gem. While it is somehow better than Joe the Art of Coffee (which is a couple of blocks away), it still deserves the label of “shitty espresso” if only because it is possible to finish this without spitting it out — but just barely. Shitty espresso.

The rest of the food and smoothies looked good enough and I think much of their menu may be worthy of your business; but by all means, avoid the espresso at Cafe on Broadway.

Cafe on Broadway
2350 Broadway
New York, NY 10024
(212) 496-4004

Thoughts: After seeing the perfect espresso cups my shot was served in (also, the decor here was very nice), I was expecting to taste some excellent espresso. Unfortunately, it was very disappointing and I have to score it under list of the shitty NYC espressos.  The food here was pretty good and their customers deserve a better shot of espresso. Come on Frankie!

Side note: The service here was not that great. The wait staff was a bit too disinterested for my tastes.

Frankies 17
17 Clinton St
New York, NY 10002-1720
(212) 253-2303 ‎

Thoughts: The bean was great (Illy). The machine was VERY VERY good. The owner was Italian (my guess is that she was from Parma or Milano), and that always seems to help. The prices were fantastic here too and I can’t wait to go back and try the food. I’ll update this post when I do.

In any case, this was easily one of the best shots of espresso I’ve had in New York.  Bravo, Gaia! I can’t wait to come back for more.

Gaia Italian Cafe
251 Houston Street
New York, NY 10002

Thoughts: Everything about this place and this espresso is wrong. Everything. Wow, this was shitty espresso. I basically had to spit it out, the flavor was so wrong. I was really in the mood for a great shot and this was like poison.

The bean was shitty, the machine was shitty, and the guy making the espresso was full of shit. After walking by the other day and seeing a line of people out to the door, I assumed this was going to be an obvious entry for the Good or Very Good Espressos.  Wow, what the hell are people doing drinking this swill for? Is it because you put some half-assed steamed milk art in your macchiato? I wish I knew.

Joe — you rank among the least artful espressos in the city (and in the world). If you were to open a store anywhere in Europe, you’d be laughed out business in five minutes.

And it is “CORTO” not “CORTADO,” jackass.

Joe The Art of Coffee
550 west 120th
New York, NY 10027
212-851-9101

Thoughts: Very little crema, sort of a burnt taste. Cheap beans is probably the root of the problem at Starbucks, as the machines are likely quite good. However, by far this it isn’t the shittiest espresso in the city. I definitely didn’t hate sipping it, but I can’t ever imagine drinking it again so long as I am in New York. Why settle for espresso that is “not so shitty” when there are so many places that do it better.

Side note: Why such long lines here?

Starbucks

Thoughts: The machine here looked promising and the fact that they are native Italians made me think this place was a can’t miss “Good” or “Very Good” espresso bar. I don’t know what kind of beans they are using, but they had to be cheap. Very minimal crema — minimal taste. Not what I was expecting.

Side note: I think if they upgrade the quality of the bean, this place has a lot of promise. It’s a nice touch that they serve the espresso with a glass of water – so it seems like they know what they are doing. Perhaps I was just there on an off day. Perhaps they deserve a second chance sometime soon.

Buongiorno Espresso Bar
502 9th Ave
New York, NY 10018

Thoughts: They got me with the Lavazza sign hanging just outside their entrance. While their espresso machine was kind of lame, and the final output wasn’t as good as the Lavazza served at Timi’s, it was still a very decent shot of espresso. No complaints here. Thus far, this is the best espresso shop I’ve found bordering Tompkins Square Park.

Side note: I didn’t try the crepes. It was pretty busy inside and people seemed to be enjoying them.

Motek Creperie
125 St. Marks Pl
New York, NY 10009
(212) 260-2100

Thoughts: After the the abomination at Lavazza Café at Eataly, I needed to know if there was a problem with Lavazza imports to North America and remembered that Timi’s Gelateria Classica served Lavazza and had a nice looking espresso machine. I’m glad to report that Timi’s serves the real Lavazza – the espresso cup was properly heated and the espresso itself was full-bodied and smooth – what you should expect from Italy’s most popular espresso.

Side note: The gelato here is also excellent!

Timi’s Gelateria Classica
37 Saint Marks Place
New York, NY 10003-7801