Aptly named "Joe" for a great cup of joe, Joe Coffee is one of the leading artisanal coffee brands that we have the pleasure of working with. In fact, they have a book called "Joe: The Coffee Book," which is a fun read for those interested in learning more about coffee culture. I visited two of their locations: the one in Chelsea and the one by Union Square.
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There are tables where people are talking with friends and others are on their laptops. However, there is no wi-fi at either of these locations.
I ordered a Caffé Latte. It was very thick and creamy, with a full-bodied flavor. Very, very good. Barely any wait time.
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Important to note: Cash only!!!!
They also recently opened a "Pro-shop/HQ," which is a kind of Joe University where you can learn more about coffee and try out different equipment.
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Joe Coffee
514 columbus avenue new york, ny 10024
44 grand central terminal new york, ny 10017
9 east 13th street new york, ny 10003
550 west 120th street (northwest corner building) new york, ny 10027
141 waverly place new york, ny 10014
1045 lexington avenue new york, ny 10021
405 west 23rd street new york, ny 10011
Pro-shop/HQ
131 west 21st street new york, ny 10011
Introducing the Beautiful Joyride Vans
Joyride Coffee, Wrapped Vans
Voilà! Thanks to our friends from Endash Space, we have beautiful, newly wrapped Joyride Vans! If you see these colors rolling around Manhattan, expect some cold brew kegerator action and some great office coffee.
Joyride Coffee, Wrapped Vans
Joyride Coffee, Wrapped Vans
Blue Bottle Coffee – Café Review
Blue Bottle Coffee is one of the premium coffee roasters nationwide, and so I was lucky enough to visit one of their outposts in the Rockefeller Plaza.
The interior is very modern and simple. The only sense of color is the blue logo that can be found on just about everything.
Joyride Coffee, Blue Bottle Coffee
The one in the Rockefeller doesn't have any seats, but outside of the café, there are tables and chairs. It would be a good spot to stop by after some shopping, or as a palate cap after a meal. The other locations are about 50/50 in terms of seating, so it's not necessarily a place you want to set up a meeting or grab a coffee with a friend. It's the perfect place to go in the morning for a good cup of coffee and maybe a pastry, and then get going.
Joyride Coffee, Blue Bottle Coffee
They have a relatively simple menu, with options like Hot Chocolate (which is apparently very good) and Iced Coffee (although surprisingly, no cold brew?)
I ordered a Sidamo Howolso, which the barista made right in front of me. It was very flavorful and fruity, with hints of violet, hibiscus, and even canteloupe. It's so flavorful on its own that it doesn't need anything else to go with it.
Joyride Coffee, Blue Bottle Coffee
Joyride Coffee, Blue Bottle Coffee
The barista was explaining the process of brewing the coffee to me with such passion, that I couldn't help but be sucked in to the art of coffee making in that moment.
Blue Bottle keeps things simple, so their spots are good places to go if you don't feel like dealing with the hustle and bustle of more elaborate cafés.
Joyride Coffee, Blue Bottle Coffee
Blue Bottle Coffee
1 Rockefeller Plaza Concourse Level, Suite D New York, NY 10020
450 W. 15th St. New York, NY 10014
102 Franklin Street New York, NY 10013
The High Line 10th Ave and West 16th Street New York, NY 10014
160 Berry St. Brooklyn, NY 11249
Coffee Culture - Parisian vs. American
Joyride Coffee, Paris
There are some obvious differences between Paris and the US.
1. Parisians walk everywhere.
2. Red wine and water are one in the same.
3. Impeccable, instinctive fashion sense.
4. Art, style, cuisine.
5. No shave, no problem.
But a less obvious difference remains: coffee culture.
In April 2010, Oliver Strand, coffee expert, wrote an article on Paris's move towards a more American way of drinking and appreciating coffee – but only little by little. According to Strand, "beans are still old and over-roasted, the machines are still second-rate and poorly maintained, and the person behind the bar is still more concerned with continuing his or her conversation than pulling a good shot." Guess they have yet to hear of the cold brew kegerator.
Joyride Coffee, Paris
Ironically, coffee is very much a part of Parisian culture. Every time I went to a café, everyone around me would be ordering a coffee, whether it was a café au lait or an espresso (insert French accent). My host mother would offer me coffee every morning, and if we were sitting down to talk, it was always over coffee (sometimes tea).
People there don't just stand in line for a Starbucks and jet out of there with a tall soy latte. They, instead, will always sit down, maybe smoke a cigarette, and drink their coffee there. But that doesn't necessarily mean they are drinking good coffee. In fact, many American coffee lovers will visit and complain about how terrible the coffee is there.
According to another article on the way Parisians drink their coffee, it seems that Parisians drink coffee as more of a palate cleanser or for just a burst of energy than for its taste. But recently, things have started to change.
Over here on our side of the Atlantic, people have become so obsessed with good coffee that the number of different methods – from cold brew to pour-over – are growing exponentially, along with the importance of good coffee equipment, technology, and fresh, quality beans.
Perhaps Paris will experience the same evolution. Strand did follow up in 2012 announcing that "Finally, Paris has a coffee scene." Or considering the Parisians' inclination to preserve the French culture, maybe they will continue to just keep coffee simple.
Joyride Coffee, Paris
I'm sure all coffee beans are juvenile. They're always getting grounded!
Momofuku Milk Bar – Cafe Review
Joyride Coffee, Momofuku Milk Bar
Considering the fame of the Momofuku franchise, I was not surprised that Momofuku Milk Bar is one of my new favorite places in NYC.
But on that same thread, considering how successful Momofuku is as a business, I was surprised by the Milk Bar's modest design. The one I visited in East Village is not particularly chic or ornamental, but very incognito, except for the neon sign.
The inside is quite small, with a little bar along the window, no seats, a large chalkboard with the menu, and then the ordering area and kitchen. It also has a full functioning air conditioner (very relevant for the hot summer months).
Joyride Coffee, Momofuku Milk Bar
Before ordering, I asked what they recommended. One of the two very friendly workers gave me a sample of the "Cereal Milk" soft serve. I was absolutely blown away. Although it looks like any other soft serve, it tastes exactly like cereal and milk. So I went ahead and ordered that, with crushed corn flakes sprinkled on it.
While I was tempted to order cold brew, I ordered a Stumptown cappuccino based on a Foursquare recommendation.
Joyride Coffee, Momofuku Milk Bar
Before I received my cappuccino, the barista asked me if I wanted a bear or a heart as the design, and I said bear. I was given a cappuccino with possibly the most adorable design...ever.
Joyride Coffee, Cappuccino
The thing to do: take a scoop of the Cereal Milk soft serve and dip it in the cappuccino. Trust me.
While I was there, a girl came in and ordered a soy latte and left quickly, which suggests that it's easy to grab a quick, good coffee and go. But I also have come here in the evening, and it was quite crowded, with people primarily ordering desserts after a dinner, or in my case, a snack before a movie. It's a very versatile spot to visit for coffee, dessert, or a savory snack.
However, it's a little bit pricier if you want more than just a coffee. My cappuccino and soft serve came out to be just under $10.
Overall, the two girls working there were very nice, accommodating and quick. I also can't emphasize enough how amazing the Cereal Milk was. I very highly recommend it and Momofuku Milk Bar. I'll definitely be going as often as possible.
Coffee by: Stumptown
Momofuku Milk Bar
Manhattan
251 E. 13th St.
15 W. 56th St.
561 Columbus Ave.
Brooklyn
382 Metropolitan Ave.
360 Smith St.
Startup Perks
A little under a month ago, Molly Young wrote an article for the New York Times titled "The Calorie-Packed Perk," addressing employee benefits and perks. This article was especially relevant to me. First of all, as an intern, it has been incredibly helpful to be working at a startup, especially one that is in the midst of such rapid growth. Although I am a Social Media and Advertising Intern, I still get to see other aspects including sales, business development, and even the manual aspects, such as equipment and warehouse management. More specific to this particular internship, I get to learn about the ever-growing industry that is coffee.
I think it's a really important experience to work at a startup for anybody who wants to see an incarnation of "started from the bottom now we here." (I'm probably about to be slain for writing that.)
In terms of tangible perks at a company, I get bags and bags of some of the best coffee beans (Stumptown, Intelligentsia, Blue Bottle, Joe...), stickers and temporary tattoos from the companies we deliver to, as much coffee as I want in a day, and carbonated water!
Joyride Coffee, Start-ups
Although, as an intern, my perks are a little less significant than, say, healthcare, benefits however small are important. They keep employees happy and motivated. They make people want to stay in the office longer, because they're comfortable and having fun. In terms of recruiting, it seems that the weirder or more unique the perks are, the more people will want to apply for jobs at the respective company.
For example, one of our accounts, Warby Parker provides warm cookies, barbecue, and even Pinkberry frozen yogurt. Artsy does a weekly happy hour. At Squarespace, another one of our accounts, midday meals are prepared for employees four days a week, and on the fifth, they order out. In other words, happiness.
As mentioned in the NYTimes article, one of Bitly's perks is our office coffee, as it is for many of these tech companies in NYC.
Ultimately, perks seem to promote a happier and more productive working environment, and if that means an extra naptime or cold brew kegerator, so bean it.
Classic Coffee Joke Tuesday: Hold the sugar please, you're sweet enough for the both of us.
-Kristen Lee, aka Kristen Cavill
Cold Brew Kegerators
Cold brew coffee on tap, in your office. Joyride's cold brew kegerators are the new "water cooler". Some of the world's most innovative companies now enjoy a cold brew keg in their office, serving iced coffee on tap through their cold brew kegerators. Joyride is a leader in distributing cold brew kegs to offices and cafes.
