Long before the HBO show Girls made the Brooklyn location of this cafe famous, this homegrown shop brought their gourmet beans to Chelsea to create one of the best cafes in the city. I was there the first week when they opened in Greenpoint in 2005, but then I moved to Manhattan soon after. I caught a huge break when the owners told me they were opening a branch on my island. Ok, so it didn’t open down the block from me, but no matter. I’ve traveled the 80-odd blocks many an afternoon and morning to show my love and load up on caffeine.
Sometimes I just grab an espresso, other times a cappuccino or macchiato, but my latest go-to splurge is the flat white, an Australian creation that’s similar to a latte but with a bit more coffee than milk. The Chelsea location is tiny, but when I can secure a table, I pull out my NY Times (print edition, of course) or a book, and settle in for a few relaxing hours.
Bonus Tip: I always bring my Cafe Grumpy frequent coffee card. Buy ten get one free!