Coffee shop stirs up local flavor with espresso drinks

On warm spring days, Joe the Art of Coffee on the Upper West Side leaves its large glass doors open, inviting local residents and tired students in for one of the city’s best cups of coffee.
Last month, the New York Times published a list of the 30 best coffee shops in the city as part of a larger article on the resurgence of local coffee culture. For the student on a budget, this list presents an invitation to explore New York’s culinary scene for a small price. Joe, the closest coffee shop to Morningside Heights on the list, is an excellent place to start.

Located on 85th and Columbus, a pleasant walk or a short subway ride from campus, Joe feels like a comfortable neighborhood nook where locals run into friends and the hip-yet-friendly baristas know all the regulars. It seems that everyone from the area stops by Joe for their morning caffeine: the biker taking a break from her ride, the postman on his route, the businessman talking a little too loudly on his cell phone. The experience of sitting crammed alongside the locals, however, is part of Joe’s charm, as is the art on the walls—photos of the Italian countryside by Russell Starr—the high ceiling, and the narrow seating. If serious homework beckons, be prepared to stake out a table, and bring a pair of headphones.

Ordering may be even more of a challenge than claiming a seat, since Joe’s baristas excel across the board. Joe’s standard espresso drinks are solid. In particular, the latte is a pleasing mix of sweet notes from steamed milk and deep, robust undertones from hearty espresso. Here, baristas are devout latte artists, so expect to find a milky leaf or heart gracing the top of the drink. 
For serious drip coffee drinkers, Joe serves house coffee and a featured blend that changes daily. After 12 p.m., a drip bar with individually filtered coffees is also available. Their café au lait, made with the Brazil blend, tastes smooth and balanced, although it at first lacks the richness of Joe’s espresso drinks. Eventually, the strength of the Brazil comes out from beneath the steamed milk. Admittedly, Joe may not be the ideal coffee shop for warm summer days—its iced coffee is refreshing but otherwise unremarkable.

For students looking for a coffee alternative, Joe offers a surprising array of hot and iced teas, such as a Moroccan mint blend. In the mornings, a variety of baked goods from local producers are served.

If students prefer to make coffee at home, Joe’s beans for sale make an excellent but expensive brew. Have a wallet handy, because Joe only takes cash.
While Joe’s drinks may not be the best in the city, they’re certainly better than anything students can find within a 10-block radius of Columbia.