Abraco
Category: Coffee & Tea [Edit]
Neighborhood: Manhattan/East Village86 E 7th St
(between 1st Ave & 2nd Ave)
New York, NY 10003 (212) 388-9731
- Price Range: $
- Accepts Credit Cards: No
- Parking: Street
- Wheelchair Accessible: Yes
- Outdoor Seating: Yes
- Wi-Fi: None
41 Reviews for Abraco
Hola Jaime and your wicked brand of great coffee! It's a great distance from SF and you've already made quite a big deal of yourself. With five feet of coffee space one can make true friendship over hot cups of liquid gold! I love me a cappuccino and of course the drip coffee. I live in the UWS and I do the trek to drink from the cups of Abraco. Give yourself time to enjoy it right where you stand, a "to go" order usually elicits a "Why do you need to go?" Thanks again Jaime, we needed this.
Bookmark Send to a Friend Link to This Review
People thought this was:
Useful (2)
Funny (2)
Cool (2)
On Sunday, I hobbled my way down First Avenue in the midst of a hangover very, very rarely experienced. I am lucky, I can tie a mean one on and wake up fine the next day, but when I do fall victim to the hangover, it's extreme. I probably should avoid putting anything in my stomach at all. At least, I don't want to, but I know I should.
Christ, where am I going with this?
So, I decided to get a latte from Abraco. They don't carry soymilk, but they do carry almond milk. It was beautifully prepared and felt wonderful in my mouth. I couldn't drink it, however, due to my damn stomach problem.
Whyever would I think this is a good thing, to waste a first trip to a belauded coffeeshop? You know how when you're nauseous and you make the mistake of eating something and then you can never eat it again?
Well, I am determined to go back to Abraco and get a few shots of espresso.
I'm still giving it four stars because of the care with which it was prepared and served.
Bookmark Send to a Friend Link to This Review
People thought this was:
Useful (1)
Funny (2)
Cool (1)
Absolutely the best latte I have ever had. The espresso was so smooth, rich and well-bodied. Having become resigned to burnt-tasting or watered down coffee drinks, my faith has been restored that good coffee does exist.
I know it's just a latte, but I enjoyed it that much. Can't wait to go back.
Bookmark Send to a Friend Link to This Review
People thought this was:
Useful (3)
Cool (4)
I freelance from home in the East Village and even though I have fantastic coffee beans from the Porto Rico shop IN the house, I get up and walk 4 blocks over to Abraco for a cappuccino. It is simply the best one I've EVER had (in my 46 years.) The people there are very friendly and hopefully they will be rewarded for their efforts by making enough money to expand. Note: The good music you hear in the store is vinyl, playing off a turntable.....how cool is THAT?
Is it wrong for me to write this review without having tasted their coffee?
Probably.
Please believe me when I say I plan to return to Abraco ASAP for actual coffee (esp their COLD-brewed iced coffee!) but I just wanted to make note of the lovely experience I had there recently.
I was extremely thirsty and I try not to have coffee in the evening, so I decided to order a san bitter (I think that's what it's called). Basically, because it was in a cute little bottle. Jamie warned me that I might not like it if I hadn't tried it before, which was quite thoughtful of him.
The place is teeny so I sipped the red, bittersweet drink while standing at the small counter looking out on 7th st. The drink was yummy! Quite sweet but with an thirst-quenching aftertaste that reminded me of grapefruit.
The downside is that there's nowhere to sit except a small bench on the sidewalk, but as I stood and had my drink I could tell what a friendly, neighborhoody vibe Abraco provides and that alone makes me want to go back. Ahh I need my dose of SF every once in a while...
I'm not sure when it became okay for me to spend $3.50 for a cup of coffee-- but if I'm gonna do it, I'll do it here. Abraco is adorable, the service is impeccable, and they made me the best (and most beautiful!) latte I've ever had.
Mmm.
Bookmark Send to a Friend Link to This Review
People thought this was:
Useful (2)
Cool (1)
The. best. cappuccino. Hands down, the best.
I miss seeing Jamie at Blue Bottle in SF, it was like a mini reunion seeing him again! You see, I've had the pleasure of having coffee out of Jamie's accomplished hands since he worked at Oliveto in Berkeley way back in the 90s. He makes a mean bittersweet mocha, and I really don't like mochas...Ah Manhattan, you're lucky to have him.
Abraco's tiny space keeps out the impatient riff-raff, only the true seeker of perfection will abide in a sardine can!
To note: Jamie's got great taste in music, you'll be tuned in to something new perhaps while you sip that cappuccino.
Bookmark Send to a Friend Link to This Review
People thought this was:
Useful (2)
Cool (2)
This just may be the perfect cup of cappuccino I've ever had in the states. I can't think of one single way to improve on it... beyond increasing the size of the cup so I can consume more of it. The foam was just perfect and ideally balanced with the espresso and the aroma... mmm... just heavenly. Despite all the bodies squashed into this tiny storefront (the place was completely packed on a late Sunday afternoon), I was happy to be there and sipping on this lovely cup of cappuccino. I usually can't stand overly stuffed closet spots like this and quickly start to feel claustrophobic, but none of those usual reactions to this type of a setting bothered me! Weird... must be the effect of their great coffee.
The place has hardly anywhere to sit (I think I saw 2 stools by the window) and even though it opened not too long ago, it has the feel of a place that's been around for ages and has been a long-time neighborhood institution. The guy running the place makes you feel welcome and unlike many other coffee shops with horrible / snooty / careless service, you feel as though they're going to take care of you here and fix you up with a really good jolt of caffeine. I wanted him to friend me and throw about friendly banter as he was with a few other patrons (no doubt, regulars / addicts).
If it hadn't been for a good, filling brunch right before coming here, I definitely would've loved to have tried some of their food. But I was totally full and thus settled on a slice of the dark chocolate orange marble cake to go. They gave it to me warmed up... and thus, I had to take a bite. Yum! Tasted really home-made and a nice complement to the cappuccino. I'm definitely coming back to try out more of their food and pastries (with cappuccino, of course).
As I left this place all cozy and warm from my coffee, I wondered why and how people could consume so much Starbucks when there are great little spots like this around. I also started longing for the days I used to live in the E.V., just a hop, skip, and a jump from Abraco. Now, I'm a bit further away... but anytime I'm in the vicinity, I plan on popping in here.
Bookmark Send to a Friend Link to This Review
People thought this was:
Useful (5)
Funny (1)
Cool (4)
I came across Abraco in the NY Times. I read the article and recognized the barista from my old coffee spot in San Francisco.
I am glad to say he's brought the same quality to New York. The coffee is excellent. There is a small kitchen that serves food but I haven't tried anything. The space is small. There is no place to sit just a small counter area.
The place is always packed which is a testament to how good the coffee is.
Bookmark Send to a Friend Link to This Review
People thought this was:
Useful (4)
Cool (4)
That espresso was pretty damn good. The vibe too. Everybody else said it already.
Tiny, cute, and worth going to again and again
Bookmark Send to a Friend Link to This Review
People thought this was:
Useful (2)
Funny (2)
Cool (2)
So I'm in NYC, I left San Francisco and by saying I left San Francisco I'm really saying I left Blue Bottle coffee. Then I had a crazy happen. Last night I was randomly walking down a street in the east village with friends & I look into the window of this tiny ensy espresso shop and low & behold it's that dude from blue bottle Hayes Valley inside. You know, Jamie, the one with a lot of curly hair.
Before I could stop myself I was running across the street to get a closer peek, if anyone brought their love of coffee with them it would have been him, I had to know.
Turns out he moved here, he's bought a shop, he's making coffee and the stuff is GOLDEN.
Small world. Small GOLDEN coffee filled world.
Bookmark Send to a Friend Link to This Review
People thought this was:
Useful (3)
Funny (1)
Cool (2)
I visited Abraco because I was in town with my friend Jen, who used to get coffee from Jamie in San Francisco at the Blue Bottle. My friends got a cappuccino and a mocha, which they said were excellent. I am more of a straight up coffee drinker, so I can vouch for my own cup of Joe and tell you that it was strong and smooth (thank you coffee Gods). The space is pretty tight and some guy was letting his kids zigzag around in the already cramped space (basic parenting - give it a try), but other than that everyone seemed pretty civilized so waiting for our coffee was fine.
I'd been wanting to try this place since I read about it in NY Mag. I'm so glad I found it because it's now one of my absolute favorite coffee places in the city.
The small space is incredibly charming. Especially when viewed from the sidewalk with the windows open and the barista peering from behind the La Marzocco. I personally like the small space as it takes me back to living in Italy where you truly drop in, drink your espresso and are on your way again. (Though if you're lucky you'll grab a bench seat outside on a nice spring day and linger for a while.) In the five minutes or so that it takes to drink a cup of coffee the space can be both roomy and packed as people drop in and out.
The service is always incredibly friendly and the barista (the owner) obviously knows many of the customers. My espresso macchiato is always perfect with a leaf pattern in the foam to boot. Apart from trying a sip of a friend's drip coffee (which was delicious) I haven't tried any other coffee drinks--I just can't resist a perfect macchiato. In fact, any time I'm within a ten block radius of Abraco I drop by for an espresso.
As for the food, I've only tried the grilled cheese so far and it was scrumptious. Oh, and there are three kinds of sparkling water--just ask Jamie and he'll describe them to you!
If you are a coffee purist (or just a coffee lover) you'll love Abraco!
Their espresso drinks are so smooth and aromatic its ridiculous. Don't go cause it's too packed already.
Bookmark Send to a Friend Link to This Review
People thought this was:
Funny (1)
Abraco, as others pointed out, is Portuguese for "embrace." And though the owners don't really speak Portuguese, and actually named the store after a Brazilian song, there really isn't a more fitting name for this closet-sized friendly cafe that produces glorious coffee, big smiles, and die hard fans.
You'll notice right away how small this place is; it's about as big as a walk in closet, unable to fit more than six people max. And then you realize that not only are they making drinks from this hamster cage sized shop, they're actually baking here too. They have a small oven in the back that cranks out all the yummy pastries-- amazing.
I placed an order for a latte and olive bread. I assumed that because the place was so darn tiny, everything would be to take away, and was pleasantly surprised when the barista (Jaime) told me to enjoy it inside the store. I looked around. There was one stool and a window still. But still, if he insisted that I stay inside and enjoy Abraco's hospitality, how could I refuse?
And then while I was waiting for my drink, I watched Jaime and the pastry chef joke around with the other guest, whom I assumed to be a regular customer. It was impressive enough that they were talking like best of friends, but it was absolutely mind-blowing to see the lady actually clean up the store and help the two behind the counter. I told her that she shamed me as a customer, and she laughed and said, "I'd only do it for them." That's true love, man.
The coffee was ridiculously delicious. It was strong, but not acerbic or overbearing. The milk was foamed to perfection (I've been having lots of foam luck lately with my cafes) and it tasted like... Italian coffee. I'm a little hesitant to say it right now, and will have to test taste both of them side by side, but Abraco might give 9th Street Espresso run for the title of Best Coffee in New York.
The olive bread was also amazing. Though firm and crispy, it was still buttery and melted right in your mouth. The savoriness of the olives perfectly complimented the slight sweetness of the bread. Delicious!
Just more than anything, I'm really floored by how Abraco goes beyond the standard. Considering their size, they could just order baked goods from elsewhere, like many bigger cafes do, but they' don't. They could just be friendly and serve your coffee with a smile, but they're dead set on making your day with their smiles. They don't need to use organic milk for everything, but they do! It'd be easier to make everything to go, but they insist that you stay. And I'm glad I did, because by the end, they were including me into their jokes, and I felt like I was in some sort of modern LES version of Cheers.
Abraco, amo voce. (is it sad that I spent over a month in Brazil and all I know what to say is "I love you" and "you stink like a dog" ?)
Bookmark Send to a Friend Link to This Review
People thought this was:
Useful (9)
Funny (2)
Cool (8)
Adding my voice to the chorus - I dropped in on a Sunday morning and found the cafe Cortado rich and smooth, and the staff super-friendly. I'm looking forward to going back and trying more of their drinks and pastries.
Wow. This is the best espresso I have ever had in the USA. Ever. I wanted to climb inside the cup and bathe in the smooth, delicious, rich but not bitter, dark and tasty goodness. I actually ordered a double cappuccino ($3), but the barista here (so eccentric, so great) makes a very dry cappuccino. I liked the sparing amount of milk, but I bemoaned the small quantity of foam (a 1/2" at most), especially because it was extremely good, dense, succulent foam. I'll ask for lots more next time.
I also ordered a (manual, not machine) drip coffee ($2.50) to go, which was tasty for drip coffee, and insanely, overwhelmingly strong. I had to add whole milk in equal proportion in order to get my coffee to the desire medium-brown lightness and be actually drinkable. That's sort of how filter-manual-drip coffee is, and it was tasty, and powerfully caffeinated, but I'll stick to the espresso drinks.
They offer breakfast specials (at 10:45 am on a Sunday morning, this place was JAM PACKED), and I tried a bite of spanish onion frittata ($3). It literally melted in my mouth, it was so delicate and tender and cloudlike, allowing the pure, sweet onions to shine through flavour-wise. The pain perdu with fresh ricotta ($3) is also utterly amazing, and the other pastries ($1.50-$4) looked just as delectable. I must try them all.
I love that they use organic milk (organic valley, my preferred brand) and organic soymilk (silk), and only offer natural, turbinado-style sugar. Nothing but the best, here; no compromises. Pure excellence.
Bookmark Send to a Friend Link to This Review
People thought this was:
Useful (22)
Funny (12)
Cool (23)
I hate to pile on more praises for Abraco, but I can't help it.
From the coffee, to the lattes, to the atmosphere, Abraco is "caf" perfected.
Some may digress and complain about the lack of personal space, but that's definitely part of Abraco's charm. The mood is always good and you never really feel cramped in there. I also love talking to [friendly] strangers, and the tiny quarters and amazing espresso are conductive for that. Similarly, Jamie's absolutely the nicest "Barista" [I say that since he runs the place as well, and I'd say anything out of Espresso-god is lacking in respect haha] ever. He doesn't know me [I wish he did, it'd be awesome to be a regular] but no matter who you are, he'll extend a warm, loving, cup of coffee/espresso/whatever to you.
I became a wannabe coffee/espresso-connoisseur about a year back when I realized there's A World Outside of Starbucks filled with unquestionably better coffee and ambience. I've been to many other places looking for the 'best' and I believe I've found it here.
The espresso is the smoothest I've tasted, and I couldn't help but smile on the way out the door after my first cup of Abraco's cappuccino. It's just that good. I can't wait until warmer weather, when I can just get a cup of Abraco and loiter outside with friends and other clientele.
I, sadly, haven't had the food here yet, but I'm sure it's amazing as well.
So, when all is said and done, go to Abraco. Now.
Abraco is a recipe for success. It's too small to hold lots of people, which makes its supply (of seats and space) limited, which means that the demand will probably always exceed supply. (good for looking popular)
It's got unusual goodies, homemade and with trendy/obscure ingredients which is so hott right now. (anyone know what quince is? does anyone else make their own almond milk? have you ever had olive oil cake? but isn't olive oil the bomb!? etc.)
It has quirky, friendly staff, who welcome you to stay (though they must be chuckling on the inside because where would you stay if you stayed?)
It has word of mouth fabulous reviews thanks to Yelp!
The cappuccino ($5 w/almond milk) wasn't the best I've ever had (Gimme! Coffee is my fave in NYC as yet) and the olive oil cake was a little on the oily side (go figure) but overall I really liked Abraco. It's cute and friendly. And I'm a sucker for those "homemade" goodies with weird ingredients, what can I say?
Bookmark Send to a Friend Link to This Review
People thought this was:
Useful (1)
Cool (1)
This place has made me re-route my weekend runs so that I end up here -sweaty and tired with the best coffee I've ever had.
I don't remember Blue Bottle in SF being this good, but maybe that is because I'm forced to go to Starbucks here and in SF I went to Peets.
All Abraco needs to do is to set up shop on every corner with a public bathroom.
Bookmark Send to a Friend Link to This Review
People thought this was:
Useful (3)
Funny (2)
Cool (3)
My gf and i stumbled upon this little joint while looking for a coffee joint on our East Village shopping day. She wanted a decaf - the store owner apologized and said he doesn't serve decaf - i suspect that was rather blasphemous after reading all the reviews fellow Yelpers have posted here.
Nevertheless, I turned to her and was like " DECAF?! Why do you want decaf if you want coffee??!!!" Claiming that she simply likes the taste but not the caffeine - I persuade her to order a cup anyway, because I'm ordering a cappucino anyway. She orders a regular coffee ;D
This place is tiny. And when I mean tiny, i literally mean tiny. Like what everyone else says. There's barely a counter and practically no seating (ie. 1 or 2 stools) but boy do the people pour in! Clearly, there's a steady clientele and they love this expresso joint. I receive my fresh cup of cappucino and there's a foam heart which tickled my fancy. I look up and notice the counter culture coffee bean bags on a shelf - I inquire about buying beans for my boyfriend's dad - i ask him to recommend a bag of his best beans ($7.50) and he hands me a cute, brown packaged bag of their house beans which are free trade, counter culture as well.
We take our coffees and wiggle our way out amidst the loyal customers who chat up the extremely, friendly and warm owner. My coffee fix for today has been satisfied, extremely well. Expresso just the way i like it - rich and warm and hits the spot :D I hope my bf's dad will enjoy it as much as i did!
Literally the best latte I've had in my entire life. I was ready to pass out I was so happy the first time I had one. I can't stop myself from basically chugging these by the time I get to 5th street. The barista here is seriously on top of his shit.
Bookmark Send to a Friend Link to This Review
People thought this was:
Funny (1)
Cool (1)
In my former life as a San Franciscan I'd start my Saturdays and Sundays with a trip to Blue Bottle Coffee in Hayes Valley for hot chocolate. It's a ritual I fiercely miss - standing around, waiting for my cup, chatting to people in line, petting their dogs. . .
A couple of months ago my favorite Washingtonian returns from a business trip to New York and tells me that he thinks he saw the Blue Bottle Coffee barista at a cafe in the East Village. We vowed to track down the place the next time we were in New York.
Just before Christmas we were meeting friends for lunch at Momofuku. Beforehand we went wandering around the East Village; my favorite Washingtonian sure that he could find the place again if we poked around a bit. A few blocks later Abraco appeared.
San Francisco hot chocolate (though you'll probably visit for the coffee) love, now available in New York.
Bookmark Send to a Friend Link to This Review
People thought this was:
Useful (6)
Funny (5)
Cool (11)
We walk down the steps of our friend's 7th Street stoop. There are two drunken drag queens sitting on an abandoned couch just below.
It's 11am on a Sunday in the East Village, and we need coffee.
No worries -- I've checked Yelp, and know that Abraco is only a hundred steps away.
Now, someone said this place seats 6 people. They are lying. It doesn't "seat" anyone. The whole place is about the size of 1/4 of a subway car, and more than half of that is for the kitchen.
The cappuccinos were awesome though. Olive cookies delightful. The frittatas were yummy, though a bit lukewarm.
The best part is the performance art aspect where the owner (Jamie?) keeps up a non-stop, manic, caffeine fueled conversation with his fellow baristettes and the regulars who pop in one after the other.
We went from Seattle to NYC in search of good coffee shops and we found it here at Abraco (amongst a couple of other really good ones). Abraco is charming despite of the tight space. Jaime, one of the owners, made the best Americano I've ever had because he used a very small amount of water in the espresso, which turned out, surprisingly, to be PERFECT. Abraco was like a welcoming warm nest completed with the jazz music playing in the background, the wall painting, the full kitchen in the back that serves an interesting menu of items I would've loved to try if I was there at lunch time. There were no chairs in the store but we spent more than half an hour in the shop and had a great time.
Bookmark Send to a Friend Link to This Review
People thought this was:
Useful (2)
Cool (2)
I wandered in here after getting crappy service in 2 other cafes that I didn't have the patience to deal with. And it was the weirdest coincidence-the guy behind the counter is someone I used to know from back in the day..the Twilight Zone in Alameda, CA circa late 1980's. Of course I was so taken aback I didn't say hi. I mean, what are the odds? I am a dork. Jamie, if you are reading this, hi. Oh the espresso was excellent too. :)
Bookmark Send to a Friend Link to This Review
People thought this was:
Useful (1)
Funny (1)
Cool (1)
It's not often that I go to a place with the big CKC, and I beat her to the Yelp review. Anyway, I have to preface this by saying that I am NOT a regular coffee drinker. Some of you will now skip this review, much as I would skip a review of a sushi restaurant as soon as I read that the reviewer ordered a California or rainbow roll.
This place is extremely cozy, down-to-earth, and friendly. We each ordered our own cappucino, and my friend ordered a chocolate marble cake to go. Upon receiving the cappucino, I saw that there was a big bowl of sugar on the counter, and a jar full of spoons. So I grabbed a spoon, and then I was faced with the dilemma of how much sugar to put in. Since the sugar bowl was communal, once I stirred my coffee, I couldn't double dip. I could also reach for another spoon, but that seemed like a waste. Luckily, I caught my friend adding two teaspoons to her cup, and I figured "good enough for her, good enough for me..." The coffee was absolutely fantastic. It had a strong flavor, with just the right amount of burnt taste to it, plus plenty of that coffee fragrance/taste. The pastries play second fiddle to the coffee, but the piece of the chocolate marble cake I had was moist and tasty. We couldn't tell if it was freshly baked or reheated, but even if it were reheated, they do a fantastic job.
The proprietors are very friendly, and I'm amazed that they are able to keep track of all the orders in their shop. By the way, fyi, "shop" is a loose term. Don't expect to come here to study, check out your laptop, or grab coffee and chat with a friend. This is strictly for hardcore coffee drinkers (plus yours truly crashing the party) who want a fix of some of the best stuff around. Practically standing room only...
Bookmark Send to a Friend Link to This Review
People thought this was:
Useful (1)
Cool (2)
The wonderful, energetic staff make half the atmosphere at Abraco (note to Yelp: allow diacritical characters!): true to the name, they enthusiastically embrace coffee and cooking. The espresso drinks are made with love -- an oft-overlooked ingredient in cooking, I tell you! -- and the cakes are baked ditto. The olive-oil cake, cookies, and eggy dishes are all delicious. The other half of the atmosphere are the sights, sounds, and aromas of deliciousness: the vibrant colours on the wall, the playful mural, and the amazing espresso machine, quietly humming.
Inside, Abraco has no seating, and almost no counter -- one can use the windowsill, carefully.
Bookmark Send to a Friend Link to This Review
People thought this was:
Useful (1)
Cool (1)
olive cookie + drip coffee is the way to start my day.
++ good music
Bookmark Send to a Friend Link to This Review
People thought this was:
Useful (1)
Funny (1)
I stopped in recently to get a cappuccino. I ordered it to go in a paper cup and broke the barista's heart (he's an artist with coffee), but I was in a hurry. Rich, delicious coffee. It's like drinking hot chocolate it's so delicious.
This is a tiny place with only a small bench indoors and another one outdoors, but it's really pleasant and charming. Especially when the weather's warm, it'd be nice to stop and linger a few minutes over your coffee.
Bookmark Send to a Friend Link to This Review
People thought this was:
Useful (1)
Cool (1)
The best -
Top notch coffee
Super little yummies
the nicest people you can find
great music
so so happy :-D
thanks Jaime!!!!
Bookmark Send to a Friend Link to This Review
People thought this was:
Useful (1)
Cool (1)
Our morning routine entails us always enjoying our first cup of coffee...be it the dependable drip coffee at the Bean on 1st Ave, the organic/fair trade drip coffee at Think Coffee on Mercer Street.....but on this first morning of Daylight Standard Time, we walked a few blocks to 7th Street to try Abraco for a cafe latte.
Why?
M-A-R-Z-O-C-C-O as in the handmade in Florence since 1927 La Marzocco - the Ferrari of espresso machines.....
We're huge fans of espresso drinks, and when Better1/2 informed me that Abraco has La Marzocco, I said let's go!
While walking our cranky cocker spaniel toward Abraco, we could hear the sounds of Chet Baker being played from a portable record player in the cafe.
Abraco is too small to be considered a cafe in the American sense (with tables, wifi access and laptop-toting patrons or students scattered about the premises)--but with an outdoor bench, a window ledge counter with space for two, maybe three patrons to stand and sip their cafe--what Abraco may lack in size it makes up for with its superior espresso, made-to-order food and personalized, friendly service (Jamie greets each customer with a smile and sincere warmth!). Araco reminds me of the small cafe shops in Paris or Barcelona where patrons stop by and enjoy a quick espresso or a quick bite before proceeding along with their day.
We tried the cafe latte made with homemade almond milk. Made with a double shot of espresso and almond milk poured carefully to create espresso art, I can honestly say that this latte tasted on par if not better than espresso drinks I've had at Ninth Street Espresso or Joe the Art of Coffee, but closer to our apartment. A truly delightful start to our day!
Bookmark Send to a Friend Link to This Review
People thought this was:
Useful (4)
Funny (2)
Cool (6)
Home sick San Franciscans take note, today, truly superlative espresso finally arrived on the island of Manhattan.
Jamie McCormick (late of the divine Bluebottle) has just opened his very own kiosk in the heart of the immaculately unkempt East Village.
Better than bluebottle I say and you may call me a heretic for doing so. I don't care. It's the truth. Not only are the drinks beyond reproach, at Abraco Jaime is also serving food. A melting tortilla with yukon golds buried in it's creamy depths, lemon and almond tart flavored with lemon thyme. little ugly doughnuts and precious almond wedding cookies dusted palely like brides.
At lunch there are pannini filled with green market harvest, it's rumored that come nightfall they will also serve wine.
Abraco is a dream of a place, obviously borne from the dreaming of a man passionate about both his coffee and his food--and it really shows.
Bookmark Send to a Friend Link to This Review
People thought this was:
Useful (8)
Cool (6)
Finally! Great coffee in New York! I never thought I'd see the day! I'm not surprised it took someone from SF to do it right. And everyone here is so chill and awesomely nice, you feel like a regular even if you aren't.
Okay, so, I was coming from lecture, and I really wanted to try the almond milk latte mentioned by another reviewer. Sadly, when I got there, Jamie said he was out of said almond milk. Tragedy! :(
"When will you have more?" I asked v. politely.
"In twenty minutes! Will you be back?"
"See you in twenty minutes!"
"Okay! I'll buy it for you."
AND HE DID! He wouldn't even let me tip him. Almond milk latte = SO GOOD. I'm totes coming back.
Bookmark Send to a Friend Link to This Review
People thought this was:
Useful (1)
Cool (1)
Now of course I am only a visitor to NYC, and it took me several days to find my way to the quality espresso. First I sniffed out Joe's, which is delicious. Then I made my way to Abraco which I now frequent every morning. Its a great neighborhood spot. Not really any seating except for a bench outside, but nonetheless great for an AM coffee pause. Aside from being a masterful barista, Jamie is very friendly as well. Again and most importantly, the coffee is outta sight.
Bookmark Send to a Friend Link to This Review
People thought this was:
Useful (2)
Cool (1)
Abraco (which means "hug" in Portuguese) is a fitting name for this cozy standing-only storefront manned by an expert barista. Expect first-class espresso, congenial service, and barely enough room on one of the narrow ledges to set down your mug. The secret weapon of this coffeeshop however, is that is has an actual cook, and just try not to be tempted by fried-to-order zeppole, frittatas, and a rotating selection panini. This is sure to become a favorite neighborhood spot, so go early to beat the rush.
I read about this little cafe somewhere a few weeks ago - then looked for it while tramping over to my church on E 7th St one particular Friday night. However somehow I missed it and I felt pouty and let down till I found myself distracted by arriving at church. Little did I know one sunny, cold January morning on my way back to said church on E 7th St - I spotted Abraco and yes, it did indeed exist and it's doors were open. I stepped in among oh, half the residents of the block? In actuality it was about five people in the tiny space. Seeing as the coffeeshop's about ten feet square it seems, or something along those dimensions - chock full of personality and caffeinated sweet smells and tastes and friendly faces. "Jay" and Elizabeth are the proprietors (from what I gather) and they seemed to know nearly every face that came through the door... which is just so cozy. It was like cramming into a hip neighbors' kitchen and coming away with a smile, a delicious perfectly bold cup of coffee (the drip coffee is $2.50, individually brewed. Star-what? Star-why-bother?). With immediate pangs of desire to go back as soon as I can. Though it was pretty strong coffee so that kept me buzzing for quite a while... Seriously. Where were they when *I* lived on E 9th St? Astoria has it's charm, but Uncle Donuts on Steinway just isn't looking so hot right now. Oh Abraco... I'll see you next weekend. Their name means "hug" in portuguese which I also happen to think is adorable and fitting.
Bookmark Send to a Friend Link to This Review
People thought this was:
Useful (1)
Cool (1)
Jamie McCormick & partners' epic slice of San Francisco coffee with actual no-fooling real handmade (in the shop!) treats and savories is something to behold.
