Cafe Sutra

 

12

122

K. W.

Brooklyn, NY

I love hot chocolate, and this hot chocolate was pretty good.  The cranberry mango muffin was even better.  Well, maybe just as good.  I do love my hot chocolate.  

My friend had a cafe au lait, and after putting her choice of coffee into the cup from the self serve "push the button and get coffee" containers, the barrista (are they called that outside of Starbuck's land?) added the milk.  

My friend was charged slightly less than the listed price, and I was charged slightly more.  Hmmmm.  Monetary karma?  Who knows.  I didn't complain because I had found a quarter on the street that morning, so I was still five cents ahead.  

Comfy chairs, and not too much eye rolling at the two of us entering with toddlers.  Listen, they were really well-behaved, and we got our stuff in To Go cups in case we had to make a quick exit.  There was a table of super-hip, shades of dark colors in clothing choice young people (everyone is young to me these days) who were speaking in non-Mexican Spanish.   They looked pretty annoyed at our short-heighted companions.  But whatever, it was 11 AM.  Shouldn't they be sleeping or working or something?

Also, apparently the wifi (do I have to say WiFi?) is working since a diligent young man was tapping away at a comment on Slate or Curbed or something.  

I'll be back for more hot chocolate, or maybe a red velvet cupcake.  I'm not sure about the mix.  I wonder if they do frozen hot chocolates in the warmer weather.  Mmmmmmmm.

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0

18

Delilah B.

Brooklyn, NY

Mine ears! Change the music, please. If you've shopped at Daffy's or Marshalls, then you know what it is to endure bad music for the greater good of a bargain. Sometimes you have to negotiate with yourself: "ok, me: five more minutes of trying on Poleci or Patricia Pepe dresses (that i can doctor up with a scissor when i get home), only five more minutes listening to Maroon 5 and Cheryl Crow but then I'm out of here!!!"  But when there are so many other reputable coffee houses in Park Slope to choose from, I don't understand why any hearing resident from the area would choose to write her great American novel or while away the minutes, singing her tongue on burnt coffee at Cafe Sutra, with that hellish soundtrack nagging at the stanchions of her sanity. And the Las Vegas coffee house decor (wine-colored drapings and fabrics, tassels, and the darkness, I just hate the texture of that shopscape.  This said, they do use Intelligentsia's Black Cat coffee, but I think this coffee house really tarnishes the reputation of this great roaster.

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Elite '08

23

62

Stephanie M.

Brooklyn, NY

So Sutra was recently taken over by new owners. For that reason, when I passed by the joint without happening to have any cash on me, I went in and asked if they still took credit cards. The barista said they didn't, so I thanked him and turned to leave, and he stops me and says "no no! What drink would you like? I'll make you whatever you want. Just come back tomorrow." And I tell him I couldn't accept that, and he insists, makes me a drink and asks if I want any food (I decline). Unbelievably nice and totally unexpected. I told him I'd come back ASAP and that I'd be ready to pony up my tab. He just laughed. Will definitely be continuing to come here.

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0

7

j c.

Brooklyn, NY

Unfortunately, I think Has Beans has the market on great coffee in this neighborhood, but I do go in to support the CS folks once in a while.  They order their muffins from the uncomparable Blue Sky Bakery in North Slope.  So you are supporting two local businesses when you come in.  For all the people who wrote something about this being in a bad neighborhood, WHAT ARE YOU TALKING ABOUT? I have lived here for 2 years and it's a great neighborhood.  And one of the great things about it is that it is quieter than the North Slope and it's not full of over priced shops...yet...  Neighborhood is full of working class families, with a nice mix of cultures and young professionals.  I guess if some people don't see a Gap and a Starbucks on the street they feel it must be a "bad neighborhood".

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21

50

Mike P.

Brooklyn, NY

Ok, so I don't know where the status is on the wifi.  Apparently they have it, it is just broken.  So we'll see.  3 stars until it's up.

Coffee was very good.  Prices were reasonable.  Food looked good, however, I did not try any.  They had a wide selection of original drinks and use a good quality chocolate in everything.  They have a backyard seating area that is half covered and very cool.  The tables were big and the chairs were comfortable and welcoming.  I will definitely make this one of my regular locations to study.

Two drawbacks: when I was there on a Saturday there was no WiFi.  I didn't ask why but read that they take it down on the weekend for "family time" (as stated by another Yelper).  If true, this is absolutely ridiculous.  Also, while the location itself is an oasis... the neighborhood directly around it is not the greatest of areas: I wouldn't want my wife walking down the street late at night.  
But as of now, this is hands down my favorite coffee shop in the Slope (way better than Tea lounge and Nadrias).

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Elite '08

6

180

Jodi V.

Brooklyn, NY

I was on my way to Vin Rouge (a few blocks up) and saw the chalkboard outside Cafe Sutra for "frozen sangria".... so I stopped.  I'm not sure it was so much frozen Sangria as much as slushy wine, but it was good nonetheless....and you can choose red or white.... and it was two for one (so $3 each..not bad).  We sat out on the "patio", but it was really small and there was only one other person out there so it just seemed kinda awkward, like we were invading this person's backyard.  It was nice though.  The inside seemed cozy as well.

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1

31

Noodlesoup L.

Brooklyn, NY

I'm biased because a portion of my stars are given due to Cafe Sutra's close proximity to chez Noodlesoup, but this place does have a nice selection of liquids and baked foodstuffs.  The 'frozen hot chocolate' is delicious in the summer and will fulfill your day's caloric intake.  Friendly baristas too.

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3

7

Topher K.

Oakland, CA

I live in California, but I know a writer who used to work as a barista and lives in Brooklyn. She really enjoys this shop. If you go to http://www.coffeerevie... you can read her more educated opinion about Cafe Sutra

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48

373

K N.

Los Angeles, CA

RED VELVET CUPCAKES...from Two Little Red Hens. Free WiFi --- can't go wrong there! Plus the ambiance is very chill and there's a patio to boot. Quite a few teas to taste, though I'm told the "kwafee" is what this place is all about.

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0

4

Eric K.

Brooklyn, NY

Very nice little spot with good stable wifi, a number of AC outlets, and nice tables and couches.  It's not that big with not much window area.  The chairs and tables are kind of weird, higher than normal, in between normal chair and stool height, so when you sit you can't put your feet flat on the floor but after a little while I got used to it.

Worth stopping in or hanging out if you're in the area but not really a place to go out of your way for.

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2

6

hruska co s.

Brooklyn, NY

If you're going to frequent this place, buy a Coffee Card. Works just like a gift certificate/debit card - and after your 10th drink you get a free one!

It's never too crowded in here. The sofas are incredibly comfortable. They keep the temperature pleasant (I can't stand that freezing cold AC in the summer where you need to drag around a sweater for inside.) There's a rack of magazines, board games, free wi-fi and a garden.

Open a bit later than other non-bar establishments in the area.

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Elite '08

9

72

Michael J.

Brooklyn, NY

This place is weak.  It's overpriced and it's deserts don't taste fresh.  Skip it.  Better coffee across the street.

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Elite '08

81

232

Karen M.

Brooklyn, NY

Wide variety of drinks, but I have seen the same baked goods in the case after a day. $3.50 seems a little steep to pay for an iced chai, but it sure beats Starbucks!

They also serve beer (on a recent trip they had: Brooklyn Brewery, Paulaner, Pilsner Urquell, Sam Adams, Red Stripe, Anchor Steam), wine, and also yogurt.

They also have free wi-fi and some board games (Scrabble, Sorry, Chess, & Checkers) to play, plus comfy couches.

BTW if you want to use the wi-fi, the password is on your receipt. The outlets near the front of the store don't seem to work, so plop yourself on one of the tables or couches near the register (the outlets near the tables toward the left of the register work).

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0

1

omar a.

Brooklyn, NY

Cafe Sutra might just be south slope best kept secret in Brooklyn. The small coffee shop has a friendly atmosphere and wi-fi connection. It is a miniature version of the Tea Lounge. When I come to Cafe Sutra I order my favorite tea, a green tea smoothie with whip cream on top. Yummy! So what else makes this an attractive place to lounge and web surf? The big cushion sofa's and alternative music make it feel hip to be at a such a place. It is like the book "Narnia" by C.S. Lewis. It has a wardrobe that leads to another world. Well sort of. Just without the witches, and lions. For the menu, Cafe Sutra does offer tea's, coffees, and even dark chocolate cakes and cheese cake. In addition, Those of you who are looking to watch your waist line, do not worry just order some tea, and get your a chocolate biscotti from the counter. Another valuable feature is the backyard this establishment has that makes you feel like your on vacation for a few hours. So with this, I hope to see all your brooklynites and south slopers there as much as me.

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0

7

J D.

Brooklyn, NY

Good cafe in a bad area. Scrunched between a tax preparer's office and a Latin American version of Western Union, Cafe Sutra has the most comfortable furniture in any cafe I've been to in New York. The coffee is good but pricey for my standards. Internet is free and the bathroom is usually clean. Latte's are very different from most cafes, which is really the biggest reason to come back. The place is too tiny which makes any sound you make resonate awkwardly. Otherwise, pretty cool place.

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0

23

Christine M.

Brooklyn, NY

Much needed addition to south slope!  Chill coffeehouse with couches and large tables to spead your stuff out.  Their coffee isn't cheap but it is quality...they have the same beans as cocoa bar.  They do have a punchcard for every 10 drinks you get one free.  The coffee of the day is always good and their lattes are excellent.  Yummy muffins from Blue Sky.  I like the good karma (macadamia nut, vanilla, and caramel).  They also have vegan cookies.  Wifi is free (last I checked most of the outlets work) and a really cute outdoor space in the summertime.

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