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Roots & Vines
Categories: Food Coffee & Tea Restaurants Sandwiches Nightlife Bars Wine Bars Coffee & Tea, Sandwiches, Wine Bars [Edit]
409 Grand St(between Attorney St & Clinton St)
New York, NY 10002
Neighborhood: Lower East Side
(212) 260-2363
- Nearest Transit:
-
Essex St (J, M, Z)
East Broadway (F)
Delancey St (F)
- Hours:
Mon-Fri 7 am - 7 pm
Sat-Sun 9 am - 7 pm
- Good for Groups:
- Yes
- Parking:
- Street
- Attire:
- Casual
- Price Range:
-
$
- Good for Kids:
- Yes
- Takes Reservations:
- No
- Delivery:
- No
- Take-out:
- Yes
- Waiter Service:
- No
- Outdoor Seating:
- Yes
- Wi-Fi:
- No
- Good For:
- Lunch, Breakfast
- Music:
- Juke Box
- Best Nights:
- Mon, Tue, Wed
- Smoking:
- No
- Coat Check:
- No
- Noise Level:
- Average
- Good For Dancing:
- No
- Ambience:
- Casual
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- Yes
50 reviews for Roots & Vines
Review Highlights
"...back for a Vietnamese Banh Mi ("bun me") sandwich served up..."
(in 6 reviews)
"But, the real plus is that they have a free Wi-Fi."
(in 4 reviews)
"I ordered the torta with Pork and it was PHENOMENAL."
(in 11 reviews)
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50 reviews in English
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Review from Nicole F.
7/18/2011 1 Check-in Here
The location ain't great, but the place is pretty great. I used a Scoutmob discount and ended up getting brunch and coffee for 2 people for $11. I felt like I was stealing!! The portions were a little small, which was fine since doughnut plant was right next door :)
Definitely get the cold-brewed coffee. -
Review from Cindy F.
New York, NY
12/29/2011
I really wanted to like Roots & Vines. I remember the days in the LES when this was the first coffee shop in the area with free wifi (believe it or not, there was a time when the LES was not yet infested with yuppies). I loved going here to work on the laptop but the service was hit or miss. Like a masochistic puppy I kept going back, hoping it would get better. Then they got their liquor license and started serving food, but all was not well. You can get better Banh mi Vietnamese sandwiches in Chinatown and off Avenue A.
The final insult occurred earlier this week during a torrential downpour. At 6:49pm I walked into Roots & Vines with two others to grab a coffee and utilize the wifi. I remember it exactly being 6:49pm because I had to put two quarters in the meter to cover parking until 7pm. I ordered two coffees and a hot chocolate and sat down with my group. About 10 minutes later we were told the store was closing and we had to leave. REALLY???? You see me ordering drinks 10 minutes before your store closes and you don't tell me you're closing shortly??? I would think it would be common courtesy to let me know if your store was closing shortly but maybe that's asking for too much. Like I said, service is hit or miss.
Two stars for being the first in the neighborhood with free wifi and for introducing me to Mighty Tea Leaf tea. Never cared for their coffee. -
Review from Stephen C.
New York, NY
8/8/2011 1 Check-in Here
Okay for a bite,
but vibe and service ain't right.
Confused ambience. -
Review from Megan C.
Brooklyn, NY
5/30/2011
I can't decide how I feel about Roots & Vines. I love the space--a couple of single tables as well as a large community table, and a real cozy feel. However, I wasn't crazy about the food or the staff. They have tater tots (which cannot be messed up and add major points simply for offering them), but nothing else I've had food-wisewas very good. The staff is not particularly friendly (read: at all), which always turns me off.
Also, I can't really figure out if R&V is trying to be a restaurant, coffee shop, or wine bar. I'm guessing they're trying to be all three, but it ends up being a little bit confusing. When I was there, a mom was eating with her kids, a few groups of girlfriends were eating and drinking, and several people reading. I'm pretty sure what I just described may be ideal for some, but I personally thinking R&V needs to step up their game in one aspect or another rather than being mediocre at several. -
Review from Marie M.
KNICKERBOCKER, NY
12/15/2011
As a native lower east sider, growing up just a block from this location, I am appalled to find that the yuppies have started spreading below Delancey Street. Not only is the service mediocre, but the thought that this location does nothing to service the vibrant community to Hasidic Jews and Puerto Ricans and Dominicans, for they are too busy catering to the newly dubbed "Lower East Siders", disgusts me. Shame on you!
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Review from John W.
7/21/2011
Cute place.. very cute... this is a great place for a local hang out... where else can you go for tater tots and sriracha sauce?
Would I go back? yah... I would.. the wife and I really enjoyed this place. -
Review from Jam M.
Greenfield, MA
10/16/2011 1 Check-in Here
Super nice place. Worth a short or long stop.
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Review from Sean S.
4/14/2011
I go to semi-monthly meetups here. The Amazon Web Services meetup group, to be exact. I know i know, techie boringness, but the talks are good, and always bright people to meet and chat with.
This venue is great because it's very free form. We just grab a big long table and go with it! Coffee is decent, and they have sandwiches and small food too. Haven't tried the pastries, but I like the place. Off the beaten path for sure. -
Review from Lizz K.
8/1/2011
Love their ice coffee. Its cold brewed, so its less acidic and easier on your stomach. Their regular coffee is pretty good too.
Now to the bagels. They are stored in a glass jar and I feel like they could be fresher. I also don't like the fact that they are in a jar like they are a cookie or biscotti. Its not. The other food, I dunno. I'm still iffy on that. For the portions, I'm not sure the price is right. I think that they could give a little more, or drop the price.
The Decor: So, its modern. I feel like I'm walking into an Apple store with wood instead of stainless steal. I mean, its a very blank space. I wish they would get some really colorful art on the walls. I know they sometimes put artist up, but I feel like just panels of color would make me feel better in there. There are also a lot of people who bring their laptops in here. I've done it. But I feel like they should share the tables better. The renovations they made were definitely nice, but I like the old color choices better.Listed in: Gotta get my Java on!
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Review from Romano C.
KNICKERBOCKER, NY
6/18/2011
The food is decent (not excellent) but the real downer here is the staff. The coffee beans they sell are good but very overpriced.Why are people who are not particularly cheerful or friendly working in a service business? Beats me. But a huge turnoff for me.
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Review from Carmela R.
New York, NY
6/26/2010
*Roots and Vine Where Drinks Meet is featured in a neat little book called "Cafe Life New York"-An Insider's Guide to the City's Neighborhood Cafes, by: Sandy Miller, photos by: Juliana Spear*
*Note though: At the time the book was published, R & V was still called Full City Coffee*
I've been a long time fan and customer of Roots & Vine, partly because I am fond of the owners, Win and Natalie. A lovely, hard working, entrepreneurial couple.
I moved to the neighborhood in 2002. At that time there were no quality cafes and coffeehouses in close walking distance to my apartment building and the other nearby apartment complexes.
I remember passing by the space which is now Roots & Vines and Natalie and Win were outside consulting with their construction team. A few of us neighbors stopped to chat and ask them what was to come. When they told us a coffeehouse, we were thrilled.
In the beginning, the first name of their coffee bar was called Full City. Then, a few years later, Win and Natalie renovated and re-conceptualized and alas, "Roots & Vine Where Drinks Meet" was born. They evolved from mere coffee, capps, lattes, espresso, tea , bagels, muffins and the like to alcohol and more substantial hot food items and Saturday and Sunday brunch.
The space is long and fairly large but a bit narrow. Long wooden tables sit in the middle and smaller two seater tables are off to the side. One fun table for four or five is my favorite because it is next to the window right up front my the entrance. One has a view of the outside from most of the angles though too.
*Oh, they have outside tables as well.
R & V is clean and attractively designed. The color scheme is light pine wood and silver. Black and white tiles throughout. Sometimes there are photographs or paintings on their walls from local exhibiting artists
The bathroom is cute, clean and painted in a pretty pink hue.
About the food offerings:
-pretty extensive red and white wine and beer too.
-delicious burgers
-salads
-tacos, torta. quesedilla
-vietnamese bahn mi
-summer rolls
and other "street foods"
Sat n Sun bkfst menu served 10am-4pm:
-Chilaquiles
-Huevos Racheros
-Cinnamon French Toast
-Breakfast Burrito
-Breakfast sandwich
-Mimosa/Michelada Brunch
Over the years I've had most items on their menu and can say without hesitation that the food is fresh, flavorful and overall very good.
*Free delivery with $10 minimum (afternoon and evening btw bowery to FDR/East Broadway to Houston
*Hours: Sunday: 9am to 10pm
Mon thru Wed: 7am to 10pm
Thurs, Fri: 7am to 11pm
Sat: 9am to 11pm
(Kitchen closes one hour before closing)
*Weekday Beer Specials
*Free Wifi
*Flat screen tv for special programming events such as presently: The World Cup -
Review from Lucy M.
Brooklyn, NY
12/23/2010
I am tempted to give this place another star, because Roots & Vines is one of the few "cool" cafes in this part of the LES, but gotta say, I find myself disappointed in this place a lot.
Maybe I'm just being whiny, but there always seems to be something slightly off when I come here - cappuccino tastes burnt, the chicken left off a salad that I paid $2 more for, rancid tasting Banh Mi.... I do like the vibe, and this area is lacking in lunch/coffee shop options so I am thankful it exists, but find myself resenting the fact that I keep coming here just because there isn't a better option nearby. I do appreciate the fact that they have both breakfast and lunch options, as well as full coffee & beverage offerings. If I had to choose an adjective to describe, my ambivalence would best be described in the word "fine".
In summary, I'll probably be coming here again, if only because nothing better exists in a 5-10 block radius... -
Review from Miriam J.
KNICKERBOCKER, NY
8/28/2011
Their coffee is fine, wireless speedy and its the only coffee shop within a 10 minute walk from me. The downside? The elderly infest and don't leave. They are loud, the old men stare at my butt and I'm constantly shifted because of women with hip replacements needing to maneuver around the space.
I dont mean to sound bitter, but thats the main reason I've walked the extra 10 minutes to 88 orchard to set up shop for the afternoon. -
Review from Lisa G.
I just moved to LES and well, I needed internet. I was supposed to be working remotely, but Time Warner gave me some lame excuse of not installing internet on Mondays. So I ended up at Roots & Vines.
I figured they'd kick me out after a few hours, but nope! They let me hang all day. I had a croissant and iced coffee for breakfast a little after 7am, and later on around 1:30 took a walk. When I came back I had a burger and lemonade as a late lunch. Friendly clientele as well. I chatted with a biker dude who told me he was from Queens, and later on another fellow work-from-home woman like myself, who told me she liked coming to Roots & Vines for a change of scenery from her home office.
I've since been going there routinely for coffee in the morning. Thankfully I don't have to mooch their internet anymore, but I give them huge props for making one of my first days in NY easy!
Looking forward to coming with some friends one of these evenings. I'm sure they won't disappoint! -
Review from Anna C.
11/10/2010
Came here for dinner with my sis for a nice girly chat night.
We had the guac and chips, tator tots, tofu banh mi, and one of the soups of the day, broccoli creme. Most of the food was just ok, nothing to write home about.
But I do love that we have this cute little homey spot in the neighborhood, and I'll definitely be back. -
Review from Ellia J.
New York, NY
8/4/2010
I'm a big fan of this place. It's inviting, downright welcoming, and you can see a huge cross section of neighborhood peeps coming in to work, hang out, catch up, grab a meal...it's the very definition of a neighborhood joint...from hipsters to old timers, to young families, clientele runs the gamut. Love it.
The food is quite good, but be warned it's slightly pricey (I'd expect slightly larger portions than they actually serve for the prices they charge). I had the grilled corn and avocado salad for a quick lunch and was delighted by everything but the portion size. I bit on the small side.
The service, I have to say, is positively exemplary--friendly, prompt, effective, the guy behind the counter was simply fantastic.
I'm kicking myself for not having stopped in here before.
My only complaint is that they on a sweltering humid day like today...they needed to turn the AC up! -
Review from James K.
Manhattan, NY
7/11/2011
The coffee is very good and we're hooked on their soups & sandwiches. The staff are very pleasant (unlike those at many other coffeehouses) and they don't mind if you sit there for a long time. I just wish they were open until later in the evening....
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Review from Angela N.
New York, NY
This is my neighborhood joint, and I'm glad it's within walkable distance from home.
R&V is a friendly, inviting and relaxed place to spend a day (literally) on your computer, with friends or simply get a cuppa joe/drink from the bar.
I love the vibe and clean industrial decor the place has. Can be a tad warm on a hot day and cool or a warm - let's just say they don't have the best heating/cooling system.
Locals love this place and if you come enough you'll notice the regulars. Seats are usually readily available during the weekday, all day; weekends can be packed. I like the young family crowd this place draws. Gives it a youthful and hip vibe to the place w/o trying too hard.
Don't expect the place to where you'll get some serious studying done or able to zone in on your work - you many encounter loads of traffic with take-out orders and people chat'n can be loud. If you get easily distracted, don't bring your work or expect much to get much accomplished. They have a play-list on loop here so don't expect a quiet place.
Instead, bring a book or you laptop for browsing, or simply pick up a newspaper or two that's left the front the cafe to read. They have a nice strong cup of joe here; drink selection is also good; the food, I rarely get, but on occasion, is tasty but portions are small.
Tried the: Chicken Corn Salad, Lemongrass Chicken Banh Mi and the cupcakes - they were good.
Pros: No frills place; can sit for hours; good coffee; decent food; cafe turns into a bar at night; tv tuned to sports/news/CNN; decent amount of outlets for computers.
Cons: The bathroom - shoddy lock-key; terrible heating/cooling system; locals who come daily can be loud; get lots of foot-traffic; staff dim the lights at a certain time, making reading/computer work challenging past 5pm. -
Review from Jennifer R.
New York, NY
5/5/2010
I went to Roots and Vines yesterday for lunch with a friend. I love that this place is great for a lunch or coffee during the day but also a light drink in the evening. It has a very clean look but is a chill place to hang. It's also a great place to catch up on emails and work (free wifi); they have these long tables with benches that makes it easy to spread out and get 'thangs' done! There is also outside seating.
I didn't have any of the coffee yet, but the food was really good and they had a bunch of options that sounded awesome. I had the Roasted Corn and Avocado salad with chicken. It was really tasty and the portion was a nice size. The citrus lime dressing was light and refreshing and not at all overbearing. My only complaint about the salad was the fact that the chicken was a little dry. My friend had the chicken quesadilla which was great! It was a basic quesadilla with 3 great helpings of guacamole on the top (thumbs up)! I can't wait to go back to try the Vietnamese spring rolls!
I really liked Roots and Vines, and will definitely come back to try more of the food and the coffee. The prices are great, and the atmosphere is really nice for relaxing and chatting with friends. I highly recommend it.
Pros: Great food options at great prices, one block from the doughnut plant, so you can go there after for dessert!
Cons: people working there could pretend to be a little happier -
Review from Coffeehunter S.
New York, NY
6/22/2010
It's a pleasant surprise finding a cute cafe in the middle of nowhere. Roots and Vines, along with the Doughnut Plant, forms a little foodie oasis in an otherwise barren stretch of road. It's an odd location but a lovely spot: light and airy, with black-and-white tiled floors and blond wood benches.
They're pulling Counter Culture coffee behind the counter, sometimes very well. My first visit was on a weekend and it resulted in a thoroughly satisfying cappuccino (short and single espresso as requested). Definitely a 3/5. However my second visit, on a weekday, was highly disappointing both in terms of coffee and service. It seems that it all hinges on which barista you get. Tip: stay away from the sour-faced lady.
If you're willing to take your chances then the cafe itself is a nice place in which to spend time. I'd give it another try if I happened to be in the interminable queue at the Doughnut Plant. But I wouldn't bother trekking to the middle of nowhere to maybe get a decent coffee. I mean, it was good the first time round, but not that good.
- Coffeehunter -
Review from Peter D.
11/3/2009
I was on the corner of Suffolk and Grand and I decided try out this new thing I've been hearing about; I think the kids are calling it "exercise." So I started jogging.
About a half a block later, I see a little sign that said, "Street Food." Well, I couldn't just pass that by. So I went into Roots & Vines (chest heaving, pouring sweat and trying not to vomit), and I ordered a carne asada torta from the friendly lady at the counter. She displayed concern for my well-being; I assured her I was just being healthy.
As I waited, I noted that the space is clean and spare, and I assume that there is free wi/fi, as there were several people on their laptops. Their slogan is "Where Drinks Meet." I'm not sure what that means. They have banh mi on the menu (which is a bit odd to serve along with tortas and tacos), and I saw one that looked delicious, and regretted my torta order.
When my torta emerged from the kitchen ten minutes later, it was good. I enjoyed it, especially since I had worked up such an appetite. However, it wasn't special; I don't think I'd run out of my way for it, and I'll definitely go with the banh mi next time.
Speaking of which: despite the jog, my gut remains. I think I'm going to have to give up on this "exercise" thing.Listed in: F Train All-Stars., the LES: lower east side…, banh mi.
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Review from Will L.
10/3/2008
Roots and Vines is a destination, folks. Travel here if you don't live within walking distance.
It's worth it.
Seriously.
My brother and I caught the train over and walked around a bit looking for Roots & Vines. At the time we were confused by the map on the iPhone (NOTE: this has been fixed now!!!) We spent the extra few minutes looking for it, and spotted the sign painted on the low brick wall on the next block as we walked past the big brick apartment buildings (on our right). I'm glad we didn't give up and head elsewhere.
There were tables outside, and it was too bad the weather was rainy, or I would have seriously enjoyed sitting out there. We headed inside, where the decor was pretty modern, very clean. Lots of books to read and a couple TVs showing the Sunday football games.
The coffee was exceptional. I generally like a little bit of coffee with my cream and sugar, and this only needed a little bit of cream. Not that it was sweet, it just was flavorful. Neither of us got espresso, so I have no idea how that may be, but if the food and the coffee is any indicator, I'd assume the espresso is probably pretty killer too.
And speaking of the food... OMFG. Excellent Mexican food. We ordered chicken tacos and they were fucking awesome. I ordered the torta with Pork and it was PHENOMENAL. My brother ordered the Vietnamese sandwich, which was pretty good, but I'm spoiled by really great Vietnamese food in Seattle. We split the torta and the Vietnamese sandwich and the torta was the clear winner; avocado, pork, a super tasty cream sauce, great bread... yeah definitely give this a try.
There were lots of different sized tables, lots of folks on their computers soaking up the free WiFi or reading papers or quietly talking within their groups. And then me and my brother sitting there like a couple of drooling idiots remarking on how great the food was.
Prices were great too. Totally reasonable, especially considering how damned good the food was. Also there was beer on tap, maybe wine, I didn't notice. I'd love to come back and check out what this place is like around happy hour. -
Review from JP B.
Updated - 3/15/2009
A very late lunch here (4:30PM) last Friday left me more impressed than I've been on previous visits. The place has been on an upswing over the last year or so, which only seems to be continuing. Our party of four enjoyed $5 pints (shortish pints, given) of Six Points and Brooklyn Lager. That's hard to argue with. My torta was delicious, generous and a bit of a bargain at $5.50. My buddy got a new item, the Saigon Burger ($7.50), which he quite liked. He offered me a taste, but I was too busy with my torta to take him up on it. I did taste a chili both of our wives ordered, which was really more of a powerfully flavored bean soup than what I think of as chili. It was also very good. I'm all for powerfully flavored bean soup, and the women felt the same way.
We were a little more raucous than many of the other patrons sipping coffee and taking advantage of the free wi-fi, but we weren't the only ones enjoying alcoholic beverages and a few laughs there. It was a fine environment to do just that. The music was good. The servers were friendly. The space was pleasant. Up until now I thought R&V was great to have in the neighborhood, but not really a destination. Now I'd consider it a destination. Part of it was seeing the appreciation of my neighborhood joint in my friends from outside the 'hood. But it was more than that: it's the pleasure of watching the neighborhood joint just getting better and better over time.
My buddy and I agreed: if we lived in a small town and Roots and Vines were the only place we had to go we'd be able to get by just fine. The place has become that cool. Far cooler than you'd expect in a strip mall near Seward Park Coop on the LES, but not so cool that there'd be any reason to hesitate walking into the joint - ever. The place is completely unpretentious. It's a great cafe/sandwich shop that offers beer and wine with some cool menu items (Viet, Mexican, Burgers and Salads) to keep things interesting.
If I could give 4.5 stars here, I would.Listed in: Cheap Eats on the LES Below…
3 Previous Reviews: Show all »
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9/14/2008
The new decor is a tremendous improvement; the place seems spacious and the lines are clean.… Read more »
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Review from Anya T.
New York, NY
7/2/2011
Roots & Vines is our neighborhood coffee shop. We were thrilled when it opened, maybe six years ago, as there was nowhere else in the area to get good coffee or a sandwich or anything really. Over the years, they've gone through a number of changes and both the coffee and food has improved and gone downhill a few times, which makes it difficult for me to explain my complicated feelings about the place! On the one hand, I feel hugely loyal to them, and grateful they're in the neighborhood, grateful there's a place I can stop for lemonade or coffee on my way to the train, or to grab a sandwich when desperate and starving. On the other hand, the service is often inexplicably horrendous, they're always out of basic things, the espresso drinks too often taste skunky -- as though the machine needs to be washed -- and the food, once great, now ranges from edible to utterly repulsive (do not ever, ever order a salad; scary things await you). It's clear that the owners are cutting corners -- buying cheaper cuts of meat, having barristas do the cooking, no longer offering OJ and corn bread with brunch, generally giving smaller portions -- but I just don't get some of the choices they've made: Why can one get an egg sandwich on weekends, but not weekdays (instead, I go to the diner or the cafe down the street, rather than giving them my business)? Why serve chicken that tastes like roadkill? Why? Why?
Anyway, I suppose, in summary, this place is hit or miss, but necessary for the underserved area. If you're nearby and starving, it's fine. I wish it were otherwise though, as it has such great potential. -
Review from jamie N.
Los Angeles, CA
1/24/2009
This place is a nice surprise. The food is affordable and I was surprised to have some very very good mexican food here for lunch. Much better than pinche and even better than barrio chino. It's a good spot as a cafe too, with good strong coffee and great service.
I had the carne asada quesadilla and pork taco that were both delicious. I'm from California so I'm always looking for good Mexican...who would've thought that I would find some here. Check it out! -
Review from Zina R.
Baltimore, MD
Updated - 11/12/2009
While the sandwiches were really good, upon further inspection the chicken...was questionable. I actually became a vegetarian for a few months because of it..
A week later, gagging through the tofu bahn mi almost turned me back into a carnivore.
In the end it was a chipotle burrito that accomplished that goal but I digress.
Don't discount this place completely. They have free wi-fi, friendly staff and great tea and baked goods.
Plus, the vegetarian stint earned me a few karma points1 Previous Review: Show all »
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3/8/2009
I walked by this place for months and had no idea what it was. I suspected it was a snooty wine bar… Read more »
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Review from Tim W.
3/10/2011 1 Check-in Here
One of the most solid choices for a coffee and a quick bite in this area...interesting eclectic weekend menu of quasi Mexi-meric-asian. Love the bar area if you are a single diner, and they also have a nice seating area with WiFi. Come have a bao, come have a pastry, or come have a choriso burrito. Youll think mexico crashed into china and rolled over on the US at Roots and Vines.
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Review from Nick H.
1/7/2009
Great value brunch and "street food of the world" niche these guys are squeezing into. Come and order yourself Chilaquiles (fried eggs over tortilla with white cheese and green hot sauce with homefries) for $10 which comes with an O.J. and GOOD cornbread. They do a pretty good job with the coffees too.
I'm coming back for a Vietnamese Banh Mi ("bun me") sandwich served up on a toasted roll with pickled carrot, cucumber, cilantro, mayo, and a choice of meat. The one with lemongrass chicken sounds like the bomb. Try it out. -
Review from Anne H.
Manhattan, NY
11/9/2008
I just tried this place, and it's a real nice cafe with good food. I tried the Vietnamese sandwich, which tasted traditionally Vietnamese. However the taco, was not as "authentic," nevertheless, good. they use a thicker tortilla and aren't skimpy with the meat, but I wasn't to privy on the salsa. I did like that they served radish and limes, like most of the Mexican places in L.A.
The Vietnamese sandwich was really tasty, and didn't give me an MSG-headache or MSG-tongue. Unlike some of the authentic Vietnamese sandwich places, there is a place to sit, and they do offer free wireless.
The cafe-americano is pretty good too. -
Review from Domu S.
Brooklyn, NY
6/1/2009
Hearty sandwiches yes yes.
I usually go for the spicy chicken torta ($5.50): guacamole, onions, pinto bean spread, and crema on a toasted roll. The chicken meatballs are good, too. I've tried the chicken meatball banh mi--really tasty but with the sweetness you'd expect (that I don't prefer). I've had the summer rolls (with chicken meatballs, hmm) and iced coffee--both hokkaehokkae.
If you place an order for pick-up or delivery, make sure that you speak really, really loudly. -
Review from S. K.
Manhattan, NY
3/5/2011
I never got their motto; " Where drinks meet".
A friend made a joke, it sounds like "where drunks meet"
it is an average coffee place with bad food. I have been there few times, coffee is good, music is good, nice people working there. -
Review from James V.
New York, NY
3/20/2011
2.5
meh. have mainly been for coffee a few times, found the brew to be burnt and pretty, well, yuk i guess. staff wasn't super friendly either. dora down the street clearly the better option methinks, at least for coffee and sandwiches.... -
Review from Marijke B.
New York, NY
3/29/2009
Thank goodness there was a major overhaul of Roots and Vines when it switched over from Full-City Coffee! They now carry really yummy food and treats as well as a nice selection of wines and beers. The vibe is very mellow and comfortable. The one recommendation we have is the evening mood could be even more subdued. Try lowering the lights, putting out a bunch of candles and giving a swankier vibe.
Daytime: Great to go with kids.
Night: Great for a mellow drink and bite to eat. -
Review from Jamal K.
Brooklyn, NY
12/18/2009
So I work in the LES and needed some lunch, so I took a walk over to Roots and Vines after reading the reviews on yelp. It's a very welcoming restaurant, the staff is super friendly, and they are more than happy to help you.
I decided on a spicy beef torta (because they were sold out of chicken) which took about 7-10 minutes to cook. It cost $7 and some change, but it was WAY too small to be considered a full meal. If I bought two of them it would be the perfect portion for lunch.
Aside from the cost for the portion size, the torta was pretty good. and when I say pretty good, i mean just that...pretty good. Nothing special.
Will I be back? probably not, unless I want an overpriced snack. -
Review from Maude J.
Manhattan, NY
8/11/2011
Liked the simple, modern aesthetic, and the food was fairly good and tasted pleasantly fresh: the grilled chicken torta, spread with beans and avocado, was very yummy and seemed like a good deal, and the grilled chicken summer rolls were fine (the plum sauce was dull). The chai latte was tasty, and the hot chocolate exceptionally tasty, but both were served warm, not hot. The service was not good: the baristas ranged from cold to slightly hostile (for example, when I inadvertently held up the line because their credit card machine wasn't working). Clientele is surprisingly mixed: youngish people reading/working on computers, families with small children, and senior citizens. The cafe doesn't seem to mind loitering, so if you're already in the neighborhood, come here to sit and work and have a snack--but don't make a detour, and don't expect good service or hot beverages. (Note: avoid the leaky ceiling of Roots & Vines on rainy days.)
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Review from Lisa K.
New York, NY
11/20/2010
I'm giving Roots & Vines 3 stars, though they really only merit about 2.5. Roots & Vines is really the only coffee house located on this otherwise desolate stretch of Grand Street amongst the coops of the Lower East Side. I started frequenting it fairly recently for my morning ritual of iced coffee and toasted bagel with cream cheese. The coffee is very good and the bagel is pretty standard (though one gripe is that they don't offer garlic or onion bagels). The atmosphere is laid back, and they have Wi-Fi, which is a plus. The big problem here is the service--it's frequently slow and inefficient. This morning, for example, I ordered a bagel and they completely forgot about it. I had to go hunt down the barista/server and ask what happened to my bagel. Also, in my opinion, it's a little overpriced (about $1 more than my usual coffee/bagel combo in TriBeCa), and a little bit too child-friendly for my liking. Unfortunately, they're really the only show in this part of town--for the time being. A new coffee shop is opening soon near the corner of East Broadway and Clinton, so Roots & VInes would do well to get their act together.
UPDATE - UPDATE - UPDATE
I'm taking a star away from my rating and think a rating of 1.5 would really be more accurate. Why am I taking a star away? Mainly because the service sucks (one particular server/barista has an especially surly attitude and my suggestion is that the owner dump her), and the place is dirty. Not only are the tables and counters a schmutzy mess and are not routinely wiped down, but I watched the surly server/barista prepare my toasted bagel and cream cheese without gloves. Hello NYC Health Department, where are you when we need you?! The only reason I choose to go here? It's because Dora, the excellent new coffee shop on East Broadway which is about a zillion times better, does not have bagels on Saturday :( I definitely do NOT recommend Roots & Vines. -
Review from Joolie T.
Brooklyn, NY
5/25/2008
coffee. food. al freso. wine. beer.
sounds great, right? i actually like that the inside of the place is spacious and air conditioned. i can't stand stuffy/hot places in this city. i love that they have many options on the menu and open late enough for people to dine and have drinks at night.
the decor is a bit confusing. you don't know what kind of feel or look they're trying to exude. i like the artwork on the wall and the vintage bull-fighting posters. the furnishings are a mess. you have frail wooden chairs from K-mart, straw weaved chairs and wobbly tables. you don't really want to stay inside for too long. it gets boring and almost awkward. as soon as the outdoor seating opened up... we bum-rushed over to a table. the sun was shining just perfectly and the LES seemed a lot slower and quiet... when it's usually bustling and chaotic. there was a crazy homeless person screaming at random patrons and street pedestrians... but what else would you expect from NY? lol.
the selections on beer and wine seemed very extensive. affordable $3 drafts and $7 glasses of wine. pretty cool.
i tried the Thai Iced tea. yes, it's probably from a mix... but even with THAT a lot of places in NYC still screw it up somehow. this was tasted just how i liked it. sweet and creamy... yum. i'd definitely come back here to people watch and sip on coffee w/ friends again. -
Review from Tiffany F.
Manhattan, NY
12/10/2009
Blah. The reviews are slightly over-rated. This place has a lousy selection of food and really is only good for coffees and teas. The staff could have been friendlier, and it just doesn't have a very appealing vibe. I'll pass.
Listed in: coffee, tea, & other…, You All Know How Much I Like…
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Review from Nina C.
4/20/2005 1 Check-in Here
My favorite little neighborhood cafe by far! Their Dancing Goats House Blend is always perfectly brewed - smooth and clean, without the overbrewed bitter aftertaste. Their Sumatra Decaf is also great. If you're looking to brew at home, they have a quality selection of whole bean coffees to purchase. Another of my favorites is their macchiato. A perfect ratio of espresso and frothy milk. Also, what coffee house do you know that also makes Vietnamese coffee? YUM! Teas, pastries and also sandwiches available. I believe they have wi-fi in their cozy little cafe area, so it's a great place to hang out and have a great cup of joe and do some work or chill with your friends. http://www.lesonline.o...
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Review from Jeff M.
Brooklyn, NY
6/30/2009
Little sterile with the haute-cafeteria decor and lighting, but some of my favourite summer taps are in effect (Peroni, Sixpoint, Sierra) and the prices are outstanding by downtown standards. Torta sandwich not to be missed.
