This coffe house has an outrageously silly name. When it was first recommended to me I could only produce the sounds ‘pft’ and ’snnkt’ (that second sound being the noise produced when you compress your nasal cavity and force air through it in either direction, sort of like snoring). It reminds me of Thomas Kinkaid: The Painter of Light, and anything reminding me of that is immediately subjected to mockery and wise cracks. Fortunately I had to actually meet someone there, so I was forced to go in and try something.

Now when it comes to cafe-going it’s never been about the coffee for me. I’m not the type of person who gets up in the morning and has to have a 3-liter coffee enema before I can put coherent sentences together (replace coffee with cereal and you’re closer to the mark). I just don’t have a good reaction to it when I drink it with the objective of making myself alert. That said, I love working in cafes because they just seem to be condusive to focused intellectualism. I buy my beverage in order to legitimately enjoy the space for an hour or two. The empty cup and saucer on my table say "yes I have paid and I’m not just squatting."

Location, Location, Location

Waverly Place between 6th Ave and Gay

9 East 13th Street between 5th and University

Either way, the shop having coffee that’s actually really good is a big plus and always encourages return business. I’m a regular at Joe. I might be their best customer. They have two locations: 141 Waverly Place and 9 East 13th Street. One happens to be a quick walk from school, the other a quick walk from my apartment, making it that much more attractive.

In addition to slangin’ top shelf coffee-related beverages they have a nicely diverse and always evolving selection of munchies, delicious (if slightly overpriced) freshly squoze jus d’orange, and their iced beverages are elegant and delicious. One of my favorite menu items is a super-thick, dark hot chocolate (pictured) that rivals stuff I’ve had in Paris for quality, and it spares you a dork-penalty ordering it because it comes in a snooty little espresso cup. Clearly anyone that would sip chocolate out of a cup so small is Classy.™

The place is not without it’s flaws. They don’t provide wifi (free or otherwise) which seems sort of neanderthal. I suppose in some ways it makes for a more social environment, but it can be annoying if I want to go get some work done. You can usually get a signal if you get a window seat at the Waverly location, but the 13th Street location is almost always an internet wasteland, which adds insult to the fact that they’ve covered most the power outlets at that store, making the plain statement that they don’t like your laptop. This fact alone has me deciding to walk a little further to the Waverly store a lot of the time. They also make only minimal efforts to make outdoor seating an inviting option: there are benches but no tables. They have some room for improvement.

I like the people who come into the place. They’re all nice to each other. They all seem to enjoy the fact that everyone is enjoying themselves. They’re happy to share a table with you if there are no other seats, and if you’re shy about asking someone the staff will make a cheerful introduction for you. Both stores are nice and bright and more than once I’ve had a lively conversation with friends spread to adjacent tables. They play cool ecclectic music loud enough to enjoy if you want it, quiet enough to tune it out if you’re working or conversing. It’s just hard not to like the whole experience.

Salient Facts about Joe: The Art of Coffee

Pro: totally excellent beverages across the board, super-friendly staff and clientele, cool locations

Con: no Internet, no outdoor tables

Locations: Waverly Place between 6th Ave and Gay and 9 East 13th Street between 5th and University, New York, NY

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