Iced Coffee on the bar at Abraço

Food and Wine just listed Abraço Espresso - one of my personal favorites since before it began - as one of the top new coffee bars in the country today.

The tiny shop is located on 86  East Seventh street between 1st and 2nd avenues. While Abraço was under construction, I was merely passing by and when I approached partner Jamie McCormick about details, he was thrilled to talk and offered a hug. But I opted for the delicious individually dripped coffee instead.

Since then, there was love. Another partner Elizabeth whose last name I don’t know since I have only called her Elizabeth used to bake only vegan goodies. Being that I’m vegan she even changed up the menu one weekend to make all the food vegan & Jain.

The shop has an essence about it that is hard to beat. Brazilian beats playing on a turntable atop one of the highest shelves in the shop. Hand painted walls with beautiful art, a mosaic on the floor as you enter. A bay-window that opens up to the sidewalk. Some of the nicest people in NYC. Oh and the coffee isn’t that bad either. After not drinking it for about 3 months, when I first pressed it to my lips, a surge of energy went through my body and I completely fell in love with it all over again.

Definitely worth checking out - not just because Food and Wine says so - but because it’s damn good (and because I say so and so does the New York Times & NY Magazine).