What better place than New York to visit the best cafes worldwide? Each cafe has a niche that makes it particularly fascinating. Whenever I go to a cafe such as Blue Bottle Coffee, I wonder how they curated the design and crafted a menu that carries their overall theme. So there we were, my family and I, braving the wind on Valentine’s Day, surrounded by people walking around with huge bouquets and heart-shaped balloons. A family friend recommended Blue Bottle Coffee to us, and as soon as we entered the shop, I was captivated by its minimalist design. The cafe was small and had wooden seating on the side, and their menu had unique options like a cherry blossom latte, an almond croissant, and an everything croissant. The cafe’s natural zen atmosphere came from the blend of blond wood, gray countertops, and blue accents, including the logo. As explained on their website, this intentional design reflects the colors inspired by the natural environment of the San Francisco Bay Area. Since the ambiance felt calm and inviting, it made it a nice escape from New York’s usual chaos.
It’s no surprise what I ordered at this cafe. If you know me, the matcha latte was a given. I did try to look at other options, but as soon as I saw the description of the matcha being a ceremonial grade from Uji, Japan, I immediately folded. It was incredibly smooth, creamy, and well-balanced, with a mild natural sweetness. The latte art was the most perfect heart I’ve ever seen. I thought it tasted like heavy cream with a slight matcha flavor, though I should’ve chosen almond milk again instead of whole milk. The matcha was just right for the breezy weather, easing my sore throat. A warm drink on a cold, windy day not only provides comfort but also doubles as a hand warmer, or at least, that’s how I justify my questionable spending habits. That’s not all I ordered, though. I also had a chocolate croissant, and with croissants, the quality is usually apparent right away from the golden exterior. This one was beautifully flaky but not too much, with chocolate in all the right spots, so you got a balanced bite every time. The layers were beautiful, and the golden brown crust on top sealed the deal.
My mom decided to opt for an avocado egg sandwich, her classic no-fail choice at every cafe. I didn’t think something as simple as an avocado egg sandwich could be so good, and it wasn’t bland. The bread in the sandwich was super fluffy, like a cloud. My sister and I didn’t fully enjoy the hot chocolate she ordered. I thought it lacked a rich cocoa flavor and was barely chocolatey, while she thought it tasted like coffee, which was odd. We had expected something more indulgent, especially given the cafe’s high-quality ingredients. One thing I love about this cafe is that every ingredient is ethically sourced, high-quality, and crafted precisely. That said, the drinks were a bit underwhelming, especially given the high prices. Blue Bottle Cafe was an enjoyable visit but more of a one-time experience than a regular spot. I do admire the thought put into the design, though.
