NY Cafe Sparks Debate Over $28 Cup Of Coffee – CoffeeTalk

“Let Me Tell You” is a series of columns from Food & Drink Editor Morgan Carter about NYC living, including the best things to do, where to eat and drink, and what to see at the theater. They publish each Tuesday, so you’re hearing from us each week. One of the most expensive coffees in NYC can be found in midtown at WatchHouse, the second outpost of the U.K.-based import. The shop sits at the base of one of the most iconic skyscrapers to grace the Manhattan skyline: the Chrysler Building. The interior features brushed stainless steel and a nine-foot oculus that overlooks the espresso bar. There are standing tables for a quick cup on the go and booths upholstered in a soft yellow, with marble tables before them, welcoming a sit and stay. If you post up near the rear of the shop, you can peek out onto the Chrysler’s grand marble lobby without the security guard yelling, “No pictures!”

Among its everyday program of espresso, flat whites, cold brew, plus teas, matchas and the like, the menu is also home to a Rarities program. Once an exclusive offering available only at the Hanover location, all U.K. and U.S. outposts feature a curated collection, offering exclusive coffees sourced from around the world. These limited-edition beans come at a cost, ranging from $14 to $52. When I visited the location, the highest cup of joe clocked in at $28, and since I’m not planning on buying a house anytime soon, I ordered it. But before you blanch at the cost and call me an elitist, I am here to tell you that the tasting goes beyond what you find in the pot.

The coffee lead at Rarities Coffee in New York is Sachi Patel, who has a passion for coffee and the history of beans. They started working at a specialty coffee shop in Florida five years ago but have since become passionate about the coffee industry. Patel joined the WatchHouse team as a barista last year and now oversees both coffeehouses as lead.

Patel’s role is to instill the same drive for coffee that they once experienced, including ensuring each barista is well-versed in the beans they brew, including Rarities. She believes that guests need to know the process—the origin, the varietal, and the tasting notes—to understand the experience. Patel’s function is to involve the guest in the story behind the bean, not just tasting it but also learning about it.

During a tasting, Patel provided information about the program as a whole, from how the beans are frozen to preserve aromatics and acidity to the scores attached to coffees. For example, the La Negrita coffee was chosen, and she was well-versed in the Colombian farm from where it was sourced and how the flavor would blossom through the tasting as the temperature dropped from hot to cold.

The tasting was presented on a wooden tray, which came with one cup for enjoying, a palate cleanser of light green tea, and a $28 investment poured in a glass vessel. The tray also included a small black card featuring a QR code on the back, which told the story of the region and included tasting notes accompanied by images of the farm and the workers who cultivated the cup.

The tasting was a pleasant experience for those curious about what goes into their coffee. Patel hopes that guests leave the experience wanting to learn more about their daily ritual. She compares the process to wine, as there is so much detail and hard work that goes into the product.

In summary, Rarities Coffee in New York offers an educational experience for both newcomers and connoisseurs of coffee. The staff’s knowledge and enthusiasm make the experience enjoyable and informative.

Read More @ TimeOut