On a hot Saturday morning last week, after taking our daughter Etta for a
vigorous walk through our Washington Heights neighborhood, my wife and I stopped
in at the new Fair Grounds coffee shop at 59th and Vliet. I've wanted to try
this place out since the "Now Open" sign went up a couple weeks ago. Our
neighborhood is cursed by an unfortunate absence of coffee shops, and it was
very exciting to see one opening up within walking distance of my house. When I
found out that they were going to be carrying Stone Creek coffee, that was the
icing on the cake... I had to stop in.
My wife ordered an iced coffee served with coffee ice cubes and I had a cup of Stone Creek's Fair Trade Blend. Both items were wonderful and, while there, we indulged in a few samples of the shortbread cookies. Steve, the manager and co-owner, said that everything was baked on-site, in a bakery at the back of the coffee shop. He let us sample a chocolate-covered shortbread that he had been working on, while our 18 month-old daughter ran riot in the store. The atmosphere was so comfortable and laid back that nobody really seemed to mind, and Steve took the time to chat with us about the neighborhood in between customers.
Along with the Times Cinema at 59th and the Perpendicular Wine Bar at 51st, the Fair Grounds coffee shop is one of Vliet Street's newest and most exciting cultural amenities. Now I can give my French press a much deserved rest.