Study Spot #5: Birch Coffee

"What began as an idea and as two individuals’ desire to love what they did for a living has quickly turned into some stomping ground for people and cultivate an environment of ideal-seeking. We care for people first and coffee is a very close second."

Meet some of Birch's people and have a look inside their Financial District location with this promo shot for Suzy's Study Spots by the illustrious Marina Barham! @marinaelise


Situated in the lobby of the US's tallest residential building, Birch Coffee's petite rustic-minimalist coffee shops have me wishing their designer would decorate my own apartment! With friendly baristas in its eight locations within the New York City area, Birch really does care for its people first. I especially like the Financial District location on Spruce Street, just off of Fulton Street.

Birch Coffee, Financial District

The spacious Birchwood table in the center of the coffee shop allows plenty of room for me to spread out my corporate finance notebooks. Or I can opt for a smaller, single person table in the back for some privacy while I recite the definitions of macroeconomics to myself. With plenty of natural sunlight from the two window walls and an assortment of low-hanging overhead lights, I'm sure to feel nice and cozy while working. Birch also stays open pretty late (8:00pm) so its ideal for those nights when you've got to meet a morning deadline! (Or when your rowdy roommates are hosting a party in your apartment.)

Birch has a punch card program; get 9 punches, get a drink free! Take a friend out to coffee a few times and be rewarded with a large hazelnut latte with an extra shot!

Beware, because Birch Coffee seeks to foster relationships and serenity, they do NOT offer WiFi. Come here when you've got some reading to do, a creative writing paper to type, or a group of friends to study with.

Take a book, leave a book

My favorite thing about Birch is the library shelf that hosts a number of books free for you to exchange for. I've seen this done at nice hotels around the world, but never at a coffee shop. More than a few of these books have tempted to distract me from my work! But hey, they say a study break is good for you! Just remember, its an exchange program so be sure to trade in one of your books when you take one so that there are some left for others.

Coffee, Books, and Sticks

Birch's simple menu is painted on extra large sheets of recycled paper and taped to the counter. Prices range from $3 espresso to a $4.5 mocha. Ask for your coffee to stay and the barista will serve it in a mug, showing off his art skills with a design in the foam. If you're lucky, maybe he'll make you a heart. Wink wink.

Speaking of winks, Birch Coffee also doubles as a great spot for a date. The small table in the back is semi-closed off with a wall, providing a little privacy. Who knows, maybe your study buddy could become something more???

Birch on Spruce Street is frequented by Pace students either dropping in for a morning espresso on their way to class, or doing some school reading. What a great place to meet some new friends!



INFORMATION:
http://birchcoffee.com/
212.686.1444

LOCATION:

8 Spruce Street
New York, NY 10038

HOURS:
MON - SUN 7:00AM – 8:00PM

BONUS:
- No WiFi
- Comfortable seating and large tables
- $$
- Water Closet
- Bakery
- No power plugs
- Large windows

Study Spot #4: Toby's Estate Williamsburg

 

 

"As roasters and baristas, we believe that each coffee can tell a story

and we strive to share that in every cup."

meltingbutter.com

On the rare occasion that I hop the "L" train and make the trip out to Williamsburg, I'm sure to drop in at Toby's Estate. With thick wooden tables and a lengthy blue velvet couch along the southern wall, Toby's Estate is a great coffee shop to study at for those who enjoy spacious ceilings and light teakwood bookshelf's. While here, you'll meet many beanie-headed hipsters on their Mac's, writing screenplays or editing their newest indie recording. The aesthetic is airy and open.



meltingbutter.com

Although some would argue that the best feature of Toby's Estate Williamsburg is it's single sourced coffee, I believe that the shop's greatest attribute is it's wall of windows facing 6th street. If you sit at a table near this glass wall any time before 1:00pm, you'll be bathed in direct sunlight. This rare pleasure is enough for me to want to struggle through the "L" train from Manhattan to Brooklyn.

tobysestate.com

On a summer day, bring a tall glass of Toby's iced coffee to the bench right outside the front door for even more sunlight and warmth. In the winter, you can have a regular drip coffee; Toby's coffee is so good that you won't want to muddle it with other flavors.

If you really love your coffee, you can take some home with you! Toby's sells the beans that they roast right behind the counter for you to enjoy every day in your home. One of their most popular single origins is Costa Rica El Rodeo, which has a honey sweetness and ruby red grapefruit acidity. My favorite blend is the Winter Blend Filter. It's only available during the winter months and it tastes of juniper, mulberry and baker's chocolate.



tobysestate.com

If you're hungry, you'd probably better grab a bagel at the shop a block down 6th street because Toby's Estate doesn't specialize in food. They do sell a slightly overpriced and sparse collection of pastries and a few more substantial eats such as avocado toast ($9).



INFORMATION:
https://tobysestate.com/
(347)457-6155

LOCATION:
125 North 6th Street (off Bedford Ave)
 Brooklyn, NY 11249

HOURS:
MON - FRI 7:00AM – 7:00PM
SAT - SUN 8:00AM – 7:00PM

BONUS:
- Strong WiFi
- Comfortable seating (the blue velvet couch is great!)
- $$
- Restroom
- Bakery
- Direct sunlight
- Few power plugs

Study Spot #3: Aroma Espresso Bar

Aroma Espresso Bar in New York City really takes the worlds "hot chocolate" literally. When I order a hot chocolate to stay at Aroma on Church Street, the smiling barista serves me whole steamed milk mixed with creamy chocolate powder in a glass mug. But the best part is that he drops a home-made chocolate chunk in the bottom and reminds me to stir before I drink. The result is a mug of, literally, hot chocolate.

Aroma's Signature Hot Chocolate

But Aroma's silky hot chocolate isn't its only interesting attribute. Aroma Espresso Bar was actually first an Israeli coffee shop. After great success in locations such as Jerusalem, Tel Aviv, and Haifa, Aroma brought its coffee, food, and atmosphere to the USA in 2006. We're now lucky enough to have several locations throughout the City.

Aroma Espresso Bar, 72nd Street

I usually hit up the Church Street location in the Financial District near the World Trade Center. I grab a seat by the Southeast floor-to-ceiling windows, spread out over the large wooden table, and plug in my laptop for a long day of studying. When I get a hungry, I can order a California Chicken Sandwich for $6.50 or Pasta Pesto for $9.90.



Aroma Espresso Bar, Financial District

INFORMATION:
http://www.aroma.us/
212-346-0095

LOCATION:
100 Church Street
New York, NY 10007

HOURS:                  
MON-FRI 7:00 - 9:00
SAT-SUN 8:00 - 8:00

BONUS:
- WiFi
- Comfortable Seating
- $$
- Electricity Plugs
- Restroom
- Lunch and Bakery

Study Spot #2: Maman Coffee & Bakery Tribeca

Welcome to Maman; coffee shop, bakery, and kitchen. Maman's light and airy atmosphere welcomes you in with open arms. With raised white ceilings and delft blue accents, you'll think you've stepped into a Danish porcelain parlor.



http://www.candicekayedesign.com/maman-nyc/

 Entrepreneur and designer, Elisa Marshall says of her vision for Maman, "It's a mutual passion for delivering exceptional food within an artful and warm setting."

Maman Tribeca has two sections; a coffee shop, and a dining room in the back. If you're here to study, grab a seat on the first blue-cushioned couch that faces the window out to the cute Tribeca square. Sit farthest towards the right wall to keep away from the outside air whenever the door opens.

Order your $5 latte to stay, it will be served in a darling Delft teacup. Or, if you're on the run, even their to-go coffee cups are decorated with Delft blue. If you couldn't tell, I LOVE Delft! Ceramic to-go cups are for sale, but I haven't had the courage to cough up $20 for one yet. Maybe for my birthday? (Mom, this is a hint.)




http://www.candicekayedesign.com/maman-nyc/

 

Time for a study break? Walk to the hostess stand towards the back of the shop. Its right next to their icebox filled with homemade Italian gelato. A hip, smiling waiter will seat you at a worn-wood table with miss-matching Delft porcelain ware.

 

http://www.mamannyc.com/instagram/

 

Take a close look at all the menu items because each one is handcrafted by Michelin Star French chef, Armand Arial and presented beautifully. Armand's $12 quiche is hands down the best I've ever had. I've heard that Maman's brunch cocktails are also delicious.

Maman has several locations throughout the New York City area. These include Soho, Tribeca, Greenpoint (LIC), and the ICP.


TRIBECA LOCATION:
211 West Broadway (on Franklin Street)
New York, NY 10007

PHONE:
646-882-8682

HOURS:

MON - FRI: 7:00am to 6:00pm

SAT - SUN: 8:00am to 6:00pm

BONUS:
- WiFi
- Comfortable Seating
- $$
- Restroom
- Lunch and Bakery

Study Spot #1: Ground Central Coffee Co. 1

"We designed Ground Central around the ritual of coffee.

The smells, the sounds, the quiet hum of people working or chatting…"

http://www.ground-central.com/





Tucked between Lexington and 3rd Avenue on the Upper East Side, Ground Central offers a rustic warmth that contrasts with the chilly winds coming off the East River. Once you enter, you'll feel nostalgic with the sounds of the 80's floating all the way to the back of the shop, where there's a cove filled with comfortable couches and wing-tipped chairs.

Order your creamy Dirty Chai Latte (Chai tea prepared with steamed milk and an espresso shot) and one of their delicious raspberry mango muffins. GC's mochas are also pretty darn good, but be warned that they tend to be served more bitter than sweet. Be sure to claim your spot in the dimly lit back cove before lunchtime because this location fills up with investors and bankers coming in for their lunch dates. Business slows back down around 3pm.

http://www.ground-central.com/

Got your work done early? Grab one of the hundreds of books lining the back wall and stay for a while. I've seen a novel about Israeli-Russian relations on the shelf and I can't wait to go back and curl up on the couch to read it.

While you're there, check out the mural on the wall facing the register. They say of themselves,

"Ground Central is our love letter to New York, so we designed the space to reflect everything that makes this vivacious city what it is. Famed Australian street artist Heesco made our murals, which tell the dynamic story of New York, with coffee as its lifeblood and rock & roll as its voice."

Check out the video of the mural being created here: https://vimeo.com/85012293

Ground Central Coffee Co. has two other locations, including one in the Financial District near Stone Street called Ground Central #3. It has a wonderful little front porch with benches to sit on and outdoor electricity plugs. The best time to study outside is between 12:15 and 3:00 when the sun fills the porch. (I can never get too much sun!)

Ground Central #3, Financial District

INFORMATION

http://www.ground-central.com/

155 E 52nd Street (take the 6 train to 51st)

(646) 964-4438

SCHEDULE:

MON - FRI 6:30AM - 9PM
SAT - SUN 9AM - 6PM

BONUS: 

- WiFi

- $$

- No restroom

- Bakery

- Outdoor porch 

Study Spots NYC: 101

Living in New York is difficult. Us busy New Yorkers have to find that perfect balance between go-time and Zen-time, and it's not so easy. The struggle is even more real when we have work to do; which is always the case! After searching the City for the best coffee shops to study at, I've found that there are several important elements that the greatest NYC Study Spot's share.

My favorite coffee shops to work at have these qualities in common...

1. Atmosphere

http://jimo.pt/blog/

Hands down, good vibes are the most important quality of a superb Study Spot. Unless I feel comfortable and calm, I can't get any work done. Things that contribute to atmosphere are; lighting (open and clear, or use of swanky mood lighting), comfy chairs and couches (rugs and pillows are a plus), and mellow beats (calm tunes that are soft enough for you to drown out with your headphones if desired).

My favorite coffee shop atmosphere is at Ground Central #1 in the Upper East Side.

2. Tasty Eats and Drinks

 

http://2.bp.blogspot.com/

Whether the shop offers hundreds of coffee concoctions, or just a small number of specialty drinks, their beverages and snacks must be fetching tasty. After all, you'll be sipping and nibbling on their grub for hours on end.

The award for best grub goes to Maman Coffee, Bakery, and Kitchen.

 

3. Solitude

 

http://whitenoten.tumblr.com/

 

When I'm searching for a Study Spot, I'm looking for somewhere to spread out and not be interrupted by noisy children (I left Utah's millions of kids for a reason). Its vital that your Study Spot offer plenty of cushy seating and quiet corners.

I find seclusion at Birch Coffee on Spruce Street, Financial District.

4. Modern Conveniences

 

http://wifispc.com/images

 

Although having WiFi seems like a given, many NYC coffee shops don't offer this modern convenience. This is strange because its common knowledge that we're in the TWENTY-FIRST CENTURY. So if you don't have any data left on your iPhone because you've been listening to Bon Iver's new album on Spotify non-stop, you'll need to find a Study Spot with WiFi. Additionally, a multitude of wall plugs and restrooms are conducive to long hours of studying.

Aroma Espresso Bar near the World Trade Center has exceptionally fast WiFi and plenty of wall plugs by sunlit windows.

 

As we explore the coffee shops of New York City together, I'll need your help to discover the best Study Spots. Become a Spot Scout by submitting your favorite coffee shop to study at in the side bar.