Artisan Coffee, Blue Bottle

So, I have this thing, where I dont drink coffee on a regular basis because I used to be highly addicted to caffeine and then weened myself off. To compensate, I use every vacation and pre-vacation (the day before Thanksgiving would be an example of my "pre-vacation") to sample and drink some of the best coffee. New York really has a fabulous selection of artisan coffee shops and regardless of the area you live, work, stroll, shop ... you can find great quality coffee.

Being that yesterday was pre-Thanksgiving, I took the liberty of treating myself to a much anticipated cup of Blue Bottle Coffee.

The Coffee

I went all out. Well, not ALL out. But somewhat. I order a Cappuccino and New Orleans iced. Not something I would normally recommend doing as iced and warm coffee are quite different AND all of their espresso drinks are only made with a double shot.

I'll start with the iced New Orleans because it was thick, a tad charcoalish but SO smooth. It didn't leave a burnt or bad aftertaste and I just cannot get over how it glided down my throat so effortlessly and with zero aftertaste to worry about.
I plan on going back to get another cup today because I've been dreaming about it for the past 24 hours. The hot capuccino was just as good and quite smooth. I was only a tad dissappointed with the lack of foam. Americans seem to not realize that a real cappuccino is made with tons of foam and after drinking warm, foam filled cappuccinos for a week in London this was a bit dissappointing.
The cappuccino itself was comparable to La Colombe's Latte/Capuccino and I didn't feel as though it was anything too orginial once we're talking artisan coffee. Meaning, in my head, most artisan coffee like Stumptown, La Columbe, Think, Grumpy are all extremely good and will never disappoint  This cappuccino was on that caliber but was not far more exceptional or anything than its artisan counterparts. I would recommend any of the places above.  Like Blue Bottle they all roast their own beans and each cup is made to order.

Blue Bottle also brews its regualr hot coffee per cup and they have a station with individual filters sitting on top of the filter canister that they pour hot water over and then drip down into the cup.
See below.

They have these available for purchase.
Great investment! or gift!

Its quite cool and I dont think I've seen that before. Stumptown makes their regular hot coffee and then keeps it in a large hot water holder as do most other artisan (and non) places. I've never seen this method before and found it quite impressive, although I'm sure it does exist elsewhere. 

Ambiance

Clean, modern, cool, hipster, young... although the crowd that comes in and out are mostly business type because that's the area. But the Williamsburg location would attract more of what you'd expect.

Location
Blue Bottle
1 Rockerfeller Plaza
(Its in the Rockerfeller concourses, It's next to Witchcraft)
See website for additional locations
http://bluebottlecoffee.net/

Good For: A good cup of quality coffee.