#nyccafehighlight

About the shop

This Aussie coffee shop is on my all time favorite coffee shops in NYC. It is the coffee shop I recommend the most to friends and family.

Taylor St. Baristas is a gem so close to a number of tourist and work spots. It is a short walk from Bryant Park, Grand Central Station, 5th Avenue shopping district and Time Square.

It is a must visit cafe.

The warm feeling that you get from the staff are a great break from the rough and fast pace of New York. Hands down, these people are some of the nicest baristas/people/beings in the Midtown area. From their baristas, servers, and kitchen staff, they are all so kind! Good vibes only at this cafe!

The store is also unique in terms of service. While they are mostly known for the cafe, there is also an upstairs seating area. You can choose to grab a cup to go and a pastry from the downstairs area or you can go upstairs where you can seat yourself or wait to be seated and have a waitress or waiter help you order what you would like.

If you aren’t planning to stay too long, there are areas to sit around the downstairs area. Its a perfect spot if you and a friend are planning to get a drink before heading to Bryant Park for a stroll. The upstairs seating is great for solo, date and group lunches or brunches. I love going to Taylor St. Baristas on a hectic day at the office and working a few hours remotely to clear my head. There are corner and side areas (close enough to an outlet) if you need to get some work done.

I try to go upstairs as often as I can when I go to this cafe. The waitresses are always to helpful and attentive 100% of the time. Much of the reason I keep going back is because of their attitude and energy! You are able to order drinks to stay, any of the available pastries or meals when the kitchen is operating. Friends and I have loved coming just to hangout, get some work done or enjoy brunch. The upstairs has a very calming aura and has a very rustic feel to it.

What should I order?

Latte

I have to say that Taylor St. gets the foam right every time I order a latte. It is always a go to if I am running to work.

Blueberry Rooibos

The Blueberry Rooibos is hands down one of my favorite teas! I could drink this all day, every day. The taste has a lot of layers and tastes great hot or iced. The color is also so attractive to the eye. This drink is one that always makes me smile. (Just thinking about it makes me want to run there and order it now!)

Cinnamon Chai Latte

I don’t usually order Chai lattes (both on principal that chai and latte are the same word and no one can beat my grandmother’s chai), but I definitely was a fan of this iteration of it. The spices were used in the right balance and did not overpower the black tea. The cinnamon is also a great addition for an extra layer of warmth.

Super Green Tea

This is probably one of my favorite green teas. It is jam packed with the stuff good for you and the stuff that tastes good. I usually order this when I’m a little under weather.

Banana Bread

I am guilty of “coincidentally” every few weeks of ending up in front of Taylor St just to grab a banana bread. When NJ Transit decides to fail and make me late to work, I justify making myself later to grab a piece of this delicious pastry. You must try it toasted. It is (in my opinion) one of the best in town. It just melts in your mouth and despite the size of the serving, it is super filing. This is a must have item.

Why Outro?

Considering the options and location of Outro, it deserves to be highlighted. This cafe is a short walk away from Union Square Park and just the street over from book lover paradise, Strands. It’s is also rare in the fact that it is spacious and good for group or solo hangouts. I am even more impressed with the outdoors seating. While not ideal to sit out in the dead of winter or peak of summer, it is a refreshing spot.

I usually will end up at OUTRO after heading into Strands myself. I head over to that area every few months so I can say I have made a few visits to OUTRO.

Features

So the cafe does provide the WiFi password for paying customers after 4pm on a weekday. If you are coming in with friends or solo for brunch, the expectation is to be mobile device free. It is a popular decision many cafes are leaning towards and I don’t expect the policy to ever change.

It has space! It is a comfortable spot for brunch! It’s a cute cafe! These three exclamations are rare to find in a review of a New York City cafe. I am always happy to know that there is always seating available. What is even better, the cafe’s layout give you the opportunity to go by yourself, on a date for two or with a decent sized group. The outdoor seating has a similar set up as well. The seating is also far enough from the bar that you won’t really be able to pick up the chatter from the front of the store.

If you are a student at the New School or other universities close by, I would also say that this is a good place to study in the evening. But again, if you are coming in the earlier hours, try to make sure it doesn't require internet access.

What should I order? 

Cafe Latte

I am a big fan of the cafe latte.  It isn't sweet but tastes rich. The foam went down smooth and the serving size was more than enough for someone looking to stay in the cafe satisfied for an hour or three depending on how fast you enjoy your latte.

Matcha Latte

This is another strong drink. It is definitely is a stronger Matcha Latte than those served in most American cafes. OUTRO adds a generous helping of Matcha in each latte. Do note that they use almond milk for their Matcha latte which gives it an earthier taste.

Strawberry Tiramisu Waffle

Stawberry waffle is a favorite of mine to order as a sweet snack with my friends. Is it an yummy (and sweet) dish for brunch/breakfast? Yes! The waffle is crispy with a moist inside. Even though there is a good helping of strawberry jam, it doesn’t dissolve immediately.

Avocado Salmon Waffle

The avacado salmon waffle is as beautiful as it is delicious. It is a great savory dish for those of us who don’t have a sweet tooth. Both the avacado and salmon tasted fresh. It is something I will be ordering the next time I visit. 

On the list, but not tested yet! 

Blue Lemonade

Berry Latte

Golden (Tumeric) Latte

Nutella Strawberry and Banana Waffle

About The shop

Remi's Flower and Coffee is a small spot in Midtown Manhattan that is worth the stop (unless you are someone with severe allergies). The small shop doubles as both a flower shop and a coffee shop. For the dreary and busy first and second avenues, Remi's provides a breath of fresh air and peace. The thing that will catch your eyes first is the beautiful arrangement of orchids and succulents in the front display. I remember my first time walking by Remi's during a lunch break and thinking it was just your regular flower shop. You could imagine my surprise hearing the flower shop was also a coffee shop.

So is it a flower shop or a coffee shop?

The short answer is its both. It runs a steady business on both sides. One is not greater than the other. The flowers are as beautiful as the coffee is good. I promise Remi's is more than a place to grab a cup of coffee on the way to work. The owner of the Remi's is an extremely talented barista and the office drones of Midtown are quickly catching on. Yes, coffee shops between first and second are limited and are meh, but Remi's is good.

 I should also take a minute to praise the flower business as well. The orchids gracing the store are a sight to behold. All of them are so healthy and pretty! While in the price range of what you would expect while in Midtown, the orchid I bought for my mother's birthday and lugged around during a three hour commute is a testament to the quality of the flowers. (Those orchards are still thriving!)

What should I order?

Of course it depends, but here are some favorites based off taste palette. .

Rose tea latte

The rose is sweet but it doesn’t overpower the latte. It’s a popular drink and fits right in with the atmosphere in Remi’s. It’s a true treat to admire the roses and orchids while sipping this beauty of a drink. Remi’s also has a seasonal drink selection with similar floral accents. For most of these drinks, the store madam will insist that the iced version is best. I agree in all cases except the rose tea latte. This is a drink I prefer served hot.

Yuzu tea

I am also very fond of tea and like finding places that has a variety of drinks and teas to choose from. The tea I recommend to friends and coworkers at Remi’s is the Yuzu tea. Yuzu or yujacha is a very popular and traditional Korean cold remedy that is actually not a tea — it’s a herbal tea. This is a great tea for the winter season and for those suffering from the minor cold. If you have never tried it, Yuzu tastes like a mix of lemon, orange, and grapefruit all in one.

Mint limeade

Do you have the friend who doesn’t drink coffee? Or tea? I do and it’s can be a nightmare trying to find a spot to accommodate both of your preferences. In these cases I recommend the mint limeade. It is the drink I gravitate towards on a sweltering day (and there have been plenty of those these days in NYC). Both the mint and lime are refreshing and balanced in the drink.

Berry Rose Latte

This drink is for the person who likes to add customizations to their drinks. This is a very  sweet drink. If you are a fan of that kind of drink, I’m sure you’ll be a fan of the Berry Rose Latte too.