A Good Old Cup of Joe

There is no denying that it has been cold outside. It seems like our street crossings in the city are going to be covered with either slush or ice for a while to come. This is the point in the winter time that people start to look forward to a warm-up. The novelty of wearing coats and sweaters and boots that have been packed away for the warm months has worn off. So has the excitement of playing in the snow. The thought of bundling up a handful of us to go out into the elements is discouraging when you add up the number of layers it takes for a family of this size to get out!

When Saturday test prep for my daughter forced me out, I figured I would make the most of it. 2 hours is just enough time to make it not worth heading home. I hung out in a Starbucks for that time and enjoyed an average blend of a coffee and a less than average red velvet cupcake. While I sat, I thought about how comfortable and warm and chill it was to hang out there, but something in the back of my head never lets me forget just how commercial the mega-chain is!

On the walk home, I remembered a place that my daughter and I used to go to once or twice a week. I hadn't had to be in this direction for a while, but I decided to surprise her and bring her to one of her favorite places, M.Rohr's on 86th street. It was this very cool, inviting cafe/coffeehouse where I would serve my own cup of coffee from one of a number of self-serve airpots. She would always get a fresh baked biscotti as a snack, or a breakfast sandwich if we were on our way to school in the mornings. I remember when she turned 8 years old, my little hippie even asked for a gift card to this shop for her birthday! She was hooked. We even used to go in while the babies took a nap and we would sit for a while and enjoy our treats on one of the couches. It would make for a nice Saturday afternoon.

Much to our surprise and dismay, the "cafe" was no more. The entire back room of seating was gone. The couches and cafe tables in the front were gone. The storefront gave no indication of a change so we never would have thought any differently. All along the walls, still hangs the bins in which all the flavored beans are stored for sale, but there were no more pots of self-serve. There were no more fresh-baked goods and no more sandwiches. We were stunned. After a brief discussion with the man behind the counter, we learned that the owner decided to take the cafe section away because business was no longer financially supporting that portion of the concept. It was somewhat disheartening. I then asked for a cup of coffee to go, which they also no longer do. We were at a loss. I was really craving my favorite flavor from over the years of visiting. Coconut. Yum.

My daughter searched around with a frown and found some pre-wrapped biscotti, but it wasn't the same. Much of what the store now has to offer is beyond the realm of thought that a 10 year old is capable of! I could appreciate it as an adult, but it was still a bit nostalgic and sad for even me!

I decided to make the best of it and buy SOMETHING. After all, the business is struggling enough. I am typically not a coffee pot user(since I am the only coffee addict in the house), so I normally never buy coffee by the pound. I wondered then if I would enjoy brewing a special pot on the weekend or when I have company over. I went for it and bought a half a pound of my coconut coffee. The gentleman ground it up for me and put it in this simple, classy looking brown bag and sealed it up tight. It seemed pretty official. Certainly not the half pound you'd buy in the grocery store! Then we were on our way.

That Sunday, I brewed up a pot of my "special coffee" in my new coffee pot from Christmas. I have to say that it was delicious. It was flavorful and robust. It was perfect for me and the hubby on our weekend mornings. My house smelled incredible too! I am usually a cheapo when it comes to coffee, and buying like this made me a bit nervous. I took it all back once I tasted it. It was worth every penny and once I broke it down, it was really not that bad at all. My half pound seems like it'll go a long way! The next morning, I was the only one home for a cup so I brought out my trusty old manual coffee drip cone. It worked like a charm. One perfectly brewed cup of my special "Joe".

Upon complaining to my friend about the place, she informed me that Rohr's used to only serve the coffee beans and loose teas. They weren't ever a cafe until more recently. I never knew that. She remembered going by there as a kid. Back then they didn't have any of the food or treats like they did a few months back. I guess they just went back to their roots. They went back to what worked and what has kept them alive in Yorkville for over 100 years.I would imagine that to be a steady business for that long, it must have always been good. All I know is that it is good now. I couldn't ask for better coffee.

On the walk home that day, my daughter and I went over all the reasons why the shop would have changed. We realized that although we loved to sit in the cafe, part of why we loved it was because it never seemed packed. Pair that up with the subway construction mere feet away and you have a recipe for disaster. This is not the first business we have encountered that fell victim to the MTA's "improvements and advancements". It is quite sad. She suggested that we still go in there once in a while and buy a little coffee. She listed off a dozen or so people in our lives that would appreciate a certain blend or flavor. We vowed to make it a habit. Not a frequent one...but a habit, nonetheless.

I am already plotting my next flavor. I may even have to get 2. I have to have the coconut, but wonder what others I may be missing. I guess I will have to see, but I can assure you I won't be waiting too long. I can already smell it!