Cappuccino fiends of the world unite!

To stay or to go, you can get an excellent cappuccino at any one of the three places below for under $5.

To see my criteria for a great cappuccino, see previous post.

1. La Lanterna di Vittorio on 129 MacDougal St (kitty corner to Washington Sq. Park, between W. 3rd and W. 4th Streets).
Located in the heart of Greenwich Village, this is where you go for quality and ambiance. At night, the setting is romantic, dimly lit, with Vivaldi or Italian opera playing in the background and meticulously run by a owner who is hands-on and pays fastidious attention on customer satisfaction. On those rare occassions when the cafe’ is underpopulated, you simply feel like you’re another world and fail to notice the signs of ongoing construction in the place. Fine for meeting your business associate, book agent, date or your mom. There are lots of fine Italian desserts to choose from. My personal favorite is the mixed fruit tart. It’s not the cheapest place for cappuccino, but $10 bucks (after tax and before tip) will get you a sit down cappuccino and a tart in a cozy, relaxing setting with courteous service. You also need to check out their new winter garden. When it’s crowded, the acoustics are better inside.

Oh, and although you would never guess it just by looking at it, this place will also prepare your cappuccino to go. Just walk up to waiter or waitress and tell them what you want. I often sip one on my way down to Angelica’s.

2. 71 Irving Place Coffee and Tea Bar

This is a great place to get a cup to go. The place is always crowded. If you do want to drink and hang out, strategize. Look for a table or scout one out and mark it with something of yours before placing your order at the counter. It’s a very popular destination for college students, Baruch professors and people from the nearby publishing houses. Because of the lack of any intrusive table service (everything is do it yourself here), and its low-key atmosphere and affordable pricing, it’s also a popular meeting ground for blind dates.

Aside from the fabulous java, 71 Irving serves wine and offers an excellent selection of panini, soups, salads and a good, but a slightly overpriced assortment of baked goods.

Note: a second cafe’ has recently opened in Chelsea, on 7th Avenue, between 17th and 18th Streets. I’ve not yet been to the new place.

3. Choux Factory (no web site available)
865 First Avenue (between 48th and 49th Streets)

There are also locations in Chelsea (316 W. 23rd St.) and the Upper East side (1685 First Ave.)
This is one of the best things Midtown East has got going for it and believe me the diplomats and cultural attache’s all know it. Courteous, fastidiously precise Japanese baristas give you a killer cappuccino and a bow. While the cafe has a couple of small tables in it, the place is tight and usually buzzing with people, so you probably wouldn’t want to spend time there even if you got a table.

Another reason to go there is for their signature pastry product. The choux are always fresh and filled with vanilla, chocolate, green tea or season-inspired flavor; pumpkin is one of them. A word of caution: they are quite rich, so if you have a heavy meal at midday, they are not the best after lunch sweet treat. In my opinion they are best consumed to counteract the onslaught of an afternoon lull.

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