A Full Belly

Hello, Milk!

Why does the milk seem to get better (ie, sweeter), when you steam it? Is it a change in the chemistry? The incorporation of air? Both? What is wrong (or right) with me that I care this much about coffee and creating the perfect milk to marry with it?

Hello, Milk! is a chemistry lesson and how-to guide in choosing the right milk for steaming and frothing in your espresso drinks.

it's hot chocolate for me all the way

Starbucks Christmas Lattes: What the hell? The Village Voice's Nina Lalli cries coffee abuse: "Now that the holidays are upon us, [America's flavored coffee movement] is at its annual aggressive peak, with even the burliest of men ordering up Grande Skim Eggnog Chai Lattes and Tall Peppermint Mochas with whipped cream. A horrible thought popped into my head recently. Am I the weird one? Is my "small coffee with milk—no sugar" a sign of my utter party-pooperness?"

death by caffeine

Death by Caffeine. "How much of your favorite caffeinated drink would it take to kill you?" 270.99 cans of Coca-Cola Classic in my case which is far less cans than I drink in a year—and I drink much less now than I did as a kid, when I would guzzle two liters a day no problem! A little terrifying, no?

self-heating packaging

Taking The Heat Out of the Kitchen. Self-heating packaging is being introduced to the U.S. via Wolfgang Puck's new coffee line; press a button on the bottom of the can and the coffee's hot in six minutes. So, takes as long as the line at Starbucks, costs $2.25 for 10 ounces and might not even taste good? Not sure I'm sold.

Knit New York

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Knit New York is genius -- a coffee shop and knitting store all in one. Only open three days, and it already looks like a hit. We ducked in this afternoon for drinks, and the place was buzzing with knitters and folks eager to welcome Knit to the neighborhood. Knit offers a full selection of coffee/espresso and tea beverages, baked goods, skeins of beautiful yarns and knitting supplies. Knitting classes start this month.

Knit New York
307 E. 14th St.
(212) 387-0707

Teany website

Moby's Teany (90 Rivington St. at Orchard St.) now has its own website, including menu and tea list.
(Via Absolutely Vile)

Reviews: Citysearch, Digital City, NYMetro, NYTimes

Podunk Cafe

Both Gothamist and Callalillie have recently visited Podunk Cafe in the East Village (231 E 5th St), a tea salon serving serving fresh baked goods. Callalillie writes,

We decided on one hot (simple black tea with cream & sugar) and one cold (a fruit tea-- delicious), mainly because Jieball was incapable of making any decisions, even though it was her day. Regardless, we wound up with a large platter of the lightest, moistest foccacia, tiny quiches, scones, and cheese crackers, as well as a platter of desserts-- including very light, yummy cocoa cake, more scones, chocolate coconut bars and various other good-with-tea delicacies.

Sounds like the perfect rainy day escape.