Brooklyn Roasting Company

Fun Fact: It has officially been a year sine I moved to New York. Like, wow, it is absolutely incredible how fast time can move forward. I have achieved so many things in what felt like such a short amount of time - and things are barely getting warmed up. So why I bring this up is because I wanted to talk about a coffee shop that is rather special to me and happens to be my favorite coffee shop in New York City so far (but likely forever). 

Shortly after I settled into my new home in DUMBO back in March 2017, I immediately started scoping out the area for coffee shops. Nothing is more charming than a neighborhood coffee shop, and I couldn't wait to find mine. I factored out Starbucks because I feel like they shouldn't count. While I love their vibes and would still go there to chill and write if nothing else was in the area, I think they're too commercial to be comparable to the authenticity of a local coffee shop. Yes, I am a hipster. 

Anyway, Brooklyn Roasting Company was one of the top results in my search, and had a couple of locations in the DUMBO, Vinegar Hill area. I went to the one on Jay St. (Google Map below) since it ranked higher and had more reviews. After walking in, I was instantly overcome by complete amazement and fascination. It was then that I decided BRC would 100% be my go-to coffee shop. Allow me to show you and tell you why . . . 

The BRC Feels

First thing's first - the interior is everything. It is literally the definition of an urban, hip coffee shop. It was busy during my first visit and it usually is in general, so upon entering you'll be greeted by some lively chatter and one of the best music playlists you can imagine. Given how popular the coffee shop is, it's a pain in the ass to find a place to sit sometimes. But with so many people moving in and out of the place at any given time, there's somehow always a place to sit (eventually). I'm honestly not one for crazy busy shops - having tons of people moving around me gives me anxiety. However, with how spacious this Brooklyn Roasting Company location is, I manage to feel quite comfortable during my coffee/blog sessions. 

Spacial impressions aside, I strongly believe that new visitors will be impressed by the main focus of the shop - coffee. I believe that Brooklyn Roasting Company is international, and that is reflected in the variety of coffee that they have for sale. I have seen plenty of people stop by just to pick up another container of the coffee to go - it's so good that folks want it in their house.  I also love the baristas - they just have that cool attitude and style that you would expect to find in any popular coffee shop. But they're also really nice and efficient, so you're getting some top-notch service here. Please tell me what more you could ask for. 

Sweetening The Deal 

Of course, because I have an insatiable sweet tooth, I always accompany a cup of coffee with a pastry of some kind. I love what they offer - they definitely go the vegan, gluten free, local ingredients route with their baked goods. I'm a huge muffin guy, so I usually go with their banana walnut or vegan blueberry muffins. Also a big croissant dude and theirs are flakey, buttery and amazing! They do sell out of some of the items with all of the traffic that they get each day - so if you want in on this sweetness, highly recommend going before 2pm for optimal selection. 

They also have a refrigerated section by the doors with healthier things to consume - you know the usual, like water, fruit, yogurt/parfaits and some sandwiches/wraps. Really great stuff, just not interesting enough for a photo. Because I usually come here early and hungry, I tend to bring a snack with me so I'm only spending money on the coffee to start. Then, because I spend hours here at a time, I have plenty of options for another snack or light lunch when hunger sets in.  

Matchaful

So when I first visited BRC, and for several months after that, their back area did not have additional baristas or service. There was an empty bar where additional coffee equipment could be set-up, but this area was just used by visitors for extra seating. Well, right in time for when Winter really started setting in, this brand called "Matchaful" set-up shop around November last year. I observed  a few people hanging around that area for some consecutive weeks getting a feel for and examining the space. Then suddenly, I remember walking into the coffee shop after a couple of weeks of not visiting and being pleasantly surprised by a fully decorated coffee bar and people settled around already drinking the Kool-Aid (or in this case, organic green matcha lattes).

As a regular patron of BRC, I have to say that Matchaful is a very nice addition to the shop. They're menu does not exactly compete with what BRC offers, but rather serves as a nice complement and gives visitors some extended options to choose from. Let's say you want a cold brew, but your partner/sibling wants a vanilla matcha latte - you both can now get what you want in one trip, helping make for a fulfilling visit. You'd think I was on their marketing team with this talk, but I just genuinely think that Matchaful moving in was a smart business move and a nice touch to the BRC experience. 

Blogging Base

Taking into account all of the great things we covered above, it should come as no surprise that I thoroughly enjoy spending a day each weekend at BRC. Being a hipster at heart, I love to chill somewhere cool and soak in the good vibes. Love, love, love it. BRC just feels so nice to hang around in and I easily tap into a productivity/work flow 90% of the time (the other 10% is usually short visits if I've been going too many days or weeks in a row). Almost all of the blogs on my site at this point were written while I was chilling at BRC. #SecondHome

I think another reason why I love blogging here so much is because there are so many other people here working as well. I've noticed graphic designers, photographers, writers, illustrators, analysts, etc. there working any given day - that energy is palpable and contagious. There are people there working on group projects, and I even saw what I think was a book club there one morning. Ugh, I don't know, that is just so much positive and constructive energy and I cannot get enough of it. 

First IG post at Brooklyn Roasting Company

Best Coffee Shop Ever 

So you're going to BRC this weekend, right? Ok, you're right, short notice - so then next weekend? Can I tag along? Haha, but seriously though, I sincerely recommend paying a visit to Brooklyn Roasting Company if you have never been, whether that be here in the United States, or in the one of the many other countries where they can be found. And if you've been there already, please, tell me if you are as passionate about them as I am. I mean, I've visited dozens of other coffee shops in the city, but I guess BRC quickly found a place in my heart and is not easily replaced. We'll see if they can take the "Favorite Coffee Shop" title again in 2018.