First, let me start by saying that I am not the biggest fan of Starbucks, especially after the controversy last year involving people of color, the former CEO, and my personal history of having their burnt tasting coffee turn my stomach ( I don’t know if this is a widespread issue or a problem with a certain location). Well, I am delicate, so maybe it’s me.

I had to visit the new location that has opened up in the Meatpacking District. I visited Starbucks Reserve Roastery after going to check out the new Samsung Galaxy 10 first look event and it was also at Samsung 837 just like my last post. I have been playing with new phones as much as I possibly can lately, fancy tech fascinates me just in case you weren’t aware. I spent about two hours there with my friend Jheanel and we got way too comfortable in this huge space. That said we got comfortable enough for me to give you six reasons to visit even if you aren’t the biggest fan of the huge Starbucks corporation.

What’s So Special About Starbucks Reserve Roastery?

Well, I was surprised to learn that there are many reasons that make this place so special. You can choose from five different ways to brew your coffee, compare different brewing methods with an experience called a “flight”, and pair your coffee with truffles. Have you ever had cold brew infused with nitrogen? The amount of choice is enough to overwhelm you if you don’t know what you want. And if you are a tourist, there are enough pricey souvenirs to choose from but I am not quite sure when the occasion for these would come up.

Reasons to Visit Starbucks Reserve Roastery

• It’s highly likely that you haven’t tried everything there yet. If you are addicted to premium imported coffee then the Starbucks Reserve Roastery is the place to get lesser known blends from Africa, South America, and Asia that aren’t carried in the smaller Starbucks stores. And all of it is ground in-house in small batches as needed in their massive store grinder or for purchase in small batches at the coffee bars next to a fireplace, c’mon. Be your most bougie self.
• Teetotalers and lushes will be satisfied. If you are into alcohol, which I am not, you will find a full-service bar with a menu full of coffee and tea-based drinks. There are also a bunch of spirit-free drinks on the menu which is what I chose. So no pressure.
• It’s convenient. It is a great way to wait for the impossibly packed venues like Buddakhan, the Standard and Morimoto for an opening. And while you wait, you can get a little nibble at the pizza bar, Princi.
• It’s beautifully designed. The level of Instagramabilty in this large space, larger than some clothing stores in Manhattan, from the beautiful drinks, the decor and the food.
• The drink menu is extensive. There are four drinks with coffee and ice cream, twelve different ways to have espresso, seven ways to have cold-brew, eleven alcohol cocktails, and four non-alcoholic drinks. So much to choose from even if you don’t drink coffee. And all of this doesn’t include the food options from the restaurant, Princi.
• It can fall into budget territory. And the best part for me is that a “happy hour special” was in effect when I came in on Saturday. What was that special you ask? Oh, I’ll tell you, be easy. When you a drink at the bar, Arriviamo, at the top floor of Starbucks Reserve Roastery gives you free pizza from Princi while you drink. While the drinks at the bar aren’t necessarily budget-friendly, this little deal is for someone feeling sticker shock looking at the menu. And the pizza was delicious!

Let Me Show You What We Ordered

My friend Jheanel and I looked on the menu and were about to give up and then she spotted at the bottom of the menu a spirit-free category of cocktails and was so happy. There were at least four drinks to choose from and with varied flavors mixed together. They were so beautifully presented that we felt so fancy. Jheanel ordered the Siren’s Glaze. It was served with an empty wine glass glazed in hazelnut chocolate and the drink is served on a decanter to pour in a bit at a time to swirl in the glass, alongside with candy and nut bark on the side. So complex in the mix in flavors and was meant to sip and enjoy.

I ordered the G&C, which is a Genmaicha tea-based drink, with Italian Soda, Rosemary sprig and citrus. It was refreshing. The combinations in flavors were surprising and delicious. Isn’t my drink pretty? I have to admit that the drinks were not what you would consider budget by any means but with the addition of snacks, it sort of balanced out. Starbucks Reserve Roastery is located at 61 9th Avenue in Manhattan.

Have you ever been to a Starbucks Reserve Roastery? Well if not Starbucks, does your town have a coffee shop with this kind of luxury? This was an unreal coffee experience for me. There were bathroom attendants, people! Do you get me?

If you have had a truly extra experience , tell me about it in the comments below.

Until our next rendezvous…

XOXO

Trudy