COFFEE
BARS
Barnes
& Noble Café
Barnes & Noble Booksellers, 20 Wolf Road, Colonie, 459-8183.
A sunny browsing café that features Starbucks coffee, as
well as espresso and cappuccino, chai and other teas. Also,
a variety of cold beverages including Italian sodas, and
a selection of sweet baked treats, as well as soup and panini.
Everyone’s welcome to bring books into the café. Serving
9 AM-10:45 PM Mon-Sat, 9-8:45 Sun. AE, D, DC, MC, V. $
Borders Café Espresso
Borders Books & Music, 59 Wolf Road, Colonie, 482-5800.
There are plenty of tables in this upstairs café, which
features pastries, desserts and a selection of coffees,
teas, cold beverages and sandwiches. Bring books along;
browsing is welcome. Poetry readings, live music and other
entertainments are frequently scheduled. Serving 9 AM-10:30
PM daily. AE, D, DC, MC, V, personal checks. $
Café Nora
Peter Harris Plaza, Route 7, Latham, 783-6880. Scores of
different coffees, flavored and regular, as well as granitas
(frozen flavored drinks), and espresso and cappuccino. Also
featuring soups, sandwiches, bagels, croissants, muffins
and desserts, including ice cream. Serving 6:30-6 Mon-Sat,
7-3 Sun. AE, MC, V, personal checks. $
Capital Grounds
Shaker Pine Plaza, Watervliet Shaker Road, Colonie, 869-3277.
Fresh- roasted coffee. Espresso bar. Light fare including
breakfast sandwiches, fresh-baked pastries and muffins.
Coffee available by the pound. All coffee roasted on premises.
Takeout available. 6:30 AM-4:30 PM Mon-Fri, 8-2 PM Sat.
Cash only. $
The Coffee Beanery Ltd.
Crossgates Mall, 869-3039; Colonie Center, 438-1637; Albany
International Airport, 242-4303 and 242-4302. The Coffee
Beanery’s emphasis is on creating the “right roast,” roasting
each different gourmet bean to ensure the perfect roast
for optimum flavor. New flavors are served along with traditional
favorites, specialty coffee drinks and gourmet pastries.
Try the Italian-style cappuccino, made with the “espresso
perfecto” roast. Crossgates and Colonie locations open during
mall hours. Airport: 5:30 AM-9:30 PM daily. AE, D, MC, V.
$
Coffee Planet
100 Milton Ave., Ballston Spa, 884-9913. Classic and colorful
coffeehouse. Traditional drip selection with brews changing
daily. Flavors, decafs, Fair Trade and organics. Full espresso
menu including lattes, cappuccinos and mochas. Chillers,
coffee coolers, fruit smoothies and don’t forget mulled
cider. Bagels and cream cheese. Sweet and savory scones.
Cookies, shortbread, biscotti. Sandwiches, soups and dessert.
Also, music and art! Takeout available. Serving 7-7 Mon-Sat,
8-3 Sun. Personal checks. $
The Daily Grind
204 Lark St., Albany, 427-0464; 258 Broadway, Troy, 272-8658.
At the Troy location, a true coffee bar with several tables,
offering coffee of the day, espresso, cappuccino, latte
and such munchies as biscotti and muffins. Select teas,
too. Serving 8-5:30 Mon-Fri, 9-4 Sat. At the Lark Street
location, you’ll find more than coffee: Upstairs there’s
a retail store specializing in fresh-roasted coffee beans,
and downstairs there’s a European-style café offering an
eclectic variety of light fare. Serving 7 AM-10 PM Mon-Sat,
7 AM-8 PM Sun. AE, MC, V. $
Java Jazz Café and Bakery
Main Square Shoppes, 318 Delaware Ave., Delmar, 439-1727
(shares space with Seattle Sub & Pita Co.). Substantial
line of gourmet coffees available, as well as espresso drinks.
Special coffee flavors served daily, along with fresh muffins,
scones and cookies. Newly expanded bakery features gourmet
pastries and fresh pies. Regular art exhibits. Serving 7
AM-8 PM Mon-Fri, 7:30 AM-3 PM Sat. Closed Sun. Cash and
checks only. AE, D, MC, V. $
Professor Java’s Coffee Sanctuary
217 Wolf Road, Colonie, 435-0843. A light menu features
sandwiches, salads, quiches, stuffed breads, croissants,
bagels, pastries. Large selection of teas, coffees, fruit
frappes, etc. It’s all served in an eclectic, comfy atmosphere.
On Fri-Sat evenings, enjoy live bands. Serving 7 AM-11 PM
Mon-Thu, 7 AM-midnight Fri-Sat, 8 AM-10 PM Sun. AE, MC,
V. $
Rock Hill Bakehouse & Café
Diamond Plaza Mall, Glens Falls, 743-1660. Rock Hill’s bread-based
café menu makes for uniquely satisfying breakfast and lunch
fare. Try the paisano, cinnamon-raisin or jalapeño-cheddar
bread. Also featuring organic coffee, scones, biscotti and
freshly baked bread. Serving 8 AM-6:30 PM Tue-Sat. MC, V,
personal checks. $
Stagecoach Coffee
90 State St., Albany, 436-7233; 54 James St., Albany, 434-6255.
An extensive beverage list, including latte, Italian sodas,
specialty drinks, frappucino, fresh-fruit smoothies and
35 different types of whole-bean coffees. Fresh baked goods—including
scones, croissants and danishes—plus soups, sandwiches and
salads. State Street shop serving 6-5 Mon-Fri; James Street
shop serving 6-2 PM Mon-Fri. MC, V, D. $
Starbucks
Stuyvesant Plaza, 489-1064; Broadway, Saratoga Springs,
581-9498; St. James Square, Niskayuna, 381-9340; Newton
Plaza, Loudonville, 783-4544; Wolf Road, Colonie, 435-9280.
Contemporary Seattle-based coffee chain specializing in
gourmet coffee drinks including cappuccino, latte, frappuccino
and espresso, plus pastries, cookies and bagels. Call individual
stores for hours. AE, MC, V. $
Uncommon Grounds
1225 Western Ave., Albany, 453-5649; 402 Broadway, Saratoga
Springs, 581-0656. Wide selection of aromatic, freshly roasted
and freshly brewed coffees, teas of all kinds and obscenely
wonderful desserts. Great bagels and muffins, too (scones
in Saratoga). Albany store: serving 6 AM-11 PM Sun-Thu,
6 AM-midnight Fri-Sat. Saratoga store: 6:30 AM-11 PM Mon-Thu,
6:30 AM-midnight Fri, 7 AM-midnight Sat, 7 AM-11 PM Sun.
Cash and local personal checks only in Albany; MC, V accepted
in Saratoga. $
Columns
& Opinions
