Coffee Bars

Joe Putrock

Bailey’s Café Phila and Putnam streets, Saratoga Springs, 583-6060. A fun and friendly café located in a historic Saratoga landmark. Early-morning fare includes gourmet coffee and espresso, fresh-baked goods and breakfast sandwiches. Award-winning soups, creative salads, sandwiches, sushi rolls and daily specials are offered. Full bar, coffee cocktails, espresso, lattes and cappuccino and tantalizing desserts. Fun foods including fondues and s’mores—toast your own marshmallows tableside.

Barnes & Noble Café Barnes & Noble Booksellers, 20 Wolf Road, Colonie, 459-8183; 3029 State Route 50, Saratoga Sprimgs, 583-7717. 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. Everyone’s welcome to bring books into the café.

Borders Café Borders Books & Music, 59 Wolf Road, Colonie, 482-5800; 395 Broadway, Saratoga Springs, 583-1200. You’re always welcome to bring books along for browsing while you enjoy coffees, teas, cold beverages and a selection of pastries, desserts and sandwiches.

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. Besides the regular lunchables, there are munchies such as bagels, daily homemade soups, croissants, muffins and desserts.

Capital Grounds Shaker Pine Plaza, 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.

The Coffee Beanery Ltd. Crossgates Mall, 869-3039; Colonie Center, 438-1637; Albany International Airport, 242-4303; Rensselear Amtrak station, 463-8770. 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.

Coffee Planet 100 Milton Ave., Ballston Spa, 884-9913. This cozy coffeehouse, which just opened in the rustic village of Ballston Spa, features a full espresso bar, fresh-baked scones, muffins, croissants, cookies, soups, sandwiches and occasional entertainment.

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, steamers, latte and such munchies as biscotti and muffins. Select teas, too. 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.

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.

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 iced teas, coffees, fruit frappes, etc. It’s all served in an eclectic, comfy atmosphere, with a private study room available for students and live music on the weekends.

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 or jalapeno cheddar bread. Organic coffee and delicious scones and biscotti make it worth the trip.

Stagecoach Coffee 90 State St., Albany, 436-7233; 54 James St., Albany, 434-6255. An extensive beverage list, including latte, Italian sodas, specialty drinks and 35 different types of whole-bean coffees. Fresh baked goods, including scones, croissants and danishes, plus soups, sandwiches and salads.

Starbucks Stuyvesant Plaza, Albany, 489-1064; Broadway, Saratoga Springs, 581-9498; St. James Square, Niskayuna, 381-9340; Newton Plaza, Loudonville, 783-4544; Wolf Road, Colonie, 435-9280; 9 Clifton County Road, Clifton Park, 373-5794. Contemporary Seattle-based coffee chain specializing in gourmet coffee drinks including cappuccino, latte, “frappuccino” and espresso, plus pastries, cookies and bagels.

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.

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Metroland's Dining Guide 2001
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