245214 Sat Feb 05 20:53:26 -0800 2005 7 19 Outer Boroughs 0 1302519 Inspired by a fantastic post on the Manhattan board, I was wondering if someone might offer some suggestions in the Worldly Borough for a nice place to linger with some decent coffee to catch up on letter writing to old friends who are starting to think you hate them. Good pastries would be a fantastic plus. I personally enjoy: CAFE BAR by Kaufman Astoria Studios, although it's only good at night and the pastries are overpriced and only so-so. And the diner / coffee shop on the corner of 36th Ave. and 34th St. in Astoria with the mint green shutters. Good French-press coffee, the advertised Best Espresso in Queens (which is unfortunately not saying much), super friendly people, a superb egg salad sandwich, and curiously no dessert whatsoever. Suggestions nearer to Jackson Heights or Elmhurst would be fabulous. Cafes are nice, comfy or quirky diners welcome. Sat Feb 05 20:53:26 -0800 2005 0 Wallace Stevens 1 1302578 my first time posting! :) my suggestions: 1) ten 63 on vernon blvd in LIC. a very chill cafe, with high ceilings, quiet atmosphere, great coffee and pastries selection. it's the type of place you can go to and study/read in peace. the only downside is that it closes fairly early (9pm or so). 2) cup diner, across the street from the american museum of the moving image, also in LIC. a 24 hour "trendy" diner. overall solid menu, from appetizers to desserts. 3)la flor, in jackson heights, a great restaurant to begin with, but also great breakfast pastries selection. 4) alpha donuts, on queens blvd + 46th street, 24 hour donut shop but i have to admit, their donuts are amazing. 5) corona ice king, near 108 st in corona, it's not warm enough for this stuff, but they def live up to their name. Mon Feb 07 08:40:36 -0800 2005 1302519 0 missyoung 2 1302640 Miss., Thanks for breaking out of your shell to help a young man in need. Welcome. (Also, I'm glad you saw to include a 24 hour donut shop in your list of places to sit and read / write. Totally sweet.) Tue Feb 08 00:44:03 -0800 2005 1302578 0 Wallace Stevens 3 1302808 welcome! how are the donuts at alpha? i've walked by that place a bunch of times, but never when i wanted a donut... Thu Feb 10 22:31:43 -0800 2005 1302640 0 babar ganesh 2 1302945 DON'T FORGET CAFE AUBERGINE! 51st and Skillman. Lovely, clean, and they serve very nice coffee... very nice indeed. Irving Farm. Link: http://www.no-monkey.com Mon Feb 14 13:15:01 -0800 2005 1302578 0 Jeremy 1 1302583 You could try: 1. Aubergine Cafe, nice coffee house run by a dynamic and charming Irish couple Gary and Catherine. Decent coffee and a good place to just just and relax or do whatever work you need to do. 50th Street and Skillman Ave. in Sunnyside, Queens. 2. Brasil Coffee House. In Long Island City, Jackson Ave., right opposite a large church, somewhere in the 40s. Excellent coffee with comfy seats and lots of tables. Mon Feb 07 10:55:12 -0800 2005 1302519 0 Mike 1 1302597 Nice thread idea. I definitely second Cafe Bar (tho it can get pretty busy and noisy). Another idea is La Flor, in Woodside. I often bike there on weekend summer afternoons and read. Nice place, great food, and generally quiet. Mon Feb 07 12:58:22 -0800 2005 1302519 0 Dag 1 1302791 No coffee, but Crescent Lounge near the corner of Broadway and Crescent in Astoria has a plethora of overstuffed couches, easy chairs, and even coffee tables on which to write. The bartenders are supremely chill, and the music and atmosphere is quiet on weeknights. If you can substitute a bourbon on the rocks for coffee, it might be worth a try. Thu Feb 10 17:46:30 -0800 2005 1302519 0 Kevin