XXX Coffee

Had XXX coffee’s cold brew at Astoria Sculpture Park (~4). I like Stumptown’s better. Yes, I tasted the chocolate notes in XXX’s cold brew, but the strength of their cold brew blew a whole cup on me. I prefer a subtler flavor, so I get a hit every sip.

What is my perfect coffee? its always a espresso or cappuccino the Italian way, and in summer, I want it outdoors and in sunlight Astoria style. Imagine coffee from beans used from the best coffee countries and roasted to the delight and satisfaction of a Master Barista who has competed at World Championship level, who provides his talents to the finest of NYC restaurants and has pure passion for his craft. This is XXX Coffee. From early Spring to late Fall, every Saturday at Socrates Park next to the East River in Astoria, I am there. I don’t care for coffee to go or coffee with a laptop at every other coffee joint. I want mine like a meditation. Just me, coffee and sunshine happiness. Great coffee in the park, sitting on grass, in sunlight, blue sky, trees, with art sculptures around, manicured flower garden with bees and dragon flies. There is only one such place in all of NYC. Coffee may be a drug to the many hyper and stressed. Here it is the therapeutic elixir of calmness. This is coffee zen. Like Isaach De Bankole’s character in Jim Jarmuch’s movie «Limits of Control,» I’ll have two espressos, one for before and after. Is there a greater gift than a shared joyous experience?

I’m always spending too much time and money looking for the perfect cold brew. Stumptown, café grumpy, blue bottle, Gregory’s, THINK… They’ve all been great– exceptional really, but xxx coffee blew me away.
A girl who ordered after me was about to put some simple syrup in her iced coffee until one of the vendors told her to taste it first. I usually have my coffee black, so I took a sip eagerly anticipating the meaning of his suggestion. Holy shit. Perfect natural sweetness. No bitterness or acidity. Smooth, sweet and slightly woody. I bought the bottled cold brew concentrate immediately.
Obviously, everyone has their taste preferences but this coffee hit all of mine.
Holla.