The past two days we have had the temperature reach the 70s here in the city. Summer is coming.
I arrived here in NYC last August as the summer of 2012 was nearing its end. But I still got to experience enough NYC heat to know how to prepare myself this year. Oh yes — I had my fair share of sweltering subway rides and fritzy AC units. Before moving here from Florida, a friend who had lived in Manhattan tried to warn me.
“The city can get sooo hot, that when you come in from the street you can still feel the city on your skin.”
“Nah, it can’t be that bad.” I had naively stated. “I’m from Florida!”
I remember his words every time I feel this city seep into my flesh. In the winter you get the harsh cold, and in summer you get the damp, dirty heat. Either way, New Yorkers cannot help but wear the city where ever they go.
Well, obviously that heat is not upon us yet. But I was driven to this SoHo Starbucks on this soggy Saturday afternoon because I need to armor myself with shorts, tank tops, and flip flops to combat the impending summer temperatures. This Starbucks is in a great location on the northwest border of SoHo. It still gets a good crowd, but it’s not overwhelmed like the location on Grand & Broadway. Also it’s directly below Washington Square Park, and the distance between is filled with some pretty decent bars and restaurants that mostly cater to the NYU crowd.
It is — of course — Frappuccino Happy Hour, and although this place has a good amount of lines, grabbing a seat wasn’t impossible. With two separate seating areas and even a little bench area in the hall, this location is ready to serve both those grabbing and going and those looking to stay awhile.
The Good:
The Location… I know “Location” seems to always be on top, but this one is truly a plus. It’s right on the border of SoHo and just below Washington Square Park.
The Size… It’s large but not gigantic. It actually has a small hallway that separates one seating area from the barista bar and even more seating.
The Decor… Interior brick walls decorated with coffee art. Fine by me.
The Bad:
The Crowd… Lots of people standing, sitting, and waiting.
Restroom… Just the one with a huge line of SoHo shoppers.
Barista Friendliness:
Drink of Choice:
Grande Mocha Light Frappuccino… Again, I couldn’t resist the happy hour over the weekend. But this one is actually not horrible for you. The ‘light’ version has only 130 calories and 1/2 the carbs of the regular mocha frapp.
Overall Starbucks Rating:
Just another SoHo Starbucks…
Starbucks and the City 
That long narrow hallway is deadly