So far the month of August has truly been a beautiful month here in New York City. The temperature has dropped just enough for midday walks through the city to be bearable , and I no longer break into a perfusive sweat after riding a Citi Bike. Luckily, I have been avoiding the subway as much as possible because I’m sure the underground tunnels are still as scorching as ever.
Today I actually walked directly across the island from 1st avenue, through Central Park, and into the Starbucks on 59th and 9th Avenue. This Starbucks is actually on the corner where 9th Ave becomes Columbus Ave and Hell’s Kitchen turns into the Upper West Side. But if I were to peg this location based on its environment, I’d say it feels much more like an UWS Starbucks. It is a few short blocks south of Lincoln Center and directly underneath Fordham University — a private, Jesuit college here in NYC.
It’s a fairly large and decently crowded Starbucks. It has plenty of seats for patrons (although no padded chairs) and lots of power outlets for those wanting to stay awhile. The walls are painted an olive green color and accented with natural wood pillars that help break up the inside and give it the impression of being even bigger than it actually is. A lot of people seem to come here to read or write, and I can see why; the large paneled windows, surrounding brownstone buildings and overlooking trees on Columbus Ave make this Starbucks’ environment a little more serene than most in the city.
The Good:
The Location… Close enough to Central Park and Columbus Circle, but far enough removed to avoid large crowds.
The Size… A large corner location that is divided into smaller seating areas.
The Seating… Plenty of window seats, smaller tables and one large communal table.
The Bad:
The Crowd… A lot of people reading, studying or even catching up over a cup of coffee.
The Restroom… Just one.
Barista Friendliness:
Drink of Choice:
Venti Iced Green Tea
Overall Starbucks Rating:
A Starbucks on the cusp of Hell’s Kitchen and the Upper West Side.
Starbucks and the City 
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