We love when new cafes open. So much so, that each summer for the last three years we’ve embarked upon a globe-girdling, feature series peeking in on brand new and under-construction cafes from cities across the planet. But summer’s not the only time a new cafe can open, and we’re not seasonalists. So what if you’ve opened in the winter? We don’t have beef with that.
One such cold-weather cafe opening recently took place in demitasse-crowded Williamsburg, Brooklyn, where Grade Coffee joins the booming Brooklyn specialty coffee + masculine grooming cafe scene. That’s a trend piece in waiting, but in the meantime, let’s meet Grade Coffee and co-proprietor Grace Lowman, formerly of Blue Bottle New York, and learn more about this brand new Brooklyn cafe.
Can you tell us a bit about your new space?
We are nestled inside Fellow Barber (Williamsburg location), a well-known barber establishment throughout New York, San Francisco, and Detroit. We like to think we are the feminine to their masculine.
What’s your approach to coffee?
Quality-driven simplicity. Striving to share the art and science of coffee to the community around us in a friendly manner. We feature two coffees from Tandem that will change periodically. I am encouraging guests to try them side by side in an espresso flight ($6) to illustrate the terroir of coffee.
Any machines, coffees, special equipment lined up?
– La Marzocco Strada MP.
– Mahlkönig K30 Twin grinder.
– Fetco coming soon!
– Mahlkonig Kenia coming soon!
Current Menu:
La Papaya (Saraguro, Ecudaor)
Time & Temperature blend (50% Ethiopia Kochere 40% Colombia Finca Costarrica 10% Kenya Mutheka)
What’s your hopeful opening month?
February! We just made it!
Note: we are closed Mondays!
Are you working with craftspeople, architects, and/or creatives that you’d like to mention?
Sam Buffa, Fellow Barber and Vinegar Hill House, owner and designer.
Isaac Friedman-Heimen, Souda, craftsman and designer.
Carlisle, painter.
What’s your cafe neighborhood like?
We are on a tree-lined, residential street. The neighborhood around us is rich with amazing restaurants, bars, music venues, parks, and one hotel (The Wythe).
Photographs are Courtesy of Grace Lowman and Grade Coffee.
