Mercury Dime

This is a bit off the beaten path so it’s almost never crowded. They refuse to make drip coffee, with prejudice. The french press stuff is more than satisfactory, however. The music is not obnoxious and the service is nice. I wish the baristas would stop muttering under their breath about how some people drink coffee just for the caffeine and refuse to treat it as the art object that it is. Come down to earth, my friends.

I love this place… but I just heard it’s CLOSING IN A MONTH.
The board wouldn’t allow the owner to get a liquor license to cover the rent. It’s sad to see this place go.

This is a tiny little place in the east village that I just discovered by — yes, being dragged there by a friend.
It is a total surprise when you walk in, it’s as though you’ve walked into someone’s house. Quiet, and cozy are the words I’d use. The décor is definitely more my mom’s style, then will ever be my style, but what it loses out on in terms of style, it wins hands down because it’s so damn small. There are I think three tables downstairs. I didn’t checkout the upstairs, but I understand it is equally small. Which means you can really have a conversation with the person you go with.
I wouldn’t call it romantic, and the lights are not dim enough, so those looking for a date spot, go elsewhere. But if you’re just up for a cuppa with a friend, this would work well. You can also overhear the scrabble champions at the table next to you.
Coffee… well if you’ve read any of my coffee reviews, you know I’m a coffee snob, and suffice it to say that this place ain’t on the world barrista champions queue card.
Over and out!

I came here a couple of weeks ago ’cause I was trying to find a nice coffee shop with wifi that opens past 9pm. It’s a great little place that really reminds you of someone’s home. Not only does the décor imitate that, but the service as well.
They don’t have drip coffee here, but their cappuccino is definitely top notch. It was so strong I couldn’t sleep ’til 7am the next morning! It even came with a side of 2 tiny little cookies. My computer definitely didn’t enjoy running out of batteries since there were no outlets on the walls.
I would come back for a cup of coffee for a chat with a friend.

This place is so adorable. Walking in, you already feel like you’ve come home. It looks like your parents’ living room-​carpet, pictures, painting, etc. It’s really small, and the tables are close together, so I would agree with the posts below in that this is not the place to come to have a private conversation. However, if you’re looking for a place to study, or just quietly read the newspaper as I did, it’s perfect.
It seemed like a very neighborhood-​y place: the barista knew every single person who walked in. Not just their coffee order, but their trips and their social lives. I thought this was really great.
The coffee (I got the French press) was also up to par. I give it 4 stars because they don’t give you a big amount-​the cup was pretty small, and so was the press. However, the beans were fresh (she had just opened a new bag for me) and tasted delicious. At another customer’s recommendation, I got a small pastry (I can’t remember the name, unfortunately) that was filled with custard. Delicious! (although, again, a bit small).
I’ll definitely be coming back here to study and enjoy another delicious cup of coffee!

WOW! MD rocks my world. If you have been following my espresso trail, I heart Wireless and good coffee. This place has an aire of British high tea. It’s a quiet venue for people to get some serious work done. The espresso is mind-​blowing. It is full-​bodied and has a floral rush that sneaks up on you.
Looking to be extraordinarly productive? This is the place to come. Granted, the flip side is that this is not the place to come to chat (read as ‘gossip’) with your bff… not unless you want the whole café to know at least.
Be forewarned, this is a very small place (even though it has two floors). There are four tables on each floor, so be prepared to get cozy and make friends. If you come early, you get to squat. If you come late… g’luck. On thursday’s, the 2^nd floor is rented out for the day so if you’re a caffeine snob addict, be prepared to grab and go.

How cute is this place?!^_^…I felt like walking into a room where Elizabeth Bennet would be having tea and reading with a few of her sisters on a regular afternoon, waiting to see when Mr. Bingly would call on Jane.
It is a really small place, even though there are 2 levels, there are only around 6 – 7 tables that could accommodate 2 – 3 people at each. It is a quiet place where people would come to study, read or contemplate about life. We couldn’t really carry on a conversation because everyone would hear,… there was literally no noise in this place.
My friend had a espresso macchiato and I just had a pastry, which they receive from Bathazar each day ^_​^.
Their espresso had a strong floral aroma almost like a potpourri taste at the end, which was interesting.
So, it wasn’t a place to linger if you want to carry on an actually conversation, so we moved on, but I would love to come back in the Springtime and dive into a novel sipping warm tea by the window ^_^

Really really quaint coffee shop. I’m not a big fan of this place due to its small size, the limit of its menu, and the prices of some of their eating items, but the décor of this place is definitely something worth mentioning.
Décor: The coffee shop inhabits a whole building on 6^th street. The building consists of 2 floors (and possibly an attic and a basement). Once you step into the building, you are reminded of a scene from any 18^th century movie. The walls have wall paper of tan and white flowery design and the matching carpets on the floor. Climbing up the stairs, anyone taller than 5’3″ should watch their heads since the staircases were not built for anyone taller. The second floor room looked like an old living room or den where a fireplace is located on one side of the wall right under a large bookshelf. It is really a historical moment when you walk around the building.
Food: They had sandwiches on the menu but $ 10 a sandwich is really too much for me. They also had a couple of menu items that looked indian-​inspired (where cardamon was used). My friend treated me to the pineapple made with milk and cardamon spices. The dish was made of fresh sliced pineapple drowned in milk and sprinkled with cardamon spices on top. It was real different, nothing I have ever tasted before. The pineapple was a bit sour and did not seem to mix well with the milk.
Drinks: No drip coffee. Trying to be a coffee connosseur myself, I tried the French Press which is horribly disgusting. The manager was really nice and patient to explain to me the difference between drip-​coffee and french press. apparently french press coffee is supposed to be better since you have control on how long you steep your coffee grounds and it’s made on the spot so the coffee taste is fresh. However, the french press coffee did inhabit a sweet taste within the coffee, but it also came with a really really bitter overall taste. I had to drown the coffee in cream and sugar to make it more decent to drink.
My favorite drink was the gelato and espresso shot. That was heaven in a cup. The sweetness of the gelato combined with the creamy espresso shot created an excellent cup of coffee that needed no sugar or cream. No hassle and extremely delicious. Coffee and ice cream, best of both worlds…
Seating: Seating is really limited. Most of the time, people who are studying and using Wifi have accompied the seating below. There’s also seating on the second floor. I agreed with another reviewer; the second floor is a bit awkward since there is only four tables and everyone sits in a small room together where the room is eerily silent and everyone can hear each other talk.
Tables are small too. Each table can fit 3 ppls max.

I would really like to give this more stars for the excellent service and the atmosphere. The other reviews are on point — small apartment like half the size of your bedroom room upstairs a few tables downstairs. The decoration is wonderful and so different in NY. I personally did not like the coffee at all, I had an espresso based drink. In addition to having a burned mellow taste, the cup was so small. They ran out of the food we requested to eat. I liked the overall experience but don’t think I’ll be returning back.

This place is indisputably charming, but I’m not a fan. And I don’t think I’m alone because I saw one other couple leave after taking a quick tour. The space: a converted apartment with two floors. The first floor has the drinks and food. The décor is reminiscent of a 19^th century parlor, but it’s just too cold in the winter to be cozy (you really feel like you’ve traveled back in time to when there was no heat!). Space is limited on both floors. The top floor is strange– a white room (picture your small Manhattan bedroom), with a few tables. The problem is, everyone can hear your conversation because you are in an otherwise silent room (no street noise, no ordering or coffee making going on).
When I came, the upstairs was for the talkers (hopefully no dates, awkward!). And downstairs was for the workers (free wifi; open ’til midnight). I don’t drink coffee, so I had tea– it was ok; I don’t think the tea was set in the water long enough. The desserts were meh. I had an apple galette (I think $ 4) — it was actually kind of gross, but of course I ate the whole thing. Ihad another pastry (looked like a mini bundt cake) which was good. Staff was very friendly and accomodating.
This is random, but the door is really beautiful– see pic. But the space (and average, overpriced tea and desserts) will not have me returning a second time.

The perfect coffee shop. Everything I have ever looked for in a coffee shop is here. The coffee tastes like liquid art, the basics are great, such as an amazing cappuccino. What really strikes me is that traditionally plain drinks are strikingly good — the iced coffee is probably the best signature drink of the place.
The atmosphere is great. The first time I was there. The top floor was quiet and perfect for studying. The bottom floor was vibrant with an open discussion amongst customers. The wifi is fast and consistent (despite my shady computer).
The only trepidation I have in giving it five stars is the place getting too many customers.

Unemployment means spending the week coffee house hopping, and hoping for free WiFI. This oddly unpopulated, wonderfully neighborhoody study spot sings like an old-​fashioned ice cream parlor. The second floor — chilly and minimalistic a la so many Victorian drawing rooms — is ideal for computers, conversation, and a charming cookie’d coffee drink, when palates need a’wetting.
My only complaint is that it’s a bit drafty.

Before Mercury Dime, I thought all coffee pretty much tasted the same. Boy was I wrong.
The coffee here is rich and delicious. The staff is also friendly and seems to know their stuff. There are a few tables on the first floor and a few upstairs. The décor is reminiscent of your grandma’s house. I highly recommend this place. AMAZING COFFEE!!!

My new summer afternoon pick-​me-​up (unfortunately inspired by Starbucks, but let us give credit where credit is due) is a double shot of espresso over ice. Add a dash of simple syrup, and you’ve got yourself a great, caffeinated evening ahead of you.
The Mercury Dime incarnation of my new best friend was good, even very good, but it wasn’t the be all and end all of coffee experiences as some of these effusive reviews would have you believe. Also, the place gets points for creative use of not much space, but it’s really too small to be comfortable (there’s only three tables in about 100sq feet of space) and the bobbing and weaving required to get upstairs to the additional two tables is not quite worth it.
I think it would be 5 stars if it had invested in a little more space (yes, I realize we’re in the East Village here, but come on), but for now, I’ll take my double shot over ice to go.

T.J., you’ve been nothing but sweet the last few times I stopped in (special thanks for holding my shopping bag after I forgot it last time). Special shout out because last time, in addition to loving our yummy gelato, you insisted that we try your recently-​added special Polish ham. That fatty flavor was one of a kind. I can only imagine its indulgent taste in combination with your marmalade on a sandwich. All smiles from me!!! Love, krey

Chris told me not to review it as she wants it to stay a secret. But I can’t help myself… but don’t go there please, Chris will get mad at me.
BUT…I did have one of the most fabulous desserts EVER here. (I never use the word fabulous so obviously this is serious). Riccotta ice cream with espresso shot on top. Incredible. Simply incredible.

Wish i could have stayed longer.
Petraske’s ability to create a living room in this little ‘rabbit’ hole and an atmosphere thats curiously the same as little branch is intriguing.
But i think the barista needs to learn how to press the drink a little better. The espresso was a bit too acidic for my flavor. I’m sure the French press or the Chichu café is top notch. The biscuit was delectable. Would like to try other drinks.

Egads, another fabulous EV espresso purveyor! At this point, I believe my blood type is pure espresso, and caffeinated vapours waft off me inciting frenzied states in those nearby (or my cat is simply possessed). But, in the interest of furthering the great cause that is Unilocal,I knew it was my civic duty to add an espresso beverage to the two cups of drip coffee I’d already had this morning. One can never be too rich, too thin, or too caffeinated.
As Becca aptly noted, somehow the carpeted floors in this adorable little (literally, verging on tiny) coffeeshop DO work; maybe it’s the neutral colours, swirly abstract pattern and medium-​weight pile that’s neither industrial nor shag. The sunlight pouring in through the truly stunning copper-​framed, arched window certainly adds to the ambience, as does the gorgeously textured wooden door. This place is all about the details, and you can imagine how that warms the cockles of my cold, analytical mind.
Because I’m a particular creature, I asked for something between a macchiato and a cappuccino, or a very dry cappuccino, really. They were happy to oblige, and although it was not quite as dry as I’d have liked, it was still worthy of a full 5 stars, with smooth, rich espresso (definitely two shots, and delightfully copious crema) and thick, dense foam. Like my favourite espresso establishment, Abraco, they ALSO use Organic Valley whole milk. Maybe I should buy stock?
Lucky for me, the two owners, in addition to the talented barista, were all available and eager to chat with me as I nibbled on my (freely provided!) crispy, buttery mini palmier (details!), They seem to know coffee and were enthusiastic about their venture. With reasonably enough priced, delicious drinks (espresso and americano — $ 2, macchiato — $ 3, cappuccino — $ 3.50, mocha — $ 4.50) and a small but tasty selection of flaky pastries in a unique and inviting setting, I think their optimism is well-​founded.
Note: They do offer coffee as well — french press only — but I failed to note the price as I abhor FP coffee. I’m thinking it was about $ 2.

In one of my former lives, I use to have to travel to Milan for the MICAM show. This may sound so silly, but at the convention center, they served the most amazing espresso drinks! We each would order 2 cappuccinos, and drink them like water-​soooo good!!! Then would think about ordering another-​so bad!
This cute lil’ place serves espresso drinks that taste just like that-​mmmmmm. The barista is really nice and you can tell he likes serving up peoples gourmet choice of liquid crack :)

We all knew that Sasha Petraske is the undisputed king when it comes to cocktails, but coffee? I am happy to report that, yes! The man who rocks my liquor world can rock my caffeine world, too!
No drip coffee here, only French Press and espresso drinks. I had a fantastic (and well-​priced at $ 2) Americano served in a cup and saucer with a delicious sesame biscuit. Chatted with the barista for a bit about the fancy Ethiopian coffee they’ll be using in the french press. Can’t wait to go back and try it, as am extreme french press snob.
The main space is about the size of my bedroom (though they’ve got an upstairs area as well) and is so cozy and nice inside. Carpeted floors (can this possibly be a good idea at an espresso bar?), a nice marble bar, 3 or 4 tables, and that’s it.
I really wanted to write this review from INSIDE Mercury Dime – not only because it would have been sooooo meta, but because it was totally adorable inside and I would have loved to stay there forever. Unfortunately, though, their wireless isn’t quite up and running yet, but Mercury Dime, you are of course forgiven. See you soon!