Peekskill Coffee House

I have to disclose my bias upfront. PCH is my favorite place to go and drink coffee. It's my coffee version of Cheers, where everybody knows your name. There is a regular local customer base that I see virtually every time I go, which is usually every Saturday and Sunday, and more when there are holidays or summer break. I have had conversations with many of the regulars, often revolving around motorcycles - bikes are good icebreakers.

It all starts with the staff. After my second or third time I was greeted by my name. And I got to know their names as well: Kristen, Liz, Aleah, Quincy, Randy, Jenna, Dimitri, Brie, Allen - roughly in that order. There is a consistent team of baristas who clearly enjoy their work and make PCH a warm, inviting, and fun place to visit often. They also have a kitchen turning out crepes and Belgian waffles that fill the air with warm, comforting, sweet and savory aromatherapy.

PCH is located in the old flatiron building in Peekskill. Incidentally, I never realized why it is called a flatiron building, like the much larger one in NYC, until I saw Aleah's artwork for their flatiron blend. I'm a little slow.

Inside there are high ceilings with intricate plaster work, tile ornamentation, and crown molding, all painted over in a copper tone. Wood flooring throughout add to the warmth. An eclectic collection of mostly mid-century style tables and a mix of chairs provide ample seating. Even when it's busy I've never seen every single table occupied. But then again I'm always in and out early, so it might get more packed as the day goes on.

There is wall space for a frequently-changing exhibition of artists' work, usually Peekskill locals. A permanent collection of antique coffee paraphernalia occupies the bookshelves on one wall.

Coffee is very nice. My amercano is a darker roast here, although it is described as a medium, it's seems to me on the darker end of medium. A bit darker than I would choose if i were making my own, but if I remember from my old days drinking lattes it holds up well with milk added. It's not too bitter and still has some acidity, a little nutty (or is that floral I'm getting as described in the house notes? -my nose and palate are a work in progress) with a hint of chocolate. Slight smokey/ashy element, hence my initial impression that it was a darker roast.

Fifty minutes from Upper Manhattan and well worth the trip. They roast their own coffees but not on site.

Ratings: (1-5 cups)

Coffee

Ambiance/Comfort

Space/Size:

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Comments

Big Mouth Coffee Roasters

Beacon NY. First impressions. Good coffee. Bright, fragrant and flavorful. Chocolate maybe, something fruity. Lighter roast.* They don' do triple shots so I should have gotten a small instead of medium, a little watery but that's avoidable if you know they only do multiples of 2 shots. Ambiance. A little sterile somehow. Large cavernous space with utilitarian, almost Spartan furnishings. A leather sofa and chairs in one corner does little to remedy the lack of coziness and warmth. If that's what you want in a coffee shop. On the other hand there's plenty of space and few indoor patrons today - mostly grab and grow. So a good home office away from home. As I am typing a line forms and it's almost out the door, one person at the cash register also making drinks - that's tough. Maybe someone else will come in from the back to help. The line for some odd reason runs next to my table where's there's very little space instead of down the middle of the entranc...

First Village Coffee

Ossining, NY. Despite the small facade (the door on the right is a different business) it's reasonably spacious inside with a front display/bar area where assorted book-store type materials are for sale, and a back room with numerous tables and chairs, plus the covid-era outdoor seating on the street. Coffee first impressions- nutty, a little fruity, hint of dark chocolate. That woody taste as it cools. Light and smooth, easy to drink. I felt a little awkward today for some reason, having nothing to do with the coffee house - it was my second stop after venturing up to Newburgh where I also felt ill-at ease and out of sorts - it's me, not the place. Point being I didn't linger inside or ask any questions about the source of the coffee. Cute coffee shop, soft biscotti again - guess that's a thing now. It was fine once, but I prefer old-fashioned hard biscotti. Ratings (1-5 cups) Coffee: Ambiance/Comfort: Space/Size: Price (3 is average):

Bank Square Coffeehouse

In Beacon, NY on Main Street. Opens at 6:00 am which is unusual, and an hour away from me unfortunately. Americano is smooth and balanced. No particular flavor jumps out, but I think nutty with chocolate notes, sweet, maybe a bit of caramel. I'm not picking up any fruit.. Not over roasted, not burnt or bitter, quite nice to drink. Roasted in house. Lets compare notes from the label: Oops, no flavor notes on the label, but a blend of Central and South American beans. Decaf is also nice with more fruity flavors jumping out. The space doubles as a bar serving beer and wine. Big TV screens, which I hate, but I can sit at the window and ignore it. Seating indoors is limited but most customers this morning are grab and go. I suspect it gets crowded on weekends. There is a good amount of outdoor seating on a nice patio. Bottom line: Sweet little neighborhood coffee shop I would be happy to call home if I lived nearby. Ratings (1-5 cups) Coffee: Ambiance/Comfort: Space/...

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