NYC: The Deconstructed Latte at Coffee Project

I discovered Coffee Project NY in East Village by coincidence a couple of years ago, when I was walking around the neighborhood. The tiny shop didn’t look like much from the outside, but through the window, I saw a couple sharing what seemed to be a line-up of coffee cocktails. It looked too good to ignore, so I stepped inside and ordered whatever that couple was having.

Turned out it wasn’t cocktails, but the Deconstructed Latte consisting of a glass of espresso, a glass of milk, a glass of ordinary (reconstructed?) latte and a glass of sparkling water. The staff told me to drink the sparkling water first to clean my mouth. Afterwards, I should drink the glasses in the following order: Espresso, milk and latte. I could eat the biscuit, which also came with the coffee, whenever I wanted.

Espresso is usually too strong for me, but this one had a smooth, almost chocolatey, flavor. After gulping down the milk, I was left with the same taste in my mouth, as if I had been eating coffee ice cream. That’s a big Yum! in case you wonder. Furthermore, the individual shots of milk and espresso worked to fine-tune my taste buds, so when I was drinking the reconstructed latte later, the flavors really popped out.

I also had a canelé, which was amazing. Back then, I used to see them everywhere, and I really developed a taste for the cute little French pastries with the caramelized crust, and the sweet, gooey core. I checked the menu online at Coffee Project NY, and I’m not sure the canelés are still around. I hope that I’m wrong, because the canelé I had at Coffee Project is among the best I’ve ever had. I would have liked to stay longer (and maybe have a canelé or two more), but the cafe was closing, so I finished what was left of my reconstructed latte, and walked out with strong intentions to come back again soon.

Coffee Project, 239 E. 5th St, East Village, New York