Colombian Coffee Federation

10/20/09

I woner if it was a bad month

by Michael Manhattan

Seriously, the coffee tastes horrible at THIS Juan Valdez Cafe. My co-workers and I had tea, black coffee and a latte. Regretfully, our descriptions of our drinks ranged from "wet cardboard" to "tinny, stale and spoiled" and "rusted and moldy." We all though it was the milk and the employees were certain it was NOT the milk.

When they kindly replaced all of our drinks, the tea and coffee without milk were still as bad as the first order.

What a shame because the location is accessible, spacious and well lit. In addition, they have wifi with your purchase.

If I'm in the area, I MAY give them a second chance... only becuase the Times Square location has GREAT coffee.

• Pros: Great atmosphere, space and wifi
• Cons: For a coffee shop, the coffee was nasty

03/10/07

Great cup of Coffee!

by begginsg

I have been going to the Juan Valdez cafe on 57th street since it opened. I LOVE IT! The coffee is great, every day and at any hour. Granted, I usually only get a drip coffee, but that's just because the frozen coffee drinks with whip cream are way too huge and good (and caloric). I agree that perhaps the baristas were a little inexperienced when they first opened, but they've picked it up now (and many of the staff are the same). I like that the staff is friendly and knows your drink if you're a regular. Plus, the 10-drink p unch card can't be beat (can be used for any size coffee drink, so go crazy). The food is OK, good for a small treat but not a filling lunch. It is a beautiful, spacious cafe with free wi-fi, music, and they don't kick you out. Great for meeting a group of friends, sitting down to write some emails, or just popping in to get a coffee to go. Definately try it. It's a fun cafe experience and the coffee is delicious.

• Pros: Great coffee, nice space
• Cons: During morning rush hour, there can be a slow line

10/24/06

Want a break from Starbucks?

by u2wickedpixie

I love Starbucks, I think it's wonderful. I even used to work for the company in college. However, my mother has been working in Colombia over the past few years and brought me back a couple pounds of the Juan Valdez Cafe coffee. WOW! The coffee is stronger, no doubt, however it doesn't finish as harshly as the Starbucks bean. When I was in NYC I went to the Juan Valdez cafe. I was VERY impressed. They have their coffee of the day like Starbucks does, they have lattes, cappucinos, but they also have ICE CREAM. You can get a real milkshake there, not just a frappucino type thing. They have wonderful pastries and sandwiches. I wish we had one in Miami. If you are a coffee drinker and would like a different type of place, check them out if you're in Colombia or NYC.

• Pros: A bit cheaper than Starbucks, better product. They have high chairs for kids.
• Cons: Takes a little getting used to if you're used to the Starbucks way of things.

04/11/06

Great drip coffee... not so good cap's

by edwu97

Having a slight disdain for Sbux, and not quite a Dunkin Donuts purveyor, Juan Valdez fits the bill for my drip coffee needs. Their cappuccino's are served in a generous mug with a bit too much milk and too-sudsy foam. (read: nowhere near 9th street espresso) But, Juan Valdez enters the NYC market, and it's a good thing, where Sbux and Dunkin need some competition. The treats are very bread heavy, but filling. The decor rocks. The baristas are decent, but not the best.

• Pros: drip coffee, decor
• Cons: prepared drinks

10/08/04

Half cup coffee

by frappuccinousa

If you want a half of cup of a small Nevado (like frappuccinos) for $3.10....by all mean try it out. the lady literally gave me a $3.10 cup of beverage and didn't attempt to blend more to full up the cup but oh she did offer free whip cream??? And the drink was too creamy...

I though the service could have been better, the staff are not experience enough to know how to make the drinks without reading the instructions.

For the price, the taste and service I'd suggest walking a few block to Green Monster!

• Pros: atmosphere, location
• Cons: , service, overpriced