TLDR
Underrated UWS spot for expertly crafted coffee & delicious espresso. Great flat whites & cortados, even better without sugar! [1], [2]
Details
This Upper West Side coffee shop is a must-visit for its expertly crafted coffee, particularly its flat white and cortado [1]. It's noted for being consistently excellent and potentially underrated, offering a superior coffee experience even for those who prefer their drinks without sugar [2]. The shop also offers good baked goods and focuses on quality espresso preparation [3].
Food Overview
The coffee is the star here, with customers highly recommending the flat white and cortado, praising their balanced flavor profiles that don't require sugar [1], [2]. The shop is also noted for having good baked goods and a focus on the quality of the espresso shot itself, distinguishing it from other cafes [3].
The flat white and cortado are highly recommended, with customers noting their balanced taste that shines even without added sugar.
Caveats
One user had a negative experience, finding their drinks tasted watered down and expressing a desire for a barista who cares more about the espresso shot quality.
Reddit Opinions & Reviews
Top Reddit Posts About SOLID STATE COFFEE
Recent Reddit Mentions
From post: The Espresso At Solid State Whats Special About It
"An employee at Solid State explains their practice of rotating coffees on espresso frequently to allow customers to try different beans. They also emphasize the importance of precise steaming temperatures, particularly cooler temperatures for cortados, to preserve the milk's natural sweetness and enhance texture."
PositiveFrom post: The Espresso At Solid State Whats Special About It
"This commenter explains that a great espresso requires good beans, a proper roast, precisely dialed-in grind, and skilled barista technique. They praise Solid State for focusing on coffee quality over marketing, also noting their baked goods are good."
PositiveFrom post: The Espresso At Solid State Whats Special About It
"This user had a negative experience at Solid State, finding all their drinks tasted watered down and hoping to find a barista who cares about the espresso shot."
NegativeFrom post: The Espresso At Solid State Whats Special About It
"This user emphasizes that the quality of the espresso shot itself is crucial and that many places fail at this despite having good beans. They recommend St Kilda and Sey Coffee as alternatives for similarly good espresso shots."
PositiveFrom post: The Espresso At Solid State Whats Special About It
"This commenter implies that if someone needs sugar for their coffee to enjoy it, they don't truly like coffee."
Negative