Meeting On Nostrand

I’ve heard that the best time to visit is during brunch.

So I made sure to make my way over to the popular little coffee shop on Nostrand Avenue and Clifton Place one fine Sunday morning, with a big appetite for eggs, waffles and coffee.

The place was packed with students hunched over their laptops and groups of friends meeting, enjoying a coffee or brunch. Sunlight spilled onto the dark wood floors and mustard yellow walls, and the atmosphere was light and friendly.

The decor is minimal, but comfortable, with a few colorful paintings and shelves of tea pots and mugs. I could see how easy it would be to become a regular here, get to know the employees, and stop over on the occasional afternoon for a cup of coffee and some quality time with a good book.

Tiny Cup originally gathered a following with previous owner Lisa Bayer, and many were sad to see the place shut down for about a month in early winter as the new owners took over.

The new owners hail from Asheville, North Carolina, and are committed to bringing their version of southern food to the table.  I started off with the Mexican Mocha, which I quickly found out had more espresso than I needed at the time. It came in a colossal mug, complete with a decorative fern in the cream.

The drink was extremely spicy (dusted with red), and was flavored with mexican chocolate, which tastes like coco without any sweetness. The hint of cinammon was the perfect final touch, and although I couldn't drink the whole thing without my hands starting to shake, I was very satisfied.

The vegetarian biscuits with gravy are seasoned to taste like biscuits and sausage gravy. The gravy is thick and creamy, and although slightly salty for my taste, the biscuits (freshly made and warm) compliment the flavors well. I also tried the biscuit with jam, which made the biscuits seem slightly dry, so I recommend the gravy to moisten them up.

The Chili Relleno is a giant poblano pepper stuffed with sharp cheddar cheese (a favorite of mine) which oozes out the side and pools on your plate. The pepper has a fried egg on top, which was smothered in a spicy salsa. Luckily, the poblano pepper isn’t too hot, otherwise the fire in my mouth would have no relief (definitely not in the Mexican Mocha). I highly recommend this dish, especially since anything stuffed with cheddar is absolutely amazing.

But the best thing on the menu, in my opinion, is the whole wheat waffles. They have a fluffy, buttery inside, with a slight crispy crust, topped with maple syrup, confectioners sugar, and fresh strawberries that add a fresh, sweet-and-sour taste. Waffles are so often too dry, too soft, or too crunchy. These waffles were perfectly made, which for whole wheat waffles is a near miracle.

Almost every menu item is between $4 and $7, a fair price for such a good brunch. But moreover, this is a place to stop and stay awhile. The food is tasty, the coffee is warm and satisfying (and full of caffeine), and the people are friendly.

My recommendation: Bring a friend or a good book, order a little something, and take your time to really relax.