If you’ve spent even a little bit of time with me — IRL or
virtually — you likely know that I don’t know Russell Crowe from Sean Penn from
Tom Cruise. I can’t distinguish NataliePortman from Lindsay Lohan, Keira Knightly from Jennifer Aniston. I do, however, know Helen Hunt, Jill Eikenberry, Julianna Margulies and Christine Lahti (not to be confused with latte), which should give you a very
big clue about when I last saw “must see” TV.
But I digress…
Similarly, I don’t know a cappuccino from a café au lait, a
latte from an espresso, or an Americano from a French roast. So I was somewhat interested to read this
article in today’s New York Times. Sadly, though,
it taught me little and I’m still most comfortable with one of these options
on my daily trek to work:
At the McDonald’s at 39th and Second, I’m good with a “large coffee with milk,” and even better with the $1.09 price tag that’s part of an ongoing promotion that offers any size coffee for $1.If I opt to walk up Third Avenue, I can satisfy my caffeine craving with a medium Dunkin’ with milk (sometimes with coconut syrup) from the Dunkin’ Donuts between 37th and 38th. This fix sets me back $2.17.On the rare occasion that I find myself in a Starbucks (there’s one on 32nd and Second and another one on 41st and Third, as well as one at 81st and Second, a short two blocks from Temple Shaaray Tefila, where I’ve been known to pass the time before an adult education or worship committee meeting), the only thing that rolls easily off my tongue is this: “A tall blond roast in a grande cup,” which leaves room for milk. Of course, once I add enough milk to suit my taste, the coffee’s cold… Generally, this concoction can be had for $2.01, although in some stores it goes for $2.45. Lately, though, I’ve been using a gift card, a lovely treat given to me for my birthday.
When next my travels take me to Chicago, I’ll make sure to
stop in at Caffé Streets, where according to the article in the paper, I’ll fit
right in with others in my demographic by ordering “Regular Coffee!!!,” which the proprietors describe as “Drip
coffee, as ordered by flustered middle-aged people overwhelmed by a myriad of
options and frou-frou drinks. (Asking
what size often results in a complete meltdown.)”
Whatever you’re drinking these days, enjoy it and keep warm!
