Café’s and coffee shops in American cities of late seem to be springing up virtually everywhere. Forget about the Starbucks Nation in a place like Manhattan where you can’t cross a street from a Siren without bumping into yet another. So it was with some relief that I now report to you from the borough of Brooklyn; a borough big enough to have its share of corporate café coffee culture, but still have a personality of its own. While recently scanning the scene on Atlantic Avenue, I came across Flying Saucer Café. What luck as it was raining and I was not only able to enjoy their café offerings, but I was also able to rest my dogs and wait out the rain until it let up. Flying Saucer Café has gotten something of a mixed review on sites like Yelp. It’s interesting because when I’d read the reviews; a lot of them were similar thoughts which I’d had when I visited.
Location: Flying Saucer Café is located west of the shopping dreck of Atlantic Terminal. If you live nearby or you happen to be in the area, their location could be construed as convenient. However if you’re just visiting the area on one occasion, as I was the day in question, then it should be noted that Flying Saucer Café is kind of out of the way. There is a real struggle going on right now in the area of Atlantic Avenue right now between the retail/luxury future and the area’s industrial/urban living past. Flying Saucer Café is straddling that line right now and is, in truth, catering a lot more to the former. When the latter likely wins out though, they will probably lose out to big money conglomerate of the moment.
Coffee: Flying Saucer Café serves Gorilla Coffee and while there are stalwarts on either side saying that Gorilla is so much better than any other coffee; the fact is that, according to reviews, Flying Saucer Café makes this coffee poorly. Others have complained of improper making of espresso drinks and dangerously to boot (excessive sugar for a diabetic in ‘sugar free’ drinks). That’s too bad as you always want to root for the underdog, but until they can get their coffee in order, it’s tough to call them a legitimate café of any substance.
Tea: I was able to enjoy a cup of tea. It was black tea and it was quite soothing. It may have been because it was raining out or it may have just been because it was good, but the soothing effects of the tea made me both relaxed and alert.
Other Café Offerings: While I was in a rush once the rain let up, Flying Saucer Café did have a small assortment of sandwiches and the like available. While I might have wanted to see a bit more variety, all-in-all the Flying Saucer Café is a place I could envision myself being a regular at (were it conveniently located).
Conclusion: Even though there is some scandal swirling about their coffee’s and the sandwich selection appears limited, Flying Saucer Café is a place that I will be coming back to. While I was there, even in the rain, the place was mostly empty; they have free WiFi with plenty of plugs, and a nice garden in the rear. They also have fun looking furniture, couches, and huge windows, so you can sit and sip and while the day away.
Someday. I’d like that to be my life, someday.
