Culture 36 is the 36th street location (between Broadway and 8th Ave) for Culture Espresso (main store on 38th near Bryant Park). One of my tests when I walk in to a shop is to ask, “how are you dosing your portafilters?”  If I don’t get a coherent answer I usually order water.

The answer here?  “19gr in 36 out”.  Off to a good start.

I got a flat white and my 8yr old daughter got a hot chocolate.  Both came with well crafted latte art, and my daughter says her’s was better (a nice 3 level tulip).  The coffee is from Heart Roasters in Portland and is very nice (a nice legit medium roast…not typical 3rd wave under-roasted pseudo medium).   If the coffee strikes you the right way, you can purchase a bag to take home.

The shop it self is reasonably sized for NY which is a treat…there’s room to sit and actually move.  And, if you are a WiFi junkie, there’s free WiFi here.  The music selection was also very nice.   Wilson Pickett was on when I walked in.

Another nice feature of Culture 36 is their house baked cookies.  The chocolate chip cookie we had was large, moist and gooey…just how it should be.

If you are in the theatre/dance world and spend stupid amounts of time at Ripley Grier, check this place out.