Potion Cafe

Elite '08

41

53

Brandon K.

Brooklyn, NY

Potion gets an extra star for the location since it's both badly needed and blends in well with the area. Maybe I've been out of real estate too long but I consider anything east of Bushwick avenue to be: Bushwick. I see the point about north of flushing still being East Williamsburg though, hmm. Recently painted and touched up the place seems brighter (unless it was the company I kept). It's still a charming little dump though, like your French/Bohemian girlfriend's living room.

The espresso is good and the sandwiches smell great. I really like the energy from the staff, patrons, piano, everything. There's also a bathroom that feels like a janitor's closet which seems a bit naughty in a good way (just me?). You shouldn't go out of your way for Potion, but if you're in the Bushburg, stop in.

Bookmark   Send to a Friend Link to This Review

Elite '08

221

230

Steven V.

Staten Island, NY

FOAM FOAM FOAM FOAM FOAM FOAM FOAM FOAM FOAM FOAM

This is my new mantra

I am hooked on FOAM (not phonics).

Potion makes a tasty cappuccino.  "Mmmm...that IS a tasty cappuccino!"  Do you mind if I wash down my bran muffin with your tasty cappuccino?  There is my homage to Pulp Fiction.  I'll call it Gulp Fiction, as I pretty much gulped down my cap this morning.

Potion feels like you're sitting in a friend's living room and they're making you a cappuccino.  Well, they're not making YOU a cappuccino but rather making one for you.  Anyway, there you are in your friend's living room and they hand you a tasty cappuccino and you thank them and then hand them $3.00.  I think if my friend made a cap this good I'd gladly pay them $3.00 but I'd still give them shit about charging me for it.

Hipster/artist factor = 5/5

Be warned.

Bookmark   Send to a Friend Link to This Review

 

13

10

Jeff C.

Cambridge, MA

I must admit, most of these stars are based upon location.  I stay with friends at 248 McKibben every few months and Potion is wonderful if we wake up to discover ourselves without coffee nor breakfast and don't want to head out to the more commercialized places in Brooklyn.

I do, however, miss the tire seat and car bench they used to have outside.

Bookmark   Send to a Friend Link to This Review

Elite '08

18

59

Brian R.

Brooklyn, NY

Potion is a nice little hole in the wall located within one of two huge loft buildings on McKibbin Street.  Yes, it's right outside my front door, but it really is fantastic.  They've got great iced tea, and their coffee is just as good, if not better, than many other coffee shops throughout Brooklyn and Manhattan.  It's super comfy in there too, so go check it out before your local Starbucks.

Bookmark   Send to a Friend Link to This Review

 

11

18

Jon W.

Brooklyn, NY

1) This is not "Bushwick" as it is above Flushing.
2) The coffee is quite good and the baristas know how to make "fancy" coffee drinks properly.
3) The employees here are not known for being exactly thrilled to serve you the (quite passable) food. So don't order a bagel unless you've got plenty of time to wait.
4) The physical space in here is cool the first few times, but it is kind of whack for actual use.

Bookmark   Send to a Friend Link to This Review

 

0

4

Evan R.

Brooklyn, NY

The. Best. Iced. Coffee. Ever. I get one just about every day, even when it's cold outside. Plus, if you bring your cup back to reuse they give you $.50 off.

Super funky atmosphere, in a charming way. The music is usually courtesy of Pandora, which I appreciate.

The espresso drinks are great too.

Bookmark   Send to a Friend Link to This Review

 

19

18

Amanda U.

Brooklyn, NY

Even if it wasn't right next to my front door, I would love this place. Great coffee, cheap beer and yummy sandwiches. What more could a girl ask for?

Bookmark   Send to a Friend Link to This Review

 

10

17

Nick E.

Brooklyn, NY

If there's one place in Bushwick that truly defines the character of the neighborhood, it's Potion. Set inside one of the 2 ginormous loft buildings on McKibbin St, stepping into Potion is like going over to your best friend's house. If your best friend was an artist living in an old loading dock with 20 foot ceilings, that is.

Everyone here is so friendly, and so fun. No Williamsburg pretention or standoffishness to be found!

The only thing as good as the atmosphere is the coffee. And damn, Potion has the best coffee I've ever had in Brooklyn. And free wireless. And 3 DOLLAR RED STRIPES. Yup.

Too bad their bagels are stale and it will take the cute art school girl behind the counter 30 minutes to toast that sucker up and slather a thin layer of cream cheese on it. No worries, though. Just bring a book (or your laptop) and relax on one of the many couches. They'll bring you your bagel when it's ready.

Bookmark   Send to a Friend Link to This Review

Elite '08

6

94

Geoff O.

Woodside, NY

Potion Cafe serves excellent cappuccino. That is what I found today. The taste was excellent and the presentation was very chic with a nice swirl of espresso and milk. Such style for a cafe found in the bottom of a huge warehouse. I felt a bit self-conscious walking to a very artsy place in my teacher attire, but everyone was very absorbed in their work. The free wi-fi means that everyone--mostly a mid-20s crew--was on their ibooks. The baristas were quite friendly and talented. The look of the place is quite low-key, indieclectic (I hope I just coined that). The cafe also includes a small beer and wine menu, which is still rather rare for a lot of NYC cafes. My one complaint was that the place was so dark. There appeared no effort to make it brighter as the sun went down, making it hard to observe my non-ibook material. Still, a great small cafe, although finding a seat may be challenging.

Bookmark   Send to a Friend Link to This Review

 

0

3

johnnie u.

Brooklyn, NY

I've definitely never been treated as rudely as i was at this bushwick hole-in-the-wall. the physical space is very disorganized and can only comfortably seat about 10 people. all of those people (except my friend and i) were on laptops anyway. this place is not worth it. at all. there are many many better coffee spots in bushwick and in williamsburg. AVOID. DO NOT WANT.

Bookmark   Send to a Friend Link to This Review