Saturday, October 5, 2013

Bis Co Latte - Hell's Kitchen

This is SO much the NEW Hell's Kitchen..

On to Yelp--well, it looks like it suits the new kind of people in Hell's Kitchen just fine...with a few complaints of course


Bis.Co.Latte

3.5 star rating
151 reviews Rating Details
Categories: Bakeries, Cafes
667 10th Ave
(between 47th St & 46th St)
New York, NY 10036
Neighborhoods: Hell's Kitchen, Midtown West
(212) 581-3900
Nearest Transit Station:
50 St. (A, C, E)
42 St. - Port Authority Bus Terminal (A, C, E)
Hours:
Mon-Fri 7:30 am - 7 pm
Sat 8 am - 7 pm
Sun 8:30 am - 6 pm
Attire:
Casual
Accepts Credit Cards:
Yes
Parking:
Street
Price Range:
$
Good for Groups:
No
Good for Kids:
Yes
Takes Reservations:
No
Delivery:
No
Take-out:
Yes
Waiter Service:
Yes
Outdoor Seating:
No
Wi-Fi:
No
Good For:
Breakfast
Alcohol:
No
Noise Level:
Quiet
Ambience:
Casual
Has TV:
No
Caters:
No
Wheelchair Accessible:
Yes
Dogs Allowed:
No

Review Highlights   What's this?

  • "Nice place to bring a book, grab a coffee and yummy biscotti." In 106 reviews
  • "Latte and sips the smooth, piping hot Illy coffee." In 14 reviews
  • "It's a quaint little store in Hell's Kitchen." In 14 reviews
Rating Distribution | Trend
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151 reviews in English

  • Review from

    Manhattan, NY
    8/2/2013 1 check-in here
    Completely adorable coffee shop with friendly staff.

    The decor is warm and inviting, the biscotti are plentiful, and the individual coffee pots can't be beat!

    The only sadness for me is that computers are not allowed. I'm always looking for a good place to do work, and this location is not it. It is, however, a great place to meet a fiend for a cozy chat.

    Note: tables are for waitress service only.
  • Review from

    • 3 friends
    • 76 reviews
    Theater District, Manhattan, NY
    9/21/2013 1 check-in here
    I got very excited when I realized that there was a bakery that specializes in biscotti.  Not cookies, not cupcakes, biscotti!

    I walked in here, I got excited more.  I felt a bit like a kid in a toy store.  (Cliche, but still works).  Although it doesn't bother me much that we can't use laptop/phone (they have a check in special and some of the photos listed here were taken inside, so I assume a little phone use is ok - it means you can hog a table and a chair for hours with just a cup of coffee), what bothered me was the service.  Maybe I hit them at a bad time.  There were 3 or 4 people being seated with nothing on their table (2 of them being kids, so although they were at 2 different tables, I like to think that they were "one" customer), so Maybe they were busy preparing drinks for these people.  Nevertheless, when I walked up to the counter and decided to ask if the check in special was still good and ask a few things about their biscotti, although they answered my questions in the end, they acted like they were too busy to deal with my questions.  There were 2 people behind the counter so could they have been so busy that they have to deal with customers (especially those who identify themselves as the first timer) like that?

    Maybe it would have been different if I was a dine-in customers, I don't know.  I am not sure if I will ever try to find out, but as Emily C also stated, "I do not think I will be missed".  To be fair, their pumpkin latte was very nice.
  • Review from

    • 0 friends
    • 2 reviews
    Secaucus, NJ
    9/8/2013
    Cute place with important caveats:
    -Absolutely no laptops allowed
    -No high chairs
    -Required table service to sit at tables
    -When ordering a drink, specify your size or they will bring you and charge you for the largest.
    -Although I am sure well intended, they have rules about how to behave. These are intended to help people relax, but made me feel on edge.
    Not a good fit for my needs so I will not be going back; nevertheless, I do not think I will be missed.
  • Review from

    Philadelphia, PA
    9/15/2013
    Any Philadelphians who remember the Pink Rose Pastry Shoppe and the smell that intoxicated as you entered, well, you can rest easy that there is a reincarnation right in  Manhattan. It begins with the biscotti, but ends with the vegan baked offerings - just amazing. My hair still smells like butter. And that's totally OK.
  • Review from

    • 37 friends
    • 27 reviews
    Pasadena, CA
    9/8/2013
    We got the biscotti sampler and some lattes.  I tried to ask which ones they were because I really liked two of the 5 but they couldn't remember what they'd given us so I sadly can't make recommendations.

    The pumpkin latte was unremarkable.  The regular latte was also ok.

    The seating was much appreciated but there's a sign that says computers and cell phones are not allowed!  We ended up writing postcards there instead under a neon wall of 14 paintings of naked people, all by the same artist.
  • Review from

    • 21 friends
    • 12 reviews
    Brooklyn, NY
    8/2/2013 1 check-in here
    I have no reason to give this adorable coffee shop/bakery and less than 5 stars. I came here with a good friend to catch up. The atmosphere is nice and I appreciate that they have a no cell phone, no laptops mission. It's not exactly a policy because you won't get in trouble for using them, but it's a nice concept in the electronic age we live in (interact with real people!).
    I had a Winter Spice Chai Tea Latte w/ soy milk. Actually, I had TWO; it was that good! My friend had an Americano that he said was good but he ended up ordering Chai Tea also after I let him have a sip of mine. We also ordered the biscotti sampler which was a good choice for a first time biscotti eater. As with all samplers, you win some you lose some. Vanilla Lavender biscotti, win. Goober biscotti, lose. Overall, LOVE this spot and their affordable prices. Well be back.
  • Review from

    • 0 friends
    • 44 reviews
    Manhattan, NY
    5/26/2013
    Pretty much one of the few coffee shops where you can sit-in. Kavhe is cute and nice, but it is near impossible to find a table there.

    Biscotti here is wonderful. Try the sampler, and you won't regret it! I am not a coffee person, but I enjoy occasional cafe au lait with a sampler of biscotti. I never feel rushed out here as well - but I am yet to find out if it is because the service is slow or not.

    By the way, they have a very strict restroom policy here - you have to get a table service in order to use a restroom.
  • Review from

    • 7 friends
    • 9 reviews
    Manhattan, NY
    8/7/2013
    I'll probably start coming here instead of spearing myself in the eye at Starbucks.  Nice little space, smells amazing, a bit off the beaten path.  Prices are reasonable.
  • Review from

    • 19 friends
    • 18 reviews
    Phoenix, AZ
    5/19/2013 1 check-in here
    There are plenty of coffee shops in New York. Plenty of SUBPAR coffee shops. Plenty of neat-looking coffee shops that advertise well, but don't have the product. Plenty of you-know-what-to-expect Starbucks.

    Luckily, Bis.Co.Latte is none of the above.
    I was Hell's Kitchen working on a recording and I found Bis.Co.Latte my go to place for Coffee, Breakfast, and even Lunch!
    Delicious coffee! (and I am PICKY) Great breakfast items! One of my collaborators cannot have cheese/milk/gluten (due to allergies) and they actually had delicious (so I'm told) options for him!
    I had the Risotto for lunch.

    I will be back next time I'm in NYC.
  • Review from

    • 9 friends
    • 47 reviews
    Toano, VA
    7/27/2013
    Really cool place. Very friendly personal service. Great iced coffee with homemade caramel and fresh steamed milk. Interesting and delicious biscotti flavors. My favorite is white chocolate lavender.
  • Review from

    • 23 friends
    • 86 reviews
    Los Angeles, CA
    3/2/2013 1 check-in here
    I was so ready to love this place. Made the hike over, 30 blocks, 5 avenues with such high hopes! The website looked so cute.

    Got there, the venue was actually tiny and although there are books, jars of biscotti, the vibe was simply off - it wasn't as  friendly/welcoming as I anticipated based on what I've seen on the website and on yelp.

    The latte was very very good, but not particularly large (ordered a large one, but not sure if they just have one size, they didn't say).

    The biscotti is where the disappointment came. It was supposed to be fresh, home made, out of this world.... but, it just wasn't that great. I tried several types, and the best was the almond one but it was way too hard, had to dunk it a LOT in the latte. The other types were not as hard but also didn't taste as good. The blueberry one was my least favorite.

    Also, they have several rules.

    1) "no talking on the cell phone, except for very short very silent calls" - check!
    2) "no computers"  - check!
    3) "no credit cards unless you spend $10"  - uh ok!
    4) "no WIFI available for Ipad, Iphone, etc." - really?
    5) "no paper cups at table" - makes total sense, unless I want to have the option to take some of the coffee with me to go. Then again, fewer trees killed, hopefully.

    I totally get and appreciate that the business has the right to establish rules to foster a certain kind of environment or run their business as they like.

    While it was helpful they had all the house rules spelled out in writing and on signs, but for my liking it just seemed a little over the top. Felt like I had to be on my best behavior for fear of being grounded - not the feeling I want to accompany a leisurely latte.

    In fact, I will likely get reprimanded for posting this review. But since I've gotten so many good recommendations from yelp, I feel I owe other yelpers an honest opinion.

    But, to each their own, therefore, I'd recommend you try it for yourself especially if you love biscotti!  When I need a really really good latte, I'll probably go to Port, Cafe O, Konditori, Gregory's, Birch, Culture, Zibetto, Blue Bottle, Lucid, just to mention a few other options.
  • Review from

    • 0 friends
    • 13 reviews
    Manhattan, NY
    3/15/2013 2 photos
    WOW - Tons of biscotti - assorted flavors to choose from beating any other city bakeries or boxed goods from the supermarket, with unique flavors and holiday themed on occasion. Big bowl of cappucino? Hell yeah!! Definitely coming here more often for lunch - a nutritious selection of excellent, flavorful soups and risottos. OMG - French Lentil Chestnut soup - so delicious!!! Scones are addictive, macaroons are loaded with coconut and really large, these ain't your old Granny's little 2" flat macaroons! After enjoying a great lunch, I had to buy a couple of dozens of biscotti to go. Awesome, awesome, awesome, for real!

    Big selection of magazines & cool books on the shelves for those wanting to relax and enjoy some relaxing downtime in a chill setting. Cool music too, none of that adult a/c muzak! What's not to appreciate and love, especially in the cold, crazy city? Been there for iced coffee in the summer also - awesome! Service was attentive and warm.

    Love the "rules" - how many times do you walk in a coffee shop & there's nowhere to sit since people are camping out with all their crap stretched out? Especially on a wintry or rainy day? You Go Bis.Co!!!! ;) By the way, it was pretty busy with only 2 or 3 seats available the afternoon I was there recently - definitely a happening neighborhood spot.

    To all the negative wieners obviously drinking gallons of Hater-ade before they walked into the cafe with their bad attitudes & "cool electronics" - Boo-hoo...go to Starbucks, I mean, Char-bucks: you deserve each other, you wouldn't know a great cup of coffee or have any familiarity with the illy brand if it bit you in the hiney! Go to the doctor & get your tastebuds checked while you're at it too. Hail Bis.Co.Latte!!!
    • French Lentil Chestnut Soup
    • Chocolate Chip Macaroon
  • Review from

    • 0 friends
    • 7 reviews
    Orlando, FL
    7/21/2013
    Wonderful for breakfast! Vegan biscotti is yummy!
  • Review from

    • 32 friends
    • 91 reviews
    New York, NY
    4/14/2013
    I stumbled on this place by accident while looking for another coffee shop that I knew was in the area (Sullivan St. Bakery), and I'm glad I did!

    Upon walking in, you're greeted with a full bookshelf on the left and a wall of beautiful art on the right. I started to fall in love with this place as I walked toward the counter, where rows (and I do mean rows) of every kind of biscotti you could imagine was available.

    I must have looked confused, because who appeared to be one of the bosses or managers got up and went behind the counter to ask if I had been helped yet. I explained it was my first time, and he was delighted. He took me through some of their most popular sellers, especially one of the more chocalatey biscotti, which he claimed was "like crack".

    I knew I stumbled upon a hidden gem when I saw a review from Time Out New York on the wall explaining this was the go-to spot for biscotti lovers. You'll never run out of choices here, that's for sure!
  • Review from

    • 311 friends
    • 2494 reviews
    New York, NY
    6/30/2013 1 check-in here
    The charmer behind the counter took my order for the Yelp checkin offer - $1.95 for a currant vanilla tea (atrocious and should no longer be sold to customers, especially given the amount of time to cool down sans additions) and a chocolate coconut biscotti (tasty for sure). Their biscotti selection was pretty impressive in this quiet, narrow space.

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