In perhaps the biggest news to hit NYC coffee since Ninth St switched to Intelly, Eater has reported that Joe the Art of Coffee will switch to exclusive use of Ecco Caffe starting tomorrow. Sprudge had the scoop about a month ago, but the time has come to finally make the switch.
As purveyors of some of the best beans in the world, Andrew Barnett’s Ecco Caffe partnering with 5 high volume locations throughout Manhattan could have significant impact on the state of NYC coffee.
Andrew Barnett, via Liz Clayton
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I just got the news and just had some from the 13th street location. I have to say I am so disappointed but I am not surprised. I’ve noticed the past few months they’ve been testing this new brand. I am sure the economics of serving Great Barrington didn’t make sense as Cafe Joe grew as a business. The new brand is the same watered down coffee you can get anywhere. It tastes empty. I’m traumatized! The search is on to find a new favorite coffee shop!
I wholeheartedly disagree. The espresso I had at the 23rd location today was beautiful-deep in flavor, sweet, and delicious. It was, happily, also a tiny bit larger in volume and was not at all “empty” or watered down. Ecco has a stellar reputation and Joe definitely knows what they are doing. I urge you to try it again. They were tasting folks on the house coffee (perhaps guatemalan and brazilian?) and it was also excellent. This is one self-ascribed coffee geek who is psyched to see Ecco in NYC. Kudos Joe!
i had it for the first time yesterday, and thought my espresso was more bitter than their previous incarnation. i’ll give it a second shot though.
Kristin are you reading from the script?! lol I gave it a second shot today myself. I was even more disappointed. No character and like drinking water. I couldn’t even drink it. Yesterday I thought I’d still go to Joe out of convenience and plus I like the atmosphere and the people. But now honestly I don’t think I’ll go anymore I can’t believe it!! I tried the espresso too – not good! I liked the fact tht Joe pulled short Espressos although I know a lot of customers probably didn’t get i!) I’m sad (and feeling over-caffinated and unsatisfied! I am going to contact Barrington and see if they serve their coffee anywhere else in Manhattan. If anyone knows let me know!!
Kristin must be brain washed by the PR heavy image conscious face of Joe. Ecco is new on the scene and is happy to please the coffee gourmand
and their big new account. The only thing worse than buying a car that runs worse than your old one is the person who sold it to you trying to tell you you don’t know what you are talking about.
Ecco is new on the scene for you. They have street cred. Sorry your wrong Paulo. It’s okay though go to third rail try some Ecco SOE from brazil or the Ecco reserve you’ll be humbled. Or maybe the profile is not for you, but don’t insult hard-working talented guys like Andrew Barnett and Jonathan Rubinstein. Just saying.
Scott, I am so sorry you are having negative experiences. As we expected we are getting mostly raves but certainly a handful of people who miss the old coffee- Ecco and Barrington have super different flavor profiles, though I wouldn’t have switched if I didn’t find Ecco’s espreso to be incredibly delicious, balanced, complex, sweet etc. I wanted to let you know that you can get get Barrington at the Dark Horse in Brooklyn and definitely from their website. We love those guys and want only good things for them- If I hear of more accounts (they plan to pursue them here in NYC) I will certainly ket you know . We may also feature them from time to time. Jonathan (of Joe)
Thanks Jonathan! I have to say this would be an interesting case study for those in the MBA world. Building the business on a particular type of coffee and then switching brands. Risky move some would say. On the other hand I think the traffic in your stores is so great at this point and you have all the other things on your side like location, staff and the general personality of the stores which is all part of the experience so it probably won’t matter plus your profits will be up! Cheers to capitalism and bully for you – I really do wish you the best!
wow, Scott. you are some personality! nice rant you got going on here, wishing your next favorite coffee shop all the luck with you.
ecco is fantastic. GREAT move Jonathan.
Paulo – touché!
Charlie – Is a nose with deviation such a crime against the nation?…
As Jonathan said himself about these coffees … “Ecco and Barrington have super different flavor profiles”. Given that Joe has been popular in great part to ahhh…. oh I don’t know…. maybe the coffee? Then it should come as no surprise (least of all to Jonathan) that some people, including myself, like the former “flavor profile” of Barrington better then Ecco. The new coffee strikes me as weaker and designed perhaps, to appeal to a wider range of palates. Like Jonathan said himself – it’s totally different.
I just got back from Joe’s and noticed something different only to find the coffee has changed. At first I thought it was me but now I know I’m not wacked on this one. I do not like the new coffee and can’t understand why they would’ve changed it!! It taste like your average Starbucks burnt coffee. What made Barrington so good was the fruity taste that was omnipresent but subtle. It was totally unique and wonderful. Bad move Joe’s…..I see Ecco’s coffee in a lot of places in the west village and the city overall. My perk card, dare I say, will have to be removed from my wallet given I don’t expect to be going back.
The horror! The horror!
Coffee Chronicles: Introducing Ecco Caffe at Joe | Serious Eats : New York « ShotZombies.com // Oct 27, 2009 at 2:55 pm
[...] 27, 2009 · Leave a Comment Allison Hemler takes a serious look at Joe’s switch to Ecco, and does a nice job explaining the [...]
Scott I agree, Barrington helped differentiate Joe from other coffee shops in the city. The texture and taste of barrington’s Espresso can’t be replaced with the “seasonality” of intelligentsia… Ecco*. I am in complete disbelief. Guess I’ll have to learn to enjoy the syrupy Hair bender @ Stumptown.
Sill – yeah it’s too bad. I haven’t been back since but I’ve been trying other coffee shops around the village. I live in the village so I was especially disappointed. Anyone want to open a coffee shop with Barrington?
When I was in NY i found the espresso at Joes to be good but based on rather average coffeess. I was finding some good origin character but it seemed to be that of indians and basic brasils – sort of lack luster. Anyway that was the impression; nice to get that flavour coming through but pretty basic. I was thinking it was a bit cheap. The change to Ecco can be nothing short of exciting and I cannot wait to try.
Taste is certainly tied with memory. Affections for certain flavors, smells, and textures associated with brands that comfort us can be deceiving. In the big picture Barrington’s Coffee is Good and enjoyable. I’m sorry to say that it is not the best. You don’t always have to drink the best, but if coffee is your business you better serve it up right. I salute the Joe team for the courage they had to make a change. Ecco Caffe has an outstanding reputation that I have tested many times and at many shops. I have had many incredible experiences with their coffees. I’m sure it will take their baristas some time to get to know their coffee and get a system down, but Joe has one hell of a system. Try everything twice. Stop hating. Be humble.
One love,
Sam
I still like the other coffee better. This “blonder, thinner coffee” just doesn’t do it for me. Barrington was thicker, richer. Completely different flavor profile.
I find the Ecco beans to be outstanding. It had been over a year since my last shot at the Waverly location, but I found the shot similar to what I remembered: thick, syrupy body, an impression of powdered grounds in the sip, an “earthy” shot in a very satisfying way, and very concentrated chocolate flavors. For home brewing, I haven’t tried anything better in recent months. I’ll be buying more of these beans, and more shots when the opportunity presents itself.
Man Seeking Coffee » Espresso is Half the Battle // Mar 5, 2010 at 1:24 am
[...] transition to Ecco created quite a flurry in the coffee blogosphere (1,2,3,4,5,6,7). The move was generally met with what I’d call reluctant excitement. I can’t [...]