Spacious, not crammed, inside newly opened Cafe Orwell. — Photo by Joel Myers
I was making my usual Friday-morning trek to the Archive, walking up Varet Street a few blocks from the Morgan stop on the L, when I looked up and noticed (!!!!) there was a new coffee shop in town.
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Cafe Orwell has been up and running since this past Monday and plans to be open seven days a week, with a tentative schedule from 7 a.m. to 11 p.m. (Now 8pm) Different kinds of tables, looking like they were culled at random from an attic or an antique store, are spread throughout the space. The walls are bare at the moment, but one of the managers told me they are looking for artists to put up work soon, so in a few months it will almost definitely look like every other coffee shop I’ve ever been to.
Cafe Orwell serves a full line of espresso beverages as well as bottled drinks, bagels, desserts and sandwiches. Their drip coffee is solid, and their espresso products are well above par. (I had a two large coffees and a cappuccino and am now properly floored for the day.) There are ample electrical outlets on the walls, so I’m sure it won’t be long before the place starts having the stock smattering of laptop-carrying coffee connoisseurs surfing the ‘net or typing away diligently. It currently does not have wifi, but a barista told me they should be getting it in some time right after New Year’s.
We now have another fully functional coffee shop off the Morgan stop, with ample room to spread out your study stuff, bring in a few friends or just grab a cup of coffee on your way to work. Archive, watch out.
Cafe Orwell is at 247 Varet St. between White and Bogart.
Zee December 20th, 2008 at 10:46 pm
This is good to know. I hate the fact that while Archive brews Gimme! coffee it never really *tastes* like Gimme!
Any news on where the new Cafe Grumpy location is going? All I’ve heard is that it’s going to be in Bushwick…
varetron December 21st, 2008 at 10:17 am
ugh, cafe orwell wasn’t even open just now! (9:10am sunday morning), wtf?? too early? too rainy? i need my coffee!
sweetser December 21st, 2008 at 7:10 pm
this is a cool space with good coffee and friendly service. at least for now it’s less of a clusterfuck than the archive and a good place to get some work done. i definitely recommend it.
varetron December 21st, 2008 at 7:48 pm
i returned in the afternoon, was impressed too, for the most part: walls, ceiling and floor all painted different colors (brown ceiling, blue floor, red and grey and blue walls), a nice feel; mismatched furniture, eclectic styles, traditional and fifties modern, but not beat furniture, looks almost new, or newly finished; couple of big, wooden communal tables and smaller deuces sprinkled around; three mismatched chandeliers provide not very flattering and somewhat glare-y light, pendants over counter a little mis-aligned, sconces mostly matching. three security cameras though, what’s up with that?? a refrigerated cabinet at the end of the counter was modern and clean, a nice counterpart to the otherwise dark furnishings. conduit and pipes frankly exposed. two ceiling fans seemed unnecessary, especially in the winter. coffee was good, cookie only fair. music a bit too loud for a “relaxed” feel, though music selection was eclectic/arcane. back wall mural big and looming, what is it? coffee clerk was nice. i’ll go back.
Dresden December 21st, 2008 at 10:36 pm
Nice floors.
Homeboy December 22nd, 2008 at 11:29 pm
I love this Place
taitai December 23rd, 2008 at 10:42 am
Friends & non-friends: Cafe Orwell is the BOMB! all prior criticisms have been dully noted, but bare in mind that this place is new and experimenting, so any suggestions from the public are much appreciated and incorporated into the development of this mini utopia. We honor Freedom, Equality, Justice & good Coffee. WIFI is now IN.
Caveat: As we are learning how to cater to the community, our hours are currently subject to change, but soon enough we will have a solid schedule that you can depend on. In the meantime just come on in and check out the place for yourself!
Zee December 23rd, 2008 at 12:57 pm
Thanks taitai!
I went on Sunday and am excited for the addition to the hood. I’m new to the area myself but hadn’t been sated by Archive or Wyckoff Starr. So Orwell is up!
If you could finagle a way of getting Blue Sky Bakery muffins and/or cookies from Baked you’d have my business for life. just sayin’…
Welcome and best of luck!
varetron January 5th, 2009 at 12:43 pm
went again yesterday, a very pleasant experience, the chandelier lights were lower, the music volume lower, a (different) pleasant young woman behind the counter, an excellent bagel with cream cheese, and best of all, i had a large table all to myself, as there were only two other people there. this is sure to change, so will be enjoying the emptiness while it lasts. and i second zee’s suggestion for blue sky bakery muffins…
Jeremy Sapienza January 7th, 2009 at 6:35 pm
Very cute place, nice owners, and excellent, strong-but-smooth espresso.
Mike Hill January 7th, 2009 at 7:24 pm
went in last week and the WIFI is on. was a tad slow at times but was working for the most part. the coffee is good and the people are nice. had a really, really good tuna salad sandwich — cranberries?!!?
Stijky January 14th, 2009 at 9:01 pm
Definitely better than the archive… excellent fresh coffee all day, fast wifi and tho the sandwiches are a bit pricy at least the ones I’ve tried (pesto and veggie) were really tasty. Proper espresso drinks!
Bearded One January 23rd, 2009 at 10:04 pm
Anyone ever see big black bugs crawling out of the floor? and no I’m not on drugs. Well maybe I am but my friend grace saw them too! And she rarely is high. No biggie but we were laughing about it all the way home. Waiter theres a bug in my mochachino! Don’t shout or everyone will want some! :)
sweetser February 1st, 2009 at 4:19 pm
yeah beardo, there were some large bees buzzing around in there today, but they were pretty harmless looking. i was told that they’re crawling up from the basement, a problem that they’re working on taking care of. in other news, their bagels are pretty decent.
Cook St artist February 6th, 2009 at 3:17 pm
Hello… We hipsters must be a desperate lot. Or disparate lot, I dunno. Pay Manhattan prices for poorly made coffee, and the brave the stares and glares if your so poor as to think the price of coffee and a tip is too extravagant. Three, count em three security cams. (harmless!) bugs crawling out of the basement. Hmm Cafe Orwell is named appropriately, I think. Cafe Orwellian is just not working for me. Equality, justice and surveillance cameras?
Inhyun Kim February 8th, 2009 at 2:35 pm
Hi, guys!
My name is Inhyun, one of the owners of Cafe Orwell.
I appreciate you guys’ criticism about Cafe.
I am like you, poor artist, but have a dream for better future for us.
I have lived in Williamsburg for 7 years.
I love this area and want to serve best coffee and bagels.
Believe you or not, every in the morning, I go to Bagel store and bakery shop to get freshest things for you. true!!!
Our coffee, we really care about coffee. We have fresh beans from Stumptown and have good baristas.
Good coffee is all about fresh bean and proper pressure, proper temperature of water through good machine, of course best barista.
Believe me, I am your friend, Cafe Orwell is your Cafe and we love Bushwick.
that’s it.
Sorry about the Camera. Me, too. I don’t like that Cameras, the shape is ugly, too. but I had to install for our security.
Be comfortable, there is no big brother is watching you!!!!
Love,
Cafe Orwell
p.s. about the bees, we will solve the problem soon.
varetron March 5th, 2009 at 8:57 am
please, can’t we get the cafe going on time? i was there on monday, at 8:10, the girl behind the counter is like, “wait, i think we’re not open yet” but on your door it says you open at 8:00. “oh wait, what day is it?” you don’t know what day it is?? no coffee or bagels that day. and this morning, even later (8:45), i’m told the fresh bagels haven’t come in yet, the owner’s bringing them, would you like a day-old one?” i really want to like this place, it’s so convenient. and the cameras seem to have been removed! but archive cafe was closed for renovation yesterday, i think they’re about to fight back…
Dresden March 5th, 2009 at 10:46 am
Is it really surprising if you hire kids for very little who are aspiring artists that they literally fall flat and miss opening by half an hour?
They’re working out the kinks. I love this place – the coffee is a very respectable, and the staff is humble, approachable and relaxed – UNLIKE more than half the baristas and bar-bitches in this town.
varetron March 6th, 2009 at 6:03 pm
no, not surprising, just annoying.
and btw, was there at 8:30 this morning, and again, no coffee, despite the posted 8:00 opening. i went to archive, no biggie, good to have a choice. (somehow THOSE aspiring artists get their shit together…)
varetron March 9th, 2009 at 8:14 am
and again, 8:30 this morning, this time the barista fumbling in her bag and laughingly announcing that she can’t open the front door. funny…
Dresden March 9th, 2009 at 1:11 pm
Jeez varetron, have a heart.
varetron March 10th, 2009 at 7:45 am
well, as a business owner too, i suffer when i or my employees don’t deliver product or service when promised. so i expect other business owners to honor their committments, such as a cafe owner who puts “8:00″ as the opening time on his door. i know, too old school. but i don’t consider it heartless, though perhaps a bit too regimented for this audience. and day old scones (at full price yet!) again today, at 8:45, yum.
Professional Alternative March 10th, 2009 at 9:28 am
I love this place, but seriously, they need to get their shit together. This is not rocket science, making coffee, though some baristas may want you to think it is. Pastries are old and nasty, the coffee is great but you have to wait for EVER because whatever girl is behind the counter is having trouble making a couple of drinks. I want them to succeed but the owners need to do some more supervision. And I’m surprised to hear varetron’s complaints — how can you not have coffee at 8:45 — you missed the whole work rush!
Dresden March 13th, 2009 at 10:29 am
I agree about the whole punctuality thing. It’s about being an adult. Adults do what they say, show up on time, are reliable… that’s why our toilets flush and our garbage doesn’t pile up on the sidewalk… so if it’s still going off in the spring, they should overhaul the staff.
Johnny March 20th, 2009 at 2:38 am
I went in Saturday afternoon – the 14th, and had a great experience. The Barista was friendly and witty! I ordered a sandwich and a soy latte. The sandwich was so good, and elegantly executed. The Latte was perfect. I sat down in front of my laptop and enjoyed my work with good music to eat by (Talking Heads!) Give this place some time, and everything will be smooth! It’s comfortable, warm, and not crazy stuffy like The Archive! (coffee is better)
varetron March 22nd, 2009 at 12:03 pm
yes, i like going there too, have sorted out to not go too early in the morning, so i have a nice combination of archive and orwell…
jessica March 25th, 2009 at 12:57 pm
i don’t understand why a person with such disdain for a cafe would continue to come in. i work at orwell, i love the owners and see how they struggle with making sure that things go smoothly and that we provide the best coffee and pastries. i know who you are, you come in the mornings and we have tried to be nice but enough is enough. don’t come in the cafe, were sick of the constant post. go bother another struggling cafe.
varetron March 28th, 2009 at 10:23 am
very pleasant cafe orwell experience this morning, in just after opening, personable baristo, good music, good coffee, ten minutes of solitude. four out-of-town-looking hipsters arrived, seemed bundled up for north dakota, despite the balmy weather. but soon left with take-out, and i left too, to finish laundry…
Professional Alternative March 30th, 2009 at 9:01 pm
Jessica, you should be fired for attacking a customer like this. No wonder Orwell is having such problems — they have idiots like you working there.
Andy April 6th, 2009 at 5:31 pm
What?
I love this place. The owners are sincere with their desire to provide a good service to the community.
Thanks to them and the baristas… who are amazing.
But it’s ok for you all to want more I guess.
happy customer April 6th, 2009 at 8:20 pm
this cafe is great. the employees are super nice, vibe is chill, oatmeal raisin cookies kick ass. beats the archive any day.
varetron April 9th, 2009 at 7:50 am
triple ugh! since i had to go to the mailbox at bushwick and siegel this morning, thought i would try the new cafe in the hood, boulevard cafe, on bushwick between johnson and montrose, have passed it and it looked inviting. but at 8:10 am, the door was locked! though there was a baristo inside signaling that they would open at 8:30. next option, archive, but (uncharacteristically) the door was locked there too, at 8:15, though with a sign saying “back in 5 minutes.” but double ugh. so cautiously went to cafe orwell around the corner, but gates still shut, no one in sight, 8:19, triple ugh. but believed the “back in 5 minutes” sign at archive, so went back, and they were, indeed, back. so got my morning fix after having surveyed the morning java landscape in morgantown (though boulevard cafe is more like montrosetown).
varetron April 18th, 2009 at 4:21 pm
beautiful bike racks, kudos!
aok January 21st, 2010 at 1:52 am
The coffee quality at orwell has completely been downgraded to diarrhea– thats right poo water. The first few months they were open, the coffee which is from stumptown, was superb… from the drip to the espresso. Now it seems they are recycling there grounds…. F that. I def like the cafe’s atmosphere and reliable wifi…. but come on…. really? get the coffee back to where it was.
thanks.
pablo medina January 29th, 2010 at 1:30 pm
they put heavy metal music very loud at 11am!!!..,im there in this moment, trying to finish my coffee soon as possible to rest my ears!.
sweetser January 29th, 2010 at 1:51 pm
yeah pablo, they do that all the time and it’s a serious turnoff. i like the cafe, and i even like thrashy punk rock, but when i go to a coffee shop i’m there to buckle down and get work done. the workers at this spot need to think a little harder about the music they select.