A Nice Cuppa

I recently had a leisurely lunch with my husband at the Spotted Pig in Manhattan???s West Village. First of all, go there. Everything is wonderful from the polite, laidback service right down to the amazing coffee we enjoyed with our dessert. I am so used to ordering an American coffee following a meal, it???s really more of a knee-jerk reaction than anything. I don???t expect any fanfare beyond a mug filled from the community pot, which has been perpetually warming under the hundred year old filter coffee making behemoth.

At the Spotted Pig, to my surprise and delight, our server presented each of us with our own personal coffee presses which are similar in look to tall, skinny teapots. Hot water is poured directly onto the coffee grounds where they steep together for several minutes before inserting a filter to separate the grounds from the brew. This creates a thicker, more flavorful liquid than a filter machine where hot water passes through the grounds for only a few seconds before it drops into the pot. I thoroughly enjoyed my thick and delicious coffee and, after becoming properly wired, was hell-bent on getting a coffee press for myself.

After lunch, I set out on my search. Of course, as is always the way, I was exhausted and ready to go home when I happened into the place I should???ve gone to all along: Bodum. The huge store lies in the middle of the Meatpacking District on 14th street. Once a sketchy part of town with a horrible odor from leftover scraps of butchered meat, the area is now alive with wonderful shops and restaurants.

Bodum, founded in Denmark shortly after World War II, features several different coffee presses, but I fell for the Eileen. Its modern shape is simple and straightforward. The unique crosshatched metal exterior is reminiscent of Art Deco design and protects the fragile glass interior. Using a coffee press is simple. All you need to remember is grind your coffee beans evenly and not too finely, pour just-boiled water over the grounds, give it a stir and let it sit for several minutes. After that, firmly press the filter down until all the coffee is on top and the grounds are beneath the filter. After that, pour some into your favorite cup and savor the luxurious flavor.

*If you live in New York City, visit Bodum Caf?? and Home Store at 413-415 West 14th Street. Or call (212) 367-9125 for purchasing information.

*For those who don???t live in New York City, the Eileen is available online at bodumusa.com.

*For more details on how to make an excellent cup of French press coffee, please visit coffeegeek.com.