The Coffee in the Brooks Brothers Suit

Sadly, I think I missed these festive cups. But will be on the lookout.
Image from Brooks Brothers Red Fleece Cafe.

I've walked by the Red Fleece Cafe at Brooks Brothers on Madison Avenue with interest and curiosity this winter as I've trudged back to the Port Authority after workdays.

I've dangled it as an idea for Sis.

Today I wrangled my friend Celia into going.

It was nice. Celia got some fancy maple latte in the signature red cup and saucer; it was dusted with nutmeg so fragrant and sit-by-the-fireplace cozy, I could smell it. [Red Fleece does not have a fireplace.]

They brew Stumptown Coffee. I got a large golden latte [with turmeric] and it was excellent, with a thick, creamy cap that I spooned up with a little silver spoon. My sandwich was, well--a sandwich. Nothing too tailored or upscale about it, but it was fine. Not buttoned up, no crisp lettuce collar. It was chicken on white. No extra starch.

I would def go back, not just for those lattes but for a fat vegan PB cookie to bring Figgy, a high-end dark chocolate bar or a plated meal. The kitchen was closed when we arrived. Also: Looked like a nice space to work on one’s laptop.

I always love to see our dear, smart friend Celia, especially in a stylish New York City setting.

Good night.

Info from HERE: "The Man in the Brooks Brothers Shirt" was the title of a 1942 short story by Mary McCarthy. The title is famous, but the story itself is less so. The Brooks Brothers company used the theme in ads, changing it to "The Man in the Brooks Brothers Suit."

I love Mary McCarthy's Memories of a Catholic Girlhood. I read her Brooks Brothers Shirt story once, about a man on a train, but want to read it again.

TCOY

1. Walked over 1 hour in NYC.
2. Accessorized, applied makeup. Wore trendy ribbed sweater I got on sale Friday at Le Willow.

$ MONEY SPENT OUT OF POCKET

• 4 bus tickets, $30.60
• Starbucks, $3.
• Red Fleece Cafe, with tip, about $22.
• Grand Central Food Market, groceries--large container good, crunchy pickles; guacamole; hummus; handmade rosemary crackers; spaghetti squash with tomato sauce; 4 plump wrapped rolls for family dinner [2 lobster, 1 Thai shrimp, 1 curried shrimp]; good deli liverwurst; pint Hudson Valley half and half, $77.79. Spent too much. 
• Neuhaus Chocolate, shipped in weekly from Belgium, said Lemon, the nice young salesperson. 4 small jewel-shaped dark chocolates, 2 dark truffles, 1 extra filled chocolate that Lemon threw in for Punchy--and she loved it, $10.97.

total daily spend: $144.36.

ongoing monthly spend as of Jan. 14: $1,823.49.

avg daily spend: $130.25.

COMPARE TO LAST 5 MONTHS:

december 2019 [Christmas and all that entails]

total monthly spend as of Dec. 31: $3,998.16. 

avg daily spend: $128.97. 

Total spend for November (30 days): $2,979.03. 

Average daily spend: $99.30. 

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TOTAL SPEND FOR OCTOBER (31 DAYS): $2,495.36.

AVERAGE DAILY SPEND: $80.49.

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TOTAL SPEND FOR SEPTEMBER (30 DAYS): $2,214.43.

AVERAGE DAILY SPEND: $73.81.

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TOTAL SPEND FOR AUGUST (31 DAYS/PLUS VACAY IN HERE): $2,895.06. ⬆️

AUGUST AVERAGE DAILY SPEND: $93.39.  ⬆️