Sote Coffee Roasters
A husband and wife team have opened up a new neighborhood coffee shop.
Besa Bislimi and Arber Beqiri, both natives of Albania, will officially be welcoming guests to Sote Coffee Roasters at 329 Amsterdam Avenue (between 75th and 76th streets) on Friday–kicking things off by “doing free pour-overs right at the door, giving everyone a chance to taste our coffee and experience what we’re all about.”
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While the official opening is tomorrow, early guests who’ve patronized the shop during its soft-opening period have left very positive reviews on Google (all 5-star reviews so far). A few folks have praised Sote’s cappuccinos, and multiple customers have gone so far as to call their coffee the best in the neighborhood.
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“Our concept is all about fresh, locally roasted coffee, which we take great pride in,” Bislimi tells ILTUWS. “Every cup you enjoy will be made from beans we roast ourselves, ensuring a rich, vibrant flavor profile that reflects our passion for great coffee.”
Sote Coffee Roasters
Their main focus will be on specialty coffees, sourcing most of their beans from farms and micro-lots in Colombia. The menu is still being finalized but they’ll have a range of beverages including pour-over specials and seasonal drinks, plus a selection of pastries.
Sote Coffee Roasters
Sote Coffee Roasters
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“We’re also excited to support local artists by showcasing their work, hosting events that bring the community together and a perfect pit spot for runners,” Bislimi told us, adding that they’re designing the shop to be that “perfect ‘third place’ where you can relax, connect, and feel at home.”
“Sote” means “Today” in Albanian, and it was also Bislimi’s nickname growing up.
“We chose this name because it reflects our commitment to serving fresh, high-quality coffee every day and perfectly captures our philosophy – to live in the moment and enjoy the simple pleasures of today.”
Sote Coffee Roasters will be open daily from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.
The space at 329 Amsterdam Avenue was most recently home to VIP Cleaners & Tailor.
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I can hear Tammy now: “D I V O R C E”.
Good luck!
I don’t think the law allows coffee roasting in Manhattan.
Where is the coffee being roasted?
Why, as long as you follow the rules about air emissions and odors, would coffee roasting not be allowed in Manhattan? That’s silly.
Steve Rak,
It looks like it’s legal, so I was wrong. However, it requires significant permits. Starbucks has a show piece facility roasting coffee beans in Manhattan, but for example Zabar’s does NOT roast its beans.
Betting Sote’s roasting operation won’t last long, if they plan on roasting coffee in this store.
Starbuck’s tastes burnt. Nauseating. Surely, this will be better!
Did anybody missed another service essential to our neighborhood: the cleaner and tailor – when we have so many coffeeshops around?
This seems like silly commentary above. I asked them and they are roasting at another location.