76 Audrey Zapp Drive

Jersey City, New Jersey

Consider the above photos and ask yourself; with a table view like that, would the taste of the coffee even matter that much?

Such was the dilemma I faced following lunching at Liberty House, inside the Liberty state park, immediately across the river from the New York financial district.  What better way to polish of a perfect Sunday brunch of eggs benedict and calamari (impressive meals I should add) than with a good espresso?

Now, it has been stated on this site numerous times, just how far standards can slip at fine dinig establishments, where espresso is concerned.  Typically I’ll often pass on coffee, just so the lingering palate has a fond memory to go.  However with a strong case of the sleeps about to settle in, the decision wasn’t mine to make.

My first impression of the espresso was a Deane Hutton-like case of curiosity. The espresso came with lemon on the side like a tequila shot – I’d seen this before – only this time it looked like someone stole my lemon and left me the raggedy rind.  Maybe this is the “less is more” trendy phenomenon that I often hear about, or some New York inspired minimalist art?  Furthermore, my espresso came in a whopping big cup.  Now, while volumetrically it looked like it might be 30mls, you just can’t be so sure sometimes especially when the appearance looks like an accidental splash in the bottom of a cup.  Happy to report that the shot was solid. Smooth, minimal bitterness.  One bean.