f there is one thing I have learned in the last three years about the student population at the College of Saint Rose, it’s that they appreciate coffee.  Whether it be a cup of Java City coffee from the Camelot Room, or more recently a cup of Starbucks, there is coffee available on campus for the caffeine junkies like me.

However, if the other coffee addicts at Saint Rose share my philosophy, Java City and Starbucks just don’t cut it all of the time.  Sometimes, a coffee aficionado needs to spend quality time with their cup of joe.  Since our fine college is nestled between several coffee shops, both independent and franchise, it can be a tough choosing the right place to go.  That is why I went on a coffee tour of Albany.

First stop on the coffee tour: The Muddy Cup

The Muddy Cup is an independently owned coffeehouse right next to the Madison Avenue Theater on, you guessed it, Madison Avenue.  It’s only a short walk from campus, so this is the ideal spot for coffee enthusiasts that do not have a car but need to get away from the coffee offered on campus.  It’s not quite a franchise, but there are other locations in Staten Island, Hudson and Beacon.  Yet, the shop tries keeps an indie coffeehouse feel.

As soon as the doors to the coffeehouse are opened, there is an overwhelming scent of freshly brewed/ground coffee.  Depending on the number of patrons at the main table, it can be a slight battle to get to the counter to place your order.  It is fairly common to walk past a dozen customers on their laptops either doing homework or checking their Myspace pages.

The Muddy Cup has a welcoming atmosphere, with plenty of places to sit (even a loft if you’re feeling anti-social), and trendy indie rock songs being played on a stereo sitting on the beverage cooler by the counter.  Aside from a few broken springs, the furniture is comfortable.  Monday nights are Open Mic nights, and there is also a jazz band that plays regularly.  Between the entertainment on certain nights, and the chit chat of the other coffee drinkers, it may not be the best place to go for a quiet cup of coffee.

On my visit to the Muddy Cup, I purchased a caramel macchiato, which contains two shots of espresso and a couple of teaspoons of steamed milk and foam.  If a macchiato is not your choice of beverage, there is a house and dark roast coffee available, as well as several other espresso drinks, smoothies, Italian sodas, and a wide variety of teas.  The macchiato I purchased was made to perfection.  It was dry, meaning it did not contain too much milk.  Most drinks can be purchased for three dollars or less.

The Muddy Cup has a good atmosphere which invites the clientele to stay for more than a little while.  This coffeehouse is the perfect spot to sit down with a friend and talk over a caffeinated beverage or two.  It also helps that it’s not too harsh on the wallet, and only a short walk from campus.

Rating – 4 of 5 stars

Next stop: Dunkin’ Donuts

Even though I typically am not inclined to appreciate franchises when it comes to coffee, I will admit that I am a regular Dunkin’ Donuts coffee drinker.  The Saint Rose campus is surrounded by at least five Dunkin’ Donuts shops.  There are two on Western Avenue, one right up the road from the Muddy Cup on Madison Avenue, one on the corner of Lark Street and Madison Avenue, and one on New Scotland Avenue across from St. Peter’s Hospital.  Aside from the Madison Avenue location, it’s good to have a car to go to the other shops.

For this trip to Dunkin’ Donuts, I chose to go to the one on Western Avenue, right next to the Across the Street Pub.  Inside the shop, there are several tables with chairs.  The tables and chairs appear to be there out of obligation, and are not very comfortable.  There is a television suspended from the ceiling, usually set to a news station, but can be changed depending on the employee who is working at the time.

I purchased a medium, 14 oz. coffee, with cream, sugar, and coconut flavoring.  The prices do not break the bank.  Much like McDonalds or other fast food restaurants, Dunkin’ Donuts also features combinations of coffee drinks and food for a slightly discounted price.  The coffee was good, although it is almost necessary to have cream and sugar in it.

Dunkin’ Donuts is a good place to go if you are in need of some caffeine, but have other plans to attend to.  It is definitely an “on-the-go” coffee shop.  I would even suggest going to a shop that has a drive thru window so as to avoid entering the shop completely.

Rating – 3 of 5 stars

Final stop: The Ultraviolet Café

This indie gem is located next-door to the Spectrum 8 Theater on Delaware Avenue.  The shop is owned by the Spectrum 8 Theater, which is an independent theater as well.  The Ultraviolet Café is not convenient if you do not have a car, especially since no bus routes run from Saint Rose.  If you don’t have a car, it’d be best to take the bus to Lark Street and walk from there.

           

The shop is smaller than the Muddy Cup, but is very cozy.  There are plenty of places to sit, and the shop usually is not overcrowded like the Muddy Cup.  Large windows make up the front of the shop and offer the patrons a good view of the city outside, and are perfect for people-watching.

I bought a cup of coffee, which was served to me in a ceramic mug, which really impressed me.  My beverages had been served to me in paper or Styrofoam cups at the other locations, so getting an actual coffee mug was a treat for me.  The coffee was good without any cream or sugar.  There are espresso drinks, as well as teas and a variety of foods from Panini sandwiches and soups to desserts.

The Ultraviolet Café seems like the perfect place to go for lunch, before or after a movie, or a place to go to end an evening.  Out of the spots on the coffee tour, this is the one that has the most to offer.  The beverage was good, as well as the atmosphere, and the prices were not too hard to handle as well.  It is the closest thing to a true café that Albany has to offer.

Rating – 5 of 5 stars ■