ven in its infancy, Abraco is becoming an East Village hot spot. Located at 86 7th Street, the iconic coffee shop/eatery is a mere two-minute walk from the end of the universe (aka Starbucks). If you manage to haul your lazy self three blocks - I know, I know, two minutes is an epic journey - you can get a better cup of coffee, made with care by co-owner Jamie McCormick, and free of capitalist guilt.

Not just a café, Abraco is also a full-on eatery. Co-owner Elizabeth Quijada - the head baker at vegan joint, Babycakes - whips up the desserts, infusing them with a Middle-Eastern slant and throwing out the vegan didacticism.

The opening menu boasts Black Olive Shortbread Cookies ($1.50), which sound bizarre, but are melt-in-your-mouth flavourful. Offering the perfect blend of sweet and salt, these morsels go quite well with a cup of joe. Cakes, including Olive Oil ($3) and Rosemary ($2) are expected to be staples.

Abraco also has a savory side; co-owner Mario Hernandez serves frittatas ($4.50) in the morning, paninis and soup in the afternoon, and Patatas Bravas ($4) after 4:00pm, with ingredients dependent on whims and farmer's market finds.

Did I just mention three co-owners in a row? That’s right. Jaime McCormick (coffee), Elizabeth Quijada (sweets), and Mario Hernandez (savory) co-own the vaguely red café venture. Three friends from San Francisco, they all moved to New York within the last year. It should be an interesting evolution.