f you are to have any china in your kitchen cabinet, the one thing that is essential to your cups and saucers finery is the standby Mug. Whether it has the usual Garfield caricatures adorning the weighty cup or pictures of the grandkids, this amazing beverage holder works wonders for the office social scene where a trip to the kitchen for coffee is a welcoming break from cubicle life.

For many a student that can’t afford IKEA kitchenwares, the mug houses many a packet of instant soup as well as KD (trust me, it can be done). At this new East Village coffee shop, you can expect many, if not all, beverages to be served in Mugs – coffee ring stains on the bottom are optional. –E.J.