Brewing A New Aesthetic In Throggs Neck
I was born in the Bronx, and although I have moved quite a lot since then, I recently moved a mere mile from the tiny apartment I lived in with my mother as a child. Throggs Neck has always been home. I guess it has always felt that way because much of it has been left unchanged. Nevertheless, in the midst of all the sameness and reliability of the familiar storefronts on East Tremont Avenue lies a new gem—just a little over a year-and-a-half old, The Miles Coffee Bar has already become a favorite among Bronx residents.
Sitting in The Miles’ backyard area listening to the island vibes music, I feel less like I am in a café and more like I just found myself in the middle of a garden party, surrounded by all the neighborhood twenty-somethings. With a vine-covered wall, gravel floor, and tiny stringed lights above, it could easily be a rooftop lounge belonging to a trendy restaurant. In fact, the entire space looks like it could be on the cover of an architectural magazine. With the help of Jenny J Norris, the owner Mario D’Agostino created this simple design because he said he wanted something that “disrupts the Bronx aesthetic” and brings a fresh, modern atmosphere for quiet conversations and afternoons of working from “home”, that is inclusive to all. Boy, did their vision come to life in the most perfect way.
Just like the interior design, the menu takes on a minimalistic approach. The Miles does not boast an extensive list of food options, but it doesn’t need to. When everything on the menu is handcrafted and made fresh by the staff each morning, any choice you make will be a delicious one. They offer fresh pastries, roasted chicken and turkey among other things. I have to admit, however, that I haven’t had the chance of tasting everything because I am thoroughly obsessed with the hummus toast and can’t pass up a chance at ordering it every time I am there.
Of course, the main attraction is the coffee. As D’Agostino says, “It started with the coffee and it will always be about the coffee.” It’s clear that he has carefully handpicked every detail and vendor. He offers sweet leaf coffee, roasted fresh in Brooklyn, from a fellow New Yorker, of course, which was crucial to his vision. Here you have options ranging from a familiar cappuccino to a mystery energy booster known as Rocket Fuel Cold Brew. After all, different days call for different brews.
Speaking of drinks, the list of beverages on the menu has grown. The newest and, some might say, most exciting aspect about The Miles is that it now offers Happy Hour daily! With their newly acquired liquor license and extended hours, they have piqued the interest of the after-work crowd with a small roster of unique beers. On occasion, The Miles hosts events that bring together and highlight the talented people who live and work in the Bronx.
The Miles has easily become one of my favorite places. With an endless amount of options in New York, I still return almost every weekend. I could go on and on about all the things I love about the coffee shop itself but I would be lying if I didn’t say that one of the biggest reasons I come back is for Mario. It would be just another coffee shop in the Bronx without him. The humblest of owners, he can be seen on any given day greeting customers, serving up some expertly brewed espresso, and even cleaning the small tables himself. It is obvious he goes the extra mile (pun intended) and that this place genuinely holds his heart. “Everyone knows I was born and raised in the Bronx…literally, everything we do and offer here is about bringing well thought out products to the people of the Bronx,” says D’Agostino. And we’re all thankful for it.
The Miles Coffee Bar 4039 E Tremont Ave, Bronx, NY
