First date for Coffee near Grand Central

[mascarpone]

Any recs for a first date coffee near Grand Central Station? My co-worker asked me to ask for any ideas. She doesn't like Starbucks . . .

[donbert]

There is an Oren's Coffee inside Grand Central Station. No seating inside the shop but plenty at the food court. Not exactly romantic or a conventional date spot but it could be fun to grab a cup of coffee then walk through the market on before grabbing some seats downstairs.

[Bond Girl]

Cafe Zaiya on 41st bet. Mad. and Fifth. Japanese pastries and okay coffee...quiet on off hours.

[Luckylies]

Cipriani Dolce in grand central.

[raji]

Cafe Zaiya on 41st bet. Mad. and Fifth.  Japanese pastries and okay coffee...quiet on off hours.

←

I like to give my first date a "beard papa"

[mascarpone]

I like Zaiya, although it has a sort of bakery, supermarket decor. Very informal, and can be very busy and hectic during lunch and after work.

[phaelon56]

There's a place on Park Ave Sout just below the Helmsley Building - not too far from GCT - Timothy's or World Coffee - something like that. I recall that it's as crappy as Starbucks in most respects but the coffee doesn't taste burnt.

If they don't mind walking a few blocks beyond GCT how about

Zibetto Espresso Bar

It's near 56th Street and Sixth Ave and is rumored to have the best espresso in Manhattan above Union Square. I haven't tried it but that's what a few informed folks tell me.