Long Island City - A Cafe Crawl

If you take the 7 train just one stop into Queens, you'll be transported into Long Island City's budding shopping district. This area resembles a quaint old village that was inexplicably planted right next to a bustling metropolis. At night, its narrow streets and diminutive brick buildings are eerily illuminated by the skyscrapers of Manhattan. The Chrysler Building looks close enough to touch.

L.I.C., which is emerging from its industrial roots, has recently become home to a confluence of cafes. Each has a quite distinct character. (Starbucksification has not yet arrived in this neighborhood.)

Right across from the Vernon-Jackson subway station is TEN63 (1063 Jackson Ave., 718-482-7679). Unfortunately, I've been told that this spacious cafe will soon be demolished to make way for the construction of a luxury condo. I'm sure the locals will miss the excellent homemade hot chocolate and egg sandwiches. I ordered the avocado/cotija cheese/black bean sandwich, and although I must opine that unpureed beans don't belong in a sandwich, the bread was terrific.

I took a right on 50th Avenue and walked past Cafe Henri (1010 50th Ave., 718-383-9315). The menu was an appetizing list of crepes and croques monsieurs. (Cafe Henri is related to the popular bistro Le Gamin.) Live jazz is featured on Thursdays and Saturdays from 8-11 p.m.

I then settled in at Brasil Coffee House. The owners of this cafe are so obsessed with coffee production that they've filled the tables with coffee beans and painted an agricultural mural on the wall. (They are also ardent advocates of coffee's supposed health benefits.) I had no idea what I was ordering when I asked for the "BCM Media," but apparently it was one of the strongest drinks on the menu. It must have stimulated my appetite, because I also consumed a hot coconut muffin and a chewy Brazilian cheese bread (pao de queijo).

After this caffeinated experience, I needed to decompress at Communitea (47-02 Vernon Blvd., 718-729-7708). At this comfy tea shop, the menu is scrawled on the back wall, and the chairs look like they were lifted from the local schoolhouse. Communitea truly has something for everyone; both beef and tofu hot dogs are available in organic white or whole wheat buns. I enjoyed a cup of freshly brewed sencha. All categories of tea are offered: black, green, oolong, white, flavored and herbal. The service is friendly and warm.

(On my way back to the subway, I caught sight of a sign that said "Cafe." Apparently this was the now-closed, much-missed L.I.C. Cafe. Fortunately for food-lovers, the owner is now operating a catering shop in the space, and he'll soon open a cooking school called Peter's Pans. 5-48 49th Ave., 718-752-0282.)