Supercore Cafe

After hearing the ominous weather forecast, I calculated how much time I had left before the estimated arrival of the snowstorm and headed out for one last restaurant fix. I just wanted a simple lunch, but I craved a hot drink - cider, or a cappuccino, or a hot chocolate.

I ended up with a perfect green tea latte at Supercore Cafe. Supercore is a comfy cafe/bar where you can linger over a book, surf the Web or share drinks and tapas. The decor is typical '70s Williamsburg with a bit of Japan thrown in. The cuisine lies somewhere at the intersect between Japanese homestyle and gourmet diner. Olives, goat cheese, edamame and dried squid are advertised on the tapas blackboard.

Supercore's reasonably-priced menu includes panini, beef curry, donburi, baked creamy parmesan penne, egg salad on a croissant, meatballs and pasta, and nikujaga. You can accompany your meal with either focaccia and salad, or rice and spinach. I ordered the marinated ginger-and-radish-topped mackerel ($6.50), of which there were three moist slabs. My spinach was smothered in sesame sauce, and there was a nice portion of seaweed-sprinkled white rice. And the latte was terrific. The sweet, creamy drink came in a cavernous mug which I could lift with both hands. When I took a sip, I was surprised by earthy, grassy green tea instead of the sharp taste of coffee.

I meant to order a warm chocolate cake, but when I looked out the window, I saw the first snowflakes begin to fall. And there was the bus: perfect timing.

Supercore Cafe: 305 Bedford Ave., Williamsburg, (718) 302-1629.