Cuppa Cuppa: Muse Cafe & Tea

There are few things more satisfying than having a morning cuppa cuppa. Of course, that cuppa cuppa can be coffee, tea, or whatever beverage you prefer to get your day started. In this series, a cuppa cuppa doesn’t only refer to the beverage. It’s the conversation, the place you’re at, and the atmosphere. Cuppa cuppas are never rushed. We’re not limited to cafes. So follow us as we enjoy the neighborhood, our neighbors, background chatter, and a cuppa cuppa.

“It’s a nice day for a white wedding…”
“Mouth is alive with juices like wine, and I’m hungry like the wolf…”
“Too shy, shy, hush, hush, eye to eye…”
“Take on me (take on me), Take me on, (take on me), I’ll be gone, in a day or two…”

Wow, can that lead singer from a-ha (Morten Harket, and yes, you may now win a trivia night) hit a high note.

While Muse Cafe & Tea (497 6th Avenue at 12th Street) doesn’t look like it, you’ll be welcomed by a virtual 80s soundtrack as you sip your cuppa cuppa. Now if that’s your thing, well you’ve come to the right place.

Not only does Muse not particularly resemble an 80s music haven, the folks on their laptops or books the other morning were getting on with their business or relaxation without paying much mind to the tunes.

Which is sort of my way in for describing Muse — there’s something off as far as the synchronicity of the space. And it’s a bit hard to pin down.

Now don’t get me wrong: Muse is a well-lit, pleasant enough cafe. But we’re searching for that something else that makes it unique.

The cafe has changed hands and a name over the past few years. The cafe was called Red Horse Cafe when it closed in 2013. At the time, it was considered by some as a writer’s haven. Muse first opened in April 2014, but was put up for sale seven months later. New ownership has been there for the last year.

It was one of those warmer fall days when we stopped in, so our coffee and tea selections (large cups for both; each were $3.25). We each had a bagel with cream cheese ($3) and went for the Portobello & Goat Cheese Omelet ($8).

The bagels…well, you could do better in our neck of the woods. The whole wheat bagels were soft, but don’t have the character of the New York bagels so many of us are used to.

The Portobello & Goat Cheese Omelet was fine. You get a side salad with it (bonus), but the omelet itself was a bit dry. However the creaminess of the goat cheese counteracted that very well.

The pastries and sweets options are plentiful. But like the Paleo muffins above, some have a look of being pre-packaged.

The service was pleasant and the space is open. The Wifi is free and fast, but we had some trouble coming up with a lot of outlets. The communal table in the front has a few nearby. Keep in mind our lack of outlet observation differs from what some reviewers said on Yelp, so perhaps we just didn’t spot them.

Muse has the makings of a wonderful cafe. The space is welcoming, you won’t be rushed out, and the coffee and teas are just fine. But the cafe is lacking in personality, which is so important for an occasional customer to become a regular.

Do you have a recommendation to have a cuppa cuppa? Email us at editor@bklyner.com.

The Rundown: Muse Cafe & Tea
Where: 497 6th Avenue at 12th Street
Phone: 718-788-5800
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00am-7:00pm; Saturday and Sunday, 9:00am-7:00pm
Kid Friendly? When the cafe isn’t busy, there’s plenty of space for the kids. Strollers will fit fine. There are a lot of quiet readers, so keep that in mind.
Remote Workers: The outlets didn’t seem as plentiful to us as some reviewers said on Yelp. We found a few in the front area near the large communal table.
Bites Available: Coffees, pastries, teas, omelets, and light lunch items.