Coffee Ride to First Village Coffee - Ossining, NY
The Ride
I mounted the R18 Classic for today’s ride to a town on the Hudson River in Westchester County. The Beeline showed just 15.3 miles as rides within the county have a limited distance. See our article on discovering new roads with Beeline.
I headed west on Route 35. This road has a handful of sweeper-style roads at the start. After I crossed over Interstate 684, Route 35 continues over the New Croton Reservoir.
I turn left, heading southwest on Route 100 as it follows along the reservoir, passing the Muscoot Farm. The farm was originally a gentleman’s farm and estate in the late 19th century. It was acquired by the county in the late 1960s and turned into a park intended to show what life was like on farms in Westchester County.
A right onto 118 allows me to continue following the reservoir. 118 breaks off to head North, but I stay on the road following the reservoir now, with the number 129 crossing the Taconic State Parkway right where it crosses the reservoir.
The compass indicates I need to turn south, so I do as I enter Croton on Hudson. This is where I ran into difficulty, as every road ended up as a dead end with the direction of the compass. The Croton River has limited crossings, and I missed them, so I ended up in a series of isolated residential areas.
I then made the mistake of not following the signs for Route 9, staying on Riverside, which ends at the Van Cortlandt Manor House. Backtracking again, following the signs for Route 9, led me to the final crossing of the Croton River.
I stayed on Route 9 as it led me into Ossining, finally turning onto Main Street, where I found our destination. See the route below.
The Coffee Shop
Ossining is a village on the eastern shore of the Hudson River in Westchester County. It was initially called Sing Sing. That name was derived from the Sintsink Native American tribe that inhabited the area.
Today, Sing Sing is most associated with the prison in Ossining’s village. To avoid the stigma of the prison, the village changed its name to Ossining in 1901. Ironically, the prison changed its name to Ossining Correctional Facility in 1970 but changed it back to Sing Sing in 1985. Sing Sing was the prison that performed capital punishment in New York State with “Old Sparky” until the death penalty was first abolished in 1972.
Beyond the prison, Ossining also claims Peter Falk of Columbo fame as having grown up in the village and David T. Abercrombie of Abercrombie & Fitch living in the village till his death at the Abercrombie Castle.
Following Main Street in Ossining from Route 9, you’ll see First Village Coffee on your right. Parking directly in front was blocked on my visit by extended outdoor seating, but with the temperatures dropping, I expect that will change soon.
There is a parking lot directly across Main Street, and even more ideal for motorcyclists is a dedicated motorcycle parking-only area directly across from the coffee shop. Grab some friends and ride together, as there are spaces for a few bikes and regular car spaces can be used.
Entering the shop, I was drawn to the tiny strings of Edison bulbs draped across the ceiling. After you enter, a few tables and chairs are on either side of the aisle. Ahead is a stereo with a record player, and shelves filled with records are certainly used to keep the coffee music ambiance going. The right wall by the counter is exposed red brick. The counter is wood with a white countertop that matches the color of the La Marzocco espresso machine they use.
Light coffee shop music was playing, and if you have to grab your coffee to go, they also have their playlist on YouTube. I was greeted by the friendly staff, with two people behind the counter. A full menu of espresso options was available.
Most tables in the front were full, and additional seating was in the back. A bench with some low tables was available, so I grabbed that while I waited for my order.
The Refreshments
I ordered a Cortado, served in a glass with a similar-sized glass of water on a wooden board. It had a beautiful flower pattern with the milk in the crema. Intense aroma with hints of cinnamon. The finish with just a hint of bitterness, but not in an overpowering way. It was well-balanced. The smooth texture of the milk is a perfect complement to the espresso. It’s the best Cortado I’ve experienced thus far with Tank of Coffee.
I also ordered a pumpkin cheesecake muffin in keeping with the fall season. The initial bite was a delicious blend of the cheesecake’s savory pumpkin spice and sweetness. A second bite exposed more of the cheesecake, and it was outstanding. It’s worth the trip for the muffin alone!
While the muffin I chose was phenomenal, many other pastries and bakery items are available at First Village Coffee, so you will find something you like. You can even order them in advance through their bakery website.
The combination of the great coffee and muffin and motorcycle-specific parking across the street set First Village Coffee apart as a must-visit moto coffee destination in Westchester County.
