Kissaten Corazon

This Chinatown coffee shop flips from a plush, coworking lounge into a jazzy speakeasy during the evening. From the owner of Loop Espresso Club, Kissaten Corazon serves its best during the day, but the nighttime energy outpaces the actual menu.

The vibe: Mismatched vintage furniture creates cozy pockets from the front room back to the bar area, where you can meet your deadline or play some chess. Generally, easy listening pours out of the speakers, but Friday nights typically let loose with live jazz.

The food: With everything coming in at $12 or less, it’s hard to resist the suite of Cafe Tropical pastries or the more substantial dishes like their curry rice. Rotating food pop-ups in the evenings bolster their somewhat uneven offerings.

The drinks: The strawberry sesame latte passes muster without being particularly memorable, and a mostly pleasant wine menu is offset by the pour's substantial size. Thankfully, the other espresso and matcha options raise the bar. A slate of affogatos, boosted by a collaboration with Servet ice cream, steals the show with classic vanilla along with fun flavors like toast, strawberry chamomile, and nurungi (scorched rice with a nutty profile).   

Time Out tip: The sake list wins out on the boozy side of the aisle, from the approachable Shibata Black Junmai Ginjo to the bracingly dry Karakuchi 80 from Kirei.