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A Great Cup of Coffee -- or a Pot of Tea

Compiled by Linda Perney | NYNewsday.com

At Cafe Bar, in Queens, the vibe is relaxed and traditional. Halcyon, in Brooklyn, treats going out like staying home, with sofas and easy chairs -- and plenty of room for a laptop.

Bring a laptop, spend the day. Some choices for a good cup of coffee or tea.

MANHATTAN

Tea and Sympathy A little taste of casual England in the West Village, the place is crowded with expatriate Brits who linger over afternoon tea -- a carb-laden spread of finger sandwiches, scones, clotted cream, and cakes. Needless to say, if you want coffee, you can have that, too. ($20 per person; 106-110 Greenwich Avenue; 212-989-9735)

Housing Works Used Book Cafe A book-lover's dream, the shelves at Housing Works yield up all kinds of treasures, and there's no better way to browse than to settle in with a latte and one of the house's tasty brownies. What makes it all even better is that the profits go to a good cause: people suffering from AIDS. (126 Crosby Street; 212-334-3324)

Lady Mendl's The five-course afternoon tea at this Gramercy area inn is as classic as they come. You start with a salad course and proceed on to finger sandwiches -- cucumber, smoked salmon, and smoked turkey among them. Scones are accompanied by clotted cream and jam; dessert is a crepe cake, and to finish there are cookies and chocolate-dipped strawberries. A perfect way to while away a chilly fall afternoon, but it doesn't come cheap ($30 per head). Still, when you're finished, you can skip dinner. (Reservations only; weekdays, 3 or 5 p.m.; weekends, 2 or 4 p.m.; Inn at Irving Place; 56 Irivng Place; 212-533-4466)

The Grey Dog's Coffee There's no grey dog, but there is a good choice of all-American standbys to go with your latte. Lunchtimes, there are sandwiches, salads, and fortifying soups. If you're looking for a late-afternoon snack, zucchini or banana bread, a muffin, or a brownie should fill the bill. (33 Carmine Street; 212-462-0041)

Fauchon At the midtown outpost of Paris's swanky food purveyors, afternoon tea has a French accent. The main course includes mini sandwiches as well as foie gras and smoked salmon canapes; for sweets, there are petit fours, macaroons, and fruit cake ($30). If you'd rather have lunch, the menu ranges nicely over salads, sandwiches and quiche. (noon- 6 p.m.; 442 Park Avenue; 212-308-5919)

BROOKLYN

Provence en Boite One of the more charming places in the borough to stop for an afternoon coffee, this small cafe serves up lunch as well. There is housemade French pastry and a (truly sinful) counter up front that dispenses sublime chocolates made on the premises (8303 Third Avenue, Bay Ridge; 718-759-1515)

Sweet Melissa The garden out back is the summertime draw, but as the weather turns chilly, the action switches to the snug space behind the bakery counter outfitted with banquettes. There's lunch, which includes sandwiches, salads, and a daily soup. There's also afternoon tea ($14.95 per person), which comes with scones served with double cream, cookies and petit fours, and a selection of mini-quiches and finger sandwiches. Note, though, that the place gets crowded when the movies across the street let out. (276 Court Street; 718-855-3410)

QUEENS

CafeBar This cheerful cafe is a favorite among the locals in Astoria and Long Island City. The room is spacious and comfortable, the staff is friendly, and the menu ranges from sandwiches and salads to pastries, ice cream, and crepes. Weekend brunches are a neighborhood institution. If coffee starts to pall, there are freshly squeezed fruit and vegetable juices and milkshakes -- not to mention a full bar that serves up house drinks like flavored martinis and daiquiris. (32-90 36th Street; 718-204-5273)

THE BRONX

Arthur Avenue Cafe Right in the heart of the Bronx's Little Italy, Arthur Avenue is a tradition-minded place, with lunch dishes that include sandwiches, salads, even burgers. The real reason to come, though, is for a capuccino and dessert: cannolis, tira misu, gelato, cheesecake, and tarts. (2329 Arthur Avenue; 718-562-0129