Editors Note: One of the things I love to do is meet a friend for coffee.  Now I don’t actually drink much coffee, but I can barely go a day without my soy chai latte fix, and this article gives me amazing ideas on where to have my next catch-up session!  I am constantly preaching that we should all dare to be a bit different and try something new, so this is an easy and safe place to start.  If you aren’t from New York don’t fret!  Add this to your “must do” list when you plan to visit next, and give yourself something to get excited about! Who doesn’t need a little extra cafe love in New York City? ~Nitika~

North, south, east, west: which of you is loved the best (by New Yorkers, that is)? Well, every neighborhood in New York has its own allure and excitement. You already know where to go near Union Square if you read “From Peace to West” in July. So in this article I want to focus on where to kick back, rest your body, and soothe yourself with a beverage and a cool vibe in the other four corners of the city. There are the Upper West and East Sides and the West and East Villages.

Ready. Set. Coffee.

The first one on the list is a no-brainer, and its name says it all. Peacefood Café, located at 460 Amsterdam Avenue between 82^nd and 83^rd Streets, is easygoing and, well, peaceful. With free Wi-Fi and an assortment of beverages and tasty dishes, you’ll have no trouble going back again and again. Take your pick of a hot/cold drink, smoothie, or juice and pair that with any of this vegan café’s salads, sandwiches, paninis, pizzas, or side dishes, to name a handful of their offerings. The menu is expansive and totally tempting, even for a non-vegan. Still hungry or just want a sweet to accompany you on a hot and humid August day? All the desserts at Peacefood Café are baked in their kitchen without dairy, egg, or refined sugar.

Guilt-free. Taste-plenty. Come on over. Want to scope out the menu and store hours? The website is http://www.peacefoodcafe.com/, and the number is (212) 362-2266.

East siders, don’t be jealous. There’s a spot in your neck of the woods that will calm your frazzled New York nerves. Sitting at 1298 Second Avenue between 68^th and 69^th Streets, Gotham Coffee House is small but packs a hearty punch. It’s quaint, clean, and excellent for people-watching on a weekend morning when you want to see what Upper East Siders are out and about doing. Word on the street is that the coffee and tea are standard and good, but the sandwiches are your next addiction waiting to happen. There are a variety of options here for vegetarians and non-vegetarians alike.

Please note that while Gotham Coffee House does have free Wi-Fi, it’s only available after 4 PM. To double confirm, feel free to call at (212) 717-0457.

I’m sure we all like to consider ourselves a specialist in at least one arena, our preferred area of expertise. But can you honestly say you’ve ever thought about labeling yourself a soymilk specialist? Well, I hate to tell you, but someone else beat you to it. Soy Café, at 115 Greenwich Avenue between 12^th and Jane Streets, is famed for its fair trade espresso and knowledge of soy milk and its benefits.

Yes, they have free Wi-Fi (with numerous wall outlets). Yes, they are vegan and vegetarian friendly. Yes, the coffee is delicious. It should be, it’s being delivered weekly from a local roaster in Queens. The transportation distance from creation to your cup is less than fifteen miles. If you’re up for an adventure then try the green tea soy latte. Not a caffeine junky? Kudos to you. Definitely check out the Soyafrosts and Soy Soothers, the former of which is an ideal summer drink of blended ice soy. By the way, if you’re (gasp) not down with soy milk then Soy Café also offers cow, hemp, and coconut milk.

One last suggestion. Vegan almond brittle. Done and done.

It’s widely known that New Yorkers like what they like so feel free to validate all this data and more at www.soycafenyc.com or by calling (212) 229-9898.

What do all of us in this crazy city crave, secretly or perhaps not-so-secretly? In a word: simplicity. That’s why the last pick for this month just tells it like it is. The Bean. That’s it. This East Village hangout is incredibly chill, from the décor to the friendly staff to the stomach-pleasing menu. The crowd is diverse too so you may find yourself comfortably sitting next to a college kid or a sexy actor. Yes, the address is 49 ½ First Avenue, but this place is not half-anything.

Take a load off and slowly sip any one of The Bean’s coffee roasts, blends, and flavored options. You also can tag-team that with one of their pastries which travel from New York’s favorite bakeries to land in your belly.

You want more details? Here you go: www.thebeannyc.com or (212) 353-1477.

So there you have it. Now you’ll never be without peace and coffee when you’re in any of our city’s four corners. Heaven on earth, it’s right in your mug.