Is “your” Starbucks the one on 47th and 6th, in the 1185 6th ave office building? We’ve been tipped off to a new spot for your morning ritual that is in the same building, but tucked away. In fact, you’d most likely never know this 2-week-old coffee bar existed if you didn’t work there.

Simon Sips has set up a small shop in the back of this office building. If you don’t work there, walk to the pedestrian area behind the building, and enter through the revolving door across the walkway from Ustav. Immediately turn left (which is the only direction you can go if you don’t have building access). There you will find Simon Sips, an unassuming place to grab your morning joe from staff who are just the kind of people you want to interact with in the morning: calm, extremely nice and helpful.

In addition to drip coffee, Simon Sips offers espresso drinks in a unique way. You order by the ounce: 4, 8, 12 or 16 oz cups. I got a 12 oz ($4). If you are looking for a caramel macchiato or something else schmancy-pants like that you’ll have to run to the Starbucks. The coffee here is simple, and simply wonderful. I also treated myself to a pumpkin apple walnut muffin. Nice chunks of apple and huge, whole pieces of walnut were throughout the muffin, which was a nice change from the usual sprinkle of chopped walnuts you usually get in muffins.

While I don’t work in this building, now that I’ve found this spot, I will definitely be back for their coffee and to try the other muffin flavors (they change daily). Thanks to Lunch’er Joe (hah! no pun intended!) for the tip.

Simon Sips, 1185 6th ave (btw 46+47)

Once upon a time it was difficult to get a gourmet (read: overpriced) cup of coffee in Midtown, but now your options are endless. Zagat reported this week that a new coffee shop opened inside the Sanctuary Hotel on 47th Street between 6th and 7th. Aside from a sign outside, you wouldn’t know Spresso Cafe was nestled inside the fancy hotel lobby. They’re serving drinks brewed with Lavazza coffee and a small selection of French pastries, like financiers and caneles. And as a special promotion, now through the end of April, if you check in (presumably on Foursquare) and purchase a coffee drink, you can get a free canele.

Right next to the newly opened SoomSoom near Fifth Avenue, is a big sign advertising a new location of Filicori Zecchini, an Italian coffee shop. This will be the second location in New York and it’s literally just a few blocks west of the first location on 46th Street. These two locations will bookend Gregory’s Coffee, which means between Sixth and Park Avenue on 46th Street, you’ll never have to worry about falling asleep from lack of caffeine.

South Korean coffee chain Caffe Bene has opened its doors on Broadway and 49th street. Last week we posted photos of the impressive space, which boasts comforts that most Starbucks locations lack these days: plenty of seating, a book nook, flat screens and more. But what about the coffee and baked goods?

I spent way too much money on breakfast and indulged in a small maple latte macchiato ($4.35) and a chocolate croissant ($2.75). The espresso drink was tasty, but I probably wouldn’t spend for it again. The pastry was nothing special; I wish my croissant had been flakier. As I was paying, I eyed the fantastic-looking signature waffles on display by the registers. Lunch’er Jo stopped by and confirms they’re tasty and freshly made:

Checked it out today around 2PM, solely for the waffles. Place wasn’t too busy. I ordered a sweet waffle with ricotta, fig sauce and almonds. Tasty little treat which is cooked while you wait. Only issue I see is that it’s way over priced at $6.48 including tax. Didn’t try the coffee.

The the food selection here is vast, ranging from breakfast items (pastries, donuts, muffins and the like), pre-packaged grab-and-go sandwiches and desserts (pastries, the aforementioned waffles and gelato). I especially appreciate that in addition to your regular-sized sandwiches, they offer smaller portions (at smaller prices) for those days when you’ve eaten a good breakfast or plan to over-indulge at dinner. Price-wise, this spot is comparable to the green giant, with specialty coffee drinks ranging from $3-$6.

If your job is the kind that affords you the luxury to work outside of Midtown office buildings — like freelancers, writers, etc. — this comfortable outpost might be just the spot you need to be productive for a several hours.

Caffe Bene, 1605 Broadway (between 48th St & 49th St)

Well that didn’t take long. The ambitious South Korean coffee chain, Caffe Benne, is now open for business at 49th St and Broadway. The massive venue boasts plenty of seating, a book nook, gigantic flat screen TVs, pastries, doughnuts, gelato, and pre-packaged sandwiches. Oh, and there’s coffee as well, which on my visit a bit flat, but inoffensive. Check out the drinks menu and a peek at the interior after the jump.

Caffe Bene – 1605 Broadway (between 48th St & 49th St)

I got a regular (medium) latte with an extra shot since the barista told me that their medium drinks only come with one shot (the ‘Bux does two for a similarly sized drink). It was a fine latte, not too bitter, not too watery, but it was expensive–$3.95 for the base drink plus 75 cents for the extra shot. That’s more expensive than Starbucks and what’s more I can get a two shot latte with organic milk and fair trade coffee for just over $3 from Pret.

While I was there I nabbed one of their signature doughnuts ($3.25) and enormous chocolate frosted square yeast doughnut that was filled with both vanilla and chocolate pudding.

Again the doughnut was fine, the little touch of orange extract was and unexpected but pleasant surprise, but the doughnut itself was a bit dry and dense and the pudding was in the Jell-o instant realm, fine if you love the Boston Cremes from Dunkin, but not what I was expecting for over $3. I don’t think Mark Israel from Doughnut Plant is losing any sleep over these guys.

While this was a fairly lackluster visit, I know that CBTL has its loyal adherents. What am I missing here?

The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf, 1412 Broadway at 39th St, (212) 575-3854

Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf isn’t the only west coast coffee spot coming soon to Midtown… Eater reported yesterday that signage for San Francisco’s Blue Bottle has gone up in Rock Center. Their Williamsburg location garners huge lines every day, and Coolhaus sells the stuff on their trucks, but obviously that is no substitute for a permanent location in the heart of Midtown lunching. Their Facebook page says they “have no idea when it’s going to open”, but Eater says it will be sometime this summer. Here’s hoping it will be in time for us to enjoy their amazing iced coffees in this ridiculously hot weather.

It may be a long time (or never) before we see an In-N-Out in NYC but another popular LA based chain is set to open their doors soon. Koshertopia had brought word that Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf are opening 3 locations in NYC (with the Times Square store to open in mid August on 39th btw. B’way+6th). If you’re not familiar with Coffee Bean, they’re pretty much like Starbucks but not as well known. And they don’t call their cup sizes as grande or venti, it’s good old fashion small, medium, and large. I’m from LA and a big fan of Coffee Bean so I’m super excited to finally get an ice blended mocha (or an off the menu ice blended half and half which is half mocha and half vanilla).