Espresso 77

Photograph: Michael Kirby

Jackson Heights residents have no problem satisfying a dosa craving, a taco jones or a taste for Peruvian rotisserie chicken. But until recently, the area lacked a comfy java joint.

Enter Espresso 77. The petite, cheerful spot—four white tables, a dozen blue chairs (plus two window seats), orange walls and a pressed-tin bar—already feels like a neighborhood fixture. On a recent Monday morning, a pair of nannies sat with their charges; soon after, two stroller-wielding moms stopped in. A bulletin board advertises nearby yoga classes, and both a new-mothers’ group and a knitting circle regularly meet in the space.

The homey menu befits the community vibe. Breakfast treats include moist, crumbly scones from the Heights’ Ambrosia Bakery; among the unusual varieties is the pancetta-Gruyère, a sweet-salty combo. Velvetty lattes and other barista concoctions made with beans from Ithaca, New York’s Gimme! Coffee provide a refreshingly noncorporate pick-me-up. At lunchtime, a changing roster of homemade soups, panini and wraps round out the offerings; the chicken curry wrap hit just the right balance of creaminess and spice. On weekends the place gets packed, so if your schedule permits, bring the clan by on a weekday and check out the artwork on display: The rotating exhibitions, naturally, highlight the work of locals.

—Carolyn Juris

35-57 77th St between 35th and 37th Aves, Jackson Heights, Queens (718-424-1077). Average scone: $2.50. Average wrap: $6.

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