Coffee bars are everywhere. In Manhattan there is one on almost every corner. For the average diner jockey, anything more than pocket change might seem like a lot to shell out for a cup of java. But if you learn how to use a coffee bar, you may find that it's the best deal in town. Most cafes have free newspapers, magazines, or books. Some even offer wireless Internet connections so you can surf while you enjoy your cup of coffee. You don't have to buy a meal, and you don't have to keep refilling your beer mug. Coffee shops are made for hanging out. Bring your notebook, bring your sketch pad, bring your laptop. Forget about your college loans, your rent, and your boss. Sit back and watch the world go by -- after a couple cups of coffee, maybe you will be ready to get back on board.

Talk the Talk
The coffee bar world can be confusing if you don't understand coffee jargon. To help you out, we have compiled the following guide, with a bit of help from the menus of several Manhattan joe dispensaries.

American, Drip or Regular Coffee - Your good-to-the-last-drop variety, but richer than anything you'll scoop from a can and fresher than what you're likely to get in most diners, restaurants or delis.

Barista - Coffee technician.

Bowls - Some places serve certain drinks, such as cafe au lait or hot chocolate, in a bowl. (Quote: "I can tell my mates that I went to America and had a bowl...of coffee" -- a cheeky Brit).

Cafe au Lait - A shot or two of espresso with steamed milk.

Caffe Americano - A shot of espresso diluted with hot water.

Caffeine - An addictive stimulant and diuretic derived from coffee, tea and kola nuts. A bitter white alkaloid (formula: C681H6101N641O621-H621O).

Caffe Latte - A shot of espresso with steamed milk and lightly topped with foamed milk (note: much less foamed milk than a Cappuccino).

Caffe Mocha - A shot of espresso with chocolate syrup, steamed milk and topped with foamed milk or whipped cream.

Cappuccino - A shot of espresso with steamed and foamed milk (note: much more foam than a Caffe Latte).

Decaf - Most coffee bars offer decaffeinated coffee beverages; all the taste but minus the buzz.

Espresso - A concentrated coffee beverage produced with a method of brewing that uses pressure, rather than gravity, to pass hot water through a special blend and roast of ground coffee beans. Espresso is usually measured in "shots" of about 1 oz. to 1 1/2 oz.

Espresso Macchiato - A shot of espresso topped with foamed milk to keep it warm.

Espresso Con Panna - A shot of espresso topped with whipped cream.

Flavored Coffee Drinks - Hot and iced coffee drinks can be flavored with numerous syrups and liqueurs. Hard core coffee drinkers say these additives ruin their coffee. The usual line up includes Amaretto, brandy, chocolate, chocolate almond, chocolate hazelnut, cinnamon, Drambuie, Grand Marnier, hazelnut, Irish Cream, Kalua (very nice with Cappuccino), rum, Sambuca, vanilla and whiskey.

Foamed Milk - Milk turned to foam by holding a steam nozzle just below the surface of a steel pitcher of milk (always steel so the Barista can feel the milk's temperature). Foamed milk is used as insulation to keep espresso drinks warm.

High Test - A cup of coffee with caffeine in it (opposite of Unleaded Coffee -- see below)

Iced Coffee Drinks - Fresh-brewed coffee, cappuccino or espresso poured over ice. Beware of cafes that use yesterday's leftovers. For some reason iced coffee drinks are a little more expensive than hot ones. Ice costs, we guess.

Java - slang term for coffee; also a computer programming language.

Joe - another term for coffee.

Lungo - Espresso that has been "run long," meaning that more water is passed through the grinds. A Lungo is a bit milder than a regular espresso and comes in a slightly larger portion.

Ristretto - A "short run" of espresso, meaning a smaller, slightly stronger shot.

Schizo Coffee - A cup of coffee which includes equal parts of decaffeinated and regular coffee. Typically consumed by people trying to cut down their caffeine intake.

Steamed Milk - Milk heated to about 160 degrees by a jet of steam.

Unleaded Coffee - Synonym for decaffeineated coffee (opposite of High Test -- see above)

A Few Recommended Places
Now that you know what to order, you will need to know where to go to place your order. The following are a few coffee bars we recommend:

Cafe Edison - Named the best coffee house in New York by New York magazine. Located in the Hotel Edison, 228 West 47th Street.

Cafe Mona Lisa - Mismatched antique chairs; outdoor seating; light meals and daily specials; specialties include the Caffe Mona Lisa, a double espresso with ice cream and whipped cream. 282 Bleecker Street, 212-929-1262.

Espresso Madison - Named best espresso in NYC by New York magazine. 33 East 68th Street.

The Hungarian Pastry Shop - View of the Cathedral of Saint John the Divine; outdoor tables. Amsterdam & 109th Street.

Philip's Coffee - 155 West 56th Street, 582-7347; 14 East 33rd Avenue, 212- 685-2620.

There are also a number of fairly reliable chains with locations all around the city:

Au Bon Pain

Cooper's Coffee

Dalton Coffee

Dean & Deluca

Oren's Daily Roast

Pasqua Coffee Bars

Starbuck's Coffee (perhaps the most ubiquitous; look for it in Barnes & Noble stores and on most street corners)

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