Here’s our first design, Stand Out. Coming out of Buenos Aires from Carolina Rocco.

Now available in our boutique.

Sometimes the people around us, just see the world in black-and-white. Sometimes we may even feel surrounded by the same. Pressure to conform in our looks? Thoughts? Way of living?

There could be numerous analogies.

The world needs different ideas, new ideas, different ways of thinking. Those ideas can be drastic. Or, more subtle.

Sometimes it is something fresh and different that takes humanity forward. Or, at the least, will catch your eye.

Here’s to colored penguins!

About the Artist 

Carolina is a graphic artist in Buenos Aires; she’s part of a team called 8ojos. This freelance design team works in corporate identity, illustrations, web design and programming for clients across the world. For a deeper look into their work, please check out their website at www.8ojos.com.

Who forgot to tell summer to take a pause until next year?

Yesterday was a gorgeous day to walk around SoHo, or probably anywhere in New York for that matter.

Checking out some galleries. Unexpectedly walked by a set filming ‘Sex in the City’. With her large rimmed-designer sunglasses, at my first take I was not sure if it was Madonna or Sarah Jessica Parker.

I’m still trying to figure out what exactly catches my son’s attention so fully as we bummel through the streets of the city (is it the people, the stores, the streets, the signs). He just becomes absorbed as we make our rounds. Fascinating to think about what interests him so.

Ah, yes, the café for the day.

And, we had a fantastic espresso at Alessi on Greene Street.

The boutique is chic, cool, laid-back and energetic. Softly white lit, adding to the energy and modern sensibility.

All of the designer house and kitchen wares towards the back of the store provide a feast for the eyes and mind.

For us, though the real treat was the espresso bar at the front. Alessi has created a comfortable space to enjoy Joe’s espresso (yes, Joe the Art of Espresso is served down here, which explains why it is so good).

There is a bar, my personal preference, if you have just a few minutes to enjoy your espresso. Or, you can soak up the ambience at some of the mini tables. It is a narrow space in SoHo, which accentuates the feeling of ‘finding’ something special when you see the inviting glass entry leading into the espresso bar.

Stimulating boutique. Very comfortable. Wonderful espresso.

Alessi (and Joe) have created a destination on its own, in a destination neighborhood.

Address

Alessi – 130 Greene Street, New York. Between Prince and Houston. RW Trains at Prince Street. BDFV Trains at Broadway/Lafayette.

Espresso

Joe the Art of Coffee

SohoKind Previous Visit to Joe the Art of Coffee in the East Village

Music

Serge Gainsbourg – 69 Année Érotique

My wife and I needed some more espresso for home.

So on her day off, the three of us went into the Nespresso boutique on Madison Avenue.

We were both trying to figure out if the espresso tasted different in the boutique from at home.

Tough call. Tasty at both! We concluded that any difference was due to the milk preparation 

Nespresso is chic and modern. You can actually bring a laptop or read for a bit, as we saw people doing both. But from the plush, padded chairs to the interior design, it feels more boutique than café.

It feels Madison Avenue.

A good change of pace on our café journey. Enjoyable for a stop by if you are in the neighborhood.

Plus, they have a sizeable bathroom with a changing table for baby; for those who may happen to need a change after enjoying an espresso.

Address

Nespresso – 761 Madison Avenue, New York between 65th and 66th Streets. 6 Train at 68th Street or 456 Trains at 59th Street.

Music

Serge Gainsbourg – Ford Mustang

Local. Neighborhood. Friendly.

Do they exist in Manhattan?

If you’re talking about the far East Village, then : Yes!

Baby and I experienced that today.

Largely thanks to the highly touted Ninth Street Espresso.

And they offer an excellent espresso! Living up to their reputation.

We were venturing through the East Village, and you have to in order to finally arrive at Ninth Street Espresso, as it is located on the other side of Tompkins Square Park in Alphabet City.

And it is worth it.

Upon approaching the café, it felt as if I were entering a unique club. The barista greeted the customers on a first name basis. People were casually crunching away on their laptops. Cool jazz was wistfully noted in the background. And the emblematic Ninth Street Espresso logo in black & white cements this impression of experiencing something special.

They serve only triple ristretto in their espressos. And the crema art was a beautiful leaf. Tasty, tasty.

My son got jealous, as he wanted to sit outside and eat, which was fine with me on such a beautiful day.

If Ninth Street Espresso maintains the friendly atmosphere and keeps serving espresso like this, then my son has quite a treat ahead of him when he is old enough to savor it.

Address

Ninth Street Espresso – 700 9th Street, New York at Avenue C. 6 Train at Astor Place. FV Trains at 2nd Avenue.

Music

Serge Gainsbourg – Requiem pour un con

Baby and I checked out the Upper West Side Broadway café scene. Found a couple of intriguing options for future visits.

We had a macchiato and a fantastic croissant at Georgia’s Patisserie.

The macchiato was good, a bit frothy. But the croissant stands out. Light, fluffy and buttery.

As for the café experience, Georgia’s offers a nice open space. Good for baby strollers in the winter. Or, just that touch of privacy to your conversation, as I imagine chatter can create quite a buzz due to the acoustics.

Feels a bit loft-like with tall ceilings. Maybe missing just a bit of color I would expect for the warmth and character of a patisserie. Comfortable nonetheless. And while the weather is still nice, the outdoor seating is quite pleasant.

Social environment, good espresso, great patisseries.

I enjoyed it. My wife would enjoy it even more.

Address

Georgia’s Patisserie – 2418 Broadway, New York at West 89th Street. 1 Train at 86th Street.

Music

Serge Gainsbourg – Torrey Canyon

Another afternoon in the West Village.

A walk through Washington Square Park.

Baby was a little tired and edgy.

Fortunately, I caught his happiest minute of the day in the Square on camera.

Then we found another cute café, Amy’s Bread Café, on Bleecker in the West Village.

I munched on quite a tasty orange butter cookie. The atmosphere was comfortable and welcoming. And I liked that there were tables as well as window-side bar-stools to enjoy the scene.

The espresso was good. Bummer that it came in a paper cup.

And the music did not seem to fit the café. At least it was at a low volume. No crime though, just unfortunate, as well over an expected ratio of the establishments (bars, restaurants) in New York do not have fitting music for their settings. Surprises me each time I experience it. Beautiful places, cool places. Visually appealing. But someone forgets to take appropriate care of the music.

Anyways.

There are three Amy’s Bread Cafés in the city. The espresso, cookie and ambience definitely warrant a trip for my son and I to the others in Chelsea and Hell’s Kitchen.

Address

Amy’s Bread Café – 250 Bleecker Street, New York at Leroy Street. ABCDEFV Trains at West 4th Street.

Music

Serge Gainsbourg – Initials B. B.

My son and I decided to spend a beautiful, but windy and chilly day, on the Upper West Side.

We had a pleasant surprise in finding Sip on Amsterdam Avenue.

Technically, it is on the Upper West Side since it is just below 110th. But the atmosphere and vibe seemed to reflect more what is going on in SoHa.

My attention was caught by the front of this small café opening onto the street.

Funky and chill is what comes to mind.

With a closer look, the paintings on the interior, dark rich colors, tiny bar tables and café tables all enticed me even more.

The service was eager. The espresso good. Although I almost did not even know it was there yet. Because I was playing with my son and thought that the ceramic cup on my table was the milk.

Good for a quick café. And by the DJ table to the side of the bar, I imagine there is a night scene as well.

These days, just the café for us though.

Address

Sip – 998 Amsterdam Avenue, New York at 109th Street. 1 or BC Trains at 110th Street.

Music

Serge Gainsbourg - Ford Mustang

This afternoon had me wishing for a couple extra weeks of summer.

The summer felt as if it was slipping away.

Yesterday was gorgeous weather, but today was a bit overcast and breezy.

Would this be our last shot at a sidewalk café for the year?

Hopefully not.

But if it was, at least it was at Caffe Dante in the West Village.

Located just off of Bleecker Street there is a great vibe here. Caffe Dante is incredibly charming, maintaining its pre-war look.

The café is quite comfortable inside, brasserie-like, with plenty of tables outside from which one can observe the neighborhood.

My son was sleeping the entire time, which is quite rare. So I had an opportunity to sit back, relax for a bit to soak in the environment and take time for my espresso.

Those few cafe minutes a day are so beautiful, when I actually feel the here and now. And I’m not distracted by what is coming up later in the day or next week.

Just what I wanted on a Friday afternoon.

The cakes and tarts looked delicious, but I decided not to get one today. Maybe in the spring time, when the sidewalk café weather comes back…

Address

Caffe Dante – 79 MacDougal, New York at Bleecker Street. 1 Train at Houston. BCDEFV at West 4th.

Music

Serge Gainsbourg – Initials B.B.

SohoKind was launched just two weeks ago and I want to give you an update on our T-shirt boutique.

We are planning to open the boutique and release our first design this month.

It is printed and can be seen in our cafe videos.

But its official launch will be later this month.

Also, this week, I am submitting three other designs to the printers. A couple of designs are now ready to be sent to the printer. And a couple of others are receiving their final touches.

As for future designs, either my wheels are always turning or my mind is open for what hits me just living everyday life : going to cafes, walking on the streets, reading, etc.

I am quite excited to be releasing these designs from our initial collection.

Finally, our stroll through the NYC cafe scene will continue. Today, we will either be in the West Village or Union Square.

Looking forward to opening our boutique this month,

Enjoy,

Spencer

On the ‘it’s the little things in life that count’ scale, there was good news and bad news yesterday.

The bad news first :

My son got hungry (quite hungry) right as my espresso was ready. Thus, our café stay was rather short.

The good news :

We found another great espresso and a vibrant, cool café in the East Village/NYU area.

Joe – The Art of Coffee is another café in New York that puts a lot of TLC into its espresso. The baristas are carefully trained. And it comes through in the taste.

The love is capped off with the heart in the crema. That’s the second in a week we have seen with the heart. Could there be crema art?

Further, the atmosphere is quite lively. Not absurdly loud. A comfortable and close buzz of people. Friendly, unpretentious service. Being just north of NYU there is a definite university feel to it. Not young, student-y per se. Just energetic. People of all ages were there actually.

Almost west coast in its attitude with the New York energy.

When NYU is in session, I imagine it will be quite difficult to get a seat here.

Small tables, well lit, good crowd, excellent espresso. 

Address

Joe the Art of Coffee– 9 East 13th Street, New York between 5th Avenue and University Place. 4,5,6 Trains or L,N,Q,R,W Trains at Union Square. F,L,V Trains at 6th Ave/14th Street.

Music

Serge Gainsbourg - Comic Strip