Is it a chic lounge with an espresso bar? Or, an espresso bar with a chic lounge?

Either way, Mocca in Tribeca is a welcome complement to the New York café/espresso scene.

Somehow the lounge and espresso bar coexist rather naturally and seamlessly, so that you can just enjoy an espresso at a little bar or take a seat in the open space of tables for lunch/dinner or a café. The set-up can easily then transition into a chic night destination.

Mocca offers so much stimulation that my son did not know where to look, as his head was swifting back and forth to check out something different.

As for the accessories, the lightly played soft house music fits the ambience and at an appropriate volume permitting conversation. Not too sure though how the large screen TVs match either the lounge or espresso bar.

Again, Mocca is a nice complement to the café scene, offering something unique.

The espresso was pretty good as well, with take-out as an option. So maybe it is an espresso bar…

Address

Mocca – 78 Reade Street, New York between Broadway and Church Street. AC Trains at Chambers Street. 123 Trains at Chambers Street. JMZ Trains at Chambers Street. RW Trains at City Hall.

Music

Edith Piaf – La goualante du pauvre Jean

Tribeca is not only one of the richest US neighborhoods per capita in terms of $$$. It also seems to have a decent per capita ratio of cafés serving a very good espresso.

My son and I visited Blue Spoon Coffee Co. Although its location is aesthetically more Financial District than Tribeca (amazing what the difference a single block makes), the atmosphere of the café itself, along with the taste of the espresso more than make up for it.

Blue Spoon is quaint, which helps create its charm. There is bar-like seating along the windows for people watching. And then there are also a couple of tables for reading or a conversation, creating a comfortable space.

The espresso is quite good. The barista added some créma art, which is another sign of TLC with the café.

Plus, when I bused my dish, he even asked me whether I had enjoyed the espresso. A nice touch.

When you are way downtown, Blue Spoon is a great find.

Address

Blue Spoon Coffee Co. – 76 Chambers Street, New York between Broadway and Church Street. AC Trains at Chambers Street. 123 Trains at Chambers Street. JMZ Trains at Chambers Street. RW Trains at City Hall.

Music

Edith Piaf – La foule

Another beautiful day yesterday. Just crisp fall weather with a lot of sunshine.

My wife was off of work yesterday, so the three of us walked through the children’s Halloween parade at Washington Square Park and then headed south to SoHo, where we experienced quite a pleasant café surprise.

Upon seeing Café Borgia, my wife and I both said, yep, let’s have a café there. It is actually called Café Borgia II, as the original was in the Village on Bleecker with a rich history of its own.

What a location, being situated on Prince just off of Thompson. And Café Borgia matches it with a great place to enjoy a café.

People watching and more people watching.

They offer sidewalk seating, a comfortable interior and a good espresso.

The cakes looked delicious too. But we had already had a snack from the Union Square farmers’ market. It was a busy afternoon yesterday  Did I mention that we took our son swimming for the first time yesterday as well? He loved it.

Yesterday was a good day.

And we’ll have to visit Café Borgia again.

Address

Café Borgia II – 161 Prince Street, New York between Thompson and West Broadway. RW Trains at Prince Street. CE Trains at Spring Street.

Music

Edith Piaf – Sous le ciel de Paris

Yesterday was a bit crisp, but beautiful. Blue and sunshine.

So my son and I ventured through the West Village to enjoy a sidewalk café espresso at Cornelia Street Café. The café is located between Bleecker and West 4th, so it gets a good amount of foot traffic but also is slightly sheltered from the hecticness of both.

Thus, providing a great location for an urban pause. The sidewalk café is just what we wanted on a day like yesterday.

A decent espresso. But, once again, Cornelia Street is another good example of location, location, location, and the appropriate ambience.

If you’re rumbling through Bleecker, next time take a side step over to Cornelia Street Café.

Address

Cornelia Street Café – 29 Cornelia Street, New York between Bleecker Street and West 4th Street. ABCDEFV Trains at West 4th Street.

Music

Edith Piaf – Mon Manège À Moi (Tu Me Fais Tourner La Tête)