Winters are rough. Even though I am a born and raised California boy, my first ‘real’ winters in NYC, Paris and London never bothered me. Cold outside? Wear a jacket, gloves, scarf and cap. Snowing? Maybe an extra sweater. That icy cold that freezes one’s nose? Maybe a light jacket between the sweater and jacket and probably some long-underwear.But I never found myself dramatically altering my plans due to weather.That changed with the arrival of our son. The first winter with him was a bit rough. Between him getting sick/colds and then him passing them onto me, we spent a number of days inside last winter. Plus, there are some days when it would just be too cold for a baby. If I stop feeling my nose, how can that weather be appropriate for a 10 month old?

So winter 2007/08 was rough. Many days inside. And we were still exploring the city alone. Even though we were available all afternoon, every day. We had not managed to make friends - well, more accurately, I had not made any friends, how could I blame a 10 month old for that? Being a stay-at-home-dad was actually pretty lonely. This loneliness was just emphasized by the wintry weather.

My son and I were fortunate to meet another father/son pair last winter. Cafes, playgrounds, talking. Talking, cafes, playgrounds. We found a good match.

Since then we’ve met up 2 to 3 times per week. Matching up a playground with a cafe. We mix it up a bunch depending on the day and the weather.

But we often find ourselves doing the Madison Park/Tarallucci combo. My buddy introduced me to Tarallucci e Vino in the Flatiron.What a find! Great espresso. And great ambience. The place is actually a restaurant with 1-and-a-half levels, with the dining room up a short flight of stairs. And the entry way opens up to a wide bar and seating area, where you can enjoy a coffee at the bar, a touch Italian-style. And plenty of room for the strollers.

Tarallucci e Vino - 15 East 18th Street at Broadway. LNQRW, 456 Trains at Union Square.

The same great coffee at their East Village location (163 First Avenue at 10th Street). But it is not as stroller friendly.And, as I just found out a couple of weeks ago, they are now operating the cafe at the Alessi store down in SoHo. My wife, son and I took a break there for a macchiatto, expecting to have the ‘Joe’ experience, and were surprised to see a barista from the 18th Street Tarallucci behind the bar!

Murray Hill still has a spot in my heart.

I lived there for 4 years and still enjoy going back. But to say that it is the hot spot for food in Manhattan would be an understatement.However, I was quite pleased to find out that Fika (the midtown cafe, we wrote about back in the Fall 2007) opened up a Murray Hill spot on Park Ave at 28th. Even more so, because over the past many months one of our favorite playgrounds is Madison Park.Fika in Murray Hill serves the same high-quality espresso and offers the same baked goods that it prepares on site at its 58th Street location. This cafe is smaller than the uptown version and a worthy of a stop when in the neighborhood.

Fika - 409 Park Avenue South between East 28th & 29th Streets. 6 train at 28th Street.

Previous visit to Fika on 58th Street. 

There’s a new spot for my son and I to add to our list of favorites, giving us some (maybe too many options) on our gallery visit days.

Joe just opened up a Chelsea location. The same great espresso (wonderful taste with lots of TLC)that you can find at their Village, NYU and SoHo locations. And this cafe offers a new and welcomed vibe. Fresh and modern atmosphere; offering table seating, sofa/hair salon seating and window-side people watching seating.

As long as Joe keeps up the quality of the espresso in addition to offering fresh vibes in their cafes, I would love to see them keep opening up more espresso bars in the city. Next up Grand Central towards late Spring.

Maybe at some point an Upper West or Upper East Side location? Something to accompany those spring and summer visits to Central Park?

Address

Joe - 405 West 23rd Street, New York between 9th and 10th Avenues. 1, CE Trains at 23rd Street.

Other Locations

West Village - 141 Waverly Place. SohoKind Visit.

East Village/NYU - 9 East 13th Street. SohoKind Visit.

SoHo (In the Alessi Store) - 130 Greene Street. SohoKind Visit.

My son and I have continued going to cafés, visiting our favorites.

There’s a newcomer to the scene and in a premium area for an artisanal café.

Gimme! Coffee

And a sweet spot of location amongst the laid back, almost hidden boutiques of the Lower East Side just on the ‘other side’ of Broadway from SoHo. Comfortable atmosphere, matching the neighborhood.

The espresso bar-only makes for a narrow shop front, so don’t miss it when you walk by.

It’s a real treat.

Address

Gimme! Coffee - 228 Mott Street, New York between Prince and Spring Streets.

View Larger Map

Ah, Zibetto.

The espresso bar that actually introduced me to artisanal espresso. And we keep going back and back and back again…

A tiny espresso bar. Wonderfully designed. Just the espresso within an ambience expressing style from the baristas’ ties to the understated off-white of the bar to the minimalist selection of biscotti.

When zipping through your day in Midtown, drop into Zibetto for a touch of style and one of NYCs best espressos.

Decisions, decisions.

With three Joe locations, which one to visit?

Each one offering a unique and truly enjoyable experience.

The tucked-away neighborhood-y café in the West Village packed with locals.

The always buzzing and popping East Village/NYU loft location.

And the chic espresso bar in the Alessi store down in SoHo.

Plus, the espresso at each is top class.

Joe has you covered for one of the best espressos in NYC, and probably a café mood to match what you’re up to for the day. Just take a look at the videos for a look at all 3.

You have your choice. With Joe you can not go wrong.

Want an amazing espresso? Casual service that is almost so casual it is too cool?

Ninth Street Espresso is then a place to go.

For a laid back café, visit Ninth Street Espresso in the far East Village, where you’ll have a park view, great espresso and a chill café environment.

For a bit more action, visit their espresso bar in the Chelsea Market. Same great espresso. Two very cool scenes on opposite sides of the island.

A true pleasure in NYC.

Abraço.

Fantastic espresso, prepared with care.

Actually, all of the menu items are attended to individually down to the ingredients. And the menu is developing each day.

Want to know what’s on the menu for the day? Just ask Jamie, who has created a friendly spot, where people come back, day-after-day to get the same great espresso, and a new dish prepared fresh.

Wonderful espresso. Eclectic and tasty pastries & dishes.

A tiny, bar-seating only lay-out for the café also makes for a friendly environment.

Just do not plan on staying for a 2-minute café, as you’re likely to get involved in a conversation and enjoy a longer visit.

Well-designed.

Each time we visit La Colombe in Tribeca, I get the feeling that each last detail was thought out with great attention. The neighborhood, the café layout, the choice of a loft space, the color of the floor, the spacing of the tables, the type of chairs, the music to be played, the single lone piece of art to display, the biscotti to offer.

And it all seems to complement each other so well.

As if La Colombe were designed around the quality of its espresso, which is excellent.

The end result being an experience to experience.

Grumpy only when they are closed.

Café Grumpy prepares a wonderful espresso. With lots of care, and very polite, friendly service that makes you feel as if you have met the barista before, even if it is your first time here.

The ambience of the café is also light, warm and modern where you can come in for a quick espresso or sit back and relax for a bit.

Did I mention the excellent espresso?