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.

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

Wow!

La Colombe Torrefaction in Tribeca is finely designed.

Fantastic espresso. Great location. Cool ambience. Beautiful interior. Plenty of space, yet still has quite a buzz about it, due to the loft-like ceilings and contemporary crowd.

It is a café that knows what it wants, knows what it is and then just is.

Truly beautiful to experience. From the music to the chairs to the rich color of wood floors to the art chosen to the small espresso bar, La Colombe is wonderfully designed. Everything complements and belongs together.

My son and I met one of our designers, Sengthe, who is working on a film project in New York before heading back to France. And he also enjoyed it.

For the first espresso, my son was just a joy. Smiling and playing. But as the time, and desire, for another espresso came, he was ready to check out the neighborhood. VERY READY!!!

It works out well that we had to leave early. Because not only did La Colombe make a fantastic first impression, but it is always desirable to leave the clientele wanting more.

Address

La Colombe Torrefaction – 319 Church Street, New York at Lispenard Street, one block south of Canal Street. NQRW, ACE, JMZ, 1, 6 Trains at Canal Street.

Music

Serge Gainsbourg – Initials B.B.