We were on our way to a playground in Central Park. And there’s usually a wonderful circus outside of the Met, of which a few pics were captured.
Cello at the classical art museum.
A lot of modern art is presented outside of the classical museum - next to the cello player.
There’s a NYC subway map under there.
High art with hot dogs.
We spent last week revisiting some favorites in prep for our release of the SohoKind Café Guide to NYC in early January.
My son and I hit a wonderful surprise of a spot.
La Boulangerie on the Upper East Side.
Really charming place. Inviting and comfortable setting right on the corner of 79th Street and 3rd Avenue. Traces of Europe in the air. And on a beautifully overcast day, it hit the café spot.
Somehow I had walked by numerous times, and finally noticed it today.
Too bad that it was not until now, as they will be closing next week and heading back to Israel.
The staff was very friendly, to match the ambience. The music was a fit. The espresso was pretty good. Being served in an espresso glass and with a Hershey kiss were memorable touches.
Plus, they had a light and buttery croissant.
Do they really have to close?!
Visit La Boulangerie this week!
Address
La Boulangerie – 1389 3rd Avenue, New York on the corner of East 79th Street. 6 train at East 77th Street.
Music
My son and I found another enjoyable café option in the east 70s. Sicaffé provides a great space to hang out. Quite comfortable from the moment my son and I walked in.
Some short tables and then some higher bar height tables. I dig having the choices. Well-lit. Modern, clean. The smell of coffee was inviting.
Plus they have a newspaper rack which is another welcoming sign. It was the middle of a weekday afternoon and packed, so Sicaffé is no secret to those in the area.
The music was a good match for the ambience of the café. Plus, the mirror art is a creative touch.
The espresso was decent. And the café setting was so pleasant that the baseball caps worn by the baristas stood out like a sore thumb.
Sicaffe is another café definitely worth a visit when in the area. Or, for those living around the corner, another great neighborhood option.
Address
Sicaffé – 964 Lexington Avenue, New York between 70th and 71st Streets. 6 Train at 68th Street.
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A charming and pleasant surprise is hidden away on East 74th between 2nd and 3rd Avenues. It is called Café Haba.
It’s an understated café with charm that reminded me to take a peak at the streets while rushing down the avenues. Today was cold so my son and I were walking fast (this new baby carrier is working out ok after a bumpy first couple of days). I’m glad that I had noticed Café Haba a couple months ago while it was under construction.
In a setting that could maybe be described as a modern view of traditional Euro comfort, Café Haba offers table seating and window bar seating. Presenting a good place to relax for a few minutes with a drink and snack or enjoy a conversation. It was also incredibly well-lit, which added to the atmosphere.
The espresso was also good. The one thing that caught (hurt) my ear was the radio playing from behind the counter. It would add to the ambience of the café if it was from a European sender, but it was a local channel which took away just a bit of the café’s flavour.
Definitely worth a visit. The folks living in the area have a welcome option for a neighborhood café.
Address
Café Haba – 203 East 74th Street, New York between 2nd and 3rd Avenues. 6 Train at 77th Street.
Music
Within a couple block stretch on Lexington Avenue is a little sweet spot of cafes to be visited.
The first of which my son and I enjoyed yesterday.
Corrado Bread & Pastry Café.
Simple. Comfortable ambience.
Plus, they also have sidewalk seating, which, on a gorgeous day like yesterday in such a beautiful neighborhood, was completely packed. We had to wander up and down Lexington a couple of times before there was an open table.
With less favorable weather, I imagine that Corrado becomes quite quaint as there are just a handful of indoor seats.
Good espresso. They also use Danesi coffee, a good choice. And tantalizing pastries. I only tried the pecan bar, but would love to try some of the others that are captured in the video.
There’s at least one other location in the city that I am now excited about us visiting.
Address
Corrado Bread & Pastry Café – 960 Lexington Avenue, New York at East 70th Street. 6 Train at East 68th Street.
Music
For a piece of peace in the middle of hectic shoppers running to and from, there is Mon Petit Café near Bloomingdale’s on the lower Upper East Side.
Every time I walk by during the summer, I just want to sit down at the sidewalk café and watch the world go by for a few minutes.
We finally did it. And it is really a pleasant experience amongst the hustle and bustle. Even more so, when my son is in a playful mood, enjoying the atmosphere.
Mon Petit Café is better known as an excellent restaurant serving French cuisine. But with its location and sidewalk seating, a late afternoon café in between the lunch and dinner rushes will allow you to enjoy the here and now of life.
Address
Mon Petit Café – 801 Lexington Avenue, New York. At 62nd Street. 456 Trains at 59th Street.
Music
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
Ah Budapest.
While it has been over 10 years now since I worked in Budapest, there are a couple of strong impressions that came back to mind yesterday.
One is the beauty of the city. The other is how kind, sweet and polite the people were in Budapest.
Plus we had a relaxing sidewalk cafe on a charming, sunny afternoon, early evening.
All of this thanks to Andre’s Café & European Bakery on the Upper East Side. The setting was quite charming. It’s a small cafe, with just a handful of sidewalk seats.
It is a prime location for people-watching, particularly as people are coming home from work.
The bakery selection made choosing a single cake to enjoy a bit difficult. I guess we’ll have to go back to try the chocolate mousse cheesecake.
The espresso was tasty. The atmosphere just downright relaxed.
And the service was incredibly friendly. Yes, it does exist in New York. Not just polite. But genuinely friendly.
And my son seemed to enjoy it as well.
Köszönöm, Andre’s Café.
Address
Andre’s Café & European Bakery - 1631 Second Avenue, New York between 84th and 85th Streets. 4,5,6 Trains at 86th Street.
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