CAFE
Can you think of anything better than coffee, pastries, and shopping? How about all three in one badass place surrounded by the kings—and queens—of rock and roll? Well, you can find this phenomenal trifecta at Grit N Glory, Lower East Side’s newest gathering spot. The product of owners Emily Conley and Veronica Cano’s own trilogy of passions—music, art, and coffee—Grit N Glory is an ever-evolving space offering a new brand of coffee culture.
After a soft opening in November, the duo hosted their grand opening event this week, and we have to say, it’s our new favorite place for a cup of joe and good time. You’ll know you’ve arrived when you see the drum set and guitars in the window, as if the band just took five for some shots of espresso. Come on in, and like us, you’ll be stopped in your tracks with the sights. At first glance you may notice the floor to ceiling “chalkboard” wall. Yes, a community art board! Feel free to pick up some chalk and have at it. Next, four shiny vintage hub cab clocks, set to various significant time zones, might catch your attention--or the realization that your personal favorite classic rock album happens to be playing. As you relax in the warm, cappuccino colored atmosphere, observe the art on the walls and other functional fixtures. Almost everything is for sale allowing a “vivid evolution of decoration” to gradually take place. There will always be something new to look at, one of Grit N Glory’s most unique characteristics.
Beginning Saturday the 29th, Chef Ivo Mazzon and his costumed staff will be serving delectable Halloween specials at Joey’s Italian Café, such as antipasti of burrata with pumpkin and balsamic onion for $16. You can also take a bite out of their specialty tenderloin with porcini and pumpkin sauce served with potato puree for $34. Top it off with a pumpkin bavarese with strawberry sauce and pistachio ice cream for dessert. And while you’re in the area, visit local neo-folk act Raffa and Rainer for a live musical performance at 8pm. The duo is known for their sweet-as-candy lyricism and melodies that will pull on any heart’s strings.
A few feet away, street artists and aficionados alike will gather for the Wynwood Walls art display. Local artists have taken to the massive walls of surrounding buildings to bring Wynwood to life. After strolling through the city art, swing by the center stage for Lazerdisk Party Sex while they spin and mix tracks from 8 p.m. to midnight. After Twilight, Chef Miguel Aguilar offers his Latino-inspired small plates like him famed chicken ropa vieja empanandas or his signature pork tenderloin with apple jicama slaw and shallot gravy at Wynwood Kitchen & Bar for the special weekend.
On Monday, march over to Lincoln Road for Meat Market’s spook-tacular three-course prix fixe menu! Courtesy of Chef Sean Brasel, you’ll enjoy appetizers such as pumpkin lobster bisque, fresh tart apple salad and his 10-ounce basted Kobe filet mignon with Gruyere roesti. Keeping to the traditional bites of the season, a delicious trio of cupcakes – pumpkin with pumpkin cream cheese frosting, red velvet with white butter cream and double chocolate – will seal the meal. And don’t forget Meat Market’s Black Sangria made with Malbec wine and Stolichnaya blended with black fruits, citrus and agave or their Witches Brew, a cocktail concoction of Appleton rum, fresh lemon, agave nectar and topped off with root beer.
And finally, a scrumptious four-course prix fixe menu awaits you at Quattro Gastronomia Italiana just a short walk away. After an amuse-bouche of mini arancini with ham and porcini served with marinara, fresh wild mushrooms and truffle Robiola cheese crostini, sample antipasti like carpaccio di manzo with mustard dressing, lemon dressed mache, cherry tomatoes and Parmesan flakes. Do not fear, little monsters, for Quattro would never forget dessert! Guests can enjoy an assortment of seasonal inspired treats like pumpkin and pecan pies or their famous homemade classic tiramisu to satisfy their sweet tooth.
“It was a pleasant cafe, warm and clean and friendly, and I hung up my old water-proof on the coat rack to dry and put my worn and weathered felt hat on the rack above the bench and ordered a coffee. The waiter brought it and I took out a notebook from the pocket of the coat and a pencil and started to write.”
-Ernest Hemingway
Miami's new hotspot for everything funky is finally here! Beer, Books, Wine, Espresso and Magazines, located in the thriving Wynwood District, Lester's has answered everyones prayers and finally a cool, down to earth neighborhood bar/cafe is here. The mastermind behind this local phenomenon is artist Daniel Milewski, a familiar face in this area who’s wife Nina owns Gallery Diet just down the street. This duo is more than cute, really adding onto this unconventional yet Über cool art district. With both of their styles combined, this undeniably perfect power couple have created two unique places to visit on the same street.
Going down the cereal aisle in the supermarket and there are just too many choices. Well, Schweet Boks has your every cereal craving covered. Have Cookie Crisp with crushed Oreos, Raisin Bran with sprinkles, or Apple Jacks with M&M’s mixed in.
A cafe dedicated to the cereal gods, this is breakfast heaven on Earth. Mix and match over three dozen cereals with about three dozen toppings, but don’t forget the milk. If you are having trouble deciding what to combine they have a menu. Undertake One Too Many (Cap’n Crunch, Trix, Kix, and Rice Krispies) or S’mores (Golden Grahams, Coco Puffs and marshmallows).
No matter what you decide, remember Mom can’t yell at you for playing with your food.
Schweet Boks2142 Irving St
(at 22nd)
San Francisco, CA 94122
415-992-2119
Between fashion week and the nightlife of New York we (the lowly sweet tooths) never really stood a chance. This cupcake movement however has stood too long unopposed in its monopolization of "street sweets". The ubiquitous confections have been taking over the city like a swarm of locust bakers but now they have met their match.
Down in the west village on a stretch of 6th ave. that is curiously barren of many restaurants is BLT Burger, the awkward teenager in the BLT family. The décor is reminiscent of Danny Zuko and Kenickie’s burger joint but instead of your Eskimo pies you will find milkshakes that really deliver the goods. Cold, creamy, luscious and for an extra couple bucks spiked with the booze of your choice, it really doesn’t get much better.
As one of the most happening coffee joints/B.Y.O.B.s on the Main Line (are there any others?), Milkboy Coffee is that rare "hip" institution where even the squares can fit in. And believe me, I should know! Every night there is something going on at Milkboy and, more often than not, you will find yourself pleasantly entertained. From live bands and acoustic songwriters to poetry and open mic nights, Milkboy fills a void that's been left on Lancaster Avenue since the departure of The Point in 2005. While you won't see the likes of Jackson Browne, Bruce Springsteen and Warren Zevon, as you once did at The Point way back when, you may spot a few of their successors. (Reed Kendall's Up the Chain, anyone?)
Tria
1137
Spruce Street
Philadelphia, PA
215-629-9251
www.triacafe.com
Tria is a beer, wine, and cheese place that's got it going on. There's an undercurrent of elegance in this cafe, from the sophisticated fare selections, to the doting, knowledgeable wait-staff, to the cool, carefully-selected indie rock that ebbs and flows with the clientele's vibes.
At first glance a visitor would think Tria was on the fancy side, another wine bistro with the expensive glasses of wine and the tiny, over-priced plates of tapas. But Tria is different. It turns out to be a comfy, neighborhood nook that has exhibits elegance through simplicity and practicality. The well-mannered, attentive wait-staff adds to this, as does their price-conscious menu.
M Street Coffee and Gallery
13251 Moorpark St
Sherman Oaks, CA 91423
(818) 907-1400
www.mstreetcoffee.com
This hipster-esque Studio City coffee house is as refreshingly uplifting as
the tree squirrel that unabashedly greeted me outside its door. Now I don't
generally rate my cafés by their resident wildlife, but if there were ever a
symbol for the ambient friendliness here that seems to elude most non-chain
coffee joints, this was it.
So, have you been Marc Jacobs-matized yet?
Every New Yorker goes through some stage of Marc Jacobs obsession, as if it’s a natural form of puberty – but, when is enough, well...enough?
Never - if you leave it to Marc’s hands. With the recent news of his Milan in-store café, Marc keeps the buzz going strong with these new keychains that suggest the thrill of hotel potential. Obviously, in your dreams and mine – but a keychain can’t hurt your imagination.
Recession friendly or just outright cheap ($15) keychains are now available at Marc by Marc boutiques.
L’Express
Cuisine: French
Price Range: Moderate
Flatiron
249 Park Avenue South
(corner of 20th Street)
New York, New York 10003
(212) 254-5858
www.lexpressnyc.com
The idea of a French bistro that is open 24/7 is brilliant. Why should NYC diners be subjected to food that is mediocre at best at the late night (early morning) hours. For those that are hungry- L’Express is the answer. This French bistro/café has all the makings to make you want to slow down in this busy city. Wicker and wood tables, floor to ceiling fold-up windows, and airy French doors (naturally) make you want to stay for much longer than your one hour lunch break. And since it is open 24 hours a day, seven days a week, you can!
 |
 |
 |
 |
