Caffè Aronne is known for its flavorful organic coffee that is prepared with ethically sourced beans. You can rest assured of quality as the café utilizes fine quality beans that are sourced from various parts of the world. This café is also known for its unique catering service on wheels, an apé espresso bar. After enjoying a lovely cup of coffee, you can bag home coffee beans and other coffee products from their store.
If you're in the area, Padabe Bakery in East Harlem, a family-run bakery and cafe selling a range of freshly baked products, is a must-try. Their products don't include any preservatives and are prepared using non-genetically modified organisms, which are claimed to contain more nutrients. The freshly baked pastries, which are made every day to preserve the essence of purity and fresh flavours, are the most well-liked items on their menu. There are also options that are vegan and gluten-free. Customers at this bakery have the choice of dining in, ordering takeout, or having food delivered to their place.
Fiore's is an Italian-American grocery store and deli that retails specialty meats, cheeses and condiments. The cash-only store has earned a reputation for some of the best sandwiches this side of Hoboken and certainly one of the best home-made mozzarella you'll find in town. Each day the shop offers a daily special sandwich from the cult-classic roast beef and mozzarella or "muz" as its known by regulars, to the flavorful prosciutto and mozzarella sandwich. Get here early to avoid the lines out the door at peak lunch hour.
If you're a fan of fresh juices and smoothies along with piping hot beverages and delicious sandwiches, then Green Juice Cafe is the perfect place for you. Housed in Washington Heights, this boutique shop and cafe is a haven for those love digging into a tasty quick meal. Recommended favorites include a White Mocha, Americano, Chai Tea Latte and Iced Tea. Fresh Juices including Veggie Detox, Green Dream and Vitamin C Please are popular. Keep the hunger pangs at bay by gorging into sandwiches such as Lovely Nutella or Fruity Peanut Buttery Toast.
Tucked away in Sunnyside, Queens, New York, is a small and busy restaurant and gastropub, The Alcove. The tables seat approximately 30 people and the bar accommodates about 10 more. Ideal for brunch, The Alcove has an interesting decor, with a mannequin of an old man outside, who holds a menu for guests to see. Inside, the walls have menus, inspirational quotes written in chalk and post it notes. The busy decor reflects the pace of the establishment, where despite the rush, the owners and staff are welcoming and friendly. Peruse the menu at leisure and yet your food and drinks appear quickly. Featuring local craft beers such as Radiant Pig, Big Alice and Gun Hill, the drinks menu doesn't disappoint. Right from flavored mojitos to spicy margaritas and shots of rum chowder, the drinks menu holds its own. To nibble, go with the Alcove burgers topped with fried quail eggs and crunchy potato sticks, which come with a side of delicious truffle fries. Another popular choice is the Skirt Steak Lollipops that come in skewers and are topped with Chimichurri sauce. The tacos come with a slice of queso freir on the side; guacamole and carnitas tacos are the best. All in all it is a very friendly, unpretentious pub-next-door kind of experience.