Café Ambrosia in 23rd and 10th has the matcha you want and the sanctuary vibe you need

What makes a coffee shop great in NYC is (i) a clean, cozy, not-too-crowded ambiance that lets you alternatively work on your laptop, read a book (or your phone), or chatter, and (ii) a drink and pastry/food selection that keeps you there past as single drink.  Café Ambrosia on 23rd & 10th is somebody who can do both.

The block-approved move is to get the iced matcha—there are tiramisu (which comes with a ladyfinger on top), strawberry, and yuzu options—and a pistachio croissant.  From there, take a seat in a comfortable chair and at least think about doing something productive before not and then just getting the Japanese yuze cheesecake.  You only live once, guys, and there are only a finite number of cheesecake opportunities any of us have left.      

Thank you Sogno Toscano, anchor block meeting place

Longer-time block residents will remember Il Piccolo, the Italian cafe formerly on the corner of 28th & 10th which closed about three years ago. The space remained vacant until about early 2025, when Sogno Toscano—of West Village fame (though the West Village location is currently closed due to a fire)—opened on our block. This is ultimately a lesson in putting the past away and focusing on the future because Sogno Toscano has absolutely taken over as the de facto meeting place on the block, which you’ll see for yourself once you start meeting neighbors in person.

And for good reason. Menu is a panini, pasta, wine, and coffee affair, and you know this place is good and Italian because every single time you are in here without fail, you will hear Italians speaking Italian. The block-approved move is to find a table in the outside space between 12-3pm Monday through Friday and take advantage of the pasta special, where all the pastas are only $19. You cannot go wrong with the carbonara, bolognese, or lasagna here.

Recommend.