La Bergamote is the French café experience, but today

One of our chief criticisms of Paris is that it is in France.  For this reason you might think you can’t do the following today: wander over to a café with the black-and-white tile floors, marble-cut tables, and vintage lighting; post up at a table outside by yourself (or with one of your quieter friends; don’t be an American about it); angle your chair towards the passersby; order an espresso and an almond croissant; and quietly make up stories about or hopefully even judge the more stylish couples who walk by you.  I am here to tell you today that you can do this today.  You can do it at La Bergamote, on 20th Street & 9th Avenue. 

This place calls itself a “pâtisserie,” French for bakery, but that is a little like calling the Titanic a “big boat” or the Mona Lisa a “picture of a woman.”  Yes there is the pastry case; yes you should get the lemon tart or éclair; no we don’t care about your figure.  But the actual block-approved move is to sit down by yourself early in the day and get the lemon ricotta pancakes, which may very well be the best pancakes in the city, crispy on the outside and fluffy on the inside, and made with a zesty lemon batter replete with blueberries and ricotta cheese strewn on top.  Or go for lunch and get the French onion soup, which has a deeper and richer taste than you’re used to, and the cheeseburger with bacon, which is juicier than you’re used to (still don’t care about your figure).  Or go for dinner and get the hanger steak au poivre (which they serve of course with fries) or the bouillabaisse, which is their Thursday-special seafood stew medley with scallops, shrimp, and toast to soak it all up on the side.  You really cannot go wrong here.

While we say the official move is to go alone, people-watch, and really bask in all your senses; this place is also perfect with a friend or a small group.  A little on the pricier side, but guys, it’s French and you can’ t put a price on something feeling right. Highly recommend. 

Café Ambrosia on 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 completely failing to do so 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.