McNulty's is a very cool shop and I was surprised to see that it's still open! I used to shop there in the 1980s! Actually McNulty's has been selling rare teas and choice coffees since 1895!!! That is really something in this city where the turnover of businesses is off the charts. I am very happy that they are still there. So if you're looking to buy coffee or tea I definitely recommend McNulty's.

McNulty's 109 Christopher Street

Three Lives & Company is a fabulous little bookstore in Greenwich Village. I will let them describe their store!

"Three Lives is our living room, and a living place. It is a work in progress. We (the store and our customers) have grown up and evolved together. People come here to see and buy what we consider to be some of the best books available today. They also come to discuss books, culture, and events of the moment. They meet for a sense of community in times of national tragedy and personal celebration. Intrinsically, books extend a graciousness that provokes discourse. 

In 1991, the Greenwich Village Historical Society cited us for being "a pocket of civility." With the advent of the big chains and more recently the internet, there is little room to be competitive by having more or costing less. Our survival has been due to our commitment to being that "pocket" - and embracing our client's wish, for a bookstore that they have helped create. 

A knowledgeable staff that reads prodigiously has been a key to our success, as has a theatrical and artistic display of the books we carry. Special orders remain a significant area of service, and we are meticulous about our follow through. We thrive on discovering literary books that might otherwise be overlooked, and thrill to give them to our customers."

Three Lives & Company 154 West 10th Street

"Stonewall Inn is a gay bar & National Historic Landmark, site of the 1969 riots that launched the gay rights movement." The Stonewall Inn opened in 1966 by three members of the Mafia. It was illegal to be gay or own a gay establishment in 1966. The Mafia didn't care about the laws. On 28 June 1969 there were riots at the Stonewall when the police raided the bar.

The Stonewall Inn has been classified in the U.S. Register of Historic Places, as a U.S. Historic Landmark, a U.S. National Monument and a NYC Landmark. It is also know as the birthplace of the Pride movement. 

Stonewall Inn  53 Christopher Street

Once upon a time it was near impossible to get coffee in NYC worth talking about. There were a few Italian cafes that I would go to. Caffé Roma is one of them and amazingly it's still in business! It's an Italian pastry shop that's family-owned since 1891!!! So Italian coffee isn't the same as the third wave coffee now and we do have quite a few cafes in NYC. But this place has old school charm. You might even imagine than you're in Italy. It is one of the few authentic businesses in Little Italy that are still around! Definitely worth it. Oh the cannolis and the Italian cheesecake is really yummy.

Caffé Roma, 176 Mulberry Street

Brighton Beach is a very cool Russian and Ukrainian neighborhood in Brooklyn. I've eaten here a few times and the borscht (beet soup) and varenikis (dumplings) are fabulous. It's a little independent restaurant and the clientele is for the most part locals. There are many photos on the walls of Nicholas Cage that were taken when he was making a film in the neighborhood. I will try to try out other things on the menu when I return. But I don't often eat very much in a sitting and their portions are rather large. Other items on the menu include Beef Stroganoff, stuffed cabbage, and a number of meat and fish dishes.

Ocean View Cafe, 290 Brighton Beach Avenue close to the Q train stop for Brighton Beach

Artists & Fleas opened in Williamsburg in 2003 to provide a marketplace for local artists and artisans. It is a fabulous marketplace where you can find vintage clothing, jewelry, t-shirts, and much much more. They are open Saturdays and Sundays and if there's a problem with the L train, you can also take the East River Ferry. Artists & Fleas also has a new location in Soho which I'll be adding to this blog in the near future. You can find the Chelsea Market location listed here under artisan markets.

Artists & Fleas, 70 North 7th Street

So I like bagels! What's more NYC than bagels? I finally had the opportunity to try out Tompkin's Square Bagels. They are great. Fresh out of the oven! They are in the Alphabet City section of the East Village. A very cool little neighborhood. The bagels are of course hand-rolled and baked daily on the premises! They also have sandwiches and coffee.

Tompkin's Square Bagels, 165 Avenue A between 10th & 11th Street

There are New York City bagels and then there are Montréal bagels! I love them both! Black Seed Bagels are made in New York City in the Montréal style. They are smaller and less dense. Like NYC bagels they are hand rolled and boiled. And they are baked in a wood oven. They remind me of St. Viateur bagels which are probably the best Montréal bagels. If you dare try another kind of bagel! It is worth it! AND they make gluten free bagels that I’m told are really really good.

Black Seed Bagels, 176 First Avenue near 11th Street

Joe Coffee Company is probably my favorite cafe in NYC. They have about a dozen locations. The coffee is consistently good and the atmosphere is always friendly and warm. I will go out of my way to have a really good cup and that includes Joe. There aren't a ton of good cafes in this neighborhood. I recently had breakfast at Neil's Coffee Shop and then a latte at this Joe. The owners are really fabulous as well.

Joe Coffee Company, 1045 Lexington Avenue near 75th Street