Lately a number of trendy shops and companies have opened that sell stylish socks. However The Sock Man has been in business since 1983! You could say that he was way ahead of the fashion trend.

Located on the historic Saint Mark’s Place, the birth place of punk music and an artistic haven when you could be a poor starving artist in New York City.

He carries a very large selection of socks to suit all tastes and many with images on them. He carries stock for women, children and men. In his own words “Representing almost one-third of your total body weight, your legs are quite crucial to your body. What you choose to wear on your legs is an important and often difficult decision.”

The Sock Man - 99 St. Mark’s Place (between First Avenue & Avenue A)

Tick Tock Diner specializes in comfort food. They’ve been in business since 1997. They are a stone’s throw from Penn Station and Madison Square Garde and they are one of the few independently owned restaurants in the neighborhood.

I typically order breakfast and it’s always been really good. I haven’t tried the waffles or pancakes, but they look amazing. If you’re going to B&H, they’re one block away.

They don’t have their hours listed on their website. They might actually be open 24/7. I’d check beforehand.

Tick Tock Diner 481 Eighth Avenue at 34th Street

Totonno’s is some really good pizza! It is Napolitana style pizza and they’ve been making pizza in the same location since 1921. They are family run and “Totonno’s of Coney Island the oldest, continually run, family-owned pizzeria in America, and possibly the world.” That’s a pretty bold statement in a city of some 40,000 restaurants.  

The list of famous people who have eaten there is really long and you can see their walls filled with signed photos of many of them. There are also some movies that were made there. But the pizza stands on its own.

If you’re looking for a good meal while in Coney Island I do suggest Totonno’s. Please check with their website to see if they’re open. They are open Thursday-Sunday 12pm to 7:30pm.

Totonno's Pizzeria Napolitana, 1524 Neptune Avenue

Porto Rico Importing has been in business since 1907. It is one of the few businesses on St Mark’s that has been there for that length of time. They import fine coffees and teas and you can even get a coffee there and sit on the bench outside all year round.

As a photographer and a lover of independent businesses, I am always drawn to hand-painted business signs and the sense of individual personality that shines through. Stop by for a cup or a pound of coffee or tea.

Porto Rico Importing, 40 1/2 St Mark’s Place

Ray’s Candy is a fabulous little store. It opened its doors in 1974! Very few businesses in the East Village can make that claim. Ray is an Iranian immigrant who paid $30,000 for the space. He became a US citizen in 2011.

It would be easy to pass by Ray’s and not notice it if you’re looking across the street at the mural of Joe Strummer. But it is definitely worth going in and trying their fried Oreo cookies, egg creams and Belgian fries to name a few.

Ray’s has been featured by Anthony Bourdain Parts Unknown as well as many books and films. Do make a point of checking out Ray’s and you can also read up about his history as well.

Ray’s Candy Store - 113 Avenue A near St Mark’s Place

Cafe Grumpy stands out as one of my favorite cafes in New York City. The cafe latte is fabulous and the team are always friendly. They are located in Grand Central Terminal on the east side with an entrance on Lexington as well as in Grand Central. They have a few other locations in the city which I haven’t tried yet. Being a regular at a particular cafe is great as they get to know you and they know in advance what I’ll order!

Cafe Grumpy 89 East 42nd Street

I was so happy to discover recently that Cafe Triskell is still in business. You really can’t take for granted that restaurants will be there when you return. Perhaps it is a testament to how wonderful this little restaurant is.

First of all, the chef and owner of Cafe Triskell is Philippe Fallait. He is from Bretagne, France and he opened his restaurant in 2008. The cuisine is what he calls French comfort food. I’ve had the mussels and fries as well as a crepe and other foods which I don’t recall. But I always return.

The atmosphere as well as the personality of Philippe and the very tasty and genuine French cuisine makes this place a no-brainer to return to. Oh, the prices are very good as well.

It’s easy to get there by the N or W subway train that is only about one block away. Open hours are Wednesday through Friday 5pm-10pm and Saturdays and Sundays he’s open for brunch and dinner 11am to 10pm.

Cafe Triskell - 33-04 36th Avenue, Astoria, New York

I do love a good diner and Court Square Diner has been a favorite for many years. When I go to MoMA PS1 to see an exhibit I usually plan to have a meal there. They’ve been in business since 1946 in the area and since 1991 at this location. And yes, you can’t stay in business in New York City through luck. There’s a good reason that Court Square Diner has been in business for so many years.

I typically have breakfast food or a gyro. The food is always yummy and the vibe is friendly and neighborly. It’s definitely worth eating here. And if you’re in the mood to discover NYC you can actually walk across the Pulaski Bridge and go to Greenpoint, Brooklyn.

They’re open 24 hours a day 7 days a week. And they are located next to the Court Square subway stop for the 7 and G trains.

Court Square Diner - 45-30 23rd Street, Long Island City, Queens

So I'm a huge fan of Joe Cafe. They have about a dozen locations around the city. It is independently owned and operated. The coffee is consistently very good and the staff are always friendly. This location in the West Village is small and it's often difficult to get a seat indoors or outdoors. But if you're in the neighborhood and want a good coffee you'll find it here.

Joe Cafe - 141 Waverly Place between Sixth Avenue and Christopher Street