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

Dashwood Books opened in 2005 and they describe themselves as "New York City’s only independent bookstore devoted entirely to photography." If you sneeze walking down Bond Street you might not even notice that they exist and you'd be missing out on a very special store. They are downstairs a few steps.

Dashwood specializes in contemporary photography books that you are not likely to find in other bookstores. Their selection includes "books that have no or very limited distribution in the United States including limited press runs from Japan, Germany and The Netherlands; artists self-published books, signed books and a carefully curated selection of collectible post-war titles."

I highly suggest this bookstore and it is inspiring to see that they are able to survive in the city. They are closed on Mondays and open at noon on other days.

Dashwood Books 33 Bond Street (between Lafayette and Bowery.)

Joe's Ginger has been my go to restaurant for quite awhile now. It's funny how many restaurants there are in NYC and how easy it is to go back to the same restaurant over and over again. But when you find one you like, you go back.

Joe's Ginger opened in 2004 and it serves Hong Kong Style Shanghai cuisine. It is yummy. I haven't tried Joe's Shanghai yet which is in close proximity to it. It's definitely worth it.

Joe's Ginger - 25 Pell Street near Mott Street

Gray's Papaya is a real New York thing to do! A hot dog and a papaya juice are the typical things people order. They also have the standard NYC breakfast of bacon, egg and cheese on a roll. Gray's Papaya was a favorite of the girls on Sex and the City as well. It has been featured in many films and a favorite of many famous and not famous New Yorkers.

There were other locations in the past that have closed due to the cost of rent.  I understand that there's another location on Eighth Avenue as well. They're open 24 hours 7 day per week and the food is very inexpensive. No website. I have a photo somewhere in my archives that they endorsed Obama for president in 2008.

Gray's Papaya - 2090 Broadway at 72nd Street

Stumptown coffee is perhaps the recognized name in coffee for people who have a strong appreciation for a good cup of coffee. This location is in the very hip Ace Hotel. There are a few stools in the cafe or there is also a big open space in the hotel lobby designed for seating with laptops and you can drink your coffee there. Very cool atmosphere and oh the coffee is very good too,

Stumptown Coffee Roasters - 18 West 29th Street between Fifth Avenue and Broadway.

I don't make it up to the Upper West Side that often. But when I do, West Side Restaurant is one of my regular places to go for a meal. It is your standard Greek/American diner. Of course, they don't have a website! They are open to 1:00am and I like their breakfast. 

West Side Restaurant, 2020 Broadway at 69th Street

Caffe Dante opened in 1915. At the time the neighborhood was mostly Italian and it was a meeting place for Italian immigrants where they could feel like they were at home. Recently it was bought by a New York based Australian family while staying true to the heritage of the cafe. Caffe Dante is a registered New York City Historic landmark. People who have been known to frequent it in the past include Al Pacino, Ernest Hemingway, Patti Smith, Bob Dylan and many more. I haven't been there in a few years though I'm due for a visit sometime soon.

Caffe Dante - 79-81 MacDougal Street

Housing Works Thrift Shop is a real favorite of mine. I frequent this location in particular to donate goods and to shop. I've bought some fabulous clothing here and not expensive either. Housing Works is a great organization and when you donate or purchase goods from them it goes to their mission. Read below quotes about their mission. They have numerous locations which you can see on their website which I will post about in the future. And they also have a bookstore which I've already posted about.

"Housing Works is a healing community of people living with and affected by HIV/AIDS. Our mission is to end the dual crises of homelessness and AIDS through relentless advocacy, the provision of lifesaving services, and entrepreneurial businesses that sustain our efforts."

"For over 25 years, Housing Works has addressed the needs of over 30,000 individuals that other organizations deem “too challenging” to serve. Based on a harm reduction framework, our programs are both holistic and empowering."

Housing Works - 732 Ninth Avenue near 50th Street