Good News - Yes they are open. You know the drill - masks and social distancing.

Dave’s New York is one very cool store indeed and without the typical fanfare of hipster stores. It is a family owned and operated business for over 50 years, Instead of me raving about it, I’ll include a paragraph from their site.

“Family owned and operated for over 55 years, Dave's New York features branded "Americana" rugged and casual clothing. Interactive American icon brands such as Levi's, Carhartt, Red Wing, Dickies, Schott, Alpha, Woolrich, Ben Davis, Timberland Pro, The North Face, Columbia, and Chippewa are offered in a wide selection of models at very favorable pricing.”

It’s in a neighborhood with much going on and it’s rather easy to miss it with all the other stuff going on. But it’s definitely worth it! You can also order online.

Dave’s New York - 581 Avenue of the Americas between 16th & 17th Streets

When was the last time you were in a cool magazine store? I still love print. After seeing Ali’s Instagram feed I decided that I needed to check out his shop. It’s very small and he has managed to use every square inch of the shop.

While I typically just show a photo of the facade of a business, after we got into a conversation he invited me to take his photo. He is proudly holding a magazine with Julianne Moore on the cover. She lives in the neighborhood and he calls her his friend.

Btw, he has more than 28,000 on Instagram! And, he’s 2 doors down from one of my favorite diner style restaurants, La Bobonniere.

Casa Magazines, 22 Eighth Avenue at Bleecker Street

Good News - they have outdoor dining. I have eaten here quite a few times recently. They’re fabulous. Updated 10 July 2021

Joe Junior is your basic greasy spoon diner style restaurant. They boast that they make the best burgers in town. So far I've only had breakfast there and it was really good. But many people will back up their claim of making the best burger. The decor is traditional old school with a counter, tables and booths. I am unable to determine at this point how long they've been in business. But it's easily been 40 years. They've had to fight to keep their lease in the past and I hope that they stick around. The crowd at Joe Junior's is mostly locals and the atmosphere is cozy. This is a real gem in a city overrun with trendy expensive and chain restaurants. Sorry, no website.

Joe Junior Restaurant, 167 Third Avenue at 16th Street.

Tom's Restaurant is a very cool old Brooklyn diner/deli. They've been in business since 1936! You will definitely get the feel of an old style diner there. The food was fabulous. I had breakfast with grits. It was very busy at midday. I do recommend Tom's if you're in the neighborhood. It is very close to the Brooklyn Museum and Prospect Park. They also have a location on the boardwalk at Coney Island which I've been to a few times and I'll write about it in the future.

Tom's Restaurant - 782 Washington Avenue

Update: I ate here a few weeks ago and they were open and the food was fabulous. They were however a little short staffed but well worth the wait. Long live NYC diners! Updated 13 July 2021

I've discovered a new favorite diner! They aren't new. But I don't know how long they've been around. The breakfast was fabulous. They were really nice and very efficient I might add. That is not always true of other diners. Also, I found that their quality and prices were really good. I will be returning there soon. It has a very traditional diner look as well!

Comfort Diner - 214 East 45th Street near Third Avenue

The Lexington Candy Shop Luncheonette is a real treasure! They call themselves a luncheonette rather than a diner and they even have an old soda fountain. A real throwback to a different era. Lexington Candy Shop opened it's doors in 1925!!! The food is standard American cuisine and you can't go wrong with breakfast, sandwiches and burgers. Oh they also have homemade pies, ice cream sundaes and egg creams. Restaurants in NYC don't stick around for over 90 years out of luck. You gotta be really good to make here. They have a collection of Coca-Cola bottles from around the world and throughout the ages in the front window. This is a definite favorite.

Lexington Candy Shop Luncheonette, 1226 Lexington Avenue at 83rd Street 

Murray Hill Diner is another fabulous diner. Murray Hill is a neighborhood next to Midtown. This diner like others is great for breakfast. They have brunch specials on the weekends and they serve breakfast all day. They opened in 2005 and they are open 7 days a week till midnight. As well as breakfast they serve burgers, sandwiches, salads and dinners. When you eat here you are surrounded for the most part by locals.

Murray Hill Diner, 222 Lexington Ave at 33rd Street

Mercer Street Books has been in business for 25 years! It's a mostly used and rare bookstore though they do carry some new books as well. They carry books in just about every genre and apparently all the clerks are writers as well. So they know something about books! They buy and sell and they carry vinyl records as well. 

So it's a bit of chaotic mess. But most of the books are in sections that make sense. I have found books there they I don't see in other bookstores and their collection is impressive. They are located next to the NYU campus and just next to Soho. They are in an area that is going through much gentrification. I do hope that they will be there for another 25 years!

Mercer Street Books, 206 Mercer Street

Tacombi has amazing Mexican food. I'm not talking about the typical Tex Mex style food which is often heavy. They use the freshest ingredients and they make everything from scratch on a daily basis. When you enter the restaurant the first thing you see is a VW bus that was converted into a taco stand in Playa del Carmen where there were selling tacos from it on the beach! The atmosphere of the restaurant is exactly that of sitting outdoors at the beach!

I had the avocado tostada, Chilango campechana and a watermelon drink! It was fabulous and the waiter was as well. Not very expensive and a friendly and casual atmosphere. I'll return! 

Tacombi, 267 Elizabeth Street..