Last Saturday I met Hanying (WISS President) at a coffee place in LES to catch up on the WISS upcoming events in the fall. While going through our agenda, we also talked about an idea we had in our mind a while ago:provide an interesting platform to share tips, comments and reviews about restaurants, events, public places (and more) in NYC we find to be authentic....just like back home! Well...anything else will be absolutely welcome, however a tiny hint of international flavor is what makes things greater at WISS.
The question is...how do we choose which place to try, to drop in while walking on the street? Sure, we heavily depend on Yelp, TimeOut, Lonely Planet and so on and so forth.... but what’s our secrets? What signals we grab to make our decision “YES, THIS LOOKS LIKE THE RIGHT PLACE”?
So Hanying put me on the spot and she asked “How do you know when a coffee place is good?”hhhmmmmmmm...let’s quickly talk about coffee then! That is no problem to me. I am italian and (therefore!) Coffee is a long lasting passion.
Brief background about how italians experience coffee at the BAR:
IN THE MORNING
This is the perfect (and only) time for a cappuccino with “cornetto alla crema” (croissant with cream). If you are with someone AND the bar has tables available AND you are not on a rush (we rarely are!) we may take a sit and enjoy our cup of cappuccino or espresso or espresso macchiato or espressino (sort of mini cappuccino) or.... with a quick chat. If by ourselves, cappuccino is a must at the BAR counter..right there.
The question is...how do we choose which place to try, to drop in while walking on the street? Sure, we heavily depend on Yelp, TimeOut, Lonely Planet and so on and so forth.... but what’s our secrets? What signals we grab to make our decision “YES, THIS LOOKS LIKE THE RIGHT PLACE”?
So Hanying put me on the spot and she asked “How do you know when a coffee place is good?”hhhmmmmmmm...let’s quickly talk about coffee then! That is no problem to me. I am italian and (therefore!) Coffee is a long lasting passion.
Brief background about how italians experience coffee at the BAR:
IN THE MORNING
This is the perfect (and only) time for a cappuccino with “cornetto alla crema” (croissant with cream). If you are with someone AND the bar has tables available AND you are not on a rush (we rarely are!) we may take a sit and enjoy our cup of cappuccino or espresso or espresso macchiato or espressino (sort of mini cappuccino) or.... with a quick chat. If by ourselves, cappuccino is a must at the BAR counter..right there.
Espressino
IN THE AFTERNOON
After lunch (my favorite time) we run from whatever place to the BAR to take a quick espresso (NEVER NEVER cappuccino with or after lunch!)...then back to work, study or laze!
Also, expect always a glass of water served next to your cup and NEVER have a coffee to take away! Those are important rules!
So...to go back to Hanying question: how do I decide here in NYC whether or not to order an espresso?
After lunch (my favorite time) we run from whatever place to the BAR to take a quick espresso (NEVER NEVER cappuccino with or after lunch!)...then back to work, study or laze!
Also, expect always a glass of water served next to your cup and NEVER have a coffee to take away! Those are important rules!
So...to go back to Hanying question: how do I decide here in NYC whether or not to order an espresso?
La Marzocco Machine
Well, I usually look at the brand of the coffee (Lavazza is still my favorite) and especially the brand of the espresso machine behind the table (“ LA Marzocco”, “La Cimbali”, “Gaggia” are for example great machines!). They are not easy neither impossible to find.
What are my favorite places in NYC? I can say two for sure:
1) LAVAZZA BAR in Eataly: like-home coffee, good price and GLASS OF WATER! (Directions: 200 5th AVENUE New York, NY 10010)
and the best to last...
2) ZIBETTO espresso bar: the most authentic italian-style BAR I have found in NYC! Tiny little spot on 6th Av, coffee to drink at the counter, glass of water but...what made my heart shake the first time was the selection of croissants (with cream, nutella, apricot). The Best! Wish I could go there every day! (Directions: 6 Avenue NW corner of 56 Street NYC....just checked, they also have a website!)
What are my favorite places in NYC? I can say two for sure:
1) LAVAZZA BAR in Eataly: like-home coffee, good price and GLASS OF WATER! (Directions: 200 5th AVENUE New York, NY 10010)
and the best to last...
2) ZIBETTO espresso bar: the most authentic italian-style BAR I have found in NYC! Tiny little spot on 6th Av, coffee to drink at the counter, glass of water but...what made my heart shake the first time was the selection of croissants (with cream, nutella, apricot). The Best! Wish I could go there every day! (Directions: 6 Avenue NW corner of 56 Street NYC....just checked, they also have a website!)
Patrizia Mancini is an international student from the Southern Italy. Before moving to NYC she lived in Dublin and London for several years working in the financial services. She is WISS current Vice President.
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