Showing posts with label Coffee. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Coffee. Show all posts

Sunday, December 21, 2014

New York Best Coffee Jamaican Blue Mountain

NEW YORKS BEST COFFEE 
JAMAICAN BLUE MOUNTAIN COFFEE
at
MISS LILLY'S
 
GREENWICH VILLAGE
 
NEW YORK
 
 
NEW YORK'S BEST COFFEE
 
Only $2.50 a CUP
 
"For JAMAICAN BLUE MOUNTAIN, That's SUPPER CHEAP"
 
&
 
The BEST COFFEE DEAL in TOWN
 
 
At
MELVIN'S JUICE BOX
 
MELVIN
 
Mis Lilly's
 
 
 
JAMAICAN
BLUE MOUNTAIN COFFEE
 
The WORLD'S BEST
 
The BLUE MOUNTAINS
of
JAMAICA
Where The Worlds Best COffee is Grown
 
 
 
MELVIN'S JUICE BOX
 
BEST JUICE BAR
in 
NEW YORK
 
 
 
 
 
    THE BIG LEBOWSKI COOKBOOK

Monday, October 13, 2014

Espresso

ESPRESSO
Espresso, the making, consuming and enjoyment of a properly made Espresso is another facet and time honored tradition of Italian-Americans and their culture. We do love our properly pulled Espresso. A properly pulled Espresso is a thing of beauty and refinement, and must be done just so. We can and do make Espresso in our homes with either a Neapolitan or Moka brewing device, and now these days, there are any number of expensive new-fangled home espresso makers, more on that later.
Some might be surprised but the great art of the perfect Italian Espresso has been around for just about 110 years. Yes Italians drank Espresso before that, but it was only developed into a “Fine Art” that it is today, just a little more then a hundred years ago or so when Luigi Bezzera developed the first Espresso Machine that we know today. After this landmark in Espresso history, the consumption and popularity of Espresso grew rapidly. Caffes and Espresso Bars popped up everywhere all over Italy. These Espresso Bars were places to have an Espresso and socialize. And in Italy, there is a whole act and ritual to going to an Espresso Bar for your habitual morning coffee. And it’s not just for the Espresso but some socializing, a bit of chit-chat, gossip, political talk, sports (Soccer/Futbol), this-that-and-every-other-thing. This morning Espresso is quite ritualistic in Italy, and is practiced by most, and in every corner of the country, on every other street corner in cities like; Rome, Bologna, Palermo, Milano, Verona, all over. And it is quite the sight to see, especially if you’re an American going for the first time. In caffes and bars in Italy it is at the stand-up Espresso bar where all the action takes place. When you go into a caffe (a.k.a. Bar) in Italy and have a Espresso, Cappuccino, whatever, and sit at a table, that Espresso will cost you an additional 50% or more than it will if you consume it standing up at the counter at the Espresso Bar. It’s a tax thing. The caffe owners are taxed on their tables and this tax gets passed on to the customer. Basta!
Anyway, the ritual of the early morning Italian Espresso? People get dressed, leave their homes and are on their way to work, but they don’t go right from their house to their job. No they have to have an Espresso and the ritual of the Espresso and some Chit-Chat (BS) with a quick stop at their favorite local caffe. They might leave their house then go to an Espresso Bar near their home before going to their job, or they may head to their job, then get an Espresso at a favored caffe near the work-place. They might even do both, get an Espresso in their neighborhood before heading to work, then stopping at
an Espresso Bar close to their workplace before bopping into work.
     Well, that’s the way they do it in Italy, quite a ritual and amazing to see.
In America, Italian immigrants to cities like New York, Boston, Providence,
and Philadelphia opened Social Clubs that served Espresso, maybe some
sandwiches, soup, soda, Biscotti, and Anisette Toast, and Cannoli that
they bought from a nearby baker. These Social Clubs which sprung up in
neighborhoods like the Lower East Side of New York or what is now called Little Italy, in Boston’s North End, and San Francisco’s North Beach. These Social Clubs (Caffe) were primarily of and for the working class, and were for Italians. The clubs were for Italians, and people of other nationalities did not go into them unless they were brought in by an Italian guy from the neighborhood. And that’s the way it was back then.
 
 
 
Espresso e Dolce at home? When I was growing up and went to my Aunt Fran and Uncle Tony’s house in Lodi, or to Aunt Helen’s for Sunday Dinner, and we ate our meal, and it moved on to coffee and dessert, this was quite a sight that brings back nice memories for me to this very day. And it was a wonderful ritual, and unlike the quick grab your Espresso, Chit-Chat for a few minutes and run out the door as is done at caffe’s and Espresso Bars in Italy, the Espresso was anything but Espresso (Fast) at Bellino Family meals, as is with millions of Italian-American families over the years. No, this was no quick hit-and-run affair. The coffee and dessert course at our family gatherings was the longest portion of our all day affair of the Sunday Meal. My Aunts and Uncles would sit around the table, we (the Kids) would too, but we would go back and forth, cause this sit-down at the table usually lasted about 3 hours, maybe more. We’d sit down, and Aunt Fran and Aunt Helen had the Neapolitan going with Espresso. The table was laden with all sorts of goodies; Cannolis of course, one or two different cakes, and an assortment of Italian Cookies and Pastries (Sfogiatelle, Mille Foglie). There was always enough to fill Pastry Shop Showcase, “I kid you not!”
The table full of my aunts and uncles was a wonder. They’d sit around drinking coffee, eating pastries, and talk-talk-talk, about politics, sports, gossip, this-that-and-everything. My uncle Frank who was the Ring-Leader could have solved all the Worlds problems, right there at that table, filled with Cannoli, Biscotti, Coffee (Espresso), cakes, Anisette, heated discussion, laughter, and a “Bundle of Joy,” all over Espresso.
Aunt Helen and Aunt Fran made the Espresso in Neapolitan Espresso Maker.
The Neapolitan is from Napoli, Italy. It was developed so Neapolitans (and all Italians) could make Espresso in their homes. The Neapolitan is a two-piece device whereby, you fill the bottom of the vessel with water, the ground espresso goes in the middle and you screw on the empty top. To make Espresso with the Neapolitan you put the device on the stove over a flame with the piece filled with the water on the stove. The water heats, and when it comes to the boil, you turn the flame off, flip the vessel over so the hot water is at the top and will then drip down through the ground coffee to make the Espresso.
The Espresso is not as good as that you’d get at a caffe or Espresso Bar with a large machine, but it’s good enough, and adding a little shot of Anisette is never a bad thing, something my Uncle Frank always did. This is called a Caffe Corretto, the act of adding a few drops of your desire liquor into your espresso. You can add; Grappa, Sambucca, Brandy, Anisette, or other liquor to make a caffe corretto. At Aunt Fran & Unlce Tony’s, it was always Anisette. Basta.
 
 
My NAPOLITAN
I Bought in NAPOLI 1987
 
As a child it was always something to see, watching Aunt Fran or Aunt Helen go through the pleasant little ritual of making Espresso in that curious looking contraption, the Neapolitan. As I said, it always intrigued me, and when I took my first trip to Italy and was in Napoli walking through a street market and spotted a merchant selling Neapolitans and other kitchenware’s, I just
had to get myself one, a Neapolitan of my own and from the great city
it was invented in, Napoli. I also brought back some beautiful ceramic
plates from nearby Vietro sul Mare on the nearby Amalfi Coast, and
I’ve been making Espresso with my Neapolitan (bought in Napoli), and eating Spaghetti on those beautiful Amalfi Coast Plates from ever since, a joy, and a way to bring Italy into your own American home. Doing so, brings back beautiful memories of; Positano, The Amalfi Coast, Sicily, and the rest of Italy. If you can’t be there (which is a shame), then bring Italy into your home. And that is what we do, every time we sit down to a meal, a glass
of wine, or a simple little cup of Espresso, “we bring Italy home.”
 
 
 
ESPRESSO is Excerpted from Daniel Bellino-Zwicke 's  SUNDAY SAUCE
 
 
SUNDAY SAUCE  - When Italian-Americans Cook is Available in Paperback & Kindle
on Amazon.com
 
 
 
Cannolis Were Always on The Table
 
 
And a Bottle of Anisette
 
 
SECRET ITALIAN RECIPES
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
A MOKA POT
 
For Making Espresso
 
 
 
 
 
Toto & Peppino 
 
with a NAPOLITAN
 
in
 
The BAND of HONEST MEN 1956
by DANIEL BELLINO-ZWICKE
 

Monday, September 29, 2014

Coffee Is GOOD For You

COFFEE LOVERS REJOICE !!!
 
 
 
COFFEE IS GOOD FOR YOU !!!
Yes Boys and Girls, all you Coffee Lovers out there, it's True, Coffee is Good for You. Ye-Ha! Don't you just love it. You might have heard from time-to-time that coffee is not good for you, bad for your health. Not So, but just the opposite, Coffee is Good for you. Coffee is High in Antioxidants, which can protect against damaged cells and  reduce your risk of chronic disease including Diabetes, Heart Disease, and Strokes. 
Now this is really good news, Great News in fact, the prevention and reduced risk of getting Heart Disease,   Diabetes, and Stoke is major, and anything any sane person should be ecstatic and rejoice over, "I am." Coffee can help prevent Alzheimer's and Parkinson Disease. Awesome!
Just remember, moderation is the key, too much coffee can cause nausea, jitters, and a rapid heart beat. It is safe to drink up to 5 cups a day, if you start getting over 8 cups you may have problems and adverse side affects. So remember, enjoy your coffee, you can love it, but stay moderate and it will love you back. As for me, I just love and adore my morning coffee. I usually have a second cup in the late afternoon, but hardly ever after 4 PM and I'm finished for the day, until my next glorious morning cup to start another day, my Coffee, in the Cafe, the newspaper and I'm set, Buon Giorno!
 
 
 
*THIS ARTICLE FOCUSES PRIMARILY ON THE POSITIVE BENEFITS OF DRINKING COFFEE, ALTHOUGH THERE ARE CIRCUMSTANCES WHERE DRINKING COFFEE CAN BE BAD FOR YOU, SUCH AS PEOPLE WITH ANXIETY OR SLEEPING DISORDERS.  IN TERMS OF HEALTH, COFFEE IS BEST DRUNK WHEN IT'S BLACK OR WITH VERY LITTLE SUGAR AND MILK ADDED. DRINKING A VENTI MOCHA WITH WHIPPED CREAM FOUR TIMES A DAY ISN'T GOOD FOR ANYONE.  
 
 
[caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="282"] Secret Italian Recipes[/caption]

Tuesday, July 1, 2014

New York's Best Cafes






CAFFE DANTE

Macdougal Street GREENWICH VILLAGE
New York

100 YEARS OLD Next YEAR 2015

Is
NEW YORK'S BEST ITALIAN CAFFE


BEST ART in a CAFE
Caffe Reggio

photo Daniel Bellino-Zwicke


CAFFE REGGIO

Macdougal Street

BREENWICH VILLAGE

New York

For Great Art in a Cafe, You Can't Beat CAFFE REGGIO
in GREENWICH VILLAGE .. Caffe Reggio Boast
a Painting from The SCHOOL of CARAVAGGIO
and
a RENAISANCE BENCH From a MEDICI PALACE
Florence, Italy



Le COLOMBE

LAYFAYETTE STREET
Near ASTOR PLACE (8th Street)

East Village, NY

GREAT AMBIANCE & GREAT COFFEE

A Winning Combination!



STUMTOWN COFFEE
at
THE ACE HOTEL


WORLD'S PRETIEST BARISTA

STUMPTOWN COFFEE

GREAT COFFEE & GOOD LOOKING BARISTAS

And A Great Hang in The Lobby
of The ACE HOTEL

photo Daniel Bellino-Zwicke


ABRACO ESPRESSO

NEW YORK'S BEST CORTADO
and
BEST OVERALL COFFEE

If 
A Bit Much on Attitude at Times ...



PORTO RICO COFFEE

BEST COFFEE in NEW YORK

WHY The HELL Would ANYONE Be DUMB
Enough to Buy COFFEE BEANS at STARBUCKS  For $12.95

When YOU CAN BUY NEW YORK'S BEST COFFEE
For 5 DOLLARS LESS At $7.95 a Pound?

Guess Some People are Just Plain DUMB ???













Tuesday, May 20, 2014

New York Coffee Breakfast





My Perfect Breakfast? Well, my Perfect Breakfast is a bit unusual. When I get up in the morning, I turn on my Radio (1010 WINS NEWS) on my way to the bathroom. I listen to the first News of the day. Go to the living room, turn on the TV and watch it for 20-30 minutes or so. It helps me wake up. After watching a bit of TV I go and take a shower, dry-off, then brush my teeth, still no breakfast. I get dressed, fill my bad with my Mac Book Pro, battery charger and what-not. 
   Now I'm getting ready for breakfast. I grab a Banana to eat along the way. Along the way to my local cafe where I will have Part II of my perfect breakfast. Part II ? A nice hot cup of American Coffee of course. Yes a good ol Cup of Joe and the greatest coffee of all, American Style .. Oh I know I'd get millions of complaints and disagreements on that one. Millions of French, Italians, and other Europeans would scoff, "Are You Kidding? American Coffee The Best?" Wel Yes! Yes for me and a couple hundred million Americans I'm sure .. The coffee at my local cafe is awesome. They buy their beans from New York's # 1 Best Coffee Roast, people who have been in business fro more than 100 years, not upstarts like Starbucks. Yes, No Starbucks like me, I'm "No Robot," not a "Follower" like most Americans. Starbucks? Way too commercial, and besides, I don't really like the taste. Starbucks has a sort of "Pissy" tatse to their coffee. I'm not trying to be funny or a Wiseguy here, I'm serious, Starbucks has a sort of acidic pissy kind of flavor to their Pikes Peak Coffee Roast. I noticed it a few years ago when because of the Wifi situation back then, I was going to Starbucks a bit here and there. I've never been a fan, but I do find them convenient at times. Anyway, dam, how'd I get on this subjects, this is not supposed to be about Starbucks, who in a way I sort of dispise.


                                                             Banana by Andy Warhol




   OK, back to my perfect breakfast. So I grab a Banana on my way out of the house. As I walk the 2 1/2 blocks to the cafe, I eat my banana. "No not that Banana you wiseguys!" I eat the Banana, the most perfect little package of fruti of all. Yes it comes in a beautiful lean yellow package that's just perfect. And inside, Bananas have numerous vitamisn and nutrients and is a great source of fiber that we all need for good digestive affects. Babanas contain a good amount of antioxidants such as lutein, Vitamin B 6, soem vitamin C, and of course it's one of the best sources of Potassium .. Yes a Banana is quite good for you. It's fairly tasty, inexpensive and easy to eat. So ther you go part one of my perfect breakfast.
    Part II, The PErfect Breakfast, my perfect breakfast. Part 2, yes, back to my coffee. The coffee roast by Porto Rico Coffee Roasters who have been in business in New York's Greenwich Village since 1907 .. Owned and operated by the Longo Family for more than 100 years. They buy green coffee beans and roast them all themselves into perfect Italian Espresso, Pete's Blend (1/3 French Roast 2/3 American Roast) and various different blends roast from coffee beans from around the World; Brazil, Columbia, Sumatra, Africa, and Cnetral America, Porto Rico is The Best.  I often wonder why anyone would ever want to buy bags of the super commercial bags of Starbucks Coffee at $12.95 a pound when they cun buy the Superior Artisanal Small Batch Roast Coffee of Porto Rico for 30% less money? It just doesn't make sense.
   So my perfect breakfas? I eat my perfect Banana on the way to the cafe. I get to the cafe and order a large coffee (Porto Rico) from the wonderfullu sweet conter-ladies at the cafe. I get my coffee, get my table, sit down and relax. Oh how I love it so. This wonderful morning ritual. I ate my banana, now I sit down at my favorite cafe, all comfy and cozy. I pull out my laptop, surf the net,  I write, I sip my coffee, I relax, I'm in Heaven. That's my most perfect Breakfast, it's a Banana, a Cup of Joe (good ol American Coffee), my Mac, and a perfectly wonderful neighborhood cafe. "Oh the simple pleasures of life!"



Daniel Bellino-Zwicke




                                                       GET COFFEE







HAWAII COFFEE












                                                









CLICK HERE !






Saturday, August 10, 2013

Why STARBUCKS SUCKS





Do you relive that after  breathing of Air, Water, Food, Clothing, and Shelter, Coffee is the single most important thing and one of life's necessities to millions. Take it away, you'll survive but you won't be happy. You want it, you love, you need it. Coffee!
    Late October 2012, Hurricane Sandy, aka "Frankenstorm" Hits New York and a much of the East Coast and inflicts quite a bit of devastation.  A large part of New York City loses electricity including Lower Manhattan below 26th Street, the rest of the lucky SOBs above 26th had power. Now we're in our apartments no Electricity, No Heat, No Hot Water, No TV, No Internet, No Power !!!
     We lost power at about 9 PM at night. I went downstairs and hung out with Giovanni and the boys at Bar Pitti . They lost their electricity, but their Emergency Lights were on. We sat around, drank some good Italian Wine, at Salami and talked about the Storm. Frankestorm as it would come to be known. 
    So I had some batteries for my portable Radio and knew they had electrical power above 26th Street .. So I hung out at Bar Pitti until their emergency lights batteries went dead, th lights went off, Giovanni closed down the restaurant and we all went home. Me to a dark apartment, no girlfriend, no lights, no TV, no nothing. I listened to the Radio and fell asleep about 1 in the morning. 
      I awoke about 9, turned on the radio, went to the bathroom, boiled some water to take a bath, took a bath, got dressed and left the house on what would become my Frankenstorm Odyssey. I left the house (apartment) about 10, walk around the hood to see what was up. I saw my buddy Jimmy B and Charlie outside on Cornelia Street .. We chatted for about 15 minutes and I told them I was heading up to Midtown. I needed some Coffee and was looking to charge my Cel Phone and Laptop Batteries and looking to see if I could get some Internet Access.  I told them their was electricity up there and I was going to go to a Starbucks, get a Coffee and see if I could charge-up and get on The Net ... So I walked a half block from Jimmy's place to Sixth Avenue and I was on my way up 6th, to Midtown in Search of Electricity and Coffee. I thought for sure I'd find them at Starbucks. As I turned out I couldn't have been more wrong ... 
    Anyway I walked up 6th Ave which about 40 years ago the city tried naming Avenue of The America's. It never caught on. New Yorkers wouldn't have it. They wouldn't call it that, but continued calling it 6th Avenue and the city was forced to keep it at that. That's New Yorkers. And during and in the aftermath of Hurricane Sandy, New Yorkers just like they have many times, on 9/11 and other tough times, we'd show what we were made of. We're "Tough," we're Strong, we pull together and are at our Best when the going gets tough.
     I'm walking up Sixth Avenue and at this new little cafe were Joe Jr.'s Diner and Burger Joint used to be (now sadly GONE), the cafe was open for business and people were in there hanging out and drinking stuff, and of course talking about the storm, being without power and what not. So I go in. They have hot Tea, bottled juice, and mineral water, but no coffee. I get a bottle of juice, sit down, relax, and convert with others around me. I hung for about 15 minutes, then took-off, it was back up 6th ave. I decided to head over to the Ace Hotel on 29th Street and Broadway .. I often go there for some Stumptown Coffee and to hang out in the lobby banging stuff out on my laptop. I got there, and plenty of people were outside, but the hotel which is always quite cordial, were not letting and outsiders in and the lobby was just for guest of the hotel and no-one else could hang out in the what would now be a Paradise in the midst of a Blackout, a bi g spacious hotel lobby that had Electricity, Coffee, tables and chairs. Couldn't get in. Hey, I don't really blame them, they have to take care of their guest and it would have been a mob seen if anyone was aloud in. On my way to The Ace I passed a Starbucks at 1140 Broadway. They had electrical power here but Starbucks was closed. I walked past 2 other Starbucks as I continued walking around Midtown in search of coffee, power, and open Starbucks, but there were none to be found. There were Starbucks, they had power, but none were open for business. Now I'm no idiot, and I relive we are in the middle of a crisis and that although these Starbucks have power, the people that work at them, many might like in the boroughs of Queens, Brooklyn and the Bronx, the Subways are shut-down ("Oh I forgot to mention that! That's why I'm walking!") and "most" people can't get to work. That's most, "but not all." There's like 100 Starbucks around. I realize that they wouldn't be able to open all of them. But I just don't believe that every single one is closed, that not even a few are open. Those SOB's at Starbucks let us Down! We needed Coffee more than ever, there was not a Starbucks open anywhere insight. "They let New Yorkers down." BIG TIME! I do not believe that they could not muster opening a fraction of their many Starbucks Shops with Skeleton Crews. Impossible! There were McDonalds and other businesses open, but "No Starbuck!" No Coffee when New Yorkers needed Coffee and Starbucks most, Starbucks let New Yorkers down. They are not New Yorkers! They don't have the New York Spirit, the company, otherwise they would have had a few places open, serving New Yorkers Coffee, Wifi, and a bit of charging. They let New York down during Sandy and for this, i will never forgive them, "Starbucks Sucks!"
     I never really liked them. I'm a New Yorker, "I hate chain corporate places." I love cafes and go to independent ones, not Starbucks, not often anyway. I only use them rarely and out of convenience when I'm in a neighborhood other than my own and I need to get to a cafe for coffee to sit down and get on the laptop, if there is no other place around, I'll go to Starbucks, then and only then, I don't really care for Starbucks.
    Anyway, I've gone on and on. The point is Starbucks Sucks. They let New York City and New Yorkers down in the time we "Needed" them most, Starbucks was not there for us, and I find this unforgivable.



Daniel Bellino-Zwicke



PS

During my Hurricane Sandy Midtown Odyssey that lasted 14 hours from the time I left my apartment in Greenwich Village at 10 AM and got home right at the stroke of Mid-Night 14 hours later, i went to the little Cafe on 6th Ave & 12th Street, walked around looking for Starbucks (never found 1 open though I passed about 20), I went in the Benjamin Hotel used their bathroom then hung in the lobby for about 30 minutes. I then went across the street to the Waldorf Astoria Hotel where I sat down on the rug, plugged in my Cel Phone and Laptop and hung out for 2 and half hours. "Thank You Waldorf." I then  started to walk towards Times Square and found a McDonalds open on I believe it was East 46th Street between Madison and 5th Avenue. I sat down, got a Angus Burger with Cheese, Fries and a large coffee, "McDonalds did not let New Yorkers down as those SOBS from Starbucks." I was at McDonalds eating my Burger and Fries for about 30 minutes. I then went to the nice atrium next door with half of my McDonalds large coffee, and hung out their with my laptop and their Wifi for about 20 minutes. I then decided to walk over to Times Square. I walked over to Times Square, nothing much was happening and I had an idea. 
I love the Algonquin Hotel and decided to go over, have a couple cocktails and hang in the beautiful lobby for a while. It was great there. I sat down at a nice table and ordered a Bourbon Old Fashion. The service there is great, I was welcomed and well taken care of. There were electrical outlets and I charged my Cel Battery and my laptop and settled in, writing, sipping my Old Fashion and just having a grand time. I ordered a couple more drinks, I had a Turkey Club Sandwich and a couple pots of Tea. I was at the Algonquin for 3 and a half hours and had an absolutely wonderful time. The service was impeccable.
    At 11:15 PM I decided it was time to go home. I left the Algonquin, walked down over to Broadway and walked down Broadway past Macy's and The Empire State Building, the lights were on, but when I got into the high 20s I could see darkness below. I continued walking down Broadway and when I got to 26th Street, there was Electricity and lights-on on the North Side of 26th Street, but just a few feet away on the Southern Side of East 26th Street at Broadway there was no Electricity, no lights and i could see down south to what looked like a dark abyss, and I was walking down into it. I walked down Broadway and made a right on23red Street. It was pitch black.
I walked across the dark of 23rd Street and made a left onto 6th Avenue and down 6th to my building on 6ht Avenue and Bleecker. It was exactly 12 Midnight when I walked into the Pitch-Black of the hallway of my building and up the stairs with my little flashlight. My Odyssey was over. I got Coffee but not at a Starbucks. I got on my Computer and Charged my batteries, not at Starbucks but at The Waldorf, The Algonquin, and McDonalds.
    "Hey did I tell you, Starbucks Sucks!"

Sunday, April 21, 2013

SUNDAY MORNING COFFEE







My Sunday morn Coffee? How I love it so. There's nothing quite like it, and it's one of my best moments of the week, most times "the Best." Yes it is. And not for just me, millions I'm quite sure. If you work 6 days a week, as I, or you work five, that Sunday morn coffee just can't be beat. Most might have it down at the kitchen table. The coffee pot brews, you retrieve the Sunday Paper and settle in. Settle in what that good ol friend, your morning cup of Joe. You chit chat with the husband, wife, boyfriend, girlfriend, whoever, and you sip that good ol friend, your morning cup of coffee, Java. Is it Brazilian, African, Colombian  Jamaican, or Sumatra, no matter, it's your favorite and it brings you joy. Most of us drink good ol regular American Coffee, regular, Black, with milk and sugar, just milk no sugar, Milk, Cream, Half & Half, there's a number of ways to enjoy, your morning cup of coffee.
For me, my morning cup is never in my house as most. No, I always go to the cafe. I've been doing so for almost 30 years now. Nothing wrong with having it at home, but me, I always have it out, at one of my local cafes. One is American (Regular Cup of Joe) the other Italian (Espresso or Cappuccino). For the past few days, I go to the American Bakery/Cafe more often. I usually have a little breakfast before I go, sans (without) coffee. The coffee is reserved for the cafe. I do this for two reasons, never having coffee at home. Number one, after I take a show, have my breakfast and put on my clothes, I just want to get out of the house and into my beloved city, New York. Two, I only have my coffee at the cafe because to me it makes it more special. And it's not just about the coffee, it's the whole total package. I have my coffee, yes, but I'm among others. There are always the counter girls at the cafe who are all quite lovely. A nice morning getting back and forth, perhaps a bit of chit-chat with the girls and they're always so sweet. Usually I have friends there, so there's a bit of conversation with them, sipping my regular coffee, "Milk No Sugar." I read, I write, I lsiten to the music, sip, love, and enjoy my coffee, that very simple and one of lifes "Great Pleasures," and guess what? It cost very little. And especially if you compare it to the outrageous price of cocktails these days, that with the price of the drink $14-$17, and tip, can end up near $20.00 per. I love a good cocktail, but not at that price. My morning cup of coffee has superior value compared to the current days cocktail prices New York. Sad really.
Yes, I usually see friends, have a good chat, then it's into the papers, The Times, Post, 
The Daily News, whatever is lying around the cafe. Guess what? They free. I can go on my computer and surf the net. I'll get any news or info I could possibly want. If I don't like the music playing at the cafe, which is usually good, but can occasionally be quite bad. I'll just plug in my ear plugs, go to Youtube, and watch a Rolling Stones video. Listen too, of course. Or I'll just plug into my iPod Touch and listen to my great Musical Library. No Crap Rap of course, just good ol Classic Rock, R&B, and "Frank" Sinatra that is!
I write, I read, I load up news from the Huffington Post on my iPod to read on the train (Subway) later, I see friends, sometime make new one, I sip my Coffee, I injoy. That's my Sunday morning coffee, or any day of the week for that matter. My morning Coffee.






Daniel Bellino-Zwicke



CAFE NEW YORK






CAFE NEW YORK
BUDAPEST, HUNGARY
ONE of THE WORLD'S GREAT CAFES

Tuesday, January 22, 2013

New York Cafes & Their Pleasures




New York and Greenwich Village
Most Storied Cafe,  Caffe Reggio


New York city, one might say is the new Paris. Well in terms of writers artist and other creative types. New York for a number of years has been the World Center of Art, Music, and Writing, the three main, most influential, and popular of all the arts, these are the big three. New York is also the center and World Capitals of Television, News, and publishing which includes most major magazines and book publishing houses. Along with being the leader in these fields, New York is a leader in Movie Production and the movie industry, with only Hollywood ahead of it. Yes New York City is without question the Center and World Capital of The Arts. Hey I almost forgot Fashion, New York is one of the tops, and in some peoples eyes it is tops in fashion, even beating out Paris and Italy. Well maybe, it's a personal choice. Some pick New York, and if not the capital, without question New York is among the Capitals of Fashion, plural, which includes; Paris, Milan, London, and yes New York. So yes, New York is by far, without question The World Capital of the arts. Hey lets not forget about Food. Many consider New York the food capital of the World, and it is in the running with Paris. So, anyway, artists, whether they are; painters, writers, musicians, whatever, need place to meet, fuel up, gather, and work. Many go to cafes, especially writers who can spend hours every day, working, plying their trade, their Art, alla Hemingway, Fitzgerald and others. Cafes for years have fueled and fed writers and other artists. Writers can writer for hours, artist can sketch, musicians and all artists gather together, talk, discuss, throw around ideas, and what-not. Regular folks go there to. To cafes. Actually, writers, painters and musicians may be the most colorful and interesting of the cafe going lot, regular folk make up the bulk of customers and my be interesting themselves. Lovers, professors, office workers, all sorts may go and indulge in the pleasures of the Cafe. Yes, the pleasures of cafes; sit, relax, sip an Espresso, Cappuccino, glass of Wine, whatever, enjoy the relaxed welcoming feelings required of any good cafe. You can People Watch "a Favorite Cafe Pastime," especially at outdoor tables of cafes in Paris, Italy, Vienna, Prague, and all over Europe. New York too.





to Be Continued


Daniel Bellino-Zwicke

Saturday, January 5, 2013

Coffee The Rolling Stones & Simple Pleasures of Life



The Simple Pleasures of Life; having your morning Coffee, watching a Ballgame, delving into a great Book, relaxing, riding a Bike, watching a couple Rolling Stones Videos. What? Yes a Rolling Stones Video, other Classic Rock Bands like Led Zeppelin, Jimi Hendrix The Beatles. Or maybe some Great Old R&B of Motown or some fantastic stuff by Philadelphia Sound spin-masters Gamble and Huff.     Well I was at the cafe the other day having my daily morning coffee, a simple pleasure in itself. My morning Coffee is typically an hour-and-a-half long. It's not just to drink Coffee but to relax in the pleasant cafe atmosphere, see my cafe-friends, bang out stuff on my Laptop, read some News, and just have an all around pleasant time. The Coffee itself, I just can't wait to sink my teeth into my first cup of coffee each and every morning. It's like a good ol friend waiting for me over at the cafe each and every day, and I just love it and don't know what I'd do without. "I think you know what I mean?" Yes we do Love our morning Coffee each and every day, hundreds and hundreds of millions of us, in America and the World over, Coffee and our morning coffee.












In the recent happening of Hurricane Sandy that hit New York and New Jersey pretty hard. Living downtown Manhattan nothing disastrous happened to us. We didn't have any major damage to our homes or possessions but we did all lose Electricity for 5 days. The first morning after the Hurricane Hit and we were without electricity, I got up, took a sponge bath (No Hot Water), got dressed and went out looking for friends, food, and the beloved Coffee. I walked around the neighborhood (Greenwich Village), saw a few friends, then headed up to Midtown in search of electricity (to Charge the Cel-Phone and laptop), food and Coffee. They had electricity above 39th Street, so I headed up there, walking of course. I looked all over for a Starbucks and didn't find a dam one open. They had Electricity but they weren't open. "Those Bastards at Starbucks let us down when we needed them most. No Starbucks and no coffee. Bummer." I'm not an advocate of Starbucks, but here and there they do come in handy, not that day, "When New York Needed Starback The Most" they let us done. Do you know how people would have been to get a nice cup of coffee when Sandy hit, we didn't have electricity  no lights, no power to make coffee? Well that's Starbucks. Well, I walked 140 city blocks that day, In-Search of Electricity, Food, Shelter and Coffee. I found Coffee at a McDonalds that was open on 46th Street. And yes food there too. Had a nice Black Angus Burger. It was pretty dam good. I found shelter there and shelter and electricity to charge my cel-phone and laptop when I popped into the Waldorf Astoria Hotel. The Waldorf was a God-Send. I went there for 4 days straight after and during Sandy, got Coffee, electricity  and nice shelter in a deluxe hotel lobby at The Waldorf. They were great!    Dam I really got off the track there. Let's get back to what we started here, The Rolling Stones and what a simple pleasure it can be to watch one of their videos.     Yes I was at the cafe talking to my friend Chris. We were talking music, commenting on what was playing on the Cafe Stereo. They were playing a lot of 80's Hits and now I can't remember which ones, but they were all good. And again we got into a conversation about how apallingly "Terrible The Music, Bands, and Musicians Are These Days." "They Suck" !!! There is almost "No Good Music" these days, at this time in 2013, and for the past 15 years or so. It's just not made anymore, not like in the 60s, 70s and even 1980s. The Music these days Sucks! There are a "Very Few" good artist these days, like: Alicia Keyes who is fantastic, Cee Lo Green, Cold Play, Maroon 5 and maybe a few others, but not many, not like in the 60s, 70s, and 80s. Anyway the Stones came on and we starting talking Rolling Stones, Mick, Keith, Woody and such. Some how conversation came to the opening Guitar Riff of Start Me Up and Chris thought it was Ron Wood playing the Riff. I said no it was Keith (Keith Richards) and Chris asked if I was sure? Yes! So he told me to Google it. I did. I was right, it is Keith Richards playing the opening Riff. Well then I watched a couple of great Start Me Up videos on Youtube along with my favorite Stones Video, their 1978 Performance Live in Texas of "Beast of Burden." It's friggin Awesome; the sound quality, The Stones themselves, the song, the way the Stones played it that night, Mick great singing and dancing around was awesome, Charlie on drums, Wyman on Bass, and of course the great Keith Richards and Ron Wood on dueling Gibson Les Paul Guitars. Fucking Great! I loved it, sitting there watching those two great Rolling Stones performances on Youtube, drinking my coffee in the nice cafe, and carrying on conversation with my buddy Chris. I loved those two videos so much and was enjoying them immensely that day, you just can't imagine. A lot.    Yes, and so "The Simple Pleasures of Life." Had my Coffee at my nice quiet cafe for just $3.00. It always feels good being there. Chit Chatted with my friend Chris and watched those great Rolling Stones videos "Beast of Burden" and "Start Me Up" for Free on Youtube.  I was happier than a Bug in a Rug, The Stones, Coffee, the Cafe, Friends, and Youtube "The Simple Pleasures of Life."





Daniel Bellino Zwicke











The $3 PBR
The SIMPLE PLEASURES of LIFE !!!




CAFFE REGGIO

GREENWICH VILLAGE

Hours Before HURRICANE SANDY HIT






..

The BADASS COOKBOOK



.

Monday, July 2, 2012

The ACE HOTEL ..and NEW YORK'S BEST WRITERS LOUNGE



WORLD'S PRETTIEST BARISTA at The ACE
Stumptown Coffee


photo Daniel Bellino Zwicke




 Ace-ing it at the Ace, The Ace Hotel that is. One of the coolest hotels in town. New York Town. The Ace Hotel on Broadway at 29th Street is Ultra Cool and the place to stay for a plethora of creative types from around the country, The World. 
      Yes the Ace is very cool. It's quite a great addition to New York City and the neighbor this fine hotel is located in, The Flatiron District, named after the famed icon triangular building on the triangle piece of land where Fifth Avenue and Broadway intersect each other at 23rd Street with 22nd Street at the south end of The Flatiron Building, one of the World's First Skyscrapers. The Flatiron Building completed in 1902 is 22 stories high, and along with The Chrysler Building, and The Empire State Building gives New York a trio of The Three Most Beautiful Skyscrapers in the World. Three, it's not a lot, but in no other place in the World does there exist one other building with the beauty of one of these, not one and we have Three. Quite a feat. Yes the Eiffel Tower in Paris is beautiful and as icon as any building can be and is equal in beauty to any of our Great Trio, but technically it's not a skyscraper, but a tower, and yes we do love it.
      Anyway, got off on one of my tangents there. Sorry. Back to the Ace Hotel. Besides being a great place for tourist and business people from all around the country and world to come to and stay in New York., it's great for New Yorker's, many of whom dine at the Breslin or John Dory Restaurant. Many more, hundreds drop into Stumptown Coffe at the Ace for a solid fix of Espresso, Cappuccino, or American Coffee. Stumptown is known to make some of the finest coffee in town, and I'll attest to that, they're great.
       But, my favorite thing about the Ace Hotel in the Flatiron District is the wonderful lounge they have there. The Lounge at The Ace hotel is a magnet for writers, Dot.com Start-Up People, and all sorts of creative types, musicians, bloggers, poets, and what not, but mostly writer. And there is quite a lot of good energy and a great vibe as a result.
     And the people are quite accommodating, providing two large writing tables and one small one, and the largest one has tons of electrical outlets for your Laptop and other devices. Thank You Ace Hotel. Thanks for being so thoughtful, for creating such a great place, and..
      The Ace has actually help transform this stretch of Broadway filled with wholesalers selling; jewelry, handbags, watches, hats, baseball caps, T-Shirts, toys and all sorts of things. But now as a result of the Ace, two more cool boutique hotels have popped up in the neighborhood. You have the Flatiron Hotel about 3 blocks down Broadway, which is pretty cool, but quiet and has not garnered a lot of buzz or press as its neighbor the Nomad Hotel has across the Street.
      So there you have it, The Ace Hotel and inside The Breslin, World Class Coffee at Stumptown, a cool Submarine Sandwich place Sub 7, and the coolest writing lounge in town, The Lounge at the Ace Hotel. Thanks again Ace people, we Luv ya.














Daniel Bellino Zwicke