The thing I love best when I'm travelling is exploring my surroundings closest to me.
And it so happens that I do it best when I'm rolling solo in that city.
Hanging around the East side/mid 30s Streets, you don't find too many little mom and pops stores... especially around Fifth Ave to First Ave.
However, with my trusty app, Foursquare, I was able to Piccolo Cafe with its rave reviews about a small cafe that does Italian food right.
PICCOLO CAFE
At first, I thought I would just go in during the morning rush and try out one of their caffeinated beverages (it does say it's a "cafe"), but as I continued to read reviews on Foursquare, Google and Yelp, it looks as though it's a full run kitchen.
Reviews.... says:
"...homemade pastas..."
"... great midtown lunch spot..."
".... it's sandwiches, pastas, and salads, and all I got was a sandwich, but everything I saw on the tables looked great."
The storefront is very small and CAN be easily missed if there weren't so many people congregating inside and outside the shop. Just outside, across the sidewalk, they have a square-shaped bench for take-outers.
They've also got an extensive menu of sandwiches and pastas to choose from. Just outside of the shop, they put up a A-frame poster showcasing the menu along with regular sized papers for people to take with them. What a nice thing for people like me who are so indecisive.
Gonna warn you though, it's terribly small in there. Whether you're eating in (small-medium size area, cramped) or getting take out, it's pretty small. And the wait isn't that short (for a panini sandwich).
But while I waited, my eyes wandered all over the space to take in its very Parisienne and rustic decorum. I absolutely fell in love with this shop. It was so cute, it's location is obscure (in between many apartment buildings) and tucked away in the east side in midtown, and they had a 'fake' display of their products (photo below) .. which made it that much more appetizing. And if you want to know about their portions, just look to the people who are sitting down. It'll give you time to see what others have ordered.
While I was in line, I made up my mind about 5 times on what to order, and when I got up to the front and I saw the display, I literally changed my mind right then and there and ordered the one panini displayed on a platter. It was nuts! Why did I do that so suddenly, I thought to myself. Will I even like it?
So after I got my panini and side salad (stuffed in a cup with very little vinaigrette), I hurried out to go back to my friends' place, so that I could finally bite into my sandwich.
Funny story, as I hurried back home, hot & hungry, I went to open the door and to my luck it wouldn't open. It's an older apartment, so I tried everything -giving a little shake, pushing it harder when I tried to open and pulled on it.... but I got nothing. After I saw the neighbor across from us come out, I immediately smacked my head because I had no time to think to ask him to help me. So then after a while, I thought I'd knock on the door to her neighbor next door. Turns out, I met a real talky and interesting older New York lady (who apparently has lived in that apartment for some time.) Had a good laugh and conversation with her (gossiping about the other tenants) and felt like "I am saved!"
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Oooh and then I dug into my sandwich.
Btw, which one did I order?
It was #17 | NEW! Roasted Italian Peppers, Arugula, Dijon Mustard, Bufalo Mozzerella and Chicken
For its size, it was rather large! Perfect!
After my first bite, my eyes rolled back! It was SO TASTY! All the flavours mixed together was music in my mouth. It could have been that I was super hungry, but it doesn't change the fact that hours later, after I took a break and finished the second half, I still had the same critiques. However, there is only ONE thing that I'd change. The bread was... so so. After my travels to ART.IS.IN bakery (Ottawa), no other bread has ever come close to matching its beautiful creation. But... Piccolo's still did a darn good sandwich/panini.
Overall...
Service ..... 2.9/5 (slow, but somewhat friendly)
Atmosphere ....... 6/5
Space ......... Small, but cute
Taste .......... 4.5/5
Price .......... $$ (great price for a plate of pasta)
=0)
I am definitely going to hit up Piccolo's when I come back!
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