Piccolo Cafe: New York, New York

              It’s not all commercial coffee for Midtown West here in NYC.  Settled on West 40^th Street between illuminated metal buildings and the sounds of a 9 to 5 work day, Piccolo Café leaves you with a different taste in your mouth. Having won the 2011 Craved Award by Seamless for Best just-like-mom’s food, you can be assured that the commercial atmosphere of Midtown West stops on the street. The exterior, a seemingly hand crafted wood appeal leaves you wanting to see more. Although there isn't much more to see as you walk into the tiny café you find yourself just as satisfied. Six seats in total, I was overjoyed as I snagged one for myself. Although their drinks and food options were endless, I stuck to a small coffee needing an extra kick to keep me up to speed with my NYC surroundings. The man behind me, who looked dashing in his business attire, seemed to be just off the work day, settling down for a unique “just-like-mom’s food” dish from Piccolo. I promptly noticed his wedding ring and thought to keep to myself, also my lack of self-confidence may have helped in this matter but we will keep the blame on the wedding ring.     

                  Although I sat in a corner staring out at the NYC streets, I felt very much on my own. My coffee equal parts bitter and sweet, equal parts logo free, plain white cup and high end coffee taste. With aged tin on the wall to my left and a collage of Italian papers plastered on the wall to my right I felt perfectly content. Their door stayed open during my visit, leaving their music mixed with a bit of the sounds of NYC that people over pay for daily, myself included. Being that the first song that began playing as I sat down was “Gold on the Ceiling” by the Black Keys, I’d say the mix of the “streets of New York” was a perfect fit. I’ll admit even as I sit here in this café attempting to write this review I find myself attempting to figure it all out. Figure out their unique combinations of food, the simplicity of their coffee why the only guy in here without a wedding ring isn't hitting on me and what exactly these Italian newspapers say. (So far I can read “Jazz” which in Italian is “Jazz.” Inside look at how well polished my Italian is folks.) If you find yourself stuck in the commercial badger of Midtown West, find your peace in Piccolo. Open Monday through Friday 7:30am to 8:00pm and 10:00am to 8:00pm on Saturday and Sunday at four different locations, I’d say you have a vast opportunity to make it down to this café at some point within your hectic work week. With frayed ropes, vintage décor and wooden stools I felt as if I was in a small mountain town’s corner store. The corner store feel, with the wood accents, personable employees, slowed down time but with the upbeat nature of the city which at the end of the day is all we need in a city. It looks as though it has been finally figured out “How to slow down time.” All you need is $1.50 for a coffee, a good book, and a few slowed down hours. 274 West 40^th Street, make a trip, read Italian, eat good food. (Oh and “Questa Settimana” means this week. Find it on the wall. You’re welcome for the Italian lesson. I charge by the hour.)