A favorite of the neighborhood since 2004, Elite Food Bar serves as a cozy breakfast nook for its steady flow of customers, and continues to serve them all day. Thanks to Stan Church and Charlie Rothschild, who live directly across the street, I knew to spend some quality time inside this Greek coffee shop. As I chatted with owner, Teddy Demos, and his staff, I also met some of the locals who told me that they "hangout" here everyday. These patrons can be found either sitting by the front window so that they can wave to neighbors walking past or, on a pleasant day, soaking up the sun on the backyard patio.
After sampling their Greek salad and spinach pie, I became a personal fan. Elite also serves scrumptious muffins and other pastries, delivered fresh daily by the owner's uncle from Queens. The devotion and rave reviews of their daily customers impressed me enough to want to feature Elite Food Bar on Manhattan Sideways. This restaurant epitomizes the side street ethos that we love to find: unassuming excellence from a family business, a little off the beaten path.