Cafe Grumpy

The first Bluestone Lane opened in August of 2013, and the company now has 29 locations all over the country, including this one at Grace Plaza Pavilion. With the pavilion’s abundant outdoor seating, it is a great place to grab a cup, sit down, read the newspaper, and get some sunlight. In addition to the fresh-brewed Sightglass and Niccolo Coffee, Bluestone offers a selection of teas and quick bites with gluten-free options.

Culture Espresso is injecting a little bit of funk, flavor and fine coffee into the midtown scene. The atmosphere is full of warmth, a touch of glamour - a chandelier - and offers a wall of windows that look across to one of the city's finest facades, the Colony Arcade Building, now the Refinery Hotel.Indeed, this coffee shop will satisfy anyone's need for an afternoon pick-me-up with some of the best baked goods we have tasted. Their colossal, homemade cookies that were hot out of the oven, oozing with dark chocolate and about one-inch thick were game-changers for each of us. In addition to the cookies, we were tempted by the collection of brightly frosted pop tarts. Unlike the typical childhood treat out of a box, these are designed for grown-ups with a flakey pastry crust and sophisticated combinations inside. We tried the pear, the cinnamon and the mixed berry. All three were simply splendid.As for the coffee, the folks at Culture Espresso see themselves as more than vendors and baristas. According to John, the owner, he is always searching for the perfect roast with "blind cuppings" (coffee tastings) each week. However, he finds himself continually coming back to Heart Roasters as the absolute best. As their website claims, the folks at Culture are clearly "curators," and work hard to deliver a high-quality coffee experience each and every day.Their philosophy and genuine desire to please customers seem to be working well. On each occasion that we stopped by, the place was bustling with patrons lingering at their upholstered benches and high-top tables, while others departed with treats and caffeinated beverages in tow.

Stepping into Ramini, we were immediately drawn in by the quirky decor with partially exposed brick, a wooden bench, vintage spoons hanging in a display and cleverly painted walls. The Cafe offers teas, coffee concoctions, and hot chocolate, as well as a colorful assortment of macarons, which were the perfect decadent treats to nibble on with a hot mocha. Also in Ramini's homemade collection of pastries were cheese and olive bourekas, brownies, cookies and mini croissants. For those keeping to a healthier diet, there is a juice bar with fresh cleansing juices constantly being made to order. We chose to linger at one of the two tables as it enabled us to appreciate the constant flow of dedicated customers as the late morning became early afternoon; always a sign of good service, good coffee and good food.

Jonathan Boyarsky, fourth generation owner, has found himself a terrific niche on 39th by being one of the only menswear shops to remain on the ground floor. Over the years, he watched as companies moved upstairs into offices in the garment district, or even overseas, but he chose to remain where people could easily spot him. Although he feels that he has remained "under the radar," at times, when people come in they are "ecstatic" with what he has to offer. His family began their men's clothing business on the Lower East side back in 1919. Over the years, members of the family spread out and opened related businesses offering either custom made shirts, suits or fabrics. At No. 257, Jonathan has combined it all. He describes it as "double dipping." They used to sell only the fabric and then send people elsewhere to have their clothing made. Today, within the three floors of space at Fabric Czar, customers can select from some of the finest cloths, and then meet first class tailor, Steven Tabak, of Beckenstein Bespoke, where their clothing is designed...and, everything is constructed on the premises. "We are one stop shopping, whatever a customer needs, we can make it for them." And for Jonathan, it is only about quality craftsmanship.

There are intriguing spaces sprinkled throughout the city that invite corporations to utilize their facilities, but stepping inside Offsite is a unique experience designed specifically for the business meeting clientele. The brainchild of Patrick Everett and Shawn Kessler, they have created a stunning turnkey facility where all day conferences can be held. Companies are invited to bring their employees together for a productive 9am-5pm meeting in the three levels of fully equipped space, which can then be flipped effortlessly into an appropriate venue for an evening event. The rooms are configured so that some forty people are able to sit around one gigantic table or be rearranged into smaller units. Attendees never have to feel confined to one space, as they can move around freely on each floor, dividing up into smaller breakout sessions, when necessary. The rooms are versatile and technology oriented, fully outfitted with AV equipment - as Patrick referred to it, "plug and play." Endless pens and pads, drinks and snacks, including large jars of enticing candy, are provided throughout the day. The partners have paid attention to every detail, taking into consideration exactly what they believe their clients will require, including a small executive office that allows for a private phone conversation and a myriad of white walls that are actually whiteboards. Offsite works with some of the terrific catering facilities in the area to provide top lunches and dinners for groups, and everything is served on their attractive dishes. While being given a tour, Patrick told me that he had been an event planner. When he discovered that there was something important missing in the corporate world, he found his niche. As he began to imagine the possibilities, he worked diligently on his concept with Shawn. Basically all one has to do is book the space, and the rock star team at Offsite will handle the rest.