#modca

Avec Christine, on a fêté nos 40 ans d'amitié en faisant un voyage de 15 jours en Sicile. Cette fois, on est basés à Modica.

Sur les premières photos, l'église rupestre de San Nicolò Inferiore.

Modica, l’Assessore Lorefice, il protocollo e la buona amministrazione…

Apprendo dalla stampa che quel buontempone dell’assessore Pietro Lorefice (braccio destro e uomo ombra del Sindaco Abbate, delegato ad hoc per missioni ad alta specializzazione zootecnica, nonché  unico amministratore della storia capace di fare chiudere diverse attività commerciali cambiando un solo senso di marcia) ha dato un’altra prova della sua mirabolante fantasia politica, inviando una…

  8 o'clock in the morning ; grab a coffee at Café Swallow in Bushwick where Dozens of art studios and galleries are scattered throughout the neighborhood. (exit from Morgan Station, the L train)

Had a loft meeting with my roommies, and then left for Williamsburg, Brooklyn where we started a wonderful bike ride journey.

CITY BIKE ROUTE :

Café Modca in Williamsburg > The Williamsburg Bridge > Lower East Side of Manhattan > Soho > Hudson River Park > W79th street Boat Basin > Central Park Sheep Meadow > Upper East Side > 1717 Loft 

Crossing over the Williamsburg bridge from South Williamsburg to the Lower East Side of Manhattan was such an amazing experience with the best view of East River and Manhattan.

Hudson River Park personally to me was where between tourists and locals. I said to my captain that I saw real new york today.  

All the way up to W72 Street where the most popular riverside bar called Boat Basin is.

2 beers each, Chips & Cheese burger. Captain said " I hate trees". We used all the napkins on the table!

Keep going on our bike journey to Central Park Sheep Meadow where the last destination of 8 hours long bike riding.

When working from home, distractions range from Real Housewife Marathons, to frequent visits to the refrigerator, to viral YouTube shares, and OCD cleaning frenzies...anything to avoid getting down to business. My saving grace: coffeeshops in Williamsburg. Here are some of my favorites (in Williamsburg):

1. El Beit 158 Bedford, Brooklyn, NY

Coffee: A+. I love this place. The coffee is consistently amazing. 

Workspace: C. The space here is a bit uncomfortable and not necessarily conducive to doing work. They have Wi-Fi, but the tables are kind of small and they have limited outlets. 

Staff: B. Typical hipster baristas completely uninterested in establishing a relationship with customers. Not rude, just indifferent, albeit part of the Williamsburg charm... Pun intended. (Eye-roll).

Playlist: C. Very random, and sometimes Nirvana is too aggressive for 8 AM. 

Additional Comments: This place has the MOST AMAZING croissants EVER. Their other pastries are tasty, but the croissants are freaking RIDICULOUS. They are super flaky on the outside, and moist and buttery on the inside...a little taste of Paris (and heaven) every time I go to El Beit.

Below: El Beit

2. MODCA Eatey Cafe 103 N 3rd Street, Brooklyn, NY

Coffee: A+. These are the same owners as El Beit, so you get same premium quality of coffee. 

Workspace: A+. A hangout and workplace for writers and creative-types, MODCA has a giant communal table, dimmed lighting, Wi-Fi, and plenty of seating perfect for setting up shop. 

Staff: A+. Staff here actually smiles- nice to know they're human. Baristas are super knowledgeable and doesn't make you feel like an idiot when you ask what a cortado is. 

Playlist: B-. Everything from Aaliyah to Classical music. Never know what to expect.

Additional comments: Great meeting spot, workspace, and the same croissants from El Beit. Enough said.

3. Black Brick 300 Bedford, Brooklyn, NY

Coffee: A+. Great coffee.

Workspace: A+. Great ambience and spacious workspace. Decor is superb. 

Staff: A+. Super friendly staff. Truly feels like a neighborhood joint.

Additional comments: So this is a brand new coffeeshop in the hood and they did an amazing job at making this place look vintage-chic. Customers at Black Brick are the best-looking coffeeshop crowd I've seen in the Burg. The only downside: no pastries sold here.

4. Toby's Estate 125 N 6th Street, Brooklyn, NY

Coffee: A+. Outstanding coffee and miscellaneous products sold here. 

Workspace: B. Beautiful, bright, and expansive space. More of a hangout than a workspace- outlets are limited and tables aren't so spacious.

Decor: A++. I have nothing to say about the staff here because they really didn't make an impression. The decor, however, is pretty unbelievable. This coffeeshop looks like it came out of a spread in Architectural Digest. Truly impressive.

Playlist: A+. Sick playlist...Didn't want to leave. Think: The XX Pandora Station.

Additional comments: New kid on the block, Tobey's Estate is a cute place for a coffee date or even a meeting. The huge windows let a lot of light into the shop, but in the afternoon the sun can make you feel like you're roasting in there. Sadly, the windows don't seem to open to the street- a bit of a buzzkill during spring and summer months.

Below: Toby's Estate Coffee Shop

5. Blue Bottle Coffee 160 Berry Street, Brooklyn, NY

Coffee: A++. Truly artisan coffee. They roast their beans on the premises and you can actually see the roasting operation. Excellent quality.

Workspace: B. Definitely not our favorite coffice, but certainly an experience. Better for a meet-up or quick coffee. The counter seats facing the street are the most valuable real-estate here, especially during the warmer months when the windows open up completely.

Staff: C. Hipster-condescention at its best. If you're unfamiliar with this phenomenon, check out this video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=exH-Jmdav6g