Food

City Eats: Cafes

by Hilary Hughes

Tuesday March 7, 2006

Chickpea
23 Third Avenue (between St. Marks and E. 9th St.)
Hours:
Mon.-Wed.: 10:00a.m.-1:00a.m. Thurs.-Fri.: 10:00a.m.-4:00a.m. Saturday: 10:00a.m.-5:00a.m. Sunday: 10:00a.m.-1:00a.m.
www.chickpearestaurant.com

Middle Eastern cuisine has never tasted better, or been so enjoyably affordable, than at Chickpea, a tiny little falafel and shawarma (marinated and grilled Israeli-style meats) house on Third Avenue. The prices for the sandwiches were what got me hooked. For a mere $3.50, you can get a perfect portion of falafel made fresh on the premises with all the fixings. My favorite is the Shawafel, which is a sandwich that combines falafel and shawarma. Chickpea’s setting is very informal, with a bar to sit at as well as additional table seating in the back, which is enhanced by funky lighting and exotic looking furniture. If the freshly squeezed lemonade doesn’t strike your fancy, chickpea offers a selection of fine foreign beers if you’re of age. Instead of trudging off to the nearest McDonald’s for a fast-food fix, try a tastier and far more satisfying alternative and indulge in the fine Middle Eastern and Mediterranean cuisine Chickpea has to offer.

Charbonnel et Walker Chocolate Café
8th Floor, Saks Fifth Avenue (5th Ave. and E. 50th St.)
Hours:
Every day, 10a.m.-6p.m.

If you’re playing tourist and decide to go window shopping on Fifth Avenue once this tundra-worthy weather ceases, be sure to bypass the clerks at Saks who will assault you with their perfume samples and take the nearest elevator to the eighth floor where Charbonnel et Walker Chocolate Café will await you. The price tags may be somewhat intimidating ($8 for the fancier desserts and at least $2 a piece for candies and truffles), but this gourmet chocolate café will satisfy the needs of anyone suffering from excruciating PMS or just your average chocolate cravings. The English toffee chocolate cupcakes melt in your mouth, and the chocolate torte is one of Janelle Palm’s (the Executive Chef) specialties. No reservation is needed, and seating is very low-key. The cappuccinos are top-notch as well, and the hot chocolate tastes as though someone melted one of the mouth-watering treats sitting before you and mixed it with milk. If a simple Hershey’s bar won’t satisfy you, skip up to Saks and treat yourself to the finest imported chocolate delicacies and freshly made chocolate confections. The desserts are affordable even if the rest of the inventory at Saks will cost you a sizeable chunk of your tuition.

Tea and Sympathy
108 Greenwich Ave. (closest to W. 13th St. corner)
Hours:
Mon.-Fri.: 11a.m.-10:30p.m.
Sat.-Sun.: 9:30a.m.-10:30p.m.
www.teaandsympathynewyork.com

Calling all Anglophiles: your oasis on this side of the pond has been revealed, and it’s located on Greenwich Avenue. Tea & Sympathy is a restaurant that’s roughly the size of a New Dorms single, and it’s filled with the tantalizing smells of the best pastries and finest teas that Great Britain has to offer. For the tea drinkers of the world, this café provides its diners with an extensive list of fine loose teas that come served in adorable crockery (the last time I went, my teapot and teacup had Henry VIII and his wives as its theme). I strongly, strongly recommend the traditional scones, which are served with clotted cream and your choice of strawberry or raspberry jam, to accompany the heavenly vanilla tea. Due to the size of the restaurant, it’s exceedingly difficult to find seating for a party of more than two, and you may be forced to wait. However, I guarantee the spot of tea or meal you’re about to indulge in is worth it. Be forewarned that there’s a $9.50 minimum per head, but that’s easily attainable (and affordable) between the scones and tea alone.