Hit the Books at D’Espresso in Midtown

Goodbye cobble stones and leather daddies, hello Midtown! I was less than enthused when I found out my office was moving from Chelsea to Midtown in the next few months. Sure I had a hike from any subway stop but at least I was an area where buildings didn’t block out the sky and I could walk by the waterfront on my lunch break if I pleased.  When I first google-mapped to find out what promising food spots and bars were nearby, I found mostly male strip clubs, Ann Taylors and some Hale & Hearty Soup spots. But amidst all the retail headquarters and Starbucks, I found a worthy cafe spot that looked like something you would find at the end of the rabbit hole.

D’Espresso is a tiny Italian style coffee shop that’s as easy on the eyes as it is on the stomach. A bibliophile’s wet dream, it’s covered in glazed tiles that look like a series of never-ending library shelves. Which is fitting, since it’s only a stone’s throw away from the New York Public Library. While the space is the first thing you notice, the food is certainly no slouch. They specialize in you guessed it, espresso drinks and panini sandwiches. When I say Panini I’m not referring to those pressed hot pockets you see Rachel Ray hawk on TV. I’m taking bout the real deal: complete with fresh baguettes and great selection of cured meat and Italian cheeses that aren’t allowed anywhere near a press.

Plus if you go for lunch, you get a free hot or iced tea or coffee with purchase of a sandwich or salad, which runs you about $8. And considering Midtown prices, ain’t too shabby. So the next time you find yourself stuck and starving in Midtown, don’t forget to hit the books and give yourself a little pick me up at D’Espresso.

Photo Courtesy of: NY Times

D’Espresso
317 Madison Ave
Between W 42nd & 43rd [Midtown]