We had one final stop on our tour of NYC this weekend – a visit to Pushcart Coffee, which KERF reader Lisa opened last year! She actually was thinking about moving to Cville and came to visit me but yesterday I got an email that she had a change of heart and bought a coffee shop instead!
We walked 3/4 of a mile there for breakfast this morning and met up with Ashley and Bo.
We paid our tributes to Mr. Jefferson on the way
Lisa and her business partner have done an outstanding job on the shop. They have a sweet breakfast menu as well as sandwiches and in addition to coffee, they’re also making scratch-made rugelach, a traditional Jewish pastry made of flaky layers of dough and filling. True to their lower east side neighborhood roots.
I went three for three on yogurt and granola. Can’t get enough this weekend! It’s such a great breakfast balanced with protein and carbs.
This was the best granola of the weekend – made in the coffee shop.
Café au Lait
We also tried a baked [gluten-free] donut that was very tasty!
Lisa brought out some of the rugelach on the house for us to try.
It was fantastic! Like a flaky cinnamon roll
Pushcart Coffee is very blogger friendly : )
We said farewell to Ash and Bo and are headed to the train station now.
I have mixed emotions about going home. On the one hand, I love mountains, small towns and quaint neighborhood streets. But on the other hand this trip plucked at my urban side. I will have to find ways to be more urban in Cville [like actually GOING to our coffee shops!]
[email protected] says
Peter bought a box of rulegach from Costco and it was incredible—I can only IMAGINE how good it was freshly made at Pushcart Coffee! It’s always difficult leaving NYC. Love that city.
trang says
I’m not a big fan of the rugelach from costco either…
Krissy @ Shiawase Life says
Weird comment! She said it was incredible! Haha…
trang says
haha i just saw that! thanks. oopsies.
Angela @ Eat Spin Run Repeat says
Wow, what a cute little coffee shop!! I love freshly baked granola and theirs looks delicious. I’m dying to go to NYC!
Lynn @ the actor's diet says
I actually have been preferring gluten free donuts lately! Weird.
The Mrs @ Success Along the Weigh says
Looks like an amazing trip! I feel ya on the urban thing. Our recent trip to Chicago has me really thinking I could be a permanent city gal making a trip to the burbs for relaxation on the weekends! 🙂 Safe travels!
[email protected] Nutritious says
I was trying so hard to not have a second cup of coffee today, but that picture made me cave. The granola and coffee shop look amazing!
Maria @ Sinfully Nutritious says
My ipad auto-corrected my link!
Ashley @ My Food 'N' Fitness Diaries says
i’ve never been to NYC – definitely on my list of places i want to visit in the near future! the coffee shop sounds great, and that rugelach looks amazing!
Kelly @ Foodie Fiasco says
It’s so great that you meet up with bloggers+ and readers, Kath! And that coffee shop looks like a blogger happy place. 😉
melissa (fitnessnyc) says
If you can like the city when it’s this cold, you are meant to be here. I am embarassingly infatuated with the city and even I wish I was somewhere else on these bitter days :). Glad you enjoyed your trip! Come back soon.
Christine @ Oatmeal in my Bowl says
Haha. Move to cville or by a coffee shop. LOL. That’s great. Looks like a fun & friendly coffee shop. I am glad you had a good time in NY. Definitely a place I want to visit.
btw, the granola looks scrumptious! Have a safe trip back home.
Khushboo says
Pushcart sounds wonderful, definitely somewhere i would love to try!
lindzjane115 says
Glad you had fun in NYC! After 4 years in Cville at UVA, I moved to NYC for grad school, and spent 2 years as a big city gal… My husband and I moved back to Cville in June, and it was a very welcome homecoming! The city is fun for a while, and so fun to get to know by living there, but wide open spaces and mountain views with a semi-urban feel make Cville the better place in my opinion!
lindzjane115 says
Oh, and if you are aching for an urban coffee shop meet up, I’d love to meet you downtown sometime! Java Java, Mudhouse, Cafe Cubano…the options are endless!
Glora says
Let’s be frank here. Cville a semi-urban feel? Gimme a break. I’ve been there and was bored after a long w/e. Just IMO
KathEats says
Well I’ve lived there a year and a half and there are plenty of things to do. You probably didn’t know where to look
Glora says
Compared to NY? C’mon now.
JessicaE says
Ya know Gloria, there is way to state your opposing opinions without sounding rude and untactful…. I hope you discover it.
KathEats says
No, of course NYC has more, but Cville is not boring. I agree with Jessica
KathEats says
Absolutely! What’s your schedule like?
Lindzjane115 says
Thursday mornings are best for me, but I can also do Monday or Wednesday evenings (after 5pm)!
Rebecca @ Naturally Healthy and Gorgeous says
I love rugelach and that looks amazing!
Mom says
Love coffee shops! Congratulations Lisa, and the rulegach looks divine.
Lisa Fischoff says
🙂
Glora says
I lurve rugelach! So use to seeing it in delis from the time I was a kid so it’s funny you have to explain it! =)
Christine @ BookishlyB says
I love successful start-up stories. It can be so hard to take the leap; good for her!
Cait's Plate says
That place looks incredible! It looks like a cozier Le Pain Quotidien! Good for her for opening it – that’s amazing. Glad you enjoyed your trip!
kathleen @ the daily crumb says
what an amazing weekend! i can tell just by looking at that granola it is homemade… with extra love of course 🙂 and the donut looks fantastic! safe travels home.
Sarah (I Dream of Beets) says
That looks like such a wonderful trip! I too struggled with City Mouse/Country Mouse Syndrome. I live right outside of Boulder in a little town, so it’s kind of the best of both worlds. Beautiful photos and nails.
Cara @ I Don't Believe in Diets says
That coffee shop looks amazing. yay!
Cait @ Beyond Bananas says
Love all of your NYC pics.. just caught up on em all! Looks like you had a great trip! And it is SO cold up in the area! I can’t take it! Bring me SUMMER
Blessing @ Working Mom Journal says
You’ve got me salivating, not fair. It seems you had a great trip. My husband and I are definitely very urban….which sucks cus we are stuck in WV due to my job. But since I get to move soon, we are looking into NYC, Philly or Houston. Can’t wait for sure.
Glora says
NYC! Houston is all driving and flat– boo. Philly has a nice vibe to it but it’s no NY!
Blessing @ Working Mom Journal says
I agree! Definitely getting excited all over!
Glora says
yay! Just use my suggestions above for cheapie things in NY–the city and boroughs are full of ’em– just requires poking around on websites and TimeOutNY!
Glora says
and if you live in the boroughs– ike a Queens girl like myself– you have easy access to the city! And tons of stuff for kids… I have fond memories of going to the Museum of Natural History every w/e to see the dinosaurs =) and FAO Schwartz for Xmas!
Jen says
Is it really expensive to live in the city though? Y’know – without having to roommate it or live in a studio flat?
Glora says
In the city, yes, of course, save for if you live in Spanish Harlem or an area as such
Annette @ EnjoyYourHealthyLife says
mmmm tasty! Looks like a fun breakfast–that donut looks good too.
Kaila @healthyhelperblog! says
Those little donuts are adorable! Mini deserts are the best!
Angel7 says
Pushcart Coffee looks like an uber-cool place! I love cool places like that!
I love to visit N.Y.C.–the hustle and bustle of Christmas time is fun, but it is usually extremely cold that time of the year!
Have a safe trip home, Kath!
http://faithfulsolutions.blogspot.com/
Karen says
Rulegach instantly brings to mind the sweet smell of my grandma’s kitchen. Wow, did you pack in a lot of fun this weekend!
Allison says
I always am reminded how much I love the city after visiting NYC- the convenience of everything being right at your fingertips is always nice 🙂 Have safe travels home!
P.S. What is rugelach?! It looks like a cinnamon croissant?!
Blessing @ Working Mom Journal says
Had thesame question 🙂 In my head
Lisa Fischoff says
Rugelach are traditional Jewish Cookies typically filled with raisins, walnuts, cinnamon, chocolate, marzipan, poppy seed, or fruit preserves. It translates from Yiddish to mean something like “little twists” which makes sense since the traditional shape is like a little rolled crescent shape. At Pushcart Coffee, however, we chose to make them larger in a rolled cut shape (not too uncommon anymore either) so that we can fit more filling in them. They are historically rooted in the Lower East Side (where the shop is located) Jewish Tradition. Come by and try some!!
Stacy @ Say It With Sprinkles says
Gluten free donuts?! Now you’re speaking my language! It’s great to hear that there are some super tasty ones out there!
Lisa Fischoff says
Stacy,
The donuts are from a company called Ruby Bakes. It’s a start-up wholesale company and right now the only place to get their donuts (on a regular basis at least) is at Pushcart Coffee. Here’s their website if you’re interested in more! http://rubybakes.tumblr.com/
Cheers!
Lisa
Lindsay @ bikingbeforebed says
I always feel the same way after visiting a big city. Guess you will just have to make yourself some granola and ruegulah and start planning your next trip.
Lisa Fischoff says
It was good to see you today, Kath! Come visit again soon! Or I’ll see you in C-ville!
Jen says
I know what you mean – there’s something about a bigger city that can make you feel more “alive”. It’s vibrant and fast-paced and great for young people. It’s the expenses that can kill you though! 🙂
Never had much success getting good granola at coffee-shops. It’s usually too sweet or heavy – but it would depend on the place of course.
Hope @ With A Side Of Hope says
That coffee shop is so cute! I love Rugelach. It reminds of my grandparents. They were always eating rugelach at family functions. I haven’t had it in years!
Averie @ Love Veggies and Yoga says
My husband is Jewish and the women in his family make the most amazing rugelach. Ahhh, what I would give for a piece of it right now. Love the shots of yours. Looks delish!
Susan H. @ The Food Allergy Chronicles says
Bakery made granola breakfast with a latte and friends…you do know how to do it right! Safe trip home!
Katie @ Peace Love & Oats says
YAY! A gluten free donut!!! Haha. There’s hope for me! Oh gosh and that pastry looks absolutely delicious! I wish there were more coffee shops like that in my neighborhood in Chicago. I love local coffee shops, they have amazing menus and such great character.
Krissy @ Shiawase Life says
Pushcart looks awesome! Definitely on my list for next time! NYC is such a fun place, like a whole other planet 🙂
Hilliary @Happily Ever Healthy says
Looks like such a neat little cafe! The granola looks amazing
Allison K says
I would love to try that gluten-free donut. And every other pastry made in that coffee shop.
[email protected] for the Soul says
What a cute cafe!! And the breakfast selections seems awesome~eating oatmeal somewhere else other than at home is so much fun haha. Only foodie bloggers would think that 😛
Lauren @ What Lauren Likes says
Hmmm looks amazing! 😀
Nicole says
I love how supportive you are of your readers!! What a great little shop :]
Hillary says
I feel like a bad Jew even admitting this, but rugelach is one of the only Jewish pastries I haven’t baked from scratch yet. I don’t think I could ever live up to my great-aunt’s, but you just reminded me why I need to at least try! They are SO good.
TeenyLittleSuperChef says
Looks like a really fun place for breakfast. That’s one of the beauties of living in a big city. So many different options for dining out. I’m pretty sure there is only one fairly decent place for breakfast where we live and that might even be somewhat of a stretch. Small town living can be lovely, but I miss me some good restaurants. Looks like I need a little trip out to the N-Y-C too.
Have a safe trip back home!
Laurie says
Everything looks so good!!! I want to go to NYC!!
Lisa (bakebikeblog) says
DEEE-LISH!!!
Angela @ Happy Fit Mama says
What a quaint little shop in the big city! I love little hidden gems like that.
Kristen @ Change of Pace says
That is definitely my kind of place. I would love to travel to a big city like that.
Michelle @ A Healthy Mrs says
What a cute place! All of that food looks delicious!
Kathy S says
I find it hard to go to coffee shops since I don’t drink coffee or tea.
Zoe @ loseweightandgainhealth says
That coffee shop looks amazing and I could eat your breakfast with huge smile on my face as it ALL looks fantastic. Good luck to the new owners and I hope it goes really well. I would love to do something like that but am not sure I have the courage!
~Christy @ wonderofallthings says
looks like so much fun! Will you guys start making rugelach?? 🙂 I love love love a good coffee shop/cafe!
Lexi @ Cura Personalis Foodie says
Never tried rugelach, but it looks amazing!