Great cafe, stupid name
Tuesday, May 16, 2006
If I had my way (and I do try, really) my life would largely involve writing letters in fountain pen and reading old books in cafes that look like they fell off the set of Moulin rouge, Harry Potter or some other film with a moody pseudo-victorian aesthetic. Cafe Pick Me Up isn't at the sumptuous end of that, but it's dark with old mismatched furniture and you can forget you're in New York or the modern era with some ease, so it makes me quite happy. They have the usual assortment of pastries, juices and coffee, but what you're really here for is somewhere to sit and talk all night. The back room is quieter than the front, but is generally closed after a certain hour. Sure the place has a stupid name (especially for a spot so great for my misanthropic pursuits), but it's a great little low-key eccentric destination.