Despite various bakeries, the search for a "hang-out" spot with coffee and something to nibble has proven disappointing for several Sunset Park residents. Favorites like Gran Via have only counter seating (but many people choose to "hang-out" anyway), bakeries on 8th Avenue are very busy and rushed, and seating at many other places (like Angel's Bakery) is cramped.Another need has turned up more consistently as well: Room to spread out and enjoy free WiFi (it's short for Wireless Fidelity, but really means you can check your email). These amenities are a necessity for those who freelance and/or work at home. Personally, I'm still paranoid about sending my information through the airwaves in public (picture Mike TeeVee floating through the air in tiny fragments), but many people are much more savvy and trusting than I. And most people are more with it than I am - meaning they have a laptop. I prefer the bulky joys of a desktop.
Many residents of our fair neighborhood don't want to patronize Park Slope Tea Lounges and Ozzie's. They don't even want to travel the shorter distance to Roots or Has Beans in Greenwood Heights. They want to spend their money and time here! So, where can one go in Sunset Park for a good cup of coffee, a snack or meal, and some computer time?
Well, if you don't want an internet cafe (of which there are several in Chinatown), the friendly folks at Brooklynian.com have some suggestions that breakdown into two distinct categories: Room to spread out and not get chased away and Free WiFi (plus some room to spread out and not get chased away).
So I'll throw in my suggestion for Room to Spread with WiFi: The Sunset Branch of the Brooklyn Public Library at 4th Avenue and 51st Street. It can get crowded, but the tables serve as good spots for your laptop. Sans WiFi, Puebla's back area (5th and 39th) is usually very empty any time except for lunch hours. The tortas are enough to have for lunch and dinner. Starlight Ice Cream, on 8th and 44th, has plenty of room at their tables as well.
Other options offered up by members of Brooklynian and other neighbors are Eclipse on 4th and 45th, Los 3 Petrillos on 4th and 39th, and Dunkin Donuts on 3rd and 35th. Georges Diner on 5th and 57th has a huge menu and lots of space. Just don't go on a weekend morning/early afternoon. And don't forget the 24 hour McDonald's on 4th and 37th. I'd REALLY avoid that when school lets out. All have lots of room to spread out, food/drink options, and apparently friendly attitudes to those who sit and work for a while.
None has WiFi access as of yet. Also, a couple of caveats include that Eclipse is more of a restaurant, so choose off hours. Los 3 Petrillos can get loud due to the jukebox, but mornings and afternoons are quiet. Some say that food options are overpriced. Also, the Dunkin Donuts can get a little hairy later at night.
Places with WiFi include Sunset Park Donuts and Diner on 5th Avenue and 39th and Maria's on 5th and 38th. There is a warning about cockroaches with the donuts and that Maria's can get crowded. Also, the WiFi at Maria's is password protected, so you have to ask.
Places that have been overlooked? Other suggestions for sitting down with some work (paper or computer)? Other free WiFi that are underutilized?
6 comments:
i find it so "non" sunset park to say a "work from home" person wants free wi-fi and able to spread out at a coffee house. are they "renting" space at the coffee house for their $3 coffee? how would these work at homers feel if the coffee house owner showed up at their apartment and used their stove for a couple of hours and paid them a few bucks?.
a 20' wide sunset park store can't operate like a 50' long ozzie's.
new sunset parkers have to realize they are no longer in college and sitting at the on campus restaurant. let's get real, get a real job, tell your parents to stop the flow of checks and plant your roots somewhere.
Whoa, wait. Cockroaches at Sunset Park Diner and Donuts!??!?! Please elaborate. Are they IN the donuts? Should I not eat there at all??
Anonymous: It seems I've read this sort of comment hundreds of times in various truly ugly threads. "Non" Sunset Park has meant a lot of things over the years. And the demand comes from a wide variety of people; some are newly freelanced due to downsizing. I don't know any one - that's zero people - who receives checks from their parents. Even those who are almost two decades younger than I am. But if you do, let me know. I'll get in touch so they can buy me my next pan de zanahoria at Gran Via. Let's not start making this acrimonious.
The places mentioned are already in existence, so what's the problem with adding a few more people who buy lunch and a coffee (or even just a coffee, which I doubt would be $3) and sit in the space for a while? I'd bet that the owners would appreciate it.
And PS: One of the "new" SPers you mention claims to have lived here all his life.
Nicolas: Not to worry. They are WITH the donuts, not IN them. As far as I know. I've never seen a cockroach there, and I like the egg and cheese sandwich, although Ba Xuyen has a better deal on that.
Coraline's on 5th Ave & 62nd Street has very good lattes, so-so muffins and free WiFi. Easy to spread out.
There is a great coffee spot on 7th ave btw 49 and 48th streets. The best thing aout it is that you can type away for as long as you like with out much interuption. I don't know if they have wifi.
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