Misteries of Chelsea... Where to grab a ( great!) bite after gallery shows...
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Photo Credit: Blankcreations
Difficult task coming up... Where, where and where again can you find a great place in Chelsea to get cozy, comfy and satisfy your growling stomach without ending up at the classic ( and overcrowded) Cookshop... This is the question!
Now let's picture it. You are off to a gallery show, you enjoyed the art and now you find yourself with that little appetite and desire to reward your patient body for all the support it gave you during hours spent looking at paintings, sculptures and videos and... well... arts! Where do you go?
We are not saying West Chelsea is lacking little restaurants and cafes ( Cookshop, La Bergamote, Bottino, Trestle on tenth... just to name a few), but something tells us that many of you are looking for a little new and refreshing spot, serving food at any hour of the day and evening and animated by that special feeling.
Look no further, Harbs it is.
Harbs is a cafe' born in Japan and recently exported in the US ( you'll find a second location in the Upper East Side).
While Harbs' nature is the one of a gorgeous, spotless patisserie, it also serves sandwiches, eggs, salads and delicious pasta dishes.
Once you step through the door, you will be greeted by a wonderfully chosen and trained staff which is tremendously warm and politely discreet, showcasing an interesting mix between Asian tact and cosmopolitan savoir-faire.
The first visual impact is stunning. The entrance proudly reveals an incredible arrange of cakes literally screaming " eat me, eat me!". Passed the entry, right in the back, a beautiful room with multiple half enclosed areas opens to your eyes.
The place feels intimate and stylish at the same time. And while during the weekends it is quiet jammed ( though the number of patrons is still slightly unpredictable at times) the cafe' can be totally yours during weekdays.
Teas and coffees are exotic and unexpected and the choice is really extensive.
Cakes are Lady M like, with a twist and a clear inspiration by French haute-de-gamme patisserie.
All the sweet creations are seasonal and freshly daily baked in the kitchen downstairs, by the hands of wise cakes Japanese masters.
Just like Lady M., pastries at Harbs are not too sweet and made with the top notch quality and freshest ingredients.
Fresh fruit, whipped cream, cherry blossoms, but also red beans, green tea and matcha make their appearance in the list of the cake's ingredients.
But, eh... Man shall not live of cake alone...
Which is exactly why TUH tried for you that savory menu that looks just as appetizing as those beautiful cakes. And in fact it is!
Harbs prides itself to make its own white, deliciously spongy bread as well as its own mayo and dressings.
Sandwiches rates from the classic B.L.T. to the frenchie, toasted at perfection, Croque-Monsieur.
Salads ( two versions, seafood or bacon and parmigiano) are huge and totally filling.
More choices are given when it comes to pastas ( Lemon and Parmigiano, Seafood, Pesto or Bolognese). All of these dishes comes with a nice greens and cherry tomatoes salad to start with.
Delicious and chic, cozy and stylish this will be your new to-go place in West Chelsea. Buon Appetito!
Curiosity Time! The owner of the place cares so much about the quality of his products that he hired a water specialist in order to analyze the mineral content of the water here versus Japan and took action accordingly.
Pricing: While we categorized this cafe' as a $$ range of prices, the menu items could seem, at a first glance, a bit pricey ( 12$ a slice of cake). However portions are so generous that the price is easily justified.
Photo Credit: Eunice W.
