Epistrophy Cafe, located right at the end of Nolita and the beginning of Little Italy, is a great hang out style restaurant. No need for any high expectations from the kitchen or from the scene here. You get what you need- some satisfying food on the table matched with your good company. It’s a relaxed dining atmosphere yet still a cool crowd. There are low couch-like tables as you enter on the left that you can chill at, a friendly bar and then the rest of the tables sprinkled along the back of the restaurant. There is cute floral wallpaper on the back wall with a wooden staircase spiraling downstairs. For brunch, you can easily get in without a hectic or crowded stampede surrounding you and for dinner, you can stroll in with a party of two on a Friday night seamlessly.
One thing to note, the homemade focaccia that graces the table is amazing. It’s soft, crumbly and resembles corn bread a little bit. To get the most enjoyment out of this bread, order the Uova Strapazzate al Salmone sandwich for brunch which is composed of scrambled eggs and smoked salmon. Nothing fancy, but everything delicious with that buttery bread. The Salad with Chicken might look a little sad, but sometimes you just need some greens and protein on a simple plate that is to the point. That’s what Epistrophy’s salads are like- nothing you couldn’t’ make yourself but exactly what you want right then in front of you. The Panini’s are comforting, too, and you have your choice of anything from sausage and brie; grilled eggplant tomato sauce and mozzarella; veal cutlet, avocado, fontina and tomatoes and a classic ‘ole fresh mozzarella with olive oil and tomato – Italy style. The crunchy bread with the melted cheese bring you right back to that cafe in Europe you ate at everyday while studying abroad. Epistrophe is cash only with everything for brunch around $10 each, and it’s super easy.
