« Welcome! | Home | Toast to Bedford-Stuyvesant Wine and Cocktail Tasting Fundraiser »
Café Naico: Good Food, Good People
By The Changeling | March 10, 2007
Zengine and I decided to launch the new blog by visiting one of the cafes in our area, Café Naico. Café Naico has been a relatively recent, and much needed, addition to our nabe. We both have been frequenting the place because it is such a comfortable place to be. Not only do we enjoy the food, but we love the space with its beautiful avocado walls adorned with original artwork from local artists. The place has several tables and a couple of comfy sofas so that you can really lounge while enjoying your latte. They also offer wi-fi so that their customers can surf and sip simultaneously. The owners, Ocian and Rita, talked with us about their cafe.
When did Café Naico open?
October 2006
What is the origin of the café’s name? It’s pretty unusual.
[Ocian] It’s my name spelled backwards.
We had a discussion about the proper pronunciation of “Naico” and Ocian told us that it was whatever we wanted it to be since it was a made up word. For the record, we were giving it three syllables (ny-EE-co), but we noticed that Ocian was pronouncing it in two syllables (NY-co). From here on out, we’re standing behind the owner and going with “NY-co”.
What brings you here to the neighborhood?
[Ocian] I live in Bed-Stuy, so I decided to open a place here. Some friends who live in the neighborhood before I moved here told me that this would be a great place to open a café. I came out a few times and checked out the area, and when I did I realized that there was a clientele for this type of business, but there was nothing around.
What are your specialties?
We serve sandwiches, lattes, cappuccinos and some homemade pastries.
Overall goals for Café Naico?
We enjoy this neighborhood because of its diversity and we would like to make our café a community space.
After interviewing the owners of Café Naico, Zengine and I talked about which of their dishes we loved the most. I love their bagels—big and crusty on the outside but soft and chewy inside. Mmmm! I’m also in love with the tuna sandwich on ciabatta. I never knew what ciabatta bread was before I visited Café Naico, so I have to thank Ocian for the good food as well as the education. Café Naico is indeed a welcome addition to this stretch of Myrtle Avenue.
Café Naico
705 Myrtle Avenue (between Spencer & Walworth)
Mon-Fri 8:00 am - 7 pm
Sat-Sun 9:00 am - 7 pm
March 29th, 2007 at 11:22 am
This is absolutely what this neighbourhood needed. A relaxing zen like atmosphere with a helpful and friendly staff that serve delightful sandwiches and other treats. I love the coffee and their sunday brunch.
March 30th, 2007 at 6:36 am
Agreed! I like that I always meet new people when I’m there. The vibe in Cafe Naico is so cool, it makes it a wonderful place to get to know your neighbors.
May 9th, 2007 at 3:06 pm
Sounds great! I live nearby (just moved
and will check it out! But why are you open only until 7:00pm. Will you stay open longer in the summer?
Thanks!
May 17th, 2007 at 9:45 am
Cafe Naico will be extending it’s hours soon. I will keep you posted, thanks!
July 15th, 2007 at 12:40 am
i’ve been on the block 9 years and all i can say is: naico couldn’t have opened any sooner… it’ll always be my number 1!