My sister lived around the corner from Parker and Otis in a beautiful loft-style apartment in West Village for a year or two before she & Philip were married in 2010. She mentioned her trips to Parker and Otis practically weekly, and having visited it for myself, I can now understand why she was so taken with it. Not only is it a scrumptious cafe, but the building is home to all kinds of artisanal & speciality foods, cookbooks, home goods, cookware, and gifts. I literally could have spent hours pouring over the books and the paper goods alone!

It was a beautiful afternoon when I visited with MacKenzie, her dog, Charlie, and our mother, and since we were lunching with Charlie, we decided to sit outside on the giant shady porch – a perfect spot to enjoy a meal with your dog! We were so hungry, that when our sandwiches arrived (egg salad, tomato & mozzarella, and a roasted veggie), we barely spoke a word to each other, which basically never happens in our family. Just ask Michael.

As far as I’m concerned, Parker and Otis is a Durham must-visit!