One of the jewels of Uptown New Orleans is Prytania Street. Whether it’s catching a flick at The Prytania Theatre, being romantic at Le Crepe Nanou, or getting your hair did at Paris Parker, there’s not much you can’t get on Prytania. Manhattan Jack (4930 Prytania St, New Orleans, LA 70115 / 504.897.5551) is one of our favorite places on Prytania, and is slap dab in the middle of all the action.
There are so many depots of coffee and treats around town, that it’s always dependent on what neighborhood your in when it comes to quenching your caffeine and sweet addiction. Manhattan Jack is the perfect place, especially if you find yourself in between St. Charles & Magazine St.
Founded by, former New Yorker Jack Petronella, Manhattan Jack specializes in silky espresso and coffee drinks, massive sandwiches, NYC bagels, and last but not least, some truly stellar sweets. Since I was a kid, there was not better sweet treat than a buttermilk drop from McKenzie’s. The one I remember was a combination of dense cake donut, generous coating of pure sugar icing, and it was always served by ladies in those squishy white nurse shoes. On most days after school, I could be found chasing the drop with chocolate milk while standing right outside McKenzie’s.
The interior is inviting and comfortable no matter where you end up. The work tables in the middle of the shop has tons of room for one to sit and read the newspaper, spread out your magazines, or peruse you iPad. Plenty of seating surrounds the communal table and there’s even a backside patio for those nice Nola days. If you don’t have a magazine of your own to peruse, there’s of course a small but great selection of magazines available.
I could wax on and on about how much I dig Manhattan Jack, instead I’ll allow you to scroll down to check out the images, and implore you to make a trip there and get yourself some. Thanks as always for your support y’all!