The best part of waking up
BERNADETTE GERRITY • Cafe Aroma
WORK • Tuesday Routine
BERNADETTE GERRITY • vice president • Cafe Aroma
Neighborhood you work in: Hoboken, NJ
Neighborhood you live in: West Village
It’s Tuesday morning. What’s the scene at your workplace?
Every morning I start my day with a workout to sustain my energy because I know once I’m in the office, it’s on! Production at our coffee plant is in full swing by 8 a.m. and each member of our team works to ensure that orders are fulfilled, inquiries are answered, and leads are made.
What’s on the agenda for today?
We have fun stuff brewing. Today’s agenda includes preparing the launch of some new merchandise. Spanning an archive that dates back more than 60 years, the Café Aroma brand carries a level of nostalgia and authenticity that compliments NYC streetwear aesthetics well. This year, we’ll be launching some gear inspired by our founder and my grandfather, Roy. My family and I found some old photos of him rocking apparel he had previously created, and we were like “Wow, we need to bring this back!”
Any restaurant plans today, tonight, this weekend?
When I’m in NYC, I’m pressing my luck on a bar seat at L’Artusi or Anton’s in the West Village. I also love Blue Ribbon Brasserie, particularly for a late night snack and night cap.
When I’m spending time out east, I love brunch at Carissa’s in Amagansett. For later meals, it’s hard to go wrong with Coche Comedor, also in Amagansett.
How about a little leisure or culture this week?
I’ve been studying wine intently and spending good time tasting throughout the North and South Fork. My favorite vineyards are Wölffer in Sagaponack and McCall in Cutchogue. I also adore the Longhouse Reserve. It’s one of the most magical spaces in the east end, and is home to beautiful art and diverse plant life. While it’s been around for nearly 50 years, and is host to more than 100,000 different species of plants, it’s only been open to the public since 2020.
What’s a recent big-ticket purchase you love?
A Coravin! It’s an amazing tool that pierces the cork closure of a wine bottle, so you can extract some of the wine contents without having to open the bottle entirely. It’s a great tool for tasting and testing wine with.
What NYC store or service do you love to recommend?
For health, wellness, and relaxation services, I enjoy Remedy Place. Their facility in Flatiron is home to infrared saunas, cold plunge, hyperbaric oxygen chambers, and more. Pretty awesome.