Tempo Presto staged a surprise opening—PRESTO—on Wednesday afternoon (pictured left is their shop on Fifth Avenue not the new one on Seventh Avenue).

At 2:30 p.m., the gates were up and—PRESTO—there was a sparkling new restaurant on the corner of Third Street and Seventh Avenue.

OSFO and I went in there at 4:30 and we were not disappointed. Owner Michael Fiore was on hand taking notes, making lists of things like Hot Chocolate that will be added to the menu.
The staff is super friendly and enthusiastic and that’s key on Third Street.

To say that we’ve been eagerly awaiting the opening of our new hang out on Third Street would be a serious understatement.Third Streeters need a place to hang out, get coffee, breakfast, last minute lunch, etc. for kids. We needed an easy place to be.

And we’ve got it now. Tempo Presto is zippy. Bright colors, orange chairs, nice signage, stainless steel tables. It’s high design with lots of fun factored in.

And it’s designed for action. Gourmet fast food made with care, great ingredients, and expert preparation.

The shop itself is super efficient, too. They’ve got an ATM, a self-service soda machine, take-out food, salads and sandwiches at the ready. A clean, efficient milk, sugar, hot water area, an express line, a sandwich and/or dessert ordering area, a gelato line.

And take a look at the menu – Tempo Pesto is so totally about the food. This is not your run of the mill  salad and coffee place. They’ve got some fabulous sounding sandwiches and hot dishes on the menu:

Thanksgiving Day
Grilled skirt Steak
Marinated broccoli di rape
Presto Cuban
Hot and Sweet Sopresatta
Pastrami and Melted Swiss
Corned Beef Rueben
Proscuitto and Granny Smith Apple

OSFO had a delicious and fresh caesar salad with chicken. The dressing (and parmesan cheese) was incredible and it was served on the side so that a kid who doesn’t like dressing can skip it.
The chicken was not your usual dry, grilled chicken. It had herbs in it and was very tasty and moist.

For Teen Spirit, I got the Grilled Skirt Stead with rice noodles, asian mixed greens, bean sprouts, mandarin orange and peanut soy dressing. We haven’t tried it yet but I’ll let you know.
($8.75 each salad).

But the sides are the thing: I got the Chickpea Salad with black olives, roasted peppers, basil and Sweet Corn Fregola Sardanian pasta, roasted mushrooms, garlic and olive oil. ($3.00 each).

Tempo Presto is SO totally about the food. But I think the atmosphere is easy, durable, and fun enough to be a regular hang for Third Street regulars.