Two dogs––one black and one white––serve as the inspiration behind this intimate neighborhood coffee house: labradors Moose and Goose, owned by brothers David Ethan and Peter Adrian. With man’s best friend as the impetus, it should come as no surprise that the café is renowned for its friendly atmosphere. In an interview with Gothamist co-owner David described The Grey Dog as, "small town Americana. […] The food’s real simple, but it tastes like mom just baked your bread; you’ve got the smell of bacon and coffee. […] I want it to be like a Rockwell painting, the whole thing." That idyllic, small town ambience is sustained in part by the staff, who strive to remember each customer’s name, whether they’re just swinging by for their usual macchiato or vanilla chai, or lingering longer over a late breakfast of challah French toast and home fries. The homey eats that New York Magazine calls, "honest" extend into lunchtime hours with selections such as roast turkey and brie sandwiches, grilled prawn and jalapeno tacos, and boards topped with local cheeses, fig compote, and olive tepanade bread. Because they like their regulars to think of the café as an extension of their own dining rooms, the staff encourages customers to help themselves to silverware and build their own under-table forts, while they stay busy manning the kitchen and picking out the music that helps set the laid-back vibe.