Over a month has passed since the violent attack on Israeli towns by the Palestinian militant group Hamas, which controls the Gaza Strip and is designated as a terrorist organization by the United States. The massacre left more than 1,200 people dead the largest number of Jewish people killed in a singular day since.
Just about every five minutes, a customer at Café Lyria approaches restaurant co-owner Yannis Mastoros. Be it to say hi, give him a hug, catch up on life or discuss coffee beans, there is often lively conversation on this Mediterranean-style, plant-cultivated patio on 166 Crosby St. Mastoros is a popular NoHo character and his establishment.