Village Stories: A Walk in the West Village

A tree-lined Street in the West Village

----A Postcards From New York Encore----

The last weeks of summer and early fall are perfect to explore neighborhoods like “the Village.” Over the next several days we will feature past articles as “Village Stories.” In response to questions about the boundaries of the West Village, Greenwich Village and the East Village click here.

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Dear Postcards from New York Reader,

This glorious late summer weather is perfect for walking. And, we know hitting the pavement is the very best way to truly make New York your own.

There are lots of green spots between and in the shadows of our dazzling high skyscrapers, as well as little known fountains and waterfalls, cobblestone streets and mews, tiny steeple churches tucked away in remote corners and 18th and 19th century buildings with endlessly interesting architectural features. I bet you thought I was describing some European city.

Have an hour? We'll keep it simple. Begin at West 4th and 6th Avenue, and find Bleecker Street. Walk north, just pass 7th Avenue to Grove, turn left, and continue walking until you come to Hudson Street.

Stop a moment to glance at the picturesque garden set back from the street at the Church of St. Luke-in-the-Fields on Hudson. Right out of a storybook, now notice the winding walkway leading to the entrance of the school not far from the church. Next, retrace your steps on the opposite side of Grove Street so you can take a close look at the brownstones and buildings across from you. When you reach Bleecker, walk to the next block, Christopher Street and repeat, then proceed to West 10th, Charles, Perry and West 11th Street.

Survey the unique character and architectural detail of the brownstones and low apartment buildings. There is an unhurried neighborhood feel here; people leisurely walk with little children and dogs, and sit on doorsteps and front stoops. You'll see ivy clad doorways and facades, well kept stone stairwells with exquisite wrought iron handrails. Dated plaques on many brownstones are proof they have been around since the mid 19th century.

Look up at the stairwells to find grand entrance doors; some carved with intricate designs or polished to a high gloss finish like the mahogany double doors at 70 Perry Street.

There is a lot to see. Bleecker Street has numerous small shops, cozy bookstores, intimate cafes and sidewalk restaurants. Your fingers will itch to touch the striking flower arrangements displayed at VSF 208 W. 10th Street. While the antiques in the window of Les Pierre Antiques beg to tell their stories, the colorful fabrics and smartly designed children's clothes at Bonpoint are impossible to resist.

Sarah Jessica Parker calls this area home. If you are a fan of Sex and the City join the line trailing around the block at Carrie's favorite place for cupcakes, Magnolia Bakery, or stop at Sant Ambroeus for gelato. Better yet, be really decadent and have a "to die for" cannoli. I'll tell you where next time.

Jacqueline Cable
For Postcards from New York

Address to remember: West 4th Street and Sixth Avenue.

Magnolia Bakery, 401 Bleecker Street, New York, NY 10014, 212-462-2572, http://www.magnoliacupcakes.com/

Sant Ambroeus, 259 West 4th Street, New York, NY 10014, 212-604-9264, http://www.santambroeus.com/

Directions: From Times Square MTA 1 to Christopher Street, short walk to Bleecker Street, N, R, and W to 8th Street short walk to Sixth Avenue, A, C, or E to West 4th Street, short walk to Bleecker.

Photo by Joseph Knight

©Copyright 2007-8 The Cable Group

A Parson's Garden on Hudson Street

A garden bench waits for you

Dear Postcards from New York Reader,


Beautiful weekend weather, like we have had recently, begs to be enjoyed outdoors. Say you've got just the book to while away an afternoon, but can't think of just the right place to do it; comfort is a must, somewhere a bit unfamiliar so there is little chance you'll run into neighbors who want to chat and most definitely a place far away from any noisy playgrounds.

The rustic garden, adjacent to St. Luke-in-the-Fields in the West Village on the corner of Hudson Street across from Grove Street, may be just the spot you're looking for.

Enter the garden through rose-red brick pillars on the north side close to St. Luke's School set far back from the street. Wind your way behind the church just beyond a brick wall and open gothic arches, to find comfortable wooden benches in a garden of trees, shrubs and a profusion of wildflowers.

Then follow a path over well-worn slate and brick walkways through thick clusters of colorful blooms of bright yellow and orange, pastel blues and purple, vibrant red, lilac, peach and white.

Where one finds flowers, you can expect a buzz of insect activity and the twitter of numerous birds along with pleasant drifts of fragrance. Just to play it safe, carry along some insect repellant.

As it was truly difficult to select a photograph for this story, join me on a walk through the garden here, click on A Parson's Garden St. Luke-in-the-Fields and select view as a slideshow.

Jacqueline Cable
For Postcards from New York


Address to Remember: St. Luke-in-the-Fields Church, 487 Hudson Street @ Grove Street, New York, NY, 10014, 212-924-0562, www.

Directions: From Times Square MTA 1 Downtown to Christopher Street, walk west on Christopher toward the river to Hudson Street turn left to St. Luke-in-the-Fields Church.


Photo by Joseph Knight


© Copyright 2007-8 The Cable Group

Let's Talk Movies About New York

Click on the center of the above screen to view

Dear Postcards from New York Reader,

My friend Ellen knows my passion for Rome is equal to my love for New York, so she thoughtfully emailed me details of a recent screening of "Roman Holiday" at the World Financial Center Winter Garden.* Sure enough, the many wonderful scenes of Audrey Hepburn dashing around Rome against the backdrop of the eternal city's many historic sites made me think--how about a story on my favorite New York movies.

I become giddy with expectation when I see a movie like "Sex and the City" filmed on location in New York, because it inevitably reminds me once more how astonishingly beautiful this city is. Yes, I know there's Paris, but Paris, wonderful as it is, is nothing like New York.

Do you recall Jerry Petrasek's story about running the New York Marathon last fall? Particularly the part where he describes his first visit; when he was finally able to fulfill a long held desire to get out of a cab in front of Tiffany's, walk to the window and look in while holding a paper cup of coffee like Holly Golightly in "Breakfast at Tiffany's" (if not, click here). I thought at the time-- Gee, I didn't know anyone else was caught in the web that movie so successfully spins.

Then when Postcard photographer, Joseph Knight mentioned a retired Tiffany employee once told him the most frequently asked question of store employees was "On what floor is breakfast served," I felt--it was time.

In anticipation of disappointment because I have not included one or more of your favorite movies, next month I will publish a list of Postcard Reader's Favorite New York Movies. So stay tuned and please, email me your favorites at postcardsfromnewyork@yahoo.com.

My absolute number one, of course--

1. "Breakfast at Tiffany's." Taxi styles may have changed, yet everything seems immediately familiar--the brownstone on the Upper East Side, walk-ups, fire escapes, brass-plated mailboxes, corporate skyscrapers along Park Avenue, running up the steps of the Fifth Avenue library, and the comfortable clutter of Woolworth's.

2. "Wall Street." Its edgy frenetic energy captures New York's gritty pace, while Michael Douglas gives his most brilliant performance in the character of Gordon Gekko.

3. "Annie Hall," received the Oscar for Best Picture, notice the difference between New York's skyline in 1978 and now.

4. "When Harry Met Sally," will we ever forget Meg Ryan's scene in the famous Lower East Side Deli, Katz's?

5. "Superman," my favorite super-hero fights for truth and justice. The scene in the lobby of the Daily News ( the Daily Planet in the movie) building on 42nd Street with the huge globe in the floor surrounded by large clocks where Lois and Clark get caught in the revolving doors is memorable as I walk by there almost everyday. Ahh! The aerial views of the city when Superman takes Lois for an airborme ride around town.

6. "Hannah and Her Sisters." Woody Allen truly is a master at capturing the city's essence.

7. "Working Girl." Ohh, that wonderful opening scene shot from a helicopter of the Staten Island Ferry sailing New York Harbor, with a close-up 360 of the Statue of Liberty and the soaring beauty of the World Trade Towers. You can feel the breeze when Tess McGill hangs over the rail on the outside deck. The hair may be over but she continues to be a familiar face on city streets.

8. "The Out-of-Towners"--The Goldie Hawn, Steve Martin version. I never saw the original. "An only in New York" experience with a cameo appearance by then mayor Rudy Guiliani eyeing the couple from the window of Tavern on the Green.

9. "The French Connection." That insane subway chase scene gets me crazy just thinking about it. My favorite Gene Hackman film.

10. "Crossing Delancey." Wonderful scenes of Lower Manhattan.

11. "The Way We Were." Sad, romantic, the relationship between Katie and Hubbell forever memorable for those scenes on the streets of the city.

12. "Three Men and a Baby." The brownstone everyone can imagine owning.

13. "The Interpreter," filmed in my neighborhood around the United Nations, features an area usually overlooked by filmmakers.

14. "Inside Man." Spike Lee like Woody has an uncanny eye for great architectural locations.

15. "How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days," the chemistry between Matt and Kate make them my choice for most romantic movie couple for the decade.

16. "Crossing Lanes." How about the opening scene in the Temple of Dendar?

17. "Die Hard: With a Vengeance," a bomb in the subway--every rider's secret nightmare. My kinda action movie with the man--John McClane. Love those congested city traffic takes and the hair-raising taxi drive through Central Park.

Okay, now how about your favorites? Enjoy the memories.

Jacqueline Cable
For Postcards from New York

* For those of you in the Boston area "Roman Holiday" can be seen at Boston Common August 27, for details click here.

© Copyright 2008 The Cable Group