The Lights are Back on Broadway!

Join the revelry at Chez Josephine

Dear Postcards from New York Reader,

After nearly three weeks, the stagehand's strike that threatened to ruin the Christmas season for tourists, restaurants and theatres, finally ended last week. Broadway is back!

Now for the after Theatre dining recommendations I promised in the Claire Danes Pygmalion story (see Postcard, October 28). By the way, if you still haven't seen this wonderful production, the performance runs through Sunday December 16th.

Walk west on 42nd Street toward the Hudson River, a mere block and a half from the flashing marquees of Broadway and tourist-trap restaurants, you’ll discover Chez Josephine nudged between two Off-Broadway theatres on the south side of the street (blink and you’ll miss it).

A long time favorite of theatregoers and actors, live music and a spirit of gay frivolity greet you, the moment you open the door. Here, Jean Claude and Jarry Baker keep alive the cherished memory of their famous mother, Josephine Baker.

Portraits large and small of the exotic dancer, singer and performer in alluring provocative poses, line the red brick walls in every medium, to create a cozy, comfortable, clubby atmosphere. Reminiscent of a 1920's-30's Paris bistro, you breathe in the joie de vivre, and even though no one else is, you immediately feel like dancing.

Notice the frenzied Tahitian dancer in the Gauguin style painting that commands the east wall. Now imagine the stir Josephine’s seductive abandon caused in the Paris of her day, where Ernest Hemingway, Picasso, Cocteau and Luigi Pirandello hopelessly pursued her.

Rose-shaded chandeliers, long crisp linen tablecloth over tiny tables and deep red trellis curtains at the windows make this an ideal place for an intimate romantic dinner.

My niece and I enjoyed a tete-a-tete, while sampling one another's appetizer with a superb Merlot. I had the Belgian endive salad garnished with Roquefort and roasted walnuts, she the escargot. Our main course, mine, calf liver in mustard sauce, spicy greens and potato croquettes, hers, sea bass, left just enough room for an absolutely amazing light crème brulee. We slowly savored every spoonful.

Jaime is a big jazz fan, so we hung out for hours over after dinner apéritifs, listening to an all-female jazz band. It was so cozy, we closed the place.

During the Holidays this place is booked, so make reservations now if you plan to go to the theatre in the next few weeks. Best of all, Chez Josephine has one of the few late night kitchens in the Theatre District, open until 1AM.

Bon Appetit!

Jacqueline Cable
For Postcards from New York

P.S. Haven't decided what to do New Year's Eve? Chez Josephine is just the place to welcome in the New Year. Book reservations now, don't wait.

P.P.S. Two choices you will read about in upcoming issues: Remi features unbelievable Venetian Italian to rival any found in Italy and Firebird for wonderful Russian in a setting of pure fantasy and romance right out of a Tolstoy novel.

Address to Remember: 414 West 42nd Street, New York, NY 10036, 212-594-1925. http://www.chezjosephine.com/

Directions: From Times Square, a 2 1/2 block walk west on 42nd Street.

Photo by Jaime Wilson

©Copyright 2007 The Cable Group

10 Things

Taxis, A Quintessentially New York feature

Dear Postcards from New York Reader,

On a return flight from LA last week, I looked out the plane window at the landscape below ablaze with light; building lights, expressway lights, bridge lights and car lights zooming rhythmically in a sea of traffic. Immediately I got the rush, the little exhilarating shiver I always get when I come home and it hits me how lucky I am to live in this incredible place.

Now after a festive Thanksgiving surrounded by friends and family, I pause a moment to share 10 things I am extremely thankful for but take for granted far too often.

1. That this city truly never sleeps. It is alive with places where you can listen to jazz, like Birdland, into the wee hours, and places where you can just sit and chat with friends until 3 or 4 in the morning.

2. That the US Post Office at 33rd Street and 8th Avenue is open 24 hours a day 365 days a year. Need to have something postmarked, perhaps your tax return on April 15th? Just get there by 12 AM. In most US cities, even major ones, the Post office is closed by 5 or 6 PM at the latest.

3. The late Federal Express Drop off. It is almost 9 PM, you discover you’ve got to have something delivered tomorrow. In any other city, you would be out of luck. Not here, last drop off at 537 West 33rd Street between 10th and 11th Avenue is 9:30PM.

4. The Barnes and Noble at Lincoln Center. If like me, you find it impossible to free up an hour or two during the day to get to a bookstore; Arrive here at 9 PM and you will still have hours to browse through books in your favorite sections. The store is open until 12 AM every day.

5. Cipriani for gourmet take-out. Your sister or a friend calls to say they are on the way over, and like most New Yorkers you have nothing in your fridge; After all, with over 45,000 restaurants to choose from, we frequently dine out. No need to settle for Chinese, Mexican or Pizza. More on this amazing place in an upcoming Postcard.

6. Staples and FedEx Kinko's. Ever find yourself in a situation where you finally finish a last minute report or presentation and you need to have copies made and professionally bound? Staples at 14th Street and Union Square is open until 10 PM or there is a 24-hour Kinko’s in almost every neighborhood.

7. Easy access to the most renowned writers, artists, musicians, healers and guru’s. One can hear them play in intimate surroundings, meet them at gallery openings or lectures, or talk with them after a show or informal gathering at places like The New School. Enroll in a drawing class at the Art Students League, and there standing next to you is a famous artist, pencil and paper in hand honing his craft.

8. The New York Public Library. The city’s greatest asset belongs to all of us and we do not take advantage of even 10% of all its offers. Look for an upcoming series on the Library in Postcards early in the New Year.

9. Fairway – Like No other Market. Yes, Zabar’s and Citarella are wonderful and they too bring food and delicacies from far corners of the globe within our reach; but Fairway makes no pretense and doesn’t try to be anything other than an insanely harried, bustling, crowded-at-all-hours market.

10. The Spa at the Madison Hotel for the most exquisite Shiatzu massage. Back walk anyone? I never have time to do these things during normal business hours. Here, I can book a last minute appointment or just walk in at 7 or 8 PM and leave at midnight or later, completely rejuvenated.

Yes, only in New York.

Jacqueline Cable
For Postcards from New York

P.S. Wow! It’s been almost one month since I last wrote a Postcard and I have missed communicating with you. I would like to thank contributing writer’s Jerry Petrasek and Deborah Torbert for sharing their special insights. And, I thank all of you for your wonderful comments and stories and look forward to publishing some of them in upcoming editions.

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Photo by Joseph Knight

© Copyright 2007 The Cable Group

Where Everybody Knows Your Name

Deborah at the piano with Joey, no longer shy singing for an audience

---- About this Story ----

When I met Deborah, the author of How to Survive New York City, we discovered besides our passion for New York we shared a favorite local hang out, the always lively "Mimi's." During this holiday season it's the perfect place for visitors and newcomers to immediately feel welcome and at home.

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Dear Postcards from New York Reader,

Little did I know how much Mimi's would become a part of me when I first walked in the door. This corner Italian restaurant/piano bar's floor to ceiling window on 52nd Street and 2nd Avenue offers patrons a panoramic view of the hurried pace and bustle outside on the street. A former business associate introduced me to the place.

No one remains a stranger once they pass through Mimi's doors. A voice from the direction of the piano calls out "Hello" as soon as you walk in, or perhaps it comes from smiling Fred Graham, who likes to tease you with his welcome. Once you divulge where you are from, the piano player will play a tune only you know from your city or country, no matter how far away.

That would be Hunter at the piano; Hunter Blue. He's the one that looks like a bejeweled monk, and he's one of Mimi's best pianists. They welcomed me the same way. I told them I loved to sing but was shy in front of strangers. Not anymore. They made singing such fun, I can't remember being shy.

Gradually, all the family's members and long-time staff became friends. Dominick, Mimi's son, said of his late father, "it was always his way of treating people that made them feel like family." You cannot stay long at Mimi's and not experience a sense of family.

Just like the TV show, Cheers, the regular patrons are characters; It is entertaining to observe while Fred banters with Hunter until the "all clear" is sounded, so Hunter can play Alice, a favorite song of the late night crowd. Passers-by point and stare while Hunter parades around the restaurant in costumes and flags of the various visitors' countries, making sure they feel welcome. It is truly a unique and entertaining place.

The stories are plentiful; Many became fodder for How to Survive New York City for the Newcomer . Dominick says "Mimi's is the quintessential New York neighborhood place to be." I think it's more than that; It has its own recipe for making people want to return again and again. Sort of like Fred, everyone thought he worked for Mimi's for years, and he only recently joined their payroll. He was a regular who just clicked with everybody. That's the kind of place Mimi's is; full of characters.

Mimi's is for music lovers, the lonely, the curious, and always for the fun-loving. It has played host to famous singers, visiting celebrities and international performers, and the food is as good as the company.

My personal favorites; spinach ravioli, Kailua and decaf, Alice, singing to Saturday night songs Jerry Delet plays, talking to friends and most of all, introducing newcomers to Mimi's. Someday, I hope to meet you there too.

Deborah Torbert
For Postcards from New York

Address to Remember: Mimi's Restaurant, 984 2nd Avenue, New York, NY 10022, 212-688-4692.

Hours: Mon-Sat noon for lunch until 2am. Sunday late brunch at 5pm until 2am.

Directions: From Times Square, MTA S to Grand Central and 6 to 51st Street. Short walk to Restaurant. M42 Bus to 2nd Avenue, 10 block walk to Restaurant.

Photo by Fred Graham

© Copyright 2007 The Cable Group