Remembering Princess Diana

Althorp - Princess Diana's childhood home

Dear Postcards from New York Reader,

In memory of the 10th Anniversary of Princess Diana's death, A Postcard From New York Encore published May 2, 2007.

Princess Diana will always hold a special place in my heart since she died on my birthday. So with sadness, I paused a moment when I saw the book, Althorp Living History, lying casually on a coffee table in the Antique Galleries at ABC Carpet and Home.

But then, how can one remain sad when you think of Diana's beautiful laughing smile and her shy mischievous eyes?

Soon after she and Charles were married, I had the good fortune to finagle an invitation for art collector clients to visit Althorp for a luncheon with her late father and the Countess of Spencer. The long drive on the estate's gravel road to the mansion remains a vivid memory.

If you have lived in or visited the British Isles, you are familiar with the sight of herds of sheep as they graze in lush green fields and meadows throughout the countryside. In a city like New York, we are completely isolated from such bucolic scenes right out of an 18th century novel. What made the drive to Althorp unusual was, not only were there sheep grazing, but a herd of Black Angus cows as well. Holding my breath to avoid the pungent odor of manure nearly made me gag; I had never seen such massive animals outside of the ones at a zoo, so close-up.

We quickly forgot the unpleasant aroma outside as we stood in the elegant guest entrance hall surrounded by great horse portraits by the artist, John Wootton. With the magnificent collections of paintings, silver, antique furnishings, Persian carpets, decorative art, porcelain, and objects of art, great country houses like Althorp are a pleasant reminder of a time and a past way of life.

In today's world, these homes present a real problem. The cost to maintain such properties is staggering, as repairs and upkeep never end. No matter the resources of the owner, they are a constant challenge.

Anyone who owns a home knows the time and money required to stay ahead of repairs and maintenance; There's always something, the boiler, the gutters, the ceiling, the roof, the plumbing, the wiring, or the vents; Now, image your home has over 100 rooms!

How clever of Diana's brother, Charles Edward, Earl of Spencer, to collaborate with Theodore Alexander to create exquisite reproductions of Althorp's extraordinary antiques. He has found a way to finance the maintenance of his ancestral home, while he shares Diana with all of us, at the same time.

We can imagine her as a youngster running and playing games like hide and seek, peeking out behind a high-backed wing chair, or on her knees under a great desk or table.

Take a walk through the Althorp Collection and live the dream of being lord or mistress of the manor. Then go home and rent a movie like "Remains of the Day" or "The Queen."

Jacqueline Cable
For Postcards from New York

P.S. Those of us who share a particular affection for Diana will enjoy Mario Testino’s beautiful photographs of her at home in his recently published Diana Princess of Wales by Mario Testino at Kensington Palace: Princess of Wales.

Address to remember: ABC Carpet and Home, 888 Broadway at 19th Street. New York, NY 10003. 212-473-3000.

Hours: Monday - Friday 10 AM - 8 PM, Saturday 10 AM - 7 PM, Sunday 11 AM - 6:30 PM.

Directions: From Times Square MTA, N, R, or W to 23rd Street. Bus M2, M3, and M5.

Address to remember: Althorp, Northampton, Northhamptonshire. England, UK NN7 4HQ

Directions: From London M1 North Exit 16 or 18

Photo courtesy of Beric Tempest & Company

©Copyright 2007 The Cable Group

Found It! Real Italian Gelato

As yummy as it looks!

Dear Postcards from New York Reader,

There it was, the very place I was told to visit only the day before, a real Gelateria Espresso Bar like those found in Rome, Florence, Arezzo or any Italian city, complete with outdoor seating.

Invited by a friend to try "Ciao Bello’s Gelato" at Whole Foods Edgewater, NJ store, I sampled several favors as I fell into a conversation with a couple about why gelato in Italy always taste better than anything that can be found here. Everytime someone tells me they've found Italian gelato, I am always a little disappointed. Although Ciao Bello's texture and flavors were surprisingly good and the Sorbets, Mmm! The couple, however, insisted I try Sant Ambroeus on the Upper East-side.

Well, on a walk in the West Village, Sant Ambroeus found me, and I think the photo tells the story. Finally, this is the real McCoy. Made fresh everyday, presented in those familiar metal bins, soft, creamy rich velvety textured gelati in a rainbow of colors.

The pleasure of eating gelato begins with one's eyes; your taste buds get excited as you first imagine what the coral-colored raspberry will taste like.

What is the difference between this and ice cream? How can I describe it? Flavors hang on the rich cream of ice cream. Gelato is made with low fat milk and a lot less air so it's lighter in texture. The process creates far more intense flavors, like cold concentrated fruit exploding in your mouth.

I was in heaven as I slowly savored each spoonful of passion fruit, lampone (raspberry) and limone (lemon).

Confession; Years ago, I gave up eating ice cream, as I'm fortunate to get to Italy at least once a year. I would store up all my ice cream credits until I returned. Upon arrival, I could not make it out of Rome's airport before I had to have my first gelato fix. By the time the airport train reached center city, I was ready for another cup. Then, I had to have it at least twice a day, sometimes three times for the duration of my trip.

Now, my addiction may never end. All that crazy tension can be over; I can enjoy Italian gelato right here at home!

So take a walk in the West Village, find Sant Ambroeus at West 4th and Perry Street and discover your favorite gelato flavors.

Jacqueline Cable
For Postcards from New York

Addresses to remember: Sant Ambroeus, Espresso Bar, 259 West 4th Street, New York, NY, 212-604-9254.

1000 Madison Avenue and 77th Street, New York, NY, 212-570-2211.

Directions: From Times Square MTA 1 to Christopher Street, short walk to West 4th. Check the Street map before leaving the subway station.

Photo by Joseph Knight


©Copyright 2007 The Cable Group

Sunday "Times" at the Fountain

The Fountain at Father Demo Square

Dear Postcard from New York Reader,

Doesn't this fountain look inviting? Too good not to be enjoyed.

So, if Central Park is a hike, and you don't have the luxury of a private park nearby like those lucky folks who live around Grammercy Park; Father Demo Square extends a welcome invitation.

For a visitor, it's a great spot to take a break after wandering around the West Village, and for a New Yorker, it is a perfect time-out place to peruse the Sunday Times before your day goes into high gear.

Father Demo Square at the intersection of Bleecker and Carmine Streets and Sixth Avenue was a construction eyesore for the longest time. The Square faces the facade of Our Lady of Pompei Church and is a tribute to former pastor Father Antonio Demo (pastor from 1899 - 1933), who was responsible for building the church and adjoining school in the early days of the last century.

The Squares renovation was finally completed this spring. Now refurbished, antique style benches and colorful flower beds surround a three tiered wedding cake fountain.

The tiny park, fashioned after an Italian piazza, is open every day until 1 AM and can be enjoyed anytime, but I think it is best experienced early Sunday morning before the temperature heats up and the sun reaches it height.

Grab your favorite sections of the Sunday Times, and maybe a few magazines that have piled up; Throw anything on, you'll only be gone an hour or two, and head for the nearest subway. Once in the Village, pick up a steaming hot cup of coffee, cappuccino or espresso from Rocco's Pastry Shop and Espresso Cafe at 243 Bleecker, then find an empty bench or seat, spread out your papers and magazines and listen as falling sheets of water drop into the fountain's pool. It is hypnotic.

Question; Do you lose yourself reading the papers and magazines, or is it the people around you that capture your attention?

Jacqueline Cable

For Postcards From New York

Addresses to Remember: Father Demo Square, Bleecker and Sixth Avenue, New York, NY 10014.

Rocco's Pastry Shop and Espresso Cafe, 243 Bleecker Street, New York, NY 10014, 212-242-6031.

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 The Cable Group