11th Hour Gift giving Woes? A Tasteful Solution

Cookies well worth the Calories!

----A note from the Editor---

As the weather outside is nippy, and the warmth of summer far behind us, I thought I would feature this story written by Postcard's photographer last summer. After the frantic pace of the Holidays, brace yourself for the winter with these delicious treats (find the telephone number below to have them delivered.)

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Dear Postcards from New York Reader,

Many of you will be shocked to learn that Jacqueline Cable has been trying to kill me for years. This conspiracy started during an early 1990's trip to Scotland (in preparation for a Golf Tour.) Jacqueline was determined to get into an ancient cathedral that happened to be closed. She was dragging me from locked door to locked door, pounding on them mercilessly, "Joseph, there must be a caretaker or rector somewhere, come on, they'll hear me knocking."

To my utter surprise, when I looked down I realized we were walking on big flat grave markers, overgrown with moss and lichen. A moment later, BAM! I was flat on my back, cracked a 17th century grave marker, (sorry Mr. Ross MacDonald), and in utter pain...

Fast forward to a hot day in July in New York City on a Postcards from New York photo shoot; Jacqueline raced between landmark buildings and monumental sculpture, this time around lower Manhattan, demanding I keep up. I was ready to call it a day. We had been running around since early morning and I was very pleased with the abundance of photos waiting in my camera.

"Joseph, come on, one more waterfall, just one - I promise..." she prodded. Suddenly walking on the uneven 18th century pavement, I thought of Scotland, and several other near death experiences. However, my fear was unwarranted and we made it to the "last" waterfall, and guess what? My perseverance was rewarded. Just behind Chase Plaza and Jean Dubuffet's "Group of Four Trees", I found Financier Patisserie. My bonus for a long day's work.

I walked in from the heat of the day to discover a cornucopia of wonderful baked jewels. I am a self confessed cookie-aholic; I love cookies! They remind me of my German and Italian grandmothers, Oma and Nona. Oma always said, "It's not a complete day if you don't reward yourself with a cookie." When in Sicily, Nona spoke to us, letting us know she loved us, with the most amazingly thin butter cookies, almond horns and pinolis. While she spoke no English, and my sisters and I struggled in deficient Italian, "cookie" was universally understood.

There, guarded behind glass, (bullet proof I am sure), in all its glory, was a plate of almond horn cookies! And look, a jewel encrusted lynzar tart - my mother's favorite - ooooo, and macarons - fat and fresh in pastel colors and delicate flavors! WAIT what is that? Thin toasted almond slices on a rich bead of swirling dark chocolate. The sight of these cookies brought me back to my childhood, to my grandmother's kitchens and the espresso bars of Italy. Needless to say I left with a wonderful lime-green striped box full of these divine cookies to sample at home later.

As I paid the cashier, Jacqueline called, "Joseph, come on, I need a picture of just one more fountain, it's not a waterfall, I promise." OK, I said, no more waterfalls, just one more fountain..."

Go Eat Something Good!

Joseph Knight

For Postcards from New York

Address to Remember: Financier Patisserie, 35 Cedar Street (between Pearl and William), New York, NY 10005, 212-952-3838, http://www.financierpastries.com/

Directions: From Times Square MTA 2 or 3 to Wall St. walk west to Pearl St. and north to Cedar.

Photo by Joseph Knight


© Copyright 2007-8 The Cable Group

11 Things

Taxis, A Quintessentially New York feature

----A Postcard from New York Encore----

With the addition of one more thing that makes New York so very special for me.

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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.

11. The Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree lighting is an annual thrill. The moment the more than 30,000 lights go on will leave you giddy and speechless. The Christmas season doesn't really start for me until I experience that special magic. Share it with family and friends this year on December 3rd. Just get there early and secure a spot as it is guaranteed to be a "gridlock alert day." Click here to learn more about this years 72-foot, 8 ton Norwood Spruce.

Yes, only in New York.

Jacqueline Cable
For Postcards from New York

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Photo by Joseph Knight

© Copyright 2007-8 The Cable Group

Meet the Wedding Guests Luncheon at Payards

Here comes the bride!

Dear Postcards from New York Reader,

"Jack you haven't RSVPed," the voice on the other end of the line said. Ohh! Oh, I thought, what have I not done now as I cast a nervous glance at a growing pile of untouched mail? "You should have received your invitation weeks ago, Donna scolded. "

"What's the date, where is it, I'll be there," I shot back. "Blaike (her youngest daughter) and I are having a luncheon for Capron, I thought it would be a good idea to introduce you guys (meaning her college buddies) to friends of the family, that way you'll know each other at the wedding and I won't have to make endless introductions."

Leave it to Donna to think of everything I said to myself as I hung up. She was always "the boss," the leader of my college posse, my dearest friends from first semester freshman year. I smiled and considered how very lucky I have been to have these incredible women in my life, and now their kids are getting married! While a few sons have walked down the aisle, this event was particularly exciting because Capron was the first "daughter" to go. You know how it is when "Moms" are planning weddings.

Payard, the grand dame of French Patisserie's on the Upper East Side with an upstairs designed to accommodate private parties, was the perfect venue for the luncheon. Elegant wood paneled and subdued mustard yellow walls with large gilt framed mirrors create an image in one's mind of rich chocolate pudding and swirling lemon custard long before dessert arrives. The anticipation of things to come gives the place a lightness and gaity that belongs uniquely to Payard.

The menu was the perfect conversation starter, everyone chose something different so we could all have a taste of almost everything. Among the selected appertizers were a thick rich and creamy butternut squash and chestnut soup, crab, smoked quinoa and wild mushroom broth, and our absolute favorite choice, the duck terrine with pistachios and walnuts. Ahh! For the main course, a sublime risotto with smoked salmon, warm chicken salad with seasoned greens and shallot herb dressing, and a delictible cobb salad with chunks of avocado, dried grape tomatoes and lush roquefort cheese, all received high praise.

When several waiters arrived carrying silver platters of what Payard is best known for, our lively chatter ended as we ohh'd and ahh'd over the tempting desserts. A momentary hush settled over the table as we considered our choices: fruit tarts in luscious cream, a deep dark chocolate mousse, warm chocolate gateau with marshmallows, pumpkin custard, meringue, lemon tart, a goat cheesecake napolean, truffles, and an assortment of macarons. They were just too perfect to touch. Is there any doubt we did?

To keep our collective sweet tooths in check and sample as many as possible, we split desserts in half. But not the macarons, (one tiny lemon macaron was especially memorable). Nothing like sharing desserts to cement new friendships; I look forward to seeing them all again at Capron's wedding in January.

Donna, Blaike good show! Thank you.

Best wishes Capron and Matt for a long and rewarding life as you begin your journey together.

Jacqueline Cable
For Postcards from New York

P.S. If you call now, you may secure a table during the busy hectic Christmas season.

Address to Remember: Payard Patisserie and Bistro, 1032 Lexington Avenue, New York, NY 10021, 212-717-5252, http://www.payard.com/.

Directions: From Times Square, MTA S or 7 to Grand Central Station, 6 to 68th St., walk north to 1032 Lexington between 72nd and 73rd.

Photo by Joseph Knight


©Copyright 2007-8 The Cable Group