Haha thank you mordy. You know what? I'm going to join you and be a believer as well! 68 Greek cups for every man, woman, child and infant in the city!!!
Once again, my favourite substack about New York never fails to deliver. The poor guy on the end of the phone line must be so beaten down. Maybe the MTA are hazing him.
I had no idea about the latest info on the Greek coffee cup situation. ☕️
I did see the cufflinks, AND I do have three(!) french cuff shirts, but I thought my wife would like the earrings as a surprise present. I have Starship Enterprise cuff links, a pair of Murano Glass cufflinks from Italy, and a pair of Mercury Dime cufflinks from Roundtree and York in NY that were my grandfathers. Also a pair in the shape of a shield with wood inlay and a sliver cross in the center, and some with my initials. I thought about the cups cufflinks pretty hard, but opted for the earrings.
Another delight to read! Anne, you should do an issue where you randomly call numbers listed at official places around the city and see who you get and whether they're all manned by Eddie! 😉
Anne, I can’t believe you sniffed the vent—the things you do for us! I will be on the edge of my seat until this tower mystery is solved. Thank you for another issue bursting with mysterious delights! Gotta go find some of that nondairy milk somewhere in LA, I have a feeling it would be a big hit here!
Right? Although NYC born-and-bred, and as a result either immune to, or oblivious to, many of its potential pitfalls and hazards... I'll be damned if every hour I spend walking these streets isn't spent breathing as *shallowly* as humanly possible, LOL.
Regarding the Senior Citizen Roulette poll, I chose to comment rather than select "stick with the seniors" because I wanted to explain. First, while the teen roulette might be humorous at first, I doubt anything actually useful and interesting would come of it due to the fact they are simply inexperienced in life with a head full of Tik Tok. Unless you are talking to teens living on the streets, in which case it seems it would mostly be sad and horrifying.
"Head full of Tik Tok!" haha. You're probably right about the teens, Mark. The key, of course, would be to come up with some really good questions. But for the life of me I can't imagine what they might be.
I’m sad some folks think teens don’t have interesting things to say - my teen and his friends are hilarious and surprising, full of insight and fresh ways of looking at things. And yes, grunty and stroppy and video-game addled too 😂 but it’s for sure worth a go asking!
Thanks for the encouragement Utpaladhi. I'm a big fan of teens myself. I think of all humans they are for sure the funniest. Would love to hear if you have any ideas for questions I could ask them!
Neither. I hire teens for a living at my workplace (we have over 200 teens). The quality of thought is pretty low, because they are kids and are over influenced by social media. There are of course exceptions, but they are exceptions. And yes, I was a funny teen, and had a lot to say. Most of it was idiotic in retrospect. I think someone with some miles on them has more to say about reality; kids, in general, only repeat what they just saw on TikTok without any sort of appraisal. Repeating things they "know are true" which they will look back on and shake their heads, thinking, "Well, that was dumb." People grow and the quality of their thought improves. I have belief in the future because people grow up and get some experience and align their thoughts with reality. Which is why listening to the seniors is both interesting and entertaining.
It's funny how you can forget something, and then miss it so much. Fond memories of meals from Cosmic Diner across the street from 1790 Broadway -- and then down the block from 1755! They always answered the phone: "Cose-mic."
Well done. Another really cool R into R post (Research into Reality). I still think you should have accepted the MTA worker’s offer to show you one of the rooms. Looks like at least one had an air conditioning unit in it. It would be so cool to nab a photo or two of the innards of one of those rooms. And I love the whole coffee cup story. Well done. Thanks so much. Hugs my dear. Enjoy your week. 🤗🤗
Hi Beth! Yes, one of the rooms in the second station, a corner space, actually had three air conditioning units. It'd be so fun to devote an issue to what's behind those doors. I'm putting it on my dream story list.
Loved the story on the Greek cups! Echoes of my college days hanging out in the East Village. I answered "other" to your survey. Tbh, I am new to this newsletter and haven't been following your senior feature, but I'm wondering why this feature is age-specific. Why not ask questions of people of any age? Lastly, I hope it isn't rude to offer a correction, but there is no "n" in the word, "restaurateur." Weird, I know. Ever since I was first corrected a few years back, I've wondered why this is, as it makes no sense to my English-speaking ear. So, at long last, I did a little digging myself and discovered that the history of this word is not what you--or anyone else, for that matter--might think. I thought this story would appeal to your sleuthing spirit:
"restauratrice" -- Not getting into gender issues (language or otherwise), but I find these 'feminine' versions of words to be poetically lovely, look- and sound-wise, that is. Chatelaine is another one. And in religion, varieties abound -- Advocatrix, Mediatrix, Redemptrix, etc.
I'll keep my eyes peeled for these cups when I next watch a NYC-cops-TV show or movie! Anne, I long suspected you were a reincarnation of Sherlock Holmes. Your delight in mysteries, following clues, and getting to the bottom of it is so infectuous.
So, the Greek coffee cups turned up in other big cities. I wonder if that's true for the mystery towers as well.
I know, I was surprised that I recognised the cups after reading the story, but I lived in Houston from 1989-2011, and it was sometime in the latter 2008-11s that we started eating at a Greek restaurant near my office. the cups are so unmistakeable!
the greek cup does feel instantly recognizable to me from TV/movies, can't say whether i've actually seen one in person! makes me think of the dixie cup, which for me is a nostalgic reminder of the wasteful days when no one had reusable water bottles - but the design was cute!
I LOVE another issue of CAFE ANNE!
How anyone can bat 1,000 with a fun and interesting issue every week is a miracle and should be in Guinness Book of World Records.
More importantly I choose to believe that in 1994 NYC residents used 68 Greek coffee cups per year.
Thank you!!!
Haha thank you mordy. You know what? I'm going to join you and be a believer as well! 68 Greek cups for every man, woman, child and infant in the city!!!
My kid has a giant stuffie version of the blue Greek coffee cup! Somehow, it manages to be famous even among the too-young-for-coffee set.
WOT?!?!? There's a stuffie????????
OMG I'm googling now and there's more than one! ETSY is just LOUSY with Greek coffee cup stuffies. So funny!
Once again, my favourite substack about New York never fails to deliver. The poor guy on the end of the phone line must be so beaten down. Maybe the MTA are hazing him.
I had no idea about the latest info on the Greek coffee cup situation. ☕️
I agree; 12oz is too big.
Thank you Jason! I love the idea that Eddie is the subject of a hazing operation.
Hmm. What is the best size? Starbucks has the 8-oz "short," and I'll often order that. But I feel it is going a bit too far in the other direction!
Don’t get an Australian started on coffee, you won’t hear the end of it. 😜
Right? He’s just a guy in Payroll. That could be a funny short story.
“Eddie in Accounts.”
Someone write it and I’ll draw it!
Yeah, so you made me buy some NY Coffee Cup earrings for my wife.
Oh, aren't those great Mark? I'd totally be wearing them if I didn't already have silver cuff earrings that are part of my uniform.
I'm sure you saw the cufflinks as well. But who has French cuff shirts these days? Mr. Turback told me they're not selling as well as the earrings.
I did see the cufflinks, AND I do have three(!) french cuff shirts, but I thought my wife would like the earrings as a surprise present. I have Starship Enterprise cuff links, a pair of Murano Glass cufflinks from Italy, and a pair of Mercury Dime cufflinks from Roundtree and York in NY that were my grandfathers. Also a pair in the shape of a shield with wood inlay and a sliver cross in the center, and some with my initials. I thought about the cups cufflinks pretty hard, but opted for the earrings.
That is great Mark! If I were a fellow, I'd TOTALLY be into cufflinks!
So YOU"RE the one who got the last pair of earrings!!
Oh no! Really? I wonder if they had a run on sales after the article. They may owe Cafe Anne a commission..
They weren't sold out before!
So who do we call to collect? I know! Let's call Eddie!
Another delight to read! Anne, you should do an issue where you randomly call numbers listed at official places around the city and see who you get and whether they're all manned by Eddie! 😉
Amelia! I LOVE the idea of a whole issue devoted to mystery numbers! You'll see this as soon as I collect enough to make a good story. THANK YOU!!!!
I LOVE how much energy you have for this type of running around! Anne Kadet for NYC Mayor!!!
Anne, I can’t believe you sniffed the vent—the things you do for us! I will be on the edge of my seat until this tower mystery is solved. Thank you for another issue bursting with mysterious delights! Gotta go find some of that nondairy milk somewhere in LA, I have a feeling it would be a big hit here!
Thank you for recognizing my sacrifice, Ms. Rebecca.
The cow-free dairy milk does seem more LA than NYC. I'd curious how widely it's distributed and where it's getting the most traction.
Haha! She sniffed! She’s so giving to her readers. 🥰
Right? Although NYC born-and-bred, and as a result either immune to, or oblivious to, many of its potential pitfalls and hazards... I'll be damned if every hour I spend walking these streets isn't spent breathing as *shallowly* as humanly possible, LOL.
Regarding the Senior Citizen Roulette poll, I chose to comment rather than select "stick with the seniors" because I wanted to explain. First, while the teen roulette might be humorous at first, I doubt anything actually useful and interesting would come of it due to the fact they are simply inexperienced in life with a head full of Tik Tok. Unless you are talking to teens living on the streets, in which case it seems it would mostly be sad and horrifying.
"Head full of Tik Tok!" haha. You're probably right about the teens, Mark. The key, of course, would be to come up with some really good questions. But for the life of me I can't imagine what they might be.
I’m sad some folks think teens don’t have interesting things to say - my teen and his friends are hilarious and surprising, full of insight and fresh ways of looking at things. And yes, grunty and stroppy and video-game addled too 😂 but it’s for sure worth a go asking!
Thanks for the encouragement Utpaladhi. I'm a big fan of teens myself. I think of all humans they are for sure the funniest. Would love to hear if you have any ideas for questions I could ask them!
what, you don't believe in the future, or you'd be too depressed by the answers?
Neither. I hire teens for a living at my workplace (we have over 200 teens). The quality of thought is pretty low, because they are kids and are over influenced by social media. There are of course exceptions, but they are exceptions. And yes, I was a funny teen, and had a lot to say. Most of it was idiotic in retrospect. I think someone with some miles on them has more to say about reality; kids, in general, only repeat what they just saw on TikTok without any sort of appraisal. Repeating things they "know are true" which they will look back on and shake their heads, thinking, "Well, that was dumb." People grow and the quality of their thought improves. I have belief in the future because people grow up and get some experience and align their thoughts with reality. Which is why listening to the seniors is both interesting and entertaining.
It's funny how you can forget something, and then miss it so much. Fond memories of meals from Cosmic Diner across the street from 1790 Broadway -- and then down the block from 1755! They always answered the phone: "Cose-mic."
Cosmic is still around! It’s now at 888 8th Ave. I didn’t know it used to be up further on bway
My old favorite Margon is still open Lauren. Now I'm starving for greasy steam table chicken thighs!
Teenior citizens! Ask the seniors and the teens the same questions
You are the second person to suggest this DD! And yes I imagine this could be both fascinating and funny!
Fascinating as always! But my big laff: “I sniffed the bottom vent.” 😂🤣 Oh no…she didn’t!
Hahaha
Well done. Another really cool R into R post (Research into Reality). I still think you should have accepted the MTA worker’s offer to show you one of the rooms. Looks like at least one had an air conditioning unit in it. It would be so cool to nab a photo or two of the innards of one of those rooms. And I love the whole coffee cup story. Well done. Thanks so much. Hugs my dear. Enjoy your week. 🤗🤗
Hi Beth! Yes, one of the rooms in the second station, a corner space, actually had three air conditioning units. It'd be so fun to devote an issue to what's behind those doors. I'm putting it on my dream story list.
Roulette: How about asking the same question to representatives of all three groups?
If I had the right question that could be fascinating Fred! Thank you!
One idea -- 'What's one thing you would change to make life better for everyone?'
Love both your questions, Daniel! Adding to the list!
Here's another idea for a question, from this afternoon's mail -- Would you rather be famous or necessary? Why? Give an example.
(h/t to poet Adrian Matejka)
Loved the story on the Greek cups! Echoes of my college days hanging out in the East Village. I answered "other" to your survey. Tbh, I am new to this newsletter and haven't been following your senior feature, but I'm wondering why this feature is age-specific. Why not ask questions of people of any age? Lastly, I hope it isn't rude to offer a correction, but there is no "n" in the word, "restaurateur." Weird, I know. Ever since I was first corrected a few years back, I've wondered why this is, as it makes no sense to my English-speaking ear. So, at long last, I did a little digging myself and discovered that the history of this word is not what you--or anyone else, for that matter--might think. I thought this story would appeal to your sleuthing spirit:
https://blog.ciachef.edu/what-happened-to-the-n-in-restaurateur/#:~:text=The%20spelling%20doesn't%20seem,The%20proper%20spelling%20is%20restaurateur.
Restaurateur. Restaurateur. That is so WEIRD Gillian but you're right! It is fixed. Thank you Gillian!
For those moving too fast to click the link, the word actually derives from the French word “restaurer,” a verb meaning to restore, repair, or renew.
And so fun to learn that the feminine variation was "restauratrice!"
What amazed me most was that the origins of the word "restaurant" are medical! A place that sold healing soups! Who knew?
Wow!!! Thanks!!! This newsletter is so educational in so many ways. Very cool.
Leave it to the French! LOL
"restauratrice" -- Not getting into gender issues (language or otherwise), but I find these 'feminine' versions of words to be poetically lovely, look- and sound-wise, that is. Chatelaine is another one. And in religion, varieties abound -- Advocatrix, Mediatrix, Redemptrix, etc.
I'll keep my eyes peeled for these cups when I next watch a NYC-cops-TV show or movie! Anne, I long suspected you were a reincarnation of Sherlock Holmes. Your delight in mysteries, following clues, and getting to the bottom of it is so infectuous.
So, the Greek coffee cups turned up in other big cities. I wonder if that's true for the mystery towers as well.
Jessica, another reader, David Graham, just posted a link to a similar tower in England. Only way bigger...
https://www.nexus.org.uk/news/item/metros-underground-air-vent-gains-listed-status
Ah, so air INTAKE. Makes sense. Very cool.
I know, I was surprised that I recognised the cups after reading the story, but I lived in Houston from 1989-2011, and it was sometime in the latter 2008-11s that we started eating at a Greek restaurant near my office. the cups are so unmistakeable!
the greek cup does feel instantly recognizable to me from TV/movies, can't say whether i've actually seen one in person! makes me think of the dixie cup, which for me is a nostalgic reminder of the wasteful days when no one had reusable water bottles - but the design was cute!
Oooh Dixie cups!
I feel like I see this bad guy at all the worst places:
https://www.uline.com/Product/Detail/S-12963/Cups/PerfecTouch-Cups-12-oz?pricode=WB0686&gadtype=pla&id=S-12963&gad_source=1&gclid=Cj0KCQjwwYSwBhDcARIsAOyL0fgrHx9l28l35ArZBcY2f08POyt6zgfTghf6rs6J5Lh0Ch7gHNX-duMaAqeCEALw_wcB
ha, yes the clip art coffee is familiar but not in a good way!