New Yorkers Reveal: Bonkers Gifting Fantasies!
Plus! 2025's best and worst!! The real-life Café Anne!!!
Hello everyone,
Welcome to Issue #191 of CAFÉ ANNE!
After running last week’s Q&A with David Roberts about how he is spending $28k a year to support 390 Substacks, I assumed our hero would be bombarded with requests from writers asking him to subscribe to their newsletters as well. The actual number? Two. Both were declined. “Requests to subscribe don’t sit that well with me if they’re not organic,” he said.
Just two? I couldn’t help rolling my eyes at the CAFÉ ANNE readership’s excessive good manners. I did however, enjoy an email from Joshua in Great Neck who wrote, “As far as spending 28K on Sub Stack subscriptions; what is a sub stack? Why should I subscribe to it? And who’s got time for that crap?”
In other news, I thought it’d be fun see which stories performed best in 2025 and which were the biggest flops.
The most popular post: “What It’s Like to Live in Times Square,” a profile of Jake Rich, a musician living over a dive bar on West 46th Street. I liked that one a lot too! In second place, “Can’t Decide? This $247 Coach Will Make the Call,” a Q&A with Nell Wulfhart, a professional decision coach who helps people decide whether or not to say, quit their job. And in third place, “Best Random Stranger Walk Ever!” about my meetup with Moammar Rabbani, a recent immigrant from Bangladesh who posted on Reddit looking for a friend.
It’s more fun, of course, to review the losers. The third-worst performing issue was “Hot off the Press! A Boatload of Nonsense III” which was, well, a huge boatload of nonsense. I do not apologize! Another clunker: “In Praise of Unsoliciated Advice,” the Q&A with my friend Dyske Suematsu defending his penchant for dishing unrequested counsel. And the worst performing issue of 2025? “Meet NYC’s Million Dollar Outhouse!” Why this story about a public restroom in Harlem didn’t go viral and win me a Pulitzer, I’ll never understand.
I am very excited for this week’s issue, of course. We’ve got a report from reader Brittany J. on her visit to the real-life CAFÉ ANNE in France, a delightful holiday video and a look at what New Yorkers would love to give their fellow New Yorkers. Please enjoy.
Regards!
Anne
PS I am taking off for Xmas and New Year’s. Next newsletter is January 5. Wishing you all very happy and lovely holidays!
DEPT OF HOLIDAY FUN
I love walking around NYC, especially this time of year, and sometimes I’ll shoot a short video. I caught this little scene last Wednesday in front of the New York Stock Exchange. Every time I watch it I feel crazy happy, so I thought I’d share.
COMPTE RENDU DE TERRAIN
Inside the Real Life CAFÉ ANNE!
Last summer I got the most exciting email ever. Brooklyn reader Jamie D. reported that while traveling through Lyon, France, she’d spotted an actual, real-life CAFÉ ANNE! She sent me a photo.
Alas, she did not venture in. I was dying to know more, so in my next newsletter, I included a request: “Do I have any readers in Lyon who can check it out and report back?”
I immediately heard from Brittany J., who wrote, “Hello! I am a loyal CAFÉ ANNE reader in Lyon right now, would be happy to check out Café Anne for you tomorrow and report back!”
But when Brittany stopped by, she learned it was closed for the entire month of August. How very French of them. Don’t they know that PROGRESS means working 24/7/365 until you die of a heart attack?
I was thrilled when Brittany emailed again just before Thanksgiving. “I have found myself back in Lyon and have a reservation at Café Anne tomorrow for lunch,” she wrote. “Still interested in a little write-up?”
Bien sûr! Below, Brittany’s account of her dinner, along with a couple photos. Thanks Brittany!
I was recently in Lyon, France and fulfilled a long-held mission to investigate the (now globally celebrated) Café Anne. I dragged my German friend Johann because he is 1) in possession of a very respectable command of French and 2) a truly exemplary dining companion. Johann works breaking up food monopolies, so he’s a repository of lore about things like an American firefighters pension attempting to take over the number one whipped cream brand.
Johann and I were impressed that Café Anne, which is pretty much the textbook example of gezellig, is run by only two people. The namesake Anne runs the kitchen while Antoine stewards the dining room, which was packed with 20-plus locals who appeared to be deep in the throes of chatty catch-up.
Antoine moves fast. I would see him in a blur out of the corner of my eye, like a mom at Thanksgiving, working incessantly to create a vibe. We briefly interrogated him—in the morning he and Anne prep together, he said, and then open in the afternoon. Which at the pace they’re running, seems grueling—thank God they took August off!
Johann and I shared “pastilla de poulet, butternut, champignons, crème de patate douce et sauce poulette,” which were sort of like empanadas, or hand pies.
They were flaky and warm and homey, doused in a buttery sauce that begged to be mopped up with the crusty bread. I would describe the meal as quietly enjoyable, the kind of food that puts a hush over your table as you savor the flavors.
I highly recommend Cafe Anné to your French-speaking readers—you’re gonna need a reservation, so beg borrow or steal your very own Johann in Paris!
—Brittany Jeffrey
STREET SURVEY
New Yorkers Reveal: Bonkers Gifting Fantasies!
I don’t know where this idea came from, but I thought it’d be interesting to hit the streets and ask a bunch of random strangers the same question: what would you like to give everyone in New York City for the holidays?
Everett, Fort Greene, writer and Christmas tree salesman
One thing about this job is you deliver trees to a lot of families, and the kids are so excited to have the tree. It’s been a reminder to approach more things with a child-like sense of appreciation. I’d like to give everyone a little sliver of that.
It’d be very funny if suddenly everyone in the city was struck with a child-like sense of appreciation.
Wouldn’t that be kind of amazing?
Now what would you like for yourself?
One of these Christmas trees!
Do you have a place to put it that’s big enough?
No I do not. So, that too—eventually!
Robert, Harlem, parks supervisor
Yankees tickets! Because I’m a big Yankees fan and love going to the games. If every New Yorker could experience that, New York would be a better place.
What’s it like? I haven’t been to a game in 20 years.
I’ve been going since I was like five. It never gets boring, it’s just the atmosphere. It’s hard to put into words.
And what would you like for the holidays?
Just that my kids and grandkids is happy. As long as they’re happy, I’m happy.
Merlin, Turtle Bay and Jenny, Bushwick
Merlin: Maybe food. There’s a lot of homeless people. I see a lot of homeless single mothers with their children, and it’s sad and it’s a shame they’re outside suffering. Maybe something could be open that welcomes everybody, and people just give out food, you know?
What would you be serving?
Merlin: Maybe like vegetables, meat.
Jenny: Lasagna!
Merlin: A variety of pasta. That’s it.
Jenny: I’d do the same, but add clothing as well. Cuz my area, you see a lot of people who don’t even have clothes on themselves.
What kind of clothes?
Jenny: Very comfortable sweatpants. Blankets, as well.
And what would you like for yourself?
Jenny: I would like a stable job so I can help my family.
Merlin: An electric scooter!
Jojo, Lower East Side and Drew, Bed-Stuy (high school students)
Drew: Maybe vehicles for everybody, cuz everyone’s on the train. It’s so crowded.
Jojo: And some people gotta learn how to walk, be considerate of others—walk at a pace where everyone can get where they gotta go.
So maybe that can be the gift—walking lessons.
Jojo: Yeah! Walking lessons!
And what would each of you like to get for the holidays?
Drew: I think you can never go wrong with some munion, that’s what I think.
How much money do you want?
Jojo: At least $500. At least.
I would ask for more!
Jojo: That’s from every person in New York.
And what would you buy with all that money?
Jojo: Sneakers!
Wiatt, Financial District, just enlisted and Annalise, Battery Park City, student (siblings)
Wiatt: A ticket outta here! Just for the holidays—a ticket there and back. The Caribbean. It’s cold right now—it’d be nice for them.
Annalise: I’d get everyone a nice, warm winter coat. Everyone deserves one.
How about for yourself?
Wiatt: A ticket outta here! My girlfriend’s in Thailand. I’d like to go see her.
Annalise: A chateau in France.
Wiatt, why did you join the Army?
Wiatt: To serve a higher calling, jump out of planes, shoot guns, defend the country.
That’s an unusual response from a New Yorker!
Wiatt: Everything you hold dear, the good and the bad—it all needs to get protected.
Yordy, 23, Morris Heights, Bronx, union carpenter
Everyone needs a hug. We’re way too uptight, way too busy. Everybody needs to calm down.
Are you a hugger?
I am. I’ll give you one! [Gives me a big hug.]
And what would you like for yourself?
I think I’m in a good spot right now. I fought for a lot, but I think I got it all. A stable job, a loving girlfriend, good family. I’m not really fancy or anything. I don’t need much. It took me a long time to get here, but I’m okay. Well, actually a nap is what I need.
Djhn, Far Rockaway, sketch artist and Bryant Park maintenance worker
Patience! Everybody’s always in a rush to get something. They want it immediately. Take your time, work for it—it will come to you.
What would you like for yourself?
Time, more time.
That’s what I want! And how much more time do you need, to do everything you want to do?
I dunno. Because that’s something out of my control. I would let God just flip a coin and say, “Look, take this much.” And I’ll make the best use of it that I can.
What would you like more time for?
Just to study the world. I like studying people, looking at people. I’m interested in how their life went, how they got to where they are. Almost like your interviewing! You’re having a ball! I just do it mentally.
Asher, retail worker
At least one month’s rent.
You’re the second person to say that!
I’m speaking from experience. That would be heaven for me. And everybody benefits when everyone is less stressed during the holiday. This year I’m not as stressed out, so I’m in a better Christmas mood than I normally am, and it’s a good feeling.
Why is it less stressful this year?
I just started a new job after being unemployed for six months. And I think having more friends this year that I’m seeing more and talking regularly to—that I love to be around—is really making a difference. Having that connection with real people.
What would you like for yourself?
A good paying job. It all comes back to money at the end of the day.
But you just got a job!
I work at a Lowe’s. I don’t expect to be there forever. It’s to get me to a stable point where I’m not worried about paying rent. And build from there.
Marshalla, 49, Brooklyn yoga instructor and beauty entrepreneur
A washer and dryer in all their units, and access to a patio so they can grow at least one vegetable or herb or fruit.
Oh my God, you are my hero. I want both of those so bad.
Mmm-hmm.
Do you have those things for yourself?
I do! I live in the family home now.
Well, seeing you already have everything, what do you want for yourself?
A better understanding of how to be a supporter for an aging parent. New Yorkers are so used to doing for themselves. Understanding that aspect of taking care of an aging loved one is something we have to learn. And it’s not taught until it’s too late, and causes a lot of stress.
Felix, Bed-Stuy, college student
Dignity of life. The ability to live comfortably, without discrimination, make a decent living, have a family.
What percentage of New Yorkers would you say have that now?
It’s a pretty rich city. I’d say 60 percent.
Do you have that?
I do, and I’m grateful for it.
What would you like for yourself?
I’d like to publish a book sometime, that’s the main goal. A poetry book. I have a bunch of poems.
That’s step one!
Rob, Brooklyn Heights, retired video producer
A certain someone out of office. I think it’d bring pure joy to a good number of people in this city. Pure joy.
Gloria, 68, Bergen Beach
Hmm. How about everybody gets three months rent? That’s everybody! The landlords wouldn’t like it, but the tenants would love it!
Well, you could reimburse the landlords.
Let’s not get carried away.
And you’d do this even for rich people?
Why not? It’s not their fault they’re rich.
What would you like for yourself?
Oh God, you know what I’d really like for myself? Just one day of peace and quiet, where nobody bothers me. I don’t have to talk to anybody, I don’t have to do anything. Just one day. Just one! I’m a 311 operator. I hear from everybody. I hear everybody bitch all day long. And then I go home and hear the kids. I have two grown kids at home. Just one day. One day!
What are the odds of that happening?
Never. Never! Fuhgeddaboudit! IT WILL NEVER HAPPEN!!!
”We can all hope for Eric Adams on Dancing With the Stars.”
—Erik Maza
CAFÉ ANNE, a free weekly newsletter about NYC, is created by Brooklyn journalist Anne Kadet. Subscribe to get the latest issue every Monday.
please, please interview Johann on firefighter whipped cream. I want to know more!
Rob is my hero!