So I already miss Europe. Big time. One week back in New York and I already have my nose to the grindstone: endless meetings, buried under piles of long-neglected work, and running around to events and dinners that only seem to multiply. On our little island its easy to feel like you’re being pushed and pulled in a million different directions. I keep having to remind myself that I’m not superman (but hey, you can’t blame a girl for trying). Sometimes the most efficient, effective, and all-around productive thing to do is to just simply slow down.
Mes amis, I think the Europeans got it right from the beginning. Literally. Let’s start with the beginning of our day: the morning. Waking up is tough. If you are not one of those freaks of nature who shoots out of bed at the first ring of the alarm clock feeling bright eyed and bush-tailed, well, you’re just a normal and sensible human being.
Mornings should be slow, gradual…a gentle welcome into what usually proves to be a pretty hectic day. After observing them for a month, I have come to believe that the Swiss are experts at this. During the month of August I would wake up early and stroll through the mountain village to the coffee shop at the end of the grande rue. Once there, I would indulge in a latte, enjoy the morning paper, and order a croissant or even (gasp!) two. Two?! Yes. Why? Because they taste sOoOoOOo much better on the other side of the pond. Again, why? Because the Europeans ain’t afraid of butter.
How is it that a little extra butter in a warm croissant (an art that the Swiss have clearly mastered) can bring one so much joy? Some times Most times it is the quirky little nuances that bring us the greatest pleasures. My Swiss-born boyfriend managed to drown out all my American neurosis over the month of August.
My (annoying) internal dialogue in italics: Pastry crumbs in the bed? A messed-up bed is a sure sign of a healthy relationship. Cozying up in bed until the late afternoon? That’s what Sundays are for. But what about my deadline?! My man would just have to pass me the front section of the newspaper and a latte to shut me up.
Setting aside a little extra time in the morning to indulge myself, recalibrate, and simply enjoy the pleasure of a leisurely morning had a significant impact on the rest of my day. It was better. Ok, I get it. Having the time for such an extravagant morning routine is a luxury most of us simply don’t have in our busy lives and the even busier cities we live in. But every once and awhile, if you’re craving a taste of Europe and are tired of scarfing an energy bar and a instant coffee as your petit dejeuner we’ve scoped the scene in New York and want to share our favorite hot spots. Allez:
Ceci-Cela
55 Spring Street
New York, NY 10012
Tel: 212-274-9179
Closest thing to an artisanal French Pastry outside of the Motherland.
Macaron Café
625 Madison Avenue OR 485 7th Avenue
Tel: 212-486-2470
Bringing their secret Macaron recipe from Italy to Manhattanites.
Balthazar Restaurant
80 Spring Street
Tel: 212-965-1785
For the full European experience.
Le Gamin
522 Hudson Street
(212) 807-7357
Reminiscent of crepe vendors on Parisian street corners.
And enjoy these Cafés where coffee making is treated like an art. While they may not all be European, good coffee is good coffee!
~ Lily La Tigresse
The cover picture of the crossant & the Eiffel Tower is from Lily & her boyfriend’s new blog: http://august-10.tumblr.com/