Try a Financier or Two!

I remember 2002 as a sad year, especially for Lower Manhattan. There were many streets that were still closed and as grateful as I was for the presence of the National Guard, it was disconcerting to see soldiers with weapons as I entered and left my work building. As long time readers know I worked six blocks south of the World Trade Center site. We were back in the office ten days after September 11, but it seemed nothing would ever be right again, especially on the streets of Lower Manhattan.

Stone Street -- Financier is on the left side of the street, just outside the photo. 

It took tremendous vision to open a patisserie on those sad streets. But in 2002, Financier opened. It was a small place on a cobblestone street, Stone Street,

that then had several restaurants. Now there are a dozen restaurants and it is one of the liveliest streets in Manhattan. But not in 2002. I sometimes ate in one of the restaurants on the block or stopped for a drink with friends after work and there were nights we were the only people there.

Financier is in the financial district, and it also takes its name from the French almond pastry, also called a Financier. It has remarkable pastries and delicious coffee. There are now a number of branches throughout the city and I generally frequent the one in Grand Central Station, where these pictures were taken.

Whether you choose a simple danish...

 ...or one of the rich and extraordinary gateaux, it is a treat.

There are any number of fabulous shops with baked goods in New York City and we will visit several more before the end of Buttercup's Culinary Tour. But Financier holds a very special place in my affections.  

Tomorrow we return to the Upper West Side for a very different cuisine, but one I think you will equally enjoy. Dear visitors to New York, it's going to be difficult to choose the places we will indulge, but won't it be fun!

Yesterday I had an wonderful treat and saw a stage production of "I Remember Mama."  Wonderful staging in a church gym and a fabulous cast, including Barbara Barrie. There were ten actresses who were at least sixty years old playing all of the parts. If you remember the movie or television show, "Mama" with Peggy Wood, this is the play that they were based on. It could have been overly sentimental, but instead it was touching and lovely. New Yorkers, it's a limited run and so worth seeing. 

  There were eight -- or so -- dining room tables and the action of the play took place at different tables. The audience sat on the sidelines of the gym. Very different than the usual play, but very engaging. 

I hope you enjoyed our delicious visit to Financier as part of our Blogging from A to Z Challenge. I know I did. Thanks for visiting and please don't be shy about letting me know you were here. I love to hear from visitors. Take good care and have a beautiful April day.