Goodbye Florent

photo taken by kris norman

Change hurts sometimes, but, again in that New York fashion, this too shall pass...

This photo reminds me of a cold, snowing late afternoon where right by the bench my boyfriend said "Just live with me, God it's freezing." I paused speechless, we went inside and sat at a tiny four-top table and ordered mussels.  If I could keep a personal New York moment for the rest of my life, this photo and that memory are forever. 

(And thank you Ernie for sending this to me, click here for Florent's Last Day)

Message from sender: 
"I remember the first time you took me there. I thought you were nuts taking us in such a desolate, dark and dangerous place. Now, its all gentrified. Things change." (Ernie)

Florent  

Damn the Meatpacking

Before there was Stella, Scoop and even Pastis, there was Florent. The beloved diner in the Meatpacking (the original Meatpacking) District in New York City will be closing. Florent opened back in 1985 by owner Florent Morellet, a French drag queen whose former early birds were Keith Haring, Madonna and Roy Lichtenstein. The 24-hour celebrity diner was always there for me when I lived in the West Village for many years. Back in 2000, walking home from Florent to 10th Street and Hudson was a mere skip through the transsexual park. Yes, it was just like that episode from Sex and the City. If you were one of the late night "frequents" or even weekend brunchers, Florent was one of the best things about being "below 14th Street."

Florent will close on June 29th. :(