NICE AND EASY

"There is a slender, leafy tree in front of the Cornelia Street Café, midblock on the quiet byway in Greenwich Village, and the three young proprietors, in a typical touch, have painted the protective wiring around the roots white.  Open since July, and brightly transforming the site of a musty used-goods shop, this is a cheerful, immaculate little oasis."

Howard Thompson,
New York Times, August 3, 1977

REVISIONISM; OR, SECOND THOUGHTS

"I always liked the Cornelia Street Café … A home away from home.  A Neighborhood Restaurant par excellence …

     And then my calm fondness for the place suddenly flared up into a violent infatuation (These things happen, you know).  It started when my friend Maureen arrived, somewhat frazzled, from Toronto for a week's stay … So I led her by the hand over to Cornelia Street, expecting nothing more than a little distraction, a little soothing.  Tea and sympathy …

     And then I watched with pleasure as Maureen fell in love.  This was why she loved New York.  This was why she loved Greenwich Village.  This was the perfect place to bring her to.  Look at the specials they were lettering on the board--everything looked terrific … And so reasonable.  Look at the adorable room, the wooden floors, the gleaming wood bar, the clean white walls … For anyone in search of nice food in literate (not to mention erudite!) surroundings, This Must Be the Place." 

Meredith Brody,

Village Voice, October 25, 1988

LOOSE PYTHON

"Terry Jones, better known as one of the madmen from the Monty Python troupe, may well surprise his fans today at 4:30pm, when you'll find him sitting on a stool at the Cornelia Street Café, reading from his new book, Erik the Viking, as part of the Café's celebration of Children's book week …"

Patricia O'Haire,  

Daily News, November 15, 1983

CAUGHT IN THE ACT

"The back dining-room, as intimate a room as you'll find outside a private home, has unfinished brick walls and a roaring fire in an original fireplace.  The whitewashed walls up front are covered with art works (a new exhibit each month).  And the windows are better than television …

     But such atmosphere is only a setting for a range of activities so varied, unusual and enthralling that the sheer scope of what goes on within those walls could unsettle a sound mind … "

Bob Harrington,

Nightlife, April 1984