Apart from the traveling, I find Thanksgiving to be a comforting time of year, very comfy as far as eating is concerned. It is a time of year where family, friends, and food come to the foreground and other responsibilities can be pushed aside. Thanksgiving Day is still rather non-commercial, with the emphasis on thanks and giving. This is a nice respite from the over-the-top commercialization that has affected virtually everything. It also is the day where overeating is not only allowed but also encouraged and expected. An old Saturday Night Live skit comes to mind where wives were virtually force-feeding their husbands (who could eat no more) in their plush upholstered chairs on Thanksgiving Day. And then there is the famous scene in Monty Python’s the Meaning of Life where the enormous Mr. Creosote is persuaded to eat one last wafer-thin after-dinner mint, whereupon he literally explodes.

The photo shows the scene at Dean and DeLuca, the gourmet emporium in SoHo, the evening before Thanksgiving. There was a time when places like this inspired awe and wonder with residents and visitors. This food mecca has been a destination for many. But we are all a little jaded now, given places such as the ubiquitous national chain Whole Foods and exposure to a myriad of goods and services via various media and the Internet. The kind of things which these iconic NYC gourmet shops were renowned for have become much more available outside the city. For most, America has become the horn of plenty…

Note about the Horn of Plenty or Cornucopia: There are many variations on the telling of this Greek myth. In one telling, Zeus was raised by Amalthea on the milk of a goat. In return, Zeus presented her with the horn of the goat, which had the magical power to be filled with whatever the holder desired. The modern cornucopia is now a wicker basket with the shape of a goat’s horn.

There are an estimated 100,000 Brits in New York City (and 250,000 in the Tri-state area – New York, New Jersey, and Connecticut). And, like any ethnic or cultural group, someone has to cater to their culinary needs. Peter Myers, of Keswick in the Lake district of England, came to the United States in 1972. On July 4th, 1985, Peter and his wife Irene, opened Myers of Keswick. You can read the entire story here at the shop’s website.

This small, quaint shop is located at 634 Hudson Street in the West Village – the ambiance is one of a country store. Click here for more photos. British cuisine and foods do not have a large following, so it was not surprising to learn from Peter that nearly all of the store’s clientele is of British ancestry. Many make a pilgrimage, coming from as far away as New Hampshire or Virginia to stock up on goods. Myers offers an array of fresh goods (butter and cheese), including authentic homemade classics such as savory pies and sausages (for which they are well known) – Peter is a third-generation sausage maker. They also stock an array of British staples – packaged items such as beans, crisps, cereals, biscuits, soups, jams & marmalades, drinks, teas, sweets, and the infamous Marmite, that substance deemed to be virtually inedible by all but the Brits.

I am frequently turned down when asking about taking photos, even of commercial or retail establishments, where they stand to gain more exposure. Peter, on the other hand, in stereotypical British style, was quite accommodating – in fact, a little surprised I even asked. That’s him in the rear of the photo…

Do you want to know a real NYC secret? Alidoro. This tiny sandwich shop at 105 Sullivan Street is one of the best in NYC. I was introduced to it in 1991 by an Italian friend and neighborhood resident. There is an area of the South Village and neighboring SoHo which has a number of Italian residents and businesses, such as Rafetto’s, Vesuvio Bakery, Villa Moscioni, Tiro A Segno, Joe’s Dairy, Faicco’s Pork, etc. This sandwich shop was originally opened in 1986 as Melampo Imported Foods by Alessandro Gualandi, a native of Florence, who had a reputation as one of the most difficult shop owners around (some said grouchy, others said temperamental artiste). You wouldn’t dare ask for any changes or modifications – all of his sandwiches were ordered by name (Julie, Pinocchio, Arzibubo, Geppetto, etc.). I was reprimanded for asking for a little mustard – subsequently, I would take my sandwich back to my office and make adjustments there. Click here for a short review about the old shop and its owner.

In 2001, the business was taken over by Walter Momente, a trained chef from Italy. A few changes have been made, like the addition of small tables, which is great since the only place to sit previously was a playground nearby. And the new owner has a sunny disposition. But the sandwiches and quality are the same. There are 40 sandwiches to choose from (menu here), each on their own fresh Italian loaf (white or whole wheat) with options for sfilatino, tramezzino, focaccia, or semolina bread. All the best ingredients are used: sopressata, prosciutto, salami, olive paste, mozzarella, marinated peppers, arugula, bel paese, sun dried tomatoes, salami, and their signature dressing. The sandwiches are large enough that for many, half is a meal. Another thing hasn’t changed: call ahead or get there before 12:30, otherwise there are lines out into the street…