photo courtesy Bonnie and Nick Kourvelas
In our February Dining Guide, I told readers — yes, I'm talking about you — about two well-known but long-gone dining establishments in Memphis: Foppiano's Grille on South Main, and the New York Cafe on East McLemore. I'll wait here for a few minutes while you go read that story. It's worth your time and trouble, I promise you.
Okay, you're back? Now let's proceed.
By pal Bonnie Kourvelas, the well-known local historian, sent me a couple of nice photos of the New York Cafe, since it was actually operated by one of her relatives. I ran one of them, showing the owners, Nick and Demetra Demopoulos, in the magazine's "Ask Vance" column. And now I'm sharing the other one with you here, as a special favor.
That's Nick standing behind the counter, and wow he was apparently having a busy day at the little cafe. Every seat is filled. Note the photo of President Franklin Delano Roosevelt sitting on top of the wooden bookcase (or whatever that is) in the background, and just look at all the boxes of cigars for sale at the counter. At least I think they are cigars; I can make out brand names like Friends, Bugler, and Big Ben. Were those cigar companies?
Recognize anyone in the photo? It's really a great shot; thanks for sharing it, Bonnie.
