A White Christmas in NYC

This Christmas was definitely one we will always remember. No stressful Christmas shopping or preparations for a family feast (although we do miss them). Christmas 2009 was all about bagels, movies, burgers and soul music.

After sleeping in and shedding the last traces of jetlag, we indulged in some scrumptious bagels in bed, smothered in goats cheese with roast tomatoes. Following this, we decided to follow the Jewish/New Yorker tradition of going to the movies on Christmas Day. We ended up in the West Village at a little four screen theatre called 'Quad Cinema', just in time to get a seat in the third row of a full session of 'A Serious Man'. Once there we indulged in Reese's Peanut Butter Cups and some sparkling grapefruit juice, whilst squeezing into the small seats.

We both loved this latest offering from the Coen brothers, but the enthusiasm of the audience definitely enhanced our viewing. The film follows the extreme bad luck of its Jewish-American protagonist, Lawrence Gopnik, a mathematics professor in the late 60s. It was interesting to watch this film with an audience who really related to the black humour revolving around Jewish tradition, religion and family values. Following the film, the usher, an older gentleman wearing a bright red jumper made sure to ask each patron their opinion on the film.

After much fretting and deliberation, we were eventually able to track down 'The Good Stuff Diner', which we had passed by chance days before and had promptly forgotten the location, but clearly remembered the retro lampshades. What a setting for a Christmas dinner in New York City, surrounded by loud New Yorkers seeking comfort food.

We feasted on house burgers, fries, all washed down with a Strawberry Shake and strange New York concoction called a Strawberry egg cream... weird, but good (imagine frothy softdrink). During our meal, we were entertained by the conversation in the booth next to us regarding the impending marriage of a friend. It went something like this: "She used to be a gold-digging whore, but now he's brought her back to her!" Heartwarming.

But the best was saved for last... in a little basement club called 'Fat Cat' in Greenwich Village. After paying our $3 cover, we stumbled into a large cavernous space filled with young and old, playing ping pong, chess, scrabble, pool, foosball and shuffle board. There were couches surrounding a makeshift stage, where an amazing quartet crooned acapella soul.

Now the reason we came to the Fat Cat, was to witness the next act - Daptone Label's 'Naomi Shelton and the Gospel Queens'. Just before they came on the place filled up with fans and friends of the musicians, everyone excited to be there. The band consisted of a (possibly) blind keyboard player, a bass guitarist, drummer and three powerful ladies: The Gospel Queens. But let's not forget the lady in the red sequined hat, with matching red lace hankerchief - Naomi Shelton.

The energy and force of these amazing voices was just metres away from us as they sang about love, loss and a whole lot of Jesus. We're not religious, but Naomi Shelton could convert anyone. They have a Friday night residency at the 'Fat Cat' and we think it is a must see. All present enjoyed the show from the velveteen couches as they sipped beer and bad wine from glass tumblers. We ended Christmas night like all other nights, back on the R Train to Brooklyn.