Liege

This is for my friends at the South Philadelphia Tap Room.  It was so nice to meet you all this evening, and if you need any help perfecting your Belgian Waffles I am here to help! 

4th on 4th event artwork

Marie Antoinette 4th on 4th Event

Behind Closed Doors

Presents

Let Them Eat Cake

A 4^th on 4^th event

October 23^rd 6-8:30 p.m.

Featuring

Elisa Cecola

and her

Petite Marie Cupcakes

&

Handmade Marie Antoinette Paper Cards

Join us S'il vous plait

for a little bite of Paris

752 S. 4^th Street

Philadelphia, Pa 1947

For More Info Call 215-258-9055

light bites & spirits will be served

Behind Closed Doors

Catherine Cifonelli
752 South 4th Street
Philadelphia, Pa 19147-3121
215.238.9055
www.behindcloseddoorsinteriors.com

Some of my best memories while running my own cafe in New York were all the interesting people I met. Catherine Cifonelli was most definitely one of them. She walked into my cafe with a childhood friend of mine and I felt like I knew her forever.

Full of creative energy and ideas, she rarely takes a breath, endlessly inspired by her surroundings. Her store "Behind Closed Doors" an interior decorating company, mirrors who she is... a throw back of old Hollywood, when Hollywood was glamorous, and women were exquisite creatures of feminity, who indulged themselves with luxurious fabrics, artwork, flowers & chocolates...French, of course. And it does not stop there.
Catherine hosts events showcasing vintage & custom lingerie, photo shoots, Italian lessons, chocoate & champagne parties, just to name a few, expanding on that old Hollywood glamour and evolving into an interior design company not just for your home but for your soul.

Thank You

Its taken me more than a few weeks to sit down and write a proper thank you since closing Petalbelle. Its not easy to close a business, which was really just a baby. I opened and closed on my one year anniversary. I had always wanted a cafe for as long back as I can remember. I hand picked every detail of my store, wanting to create a cozy, warm environment. I opened my dream in New York and brought alot of my Philly with me... Gildas Biscotti, La Colombe Coffee, House of Tea Imported Loose Teas and Capo Giro Gelato..having what I loved around me from my hometown made being in New York feel more like home to me. One thing I could not have counted on was all the friends I made during running Petalbelle. I spent most of my day just greeting my customers, stopping for a quick chat and another espresso, playing with their kids and having them bake cupcakes with me, and that is what I really miss. To all my customers who quickly became friends, thank you being part of the PetalBelle experience. I enjoyed your company more than I can say and knowing that I created an environment that made you want to bring your friends and family into...well... thats just the way I wanted it to be..

The Aliens Have Landed

One of my favorite guys, Emilio Enriquez, put me up to a challenge for his birthday. He wanted me to make him Alien Cupcakes. Anything for Emilio...




The chocolate batter & buttercream... Buttercream gets a tint of Alien Green

In the pan they go... and Viola!!!

The Amaretto was chilling in the freezer for later!!!

Next month, brother Matias, will have another cupcake challenge for me for his birthday/

Cupcake Fun

Deborah Lauren

from City Sweets instucted a cafe full on students on cupcake making Friday evening. The class covered a basic receipe with a few tips and tricks that even impressed

cupcake diva Nichelle Stephens from Cupcake Takes The Cake. The basic receipe was demonstrated and baked off into mini cupcakes. Also demonstrated an easy buttercream/meringue, tinting buttercream, using a pastry bag and tips, and decoration. Each student enjoyed cupcakes during class and left with materials and all the cupcakes they could carry home.

The beginners class will be held again, as well as additional classes on Fondant, Sugar Paste and Flower Making.

Please call Petalbelle for further information. Please ask to be put on our e-mail list for class updates and events. If you are on the e-mail listing you will be the first contacted.

KID APPROVED!

My two favorite boys, Emilio and Matias got a private lesson in the kitchen at Petalbelle from me on Thursday. They made cupcakes, tinted buttercream and designed their cupcakes. They came in Saturday to enjoy the cupcakes from class and thought they were a hit.

Midnight Eggs:

Midnight Eggs: Caterer Kimberly Belle, don't you just love the name... popped in for a cappuccino and biscotti and named Petalbelle best in Soho... quite an honor. Kimberly Belle has impeccable taste. Please check out her website. Loads of information and reviews, her website is better than Time Out NY. She will not steer you wrong.

Kimberlybelle's review: Best in Soho: Petal Belle Cofferie In actuality, this spot is only about six months old, but it’s designed to make you feel like you’re taking your coffee in a place that’s been around for a century. The feeling inside is decidedly “old world.” I love the black and cream striped wallpaper, the titled floor, the pressed tin ceiling, the retro signage, the old-fashioned bell that tinkles when someone walks in, and the marble-topped parlor tables. A sign on the wall says the music is streamed from Europe. There are a few café munchies on offer, but I prefer a double cappuccino and a lovely biscotti (those table tops are tiny, after all). Sit and sip or takeaway.

SNACKS

SNACKS Melody and Curtis' blog about the good things in Life... and their review of Petalbelle

The Two Cutest Boys in all of NYC

Matias & Emilio

As promised, these are Andrea's older brothers, Emilio and Matias. Enrique has been warned that he is not allowed to enter into the cafe without one of his adorable children on hand for me to play with.

I had an architectural stamp set that belong to my son Josh

Josh is 23 now

when he was little. I now keep it at the cafe for Emilio and Matias to play with when they come in. And then I wait for the magical story that will unfold as they stamp and color and then explain to me what they have created.

Petal Belle in SoHo on Flickr - Photo Sharing!

I really love my customers, and I am so touched when they take the time to sit at their computers and write about how much they enjoyed their stay at Petalbelle.
Petal Belle in SoHo on Flickr - Photo Sharing!

Biscotti Face

Is this the most adorable face?

Andrea is the beautiful creation of Enrique and Vanessa Enriquez, and she is the littlest work of art... I will get pictures of her two older brothers, Emilio and Matias over the weekend. What a lovely way to start the morning. Enrique and I shared breakfast while Andrea played on my lap with a very large biscotti. Everything was put on hold and my tension just fell away. Lara and I fight over all three children when they come in....

Notes on the Optical Language of Tarot

Enrique was back in the cafe Wednesday evening for Tarot readings and while we waited for his clients we sat down and chatted about the Tarot. I am so intrigued by the Marseilles Tarot deck that he uses, the oldest and most original of drawings and wanted to learn more about it, but as Enrique pointed out, there is nothing to learn... just see.

That is what makes his readings so fascinating. The cards are layed out and instead of him telling you this card means this or that, a story unfolds. To Enrique the cards are an Optical Language. He presented me with a beautiful book on his notes so I can understand this language. I read it before going to bed and when I got up at 3 am, sleepless, I was drawn right back inside its pages.

I was not going to have my second reading so soon but I had a particular question in my head and needed some guidance. The cards are pulled, the magic of the story unfolds, but ultimately it is your interpretation of how the cards make you feel, and that is where you find your answers.

Enrique will be in the cafe every Wednesday. Please call us at the cafe to find out what times he will be available.

Cutting Edge

A girls best friend is her hairdresser and I lucked out finding Carlo at SoHo Hair. In all honesty, it was first just a convenience element, a new salon opening on block fit right into my busy schedule, I could run in and out in a hurry without having to go far.

So today, after bringing Carlo one of my steamy, hot, frothy cappuccinos, we got down to business. He talks me out of going blonde.... and...
After multiple attempts of Linda trying to take "after" pictures we decided to just take it ourselves. Not the best shot, because you can't see the subtle highlights, and the amazing layers he cuts into the hair.

Check Carlo out at Soho Salon on the corner or W. Houston and Sullivan St. Tell him you read it here, and get 20% off.
SoHo Salon
130 West Houston Street
New York, NY 10012
212-941-7166

Enrique's Tarot Readings

If you missed Enrique this past Wednesday, he will be at the Cafe again this Wednesday, March 25th, from 4:30 pm to close. Enrique will be holding readings with Tarot for those interested in what the future holds. Come prepared with a precise question or have the Tarot unfold its magic over you.

I did not come with a precise question. I am not the kind of girl that ever has set plans. I'm happier that way and rarely disappointed. I let the universe guide me, it has a bigger plan for me than I can ever dream for myself.

I wanted Enrique to let me get a feel for the cards and pick which ones I felt would give the most insight. Enrique has a very calming quality about him. He breathes his surroundings in and breathes out beauty. At times his energy can be a little overwhelming. You get a sense that he tap into what you are feeling no matter how you try to hide it. I won't give you my full reading, but this is how it started.

Enrique presented me with a card from the deck as a gift. The Tarot Cards he uses are from an antique french deck, brightly colored in red, blue and yellow. The card was the Moon and I immediately felt very emotional about him being so insightful right out of the gate. He felt this card depicted much of my personality, very feminine, full of emotion and creativity. He felt I was most creative at night and full of ideas. I spend most evenings thinking of all kinds of things since I have no desire to sleep, one idea turns into another, or I am writing, or painting or planning a new menu...but I am always behind my desk, staring out the window of my small Manhattan apartment, looking at the moon...