The Year in Interviews

This year we interviewed just under 300 people. From die hard New Yorkers to those just passing through our fair city, here are some our faves. And if you really wanna get reflective, here's our best of interview post from 2007.

There were considerable tears (and ink) spilled over the closing of longtime Meatpacking District oasis Florent in June. Owner Florent Morellet spoke with us about saying goodbye.

Why do you think Florent has such a big place in so many people’s hearts? It was a home. The staff and I created more than a place to eat; we were a home, a place with political ideas, cultural ideas, graphic ideas. And it was a place where people felt comfortable – all kinds of people. I’ve received so much mail and the one piece of mail I like the most I’ll read to you: “Dear Mr. Morellet, I am an Upper East Side Republican vegetarian who had no business enjoying Florent. And yet for years it has been my happy place. Your restaurant always felt like home, oddly enough.” She goes on, but the beginning is so beautiful! I was a home for vegetarian Republicans and it’s quite great, what can I say? I think it was the restaurant of its time for the neighborhood and now the time is changing and the neighborhood has changed.

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