Carolina and I have known each other since I got to the States and I established my life in New York. We have seen each other almost every day at the restaurant where we used to work together. It was nice to have found someone who knew the city and the people here so well. Carolina is an interesting mix of cultures, born in Switzerland, from Italian parents (one from the north and one from the south, which is always a great mix!), lived in Geneva and then moved to New York about 15 years ago. Hard to say which is her first language as she speaks French, Italian and English all at the same level.
We are very different, Carolina and I, but our relationship soon became a successful one, especially at work. Same neatness, same anal way of doing certain things, same “obsession” for organized things and well written papers 
To make a long story short, we ended up being each other right hand at work for almost two years. That is when Carolina also became a great friend, one of the very few real ones I made in New York, a bit social-dry city that it is.
I was amazed by how we have always managed to work together every day without arguing on anything. I am sure the reason why is because we were constantly ready to understand each other need and way of thinking, and we were always willing to listen to what the other had to say. She is just the perfect partner!
The reason for all these words I am writing today is because in the past year I experienced something unique, I saw my friend getting up with pride and strength after someone tried to push her down. I saw her determination and passion gathered together into one single project: having her own business!
And today, after some many questions, doubts, uncertainties and why not, fear of of making the wrong choices, Carolina realized her dream of opening her own place, a gorgeous mix between a cafe and a wine bar. And I feel special when I think I was one of those people who spent hours on the phone with her deciding how to call the place. And NeroDoro won, not exactly sure why, but I love it and it fits her very well. For those who don’t speak Italian, Nero means Black and D’oro means Golden. Much has definitely to to do with her love for clean, straight environments, and the choice of two strong colors very well identifies her mind set.
All I want to say today is how proud I am of her, as she literally created the place from scratch, it went from her mind to real walls, floors and all the rest.
When I saw it finished for the first time it was a gigantic emotion and I literally thought: “Damn, she made it!!!”
NeroDoro still smells like fresh paint and it will slowly finding its own personality. I am sure the people who will go there to eat, drink or just read and relax, will soon set the perfect mood and coziness for such a cute little spot. The website will be ready soon, and then it will be it. Done deal! Time to grow and become successful!
And I bet it’s hard to find a place where the owner is behind the bar, in front on it, she makes the pies she sells and she hand made the menu covers. If you don’t believe me you just have to go check it out at 395 Classon Avenue Brooklyn, NY, 11238; Also find NeroDoro’s page on Facebook.. and see the link below. It seems like someone already put an eye on NeroDoro!!
<a href=" http://theunemploymentcafe.blogspot.com/2010/01/clintonhillalert-nero-doro-coffee-shop.html“>
http://theunemploymentcafe.blogspot.com/2010/01/clintonhillalert-nero-doro-coffee-shop.html
