I've loved language all my life, the etymology and euphony of words, the puzzle of translation, the feats of poetry, the thrill of finding a mot juste. Since moving to New York in 2004, I've been lucky enough to weave a varied writerly story, from play editor and theatre journalist to beauty copywriter, the latter an accidental twelve-year stint that taught me much about the ways of the world. During those beauty years I welcomed two children and lost two grandparents. I never stopped covering theatre and, most unexpectedly, I began learning to sing, a redemptive journey for this once-aspiring actress who keenly felt her lack of song and dance! I owe this life-changing study to our family friend, the pianist and vocal coach David Leighton, as well as to my father who supported my baby steps all over again when he let me share the stage with his band.

All the while my informal education continued as, thanks to Dr. Philip Mitsis, I was invited to guest lecture in the Classics Department at NYU. I was also able to keep studying poetry thanks to Rachel Hadas, who began opening her home for casual workshops following our coursework together at the 92nd Street Y. These consummate teachers have kept my Great Books flame alive and are proof that a life of learning need never end. As I reflect on over two decades in NYC, I share these reminiscences to provide one example of how a self might “be true” while trying to make it in one of the most costly—in every sense of the word—cities in the world.

Another turning point came when, in the summer of 2018, Bret and I took the children to Greece to celebrate 20 years* since our meeting there. At the same time I published my grandpa’s book, Alcoholite at the Altar: The Writer and Addiction. I began this website to document both experiences and to exercise my maturing voice. It felt like a milestone indeed.

The years since have told a drama of a different kind. In 2021, following its initial pandemic-related closure, Bret reopened Gotham Restaurant. With something of a family business suddenly on our hands, I was able to bring Bret’s and my love of art into the Gotham space through many book events, theatre partnerships, musical presentations, and more—our own little Parnassus on 12th Street.

Sadly, after fighting hard for three years, Gotham closed for good in the fall of 2024. It is obvious that after four decades, however, the Gotham community is more than a place. I’m therefore continuing our story virtually with the Gotham Journal, a newsletter dedicated to promoting efforts we are personally connected to or particularly excited about on our city’s culinary and cultural scene. I hope you will sign up here for special notices and exclusives offers as we continue to offer New Yorkers a taste of our city’s best.

—Cassandra Csencsitz, 7/21/25

*We again returned with the children to Greece for our 25th “meetingversary” years in 2023!