www.dcolejewelers.com 92 p o r t l a n d monthly magazine T he weather in New York City on a bright Tuesday morning on Sep- tember 11th, 2001, was magnifi- cent, with just a hint of crispness to let you know fall was approaching. The night before at Le Cirque 2000 had been the usual “who’s who” of society. Bon Appetit magazine held a special event in one of the private dining rooms, attended by Bob Weir of the Grateful Dead and his publicist/biographer Dennis McNally. I was at the bar decant- ing (and occasionally sipping) an array of fine wines until well after one a.m. The selection amounted to around $21,000, including a bottle of 1961 Cha- teau Haut-Brion ($3,000). I can still recall that particular vin- tage–pure perfection. When I finally reached my apart- ment on the Upper West Side, it was after 2 a.m. I awoke the next morn- ing just before 9 a.m. to discover my life, like so many others, changed beyond repair. Watch- ing the TV images of the planes crashing into the North Tower of the World Trade Center, where I’d once worked as cel- larmaster at Windows on the World on the 107th floor, had me in a state of utter shock. Cell phones weren’t working, and I was scheduled to work the lunch service at Le Cirque 2000, so I went about my day as usual. I hailed a taxi. I remember crossing 50th Street from Rockefeller Center, look- ing down Madison Avenue at the wave of people walking up the middle of the road and the plumes of smoke towering be- hind them. I arrived at the restaurant like everyone else, the shock and disbelief on our faces as we attempted to get ready for service. I vividly remember regular VIP Dr. Lucio Caputo, President of the International Trade Center, coming for lunch with his suit covered in dust. He somehow managed to get out of his office on the 89th floor. The weeks that followed the attack were a com- plete blur to me. I had worked with over half the people who died that day at Windows on the World. Each year, when they replay the news clips, I find myself back to that aw- ful day, reliving those horrible events. greatest rock ‘n’ roll bands of all time. Wood even invited me to an intimate show at the Roseland Ballroom the following night. Hollywood heavyweight Robert De Niro was another regular visitor at Le Cirque. He always dined early and sat at table 39 in the corner and out of the public eye. I took care of him frequently over the course of seven years, and we chatted often about winemak- ing and grape-growing. He favored a French white made from the Viognier grape called Condrieu by Yves Cuilleron ($150), which paired perfectly with many of the fish and lobster dishes on the menu. He also enjoyed The Day The World Stood Still Robert De Niro always sat at table 39 in the corner and out of the public eye. He favored Condrieu by Yves Cuilleron ($150), which paired perfectly with many of the fish and lobster dishes.