Suddenly, I noticed German names on shop windows dressed in fir branches and Christmas trees decorated with white wax candles, the kind I grew up with. We had come to Yorkville also known as “Little Germany”. It began to snow and the heavenly smells of goose and pastries tickled my nose. Oh, where to go first, so many choices: bakeries, butchers, cafes and restaurants, just like on Kaiserstrasse in Karlsruhe, Germany; I couldn't decide. Speaking in German to my son and pointing to a shop with a lighted Christmas tree and a Christkindl statue hanging from a branch, I was looking at the "Kleine Konditorei" (small patisserie) bar and restaurant across the street. Unbeknownst to first-time visitors, the intriguingly named place had a little surprise waiting. It was a rather large and elegant restaurant with a lovely atmosphere, delicious full meals and out of this world pastries. We ordered the Wurstplatter and the Schwarzwälder Kirsch Torte for dessert and every bite was a homely delight. I had finally found the cure for my homesickness, less than two hours from New Haven, Connecticut, an oasis called Yorkville in the middle of bustling New York