Far and Near

Saturday, February 4, 2023

David and Cindy did not come to the Holy Land merely to enjoy the pleasure of our company.  Rather, their younger son Toby McMullen was performing this weekend at the Gramercy Theatre with the Are You Garbage comedy group (sometimes with and sometimes without a ? on the end) of Tom Cassidy, Kevin Ryan and H. Foley.  In fact, we attended the 7 PM show with a sold-out audience that was overwhelmingly white, heterosexual and gentile.  Nevertheless, we liked the show.

First, the four grown ups had dinner at Miznon North, 161 West 72nd Street.  We thoroughly enjoyed the Israeli/Arab, overpriced food not likely found in North Carolina.  We shared 2 orders of just-baked focaccia, with crème fraîche ($7 each); masabacha (spicy stew) of red-eyed peas ($13); beetroot carpaccio, a dish we always order ($13); "Broccoli Bonsai," a lot of broccoli ($15); "A beautiful cabbage melting into itself in a veg stock," very good in spite of its pretentious name ($18).  

Alone, I had a main course, "Kebab on a stormy tomato foam[.]  A faint memory from the alleys of Jerusalem” ($27).  It was one long skewer of perfectly-spiced, grilled ground lamb.  I forgave the pretentious name again, not only because the chef is named Victor Gothelf, but because it tasted so good.  

Sunday, February 5, 2023

The normally docile Melanie S. has thrown down the gauntlet, challenging my appraisal of Zucker’s Bagels & Smoked Fish as bagelmeister to the world.  She claims that Pick-a-Bagel, another local chain of half a dozen units, deserves the crown.  My opinion was reinforced today when David I went to Zucker's Bagels & Smoked Fish, 273 Columbus Avenue, to pick up bagels and whitefish salad, followed by Gaspe Nova and scallion cream cheese from Fairway Market, 2131 Broadway, to put together a brunch that would make a Southerner stop whistling "Dixie."  

The ball is in Melanie's court to establish the time, place and manner of a showdown.

. . .

An interesting survey claims that single women are more likely to own a home than single men.  In only two of the 50 states, North Dakota and South Dakota, is the reverse true.   https://www.lendingtree.com/home/mortgage/single-women-own-more-homes-than-single-men-do/

Of all the explanations, the most plausible is wives outlasting us poor husbands in the Game of Life.

Monday, February 6, 2023

I am very proud of my princely brother-in-law Stuart Poloner being named to Yeshiva University's Hall of Fame.  

 

Stu held the school's basketball scoring record for decades, eventually having his three season total only exceeded by a player who played four seasons.  Let's hear it for Stu.  By the way, it's not true that George Santos was his teammate.

Wednesday, February 8, 2023

Jackson Hole is a local, family-run chain, in business for 50 years.  However, when I entered their location at 521 Third Avenue, I realized that I had not patronized them in maybe 20 years.  They commonly affect a diner motif, Formica counter, vinyl-padded chrome stools plus booths and tables, with some cowboy touches along the walls.

I ordered, you’ll pardon the expression, the Texas Breakfast, hamburger, American cheese, fried egg and bacon on an English muffin, a half pound of meat and generously portioned throughout ($19.50).  In case my arteries remained open, I added waffle fries ($5), totally unnecessary, it turned out, to fill my stomach.

Thursday, February 9, 2023

“Missouri votes against banning children from carrying guns in public”

https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2023/feb/09/missouri-rejects-ban-children-carrying-guns-in-public

 

Get your thoughts and prayers ready.

. . .

 

Unarmed, Michael Ratner and I ventured to Taqueria Sinaloense, 113 West 225th Street, in the Marble Hill neighborhood of the Bronx or maybe it's Manhattan.  Once upon a time, the northern boundary of Manhattan Island was defined by Spuyten Duyvil Creek.  Then, in 1895, the Harlem River Ship Canal was dug about one half mile below it, leaving Marble Hill as an island.  In 1914, the Creek was filled in, attaching Marble Hill to the Bronx and mainland United States.  This has produced a hodge podge of geographic identity.  Marble Hill has a Bronx ZIP code, Bronx area codes, and is patrolled by the Bronx's 50th Precinct, yet is part of Manhattan politically.    

In any case, the restaurant is very tiny, two small two-tops and a ledge with four stools, leaving room for only a couple of people barely to stand and order.  Everything is cooked to order by the one lady behind the counter and she does so commendably.  I ordered #2.

 

My gusto was chicken and I got a delicious fat burrito with cheese, lettuce and tomato and a can of soda at a bargain price.  I hesitate to recommend this joint, because a rush of business might immobilize it.  If you go, take only a skinny friend.