Sunday, February 9, 2025
My five-day term as a flu-bearing threat ends today. I can re-emerge into the real world of truth, beauty and justice, rested and alert. One destination that I will avoid, however, is New Orleans and attendance at the Super Bowl even though ticket prices declined to a minimum of $2,425 on StubHub this morning, probably half of what they were a day or two ago.
I like visiting NOLA in spite of the gaudiness. My father’s family has very strong roots there and it is certainly a town for eating. The Super Bowl, though, is a vapid event, akin to one of those festivals held on some expanse of arid desert. I like watching football, but without the alcoholic frenzy and reminders that you are supposed to be having a good time for all the money that you are spending.
. . .
Recently, I told you about the blue pants that magically appeared hanging on our front doorknob a year after being sent to the dry cleaners. Now, I have a companion tale. Our friend Shep S. called me this morning to tell me that he dropped a letter with our doorman. In fact, it was a bill from our insurance company, addressed accurately to my wife and me, yet delivered to Shep at his lovely brownstone on West 104th Street. Regard that Palazzo di Gotthelf does not sit on a numbered street and is, in fact, 35 blocks from Shep’s home, in a different Zip code. While, off hand, I don’t know anyone else living on West 104th Street, I am amazed that this piece of mail wound up in the hands of someone who actually knew us.
Monday, February 10, 2025
I am less aghast than others at the suggestion that the United States take over Gaza, viewed as “a big real estate site” by our visionary president. I am less aghast, because my aghast tank is running low. “Trump says Palestinians would not have a right to return to Gaza under his redevelopment plan.”
The likely sticking point of where to put the displaced Gazans is easily resolved. A natural destination in a warm climate with a long seacoast is Palm Beach, Florida. Headquarters for this new administrative entity would be Mar-a-Lago, of course.
One person who should be aghast at this proposal, but isn’t, is Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, again raising the question of whose side is he on. Return of the hostages is a near unanimous theme of Jews everywhere. Introducing this bizarre proposal while the delicate hostage negotiations continue and the lives of the remaining hostages are at risk approaches cruelty.
. . .
Phoshime, 165 East 33rd Street, is kind of ugly. It’s shaped like a dumbbell, two spaces at the ends joined by a narrow corridor, all done in a random variety of colors and textures. The menu marries Vietnamese and Japanese food, not really married, but living side by side companionably.
I started with an excellent scallion pancake, flaky, not brittle ($7). Then, I had a sliced beef bánh mi, the classic Vietnamese hero sandwich with cucumber, pickled shredded carrots, cilantro, pickled jalapeño on a crispy 8” baguette ($13). The menu also claims that it contains spicy chili mayo, but it could not compete with the overpowering vinegary taste of the carrots. Since I was in the neighborhood for a medical appointment, I’m sure to return.
Tuesday, February 11, 2025
Dig, 100 West 67th Street, operates about 15 restaurants in the metropolitan area. This is the first that I tried, at lunch with Jeffrey Heller, human rights advocate. He has recently added a one-day-a-week gig as a guide on Ellis Island to his busy life. He is proud of his immigrant ancestry and labors in various ways to open and preserve the opportunity for others.
It is a plain space, about one-third devoted to ordering and food preparation. Beside a ledge against the front window with four stools, we sat at one of the four two-tops for eating in. Much of the traffic was takeout for people at Lincoln Center, Juilliard, ABC Television and other enterprises immediately adjacent.
Cooking is not done to order, but rather assembled to order from serving pieces being frequently replenished by the kitchen. I had an excellent marinara pesto chicken sandwich, “crispy baked chicken thigh, farm greens, pesto, garlic aioli, and tomato ragu, served on a soft potato bun” ($14). It was accompanied by a very generous portion of macaroni and cheese that was totally tasteless. I couldn’t go past two bites.
Wednesday, February 12, 2025
Congratulations to Donald Trump for being named chairman of the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts and center fielder for the Washington Nationals.
A drop of integrity in a sea of cowardice.
“Acting US attorney in New York quits after being told to drop Eric Adams case”
Friday, February 14, 2025
How fortunate I was to awaken next to America’s Favorite Epidemiologist this Valentine’s Day. As I turned to her, her tender arms extended to me with an offering of cough medicine to deal with the tail end of last week’s flu. Additionally, she had a plump dark chocolate confection to keep me focused later in the day.
My celebration of this Day of Love continued at lunch at Dumpling Story, 250 Grand Street, with five other underutilized gentlemen. It's very conveniently located, sitting right above a subway station. For some reason, a large faux tree dominates the front of the restaurant. The remainder of the premises is neatly fitted with blonde and wicker furniture.
Computer tablets on each table are the ordering medium and they worked very logically and efficiently. We had scallion pancakes ($8.95), chicken soup dumplings ($11.95, 6 pieces), lychee shrimp balls ($9.95, 6 pieces, outstanding), Shanghai style scallion noodles ($8.95, the only disappointment), "Shredded Beef With How [Hot?] Peppers Fired Udon" ($14.95), mushroom & seafood dumplings ($10.95, 4 pieces), salted crispy chicken ($8.95, popcorn chicken) and scallion pancake with beef ($12.95, two orders). That was a lunch.
I beg to differ about your comment on S.S. while we do not live on 104th st we are one half block from Shep who i run into from time to time. Just for accuracy.
ReplyDeleteand what about me? I am only a block and a half from Shep. It's a very small world.
ReplyDelete