Mamas, Let Your Babies Grow Up to Be Corporations

Saturday, April 25, 2026

Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier is investigating whether OpenAI is criminally responsible for the mass shooting at Florida State University last April, he announced Tuesday. “If it was a person on the other end of that screen, we would be charging them with murder,” Uthmeier said during a Tampa press conference.    Uthmeier investigating whether ChatGPT is criminally liable for FSU shooting • Florida Phoenix

However, in Citizens United v. Federal Election Commission, 558 U.S. 310 (2010), by a 5-4 vote, the United States Supreme Court held that a corporation is effectively a person in regard to political campaign contributions and may not be limited under the First Amendment of the Constitution. And, it seems that its criminality must go unpunished. 

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Some of you were unable to get to shul this morning and could not attend our granddaughter's Bat Mitzvah. Let me assure you that she did a superb job chanting the Hebrew prayers and Bible portions. In fact, the extended family took a major role in the services; 15 relatives participated in one way or another. The total audience of over 200 people stayed for lunch with bagels and lox as the centerpiece.

In the evening, there was a party with DJ and earplugs (thank goodness).

Sunday, April 26, 2026

This license plate should be very valuable. 

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The shooting at the White House press corps dinner last night dominated the news this morning. Not all the attendees were shocked or frightened. Lloyd Blankfein, the former chief executive of Goldman Sachs, was sitting with CBS News journalists toward the front of the room when the emergency occurred. As the confusion unfolded, Mr. Blankfein turned to his seatmate and asked, "Are you going to finish that salad?" Lloyd Blankfein on WHCD Shooting: 'No One Was Killed, and Ended Early' - Business Insider

He wasn't the only one who was undistracted. Michael Glantz, a talent agent, continued eating. He later explained: “First of all, I have a bad back. I couldn’t get on the floor, and if I did get on the floor, they’d have to bring in people to get me off the floor. And No. 2, I’m a hygiene freak. There was no freaking way I was getting in my new tux on the dirty Hilton floor. It was not happening.”

Most Guests Ducked for Cover. This Man Munched on His Burrata Salad. - The New York Times

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While there were no intruders and no gun shots, madam and I had a memorable dinner at Juniper, 13 Central Street, Wellesley, Massachusetts, a very unremarkable place from the outside. A long bar and a few tables occupy the front room, with a large space at the rear. The cuisine is Mediterranean and imaginative. 

We started with three dips, chosen from four alternatives, muhummara, red peppers, walnuts and pecans; baba ghanouj, smoked eggplant and rosemary; tzatziki, garlic, cucumber and Greek yogurt ($30). This was accompanied by freshly baked pita, hot and puffy. It was so generously sized that a full entree was unnecessary. I had what was considered an appetizer, lamb  beyti kebab (named for Istanbul restaurateur Beyti Güler who created the dish in 1961), phyllo wrapped spiced lamb, mint, tomato gravy and garlicky yogurt, simply delicious ($18). Juniper is a hidden gem.

Monday, April 27, 2026

Rudi Gurvich died this morning, a gentle and kind soul.

Tuesday, April 28, 2026

Unpopular opinion.

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In case you didn’t make the White House dinner for King Charles, here is what you missed:

First Course
Garden Vegetable Velouté
Hearts of Palm
Toasted Shallots
Micro Mint

Second Course
Spring Herbed Ravioli
Ricotta Cheese
Morels
Parmesan Emulsion

Third Course
Dover Sole Meunière
Potato Pavé
Spring Ramps
Snow Peas
Parsley Oil

Dessert
White House Honey & Vanilla Bean Cremieux
Flourless Chocolate Gâteau
Almond Joconde
Crème Fraîche Ice Cream

Looking closely, this seems to be a milchigs menu, no fleischigs, even though no rabbis were identified on the guest list. https://www.nytimes.com/2026/04/28/us/politics/state-dinner-guest-list.html?smid=nytcore-ios-share

Wednesday, April 29, 2026

Dr. Andrea Yoo is an excellent neurologist at Weill Cornell Medical Center. She has diagnosed and treated me with great competence.  Additionally, she provides the opportunity for some verbal play.

Husband: "Yoo said."

Wife: "I did not." 

Husband: "Yes, Yoo did."

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I had lunch at the newly opened Pho Broadway, 2058 Broadway. It’s a small space, efficiently arranged with eight two-tops and two four-tops, about half-occupied while I was there. The menu is similarly compact with familiar items, Vietnamese appetizers, noodles, soups and sandwiches with the unusual addition of tacos. I had a beef banh mi on a toasty 7” baguette with pickled carrots, daikon, fresh cilantro and cucumber ($10).

Thursday, April 30, 2026

The closing of Pastrami Queen on West 72nd Street is annoying. I ate there every so often. Now, our neighborhood has been hit with a bigger bombshell.

Trader Joe's, 2073 Broadway, promises that this will be only temporary, but it evokes a crisis. The prices on some items and the uniqueness of others makes me a loyal customer and I shop there almost daily. 

Friday, May 1, 2026

I had lunch with my stockbroker today. Yes, I am a capitalist. We met at his office and ate in a conference room. Food was delivered from Blake & Todd, 52 East 53rd Street, a slightly upscale sandwich shop. I ate a good Grilled Filet Mignon Specialty Sandwich, grilled filet mignon with roasted peppers, arugula and horseradish dressing on a French baguette ($19.50) and drank diet soda from the cellars of Morgan Stanley.

Educated Guess

Saturday, April 18, 2026

Up until recently, it was conventional wisdom to promote college attendance. Health, wealth and happiness seemed to be linked to higher education. Now, at least in the United States, the value of college is being questioned especially as the job market twists and turns in response to technology and geopolitics. https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/politics-news/poll-dramatic-shift-americans-no-longer-see-four-year-college-degrees-rcna243672

Here is where the college graduates are worldwide.

 

U.S.A. is only tenth, a bit of a surprise. We do a little better when looking at the overall level of education in the population.

Of course, not every successful venture requires a college degree. For instance, there’s the guy who figured out that a package of dry macaroni sounds like a box of Legos.

https://finance.yahoo.com/markets/stocks/articles/california-man-allegedly-swapped-lego-203000314.html

Sunday, April 19, 2026

President Trump claims that the word affordability has just been made up by the Democrats. 

Trump calls affordability crisis a 'hoax.' The data tells a different story : NPR

Fortunately, he is not replacing Noah Webster as Lexicographer-in-Chief. Few of us have failed to notice price rises almost everywhere we turn and politicians are wielding the term effectively. "From a democratic socialist in New York to moderates in Virginia and New Jersey, Democrats found success by focusing on the cost of living — not culture wars." Affordability, affordability, affordability: Democrats’ new winning formula - POLITICO

Monday, April 20, 2026

While not quite the disruptive effect of the Iran War, we have news that could seriously disorient our local population. Pastrami Queen, 138 West 72nd Street, the only Kosher delicatessen on the West Side of Manhattan above 38th Street, and one of the scant handful on the entire island, appears to have closed, Steve Goldfarb informs us. A sign in the window says "Deli Chin - Home of the Pastrami Egg Roll." Mind you, I have nothing against a good pastrami egg roll, it's the rest of the cuisine that concerns me -- corned beef, tongue, kasha knish, kishke and, of course, Dr. Brown's. The exact direction of Deli Chin is unknown at this point.  

  

Tuesday, April 21, 2026

Besides Deli Chin, I am worried about The Corner, 698 Ninth Avenue, a restaurant that I have enjoyed several times in the past. While Michael Ratner, Terrific Tom and I had a good lunch today, there were some notable gaps. No ribs, no spare ribs, bones or boneless. Even a bigger existential crisis was the absence of tea! No tea in a Chinese restaurant? How can that be? Yet, it was. Remember when “All the tea in China” was a unit of measure?

There was still plenty of food for us. We shared a scallion pancake ($8.24), 2 filet mignon egg rolls ($6.16 each), crispy shredded beef ($18.54), orange peel chicken with brown rice ($19.57) and beef chow fun ($16.48). Prices are for credit card purchases. Note that a Groupon coupon will round the prices down considerably.

Wednesday, April 22, 2026

British politicians are taking a considerable risk. A law pending would ban cigarette smoking for people born after 2008, those under 18 today. 

https://www.nytimes.com/2026/04/21/world/europe/uk-smoking-ban-2009.html?smid=nytcore-ios-share

"An estimated 28.6 billion cigarettes are smoked in Britain each year, equating to 78 million every day." Britons still smoke an astonishing number of cigarettes every year | The Independent

While adults smoke most of these cigarettes, the tobacco industry must fear that any change to consumer habits might snowball with significant economic consequences. Let the lobbying begin.

Thursday, April 23, 2026

The Upper West Side's Power Couple took to the highway heading East to a weekend of celebration of our granddaughter's Bat Mitzvah. Highlights to follow.

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Above, I mentioned a couple of worrisome items for the local dining scene. Now, a positive just popped up. A sign has appeared on empty space at 208 West 70th Street (between Amsterdam and West End Avenues) announcing a "Cantonese Dim Sum Restaurant." I am only partially enthused by this news. This location, right next door to the very successful Cafe Luxembourg, 200 West 70th Street, has been ill-fated. While Luxembourg has thrived since 1983, its neighbor has turned over 5, 6, 7? times. In recent years, there was Compass, then a steakhouse, then an Italian restaurant that opened weeks before Covid hit the Holy Land. I hope the spell is broken, but I'll keep my chopsticks crossed.   

Friday, April 24, 2026

Tonight, family members from near and far went to synagogue services and then dined together. We heard about recent adventures and repeated old favorite stories. It was a great start to the weekend.

Ladies Last

Saturday, April 11, 2026

Now that we are back to our full range of cuisines, ingredients and preparations, I can better plan our dining options. As can be expected, Madam and I are not of one mind when it comes to restaurants, although we are on the same continent. She prefers Indian and I prefer Chinese. Neither eschews the other. Here is an interesting comparison of these two enormous countries. ​

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I think that it is instinctive to throw yourself into the middle of this and imagine how you would fare under these living conditions. The critical factor is Average Monthly Salary where, if employed, the average American earns $5,220 monthly.  https://www.consumershield.com/articles/average-salary-per-month

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According to Emma Allen, The New Yorker’s cartoon editor, of the roughly 1,000 cartoons she receives weekly, about 15 get into the magazine. It’s easier to get into Yale.

Sunday, April 12, 2026

Caring Ken Klein and I celebrated Stony Brook Steve's birthday today by having lunch at the Fairway Cafe, 2131 Broadway, on the second floor of the famous market.  I'm not sure that we told Steve what we were doing, but he certainly would have been pleased that the two of us had a good time. I had their bacon-egg-cheese sandwich on a hard roll, a very generously stuffed sandwich ($10). I kept squeezing the complimentary lemons into the glass of refreshing cold water frequently being refilled.

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Marie-Louise Eta has made history being appointed head coach of Union Berlin, one of the teams in the Bundesliga, Germany's major professional soccer league. Union Berlin make history by appointing Marie-Louise Eta as Bundesliga’s first female head coach - Yahoo Sports

She becomes the first full-time female head coach of a top tier professional male sports team anywhere. Becky Hammon was head coach of the San Antonio Spurs in the National Basketball Association for one day in 2020, when the head coach was ejected from a game with the Los Angeles Lakers. It took six years for the next step. 

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Another ray of sunshine: Hungarian voters rejected the government of Prime Minister Viktor Orban who had become increasingly authoritarian over the last decade. His success, with Trump’s, was viewed as part of a worldwide political shift to the right. Anticipating our midterm elections, we hope that 2026 will see a major course correction.

Monday, April 13, 2026

Does this map showing the percentage of Americans working after the age of 65 contain good news or bad news? 

As an unappointed representative of the lame and the halt, I am pleased that so many of us have not retired to the sidelines. However, West Virginia with the lowest rate of senior employment lost more jobs between May 2024 and May 2025, than any other state. West Virginia lost more jobs than any other state last year, labor bureau says | WV News | wvnews.com

It's likely that many of those folks of any age sought work unsuccessfully and it's no surprise that West Virginia trailed only Hawaii in losing population in 2025. https://flowingdata.com/2026/01/29/population-drops-and-gains/    

Tuesday, April 14, 2026

Armed with my new New York City Special Parking Identification Permit, attesting to my infirmities, I drove to Chinatown with three passengers to join two other compañeros at Wu’s Wonton King, 165 East Broadway, once the site of the legendary Garden Cafeteria. I found parking right alongside the restaurant. 

We ate well, sharing shumai ($4.79 for 4 pieces but two guys came late), spare ribs ($19.99), two orders of scallion pancakes ($6.49), Singapore rice noodles ($18.99), Famous Garlic Aromatic Crispy Chicken ($22.99). Our only disappointment came after lunch when the Naz directed us to a new ice cream parlor, Julia Jean's, 202 Clinton Street, which promised  Apple Cider Caramel ice cream and blackberry and nectarine sorbet among other flavors. It was closed on Tuesday.

Wednesday, April 15, 2026

File for an extension.

Thursday, April 16, 2026

The temperature was 88° when I went out for a late lunch at Choice Brooklyn, 2040 Broadway. In fact, I was not headed for Choice Brooklyn, which I had never heard of. It occupied the space of a failed patisserie that had just closed. I passed it on the way to a new Vietnamese joint up the block and I decided to stop in especially when I saw that it made sandwiches to order. I chose roast beef with horseradish aioli, roasted baby beets, provolone and baby arugula on a ciabatta roll, a tasty concoction ($15.95). 

Friday, April 17, 2026

I had an appointment with Dr. Brucker today for an unspeakable procedure.

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By contrast, dinner tonight was quite speakable, the Supper Club gathering at the Schneiders. The discussion was the movie Denial, an account of the trial of Deborah Hofstadter for allegedly libeling a Holocaust denier. It wasn't quite the slam dunk you might imagine. In Britain, the burden is on the defendant to prove the truth of the statement rather than the plaintiff to prove the falsity. 

Dinner was excellent, salmon roasted in citrus fruits, oranges, blood oranges, lemons. Our team (you know who really) supplied the lemon squares and the chocolate chip mandelbrot for dessert. 

 

Passing Over

Saturday, April 4, 2026

For many Jews and Christians this is a time of refreshing and renewal, comporting with the change of seasons. Unfortunately, I failed to get the message and am still displaying bad conduct. It would seem at my age that I would know better.

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I find it interesting to put these two maps together. The first shows obesity by state and the second shows relative prosperity, the percentage of households earning over $200,000 annually. 

There appears to be a correlation, although not a perfect one. Living high on the hog does not seem to lead to eating like one. 

Monday, April 7, 2026

For better or worse, I am willing to court controversy. The supposed newspaper of record has updated its list of New York City's best bagels.  https://www.nytimes.com/article/best-bagels-nyc.html?smid=nytcore-ios-share

While I have enjoyed some of their choices, omitting Zucker's Bagels & Smoked Fish, multiple locations, is unforgivable. Not only does Zucker's bake excellent bagels all day long, its whitefish salad is unchallenged. Check it out for yourself.

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It is far too early to be worried about Hanukkah gifts. Certainly, getting bagels now would be a bad idea unless you are building up an inventory of hockey pucks. However, I did come across an item that might fill many of your gift giving needs.

This would demonstrate adherence to the Second Amendment discreetly.

Tuesday, April 8, 2026

We have one high school senior in the family who has chosen another path rather than the Ivy League. While I have complete confidence that he would have been welcomed at any one of those venerable institutions, he avoided the angst associated with their admissions process. "Yale admitted a record-low 2.9% of regular decision applicants from a pool of nearly 55,000 students, the second-largest in the school's history. Columbia  received 61,031 applications — the largest pool in its history — and admitted just 4.23%. Brown admitted 5.35% from a record pool of nearly 48,000 applicants. Harvard and Princeton withheld their official data, but estimates place their acceptance rates at approximately 3.7% and 3.9%, respectively." 

https://share.google/a1WeeA0CHSYoLS2LH

Wednesday, April 9, 2026

I spend a lot of time on the Internet, as you can probably tell. Lately, two hustles have been taking up a lot of space — lose 20 pounds in two weeks with a diet based on Jello or ward off dementia by drinking honey daily. You will just need one little ingredient sold by our on-line advertiser. In each case, Big Pharma is allegedly trying to squelch the news which threatens its profits. Hurry up and get skinny and stay sharp.

Thursday, April 9, 2026

Phil Ochs committed suicide 50 years ago today.

Cut and paste this into your browser and play the whole album.  https://youtube.com/playlist?list=OLAK5uy_k7zIecZopiQMeHuuXLgCzAg4Ot7v6FVJ4&si=e4zAeSnM0irY8Rlz

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Herring in wine sauce, gefilte fish from a jar; not even a piece of matzoh. That lunch was my last Passover meal this year. I’ll wait until sundown approaches to resume my heathen ways. Since my return from physical therapy sessions takes me within one block of Zabar’s, 2245 Broadway, the transition will be easy.

I’m sure there a few of you who have never set foot on Manhattan Island and know not from Zabar’s. This 92-year old food store excels in cheese, coffee, smoked fish, knishes, crumb cake, egg salad, chocolate bobka and a housewares department on the second floor where senior citizens sometimes get a discount. It's a Jewish oasis. 

Friday, April 10, 2026

Today’s Headline:

Swalwell Faces Sex Assault Accusation as He Runs for California Governor

Tomorrow’s Headline:

Swalwell Becomes Republican, Charges Dropped

No, That Way!

Saturday, March 28, 2026

I confess that I really like the Rocky Horror Picture Show and Little Shop of Horrors and have seen each of them multiple times. That sets the stage, so to speak, for my enjoyment of Bigfoot!, a new musical, much of it the work of comedian Amber Ruffin. If you are pained by reading the front section of the New York Times, go see what it called the “show with ecstatically silly punchlines and physical gags.” 

https://www.nytimes.com/2026/03/02/theater/bigfoot-review-amber-ruffin.html?smid=nytcore-ios-share

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If Muddirt, Bigfoot’s hometown, doesn’t appeal to you, you can choose among America’s healthiest cities and avoid the unhealthiest. That would allegedly be San Francisco, Honolulu and Seattle on one end and Shreveport, Louisiana, Gulfport, Mississippi, and Brownsville, Texas on the other.

https://share.google/Wddnmac5EjkmDI7Hc

Sunday, March 29, 2026

It’s no secret that I go out to eat a lot. It’s not that our larder is bare or that America’s Favorite Epidemiologist is unable to serve a first-class meal. From boyhood, I liked the commotion in a restaurant and the foods that I was unlikely to get in a traditional Jewish household. This survey looks at the cost of dining in the larger American cities.

https://www.foodandwine.com/most-least-expensive-dining-cities-11935521

While not perfectly identical, the expensive cities are often the healthiest, as identified above.

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When I read these two sentences below my jaw dropped. They capture our national character in a brief, brilliant fashion.

America does not know how to exist in a world it does not control. Since its inception, America has assured itself it was simply too big, too far away and too richly endowed to suffer any serious consequences for its actions.

https://www.nytimes.com/2026/03/26/opinion/trump-america-iran-war.html?smid=nytcore-ios-share

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Barbara and Bernie, cousins of cousins, joined us for dinner at Miriam’s, 973 Lexington Avenue, its third site. They had just come in from their home in Palm Desert, California, where it was 102°. We offered a cool alternative.

The restaurant is narrow, just one storefront wide. We sat toward the front, opposite a full bar. The menu is Mediterranean with an Israeli tinge. We shared two appetizers, spanakopita, spinach pie presented in a spiral rather than the traditional wedge or rectangular shape ($17.50); and pistachio-crusted goat cheese crostini with toasted za'atar pita, Fresno chili, fire-roasted peppers, truffle oil, honey vinaigrette, absolutely delicious ($14.50). Bernie had a large piece of chicken schnitzel with mashed potatoes ($27.50) while I had three Middle Eastern pomegranate meatballs with mashed potatoes ($27.50). The women shared pistachio pesto pasta, leaving enough for me too ($23.50).

We also shared two desserts, burnt cheesecake with white wine-braised grapes ($13) and Bambousa, semolina cake with orange syrup, whipped cream and a chocolate disc ($13). It might go without saying, but a good time was had by all.

Monday, March 30, 2026

I had a new doctor today who thought that I was peachy keen.

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Sacre bleu! 

“Air Canada CEO to step down after backlash over his English-only crash message."

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The New York Times reports on a number of instances where senior Democratic elected officials are being challenged by young opponents, claiming a need for fresh blood. However, from my superannuated perch, I cannot help but point to the value of tested experience in these difficult times.

Tuesday, March 31, 2026

The Upper West Side’s Power Couple took to the highway to Eastern Massachusetts having heard that Natick, Massachusetts is a good jumping off point for the Sinai Desert. We arrived in time to enjoy Irit’s fabulous pre-Passover chocolate-peanut butter mousse pie and wish David Happy Birthday.

Wednesday, April 1, 2026

America’s Loveliest Nephrologist arrived in the early morning hours and rested enough to join us for a late breakfast at J&M Diner, 50 Worcester Road, Framingham, an institution that really gets breakfast right. I had the best waffle that I ever had, with soft scrambled eggs, crisp bacon and Vermont maple syrup ($15). I drank a tall glass of cold brew iced coffee ($5.25). The young doctor had an egg, cheese and tomato sandwich on a toasted English muffin with a side salad in a lemon white balsamic vinaigrette dressing ($12) while Big Mama had a vegetable Benedict, two poached eggs over spinach on an English muffin with a side fruit cup ($15.50). 

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Tonight, we took our first steps towards the Promised Land fleeing slavery and oppression, under David's learned direction.

Thursday, April 2, 2026

A federal judge has ruled that the University of Pennsylvania must comply with the Trump administration’s order to provide the government with a list of its Jewish employees. 

https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/trump-administration/judge-orders-upenn-provide-list-jewish-employees-sought-by-eeoc-rcna266103

The honorable response is to provide a list of all university employees. “I am Spartacus!”

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Meanwhile, Syracuse University is closing or pausing 93 of its 460 academic programs in order to create a university that would be “more focused, more distinctive and more aligned with student demand.”

https://www.nytimes.com/2026/04/01/nyregion/syracuse-university-degrees-eliminated.html?smid=nytcore-ios-share

A popular new offering is Beer 101.

Friday, April 3, 2026

Two numbers are important part of the Exodus story, the original, not the Leon Uris version. The Israelites were enslaved by the Egyptians for 400 years until Charlton Heston led them to freedom. However, it took 40 years wandering in the desert before they reached the Promised Land, actually few of the actual escapees living to see it. 

I am skeptical about these measurements of time. While calendars date from 3000 BCE or so (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/History_of_calendars), and the Exodus is estimated around 1350 BCE, the ordinary Joe would have trouble if someone asked him for the correct date. What could he have carried around and where would he carry it to answer the question out on the agora?

So, I think the 400 supposed years of bondage really meant just a long time. As to the 40-year trek, biblical scholars and modern geographers agree that spending 40 years in Sinai could only result from going around in circles. Not all of us have a good sense of direction. Thinking of couples I know, I think this is where opposites attract. If the Israelites indeed spent 40 years in the desert, I am certain that half the time they stood around bickering.

Back To The Future

Saturday, March 21, 2026

Encores! puts on short term revivals of old (oldish) musicals. Tonight, we saw The Wild Party, a relatively recent show with an interesting back story. It was originally a raunchy poem written in 1928. Only in 2000, when its copyright expired, did it get produced on stage. In fact, two distinct productions appeared, one on Broadway, one off-Broadway. It was the Broadway version that was revived this weekend. Debauchery was the first word I spoke upon leaving the theater, not in disappointment. The New York Times review used the same word in its subheadline. This hedonistic tale of Jazz Age vaudeville performers after hours encompassed a broad array of couplings and uncouplings performed by a very talented cast. The work runs two hours without intermission and is almost entirely sung-through like an opera, demanding a lot from actors and musicians. The rawness is easy to dislike. My reaction, however, was appreciation if not admiration. 

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To a degree, the women at The Wild Party back then held their own, but that is hardly the norm today. This survey looks at 25 key indicators of women’s living standards across the country and ranks the results. Massachusetts, District of Columbia and Maine come out on top, while Arkansas, Oklahoma and Louisiana are at the bottom.  https://share.google/Ix07hBI2uojCsVMHt

Sunday, March 22, 2026

To celebrate my brother's return home in the company of his older grandson, we all had lunch at Deccan Spice, 153 Wood Avenue, Edison, New Jersey, a large, well-furnished restaurant in the midst of a thriving Indian American enclave in Central New Jersey. In looking for a convenient spot, I simply chose a well-reputed joint unaware of the local demographics. Edison is considered the crossroads of Indian life in the United States. There are countless restaurants and almost as many jewelry stores catering to the South Asian population. This PBS documentary offers a good picture of the area and implicitly boosts a liberal immigration policy.  https://www.pbs.org/video/destination-oak-tree-road-emomr4/

Deccan Spice itself is enough reason to keep the golden door open, the kitchen door at least. Today seemed to be a holiday or celebrated like one. Deccan Spice had a Special Ugadi Thali Unlimited meal, served on a two-foot long banana leaf, consisting of 21 items for $40, including Gongura Mamasam, mutton curry; Royala Vepudu, stir-fried prawns; Bendakaya Pulusu, okra stewed in tamarind sauce; Korameenu Tawa Fry, fried fish. A vegetarian version is also available. Attentive servers provided seconds and thirds.

The two guys went for the whole enchilada, although that might been the only thing not laid out on the banana leaf. If I feared too much food on the Special, the two dishes from the regular menu that I ordered were more than I could finish. I had four chicken lollipops, the meat of big wings bunched at the top, seasoned and broiled, a lot to eat ($24). Then, I had lamb Rogan Josh, curried meat cooked with alkanet flower, a herbaceous flowering plant, and Kashmiri chiles ($33). Most of the Rogan Josh went home with my brother and his grandson. Madam had Navaratan Korma, "nine gem curry," nine different vegetables, fruits and nuts cooked in a sweet gravy ($20). She made all gone.

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In case all this food arouses the need to exercise, you can get a pair of LOEWE Cloudsolo sneakers for a mere $750.

https://www.on.com/en-us/products/cloudsolo-m-3mf3066/mens/dark-brown-black-shoes-3MF30664611

Monday, March 23, 2026

New York State has a Board of Regents governing public education including a set of Regents examinations for high school students in all the major subject areas. Graduation with a Regents diploma instead of a General diploma required passage of the Regents exams. That is changing. Starting in the 2027-28 school year, students will be evaluated based on a new framework from the state called the Portrait of a Graduate, including six key qualities which high schoolers should master to earn a diploma. They should be able to demonstrate they are academically prepared, creative innovators, critical thinkers, effective communicators, global citizens, and “reflective and future focused.” Aside from the suspicion that this is a dumbing down of the e ducation process, the obvious question arises of how to measure such ephemeral qualities as being creative innovators, global citizens and future focused.

Meanwhile, the San Francisco Board of Education restored eighth-grade algebra 12 years after removing it assertedly to benefit students from disadvantaged backgrounds who were ill-prepared for it.  San Francisco Reinstates 8th-Grade Algebra After 'Equity' Experiment Fails

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Eataly, 1122 Lexington Avenue, is the latest in this international chain of Italian food stores. It offers gelato, chocolates, pastries, sandwiches and a variety of groceries. I stopped in to have Arrosto di Tacchino, roasted turkey breast, gem lettuce, Callipo brand red onion jam, and aioli on a crispy, narrow baguette ($14.90). Although I could have handled another inch or two of sandwich, I resisted all the sweet treats, this time at least.

Tuesday, March 24, 2026

Pointing to the hypocrisy of this administration seems to be an endless and fruitless exercise, but I am into endless and fruitless exercises. “Trump, Who Calls Mail-in Voting ‘Cheating,’ Just Voted by Mail”

https://www.nytimes.com/2026/03/24/us/politics/trump-mail-in-voting-florida.html?smid=nytcore-ios-share

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Speaking of endless and fruitless, Madam and I went downtown to a free preview of a new movie, Fantasy Life. With an unrealistic (inconceivable?) premise, hiring an anxiety-prone, unemployed, male, law school dropout as nanny (Manny) for the three young granddaughters of his psychiatrist, the movie never takes off.

Afterwards, we ate at Arturo’s, 106 West Houston Street, an old-line restaurant and pizzeria with wooden booths, a tin ceiling, a coal-burning oven and live jazz. We shared a small mushroom pizza ($26). 

Of course, I hesitated at “small,” but the 13”, eight-slice pie proved more than satisfactory right through lunch the next day.

Wednesday, March 25, 2026

Tonight, Tom Terrific and I went to Roosevelt House Public Policy Institute, 47-49 East 65th Street, to hear Heather Ann Thompson discuss her new book Fear and Fury: Bernie Goetz, the Reagan ‘80s, and the Rebirth of White Rage. Anyone in the metropolitan area at the time and many others beyond know the story of the white man and the four Black teenagers on the subway that he shot. Goetz, hailed as a hero by some and a villain by others, was convicted only on a weapons charge and spent eight months in jail. Rudolph Giuliani, Donald Trump and Rupert Murdoch all play a role in the story which is enough to make it unpleasant.

Friday, March 27, 2026

Even with my pupils dilated after treatment by Dr. Englebert, don’t ask, I found my way to Koba Korean BBQ, 918 Third Avenue. It's a small attractive joint decorated with large Korean murals, holding six two-tops and two ledges seating eight. I had a big bowl of japchae, stir-fried sweet potato glass noodles with bulgogi (shaved, marinated) beef, scallions, egg strips, carrots and mushrooms ($20). I was able to feel my way back to the bus stop and home.

Hospitality

Saturday, March 14, 2016

We paid a visit to my brother at the JFK University Medical Center in Edison, New Jersey. He is spending a short amount of time there. While there, I inquired whether they plan to add Trump’s name to the facility. As of now, not.

Since we were in the vicinity, madam and I had lunch at Seasons 52, 217 Lafayette Avenue, Edison, New Jersey. It’s a fine example of a suburban restaurant, large tables well separated, ample parking, perky service and consistently good food. My young bride had the tuna crunch salad, seared ahi tuna on crisp greens, crunchy almonds, fresh mango, and crunchy wonton strips, tossed in a zesty sesame-ginger dressing, pronouncing it probably the best salad she has ever had ($22). I had the crab cake sandwich with a delicious side salad ($18). The server refilled my Coke Zero without being asked.

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If the threat of a nuclear Iran keeps you up at night, consider this:

Sunday, March 15, 2026

This afternoon, with seemingly every Jewish grandparent in the Tristate area, we went to Lincoln Center to hear the annual concert of HaZamir: The International Jewish Teen Choir. Unfortunately, the 100-person Israeli contingent could not leave their country, but the organizers effectively worked around their absence. The music is primarily modern, non-liturgical Hebrew. #1 grandson, a Teen Leader of the group, introduced one of the numbers, an additional source of pride for us. Before the concert, other family members were treated to bagels and lox at Palazzo di Gotthelf.

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Tim Wu, Columbia University law professor, makes the interesting argument social media appears to be “a defective, hazardous product” and should be treated that way at law.  https://www.nytimes.com/2026/03/14/opinion/social-media-trial-addiction.html?smid=nytcore-ios-share

Monday, March 16, 2026

Stony Brook Steve and I had lunch at the Fairway Cafe, 2131 Broadway, which allowed us to shop at the market below after we finished eating. It is rebuilding its restaurant business after the long Covid shutdown with good food at reasonable prices. I had a very large bacon, egg and cheese sandwich on a (Kaiser) roll, probably containing three scrambled eggs ($10). Notable were the home fried potatoes, usually dry and tough after sitting on the grill for a week. These were plump, freshly cooked, lightly dusted with paprika and salt, very tasty.

Tuesday, March 17, 2026

Boy, was I wrong. I gave myself 30 minutes to get from West 79th Street and Amsterdam Avenue (the equivalent of Tenth Avenue) to East 79th Street and Second Avenue for my physical therapy appointment, twice as much as usual because of the St. Patrick's Day Parade. Well, an hour and a half later, I had reached Fifth Avenue and East 86th Street, where I accepted defeat and returned home. 

Wednesday, March 18,2026

Michael Ratner and I had lunch at Peng’s Noodle Folk, 1016 Lexington Avenue, a joint previously unknown to us. The attractive non-ethnic decor was predominantly wood and terra cotta. The 60 or so seats at eleven tables were occupied most of the time and we will certainly return to them in the future. It's a good option in a neighborhood sorely lacking in them. I had Soy Sauce Beef Stew Noodle, a big bowl of hot soup loaded with noodles, beef, kale, corn kernels, scallion, red radish and green soybeans ($22.75). Michael had essentially the same dish in a dry version ($21.75). 

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While Peng's offers more than noodles, I limited my intake, because of dinner plans. My young bride and I were joining Elaine and Caring Ken Klein to celebrate Ken's birthday at Kebab aur Sharab, 247 West 72nd Street, an Indian restaurant which translates dubiously as "kebobs and alcohol." We have eaten there before and it has received a favorable mention in the Michelin guide. It was packed soon after we arrived. With all that, I was disappointed in the food, certainly not the company. Although many of their dishes stray from the conventional, their overriding characteristics seems to be overpricing and flavors better on paper than on the plate.

We shared two appetizers, Aloo Tiki Chat, crispy patties with chickpeas, mint and tamarind chutney ($19), and Unlce Chips Aloo Chat, crisp potatoes, clarified butter, tamarind, Sev (crunchy noodles) and chutney ($18). My three companions shared two vegetarian dishes; I had butter chicken, cooked in tomato and cashew curry with a swirl of cream ($30). 

Thursday, March 19, 2026

Fordham University, a Jesuit institution, has a strong Jewish studies program, directed by Magda Teter, an outstanding scholar. Tonight, they presented Anita Norich, Professor Emerita of Judaic Studies at University of Michigan, giving an engaging talk on “Yiddish Disputes” in and about the language. She also happens to be the sister of our friend Sam Norich, former director at the YIVO Institute for Jewish Research and retired editor-in-chief at The Forward. Professor Norich made the interesting observation that Hebrew, because of its historic roots, is considered patriarchal while Yiddish, associated with the street and the home, is considered feminine.

Friday, March 20,2026

Although I am gainfully retired, I occasionally receive job offers. One just came by e-mail that intrigued me, obviously a good fit, because of how personally it was addressed: ge8pw9en7ns4bg5@icloud.net.

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Still happy?