Busy Week

Saturday, July 27, 2024

Last night, Donald Trump told his audience that, after this election, “you won't have to vote anymore, my beautiful Christians.” Why put off stopping tomorrow what you can stop today?

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I am sure that you ordinarily keep your eyes peeled on social media -- TikTok, Facebook, Instagram, X. Now, you will have another reason to pay close attention. The multi-talented Kim Sykes is making a presidential campaign video featuring two grumpy old men, Terrific Tom, her other half, and Grandpa Alan. We do not portray ourselves in our normal grumpy fashion, but assume MAGA identities for art’s sake.

After we wrapped the filming session today, we went to the Landmark Tavern, 626 11th Avenue, which has been around since 1868. That really makes it a landmark. It labels itself as an Irish restaurant and pub, identified by its food and drink, but spares us kitschy decor touches to emphasize the point. In fact, except for the television set over the bar, it may look the same as it did way back, plain wooden tables and chairs, tile floor.

The menu, also, is pretty straightforward. It was easy to pick fish and chips, two large pieces of beer-battered cod, French fries, not the traditional chips, and a fresh green salad ($21). With a bottle of hard cider, I was set for the rest of the day.

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Zillow.com, a well-established real estate website, defines a “starter home” as one valued in the bottom third of an area’s properties. I might choose a smaller fraction, but Zillow has done the homework and found that a $1 million starter home is the norm in 237 American cities.  https://zillow.mediaroom.com/2024-07-25-A-1-million-starter-home-Its-the-norm-in-237-cities

“Nationwide, the typical starter home is worth $196,611,” but in 237 cities it’s over $1 million. Almost exactly half (117) are in California, another 31 in New York and 21 in New Jersey. The rest of the country has less than 30% of the wealthy neighborhoods, but a majority of the Trump voters.

Sunday, July 28, 2024

According to the city’s Taxi and Limousine Commission, the number of ride-share vehicles, that is Ubers and Lyfts, went from 12,500 in 2015 to 83,700 today. Of course, they all manage to be blocking intersections when I am in a rush to get crosstown. 

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I got crosstown most efficiently by subway to get to Docks Oyster Bar & Seafood Grill, 633 Third Avenue, for dinner with Denise and Rob Teicher. Docks is known for high quality seafood with prices to match. I had a seafood Cobb salad, lobster, crab meat, shrimp, avocado, chopped hard boiled egg, bacon, bleu cheese, cherry tomatoes and lettuce ($38), expensive, but very filling. Indeed, a good time was had by all.

Tuesday, July 30, 2024

Dumpling Story, 250 Grand Street, is barely a month old. What was once a grocery store has been completely transformed into an attractive, very Chinese looking restaurant. The five person delegation of the Boyz Club found the food to be of a quality with the setting. We had a scallion pancake ($4.99), a scallion pancake with beef ($9.99), Shanghainese noodles with scallion soy sauce ($6.99), chicken soup dumplings (5 pieces $9.99), wontons in red chili oil (8 pieces $8.99), siu mai (4 pieces $5.99), steamed vegetable dumplings (6 pieces $6.99), Shanghai deep fried beef noodle ($16.99), vegetable spring rolls (6 pieces $9.98 for 2 orders), and house special fried rice ($12.99), the only item that I would skip next time.

Before the lunch hour was over, the place had filled up. This was a good sign for a new business and I hope this continues. Help it along.

By the way, to clarify the number of attendees, five of us sat and ate and paid the check and then the Naz showed up. 

Wednesday, July 31, 2024

My attempt at conversion therapy failed today when I took Gentleman Jerry, a Yankees fan, to a Mets game at Citi Field. It wasn’t the 88° temperature that thwarted my efforts, but the 8-3 losing performance we witnessed. He was, however, good and knowledgeable company and remains a reliable companion for Ranger games in the winter.

Thursday, August 1, 2024

Stony Brook Steve and I fearlessly, or was it foolishly, ventured out to have lunch as the thermometer reached 92°. Moving slowly, we found Parm, 235 Columbus Avenue, to be comfortably air conditioned. 

I had their special roast beef sandwich, a crunchy semolina roll stuffed with an inch of thinly-sliced rare roast beef and a thick slab of fresh mozzarella, dressed with oil and vinegar ($17). If Sandwichland had a 58th slot, this belongs.

Friday, August 2, 2024

We met 2nd generation David and 3rd generation Noam for breakfast at Ess-A-Bagel, 108 West 32nd Street, the third location for what used to be my “office” when I was underemployed. While our encounter lacked some of the drama of yesterday‘s multinational prisoner swap, we were able to bring Noam home in exchange for an everything bagel with lox, scallion cream cheese, red onion and tomato. In fact, he will be with us for almost two weeks as we travel to Costa Rica to befriend monkeys and macaws whether they like it or not.