Wish I Said That

Saturday, June 13, 202

The Upper West Side’s Power Couple headed northeast today to witness history, #1 grandson’s graduation from high school. It is a defamatory rumor, however, that he is the first one in the family to accomplish this.

We are staying in Newton, Massachusetts, instead of the usual Natick perch, because the school is in nearby Brookline, saving 15 miles. We had dinner at the Social Restaurant & Bar, 320 Washington Avenue, Newton, in the lobby of our hotel. It is a big, somewhat gentrified sports bar. Early evening Saturday, the large screen televisions around the room had little hometown contests to bother us with.

I had a French Dip Burger, a very fat pattie of shredded and ground beef, with Swiss cheese, carmelized onions and horseradish aioli, accompanied by a large portion of herbed French fries ($14). What makes it French Dip is the small bucket of beef drippings on the side to be dipped into. This is known as "au jus," treated as a noun more often than not on many American menus. As far as I know, this is a Los Angeles invention where only Spanish is treated with respect. Done right, it can be quite satisfactory and this one was, although it did not rely on sliced roast beef as its base.  

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What’s the alternative?

Sunday, June 14, 2026

Did something happen last night?

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The temperature reached 90° while the graduation ceremony was conducted in an unairconditioned gym. Actually, a winter event would have worked well because of the warmth generated by the adoring parents and grandparents. The accomplishments of the young men and women graduates overcame the physical conditions, however, and we were happy to share the occasion with them. Our guy won an award and co-led the singing of The Star-Spangled Banner and Hatikvah. What's not to like?

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Our family gathered for dinner at Lehrerhaus, 425 Washington Street, Somerville [Washington is a favored street and avenue name in the Boston vicinity]. It is a Kosher establishment that also serves as a place of learning. 

The physical menu is a visual pun, dishes in the middle and commentary up and down the sides akin to a Hebrew prayer book. The table shared Spring Fava Bean spread and Chopped Not Liver (mushrooms and nuts) $9 each, with fresh pita. As my main course, I ordered Mac & Cheese Kugel, a crispy version of the classic dish ($22). Then, a variety of desserts passed among us: Boston Cream Napoleonka, vegan (!!) chocolate, vanilla custard, crispy phyllo ($13); Basbousa, semolina cake, cardamom cream, grapefruit marmalade ($14); and a sundae with birthday cake ice cream ($12). 

All three generations came away satisfied.

Monday, June 15, 2026

I pondered the Knicks championship on the drive home. A remarkable aspect was, of course, the command demonstrated by Jalen Brunson, son of a former Knicks player, voted the tournament's most valuable player.  At 6'2", he was the smallest player on the court. One of his opponents was 14" taller. For heaven's sake, I am 6'2".

Wednesday, June 17, 2026

America's Favorite Epidemiologist received floral tributes and greetings from near and far today on the occasion of her birthday. While she continues to mature, she doesn't age.

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The Borowitz Report informs us that "Ayatollah’s ‘Art of the Deal’ Becomes #1 Bestseller."

Thursday, June 18, 2026

Hannah Shizgal-Paris is the top chef at Roman’s, 243 Dekalb Avenue, a 14-year old restaurant that is getting attention for making the New York Times list of 100 best local restaurants. It’s a small, boxy place, tightly packed with a dozen tables and a full-service bar with ten stools. The hard, flat surfaces keep the noise level high.

We were happy to agree with Elaine Shizgal Cohen’s suggestion that we have dinner at her niece’s restaurant. With Caring Ken Klein aboard for ballast, we were in the car almost one-and-a-half hours to cover seven miles in rush hour. It was worth it, good food and the zing of having the chef come over to your table and take a picture with you.

While the restaurant is supposedly named for the owner’s son, it is solidly Italian. We shared a fava bean purée with sourdough bread ($20) and a very large salad of little gems lettuce, cucumbers, piave (cow’s milk cheese) and mustard vinaigrette ($25). I had cavatelli (small shell-like pasta) with a spicy lamb sausage ragu ($30) and a forkful of my young bride’s spaghetti with zucchini, basil and parmigiano ($29). 

For dessert, we shared two portions of chocolate sorbet, which the New York Times described as “stunningly dense and dark as the far side of the moon” ($10). Our meal earned Roman’s its place on the best restaurant list.

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An update from Andy Borowitz:

"Ayatollah Names Trump Employee of the Month"