Category: New York

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Cross Town

photo-54Obamas kept following us around on Friday. As we delivered Strahl Brisket mid-town, Barack was giving a talk on the next block. Checked into our Hotel Giraffe, while Michelle and PrezO were dining down the street at Maialino. After our pre-theater supper at Bobby Van’s Grille, we took in Of Mice and Men. Around the corner, yup. First couple catching Denzel in Raisin in the Sun. Thought those crowds, sirens and security were just for us.

Of Mice and Men. Broadway debuts of both stars. James Franco as George Milton was perfectly subdued and resigned as keeper and friend. Chris O’Dowd stole the show as Lennie Small. A fine balance of sweet emotion and slow-wit. Steinbeck’s poetic words were delivered with flawless cadence. Sets and direction brilliant. Although obviously a hopeless plot, for me this play shone a little glimmer of humanity. If only we treated people as well as we do animals in the end. Tours de force. Still in previews, I predict rave reviews on Wednesday.

James Franco made a cameo visit to his KimYe bromance partner Seth Rogen on SNL last night. Cross-stalking is lots of fun!

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Park Folie

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Saturday in the Park. PopUp Piano Man. Warm sun.
Pure Joy. Outdoor tables ready and waiting.

Shake Shack opens.
Crowds soon gather.
Can Spring be far behind?

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MadisonPark Onze it. Quatorze–course tasting adventure.
Pricey. Priceless.

Grilled lobster lunch with friends at ABC Kitchen.
Specially good.

Roasted octopus, striped bass downtown at Colicchio and Sons.
Delectable.

Memories of a Mad March Birthday Weekend. Indelible.
Folie en food.

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Quests de Cuisine

As holidays approach, a renewed interest in gift collectibles. Amazon is offering several ways to buy Table’s Edge. All hardcover with photos and illustrations. A nostalgic nod to Pioneer Valley’s culinary history. Tales of creative chefs who came to Paradise City from all over the world. CookBook, too. Their timeless recipes. For more information, check it out here at tablesedge.com.

Meanwhile, in Manhattan the dining scene continues to evolve. One of our faves, Ciano is now CucinaCiano, moved from Flatiron to Upper East Side. Over on York & 73rd, a hole-in-the-wall has become the hottest spot for fish flown in daily from Japan. Tanoshi has 10 seats, so plan ahead. Snow in NYC today. None here!

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Gotham – Thon

Quite the race. 2 hours 15 minutes. Northampton to West Side Highway. Parking space near the theater. Homemade hash at Gossip on 9th Ave. Climbed to second row mezz for Book of Mormon. Laughed so hard we cried. Genius concept, religulously hilarious, clever, sweet. Off to East Side. Parking space a block from Giraffe. Spots on the street best birthday present Dr.Husband could get.

Gotham B&G, 3 strikes. Out. 23 of 25 years it was best restaurant in Manhattan. Last couple. Not. But, we had fun and the crowd loved us. Staying downtown Sunday crossed back to West End. Space next to Betsey’s place. Walked to Arte Café near Columbus. Friendly, lively brunch. Not a runner in sight. We won! 

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Fall Classics

Crisp afternoon football. Detroit’s Matthew Stafford the QB to watch at 25. Longmeadow High School alum, Dolphins’ Joe Philbin had a bad day as Pats dominated the second half. Again. London fans didn’t get much of a show, with a SanFran blowout over the hapless Jags. This year there will be a Limping Bowl. Everyone is hurt. Size, speed. A sport more punishing than ever.

Redskins should keep their name. Just change the others. Seattle Yellowskins. Baltimore Blackskins. Cleveland Brownskins. New England Whiteskins. No? So I rest my case. Another cold evening for Baseball Classic. World Series number 4 in St. Louis. Officials do seem to decide games for Boston teams lately.

NYTimes endorses DeBlasio for Mayor. Quel surprise. Mr. Bill should read Frank Bruni’s lament about Rome. Cautionary tale.

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Gen Next

Matt&Sarah lovingly tied the knot at StoneMill in New York’s Botanical Gardens. Mazel much. Lavish affair with delectable fare on a balmy October evening overlooking the creek. Sweet. 88ish GrandmaB was seen dancing to Twist and Shout as four generations joined the fun. Made it back to Hotel Giraffe in time to catch some of Miley’s SNL debut. Twerking aside, she’s good. After Flatiron brunch, AuntieN took GenY to Book of Mormon. Rave reviews from all.

Meanwhile 81-year old GrandmaC was giving a speech at the Rock&Roll Club. Rocking chairs and rolling devices. Shake it up Grannies! Kids take note.

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Party Joe

Lobster, steamers, little necks, oysters, shrimp, salmon, corn-on-the-cob. All in one glorious day. Yay. Celebrating Joey3Sticks’ big 50 out in his new MadPad backyard for a traditional ClamBake. Happy Birthday, BroJoe! You can’t see the seafood, because we ate it all including the shells. Yum! Fun! Thanks Alicat.photo-19

Zipped from Westchester into the City for a visit to BetseyL to bring her a Chrome, which she’s already mastered. Drive-by rendez-vous with GemQueen, then home for the 3rdQ of the brothers’ bowl. Eli lost. Ugly football all weekend, at least JoeyPa(n)t’s Pats pulled out a messy win. Sorry 9ers fans.

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Space Quiz

Is it Art Bell entering our atmosphere early? No. Is it an alien attack? No. It’s the hourglass cage-like structure just down the street from mAdBen on the Hudson. Million Second Quiz with Ryan Seacrest. That’s my final answer.
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Thank goodness, our fave Lure Fishbar is saved!

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Bday Break

Weekend birthday-palooza. Cuzins celebrations. Happy to Lindzer, Colbyjoe, mAdBen. Soon Grandma Carolee. Checking out new digs for Grande Dame of the Upper West Side and Westchester MadPad. Quail at Gramercy Tavern. Yum.

Need a break from social issues, the Supremes, thug pro athletes, dirty old men making hot witnesses prance around the courtroom, grilling Precious. Stay cool.

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May Ville

photo-29May in New York. Sunny and seventies? No. Friday was beautiful, though. Supper al fresco on Park Avenue South.

Then over to the Lunt Fontanne for Motown. Berry Gordy’s homage to himself. For good reason. He merged music and ethnic cultures. Changed society.  Jesse Nager & Co. entertained with lightning talent and costume changes. All the hits. Dancin’ in the aisles. A really fun show. photo-26

Maysville on 5th & 26th. Bourbon bar? Yes. The food is the real reason to go. After the Derby or the Preakness, this is a Saturday culinary winner. And Dr.Husband did love the whiskey. Atlantic Grill was a Sunday cluster-brunch. But, Betsey’s Tipsy Donuts were born. Powdered sugar. Familial giggles.