This weekend, I am off to Portland, Maine, for Passover. Sadly, I will be missing my monthly wine club society meeting — we meet the first Sunday of every month. When I told my neighbor, who organizes the wine club society, that I would be home for Passover, he responded, correctly, “but Passover’s on Monday.” “Yes,” I replied, “but we’re having our seder on Sunday because it’s easier for everyone.” He rolled his eyes in disgust. “You guys are changing the holiday for convenience?” “Um, yes.” “How very religious of you.”
Now, I know that some might categorize me as a bad Jew. I eat pork and shellfish, often together. One of my favorite culinary delights is the pancetta-wrapped shrimp at ‘inoteca. I only go to temple on high holidays. I have a tattoo. I don’t like lox. But, strangely enough, I generally fast on Yom Kippur. I keep kosher for Passover (or at least I make a valiant attempt). And, I might add, these behaviors definitely make me the Jewiest Jew in my family. In my family, attendance at temple is not mandatory by any means, even on high holidays. My Dad always does a bizarre editing job on The Concise Family Seder, our Hagaddah of choice, so that it is even more concise. He tends to edit out pieces of the story and keep in the random commentary. I also think I’m the only one in the family who remembers the Passover story year after year. Yes, it’s the same story. I have even suggested that we rent The Prince of Egypt, just to keep it fresh in everyone’s minds. Oy vey. But — we are definitely a Jewish family, with Jewish values. Every holiday is an excuse to gather friends, family, and strays for a good meal. We give back to the community in many ways. All three kids were bar or bat mitzvah’d (well, the twins were b’nai mitzvah’d together), and I’m pretty sure we all like gefilte fish.
In other news this weekend, I am making my very last excusable visit to college (with the exception of my brother’s graduation in May). My brother is playing in a steel drum concert at Bates, followed by a Yo La Tengo show. So, I’ll be hangin’ with the college kids. And speaking of Jewish culture, there’s a Klezmer band up at Bates called Gefilte Dog — I always loved that name.
I’m also looking forward to my second annual Passover seder at Sammy’s Roumanian steakhouse next Tuesday (an official seder night, for those keeping track). Stay tuned, and Happy Pesach!
Who doesn’t love Tater Tots?! Turns out that our beloved Tots turned fifty last week. [via Best Week Ever] And no, this is not an April Fools Day joke — I just had to post it. Don’t forget to check out Jason Kottke’s tater tot hotdish recipe! What’s hotdish, you ask? Here ya go.
As some of you know, my friend Doug has a blog called Planet Gordon — he blogs about being engaged, but from the groom’s perspective. Doug IM’d me yesterday, asking if I had read his blog. Turns out that he was concerned about a little intellectual property issue. He had designed and started selling t-shirts that say “taken,” with the notion that since women have to wear engagement rings, men should similarly display their unavailability. Yesterday, he noticed that theKnot.com, a popular wedding site, had started selling “taken” t-shirts as well, advertising them as “new.” Doug logically concluded that he might have been ripped off. Later that day, he IM’d me again with an update. Turns out theKnot had been selling thongs emblazoned with the word “taken” before Doug started his blog. You can watch the drama unfold on his blog. Although he no longer had a legal claim, Doug and I IM’d a while on the logic behind the “taken” thong.
[17:19] Me: thongs. nice. real classy
[17:19] Doug: yup
[17:19] Doug: that vagina is taken!
[17:19] Doug: hands off!
[17:19] Me: now who would be reading this thong, exactly?
[17:20] Doug: right
[17:20] Doug: imagine if someone was cheating
[17:20] Doug: she gets down to her skivvies
[17:20] Doug: and then remembers
[17:20] Doug: oh yeah! i’m taken!
[17:20] Doug: i totally forgot!
[17:20] Doug: thank god i had that underwear on!
[17:20] Me: right
[17:20] Doug: or who knows what would have happened
[17:21] Me: or better yet, she is about to take them off and some guy (or gal) says, “wait — it says you’re taken!”
[17:21] Me: I’ll stop.
[17:21] Doug: sorry, lady
[17:21] Doug: that’s where i draw the line
[17:21] Doug: the wedding ring didn’t stop me, but the panties did
[17:23] Me: right
[17:23] Me: my co workers got a kick out of that one
[17:23] Doug: thanks.
[17:23] Doug: i’m here all week
[17:23] Me: be sure to tip your waitress
and then later —
[17:37] Doug: question
[17:37] Me: one sec, wait, let me check my crotch, no — not taken
Hours and hours of entertainment. And on a semi-related note, I’m accompanying Doug and some others tonight to the Penthouse Executive Club. They’re wooing the most famous groom in cyberland, and I’m going along for the ride. Not for the boobs, but for the food — Adam Perry Lang, of Daisy May’s BBQ (and chili cart) fame, is the chef at Robert’s Steakhouse, the in-club restaurant, so I’m going to pay him a visit. A friend of mine (who is a little jealous that he can’t make it) declared it “boobies and steak” night. I’ll be bringing my own boobies, and focusing on the steak, thank you very much.
I had a wonderful time in Philadelphia this weekend. And yes, I got my provolone with. But — that was hardly the highlight of the weekend, culinary or otherwise. Although I don’t think I’d ever want to live in Philly, it was certainly a good place to visit. My favorite way to learn about a city is to wander around, and of course, visit the local markets. On these two fronts, Philly certainly delivered. I got a chance to wander around a bit before brunch on Saturday, and discovered one of many murals — Philadelphia has a huge mural collection, and many of them are made from beautiful and colorful mosaic tiles.
A few years ago, my friend Geek lived in Philly. I visited him one weekend, and, knowing me well, he made sure that we went out for authentic Philly cheesesteaks. He also took the time to prep me on the proper way to order. First of all, a Philly cheesesteak comes with Cheez-Whiz unless you ask for something else. The only other options are American and Provolone. John Kerry embarrassed himself by asking for Swiss Cheese on his cheesesteak during a campaign stop in Philadelphia. The only other choice that you need to make is “with” or “without.” Translated, this means with or without fried onions. Now, I can’t remember if we went to Pat’s or Geno’s on our trip, but I do remember having a great cheesesteak.
Manhattan Users Guide interviewed a number of New York bloggers (some of whom are on my links list, on the left) to get lists of their top ten favorite things about New York. I agree with many of their picks. The Morning News ranks pizza as one of their favorites — it’s hard to explain to people outside of New York why their pizza sucks. Take our word for it, folks. It does. For a great slice, I recommend Joe’s. Remy Stern, (a fellow Jumbo) of NewYorkish, has a list that is almost identical to something I might put together, highlighting things like Chinatown, the Mud trucks, and Community Gardens. Maybe our time in Boston similarly shaped our opinions about what we love about New York. Amy Langfield ranks the Bistro Burger at Corner Bistro and dog runs as some of her faves, and they’d be on my list as well. Read Part 1 and Part 2 of the top ten lists.
Once again, it makes me thankful that I can enjoy so much of what NYC has to offer, and I realize each day how much I still have to explore. So, folks, what are your favorite things about NYC? What have they missed? One thing I’d add — a good neighborhood bar.
Here’s the substance of that email I mentioned in an earlier post. I was out for a drink with a friend who had recently moved to the neighborhood, and I was giving him recommendations for some of my favorite places nearby. Although some are technically outside of Greenwich Village (reaching into far off places such as the Lower East Side and Nolita), in my book, they are all within walking distance (at least for city walkers, who are used to half-hour walks). Why do I like these places? Overall, they are modestly priced, have comfortable atmospheres, and good-quality food. Each one has a little something about it that makes it particularly appealing. Check them out and let me know what you think!
Italian antipasti/panini
Asian
Latin
Seafood
Indian
Other
This is just the first installment. As I’ve said to those who have asked, there are plenty more where those came from!
I just returned from a long weekend in Lyme, New Hampshire, visiting my sister. She is 22, currently living in a house with five other people, most of whom are med students at Dartmouth, which about 20 minutes away in Hanover. I had a wonderful weekend, but it is almost laughable how opposite our lives are at the moment. We’re like the city mouse and the country mouse (yeah, we’re both shrimps. I think she towers over me at about 5’3″).
I live alone in a studio apartment with a kitchen the size of a closet. She lives with five people in a bright, airy house with a huge kitchen, and has a closet the size of my kitchen. I shop for one, cook for one, or more often, eat out. She and her roommates shop at Price Club, buy enormous amounts of food, and cook and eat meals family style — we had lasagna, waffles, and tacos while I was there (no low-carb diets in Lyme, NH). Katie plans her days around her outdoor activities. I try to squeeze in the gym when I can (at least in the winter — it’s different in the summer, I swear). I am addicted to my high-speed internet, cherish my cable TV, and use my cell phone incessantly. At her house, they have dial-up internet service, a TV, but no reception (it’s only for movies), and no cell phone reception whatsoever. And then, there’s Jack, her boyfriend’s chocolate lab, who is being trained to be a hunting dog. Sadly, I have no dog, let alone one who I’d take hunting. As my dad likes to say, when he is asked if he’s going to take his German Shorthaired Pointer, Lucy, out hunting — “Jews don’t hunt.” (or at least he thinks that. I don’t think he’s ever said it out loud).
Anyway . . . on Saturday we went cross-country skiing, something I hadn’t done since I was about fourteen. Despite that small obstacle, I managed to ski a 15-kilometer loop and not fall asleep during the party they had back at the house that night. The party was nothing like parties I go to in New York. First of all, everyone was a decade younger, trying to relive their college days by playing beer pong, and flip-cup. Second of all, there was a bonfire outside. Don’t see that much in Manhattan.
All in all, I had a fantastic, relaxing weekend, and I fell in love with Jack. And the dishwasher. And having people cook for me all weekend. Sigh. Thanks to the gang back in Lyme — you can see pictures here.
I always seem to be that person. You know — the one that people ask when they’re looking for a restaurant or bar recommendation. Since my Chinatown post, a few friends have asked me to post more restaurant picks and recommendations. And as you know, your wish is my command. Now granted, my knowledge fades dramatically above 14th Street, but I promise to do my best.
I’m exhausted at the moment, have a busy day at work tomorrow, and then I’m headed out of town for the weekend to visit my baby sister (who’s taller than I am, I might add), but — I promise my first restaurant pick list is already in the works. It’s based on an email I sent to someone after we discussed restaurants over a drink one night. Coincidentally, I ran into him on a bus last night, and that email came up in conversation. So — I’m planning on passing it on to you.
Stay tuned, and have a fantastic weekend!
