Well, not quite - but close! Only another 15 minutes until we head to the airport for our Russian holiday to St. Petersburg & Moscow! Hopefully I'll be able to post some of my adventures while I'm there, but I'll definitely have some exciting stories & fun pictures to share when I'm back.
Happy Memorial Day!
* HOME *
rotisserie chicken
spinach salad
Tom and I picked these up at Costco. Just a few last errands before we leave on our trip.
* HOME *
cheese
mixed nuts
coffee
I'm too excited to eat this morning (watch for an upcoming post to find out why!)
* HOME *
mixed vegetables
steak (broiled with spicy steak rub)
Not much to say about this... except YUM!
* CAFE EUROPAN *
(Penn Station concourse)
roast turkey
mixed vegetables
mushrooms
Hearty & healthy!
* LOCAL WEST *
(33rd St @ 8th Ave)
shared chili nachos
shared turkey club & fries
bourbon
It was a beautiful evening, perfect for sitting outside and enjoying an after-work get together with good friends.
* ROSE PIZZA & PASTA / HOT & CRUSTY *
(Penn Station concourse)
slice of mushroom pizza (rose pizza & pasta)
split pea soup (hot & crusty
This is what happens when one is uninspired
* HOME *
mixed nuts
coffee
after last night's big meal - I didn't feel like anything more
* MANDARIN ORIENTAL *
(Columbus Circle)
various hors d'ouvres
- beef kabob
- tempura shrimp
- red pepper hummus
- spicy tuna
- mini egg roll
mixed green salad
filet mignon
strawberry torte
bourbon
wine
BMG Columbiahouse was a gold sponsor for this City of Hope benefit and I was lucky enough to be invited. It was a roast of Alan Grubman (old school music lawyer,) so there were a lot of industry people either ivolved or in the crowd including Clive Davis, Russell Simmons, John Mellencamp, and Bryant Gumbel. However, the most exciting celebrity I saw was the guest of honor's daughter... Lizzie Grubman (remember her?) She looked like a train wreck.
This awesome video made it's way around my office several months ago & I just watched it again recently when it won a Webby award for animation in the online film & video category.
It's cartoonishly violent - but it's also very funny and I guarantee you'll see some familiar images in a whole new way.
* CAFE EUROPAN *
(Penn Station concourse)
turkey
mixed vegetables
mushrooms
I was hoping that they would have the red beans today - but it was still good with the side of mushrooms.
* ESCUELITA *
(39th St btwn 8th & 9th Aves)
salad
pasta w/vodka sauce
lasagna
chicken w/mushrooms
broccoli
string beans
tequila
This was the end of the season party for volleyball. The buffet was just the same as it always is, the drag show was just as fun, and the open bar was just as dangerous. It was a good season (despite my team's last-place finish), and I'll hopefully play at least a little over the summer, but I'm looking forward to the break.
* 5TH AVE STREET FAIR *
(5th Ave btwn 12th Street and Sterling)
chicken empanada (from coco roco)
bbq ribs (from blue ribbon)
pulled pork sandwich (from bisquit bbq)
It was a beautiful day and the street fair was packed!
* HOME *
egg in a hole (aka a "bullseye")
coffee
Tom made a batch cuz he knows I like 'em!
!! ADAM YAUCH aka MCA !!
Ch-Check It Out - it finally happened... I met a Beastie Boy. After following them for 20 years, it was a definite shock & I couldn't really say much. Bruce and I were in a bar at his cousin-in-law's birthday party & MCA was there as well (his wife and the birthday girl are friends.) I talked to him for a couple minutes, then Bruce did, then Bruce got a picture with him, then we stood in a group of people for a little bit longer, then MCA and his wife left. It might have been 20 or 30 minutes total, and despite later thinking of a million things I could have said, it was cool.
* BRUCE & JILL'S *
salad
chicken parm hero
pizza
vodka & fresca
Bruce & I split the sandwich, so it wasn't as crazy as it sounds and I had a great time playing with their beautiful daughter. Also, if bars had fresca, I would order this drink a lot!
* DIZZY'S *
(9th St & 8th Ave)
huevos rancheros
coffee
It was turning into a beautiful day, so we sat outside and enjoyed people watching along with our food. Even though I already had breakfast, this was technically brunch for everyone else, so I had the huevos rancheros. They were good & since my breakfast was really more appropriate for lunch anyway it all balanced out quite nicely.
* HOME *
frozen cedarlane burrito (from costco)
gawd - I can't help my love for these things! And, despite the fact that it's a burrito - it's a pretty healthy meal. Here are the nutrition facts from www.cedarlanefoods.com
* SOSA BORELLA *
(8th Ave & 50th St)
bife alla sosa borella (grilled strip steak with chimichurri on a bed of arugula, side of french fries)
wine
Oh yes! This was Y-U-M...EEEEEEEEEE!
* ROSE PIZZA & PASTA *
(Penn Station concourse)
pizza (1 slice vegetable, 1 slice ground beef)
It had been almost a month since my last visit - just seemed like a good treat today!
* HOME *
leftover steel head trout
coffee
As predicted - it happened this morning. The last of the trout has been eaten (at least until the next Costco run!)
* HOT & CRUSTY *
(Penn Station concourse)
chicken caesar salad
split pea w/ham soup
Delicious again!
* HOME *
turkey & cheese omelette
coffee
Yay - the second time this week I cooked my own breakfast!
* HOME *
steel head trout
baked potato
salad
You're probably wondering "Is he going to have steel head trout everyday?" Well, we got it from Costco, so of course we had lots & wanted to make sure it didn't go bad. In any case, that was the last of it (except for a little bit of leftover that you'll probably see soon enough.) And, regardless of how many times I've had it in the past week - it was still DELICIOUS!
* CAFE EUROPAN *
(Penn Station concourse)
grilled chicken
vegetables
red beans
Not as good as the turkey, darn!
* HOME *
steel head trout
mixed vegetables
Tom made it with old bay seasoning & it was GOOOOD!
* HOT & CRUSTY *
(Penn Station concourse)
grilled chicken salad
split pea w/ham
This was really good! It may become a regular go-to meal!
* HOME *
scrambled eggs w/turkey & cheese
coffee
Yay - I cooked breakfast today!
* HOME *
mixed green salad
ribeye steak w/shallot pan sauce
bourbon
Quick & simple - and super good if I do say so myself!
* CARE EUROPAN *
turkey
mixed vegetables
red beans
Yum - this was rrrreal good today.
* HOME *
steel head trout
cous cous
asparagus
various cocktails
cardamom-pecan pound cake
We ate like kings while watching the finale of Survivor.
* HOME *
tuna-noodle casserole
And Tom creates another masterpiece! We ate it all - no leftovers.
* HOME *
scrambled eggs w/ham, onions & cheese
coffee
Tom made 'em real good!
* PETE'S CANDY STORE *
(Lorimer St)
mixed greens
cheeseburger
hotdog
tequila
Some friends hosted this barbecue/happy hour to celebrate their upcoming wedding - it was great except that I was not dressed appropriately for the weather & I was c-o-l-d!
* MCDONALD'S *
(Fort Hamilton Pkwy @ approx 36th St)
sausage mcmuffin w/egg
hash browns
coffee
We had a bunch of errands to do, so we stopped on our way into the city. It had a been a long time since I had this breakfast - and it tasted good!
* VLADA / SOSA BORELLA *
(51st btwn 8th & 9th / 8th Ave & 50th St)
fried calamari (Vlada)
fish (Sosa Borella)
tequila
Because of the drinks at Vlada, my memory of the dinner is kind of a blur. I can't remember exactly what it was I ordered - but it was delicious!
* SOUP KING *
(Penn Station)
chili
sun chips
The chili was good - but not enough for me today. I had to get a bag of sun chips for dessert.
* HOME *
turkey
coffee
Just grabbed a couple slices of meat from the fridge - I know, I know, but it's quick & better than nothing.
* YEN YEN RESTAURANT INCORPORATED *
(Church Ave & E. 4th St)
hot & sour soup
chicken & shrimp dumplings
hunan beef (w/brown rice)
bourbon
We ordered in for an awesome night of TV. Delicious!
...Brenda Dickson?
(formerly Jill Abbott from "Young & the Restless")
Most of you have probably seen this fantastic video:
And, some of you may have read the sad news of her Hawaiian incarceration a couple months ago.
But, I just discovered a March 11th press release on Brenda Dickson Today entitled:
WHAT IT WAS LIKE IN PRISON
Here's an excerpt:
"After seventeen days in prison and I contracted lice, was running a 104 degree fever. I was ill and frightened. All my rights were taken away by Jan’s friends in the Hawaii courts. I was so ill that I fainted at my last court appearance when the press appeared. I had been locked up with out shampoo or creams and my hair we put oil in our hair to avoid lice and tied it up. I was given only a bar of soap and a toothbrush. I didn’t eat for almost seventeen days, as the food was not at all my usual diet. I simply did not want to eat the prison food. Nor did I sleep, I was in a dorm-type setting with 60 women. The women I was incarcerated with had been convicted of murder, assault, knife threats, drug possession, dealing ice, and prostitution. It was a dangerous place to be!"
"It is a disgrace to use Gestapo tactics to take womens' children away if they set foot on Hawaii soil and have them arrested, or bake cookies at a school to use the police to intimidate them and to threaten to arrest them if they continue to bake cookies and force them to sign a statement, to take away rights, it is disgusting. Yes! That is right. I am talking to other victims of this police abuse!"
"While barefoot in shock, she was taken out of her home by police, awaken out of a sleep in her bed at 7:30 a.m., as they grabbed her precious gowns, pictures and personal effects, and put them in uninsured public storage."
* GARDEN CAFE *
(7th Ave & 35th St)
chicken
corned beef
turkey
broccoli
string beans & mushrooms
lo mein
Well, I did the same breakfast 2 days in a row, so I figured it could work for lunch too (at least in terms of the place.)
* HOME *
leftover chicken
coffee
Just like yesterday... this was quick & good!
A Chorus Line
Where: Gerald Schoenfeld Theatre
With: Tom, Colleen, Sean
Snack: Slivken's (pre the show @ the Ritz - no intermission)
Wow - what a fun show! From the songs to the dancing to the story - it was thoroughly engaging and wonderful. The only parts that were a little boring were the long Cassie & Paul sections. I guess they were supposed to be emotional, touching, whatever - but I had a hard time caring (or staying awake). I think it's a must see & I'm glad that I finally got a chance to enjoy this legendary show in the setting that inspired its creation.
* CHICKEN BAR *
(8th Ave & 45th St)
grilled chicken fajitas
diet coke
A slight change of pace from the normal pre-theatre routine - this one is a winner!
* ARCADE FIRE *
concert review
When: Tuesday, 5/8
Where: United Palace Theatre (175th & Broadway)
With: EQP
Bandsite: www.arcadefire.com
Loud, Loud, Loud... oh, and great! I thought the show was incredible. I've been listening to (and loving) the new album almost daily since it came out, so I was really excited to see them live. We had great seats (1st row, balcony) and the venue was crazy, ornate. The staging was very cool, lots of live camera feeds on screens and curtains.
Win, the lead singer, didn't talk to the audience a lot, but when he did he was relatively engaging. After the first (or second) song - he told everyone, "you all paid the same price - come closer, it's not a movie." I enjoyed that it felt like a very fan-based, appreciative audience too.
Here's the set list from the show (look closely at the last song):
Keep The Car Running
No Cars Go
Haiti
Laika
Black Mirror
In The Backseat
My Body Is A Cage
The Well And The Lighthouse
Ocean of Noise
ATB
Power Out
Rebellion
---
Intervention
Wake Up (with audience members onstage)
Yes - as they started the last song, Win invited the audience to join him on stage... and the ones who could, did! They filled the entire stage - look:
It was really fun to watch, although I would have been scared if I were the band. In fact, some of the members (especially the littler ones), ran for higher ground towards the back of the stage. Below is a great video of the scene:
In the end, it was a great night. The only downsides were that it really did seem too loud (maybe I'm getting old,) and the guy sitting next to me was so big that when he got up to dance(!) the whole balcony started to shake - I felt like I was on one of those vibrating motel-beds.
If you aren't already a fan - do yourself a favor and check them out today!
* GARDEN CAFE *
(7th Ave & 35th St)
california roll
dumpling
seafood salad
avocado salad
broccoli
bulgulgi
spicy chicken w/string beans
Just wanted to try something new, so I sampled this lunch buffet. It was good and is worth at least another trip.
* HOME *
leftover chicken
coffee
Tom's special broiled chicken thighs are extra good in the morning (especially when I didn't have one the night before!)
* EL MALECON RESTAURANT *
(175th & Broadway)
ensalda de aguacate
papas fritas
arroz amarillo y frijoles negras
mofongo de camarones
medio pollo a la brasa "estilo malecon"
It was a Dominican feast! This bustling 24/7 spot is a must try if you're ever in the neighborhood. Sabor!
* SEATTLE ROASTERS CAFE *
(Penn Station concourse)
lentil soup
It was a big soup & it was good!
* HOME *
hot turkey roll-ups
coffee
I rolled up some cheese in some slices of turkey meat (with a little mustard), and then heated them in a pan until the cheese started to melt a little. It was yummy!
* HOME *
chicken salad
club soda
We've still got chicken leftover, so I thought this would be a good thing... and it was!
* CAFE EUROPAN *
turkey
roasted vegetables
sauteed mushrooms
Yay - they had turkey today! MMMM
My good friend Ken happens to be a past racer on "The Amazing Race." He invited me & Tom to join him at this season's finale party Sunday night!
We had a great time & saw lots of racers. Here are some of the photos - enjoy!
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* PROOF *
(3rd Ave & 20th St)
nachos
tequila
No time to eat - the Amazing Race finale is on!
* L'ABSINTHE *
(67th btwn 2nd & 3rd)
trilogy of avocado & crab
beefsteak tomato green lentil salad
toscane pizzette (w/prosciutto, black olive tapenade, figs and goat cheese)
shared desserts
********************
* bread pudding *
* chocolate tarte *
* tarte tatin *
* strawberry cake *
* chocolate mousse *
********************
coffee
A friend's birthday brunch turned into a dessert tasting bonanza at this French bistro. Served right from the cart, all of them were tres delicious!
* SEASON TOURNAMENT *
As you may already know from previous posts, my team did not have very impressive results this season. In fact, they were pitiful. We ended up 1-11 in matches with our sole win coming via a forfeit from the other team. Sooooo, we really didn't have high expectations for the tournament, but we were all eager to prove (at least to ourselves) that we could win an actual match. Of course, ending the season in last place put us up against the first place team for our first match... we lost. Our second match (now in the loser's bracket) put us up against the season's 4th place team. Unfortunately for them, they only had 4 players make it to the tournament, which helped us come back after losing the first set & win the next two... taking the match! Hooray! Next up, was the season's 3rd place team. They had a full lineup - and we beat them too! Whoo-hoo! Another win... against a full team! Next up - was the season's 7th place team. This was the team that forfeited against us during the season to give us our only season victory. Well, they made up for it this time by beating us which dropped us out of the tournament. But - we still came in 4th for the day, so we were all very happy.
* HOME *
leftover chicken
coffee
Just wanted something in my stomach before heading to the volleyball tournament.
* HOME *
tossed salad
asparagus
chicken
wine
Just a simple Saturday night at home... it had already been a busy weekend, and there was still another day to go!
* GUNNAR & KATHRYN'S *
(16th btwn 6th & 7th Aves)
subs & pasta salad
san pellegrino limonata
white rascal beer
Sara, one of my earliest childhood friends, was in town with her husband, Bart, so mutual friends Gunnar & Kathryn hosted a lovely backyard lunch for us all. Tom and I rode the vespa over which was FUN on such a beautiful day.
* CONNECTICUT MUFFIN *
(Prospect Park West & 15th St)
coffee
Tom & I picked up some coffee as we walked into the park with the dogs. The first Saturday morning of the month is always fun because it is when FIDO sets up a table with coffee & treats (for humans and dogs) during off leash hours (although we actually only took treats for the dogs since we already had our own coffee.) It was a beautiful day, we saw tons & tons of dogs. Howard & Lucky ran around like crazy and Foxy was pretty good until she saw a poodle which set her off (as usual).
* MOBAR *
(Mandarin Oriental, Bway & 60th - 35th floor)
smoked almonds
shared a trio of mini-burgers
bourbon
A beautiful bar, it was the perfect setting for the mini-reunion I had with some old co-workers.
* PRONTO PIZZA *
(37th St & 6th Ave)
slice of mushroom pizza
Ok, because of a meeting that ran long I really had to eat on the run this afternoon - not much choice, but the pizza was good!
* TOM'S *
cheese
coffee
I didn't have a lot of time this morning, but cheese is always good!
Well, for anyone not keeping score, here was the situation going into last night:
My team was 0-11 for the season. We had locked up last place - no one even had a chance of taking that honor away from us. Last night was the last match of the season, in other words, our last chance to at least clear that "0" from our wins column.
Any guesses as to what happened? We WON! It was glorious, tempered only slightly by the fact that the other team actually forfeited because they didn't have enough players. The bottom line is - we are on a winning streak going into Sunday's tournament. It's shaping up to be the Cinderella story of the season at ol' Gotham Volleyball!
* BETTER BURGER *
(8th Ave & 19th St)
turkey burger w/jack cheese
I played really well the last time I had a burger before a volleyball game, so I thought it might be a good luck charm if I ate here again.
* CAFE EUROPAN *
(Penn Station concourse)
salmon
mixed vegetables
sauteed mushrooms
After loving my turkey lunch the other day, I wanted to come back for a repeat - but they didn't have turkey today! Darn! Oh well, it was still good & I'll check back for the turkey another day.
* TOM'S *
ham
coffee
Just a couple slices of deli ham (I'm trying to make sure it gets used!)
* MEXICO LINDO Y QUE RICO *
(Coney Island Ave & Albemarle)
burrito abierto (w/chicken)
bourbon
Tom and I had a menu for this place so we decided to try & I'm glad we did. It was yummy (and the name of the place is fabulous!)
* CIRCLE'S *
(Prospect Park West & 15th St.)
cobb salad
club soda
I worked from home today & took a little trip (1 subway stop) to look for some lunch. As I walked out of the station, I knew immediately that I had to try Circle's. The restaurant used to have a location across the street from my old apartment on Atlantic Ave & I ate there at least 2-3 times a week until it closed several years ago. I didn't have either of my old favorites (chicken cutlet or steak sandwich,) but they were both on the menu & I'll have to go back soon! AND, the salad was a definite winner.
* CAFE EUROPAN *
(Penn Station concourse)
roast turkey
mixed vegetables
Wow - this was really good! It tasted good, it was really healthy... it might become a very regular thing!
This is a very very very special post for me because yesterday was the 2 year anniversary of when I went to the ASPCA with my friend Erin and adopted my sweet Foxy. My life has changed in so many good ways since then and she makes me happy every day (even when it rains).
Here's a copy of the email and picture I sent right after bringing her home - I was so excited!
>From: "David Slivken"
>Subject: I'm a doggie daddy!
>Date: Sat, 30 Apr 2005 16:34:58 -0400
>
>Breaking news - I adopted a dog from the ASPCA today. Her name is Foxy! At
>least it is for now - it's her name from the shelter (although I added the
>exclamation point ), so it might change. She is a 13 month old Finnish
>Spitz / Chow Chow mix and she is great.
>
>Anyway, just wanted to share. We're off to discover the Park Slope dog run
>- hope everyone is having a great weekend.
>
>David
So, for anyone who has thought about getting a dog but isn't sure if they should... I say DO IT! Or, if you can't adopt, think about making a donation to the ASPCA & help them fight to find homes for loving animals everywhere.
* TOM'S *
pistachios
coffee
This is what happens when you play video games all morning.
* TOM'S *
hot & sour soup
broiled asparagus
leftover bbq chicken
fannie mae trinidad
bourbon
I saw this recipe on tv and was pretty happy with how it turned out. Also, the trinidad was from a box Tom brought back for me from Chicago (awww) - they're one of his favorite candies
* SEATTLE CAFE *
(Penn Station concourse)
chicken chili soup
Once again, this trio triumphed my tasting temperament... terrific!
* TOM'S *
leftover barbecued chicken
coffee
YUM! I don't think it can be wrong to love chicken as much as I do, can it?
* TOM'S *
chips, salsa, guacamole
baked beans
corn on the cob
barbecued chicken
Sunday night usually means good food & good TV... no exception here!
* ENDRI'S / TOM'S *
(Caton btwn Ocean Pkwy & E. 7th / 150 Ocean Pkwy)
slice of pizza (Endri's)
chicken wings (Tom's)
I was walking around looking for something to eat & I just couldn't make up my mind, so I got a slice just to make sure I didn't starve (ha!) When I got to Tom's, I was, of course, still hungry, so I nuked up some Costco chicken wings before falling victim to the trappings of the Wii & Twilight Princess for the next several hours.
* TOM'S *
cheese & chive omelette
coffee
Tom used chives from the deck - yummy!
* JACK & JON'S *
(East Orange, NJ)
yummy hors d'ouvres (cheese, crackers, herbed bread, spinach dip, guacamole, olive tapinade)
crab & goat cheese empanadas
cheesy rice
salmon w/mango salsa
champagne
bourbon
Hooray! The boys FINALLY (ha ha) invited me out to see their new place and it was great! Plus, the meal was fantastic.
* HUNAN DELIGHT *
(Union & 6th Ave)
hot & sour soup
chicken w/hot sauce & peanuts
This is definitely my favorite Chinese restaurant in Brooklyn. The food is always good, they have a great seating area, and at the busy corner it's great people watching while you eat.
* TOM'S *
leftover lamb
eggs & toast
coffee
I had a little bit of lamb, but then Tom made me some eggs & toast - so it was like a double breakfast morning!
