Happy Thanksgiving

It's funny the things that can trigger a childhood memory when you least expect it. I can't honestly remember the last time I had an Egg Cream, but it's been a while. And I know the last one I had was with my dad.

I was recently at the home of a work associate (A nice Brooklyn kid!) and he made me an Egg Cream following a fantastic dinner. The first sip as the syrup slid through the milk, seltzer and foam was amazing. It just took me back to sitting on my dad's lap somewhere, drinking it through a straw. Pretty great memory.

If you are thinking about making one, never, ever substitute for the Fox's U-Bet. There are people from Brooklyn that will come find you!

Happy Thanksgiving.

What a great season

Some home grilled dogs. Gotta love it!

It seems like yesterday that I was sitting at my desk, watching the Yankees opening day at my computer. As the season started, it was a bumpy road, and seemed like it would be another season without the playoffs.

However, as my life was crashing around me, the Bombers pulled it together and headed down a path towards last night's fantastic World Series win against the Phillies. It was great to have every day of the season to look forward to.

Most of my friends are Yankees bashers, so I enjoyed the game at home, hoping for the grand conclusion of a fantastic season.

The Yankees remind me of how much life changes. The WS wins in the 90's, and it's just Jeter, Posada, Andy and Mo that are left. But change is a good thing, as I constantly have to remind myself.

"People ask me what I do in the winter when there's no baseball. I'll tell you what I do. I stare out the window and wait for spring" Rogers Hornsby

More street scenes

Next day

So today's adventure is a visit to the Lower East Side. Once this area was known as the Jewsih part of Manhattan, but now, like most of the city, it is a truly melting pot of Latin (known as Loisida "low-ees-seedah"), Eastern European and other nationalities. While an Orthodox community still strives, my visit was concerned with the eats. lol

First stop, Yonah Schimmels Knish Bakery. This ain't your freezer knish. It's the last, true ball of potato goodness left. Never been there before, but have known of it for years. A tiny little dump on Houston St. but the best knish I have had since my Aunt Gertie's. By the way, don't be a tourist, it's pronounced "HOW-stin" not like the city in Texas.

Knishes in tow, and a quick peek into Russ and Daughters Appetizing Shop down the street for just a taste of their rugelach. Then it's off to lunch at Katz's Delicatessen. Ya know that sound Homer Simpson makes when he sees a donut? That's the drooly noise I was making when I walked into Katz's. lol

Ess gesunt! (eat in good health in Yiddish). Pastrami on Rye, pickles (two types-dill and half sour) Dr. Brown's diet cream soda (who knew it came in diet?) and a small slice of cheesecake! The pastrami was so tender, spiced just right, and just flaked apart with every bite.

This place has been turning out Deli meat since the '80's. Oh, I mean 1880's, like 1888 actually. Famous for Meg Ryan's great orgasm scene with Billy Crystal, in the movie When Harry Met Sally. If you want to punish yourself, here's their menu.

But a special surprise today, met Big Pussy from the Sopranos! Vinny Pastore himself was in taping an interview, "How's the sandwich young man?" he asked me when he walked by my table. Cool!

Then it was off in a cab back to the hotel, then JFK to home. Great 24 hours!

The sights of the city

New York is amazing for walking and people watching. On one subway platform, I was the only caucasian on the entire side. I heard no less than 8 different languages being spoken as I wandered the platform. People were dressed in all manner of clothing and truly represented New York as the melting pot of cultures it is.

Here are some pictures of my afternoon.

Slice of Pie

So I alluded to change in the previous post. Change is a good thing, but some things should not change. Such as my favorite place in the whole world to grab a slice of pie. That's pizza for the Californians, and yes, a slice should be as big as your head, and folded in one hand.

My fav place, no name that I recall, was a shithole snack window on 8th Ave at about 38th st. They had great slices, cheesecake, tiramisu, all types of goodies to go. I could get a seltzer and a slice of pie for $3 and it was good.

Bastards.

It's now a friggin papaya smoothie stand.

Communists.

So, my first slice of this trip in Manhattan (had good pie out on Long Island one day) was at Stella's. A good slice of mushroom. mmmmmmmm

Jeter's House

A train uptown to 125th. Transfer to the uptown D train to The Bronx. 161st is Yankee Stadium Top of the stairs, and there it is, the new yard. OK, I'm a kid, I had goose bumps. After a walk around to see what I could see (it was closed, off day during the playoffs) I went in to the gift shop and bought a new hat.

Had my first dog even if it was from a cart across the street. Got to see them tearing down the House that Ruth Built, which is sad in its own accord, but change is good.

Subway ticket- $2.25

Hot dog from street vendor-$2.00

New Bombers hat-$40

Seeing the new Yard on a 70 degree great afternoon-priceless

10 more wins to go!

ps-yes, I like ketchup on my dog. Get over it. And the only one who gets to give me crap about that is Tony Bourdain; he said in his book he would slit my f****** throat if I put ketchup on my dog at Yankee Stadium, but I think that only counts for INSIDE the ballpark. Tony, when we go to a game, I promise, no ketchup!