Though You May Not Drive A Great Big Cadillac

National Thai Pork and Pineapple Fried Rice, Papaya Salad and Steamed Dumplings

Take out is appreciated at next level this year.  How fortunate are we to be able to get not just quick, easy fast food but amazing better than expected flavors delivered in minutes, hot and steamy.  Local restaurants are nothing to take for granted, especially in these uncertain times.  When I came to New York from an already food-rich culture in San Francisco, I didn't fully grasp the culinary spectrum that I would revel in for years to come.  Yes, the rest of the country, due to amazing immigrants, have added new food offerings to small towns too but no where but New York can someone have this many low cost options within a three block radius and at times, not always, so much better than you could ever imagine.  It's something I fear, we've come to count on, but is in a real threat to survive.  Whether it turn into something only the wealthy can afford, or all the mom and pops, low cost shops go away, it's something that could potentially be a luxury of the past soon for normal schleps like me.  You can't fear the unknown, only be grateful for it now.  

Be Thankful for What You Got

To get to this Key Lime Pie and Banana Split Shake from Big Daddy's Diner in Union Square, I walked across the Brooklyn Bridge in high heat and humidity.... and.... in the wrong shoes no less.  That is one mistake you realize quickly, ill fitting shoes.  That's when I made my second mistake, not running back to change them.  Unbeknownst to be me, this would then prompt an avalanche of bad decisions that evening.

We were to meet P's brother and I got to pick the place for dinner.  This time it was easy.  I wanted a real Shake Shack burger from the original location.  Not one of the many newcomer franchises around town.  No, we would get the big deluxe versions and sit in the park, talk, relax, enjoy the scenery.  All set. Done deal.

Problem was, about a hundred and some other people had the same exact idea at the same time.  The line was ridiculous.  No one talks about it much but there are so many more people on the streets now in Manhattan.  At times it feels unmanageable, other times dangerous. And when you walk across the Brooklyn Bridge you never get a break from that tight congestion of bodies.  And in the swampy heat, my discomfort was growing.  I was grouchy and realized I had a sucky Plan B because I didn't think we'd need one.

There is tons of great food in the city and so many restaurants but what you never want to do is end up hungry, hot and desparate right in the heart of dinner hour.  Walking even with a small group, you feel overwhelmed and the stress is real.  After walking by a few options unable to pull the trigger,

P suggested Big Daddy's Diner up the street because it would be air-conditioned, easy, and dessert could be incorporated.  That seemed to solve all my immediate problems.  It was not bad but when you have your choice of amazing food and you end up at a place called Big Daddy's...you just might be a redneck.  We started with artichoke dip and pita chip appetizer.  I was starving. It was good.

I ordered a salad that I immediately regretted when I saw P's burger and tater tots.

Matt ordered the turkey wrap that probably didn't make the grade but was better than my choice.  Fried chicken was the special.  This was one of those days when you come to accept you're going to make bad decisions in succession.  Matt knew he should have ordered the chicken.  I knew I should have ordered the burger.  Burgers are safest in diners.  No surprises.  I know that.  Still ordered the salad.

The great thing is that each day brings another opportunity to eat somewhere in this amazing city and even if you lame it out and try a schmaltzy themed diner, you really don't lose much. People are having real problems somewhere right now.  This is not one of them.

Be Thankful, For What You Got

This was supposed to be corn and black bean salad, which is very vibrant and pretty to look at.  The small white beans tasted just fine but the presentation wasn't the same.  You really do eat with your eyes too.

Corn & Black Bean Salad:

In a large bowl combine

• 1/2 pkg of frozen corn, thawed
• 1 can black beans
• large tomato diced
• small diced jalapeno
• cilantro 
• s&p, fresh squeezed lemon or lime, a little olive oil.

Let marry on the counter for a few.  This is super good with roast chicken.

I reached out to my sister T, whom I hadn't spoken in quite a long while.  She lives in Floreedah.  She sent me these Irish crystal candleholders as a wedding gift.  I realized quickly that my funky New York apartment was not the kind of place for these beauties. But not one to waste, I quickly cleared my book ridden fireplace of all clutter and unnecessary tchotchkes and prominently featured them on the mantle.  This one bit of brick and fireplace is the only real architectural detail in this white-walled rental.  It doesn't work, and it doesn't even look that good but when it's the only thing...you learn to like it.

The shiny black beans are the best thing for this salad but if you don't have them, still make it and use any small bean because it will taste just as good just not be as visually appealing.

Just Be Thankful For What You Got

My sister R emailed me that she would be making loaded nachos that night and the minute I envisioned them, I could think of nothing else! I looked in the fridge and like a little miracle I had all the fixings for nachos including sour cream! I had leftover tomatillo salsa, roasted chicken, brown rice, pinto beans. You know what, it would just be stupid NOT to make nachos tonight, almost irresponsible. I loaded them up with more rice and beans, tomato, chicken and then went lighter on the cheese. Plenty of pickled and fresh jalapeno slices, a dollop of sour cream and I called it dinner.