Gotham Gal

Window Treatment NYC

As the weeks get closer to the election, I am trying to wrap my arms around why would anyone vote for George Bush. I had lunch with a friend of mine last week who is obsessed with it. He has read a variety of books on trying to figure out the angle. He doesn't want to live here if George Bush is re-elected.

Bush has taken a balance budget and tossed it down the drain, there will be less jobs in this country than when he took office 4 years ago in November, he decided to go to war in Iraq when were not provoked or attacked by them (making the leap that we were with Al Queda), we have lost over 1000 American soldiers not to mention countless soldiers who are wounded for life, he crossed the line on separation of church and state, he has pissed off all of our allies, he has let the dollar plunge so that purchasing consumer goods has gone up and travel overseas is outrageously expensive, he has turned back our environment, he has made sure that companies who give him money just get what they want, he has created a true separation of the classes which get worse every day, he has totally screwed up medicare, he has given pure lip service to education which is the key to our future survival. So, why would anyone vote for this man? Is that he is anti-abortion and is against gun laws? I don't know and I don't get it. As my friend put it, "if you vote for George Bush you are either stupid or selfish". She might be right on the money.

My sister send me a link and story which I want to share.

For the first time in their history, the Republican National Committee
has chosen to stage their convention in New York City. If this seems as
abhorrent, implausible and politically transparent to you as it does to
me, check out this site. http://www.windowtreatmentnyc.com/
Over the weekend, I met a great woman who started an organization called
Window Treatment. The organization has created a simple uniformed way
for people to do their part, and send the RNC a message by displaying
signs in windows - cars, offices, homes, etc. (Go to the site to see
the simplicity and powerfulness of the image.)
Whether or not you live in NYC, you too can participate. This visual
message is just as important for November 2nd!
Please visit the site & do your part!!

This is a great idea. The only power to get George Bush out of office is the power of the people. Hopefully through strength, protests and more viral stuff like this, people who are undecided will make the right choice. Vote Kerry.

Modest Mouse

We (my husband) went to see Modest Mouse last night at the Hammerstein Ballroom. They were really great. They have a terrific sound. A bit grunge, a bit southern twang, very rock and they use a variety of instruments from a cello to a banjo.

The lead singer, Isaac Brock, seemed to be a bit of an asshole on stage but he does have one helluva a good voice and makes great music.

For me, the biggest problem going to these concerts is being short. Now, in my 20's, I certainly weaved myself to the front of the stage so who cared that I am a shorty. Well, now I am quite older, 42 to be exact and my state of mind at a concert is a bit different. So, we hung out in the back. I didn't see much but I do get to hear. I am not sure that I was one of the oldest people there but close to it.

Regardless, I still enjoy going, listening and checking out the crowd. I'd prefer better seating than standing in the mass on the floor but sometimes we get lucky and sometimes we don't. We saw Pete Yorn at the Hammerstein a few years back and I convinced the security people to let us up to the "vip" seating. It was my night, last night wasn't but I sure as hell enjoyed the show.

Pearl Oyster Bar

In 1997, Pearl Oyster Bar became a reality for Rebecca Charles. She had roots in New England and opened her dream restaurant with her partner Mary. Somewhere along the line Mary and Rebecca had a falling out and Mary moved down the street and opened her own restaurant called Mary's Fish Camp.

For the locals (I am one of those people), there is always a discussion on which restaurant is better. The menu's are similar. I like them both but I am partial to Pearl.

There are no reservations at both restaurants which is part of the charm. Opens at 6pm for dinner. I have been there many times but am prefer lunch because you can generally get a seat with no problem. Lunch is from 12 -2:30. The food has always been exceptional. The menu doesn't change and the specials just highlight the menu.

We brought my husband's parents last night for dinner. I have not been there since they expanded. Maybe it was an off night. Maybe my palette has changed. Maybe I have eaten too much seafood this summer prepared by me and the Clam Bar. I am not sure what it was but the food was not as good as it has been in the past.

We had the classic fried oysters which has an incredibe cold chunky tartar sauce paired with the hot light crispy oyster. It was good but it wasn't as good as it has been in the past. We also had the salt shrimp. Eat them shell and all. They did not have the bite that I remember. 2 lobster rolls which I did not taste but looked really mayonaisse laden. I ordered the whole fish. There were 2 options, snapper and dorado. The bass was charred over a salad of corn. I said that we were going to split a whole fish, let's do the bass. The waitress was so interested in just moving us in and out that she just put down bass without even responding that the whole fish was not a bass that night. I didn't remember but she should have reminded me. So, the bass is what came. Maybe that wasn't what I was expecting so I didn't like it. I also had a bowl of steamers. They were not sweet and plump like the one's I have been eating weekly at the Clam Bar in Napeague.

We finished with a chocolate sundae to split. It wasn't that good. The chocolate was too rich. It should have been light and smooth.

Oh well. I will continue to go back to the Pearl because perhaps it was an off-night. The guy that sat us even said that it was tourist season until October. I think next time, I might recheck in with Mary's Fish Camp.

Restaurant August on Bleeker

Being in the city in August is such a different experience. There are less people on the streets. It is wonderful. The restaurants are not so crowded, you can walk in anywhere. Also, there is a different hum happening as u walk around. I forgot how great it is to be here during the summer except for the days when u can fry an egg on the sidewalk.

Last night, we strolled over to August to have dinner. It was highly recommended to me by David, who owns the store next door which is now called Paper Dolls. He is wonderful. I highly recommend going in and checking out what he has. I believe the concept is kids clothes mixed in with adult clothes. He has gone through 3 transistions which is probably the key to his success.

Anyway, the restaurant has more of a winter vibe than a summer vibe. Warm, big fire burning oven and a very rustic feel. The food is of European/Spanish descent. There is a backyard which is always a bonus in NYC but we chose to sit inside last night.

We were not that hungry so split a variety of appetizers which was perfect. We had one of the specials which was a heirloom tomatoes cut into chunks with a pesto over it. The pesto was laden in garlic. Not that interesting of a presentation either. We also had the arugula, fennel salad with ricotta salata. It was good but not great. There was something missing in the dressing which could have given the salad more of a kick. The salad was more like a refreshing inbetween courses to cleanse your palette. The waiter recommended we try the onion, bacon tart which is a big hit there. It was good but a bit too salty. I liked how they presented it on a small wooden cutting board. We also had the grilled octopus which was served with pickled, grilled red onions that had a fantastic kick and chick peas with small tomatoes cut up. This was good and the octopus was cooked perfect. We had the charcuterie plate which was small, well presented. 3 cornichons, some proscuittos, 3 pieces of rolled salami and a 10 small slices of a sopressa sauage with some mustard. It was all ok. I am not sure I'd return but I bet in the winter, the food would be more up my alley in terms of where my food cravings are.

We'll see how I am feeling about this cute neighborhood restaurant in February.

Cole Slaw

Years ago, when our first child was just 4 months old, we rented a house in Mahopac, New York. It was what we could afford and a straight shot out of the city. I was basically tied to the house the majority of the time. There was not a lot to do there. No beaches to hang on, just a lake which is not exactly optimal for a kid of 4 months old. So, I literally spent the summer teaching myself about grilling.

I made almost every recipe in the cookbook, The Thrill of the Grill by Chris Schlesinger and John Willoughby. It is still today, I think, one of the best grill books out there. The two of them have written other books, but this one rules supreme.

One of my favorite recipes, that I still use today and have altered a bit if the recipe for Cole Slaw. It is pretty simple and is always a big hit.

Here is what I do.

1/2 head of green cabbage sliced into pieces. I prefer the hand method for chunkier pieces
1/2 head of red cabbage sliced into pieces.
8 or so large carrots shredded into small pieces. For this, I either use a manual grater or a cuisinart.

1 1/2 cups mayonaisse
1/2 cup white vinegar
1/3 cup sugar
2 t. celery salt (this is a complete option)

Mix the dressing up with a fork so that lumps go away. Pour over the cabbage and carrots. I admit that I generally only use about 1/2 of the dressing because I don't want the cole slaw too runny. You can save the rest for another day. Put the cole slaw in the refrigerator for about 4 hours before serving.

It is delicious!

Hanging in the Hamptons

There is nothing quite like the Hamptons for a variety of reasons. The scene out there is beyond insane. Wealthy New Yorkers rubbing elbows with each other, many parties to attend and restaurants packed to the gills. But, that is not the Hamptons I choose to do. I basically stay with in a 5 mile radius of my house. I cook at home and enjoy the absolute beauty of the area. There is no doubt that the end of Eastern Long Island is one of the most beautiful pieces of land in the world. The beaches are gorgeous, the bays are beautiful, the trees are old and full of life, and the sky has a different look which is probably why so many artists choose to live out there.

I just spent a week hanging out in the Hamptons. It was really relaxing and fun. We kayaked in the bay, took yoga and spinning classes, made delicious meals at home, drank lots of wine, relaxed at the beach, saw the annual sandcastle building contest, my husband went fishing. All and all, it was fantastic.

Personally, I believe the farther u go out, the better it is. The absolute best restaurant in the Hamptons is The Clam Bar which is located in Napeague on Route 27 past Amagansett en route to Montauk. You sit outside and eat the best New England chowder with steamers on the side. Very casual, very mellow. Cash only. You can't go wrong. No reservations. This is the Hamptons that I enjoy. Very low key.