Gotham Gal

Streetcar Named Desire

A Streetcar Named Desire is in its final week at the Roundabout Theater.  I had tickets earlier in the season but due to the kids end of year events, I had to reschedule for yesterday.  I just really wanted to see the performances of Natasha Richardson, John Reilly and Amy Ryan (who has got a lot of positive reviews). 

The play lasts almost 3 hours and is being shown at the old Studio 54 space which is pretty cool.  3 hours is a long time.  I admit that before heading up there, I actually knew in my heart I'd walk out at intermission.  I know the play, I have seen the play performed and I much prefer new over old.  The old stuff keeps getting resurrected, yes I know they are classics, but they really have to be stellar for me to want to watch them again and again.  At least from my view.  Although I saw the Constant Wife last night, I had never seen it before so to me, it was new. 

Natasha Richardson is amazing.  Bottom line.  She is a great actress.  She uses every part of her body to perform.  She also has an incredible figure.  She is tall, svelte yet curvy.  She uses this to her advantage playing Blanche DuBois.  John Reilly is good too but I really didn't think he personally fit the part.  Amy Ryan is going to have a big career ahead of her.  She's very good. 

The stage setting was really well done.  Very New Orleans.  You could feel the heat.   

The show started at 7:30.  By 8pm, I'd had enough.  Ok, I know shame on me, I should enjoy watching these fine actors act out a classic play by Tennessee Williams but I got what I came for.  To see their performances and I am a quick study.  But, we couldn't move, so we stayed through the first half which lasted 1 1/2 hours which is plenty of time. 

We came, we saw, we left.  I'm glad we saw.  I'm glad we left.

The Constant Wife

Years ago, when the Razor's Edge movie came out starring Bill Murray, we saw it on opening day.  The movie opened at the Ziegfield.  It got panned but I loved it.  I was into reading Somerset Maugham.  I saw the Constant Wife last night and I forgot how much I enjoyed his writings.  I might have to pick up a Maugham book for some summer reading.

I really enjoyed the Constant Wife.  It is not a play that I'd necessary run out and buy tickets for but am thrilled that is part of the productions at the Roundabout where we are members.  So in essence, it is part of the 7 play package I have booked over the season.  Some are good, and some are eh.  This was good.

Kate Burton steals the show.  She plays the Constant Wife.  Although there is top billing for Lynn Redgrave, her part is no larger than others in the cast. 

The play takes place in London, 1920's.  Life of the wealthy.  Yet it is incredibly modern for the times. Constance is happily married to John.  They have been married 15 years.  She basically thinks they stopped loving each other after 5 years but that is fine with her.  She understands her role.  She keeps the house, makes sure the kids have nannies, then sends them off to boarding school, and enjoys her life.  Even though she knows her husband is having an affair with her best friend, it is fine with her because she has a great job and it just goes with the territory.  Her sister is absolutely aghast.  Her mother tends to agree.  Yet in the end, Constance wins over them all. 

An old suitor comes back to into her life.  He is still madly in love with her.  She has no intention of leaving her husband but she figures since he had an affair and she stood by him, she might as well too.  After his affair, she takes a job with her friend and makes some serious money.  The money gives her the independence to  go about her own life as she sees fit.  Her husband sits in the palm of her hand.  It was exquisite manipulation. 

The best line of the night is produced by Lynne Redgrave.  Constance can't decide if she is actually in love with her suitor.  Her mother, played by Lynn Redgrave, says there is only one way to tell if you are in love.  That would be if you were willing to share his toothbrush. 

The entire play is tongue and cheek.  Well acted.  Funny and modern story.  I'm glad I saw it. 

Devi

Of course I have a list of restaurants that I really want to check out this summer.  Devi has been on the list for quite a while.  I finally got there last night. 

Indian food is something that I definitely get a hankering for once in awhile.  I have consistently gone back to Tamarind which has quite an extensive menu.  The food is really good too.  As of last night, I have found another place to get really good Indian food.

Devi has a very warm vibe.  The decor has Indian influences.  The groupings of colored glass balls, the colors on the wall, the soft translucent fabrics over the walls and curtains.  There are seats downstairs and upstairs.  The metal circular staircase going upstairs fits right in. 

The service is attentive and very quick.  The food is spicy!  I'm glad they kept coming back and refilling the water glass.  It was essential.  Spicy is probably like drinking scotch.  It is an acquired taste.  I don't eat spicy food often enough to go past the low heat level.  Alas.

We split everything.  I really like that their menu is small.  Also, the portions are the perfect amount. You leave feeling satisfied not stuffed.  We have become accustom to getting huge portions and I'd rather have portions that is more in line with what is appropriate at one meal. 

The first appetizer was Mung Bean Chaat.  Bean sprouts that were mixed in with a variety of small crunchy beans and layered in small chips.  It was like a tiny napoleon of beans.  It was spicy and incredibly delicious.  We also split the Stuffed Chicken.  We were wondering how they cooked the chicken so perfectly.  The chicken was stuffed with goat cheese and spinach and some delicious spices.  Yum.

For dinner we split two entrees.  I had read that the lamb chops should be tried, so we did.  Tandoori lamb chops with a pear chutney and curry potatoes.  The lamb chops were smothered in spices, cooked perfectly and the chutney and potatoes were the perfect compliments to cooling your palette.  We also had the Tandoori Prawns that were large and served with mint rice and another type of onion chutney.  It was really good.

We passed on dessert but maybe next time, because we will definitely be back.

Camp

The kids took off for camp this past Saturday.  It is big.  They go for 8 weeks to a co-ed camp up in the Catskills.  It is nice because they are all together so they have each other.  They seem to come back older every year.  More mature. There is something about taking off for camp, by yourself, with no parents for 8 weeks.  You are with completely different kids than during the school year.  You are responsible for yourself in some ways.  Make your bed, take care of laundry ( at least getting it to the laundry), writing letters, making friends, resolving problems, etc.  The camaraderie part is fantastic.  The sports are awesome.  I loved camp and our kids do too. 

The strangest part is the eerie silence in the house.  Yet, being married without kids for 8 weeks does have its benefits.

Stawberry Jam Season

Strawberry jam is an annual undertaking.  We try to make at least 30 jars so we can use it all year.  The strawberries are out in force at the local farm stands, so it was time.  In the past we have gone picking first but this year we just bought the strawberries already picked.  At least they were local. 

The key to making the jam is pectin.  Follow the instructions inside the pectin box.  I have found that really making sure that the jam sets is a rolling boil.  The strawberries first come to a rolling boil solo.  Rolling boil means that you can see the mixture truly boiling even while you are stirring.  The strawberries solo need to do this for a few minutes.  Once you add the sugar and pectin and butter, it takes a few minutes to boil again and must do a rolling boil for a full minute.  That is the key to making sure the jam really gels, otherwise it is soupy.  If that happens, it is always good to use on ice cream, so don't fret.

Gazpacho

'Tis the season to make gazpacho.  When the weather warms, everyone has a hankering to keep a big pot of gazpacho in the frig at all times.  No prob.  It is easy to make and lo-cal.  Can't beat it. 

• 4 large tomatoes - squeeze out the juice and seeds before dicing
• 1 cucumber - peeled, cut in half, scoop out the seeds and dice
• 1 red pepper - diced
• 1 green pepper - diced
• 1 yellow pepper - diced
• 1 onion - diced (I prefer vidalia's or anything sweet onion)
• 5 stalks of celery - slice lengthwise 4 times and then dice crosswise
• apple cider vinegar - 3/4-1 cup
• 2 large cans of basic tomato juice (not V8)
• tabasco
• salt and pepper

Cut up all the veggies and put in a large soup tureen.  Add the tomato juice until covered over about 1-2 inches.  I end up using about 1 and 1/2 - 1 and 1/4 cans of juice.  Mix. All depends on how soupy vs. chunky you want the gazpacho.  Now add the apple cider vinegar.  I prefer mine with a vinegar bite, so I generally am heavy handed on the vinegar.  I put in about 1 cup but sometimes after stirring it together toss in a little more.  Use your taste buds.  Tabasco is also according to taste.  I like it a bit spicy so I give quite a few shakes in.  Then add kosher salt and pepper to taste.

Let it set in the frig for a couple of hours.  It is addicting.

This week's podcast

This week's podcast is up.  The kids took off for camp yesterday so Fred and I are solo.  We hope to have some guests this summer.  The kids gave us their songs for the podcast before they took off so they are there in spirit.

Enjoy ..   Positively 10th Street

Podcast

Our last podcast is up and running.  For any of you interested listeners, here it is...

Positively 10th Street.

Lotus Root

I love lotus root.  There is a fish market on the eastern end of Long Island and he makes a great lotus root salad.  The lotus root at Matsuri should be packaged and bought by the pound.  It is crunchy and delicious.  About 2 weeks ago in the NYTimes, the recipe for Matsuri's lotus root was in the Dining Section (my favorite section of the week).  I was thrilled. 

So the hunt for lotus root began.  I started at Citarella, no.  I went to Whole Foods, nope.  They only carry is on occasion and it doesn't turn fast enough.  I tried M and M which is an asian market on 3rd and 12th.  They looked at me like I had 2 heads when I asked for lotus root.  Now we were on a mission.  We took off for China town.  There is a big vegetable market on the corner of Christy and 2nd Avenue right near the F train stop.  I asked the woman if they had lotus root.  She just shook her head.  Lucky enough there was a huge empty box behind her that was clearly marked in big black letters, LOTUS ROOT.  I pointed, she nodded.  They had plenty.  Yes!  Big score.  We picked up about 4 lbs for about $4. 

Then we wandered into a few other stores down there.  I got a large bottle of rice wine vinegar for $1.50 and a huge bottle of dark soy sauce for $2.95.  I threw in some bags of sesame seeds, white and black, that were only 75 cents each.  The savings are incredible in Chinatown.  I love shopped there.  The only frustration down there, or you could call it humorous or fascinating is that very few people in the stores speak English.  Here we are in NYC, and people can literally survive in a small section of the city called Chinatown and never learn the English language.  It's wild. 

We hurried home and started our dish.  It is pretty easy.  4 lbs is out of control, go for 2 lbs.  If you are adventurous, just double the recipe. 

• 2 lbs lotus root, trimmed and peeled
• 2 tablespoons sesame oil
• 1 1/2 tablespoons sugar
• 1 cup sake
• 2 tablespoons dark soy sauce (I used 1 tablespoon regular, 1 tablespoon dark)
• 1 teaspoon finely chopped red chili pepper ( I used dried )
• 1 teaspoon toasted sesame seeds (toasted them in a small non-stick pan on the stove)

Cut the lotus root crosswise about 1/4 thick.  Soak in a bowl of cold water for a few minutes, do this a few times until the water drains clear.  Dry. 

In a non-stick skillet heat up the sesame oil.  It heats up very quick.  Add the lotus roots and toss for about a minute or so, until they are covered.  Add the sake, sugar, soy sauce and chilli pepper.  Stir continuously until the sauce is reduced and thick.  This took longer than the recipe said.  It took me about 10 minutes but it does happen.  Be patient. 

Transfer to a plate, sprinkle with sesame seeds and voila.  Eat them warm or room temperature or cold for that matter.  They were still good days later. 

Modest Mouse

Modest Mouse played Summerstage in Central Park last night.  This is the second time I have seen them in a year.  We saw them at Hammerstein Ballroom last summer.  The kids came this time around. 

They were not as pumped as I remember them but they put on a solid show.  They are really good live. Instrumentally their talents are pretty amazing.  Cello, trumpet, keyboards, 2 drummers, guitars, etc.  As Josh put, it looks like they got all their friends together on stage and just played.  Maybe that is it. 

At this point I know the majority of the songs.  2 albums and I am sure more to come.  Great show.  They have grown into themselves as performers.  Quite impressive.