The Old Days

Callaghan, O'Connell, Pérez, Castellano, Murphy, Gómez, Boyle, Quiñones -- seems like everybody who grew up in this neighborhood was either Irish or Latino. No Goldbergs. No Changs. No Washingtons. But, then again, there weren't any Changs, Washingtons, or Pérezes where I grew up either.

A Perfect Meal

We had the perfect dinner last night, at the Bistro Central Parc, a low-key French restaurant in the Western Addition. We could hear each other, for one thing, and the waitstaff was perfect. Mussels in a garlicky marniere to begin, alongside perfect French Fries served in a paper cone so you can easily dunk them into the mussels sauce; followed by red pepper soup, osso buco over curried garbanzos and a creme caramel with espresso. A few glasses of a cordon bleu that fit with each course, and each course perfectly timed, perfectly served and elegantly delicious.

Plotnik does not consider French food to be superior by its very nature, and Italian is clearly his and Ducknik's soul food; still, what the French touch the French perfect. A French version of osso buco has got to be better than, say, an Italian version of duck confit.

An old woman was sitting by herself in the corner, slowly devouring half a roasted chicken, reading the newspaper, alone on a Saturday night and enjoying every minute. It looked like her personal table. The whole place reeked of friendliness and deliciousness. It felt like France.

And Ducknik pulled a Mushnik and found us a parking place half a block away.

Bill's Birthday

Beautiful Women

I am a lucky man to have so many women in my life. Thanks to my beautiful wife I have these two to dote on. This photo just makes me smile.

 

Broccoli Rabe is Ready

Got the hot Italian sausage, got the onions, got the garlic, got the marinara. The broccoli rabe is ready to pick. Everything's early this year. Wintertime and the livin' is easy.

Still the Best Juice

Half a Moro Blood orange, half an Oro Blanco grapefruit and one Olinda sweet orange.

.

Char Shu Ramen

Finally got to celebrate Bill's birthday yesterday, a damp and windy afternoon out on 32nd and Clement. Oyaji is still as good as ever, even with new owners. Char Shu Ramen, Steak and Onions, Bento box with teriyaki. We're getting quite a nice collection of birthday photos with food.

Hooray for FiveHead!

The Great FiveHead slipped on the ice yesterday and dislocated a finger. But she fell right next to an E.R. nurse. Together, they snapped the finger back into place.

The question is: Good Luck? Or Bad Luck?

I am inclined to say luck has nothing to do with it, given how hard TG5H has been working the last six months. She completed her course, dropped into the job search swamp, and just yesterday has been hired by Kaplan (the College Test people) to rework their web presence. She starts, with a sore finger, next week.

A new career and a new job, all in six months. It takes me six months to rewrite one verse. 

Hooray for FiveHead!

Raw Material for Guacapitty

It's true that our PEF ratio (Pit to Edible Fruit) is higher than it should be. However, these were immature avocados that fell from the tree during severe  pruning. The tree is about to burst into flower now. If there are bees in the neighborhood we believe this year's fruit will be larger, less pit-intensive, not taste bitter, and serve a purpose other than exterior decoration.

It will happen. Trends are all positive. You may ask us why we feel secure with our prognosis. #SaddamhashugepileofWMDs  #SeahawkswinSuperBowlbehindLynch'sOneYardRun

Super Bowl at Ricky's House

 Ribs: The best in the world.

Game: Great for a quarter and a half.

Commercials: Who the f cares?

Next Morning

It is easy to say that I wouldn't want to live the way mom does. But I'm sure that's a lie. We are not in possession of grand alternatives. One thing is for sure, this is no video game. Or if it is, I doubt it's a best seller.