Wow, more than a month since my last post? Do you want me to start another post talking about how much I've been working? But let's celebrate a chilled out Sunday evening with a little look at some things I've done and eaten here and there.
Around the corner from my work there's a new Otto's Tacos with a Tatooine landscape mural. So, yeah, I'm there pretty often.
The famous burger at Joe's Jr. As good as diner burgers, and other burgers, can get.
Plus one of the last places I know still doing the glass and cup milkshake thing.
Superiority Burger might be the number one restaurant opening of the summer, even better than all them chicken sandwiches. Dope veggie burgers and killer veggie sides.
AND, as their chef is a James Bear winning pastry chef, trust that their gelatos and ices are some of the best frozen treats in the whole stinking city.
Nat came back. From Utah.
East Village stuff.
There was this one weekend when the Almonds were in town. We went over to Mission Cantina for a nice little dinner.
I tried their gourmet Crunchwrap Supreme, a super-deluxe interpretation of the Taco Bell modern classic.
Judging from the Burrito-themed murals in the basement, I think Mission Cantina's all-burrito menu angle is here to stay.
Now get this! The next day after the Almonds I met up with Kirk and Leslie from my sophomore year of college! I went with them and their kids to Peep where we caught up on the last, uhh, 15 years?
Oh and then there was a night when I went with Robert and Natalie to Fuku+ in midtown where, along with the chicken sandwich from downtown (actually there's is a smaller version) you can get Mission Chinese-spiced chicken strips and a pizza with the Ssam Bar's spicy sichuan sausage for sauce.
Here's some "around the town" kind of pictures.
One night I went over to Andy's for some chicken McNuggets and heavy bro-time.
This torn up ad stares me down each day on my way to work.
Oh and here, this is a real good cake we had after church one Sunday.
Saturday night I went up to Ned's house to learn how to make jam. And to eat bread. And see friends. And make new friends.
Here's Ned and Dallin.
This is Rachel, who took an official jam making class with Ned. She is showing us the "spoon test."
Additional spoons.
A very New York shirt.
The next bunch of photos are Ned's work.
I think I took over photo duties around here
All our little jams, pretty much ready to go.
Next: the talent portion of the evening.
Amy sang a song about not being Brooklyn-enough
Riding downtown with Rebecca, Amy and Dallin.
The next morning there was a big conference at church. After the meeting, there was rice and beans and chicken. Look at Victoria running the tables.
Here's Jacob. He's about to get married and move to Bedford (West Village Bedford, not Williamsburg Bedford). What a bright future for him!
Generally speaking, I respect people's requests not to be photographed.
Kwacey, however, is never not down for a photo op.
Too Sad to Photograph: After eating I went down to Brenda's for her last dessert party because she's moving away. Which is insane. Really knocks a few legs out from under New York that she's leaving.
The Feast of San Gennaro is once more upon my neighborhood. I know it bugs a lot of my neighbors, but I've come to accept it.
And I've become used to seeing the same things in the same spots every year, like the bounce-houses being deflated at the end of the night at the end of my street.
And the messed-up looking Superman.
...suddenly, out of nowhere, Bicyclists!
Umberto's Pig Roast, the lesser-known spin-off of Umberto's Clam House.
The Mulberry Street masses.
And the floating head of an accordian player.
This past week I had some opportunities to socialize, so do you know what I did? I socialized!
Tuesday night there was a farewell gathering in the park for Nicole. Of course I didn't get a picture of Nicole, but look! Here's a picture of me!
I can't exactly remember if Ned said he wanted this picture on the internet or not. He probably said he did.
Then the next night Tara organized a trip out to Fu Ran in Flushing for a friendly Chinese feast. I didn't take pictures of any of the food! I was too busy eating. We had amazing cumin lamb ribs and a whole fish in spicy bean sauce that had the flavoring of tacos al pastor...wonder what was going on there, scientifically...and a lot of other great stuff. We even got to eat in the party room.
Then Saturday night was Ty and Emily's 20's-themed engagement party. Like a genius I didn't get any pictures of the couple, but you can see what they look at a Chinese restaurant in the above photo. And here's Emily right here.
It was a great opportunity to see some friends I hadn't seen in a while, like Chris
And Joe and the Sowards
But Jeff was there, too. Looking just like James Joyce.
Oh here's Ty
and there's Brook
And here's Chris again
What was everyone doing over there at the table?
Just checking out all the Polaroids from the photo booth.
oh and here's my boss Kristin
On the way home, Marge behind bars on my block
And then, as if that wasn't enough, late Sunday night I met Bryndee and Helen (in from Salt Lake for the US Open) for bedtime tacos at the El Idolo truck.
Ok, well. there you have it. Let's hear it for friends!
