Bistro Ten 18

After a long day at school and then working on the campus of Bank Street College of Education, one of my colleagues and dear friends from PS MS 31 in the Bronx with whom I work, surprised me in the technology office after her interview for the new Autism Program at BSC. We chatted for a while and then decided to grab something to eat. The Upper West Side, really? For food? I hopped on Opentable.com and checked out the offerings in the area. Every day, while taking the M4 bus from 110 and Lenox to Broadway I pass by Bistro Ten 18, which I always assumed was the address. Here is what we had.

A great experience. We were greeted at the front door with a smile and a chuckle. After reading my preferences, the server noted that they do not have any booths, but did offer a comfortable table by the window which we accepted. Menus and wine list were presented immediately and water was poured before asking preference-not a critique, just an observation. Rochelle and I looked over the menu and decided we were hungry but not famished. We decided on three items from the charcuterie (aged, dried Lamb, Ham and Chorizo) and the Mac and Cheese to have as our appetizers. Cornichons, pearl onions and olives with a spicy mustard (ala deli) accompanied the meats and delicious, warm bread arrived at the table.

Our main course consisted of a Gorgonzola burger on brioche with two sides: beer battered onion rings and their spiced fries with a spicy aioli and ketchup as dipping sauces. Delicious! For dessert, even though we shouldn't have, we ordered the Bistro Brownie Sundae with Vanilla Gelato, Chocolate Sauce and Rum Soaked Cherries. Yumo! Get there sometime soon. It was the perfect accompaniment to the laughter and conversation we shared over dinner. Energetic space with enough background noise to conceal your conversation and feel comfortable talking to the person next to you. If I tell you, I might have to kill you! Only kidding. Go there.

Bistro Ten 18
1018 Amsterdam Avenue
New York, NY 10025
Cross Street: 110th Street
212.662.7600

p.s. I left my water bottle for the gym behind and will be going back there before class tonight to retrieve it. Good times.

ROBBERY

After coming home following a long day at school, I made some guacamole and then decided to head to the gym (CRUNCH, West 83rd Street). Perhaps I will not go again on a Friday evening.

I entered the gym shortly after 7:00 p.m. Undressed, put my belongings in the locker and locked my lock. Hard workout:2 hours. At shortly after 9:00 p.m. I entered the locker room and took over my sweaty clothes and walked over to get a plastic bag to place them in before putting them in my JACK SPADE bag. I bumped into a guy in the locker room wearing a black button down shirt, dark pants and holding what looked to be an empty gym bag. He said excuse me and walked past me. I looked him straight in the eye. While I was placing my belongings in my locker, he was loitering in the back of the room, but I paid him no mind. I went to shower and came back to the lockers.

I noticed my shorts were wedged between the mirror and the bench and thought that was odd, since I had placed them in the locker before going to shower. I looked at my locker. The lock was torn off, the latch was busted and upon further observation, my debit card, blackberry and $300 in cash were missing. I know, stupid me for having that much cash, but I honestly forgot to leave it at home and it was in a safe place, so I thought. The police came and took a report. ATT was great about suspending my service and sending me a new phone (I SHOULD BE BACK IN BUSINESS TOMORROW (tuesday)). Citibank was great about sending me a new card and blocking my account.

Thank you Detective Galan for your help and hard work. I hope we get an arrest sometime this week... Now, I am wearing a fanny pack at the gym. NOT SO MUCH! Good times.

Spring Carnival, Bronx, NY (PS MS 31)

The staff of PS MS 31 in the South Bronx hosted the third annual Spring Carnival to celebrate our school community on Saturday, May 30, 2009 from 12:30-5:00. The event was well attended by students and their families and staffed by school teachers, aids, school counselors and employees of the Department of Education who work at the school. I was proud to have my parents attending this year. What a blast!

Steven

Havana Central, Union Square

I made a reservation on OPENTABLE.Com to celebrate the belated birthday of my sister (30 years old) and to get a chance to to OUT with my sis. It was an amazing night. We had 7:15 reservations, so of course, as those of you know me, I was early. I sat at the bar and had an amazing Blackberry (boy do I miss mine-story to come) Margarita while I waited for sister to arrive. She arrived promptly at 7:15

We sat and as we are both creatures of habit, we had both looked at the menu the night before on line. Good times. We are definitely related! I ordered a blackberry mojito and my sister a cranberry and ginger ale-she was driving although she did have a taste and enjoyed my sugar cane stick! We decided on the lobster stuffed avocado and plantains and guacamole to munch on before our main courses. Sandi ordered the Paella and the Oxtail Stew for myself. Yumo! (YES, I CANNOT STAND RACHEL RAY!).

Then, when we were finished, we considered looking at the dessert menu. And waited... And Waited... AND WAITED... INTRODUCE SINGING AND CANDLE AND FLAN! I had mentioned in my opentable reservation that we were celebrating my sister's birthday. Four servers came out and sang at the top of the lungs-embarrassed? Not a chance. Have you met my sister and I? LOL!

The bill did not break that bank and we had a great time. Head to Havana Central when you have a chance. The Upper West Side location in the West End building has live music and a great bar scene. Union Square has a small bar in the window/entrance and the Times Square location is also busy. Check it out!