Broadway between 104 and 105, July 21, 2009.
815 pm. A sizable crowd of varied you and old, singles, families and a nice buzz throughout.
I ordered a gin and tonic (T&T) to start and perused the menu. Yummy selections for an anti paste, salads, pasta and then pizza both personal and regular with a choice of traditional or extra thin.
I chose the tomato salad which was described on the menu as having tomatoes and vidallia onions, basic and cucumber (vidallias were red onions tonight-but it was still delicious) a little salt, a little red paper flake and the seasoned olive oil that dressed the plate came to life. The basil made the dish. Surprise on the plate is what seemed to be toasted brioche as the toast points. While surprising delicious and decadent, not what I would suspect in a PIZZA shop!
As the crowds came and went, the atmosphere at the bar changed with a couple of "businessmen at the end having a Patron (tequila) on the rocks and an Absolut and Cranberry-both in wine glasses. I wanted to ask, "Who are you hiding from.
At approximately 850 music emerged above the chatter of the crowd as I waited for my personal, thin crust Nonna (mushrooms, artichokes). I ordered my second T&T.
Said to be their most popular pizza, the Nonna does not disappoint. Although it would have been better had the artichokes been baked on the pie, rather than tossed on as an after thought, the cheese was perfectly melted, the sauce perfectly balanced and the crust, as it should be in a wood burning oven, charred with flavor! A little parm, some red pepper flakes and a touch of salt, brought out the flavor in every bite. The bartender suggested the house red, a sangiovese which was a great compliment to the pie.
Let's look at dessert...
Dessert? Canoli's of course! Amazingly stuff and served with raspberries, blueberries, cocoa power, chocolate sauce and whipped cream! A nice short rocks glass of Frangelico accompanied my final course!
Met a lovely lady visiting from Perth, Australia who just happened to be in the neighborhood and staying by herself. She stumbled upon the establishment and came in for the lasagna. She thoroughly enjoyed it. As did I.
Off to home and bed. Well fed
Wednesday, July 22, 2009
Sunday, July 19, 2009
July 19, 2009, Fire Island Pines
Oh, the day was amazing yesterday. Started at the beach and finished at the beach. Just an amazing day. I have no other words to explain the day. XXOO GUY!!!
Friday, July 17, 2009
Fire Island Pines
Woke up this morning with my friend INSOMNIA and took my but to the beach. Check out the pictures on my facebook page of the sun rising over the houses on the East End of the Pines. An incredible start to what will be a good weekend. Missing my GUY on Fire Island. Please come and play with me.
XXOO
XXOO
One Year Anniversary for Guy and I
Yay! WE made it to one year! Guy and I met at ELMO to celebrate our one year anniversary. Hello FROZEN POMEGRANITE MARGARITAs! Yummy. We secured a table out front and had a wonderful dinner after having been away from each over for almost a week. There is an unresolved issue that is affecting his time at the beach with me. But, let's focus on the current topic.
Sat down and mentioned to the manager that we were celebrating our one year anniversary and he sent his congratulations. The server asked us if we needed some time or had any questions. We ordered the Spring Rolls, deliciously wrapped vegetables with a sweet and sour dipping sauce. Followed by two fish dishes from the menu, Guy: the roasted Mahi Mahi and Steven: Crab Salad on focaccia with FRENCH FRIES-you know I cannot resist them. Followed by a pecan chocolate brownie with pecan ice cream. Delicious. The manager sent over two glasses of prosecco to help us celebrate our anniversary. What a great dinner.
We will be back soon.
Then we went out and got our drink on and ended up at THE VIEW having frozen margaritas until 2 am. Ugh
Sat down and mentioned to the manager that we were celebrating our one year anniversary and he sent his congratulations. The server asked us if we needed some time or had any questions. We ordered the Spring Rolls, deliciously wrapped vegetables with a sweet and sour dipping sauce. Followed by two fish dishes from the menu, Guy: the roasted Mahi Mahi and Steven: Crab Salad on focaccia with FRENCH FRIES-you know I cannot resist them. Followed by a pecan chocolate brownie with pecan ice cream. Delicious. The manager sent over two glasses of prosecco to help us celebrate our anniversary. What a great dinner.
We will be back soon.
Then we went out and got our drink on and ended up at THE VIEW having frozen margaritas until 2 am. Ugh
Wednesday, July 8, 2009
July 4th Weekend, 2009
Just returned from seven glorious days at 590 Fire Island Boulevard in the Fire Island Pines. If you haven't visited or know anything about the Pines, it is a community comprised of homes inhabited by gay men who escape from the confines of city life and search for laughter and companionship.
Guy and I have taken a half share this summer. That means ten weeks during the summer alternating every other beginning Memorial Day. The weather this past weekend was incredible and we could not have asked for more. Guy chose to stay in the city and watch the fireworks over the Hudson River-commemorating the 400th anniversary of its' discovery.
I arrived on Thursday at 11:50 off the ferry after a quick express train out from Penn Station to Sayville. A quick five dollar/five minute shuttle ride and on the ferry I went. I arrived at the house with my ingredients to make the house snack: GUACAMOLE! Yummy. No cilantro in my, and lots of extra lime just to keep an extra day. Thursday night was low tea and then home to cook.
Friday was a day of leisure. A little shopping in town, some consuming of cocktails in the afternoon around the pool, pre tea and then enjoying the fantastic weather that was offered for us to enjoy our time out. Some other housemates joined on Friday and made for a night big meal at night.
Saturday (JULY 4th) the 34th annual Invasion of the Pines took place. In history, as I have heard it told, a group of drag queens boarded a ferry and hijacked it over from Cherry Grove to the Fire Island Pines on July 4th, 1975. The INVADED the all male gay clubs and caused a scene with their outlandish outfits and attitudes as big as their wigs. It was a blast. This year I did not attend. After so many years of hanging out in the harbor, I needed a break and relaxed by the pool at the house and took in a little reading. In the evening though, a housemate and I wearing the same t shirt invaded tea and had a blast saying LET'S HUG IT OUT! Lots of fun. Saw lots of familiar and STRANGE faces. And, some faces I have not seen in a really long time. RIBS for dinner late-I think we sat down around the table at 11:30 and laughed and ate until almost one a.m.
Sunday, Rick's birthday celebration cocktail party in the afternoon. About 2:10 in the afternoon there was a pull on the door and the gate opened to reveal friends with smiles and bathing suits reading to enjoy a libation around the deck outside the house. TEA followed and then dinner back at the house. Hello Sip N Twirl!!! Just went for a drink or two and to talk with some friends. Then back to bed.
Monday, a glorious day under the sun, allowed for another day of relaxation, reading and some pre coverage of the Michael Jackson Memorial Service that was to take place in Los Angeles on Tuesday. Nap time! A dip in the pool, a soak in the hot tub, show and then off to TEA for one drink and back to the house for dinner. Yummy.
Tuesday. The National Weather Service has issued a thunderstorm warning with heavy rain and winds up to 60 miles per hour. Watched the VIEW for a while and then outside to read until the storms present. Bright sun and then clouds until about 3 p.m. after hanging around the pool. Pack up the blackberry, my book, the cushions and bring down the umbrella before heading inside to catch the last few minutes of the Michael Jackson service. Touching. Symbolic. DEAD.
After the storm, which was really just rain for the most part, passed, a housemate and I walked down to the harbor to grab a drink at TEA and take a picture or two at sunset. Amazing sunset after a rainstorm. There are always clouds still in the sky. Took our drinks to CROWN and hung out with some friends and laughed about the events of the weekend. Then, back to the house to pack, heat up some leftovers and make time for sleep before catching the ferry in the am. I did manage to squeeze in a little pool before bedtime. Didn't win, but had a blast.
6:00 a.m. on Wednesday, July 8, 2009 time to get up. Put the egg dish in the oven and go back to bed for an hour. Up at 7:42 and a housemate had already helped themselves to the first piece. Not my best work by far, but needed a little nourishment before the long ride home. Closed up the house, said "SEE YA LATER" to the pool and headed down to the harbor. Ferry departed at 8:55 back to Sayville and was nicely returned to Manhattan by 11:10 by a housemate. We laughed and tried to get ready to return to reality.
Fire Island PINES: PARADISIO!!!!
Guy and I have taken a half share this summer. That means ten weeks during the summer alternating every other beginning Memorial Day. The weather this past weekend was incredible and we could not have asked for more. Guy chose to stay in the city and watch the fireworks over the Hudson River-commemorating the 400th anniversary of its' discovery.
I arrived on Thursday at 11:50 off the ferry after a quick express train out from Penn Station to Sayville. A quick five dollar/five minute shuttle ride and on the ferry I went. I arrived at the house with my ingredients to make the house snack: GUACAMOLE! Yummy. No cilantro in my, and lots of extra lime just to keep an extra day. Thursday night was low tea and then home to cook.
Friday was a day of leisure. A little shopping in town, some consuming of cocktails in the afternoon around the pool, pre tea and then enjoying the fantastic weather that was offered for us to enjoy our time out. Some other housemates joined on Friday and made for a night big meal at night.
Saturday (JULY 4th) the 34th annual Invasion of the Pines took place. In history, as I have heard it told, a group of drag queens boarded a ferry and hijacked it over from Cherry Grove to the Fire Island Pines on July 4th, 1975. The INVADED the all male gay clubs and caused a scene with their outlandish outfits and attitudes as big as their wigs. It was a blast. This year I did not attend. After so many years of hanging out in the harbor, I needed a break and relaxed by the pool at the house and took in a little reading. In the evening though, a housemate and I wearing the same t shirt invaded tea and had a blast saying LET'S HUG IT OUT! Lots of fun. Saw lots of familiar and STRANGE faces. And, some faces I have not seen in a really long time. RIBS for dinner late-I think we sat down around the table at 11:30 and laughed and ate until almost one a.m.
Sunday, Rick's birthday celebration cocktail party in the afternoon. About 2:10 in the afternoon there was a pull on the door and the gate opened to reveal friends with smiles and bathing suits reading to enjoy a libation around the deck outside the house. TEA followed and then dinner back at the house. Hello Sip N Twirl!!! Just went for a drink or two and to talk with some friends. Then back to bed.
Monday, a glorious day under the sun, allowed for another day of relaxation, reading and some pre coverage of the Michael Jackson Memorial Service that was to take place in Los Angeles on Tuesday. Nap time! A dip in the pool, a soak in the hot tub, show and then off to TEA for one drink and back to the house for dinner. Yummy.
Tuesday. The National Weather Service has issued a thunderstorm warning with heavy rain and winds up to 60 miles per hour. Watched the VIEW for a while and then outside to read until the storms present. Bright sun and then clouds until about 3 p.m. after hanging around the pool. Pack up the blackberry, my book, the cushions and bring down the umbrella before heading inside to catch the last few minutes of the Michael Jackson service. Touching. Symbolic. DEAD.
After the storm, which was really just rain for the most part, passed, a housemate and I walked down to the harbor to grab a drink at TEA and take a picture or two at sunset. Amazing sunset after a rainstorm. There are always clouds still in the sky. Took our drinks to CROWN and hung out with some friends and laughed about the events of the weekend. Then, back to the house to pack, heat up some leftovers and make time for sleep before catching the ferry in the am. I did manage to squeeze in a little pool before bedtime. Didn't win, but had a blast.
6:00 a.m. on Wednesday, July 8, 2009 time to get up. Put the egg dish in the oven and go back to bed for an hour. Up at 7:42 and a housemate had already helped themselves to the first piece. Not my best work by far, but needed a little nourishment before the long ride home. Closed up the house, said "SEE YA LATER" to the pool and headed down to the harbor. Ferry departed at 8:55 back to Sayville and was nicely returned to Manhattan by 11:10 by a housemate. We laughed and tried to get ready to return to reality.
Fire Island PINES: PARADISIO!!!!
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