Michael Gordon - Cobra II

Paul.s cooments...

A really impressive piece of work. Very authoritative, but a little too much of a "documentary" with little excitement.



Book description...


On one level, narrator Wasson's mostly neutral delivery is apt. The authors' dispassionate prose imparts their impeccably researched story of the 2003 Iraq invasion—from concept to insurgency. Sourced at the highest levels, Cobra II captures the fog of war and war planning. But Wasson's read too often feels routine, as if recounting a local board meeting. Because he renders the numerous players and backdrops with equal tones, differentiating between them can be a challenge. This style of narration creates an anti-tension when juxtaposed with the book's revelations that an invasion plan was being formed not long after September 11, despite administration denials. Strictly supervising the plan was defense secretary Donald Rumsfeld, who was intent on transforming the military into a lighter, leaner force. False assumptions, faulty intelligence, willful ignorance, personal politics and a lack of foresight all fed into the invasion strategy and subsequent messy outcome. During the audiobook's second half, which documents the march to Baghdad and enemy engagements, Wasson's energy picks up and he paints some impressive scenes of war. But in the end, a more vibrant read would have better complemented the significance of this penetrating work. Gordon reads the introduction and epilogue.

A Comedy of Errors

A COMEDY OF ERRORS!

How many times have you agreed to meet someone and you were both at what you thought was the appointed place at the right time, but once there were never able to find each other???????????

Well, last week, while I was sitting in the lobby of the Gramercy Carlton Hotel waiting for Paul who was to meet me for dinner at the "Cafe at Country" restaurant, he was at the table smug in the thought that he had beaten me to the appointed spot. Since Paul didn't have his cellphone it took us 30 minutes to figure it out. Not an auspicious start to dinner, but nothing that a cocktail couldn't remedy!

The Cafe turned out to be a good choice. Portion sizes were reasonable (especially for people on diets) enabling appetizer and entree without feeling any guilt about over-eating. Appetizers were equally wonderful. Paul's was a poached egg atop delicate mushrooms, and artichoke hearts (which I scored because they are on Paul's list of undesired eats), and a delicate sauce. My own salad was less interesting but fresh and I did have the artichokes. My salmon was perfectly cooked, served with fresh spring vegetables; Paul's fish, a type of bass was good, but less flavourful then the salmon. No dessert for us, but there was lots of good looking chocolate choices and ice cream on this menu.

A nice atmosphere, interesting bar and worth a return visit.

Cafe at Country

Carlton Hotel

90 Madison Avenue

212-889-7100

The House Restaurant

Last night we went to a new restaurant in the Gramercy Park/Union Square area. It was located in a small, converted,house (hence the name). It's a very attractive, comfortable, place with a bar and a few tables on each floor. The menu is Italian-accented American with a focus on fresh ingredients. It's only been open four months and they are still getting their act together.

I started with a martini made with the Plymouth gin that was voted best gin for a martini in the WSJ. It was very good and so large that I never got to have a glass of wine with dinner. Chris had a nice glass of Tuscan red also a generous portion.

Chris ordered a Yellow Fin Tuna "Crudo" served with olive relish. It was quite good and attractively served. My order of "Mediterranean Seafood Salad" was a disappointment. Oddly, the only seafood was boiled shrimp and red potatoes. It was not what I imagined, in fact, pretty ordinary.

I followed with the daily special Rotisserie - Barbecue Amish Chicken with a side order of spring vegetables (ramps, morels, fava beans and fiddle-head ferns and peas). The chicken was the way I like it, on the bone. The BBQ sauce was a little too sweet for my taste. The vegetables were very fresh and tasty - a real highlight. Chris had Garganelli Pasta with Spring Vegetables (similar to those I had), The hand-rolled egg pasta was reminiscent of penne. It was quite good and attractively served.

We tried a Key Lime Tart for dessert. It was awful. The cracker crust was heavy and soggy. The selection of coffees did not disappoint.

Overall, a little disappointing, considering how attractiveness of the restaurant. Prices were moderately expensive. It might be worth a revisit in a couple of months.

The House

121 East 17th Street (between Irving and Park)

212-353-2121

Thomas Ricks - Fiasco

Paul's comments...

A really well researched and readable Iraq book.

Book description...

Fiasco is a more strongly worded title than you might expect a seasoned military reporter such as Thomas E. Ricks to use, accustomed as he is to the even-handed style of daily newspaper journalism. But Ricks, the Pentagon correspondent for the Washington Post and the author of the acclaimed account of Marine Corps boot camp, Making the Corps, has written a thorough and devastating history of the war in Iraq from the planning stages through the continued insurgency in early 2006, and he does not shy away from naming those he finds responsible. His tragic story is divided in two. The first part--the runup to the war and the invasion in 2003--is familiar from books like Cobra II and Plan of Attack, although Ricks uses his many military sources to portray an officer class that was far more skeptical of the war beforehand than generally reported. But the heart of his book is the second half, beginning in August 2003, when, as he writes, the war really began, with the bombing of the Jordanian embassy and the emergence of the insurgency. His strongest critique is that the U.S. military failed to anticipate--and then failed to recognize--the insurgency, and tried to fight it with conventional methods that only fanned its flames. What makes his portrait particularly damning are the dozens of military sources--most of them on record--who join in his critique, and the thousands of pages of internal documents he uses to make his case for a war poorly planned and bravely but blindly fought

Great Decisions 2007

We've been participating in an 8 week program at the 92nd St Y called Great Decisions 2007. It's an annual program of the Foreign Policy Association intended to provide a forum for education and discussion of global issues for citizens. Each year different, relevant topics are discussed at multiple seminars. The FPA has been doing this for over 50 years. There are over 100 programs a year at locations across the country. We first heard about it from our friends Allan and Ellen Sharfstein who participated in Florida.

This year, the topics include:

1. War Crimes
2. Mexico - a neighbor in turmoil
3. Children - helping world's endangered
4. Central Asia - three powers competing for resources
5. Climate Change - and global warming
6. South Africa - facing new challenges
7. International Migration in a global economy
8. The Middle East - the US role

An annual FPA discussion guide is included with readings for each topic. In addition, each week a handout is distributed with current readings for the this week's and next week's topics. The format varies based on group size and location with meetings taking place during the day or in the evenings. Our group of 16 meets for 1 1/2 hours after lunch and is comprised mostly of women (there is one and sometimes two men besides myself). The group begins with a discussion of current events of interest to the group which may or may not be related to the days topic. The discussion is always surprisingly thoughtful and interesting. Not surprisingly, I'm generally the most business-oriented and conservative in the discussions - but I'm frequently surprised by the depth of knowledge and perception of most of the comments. There is noone in the group I would describe as not making a positive contribution. Interestingly, the course, as presented in Florida, had a completely different format. There were about 600 participants in a large auditorium with the FPA discussion leader presenting the material with slides and brief Q&A period at the end. Ordinarily, I would have preferred that format, but the quality of the discussion in this group has changed my mind. Hopefully, the group will be as good next year.

A growing family of bears at Otis

Savoy restaurant in SoHo

The other night, we went to Savoy in SoHo with my cousins Marjorie and Michael from California. It's a small. cozy, space with a bar, a fireplace and some tables on the main floor and a larger dining room upstairs. They've been open over 15 years, specializing in fresh, seasonal, foods, simply served. The staff is very friendly and knowledgeable. After our recent happy experience at Hearth, we were really excited that we had found another "new" restaurant. Unfortunately, it was not to be...(Just let me say, that I wasn't as disappointed, especially with the bar where we had a cute waitress who mixed up a fabulous cocktail and served us a selection of freshly toasted bread with 3 dips and spicy olives. CdelB)

I started with the highly recommended (by the waitress) Bratwurst with White Beans. The beans were good, the bratwurst overcooked, stringy and tasteless - almost inedible. Chris started with a Green Salad with Goat Cheese. She thought it was fresh, with a variety of greens, simple dressing and just the right amount of cheese.

I had the special, Curry Roasted Chicken. It was OK, but totally undistinguished. Really disappointing. Chicken, especially roasted or baked on the bone, is one of my favorite dishes. Chris had the Herb Steamed Wahoo wrapped in cabbage, a really interesting preparation. The fish was well prepared, but a little boring. Marjorie had the Salt Crusted Baked Duck which she thought was excellent and it looked perfectly cooked. The selections of wine by the glass was very good with a generous pour.

Overall, the food failed to live up to the very nice impression made by the restaurant and it's staff. Almost the opposite of Hearth where the restaurant did not live up to the food.

Savoy

70 Spring Street

212-219-8570

Hearth in the East Village

Hearth is a modest-looking new-American in the East Village. The rooms are pretty modest but the food and service are first rate. We are not the first to discover this place so be sure to call in advance for reservations.

Last night, the service was especially well versed and attentive. The comparison to Nish, where we ate last week was notable. There the waiter didn't even know what sweetbreads were - he advised a diabetic to avoid them because they were "sweet"! While tasty, they were somewhat overcooked.

At Hearth, we both started with salads. I had the Arugula with Shaved Fennel topped with marinated White Anchovies and Cipollini Onions. Chris had Fava Beans with Pecorino Cheese dressed with a light olive oil and vinegar. Both were absolutely fresh and flavorful. Fava beans seem to be coming into season so were featured prominently on the menu. The 'chefs gift' was a small taste of Dried Fava Bean Soup and there were at least two other dishes with the bean in some form.

It's unusual for us to select the same entree, but we both chose to have braised Veal Cheeks and Sweetbreads, accompanied by Morel Mushrooms and Spring Onions. Everything was perfectly prepared and delicious. The dish itself was plated beautifully - and the aroma.....well, you'll just have to go have a taste.

Overall, this is a really good restaurant with first rate service. Some might be put off by the layout of the rooms which resemble railway cars with exposed brick walls and bare tables. It seems quite modest, not really up to the standard of the food and service. It looks like it would be fun to eat at the small bar overlooking the kitchen where you feel like you're part of the action. Probably not the place to take someone for a romantic evening, more suited to a group who cherish the buzz and the impressive wine list and menu. Speaking of the menu, it was rather creative; and for those who love desserts there was the usual chocolate specialty and a selection of ice cream but also a 'grapefruit' cheese cake which sounded interesting and I have to admit to sharing a lime tart dessert that reminded us of the best Key Lime pie from Florida!

Hearth

403 East 12th Street (at 1st Ave.)

646-602-1300

KT Sullivan & Mark Nadler at the Oak Room

One of the perks of being "on an extended sabbatical" is the flexibility it gives you to stay out late and do things on the spur of the moment. Last night, we did just that by taking in a Cabaret performance at the Algonquin. Cabaret is a favorite of ours because the rooms are small, intimate - you're never more than a few feet away from the stage - and the performances frequently wonderful. Playing last night were KT Sullivan and Mark Nadler who we first saw at the Colony Hotel in Palm Beach.

They're just finishing up a four week stint at the Oak Room with an act called "Make Someone Happy" featuring the songs of Betty Comden and Adolph Green--you'll recognize the songs: "Make Someone Happy", "Just In Time", "New York, New York" and how about the song about leaving Ohio--if you recognize this, your from the 'mature section'! "Why oh, why, oh, oh why O.....etc.

The Times describes the show this way: "Mr. Nadler, a hyper-kinetic piano man, and Ms. Sullivan, an eternal kewpie doll with a sly sense of humor and a real voice, plunge into it with the verve of a latter-day Mickey and Judy. What they have created is a savvy, witty distillation of musical comedy’s golden age of optimistic escape."

We couldn't agree more; they create shows that are a little bit off-beat but always filled with music that's wonderful. Watching them perform is a joy and it's hard to believe that they're not married, because of the rapport and ease with which the work together.

The food at the Algonquin is pretty ordinary, so we just went for drinks and the show. We did have great seats just to the right of the stage and felt like we were part of the show - two New York swingers out on the town in the 1930's! One of the things about Cabaret in NYC is the number of show business types in the audience. Last night was no exception and it's impressive how many people we don't know and have never heard of!

Val Mc Dermid - Mermaid's Singing

This is the second mystery by this Scottish author I've read. It is not a series character. Rather, the key character is a troubled "profiler" a la the FBI. He's chasing a serial killer who tortures his victims using medieval methods. The profiling stuff is good but the descriptions of the killings is beyond horrible. I have a pretty high tolerance but I was uncomfortable. I would avoid this book!

Mermaids Singing
by Val McDermid

BEAR SIGHTING IN OTIS!

We've been "part-timers" here in Otis for over 10 years, and in all that time have yet to see any real "wildlife". Our neighbors have pictures of bears on our porch; and there have even been moose sightings on Merritt Road but we have never seen any ourselves. The best we've seen is the flock of wild turkeys eating the berries in the back! So, you can imagine how excited I was to see two bear cubs attempting to climb the pole of the birdhouse outside our bedroom window! "Quick, come see the bears", I shouted and everyone came running. They were so cute, one on the bottom and the other standing on his backside trying to shimmy up that post. We had never seen anything like it and stood for a long time admiring the sight. It was a picture perfect moment. "This is probably the closest we'll ever come to bears in this neighbourhood", said my husband. "True, but isn't it great that we'll be able to see it every time we look out our window"!

We're delighted by this wonderful carving done by local artist Tyler Moore (Sheffield, Ma. Tel: 413-229-6075; e-mail: tyla_mo@yahoo.com) who had agreed to turn our 8 foot tree stump into something beautiful. There's another stump out there and we can hardly wait to see the results.

Christina del Balso

Otis, April, 2007

New friends visit us in the Berkshires

Multimedia message

New friends in the Berkshires.

Milos, pre-theater "Prelude to a Kiss"

We needed to be at the for Roundabout Theater's by 6:00 to exchange tickets for "Prelude to a Kiss" at the American Airlines theater, We decided to eat before the show (we normally have a late lunch and skip dinner). We chose Milos, a wonderful Greek seafood restaurant specializing in ultra-fresh fish, simply prepared. It's one of our favorite fish restaurants in New York.

The room itself is large and austere. Intended to look like a restaurant on the beach in Greece--the gauzy curtains give you the feeling of airiness and summertime. The large mound of fresh fish in the center of the room gives you a chance to make your own selection. There are knowledgeable staff in the area to answer questions and assist in the selection. We were pleasantly surprised to find they had a 3 course pre-theater menu for $45.

I started with sushi-quality grilled 'Octopus in olive oil'. I have it every time I come, and it's the best octopus I've ever had - tender and delicate with a light olive oil. Chris was being "good" and started with a 'tomato salad'. It was OK, but after she tasted my octopus she knew she had made a mistake. I didn't dare go to the bathroom!

I followed with grilled Swordfish. It was delicious, but a little overcooked. Chris had a fillet of Hawaiian "Kamphaci". WE had to call to get the spelling. It was also very good. There were simple sides and the French Sancerre was a good accompaniment.

The fruit salad on my plate was mostly citrus--ho hum; but Chris' spicy nut cake drizzled with honey and served with home made ice cream was a hit. Portions were perfect for pre-theatre and neither of us fell asleep!

The show was also quite good, a romantic comedy about a young bride who finds herself in the body of an old man on her wedding day. The old man goes on her honeymoon in her body. Sounds a LOT weird--you had to be there. The old man was played by the guy who was "Frasiers's" father" The dog " Eddie" wasn't there.

Estiatorio Milos

125 West 55th Street

(between 8th & 9th Ave)

212-245-7400

David Maines - Old Testament stories

David Maines has written a very clever series of books imagining the happenings in the Old Testsament. He brings the characters to life as real, and interesting, people. Not heavy. Humorous

The Preservationist - Noah and the Ark
The Fallen - Adam and Eve

Brunch at Wallse in the Village

Wallse is a Viennese restaurant in the village where we had Brunch with Scott and Jory this past Sunday, and es hat uns geschmeckt (it tasted great)! The restaurant seems small but is spread out over two rooms with original artwork from the Neue Gallery on the upper East Side. The Chef, Kurt Guttenbrummer, also runs the Cafe Sabarsky at the Gallery. Tables are not crowded and nicely made up. It's very comfortable.

What we really liked is that the Brunch menu is unique--no buffet with the same old stuff. Instead, something a little more ambitious, reflecting its Austrian origins. We started with their signature pastry basket: filled donut confections, spice and pound cake and some traditional sweet rolls. Since they all looked so good, there was nothing for it but to cut each pastry into four pieces so we could savor every on of the goodies.

I had the 'Rabbit with Spaetzle, Mushroooms and Corn'. It surprised me. I was expecting something dark and rich. Instead the rabbit was a light white meat sprinkled over the lightly sauteed Spaetzel. Jory had the Wiener Schnitzel with Lingonberries. I'm coming back for dinner just to have it! Scott had the Hungarian Goulash with Spaetzle. It seemed a little rich for Brunch. Chris had the only "traditional" brunch dish, a warm Waffle with Smoked Trout and Whitefish Mousse. She loved it.

We decided to order all three desserts so we could again sample each one! They included a wonderful Apple Walnut Strudel "mit schlag" and sorbet, a 'Salzburger Nockerl with Huckleberries' (which turned out be a souffle without the dish) and a rich chocolate Sacher Torte. All lived up to their reputation as Viennese desserts. The "souffle" was the most unusual and the best overall, followed closely by the strudel. Our determination to avoid desserts failed us. We're definitely coming back here!

Wallse

334 West 11th Street (at Washington St)

212- 352-2300

Asia Society

We made our first visit to the Asia Society this week. The museum is small and approachable. Which is nice after the Met and the Louvre! We really enjoyed the extensive collection of Buddhas from across Asia. We have a much better appreciation for what we are seeing now, after our trip to China.

After the museum we were pleasantly surprised by a light lunch in the Cafeteria. I had a Japanese Bento Box (sort of a Japanese mixed grill) and Chris had Pad Thai (noodles with chicken).

Asia Society
725 Park Avenue (at 70th Street)
New York, NY 10021

Tel: (212) 288-6400
Fax: (212) 517-8315a

Jazz at Lincoln Center

The Songs We Love
Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra with Wynton Marsalis

Thu-Sat, Mar 29-31, 8pm
Rose Theater

They are arranged to perfection—"April in Paris" arranged by Wild Bill Davis, and many more—and they're our life soundtracks, elevating the everyday, making the mundane magical. The JLCO with Wynton Marsalis plays some of the greatest arrangements of our favorite songs—swinging and supple, sophisticated and spirited—and remind us all over again how great music becomes legendary.

The Songs we Love does not include any "Songs". They are all instrumental arrangements. This may not seem important, but my "tone deafness" means that I only appreciate the words - sort of like poetry. I really can't recognize or appreciate music alone. That being said, this was quite good, with lots of horn solos that reflect the virtuosity of the musicians.

I've been trying to come up with a metaphor that would help explain my musical limitations. It's not that I can't hear the music, not all the tones sound alike. In fact, I find some of the phrased quite beautiful. It's just that it doesn't connect for me in any way. I can't tell one song from another unless I hear the words. The best parallel I can think of is Chinese Calligraphy. The characters may be quite beautiful as art, but they don't have any meaning unless you speak the language. As a result, the characters just seem to blend together.

Peter Spiegelman - Red Cat

Another good mystery in New York Wall Street setting. Third of the series.

Death's Little Helpers (John March Mysteries) (Hardcover) by Peter Spiegelman (Author)

Ayan Hirsi Ali - Infidel

A really good read. Scary descriptions of treatment of women in tribal African. Islam does not mandate this treatment, but it does not discourage it either.

Richard at rest during Florida getaway

Paul looking sharp at the Florida getaway

I

Who/What is this man? during Florida getaway

Barry Fleischer at our Florida Week-end

Richard Perlman at the Florida Week-end

Donald Delman at our Florida week-end

Peri Ela, a new Turkish restaurant on the UES

Walking home from the 92nd Street Y, we passed a small new restaurant serving Turkish food. There are not a lot of 'better' Turkish restaurants in NY. In fact, Zagat's only lists 21 Turkish restaurants in all of NYC. Of those, only one is rated as having decent food and decor (at least 20 on a scale of 30). This will definitely be one of the best! It's open less than a month and for the moment it's BYOB and cash only.

We started with a vegetarian plate of Hummus, Lentils, Eggplant, Tomatoes. It was served with homemade warm flat-bread that was worth the visit alone. I then tried the Mixed Grill to get a sampler of their dishes. It included Chicken, Beef, Lamb kabob and a lamb chop. All were perfectly prepared. Chris had the lamb kabob (which is ground meat) over yogurt and a pita. It was very interesting but not exceptional. We didn't like the pita which got soggy under the yogurt.

While we were there, New York Magazine was just finishing a photo-shoot. They're expecting to be reviewed shortly. I assume it will be pretty good, especially as compared to other Turkish restaurants/

Peri Ela

1361 Lexington Ave.

212-410-4300

Howard Fishman Quartet at Club Helsinki

This weekend we saw the Howard Fishman Quartet at the Club Helsinki in Great Barrington, Mass. with Steve & Lil Barker. The group is desribed as post-modern pop with music influences ranging from Hoagie Carmichael to Bob Dylan. In fact he has recent CD's focusing on both of them. Chris has originally discovered him from a small article in the Times a number of years ago, and we see him whenever we can. Note: He is currently playing at Joe's Pub in the Village.

The quartet consists of Howard Fishman playing a classic acoustic guitar (picture), a tuba, a violin and a trumpet. They played many selections from the Bob Dylan "Basement Tapes" collection, which they've recently released and original compositions. They also have a tribute to Hoagie Carmichael coming out later this year.

All four of us really enjoyed the show, which ran just under 2 hours (for a cover charge of $20). I have often complained about how hard it is to hear music in intimate settings in NY (for a reasonable price). The room holds 75 people and was sold out. We were sitting about three feet from the stage. This was a really pleasant surprise.

Club Helsinki is attached to the Helsinki Cafe Great Barrington and serves the same pseudo-Finnish food. Not bad, but not exceptional. I had Blini with Gravlax (cured salmon) and Chris had Gnocchi (one of her favorites). We both had the daily special Rosemary Roast Chicken. I wouldn't go out of my way to eat here, but it's fine with a show.

Koi chinese restaurant in Great Barrington

We generally avoid Chinese Restaurants (actually, all ethnic food except Italian) outside of NY and China. However, Scott and Jory had gone to this newly opened Hunan Restaurant and recommended it. Even then, it took a snow storm to get us there.

The restaurant is in a large, standalone building on Rt 23 entering Great Barrington. The interior is traditional Chinese restaurant, but in orange. It looks like they tried for red, but it faded. Chris gave the restrooms an A+, not easily done.
We started with Shrimp Soong (served in a lettuce cup) and steamed pork dumplings. The lettuce was good, the shrimp tasteless. The dumplings frozen and re-heated. The wrapper soggy and limp.

We followed that with Tangerine Beef which was pretty good with a niced sauce. But they used the hard, thin beef slices. I prefer the more tender beef slice at Shun Lee in NY. The Roast Pork Fried Rice was tasteless except for the oil. Even chili oil and mustard couldn't redeem it.

We had Tsing Tao beer that was cold and delicious.

Koi
300 State Road (Route 23)
Great Barrington, Mass
413-528-5678

Snow Storm in Mid-March

This is the front of the house after the storm on March 15!

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Barack Obama - an interesting politician

Barack Obama's new book, "The Audacity of Hope" is his attempt to explain his outlook and worldview. It is well written and avoids too much oversimplification and demonizing but is not really clear on how to get from here to there. Still, he has identified a real need for someone focused on solving problems rather than getting elected. It can be summarized as -

"offering a vision of the future that involves repairing a "political process that is broken" and restoring a government that has fallen out of touch with the people. "

He acknowledges he's gotten a "free ride" so far and has much to prove. The campaign will be interesting.

Sfoglia means great Italian food on the UES

Our 7:00pm class at the 92nd Street Y has made dinnertime a challenge. Not only do we find ourselves having to eat at 5:30, but need to find a location near the Y. We've been pretty lucky so far, but this week we hit the jackpot! For weeks, we'd been hearing the 'buzz' outside a little place right across the street. After peeking in the window we decided to make a reservation for the following Tuesday. We figured reservations at 5:30 would be a snap! The first week they were booked. The next week was booked too. The only thing they had was a seat at the bar! At 5:30! We took it! Figured we'd found the proverbial 'little neighborhood restaurant' that all NYers are looking for...

The very next day. The NEXT day! Frank Bruni reviews it in the Times - gives it 2 stars and a rave review. Now we can't even get into the bar. Who asked him!

Our experience at the restaurant was positive from the beginning. The restaurant is small (it seats about 40, including the bar) but very attractively rustic - with a large, friendly, staff. The large comfortable bar is welcoming and seemed to get the same pleasant service as the tables around us. The restaurant is owned and run by a young husband and wife team, Ron and Colleen Suhanosky who have another restaurant in Nantucket and three young children (one born this week!). Colleen is in charge of desserts and responsible for the creation of the rustic crusty Italian bread that, with an olive oil dip could make a meal on it's own.

The menu is quite modest with only 7 pasta and 4 main courses (plus several specials) but there were a number of items we found interesting. We decided to share the appetizers, ordering an Antipasto and a Pasta. The Antipasto was very unusual and included 'Poulet Gras' (chicken liver) on toast, a variety of grilled vegetables as well as beets with goat cheese. No meats or caponata. It was good, but nothing special. The pasta was Cavatelli with broccoli rabe, and lemon walnut pesto. It was fabulous. Perfectly prepared and the pesto just kissed the pasta without overwhelming it. The pasta would have been plenty for two!

For the main course we both ordered the specialty "Chicken Mattone" which is grilled with garlic and olive oil and then placed under a hot brick to crisp. It was really wonderful! Chris described it as the best chicken she'd ever eaten in a resturant. I thought I'd had chicken just as good, but none better. We had a turnip and prune vegetable dish served at room temperature that Chris thought was good.

They have an extensive list of wines by the glass. We both had a glass of a nice Montepulciano (I might have had 2). We did not have dessert which might have been a mistake given that one of the choices is bread pudding made with the above mentioned wonderful bread.

Overall, a very good restaurant. Just what you hope to find. A new, small, restaurant the serves interesting food at not unreasonable prices. Unfortunately, we'll probably never get in there again.

Sfoglia

1402 Lexington Avenue (at 92nd St.)

212-831-1402

Val McDermid - A Place of Excecution

A Place of Execution by Val McDermid

This is a superb novel. It's December 1963 and teenage girls all over Britain are swooning to the Beatles' "I Want to Hold Your Hand." In the tiny, remote village of Scardale, Derbyshire, 13-year-old Alison Carter is envied by her peers because her stepfather buys her all the latest records. When Alison goes missing one dark night, Dist. Insp. George Bennett takes control of the case. Other children have gone missing recently from towns and cities in the north, but somehow Alison's case is different. Although the police feverishly track down clues and organize searches over the moors, any hope that they'll find the girl fades as the days go by. Obsessed by the case, George is tormented by his lack of success and by the suffering of Alison's mother. Little more can be said without giving away the plot, but McDermid spins a haunting tale whose complexity never masks her adroitness at creating memorable characters and scenes. Her narrative spell is such that the reader is immersed immediately in the rural Britain of the early '60s. She clearly did extensive research on how police work was done at the time, and it has paid off beautifully. The format of the novel is unusual, with much of it purporting to be a true crime book, but McDermid keeps the suspense taut, and her pacing never flags. This is an extraordinary achievement, and it's sure to be on many lists of the best mysteries of the year.

Mas farmhouse in the Village

One of the joys of living, and eating, in New York are the times you get really surprised by things. We recently had that kind of experience at "MAS". Our friends, Joe and Sheila Malvagna asked us if we had ever been to this small restaurant in the West Village, about two blocks from Scott and Jory and about a half a block from our favorite, AOC Bedford. We hadn't been to Mas, and didn't know quite what to expect, so I checked it out in Zagat's. I was surprised to find them rated 26 for Food and 25 for Decor. Pretty fancy ratings with a price to match!

The restaurant is small with conventional seating around the perimeter and a family style rectangular table in the center. The menu leans towards New American with a Prix Fixe formula that allows you to select anything from the menu to make up a Starter, two Mains and Dessert. The menu, made up daily features fresh ingredients and lots of variety. They also make their own bread, offering a choice of sourdough, wholewheat and multi-grain. Not typically, all were delicious with a wonderful crust!

We all decided on the tasting menu; three of us started with Sushi quality Tuna that was flavorful with just the right amount of fat. Chris had smoked trout which was chopped and made up like a sushi roll in it's own skin--also tasty. It was almost as good as my tuna. For the main course I had the Chicken Stuffed with Wild Morels and Fava Beans followed by Seared Diver Scallops. Joe and Sheila also ordered the same combinations. Sheila and Chris both enjoyed the duck breast which was perfectly cooked and Chris selected the Bass which was served with fennel and a potato puree.

For dessert, I had the cheese plate. In my view, Cheese is one of the best and most interesting desserts. The variety is unlimited and you can always find something new to try. Chris enjoyed an Apple Tart with homemade ice cream which she refused to share.

For wine, Joe picked a young, but very good Pinot Noir.

Overall, a wonderful meal. Some people might find the portions a little on the small side, To me they were perfect. We had a four course meal and left full, but not stuffed.

Mas (farmhouse)

39 Downing Street

(between Bedford and Varick Sts in the West Village)

212-255-1790

AOC Bedford

One of our favorite restaurants in NY is AOC Bedford in the Village. It's just a couple of blocks from Scott and Jory and is one of their favorites too. The room is small, comfortable with a very friendly and informative staff. The menu is French/Southern European and leans toward specialties like Paella and Suckling Pig.

It seems lately we've become 'early birds' at dinner. The reasons are varied, but usually there's something else on the agenda later in the evening and rather then a quick something at home, going out is always the first choice for Paul. The upside of this is that we've been able to get a table at some of the more challenging places with long waiting lists. At AOC, they offer a Prix Fixe menu before 7:00. they also have a BYOB policy on Sunday and Monday which is really great, although it does not apply to the prix fixe.

Our meal was wonderful as usual, I started with the "Octopus Carpaccio (pictured)" with Olive Oil and Balsamic Vinegar. Chris had the "Braised, Shredded, Duck" with a butternut squash puree also quite good. Even though we usually order different things each time we go to a restaurant, I have had the Octopus several times.

For the main course, I then had the "Duck Breast with a Bosc Pear and Potato Puree". The Duck was perfectly prepared. Crisp on the outside and pink on the inside - not easy but wonderful when done right. Chris had the "Scallops with an emulsion" which were tender and sweet.

We were weak and had dessert. I had the "Crepes Suzette" and Chris had "Creme Brulee". YUM!

Our wine choice was a nice carafe of Cote du Rhone.

All in all, one of our favorite places in NY.

AOC Bedford

14 Bedford St.(bet. Downing & Houston Sts.)
212-414-4764

Peter Spiegelman - Black Maps and Death's Little Helpers

The first of a new mytstery series featuring John March, the scion of a NY banking family. Series has wonderful descriptions of Manhattan and Wall Street.

Black Maps
Death's Little Helpers

New: Red Cat

A BBQ Restaurant in the Berkshires

Chris and I don't usually indulge in BBQ, not because we don't like it, but because it's generally an invitation to over-indulge - comfort food extrordinaire - especially since ribs are among my most favorite foods. However, every month when we get our current issue of Berkshire Living we scour it for things to do - shows, exhibitions, sales and restaurants. Among the restaurants featured this month was a new BBQ restaurant, Route 7 Grill in Great Barrington.

We went Sunday at a little after 5 (we were at the movies). If we had been later our chances for a table would have been slim since it was a beautiful snowy weekend; and this seems to be a good stop for skiers on their way home and families with young children. The room is informal, with a fireplace and clean, well-spaced tables. We got there right after opening so had our choice of tables.

The menu favors local and artisinal producers (predominately Niman Ranch for pork). We were torn between ordering old favorites or trying some of the interesting new dishes. Predictably we did a little of both. I started with the special house- smoked pheasant with beans and shitake mushrooms. The Pheasant was OK (it can be hard to deal with on the bone) but the mushrooms and bean combination was excellent. I had to fight Chris for them. We followed with ribs. I had the 'Texas Beef Ribs' which were big and brawny but falling off the bone. Chris had the 'Baby Back Ribs' that were unusually meaty. I usually avoid the baby back ribs because they aren't worth the trouble but these were different and one order can easily be shared by two people with normal appetites. We had a selection of sides, coleslaw (Chris likes it without mayonnaise), Kale (yech, but Chris likes it), an unusual Baked Bean dish (good) and Mac & Cheese (outstanding). All washed down with a pint of ale.

All in all, a pretty good meal (and pretty cheap). By the time we left the place was filling up with families coming from skiing. We counted 9 children right around us, all under 10. Fortunately, they were exhausted and pretty quiet. I think we'll go back, but during the week (note: I tried to go back with our neighbors Steve and Lil Barker but they are closed on Mondays and Tuesdays!)

Route 7 Grill

999 Route 7

Great Barrington, Mass.

413-528-3235

What is the name of the "nameless" restaurant?

Our Tuesday night routine is a class discovering "Film Noir" at the 92nd St Y. The 7:00pm start time requires an early dinner so consequently, we're always looking for someplace to eat an early dinner. The good news is that it allows us to explore some of the more popular places that are usually booked solid at the hours past "the early bird special" times! This week we went to a great new Italian place on 81st Street near Second Avenue, whose name we're not going to divulge because, it's small and we don't want anyone to know about it because we want to go back!

It's a small, relatively simple. room that feels almost French. Comfortable, but not cozy. While it has the "neighborhood" feel of a Canaletto or a Jubileee, the bare tables and bustle make it feel a little bit more like you want to eat and leave.

On the other hand, the food is outstanding. I started with "Open Ravioli" with duck confit and foie gras. It was the best new pasta dish I've had in a long time. I had to fight Christina for my fork! She started with "Asparagus with Prosciutto and Figs" which were also quite good. Not a bad beginning--we did see at least three other things that we would have liked to start with (gnocchi, grilled octopus, a variety of interesting salads and the special soups).

For the entree, I had grilled "Baby Chicken with Polenta" that was fabulous. Chris had "grilled Barramundi" a very tender white meat fish, stuffed with greens and sun dried tomatoes--it was delicious, sweet, tender cheeks and crispy skin. We had an assortment of sides, including mixed cauliflower with browned bread crumbs and butternut squash with toasted pecans, I thought the squash was great and Chris liked the cauliflower- that's why marriage is so great. We had an undistinguished "Vino Nobile de Montepulciano (Derose)

Overall, we thought the restaurant was great and are looking forward to going back.

Spigolo

1561 Second Ave.(81st St.)

Manhattan, NY 10028

212-744-1100

Quatorze Bis

Quatorze Bis is a French Bistro/Brasserie on the upper east side. We had passed it frequently, and been attracted by its bright red entrance, but never stopped in. We finally got there this week after a recommendation from our neighbor, Jane Parver.

It's a small, simple room, with very attentive service. The menu is heavy on French "comfort food" - Cassoulet, Roast Chicken, Liver, fish stew. We started with traditional favorites, escargot and warm leek salad. Chris liked her starter quite a bit, but I thought the 'Escargot' were dried out and the garlic sauce was almost tasteless.

The roast chicken was OK but the Pommes Frites were extraordinary. Almost as good as our all time favorite - Jubilee.. Chris loved her 'fish stew'. It consisted of a tomato base chock full of shrimp, scallops, mussels, clams and a generous piece of monk fish. There was plenty of fresh crusty bread to dip in the left over sauce. A real hit for me!

Overall, Quatorze Bis is OK for a quick local bite if you're prepared to pay the premium prices.

We had a fun celebrity sighting--Tim Robbins and his wife Susan Sarandan with a group of friends. We seem to see them around town a lot--guess we like the same kind of food.

323 E. 79th St.
(bet. 1st & 2nd Aves.)
Manhattan, NY 10021
212-535-1414

Supreme Conflict by J. C. Greenburg

Supreme Conflict: The Inside Story of the Struggle for Control of the United States Supreme Court (Hardcover)
by Jan Crawford Greenburg

The story of the Court's recent decades and of the often-thwarted attempts by three conservative presidents to remake the Court in their image. A really fascinating book by the very interesting NPR/ABC correspondent. Makes the story a fascinating suspense tale.

William Boyd Restless

Restless: A Novel (Hardcover)
by William Boyd

William Boyd is a veryh interesting British author of historical spy novels. This is an absorbing thriller, loosely based on the history of a covert branch of British intelligence created to coax America into the Second World War.

A very interesting read. I'm working my way through his other books as well.

Lunch at Cafe Gray

We had Lunch at Cafe Gray for Valentines Day. It was the first time we had been here. It's a large, glass and steel room overlooking Central Park. There is an open kitchen, strangely placed between us and the Park. The bar also faces the Park and there several very cosy tables where you can enjoy a more limited menu. They call it a brasserie but the menu is distinctly bistro with no, or very few, Alsation dishes typical of brasseries. It is named after 'Gray Kunz', former chef at 'Lespinasse'.

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Since Chris was buying, we started with a Coupe de Champagne (actually a Blanc de Blancs). Chris started with the 'Risotto with Mushrooms' which was perfectly prepared. The rice chewy and the mushrooms "mushroomy". I had the 'Quail, Foie Gras and Beets' which had a lovely pate and four small quail legs. It as a perfect starter to the 'Seared duckling with Spaetzle and red cabbage'. Chris had the 'Lobster Ragout with Noodles and Green Curry' which was a very nice change of pace. We both had glasses of wine from their substantial list.

Overall, we liked the restaurant and will probably return. While not inexpensive, it is probably the cheapest marquis restaurant in the Time Warner Center.

Cafe Gray

Time Warner Ctr.
10 Columbus Circle, 3rd fl.
(60th St. at B'way)
Manhattan, NY 10019
212-823-6338

Overall

We visit the Lower East Side - The Orchard restaurant

Growing up, we would visit the Lower East Side once or twice a year to buy linens and luggage at small discount shops. We would see the remaining vestiges of the many Jewish immigrants shops; (e.g. Katz's, Russ and Daughters, Jona Schimmel and Gus, the Pickle Man). Even then, the neighborhood was changing, mostly becoming Hispanic. It is now, along with the East Village, the new vanguard of small, interesting restaurants opening in the City. It's clearly an area in transition, with many interesting restaurants and shops popping up among the clubs and slums.

One of the larger of these restaurants is "The Orchard" on Orchard Street. The room is very 'clean' in design with lots of wood, chrome and mirrors. The false ceiling panels and huge florals and branches give it a warm and inviting feeling. The menu leans towards Italian (especially pastas) but with a strong New American influence.

We shared both our starters -

• Flat bread with Robiola Cheese, Spinach, Cranberries and bacon--it was wonderful. We don't usually go for flat bread or pizza, except at a bar but these sounded so interesting. We'll try another one when we return (maybe the braised short ribs and cherry tomatoes with horseradish cream!)
  
• Tuna Tartare - Crispy tostones (plantains), guacamole and creme fraiche . Chris is the one who usually likes plantains and guacamole. but this was exceptional. We scraped every crumb off the plates. It's really nice to be surprised with something new.
  
• Butternut Squash Ravioli with Hen of the Woods Mushrooms. The ravioli was a little limp, but the mushrooms were outstanding.
  
• Halibut which Chris thought the was a little overcooked but loved the accompanying greens..
  
• We departed from our tradition and shared a dessert, Tartufo, that was just OK. We've renewed our no-dessert pledge.
  
• We both had wines by the glass from a reasonable list.
  

Overall, we really enjoyed our meal and will return. Perhaps a drink and flat bread at the bar. The only quibble was that it was a bit expensive for a place in that area.

The Orchard

162 Orchard St.
(bet. Rivington & Stanton Sts.)
Manhattan, NY 10002
212-353-3570

What's your favorite restaurant?

One of the questions we frequently get asked, in fact, one of the questions we frequently ask ourselves, is "what is your favorite restaurant?

It's an especially difficult question for us because we share a preference for trying new places, rather than returning to ones we already know. The risk of having a bad meal seems small compared to the opportunity to discover something new. Missing a meal is not the worst thing that could happen to us! Our preferences extend beyond just the place, to the dishes we order. We (especially me) will frequently order something that seems completely new or different. Chris will also try new things, but first she wants to know what they are - that can be problematic. I didn't eat 'Sweetbreads' for years because I knew what they were; and still can't quite manage 'Tripe'. Sometimes, its just better to not know until after!

There are no generally accepted criteria for judging restaurants. Michelin has clearly established criteria, but they are widely disputed; and "Favorite" is different than "Best". The following reflect our criteria on Feb. 10, 2007 at 12:15.

• Cuisine - we really have no strong preference. Any food well prepared can be wonderful; in fact, after avoiding Greek and Mexican food for years, new restaurants have proved me wrong.
• Food - over the years we have increasingly leaned towards high quality, fresh ingredients, simply prepared. No, or very few, heavy sauces or breaded and fried foods. This is a substantial evolution for both of us. We probably started down this road to avoid "empty" calories, but now strongly prefer these preparations. On the other hand, I do make exceptions for important cultural icons like cheeseburgers, chicken wings, pizza, bacon and ice cream. This probably explains why we both are not fashionistas.
• Ambiance - we both favor small, cosy restaurants with a nice buzz. Service should be good, but not stifling. I'd rather sit 2 feet away from somebody in a small restaurant than have plenty of room in a cavernous hall.
• Location - obviously, we prefer restaurants we can walk to, but we also love the Village (East, West and Center). Partially because Scott and Jory are there; but also because the ambiance is great. Tribeca is OK, but the meat packing district is too far (both in distance and style). Brooklyn, Queens, Long Island are out. New Jersey is almost out but gets a marital exemption once a year.
• Price - this is one of the hardest to judge. Clearly, it depends on all the factors above. But everyone has their own sense of what something is worth, and what they can afford, even if it's "worth" it. We have a pretty wide range of what is acceptable, but still balk at the prices at some restaurants. I cannot imagine spending over $600 for sushi (or anything else).
• Other biases - we are not "foodies" and we are not "trendy" (this will not come as a surprise). We usually avoid restaurants frequented by both.

Given last year's "Restaurant Challenge" (whereby we couldn't go to any restaurant more than once in a year) the following list reflects current favorites, but not necessarily restaurants we've been to recently, They have been drawn from a list of over 100 restaurants that we choose from. I hope you find some places on the list you haven't tried before. All of these restaurants are current favorites. The blue listings have a web link to the restaurant. The list is alphabetic:

• AOC Bedford (14 Bedford St. 212-414-4764) One of our all-time favorites. A small (34 seats), romantic French/Spanish restaurant. We like table #1 by the window. A favourite of Scott and Jory too!
• L'Absinthe Brasserie (227 E. 67th St. 212-794-4950) An absolutely authentic-looking and tasting (almost) Parisian Brasserie.
• specializing in gourmet "comfort food" (e.g suckling pig, rack of lamb, paella).
• Blue Hill (75 Washington Pl. 212-539-1776) A brand new favorite after only one visit! Meets all our criteria in spades!
• Campagnola (1382 First Ave. 212-861-1102) A favorite of Paul's. A little pricey, but worth it for traditional Italian favorites. Bring your big hair and chains.
• Canaletto (208 E. 60th St. 212-317-9192) Our local favorite. Solid food. Warm welcome. Always busy. Chris's favourite for Veal Milanese.
• I Trulli (122 E. 27th St. 212-481-7372) One of our long-time favorites serving regional specialties from Apulia in a cosy room - with a fireplace in winter and a garden in summer. Wonderful grilled baby octopus!
• Jubilee (347 E. 54th St. 212-888-3569) A local favorite for Moules and "frite" to die for. Always busy with neighborhood people. Some of the best french fries in NYC.
• Oceana (55 E. 54th St. 212-759- 5941) My favorite high end seafood restaurant in the city. Tops in every criteria. Chris is a little less enthusiastic. She likes the Greek seafood restaurant 'Milos' better.
• Pampano (209 E. 49th St. 212-751-4545) This Mexican restaurant has quickly become one of our favorites for elegant preparations of traditional Mexican dishes

Blue Hill Restaurant

As a general rule, Chris and I stay away from anything too trendy. We don't want to embarrass them with our sophistication and taste! But Blue Hill in the Village was a must. Chef/Owner Dan Barber and Chef Juan Ceuvas have made a name for themselves serving farm fresh food (some from the Stone Hill farm in Westchester). The NY restaurant is in the basement of a townhouse on Washington Square. The room is simple but very comfortable with tables nicely spaced and a VERY knowledgeable and attentive staff who will give you the history of every ingredient of every dish. Because of their friendly and unassuming style it does not come off as precious or pedantic. It was recently given 3 stars by the Times and we agree.

Both restaurants rely heavily on meat and game from Stone Hill farm supplemented, when necessary by green-markets. The ingredients are clearly excellent and the preparations reasonably straightforward to take advantage of them. You can see the seasonal menu at their web-site (see link below).

Chris started with 'Squash Soup', the only item we found mildly disappointing. My own starter with the unusual sounding 'This Morning's Farm Fresh Egg with Foraged Mushrooms', was incredible. I love mushrooms and these retained their earthy flavor, while the poached egg provided a rich sauce.

I followed with the 'Berkshire Pork with Spaetzle and Stone Barns Arugula'. In recent years I have been increasingly enjoying pork in lieu of beef. I find it has more variety and interesting preparations. This is especially true when heritage Berkshire Pork (with all its wonderful fat!) is available. This particular dish included a nice piece of the loin and a piece of bacon - one of my favorite splurge items. I had to fight with Chris because she loves Spaetzle. Her selection of the 'Hudson Valley Venison' with the same foraged mushrooms was exceptionally tender and flavorful (I think it was prepared with the "Sous Vide" vacuum process Dan Barber is known for). We also had locally grown brussel sprouts (not Chris' from Otis). Our wine selection was a wonderfully ripe and smooth Amarone della Valpolicella (2001).

Unusually, we had cheese and dessert - Chestnuts with crepe and hot chocolate sauce that was lovely with only a hint of sweetness.

Blue Hill Restaurant

75 Washington Place

New York, New York 10011

212-539-1776

March goes Nish!

In the latest reflection of the egomania of the "chef as celebrity" world we live in, 'March' has been reopened as 'Nish' in tribute to Chef Wayne Nish. It is still in the lovely townhouse on 58th Street and still features Asian-inspired New American specialties. The menu has been revamped somewhat and now features a la carte selections as well as a Prix Fixe menu offering any four courses from the menu (including cheese and dessert) for $59,

We went last night after seeing a notice in Zagats. It was completely empty when we arrived and only two other tables had been seated by the time we left at 9:30 pm.

We were pleasantly surprised by a very creative menu (the complete menu can be seen at Menupages.com) featuring many non-traditional items. We had the Tasting Menu which was supposed to have the portion sizes adjusted. They did not seem to be and were very generous. That may change when they have a crowd.

• We started with a glass of Guy Larmandier champagne which was a winner in Chris's eyes. (Cotes de Blancs" Vertus NV Premier Cru Brut). Apparently available here in NYC.

• Warm salad of baby bock choy and mushrooms with a light sauce of some kind
• Littleneck Clam Ravioli with preserved lop chueng sausage and salted black beans
• Calf's Sweetbreads with raater bastuma and wild mushrooms
• Ballotine of Marraganselt Turkey with sweet fennel sausage and broccoli rabe
• Braised and Grilled Squab and Quail with cumin and apricot pilaf
• A Selection of Handmade Raw Milk Cheeses
• A lemon Raspberry dessert
• A California Zinfandel a delightful surprise

The menu thoughtfully provides a lengthy glossary of all the unusual ingredients.

Overall, we were delighted by our meal. Everything was prepared beautifully prepared and contained many new tastes. We especially liked the Ravioli, the Sweetbreads (the best I've had outside France!) and the Squab. We found ourselves fighting over who's selections were better.

To my mind this represents what I love about the NY restaurant scene - small, initimate, places serving innovative and unusual dishes in lovely surroundings. I avoid the Meatmarket behemoths and the ultra-trendy Asian and Greenmarket places. Maybe I'm just getting old!. I suppose I would have tried them when I was at Pfizer and entertaing a lot.

Nish

405 E. 58th St.
New York, NY 10022

212-754-6272