GOURMAND

Growing up in Brooklyn in the 30's and 40's and from European parents, eating out was something new to them and Chinese restaurants were among the cheapest. Actually the basic food we ate there was chow mein and my family considered themselves very sophistcated to be doing that. What other restaurants were there at the time escept perhaps for a Kosher deli that was far too expensive to dine at regularly? It took many years before we eventually embarked upon lobster cantonese. That was one of the greatest experiences of all time. And, as odd as it may sound; my father had no problem eating lobster but under no circumstances would he eat a pork product. By the way........here's one for you: If the Chinese ever wanted to kill off the Jewish population of the USA they could accomplish it on a single Sunday by poisoning the spare ribs. However, if the Jews of this country ever wanted to wipe out the Chinese it would take them about two weeks. All they would have to do is stop eating out..

Unfortunately, as we all know, the nature of the restaurant business is that the survival rate is very short. Even the best do not hang around forever because of trends and the fickle clientele that dine in them. I have not been in Albany for a couple of hundred years LOL but do recall an exceptional restaurant on the outskirts. I believe it was on Route 9 and named Stone Ends. When I visited that place it was an experience on a par with most of New York City's best.It was quite pricey and probably no longer there. They featured items such as bear steak and whale steak, venison and many other unusual and rare foods. Just reminiscing here...........................good luck with your own find.