bloviatrix

I lived in for two years and ate a lot of salads because the food was so bad. I just remember a lot of rubbery chicken (which I never touched) and over-cooked fish. And limp broccoli. Women are probably more difficult to cook for than men because so many women have weight meshugas. We had our share of eating disorders in the house.

And beware of blow torches. I set my hair on fire annealing silver. Burnt hair gives off a nasty smell, and freaks out everyone around you.

Are you thinking of the Nutshell Library? There were 4 volumes in total. The other 3 are Pierre, a Cautionary Tale, Alligators All Around and One Was Johnny.

Like everyone else, I think it's flattering when someone asks for recipe. For the recipes that I get from others, I always give out the appropriate acknowledgements. There's Ethel B's fruity chicken, Riva's noodle kugel, etc. To me it's way of paying thanks to all those who contributed to my repetoire.

After reading your wonderful account, my lunch of a cheese omelette seemed quite pathetic. Sounds like a wonderful experience.

The good Rabbi would like to have you believe, that the balabos is the master of the house, when we all the know that it is the balabosta, his wife, who truly rules the roost.

I think I've been repressing this, but when I attended Kosherfest, there was a booth showing Potato Latke Batter. Just heat up your oil and add. I hear it's available at some stores locally. This is a SHONDEH (shame) I tell you.

Actually, what few people know is that Bergdorf has an unbelievable sale after Christmas. Trust me, you can do very well (I have a full closet to prove it. ). On 7, they carry tea from Mariage Freres.

It's been said before but chicken soup works for everything. Warm Coke is also good for upset stomachs.

Ok, based on your list of sites, here's the UWS... You can walk the whole thing, or with subway -- From 66th street station, take 1/9 uptown, one stop to 72nd street. Head east (towards Amsterdam Ave) to Central Park. The Dakota is on the NW corner of CPW and 72nd. Cross the street and into the park. The path will lead you to Strawberry Fields (note: it's not grass, it's asphalt). Walk back to CPW and head north to Museum of Natural History (walk on park side, so you don't have to cross streets, plus, you get a better view of the buildings). After museum walk down 81st street (on corner of 81 and CPW is the Beresford, home of many celebs including Jerry Sienfeld and John McEnroe. Gorgeous apartments, unaffordable to us mere mortals). Zabars is on Bway between 80th and 81st. Make sure to check out both floors at Zabars - second floor is kitchen equipment. Staying on same side of street as Zabars, walk south to Fairway. Walk back to 72nd street subway station and grab downtown train. Also on UWS, if you have kids with you, - The Manhattan Children's Museum is on 83rd btw Amsterdam and B'way.

FAO Schwartz might be a problem. They filed for Chapter 11 about 10 days ago. I'm not sure they'll be around post-Christmas.

Blondie, have you seen that thread? I wanted to provide a link, but either I'm blind or it disappeared. I thought a lot of good suggestions were provided there.

Congrats! I look forward to reading your posts on your experiences.

I don't know if you have plans for saturday night, but the Brooklyn Museum (2 or 3 train to Eastern Parkway/Brooklyn Museum) will be open until 11 that night for First Saturday and admission is free. They have gallery tours, show movies, and even have dancing. It's a lot of fun - we were there two weeks ago, and might go again on the 3rd. Maybe someone familiar with Brooklyn, can suggest a place to grab dinner.

Kalustyan.

Wow! Thanks. It's a fun word to say.

For LES, take the F train to Delancy-Essex Street. You can also walk up to Houston (pronounced how-ston) to Russ & Daughters for appetizing and Katz's for pastrami.

While on the LES, also visit Il Laboratorio del Gelato (so what if it's freezing outside, it's good stuff) - at 95 Orchard, Economy Candy at 108 Rivington - very inexpensive candy store - lots of stuff in bulk. Good halvah, and Kossar's Bialy's at 267 Grand street. Are there any other food places I'm forgetting?

Yom Huledet Sameach!! (that's happy birthday in Hebrew -- not bad for 13 years of tuition.. )

Wine can only be sold in wine/liquor stores. They can be open on sunday, provided they close on another day of the week. Stores open at 10 am and close either at 9 or 10 pm. Beer is sold in supermarkets, bodegas, etc. I don't know if there are time limits on beer sales. Last call for bars is 4 am. If you're interested in trying out the wines of NY state, there are two stores - one on Broadway, btw 92nd and 93rd and one in SoHo (Grand and Wooster(?)) called Vintage NY. They're definitely open on sunday, as they're considered extensions of the winery tasting rooms. The one on the UWS has a bar in the back where you can try different flights.

Just remember...Barney Greengrass is closed on mondays.

I made a pot of lentil soup, and got to empty out my refrigerator in the process. We also had a rosemary-rubbed chicken.

Actually, that was where I first heard of kipikipi (I'm a little behind in reading my periodicals). They explain it as: But I want to know more. Such as, when is it eaten? Are they using the word "biscuit" to mean "cookie?" To me, soy sauce and garlic would be more savory than sweet. What's its origins? Has anyone actually eaten this? And do you have a photo? Essentially, I want to know MORE!!

Is that the branch of the Metropolitan that has the Medieval stuff? ooh. Yes, it is. They've got amazing tapestries. Personally, I think the ideal time to visit is in the spring so you can walk the grounds. But, I have a feeling they do up the building for the holidays. BTW, there's a Food Emporium on Broadway and 68th st. Not quite as impressive (or inexpensive) as Fairway, but it's closer to LC.

That'll be me! It's fine to go as far as Columbia Univ. (120th street is northern boundary) on the west side. The Cathedral of St. John the Devine on Amsterdam and 112th is magnificent. It's one of the largest cathedrals in the world - they've been working on it for 100 plus years, and aren't done yet. They have holiday concerts and it's a really nice place to visit. It's my understanding that there some decent small restaurants to eat at. For a snack, there's Silver Moon Bakery on 105th and B'way (I'm not exactly sure of the cross street) has some nice baked goods. If you travel that far north, you can also check out Grant's Tomb in Riverside Park.