Last Thoughts from LGA then Away

Posted: August 16th, 2010 | Filed under: Culture, Ruminations | No Comments »

I am proud to say I’ve just finished the NYC Deli Triathalon.

Katz’s for lunch.

Sarge’s for brunch.

Stage for breakfast.

Different days, of course.

We were headed to the Carnegie this morning, but hit the Stage first. What a damn treat. When Barb, our waitress with enough eye liner to start her own salon at Macy’s, asked if I really wanted the belly lox platter. “You sure you don’t mean Nova,” she asked? “That’s awfully salty.”

“Barb, I’m not a virgin.”

By the time we left she’d explained how she loved to watch the horses run. “I was in Louisville once. I went to Churchill Downs at night, and tried to look through the gates. Couldn’t see nothin’.

“I sure want to make it to the Derby one time. I want one of those mint juleps.

“My uncle Maury Kaufman, he was the rich one in the family. Made a fortune in real estate. So he retired and bought a horse farm in Ocala. He loved cowboys when he was a kid. We all did. Tom Mix. Especially Johnny Mack Brown.

“So he changed his name for the horse business. Johnny Maury Kaufman. He rode around his farm on a pinto in a cowboy hat.”

Ah. Noo Yawk. Noo Yawk.

* * * * *

The flip side — and, of course, there’s always a flip side in the Big Apple — was the snarling gal at Lenscrafters on Fifth. I needed one little tweak to the nose thingamajiggy on my glasses.

“There’s nowhere and no way to twist this. It’s as far back as it goes already.”

Get that woman an egg cream.

* * * * *

Spent more time on Lexington Ave than any previous trips. It’s my new favorite NYC thoroughfare.

We had dinner last night at a great spot at 62d and Lex: Fishtails by David Burke. The maitre d’s family lives in Morehead.

The fish was boffo, but nothing like the night before at Oceana. Where I ate the finest seafood of my life.

* * * * *

The answer is No. We indeed do other things than eat.

Saw the photography exhibit at the Guggenheim. Frank Lloyd Wright’s masterpiece of a building remains iconic a half century after being built.

The photos were interesting, but explanations on the little machine they give you were awfully pretentious.

* * * * *

We stayed at the Royalton. It’s on 44th between Fifth and Sixth Avenues, right across the street from the Algonquin.

Trés chic.

Did I already mention that in my blog yesterday. If so, sorry.

* * * * *

At the NBA store on Fifth Ave, there’s a table with t-shirts featuring just two players.

Rajon Rondo.

John Wall.

* * * * *

Okay, that’s enough insignificant musing. It’s of interest only to me, I know.

What’s a guy to do while waiting for his flight? Read The New York Post?

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