March 28, 2010

Nixtamal now has their own Web Site.
Tortilleria Nixtamal
104-05 47th Avenue
Corona, NY 11368

March 27, 2010

You know it is Spring, Forsythias blooming everywhere. All along main-traveled roads, a splash of yellow.



Next weekend is my annual downtown trip. Still amazed at the sloth-like pace of rebuilding. I read this week that an agreement was hashed out and the pace will quicken.When I see the site, I always start to well-up and hold back the tears.



As always, Margaritas and Final Four games will be in the mix.

March 21, 2010

My Big East-Centric bracket was killed by Villanova. Yet, I still breathe thanks to Syracuse. The Orangemen look great against Gonzaga. This has got to be one of the best tournaments yet. Northern Iowa beating Kansas was wild.



CBS Sunday Morning had a nice piece on the late/great Joe Ades: "Curb Appeal: Serena Altschul examines the double-life of Joe Ades: Street vendor by day, Park Avenue bon vivant by night."
His daughter has taken up the mantle but she can't sell at Union Square.



The Big Apple Barbecue Party is coming in June 12th and 13th.. The Bubba Pass is now $125 for $100 worth of BBQ. I'll still get one, the lines are massive.



Latest value wine is Montepulciano D'Abruzzo. Very drinkable, what we used to call a good table wine.

March 20, 2010

Beautiful day at the Union Square Greenmarket. Forgot my camera, so the cell phone shots will have to suffice.



Not much available, but this is a new Saturday Fish-Monger: Seatuck Fish Company. Fresh Crabs and lots of different clams and oysters. You've got to love the "Splat Bag" sign. Their prices are on the high-side. I'll try them next week. I had already bought stuff from P.E. and D.D. Seafood.



P.E. and D.D. Seafood in the sun. Crab Cakes, Squid and Sea Scallops for lunch. Philly Cheesesteaks for dinner.

March 19, 2010

Now on TCM on demand: Yojimbo.



Sanjuro: I'll get paid for killing, and this town is full of people who deserve to die.

March 18, 2010

Every year I buy the Daffodils from the American Cancer Society. Here is an old picture.



My CYO boys lost a close one at the last second. They played great, a wonderful season. My last game after 15 years of coaching. My team won at the work tournament. We are older than the parents of the kids we beat.



St. Pat's day leftovers, Black and Tans to accompany March Madness. My bracket is going South already.

March 13, 2010

My College team was on the bubble but no more, looks like NIT Time. My CYO Boys are in the Semis. We face a tough challenge but we can win. My youngest also plays in a CHSAA All-Star game before the Semis. There will be College Coaches watching, mostly D-III. I think he wants to continue playing, depends on where he goes. So far he has made the Colleges he wants to go to and is still waiting on three more. Such a lousy day, and losing an hour. Time to tackle FAFSA.



Duane Reade now carries Cold Beer. They are in the process of being taken over by Walgreens. I am not offended by the Shamrocks but I'm sure some people will be.



Msn.com had a list of great Irish Pubs and listed this
one I had never heard of before: Galway Hooker.It derives from a boat's name. Two locations in Manhattan and it is also the name of an Irish Craft Brewery. Will have to visit but not this week.



HBO has some great stuff. I really enjoyed Band of Brothers and now the companion piece The Pacific is starting this Sunday. Band of Brothers is currently on HBO on Demand.



If I can't catch it Sunday, it is always on HBO on Demand.



The NYT Magazine has an interesting article by Judith Warner titled Concocting a Cure for Kids With Issues about Vision Therapy. My Optometrist talked me into it for my oldest son but my plan would not pick it up. I paid cash. I did not put my second child in it because I did not think the Science validating it was there. It did do the older one some good. The article credits any good to the Hawthorne effect — the fact that many problems, and mental-health problems in particular, tend to get better when they receive intensive positive attention of pretty much any kind. The original Hawthorne effect theory has been criticized,thus the emphasis on mental-health problems.



The Spring Edition of Edible Queens arrives this coming week. Based on the cover, Nixtamal in Corona looks like the featured story.

March 7, 2010

Field Marshal, General, 1st Viscount, Allenby. I read up on him after viewing Lawrence of Arabia. Interesting life, here's Jack Hawkins as Allenby in a great scene:



Also, love this line:

Bartender: [after Lawrence enters with a dirty Bedouin] This is a bar for British officers!
T.E. Lawrence: That's all right. We're not particular.




Went to Corona and my first stop was Leo's Latticini or Mama's for tonight's Oscar dinner: Stuffed Shells and Manicotti. Will be washed down with some value wine.



Right up the block from Mama's is Nixtamal, a great Mexican place. Lots of Food blogs have mentioned it, here's: New York Magazine's review and a NY Times write-up. The Masa dough is the attraction. I got the Italiano tamale which includes Sausage, Peppers and Mozzarella. Followed up with a Rainbow Ice at the Lemon Ice King.



Time Warner Cable TCM on demand repeats Once Upon a Time in the West. Henry Fonda as the villain Frank and the music make this a must watch.



Henry Fonda recalls his casting. The actor who told him to do it was Eli Wallach.



Richard Proulx died recently. The above spiritual's arrangment sounds like the one he did. RIP.

March 6, 2010

Every year I watch the Oscars. The Oscars show is great for the unexpected. Haven't seen anything up for awards yet except District 9. The Hurt Locker looks interesting and I will eventually see Avatar and Up in the Air.



My CYO Boys took another one. We are now in the
Semi-Finals. Again, we played a team missing their best player.
We'll take it.



Time-Warner Cable TCM on demand now has Jason and the Argonauts. Ray Harryhausen did the special effects.



This is my favorite scene, as a kid I was floored by it.

March 5, 2010

The month of March is a busy one for me : St. Patrick's day
and March Madness Basketball. I also play in a March Madness work Tournament.



Beer for the night is Ithaca Nut Brown. From the Brewery Web site:

Nut Brown Availability: Year Round The rich mahogany hue of the Nut Brown is the first thing you will notice. You’ll find subtle hints of both chocolate & coffee. We delicately blend chocolate & caramel malts with four others to make this flavorful, easy drinking beer. The malt character will appeal to those looking for a moderate dark ale, but the smoothness is what will surprise all.
IBUs: N/A ABV: 5.4% Malt: 2-Row Pale, Munich, British Amber, Crystal, and Chocolate Hops: Northern Brewer

St. Patrick's Day is coming up fast.



Always a big Breakfast with Bagels and Irish Coffee.



Only Jameson is acceptable.



Fresh Whipped Cream.



Sugar in the Raw Brown Sugar.



To your Health !

March 2, 2010

CHSAA Playoffs result in loss. But, the boy is named
to the Division All-Star team.



Written about in the Village Voice and Edible Queens.
The Bosna Burger is damn good.