Well, that's it for Chevy's , they closed the downtown North End Avenue branch because of a Goldman Sachs deal. Had to go to the 42nd Street establishment. The food is fresh and good for a chain. The service is , well , needs improvement. I liked the North End Avenue branch, it had a friendliness to it. No more for this chain.
The Union Square Train Station with a snow cap.
Statue of Jackie Gleason as bus driver Ralph Kramden in front of the Port Authority Bus Station.
Bought the DVD, will be one of the few times I will have seen an Oscar nominee before the ceremony. Watched SNL last night , "The Social Network" was spoofed as Facebook co-founder Mark Zuckerberg joined actor Jesse Eisenberg and Andy Samberg all as Zuckerberg, a guy who thinks "The Social Network" was "interesting." Just saw Eisenberg in Zombieland.
Renewed my Barnes and Noble membership and happened to come across this new translation of Voltaire's Candide. Thanks to the New York State Legislature and Executives, my membership fee is now subject to Sales Tax. They won't raise Taxes but they will "Nickle and Dime" you to death with fees and such.
GreenPort Harbor Brewing Company Disorient IPA This American style India Pale Ale features three of the finest American ‘C’ hops: Chinook, Columbus, and Cascade. Bold hoppiness is offset with notes of caramel sweetness from crystal malt. abv 6.2%
The Greenport IPA goes well with Guinness Draught.
Directions for a proper pour, I use a handy Guinness spoon to make a perfect Black and Tan.
This being a birthday week, plenty on tap for tomorrow: Mimosas, Breakfast, Best Buy Barnes and Noble and Chevy's Fresh Mex.
This year I rooted for the Steelers, the Jets fans just got on my nerves. For the Super Bowl, I will root for the Packers.
Restaurant Week is here, the Restaurants which post their Menus are the ones I go to because some places do not have as good deals as others or as interesting selections . Of Course, Smith And Wollensky sets the standard. This year they will only participate with Lunch.
Tax time, the programs (I use H and R Block) available make it easy and E-filing with Direct Deposit speeds the refunds.
Watched the new version of Clash of the Titans (2010), prefer the Clash of the Titans (1981.) New version has a cameo by Bubo the mechanical owl who is replaced in the plot by Io played by Gemma Arterton. The male lead played by Sam Worthington looked familiar and later realized he was the lead in Avatar. Medusa, played in part by Natalia Vodianova, is spectacular.
Watched Zombieland and it was a lot of fun. Much better than expected. Best line: Little Rock: So do you have any regrets? Bill Murray: Garfield, maybe.
On tonight, Turner Classic Movies, 6:00 p.m.: Scaramouche .
Rafael Sabatini : on his headstone his wife had written, "He was born with a gift of laughter and a sense that the world was mad", the first line of Scaramouche. This is the whole movie on Youtube, incredible. Make-up by William Tuttle , of Twilight Zone fame, the first make-up artist to receive an Oscar. Great acting by Mel Ferrer, not related to Jose or Miguel.
Championship Football coming up tomorrow, so BBQ Pulled Pork and Chili. The Pulled Pork will be East Carolina vinegar sauce and a separate pot with the leftover Guinness BBQ Sauce. Recipes below:
Chili: 1 1/2 pounds Top Round Sirloin cut into ½ inch cubes 1 Pound Chuck Chop 1 cup flour 1 Tablespoon Black pepper 2 Tablespoons Virgin Olive Oil 10 Mushrooms 1 Green Pepper 1 Red Pepper 1 Large Onion 1 tsp. Worcestershire Sauce 1 tsp. Cumin 3 tsp. Chili Powder 1 tsp. Cayenne Pepper 2 tsp. Cocoa 7 cloves garlic 1 cup beef broth 1 cup Dark Beer 2 Bay Leaves 1 ½ tsp. Tabasco Sauce 2 tsp. Lime Juice 1 28 oz Marinara Sauce 2 (16 oz.) cans Red Pinto Beans 1 8 oz Tomato Sauce 1 16 oz Diced Tomatoes
Cut Beef into small cubes. Put cubes in Gallon Storage bag with flour, pepper. Mix well to cover cubes completely. Add cubes to hot oil and saute for six to seven minutes. In a large pot add the chopped garlic, onion , mushrooms and peppers until soft. Add Sauce, broth, wine, Beer. Add cooked Beef cubes, Chuck Chop, bring to a boil. Reduce heat to low; cover , cook until all is tender, about two hours. Serve with Dark Beer.
East Carolina Sauce Ingredients: 1 c Vinegar 2 tb Brown sugar 2 tb Red pepper flakes 1 ts Cayenne 1 ts Black pepper 1 ts Salt 1/2 c Water (optional)
Martin Luther King, Jr., a tremendous speech. I listen to it every MLK day. His last speech in Memphis foretold what was about to happen:
"Well, I don't know what will happen now. We've got some difficult days ahead. But it really doesn't matter with me now, because I've been to the mountaintop. And I don't mind. Like anybody, I would like to live a long life — longevity has its place. But I'm not concerned about that now. I just want to do God's will. And He's allowed me to go up to the mountain. And I've looked over, and I've seen the Promised Land. I may not get there with you. But I want you to know tonight, that we, as a people, will get to the promised land. So I'm happy, tonight. I'm not worried about anything, I'm not fearing any man. Mine eyes have seen the glory of the coming of the Lord." — the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr.
Stormy Monday written by T-Bone Walker, a classic done justice by this duo.
T-Bone Walker doing Stormy Monday , video not so good, but the music is clear and bracing.
Watched This Boy's Life and then came across an interview of the author Tobias Wolff.
Going to an event today at the Chelsea Piers. Never been there before, looks interesting.
Tomorrow is a visit to Wildwood BBQ. Their Beer selections are top-notch.
From AnswersAskKids.com :Icicles are formed by the freezing of water when it drips from a surface. They lengthen as more water drips and freezes, and eventually taper into points. They may be caused by snow or ice melting and re-freezing as the temperature falls and rises and then falls again, or they may be formed when dripping water becomes just cold enough to be frozen into place as it falls over the side of a surface.
A Black and Tan with Guinness and Dogfish 60 Minute IPA.
My new wallpaper, a picture found on the net, in honor of 4d in today's NYT Crossword.
Found this too, a good thought.
Found this great recipe in Serious Eats. A real nice BBQ Sauce. I will , of course, make my own additions and subtractions. Also, since it does not use much Guinness, the rest can be had while watching Football.
2 tablespoons vegetable oil
1 medium onion, finely diced
1 15oz can tomato sauce
8 oz stout beer
1/4 cup molasses
1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
1/4 cup apple cider vinegar
1 tablespoon dark brown sugar
1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
Since this is BBQ, BEER and BOOKS,let's get to what is important. Dogfish Head 60 Minute IPA is the weekend beer via a Growler. Guinness Stout Drought will also be consumed after the BBQ Sauce is made. I returned Voltaire to the Queens Library. It was an interesting read, did not know he was sleeping with his niece. The later years involving his fighting intolerance and injustice was quite interesting. Will have to read some more of his output, having only read Candide.
I tend to favor Biographies and this one was available from the Queens Library. I had read Ron Chernow's previous biography of Alexander Hamilton and enjoyed it. This one should be good, Washington is often not given the credit he deserves.
Also on the reading list, True Grit by Charles Portis. I will eventually see the Coen Brothers Movie, but everything I've read talks about how good the novel is to read.
Abita tasting at the local Beer Distributor, a flight convinced me to get the Party Pack. It came with a complimentary T-Shirt. This is a three-day weekend, after all.
Today is Mulchfest. Recycle your tree and wreaths.
Found this picture on the Internet. Love them ice-blue eyes.
Today's NYT Crossword has a Calvin and Hobbes clue: 40d- Calvin's baby sitter in "Calvin and Hobbes" : ROSALYN. I miss this strip and the Far Side.
A friend lent me this, mostly pictures, reading it will be quick. I have some Nordic forebears in the Family tree. Before Stieg Larsson became popular, I had a cousin named Stieg and thought the name was cool.
Must watch TV tonight is Jim Carrey hosting Saturday Night Live. My boys when they were young loved Ace Ventura, pretty funny stuff.
