October 28, 2013

A little Chianti Classico, always have to have the Black Rooster. From The Chianti Classico Wine Consortium :

Why is the Black Rooster the symbol of Chianti Classico?

"The Black Rooster has always been the symbol of the entire Chianti region. The origin of this is lost in time: an amusing legend narrates of the rivalry existing in the Middle Ages between Siena and Florence. According to this legend, in order to cease their endless fighting, the two Tuscan cities decided to leave the definition of their respective boundaries to a remarkable feat between knights: they were to leave their hometowns at cockcrow and wherever they would have met each other, that exact spot would have been the border between the two republics. For this purpose, the citizens of Siena raised a beautiful white rooster, which grew big and fat. The Florentines, instead, chose a black rooster and never fed him, so that on the fateful day he was so famished, he started to crow even before sunrise. As a result, the Florentine knight was able to set out very early in the morning: he met the knight from Siena in Fonterutoli –merely twelve Kilometers from Siena -, as the latter had left much later: this is the reason why almost all of the Chianti territory was united under the rule of the Florentine Republic. Even if this is only a legend, it is however confirmed that the Black Rooster profile has represented the emblem of the historic Chianti League, which ruled over these lands since the beginning of the 14th century. The artist Giorgio Vasari painted the Black Rooster on the ceiling of the Salone dei Cinquecento in Palazzo Vecchio, as an allegorical representation of the Chianti region. The Consortium has ultimately selected this seven-century old symbol as a certification of its wines."



Giving Blood at work today. They always call me since I'm a universal donor and my blood is CMV negative. Since it is close to Halloween, I'm expecting a Vampire motif.

October 26, 2013

Rockaway Beach, first time I ever saw it with no one at all on the beach.



L & B Spumoni Gardens, Brooklyn. Terrific Pizza, I liked the regular slice better than their famous square.



One of my co-workers brought in a box of Doughnut Plant doughnuts. Wow ! They are incredible. A Krispy Kreme like glaze but excellent ingredients with the filling layered within and around the doughnut.



Fish Stew for dinner. Scallops, Lobster, Squid, Cod and Swordfish.



Gourds in the sun.



Mini Pumpkins in the sun.



Picked up the graphic novel Blue is the Warmest Color by Julie Maroh who doesn't like the movie. The graphic novel is touching and sad.

October 19, 2013

Last Corn of the season.



Really cool gourds.



Time to kill today , so it became a real BBQ, Beer and Books day. First stop: The Strand.



Next stop: Dinosaur BBQ in Harlem. Shiner Bock on tap while waiting for BBQ to go. The Ribs are the best in NYC in my opinion.



This Bio of William Seward looked good enough to buy.



Ah, Bach. $15 at Strand.

October 15. 2013

Empire State Building in the sun.



Broccoli in the sun.



Oktoberfest Taste test winner: Blue Point Oktoberfest.

October 12, 2013

Malcolm Gladwell's new one: DAVID AND GOLIATH Underdogs, Misfits, and the Art of Battling Giants. The NYT review states: "Maybe what “David and Goliath” really illustrates is that it’s time for Malcolm Gladwell to find a new shtick." I will still buy it. Coupon and reductions make it half-price.



Pumpkins in the sun.



Madison Square Eats is still going strong. Had another Brisket Taco with Blue Point Oktoberfest.

October 6, 2013

Greenmarket find.



Still lots of sunflowers.



Madison Square Eats has $5 BBQ tacos.



The Brisket Taco was splendid. Very tasty and great sauce, with pickled red Onions.



They even have a Logo.



Last concert for the Studio Series. This was Carrie Elkin from Austin. Not bad, and enjoyed a Brooklyn Octoberfest while listening.