June 12, 2016

I miss Grantland but now there is The Ringer.



Billy Crystal's Ali tribute was inspiring.



Cool stuff not for sale.



Baker's Ribs still one of the best.

June 7, 2014

BBQ Day today, great weather and a fast pass. Can't ask for more.

June 3, 2012

Just signed up for the weekly newsletter at Brain Pickings. Food for thought and consistently good.

Next Saturday and Sunday is the best BBQ event in town. Weather looks good and Ed Mitchell will be there with his "Whole Hog" BBQ.

Every year it just so happens that Shakespeare and BBQ are the same day. This year it is Lily Rabe as Rosiland and Oliver Platt as Touchstone. Can't wait, As You Like It is the perfect Central Park Play. Steve Martin has composed original music and the setting is the American South of the 1840s.

Fifty People - One Question is a real interesting site. Lots of comments with real emotion.

June 11, 2011

The BBQ Party to end all BBQ parties starts today. Rain or shine, will be there. Goose Island Brewery of Chicago will pour the event's Beer.



Pretty Things Brewery from Massachusetts always has interesting and historical brews. This East India Porter was in Cask Ale form and full of flavor. The brewery page links to Beer Historian Ron Pattinson. His findings, the troops drank Porter while the officers drank Pale Ale. Interesting stuff, he brings out the Class part of this equation.



This Golden Bock from Sierra Nevada is about to be tried.



Pretty Things Field Mouse's Farewell is a Saison Style and quite tasty.



With BBQ and Beer abounding, got to have at least one book.

June 1, 2011

Great interview of Pitmaster Ed Mitchell in Gothamist.

February 21, 2011 - George Washington's BD

Yikes ! More snow.



Pretty scenery, though.



Well, it is George Washington's Birthday celebration, not President's Day. Here is the NYSE take on the matter:

Washington's Birthday was first declared a federal holiday by an 1879 act of Congress. The Monday Holiday Law, enacted in 1968, shifted the date of the commemoration of Washington's Birthday from February 22 to the third Monday in February, but neither that law nor any subsequent law changed the name of the holiday from Washington's Birthday to President's Day.

Although the third Monday in February has become popularly known as President's Day, the NYSE's designation of Washington's Birthday as an Exchange holiday (Rule 51) follows the form of the federal holiday outlined above (section 6103(a) of title 5 of the United States Code).



Time for Lasagna.



Cadillac Margaritas too. This brand El Caballo Estrella Tequila is 100% de Blue Agave and about $5 cheaper than Jose Cuervo. Tequila is Tequila. I also use Gran Gala Orange Liqueur instead of Grand Marnier because it is half the price. A mixed drink allows many variations.



The Ninth Annual Big Apple BBQ Block Party at Madison Square Park will be June 11th and June 12th.



Today's NYT has a good interview of Walt Frazier. A book I have in my collection, Rockin' Steady has been re-issued.

Q.The revised book still has the segment about how you caught flies to get quick hands. Do you still do it?

A.They don’t come around me anymore. [Frazier laughed.] They heard about my reputation. They stay away from me now.



Robert Vaughn in The Magnificent Seven also had a thing about flies.

Lee: [Grabs at three flies - opens his hand] One. There was a time when I'd have gotten all three.

June 11, 2010

Ah, the Internet is a wonderful place. From it I learned: 1) this beer is brewed in Texas; 2) Caramel is added ; 3) Foster's does not enjoy widespread popularity in Australia.

The oil can Beer was only $2 for a 25.4oz can, 5.50% ABV, ESB (for "Extra Special Bitter") Style. Not great, OK beer, will do until I can get something good.



Tomorrow is the Big BBQ Fest at Madison Square Park.




Will be trying to get tickets to Merchant of Venice. Al Pacino as Shylock. Hope it don't rain. A very busy weekend: BBQ , Beer and Shakespeare - what more can I ask for ?

May 28, 2010

The Beers for the Big Apple BBQ Party will be 9 different brews from Heartland Brewery.



The youngest son went to a Prom last night. Have to say he looked good in a Classic Tux with Bow-Tie. The others had black shirts and almost Day-Glo ties. Sometimes Old-School and classic never goes out of style. Stretch Limo, Manhattan Clubbing after-wards, something that was alien to my time. He said it was fun.



Beer for the weekend is a refreshing and tasty Wheat beer: Southern Tier Hop Sun.

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.

June 14, 2009 - Big Apple BBQ Party Beer Post

It was Packed at the beer garden





The Beers I had at the Big Apple BBQ Party.
All fresh and tasty.



No matter the equipment, you still need starter coals.



They didn't have any but this was one cool Beer logo.

June 14, 2009

Happy Flag Day !



Yesterday was Queens distribution of Shakespeare
in the Park tickets. Outside the Flushing Center for
the Arts. No rain yet.



Up the block was an Art-Deco WWI memorial.



After that, it was BBQ. The Big Apple Barbecue Party.
This was Rack and Soul. The Ribs were great.



Ed Mitchell does Whole Hog style.
The sandwich is the best of show.



Here's the Pitmaster. His restaurant
is in North Carolina.



Twelfth Night at the park. Had to stop in the
first act for rain, but soon resumed.
The clowning was first-rate. Jay O. Sanders is fabulous
as Sir Toby Belch ,as is Hamish Linklater as Sir Andrew
Aguecheek. They steal the show. All in all, a great evening,
the colonial setting was perfect for outdoors and the music
was terrific. Feste had a wonderful singing voice.

June 6, 2009

65th Anniversary.



The L Magazine has a good article on
10 Summer Beers In & Around The City .



Not crowded at 8:00 a.m.



Lots of Lobster at P.E.and D.D. Seafood.



Sugar Snap Peas make their first appearance.
$5 a pound, ouch. The price will come down.



Sugar Snap Peas.

• 4 oz Sugar snap peas
• 2 Garlic cloves; crushed,
• 1 tb Lime juice
• 1/2 ts Brown sugar
• Or honey
• Water
• Zap for 1 or 2 minutes per taste. I go for one minute.
  

Busy week ahead. 5K race, 3.5 miles. Some
cold beer will be waiting for me after finishing.



Next Saturday and Sunday is the Big Apple
Barbecue Block Party.



Next Saturday, after BBQ and beer.
Twelfth Night in Central Park.