Last Dinner With My Cousin--At Least This Trip

Two topics of conversation are always discussed when ever two or more people gather to chew the fat at any time or any place in New York City.  One is apartments---"Do you know of any cheap apartment for rent"?  "Is your apartment under rent control".  "I'm looking for a short lease--know of any?" "I saw a for sale sign for a place on 46th between Ninth and Tenth"  Or the ultimate,  "What do you pay and is it rent control".

The other topic, and one that happens in an apartment, during a party, on the street, in the ladies room, anywhere is "Where are we going to eat".  "Do you know of any new place to try that's inexpensive"  "Where's a cheep place to eat."  "What kind of food do they have".  The questions go on and on and sometimes start again even after seated, if the lighting or vibe or crowd doesn't look "right". Here we go---moved again.

My cousin has been here from California to attend the Natural Foods Culinary Institute.  She's a California gal for sure, and she's a real trooper.   She found a tiny apartment on the upper west side, for the duration of the four month curriculum. She got on the subway every morning, spent the day in school, came home on the subway, studied and then the next day started the routine all over again.

We hadn't seen each other for many years and although we are 20 or so years apart  and knew each other when we were much younger, we celebrated our reunion with a great anticipation of spending time together and catching up.  Ya right!!!!!

It's her last week and she's through with her testing and we decide to have a celebratory early last dinner before she left.  I have been at the Institute a couple times, once for a beautifully prepared brunch and then again for a dinner put on by the group of students that included my cousin. Other then another time she was at my home we haven't had much time together

I arrive around 5 pm  and finally see her temporary New York  home which has been mostly already cleared out. She has to leave to go back to her home in Tahoe and fulfill her intern duties as part of the culinary degree. She has kindly filled a couple bags of kitchen things that she doesn't' need, for me to take home.  She has also offered to go home on the bus with me to help carry, as they are heavy.  No car!!!!!

We decide after much discussion, to try the place right on the corner that not only my daughter recommended but that is always busy and I'd heard good things about so it sounded like a good bet. The place is beautiful and even though they didn't have room out side we decided inside would be fine.  We were ushered to a table way in the back right next to the restrooms.  No way.  The vibe was also off so we decided to leave.

OK now where do we go???? Sue checks her phone to see what might be recommended in the hood and we decide on another Italian place within walking distance. We were seated outside and the vibe was right and the menu looked reasonable enough so finally we had found our spot.

We decided to split three dishes--a salad--some pasta--and a steak.  We placed our order and explained what we wanted to do.  Cool!  The delicious bread was served along with a faboo olive oil and we were ready to chow down.  First came the salad with two plates.  My cousin ordered and glass of wine and we began.  The salad was quite tasty but before we were even finished the waiter took the salad away and immediately returned with both the pasta and  the steak special.  Woe! what happened why are we being served both at the same time and where were the extra plates.  The pasta which looked delish was cold, the steak that we ordered medium rare was so well done there was no pink at all.  This is not good. We called over the waiter and told him about the discrepancies in the meal.  Both the salad removal too soon and the cold pasta and well done steak.  OK-- the steak went back but was returned not more then five minute later.  The meat had been cooked on one side turned over and with the cow still mooing sat heavily on the plate.  Sue cut into it and it was more then blood rare.  Yuk!!!----We need to see the manager.  My diplomatic cousin was firm but polite and explained the situation and the manager listened and of course apologized several times.  After many minutes of a discussion re culinary experiences and some mutual acquaintances on the west coast my cousin explained that she would gladly pay for the wine but that we would not be  staying.  He asked if he could make it right and we said no thank you.  He then said "it's on me then" and we boogied out of there.

Now what do we do.  We still have not eaten.  OK, so we decide to go pick up my new treasures at Sue's place and grab a cab to my place down a mile or so to Hell's Kitchen where i live.  There is a restaurant that i took Sue too when she first arrived and she and i both like the place so we go to my apartment, sit a spell, call, and they are full but if we wait a bit there will be room.

I just happened to mention my favorite place across the street Zuni's.  Simple but good food and good atmosphere and great wait staff so Sue says, "that's where i want to go"  So once again we go  in search of food.

We hit the jackpot.  The meal was fabulous and not only did we enjoy every bite, we were entertained by some darling girls from Germany who were eating after a concert given at another venue and chose to entertain the wait staff with a song as a thank you.
Our long and involved evening ended with the magic that only New York can provide.  A fabulous meal with a lovely dear cousin and some unexpected music from some young German Frauleins.

So if you expect to visit our fair city anytime soon, be sure and brush up on apartment and food information.  I guarantee the subject will come up. And if you're lucky you'll be able to share an unforgettable dining experience with a much beloved cousin and friend like i did.