Zazoo's Mama: Skunked again or for a split second when I woke up this morning...

God, I hate doing this...

...negative reviews, that is. I lunched at Le Cirque during restaurant week recently. The new location is bright, airy with high ceilings and an open dining/bar area, separated by entry and reception. The staff couldn't have been nicer an more convivial. The manager shook my hand with some pleasantries that threw me off. "How nice it is too see you again, Mrs. Silverman." I was at the other location with Cuban husband. How many years ago? Oy.

Anyway, I can see why it's a "ladies who lunch" spot. There were a table of six old biddies off a farm with one with a poor face job leading the conversation a little too loudly. I had to overhear, "Arlene Dahl" a few times. For those of you who don't know, she's an ancient TV actress from the beginning days of TV in NY. Then were were a few ancient couples; one poor fellow in a motorized wheelchair. Two younger, poorly dressed suburban secretaries with their foreign bosses. Ok. I knew I was in the wrong place but I was really there for the food.

The waiter suggested a fruit cocktail which was a mixture of fruit juices.  Very nice for this sweltering day.

I ordered asparagus vinaigrette. Five large, I mean really large asparagus appeared with a shabby dullish-green complexion. Not steamed or grilled. Boiled? How sixties. Not appealing to the eye at all. Then, a lovely vinaigrette was spooned over them. They tasted good enough but just looked ghastly.  But they weren't terrific.  I love asparagus.  Not this way.

The main dishes were not to my liking for the most part because I don't eat fish or fowl. So I choose the only option which were sliders with fries.  There was no description.  I asked for medium RARE. They came out well done and with stewed onions.  And so hot in the middle I wondered if they were nuked.  At least the bun was nice and firm and lightly toasted. The fries were good. Presentation: lovely.

For dessert I ordered a ricotta mousse which I took home. No flavour at all.

In summation, I'd you would like to dine in a NYC landmark in a gorgeous space, with average food, visit le Cirque. Or better still, stop in for a drink instead!

Restaurant Week in NY...hits and misses so far

I'm getting thru the second week of Restaurant Week, yes, it's not weeks, which is where restaurants try to drum up new business by offering a prix fixe 3 course limited menu at a reasonable price. Usually $24 for lunch and $30 for dinner. The point of it is to serve delicious food with great ambiance so diners will spread the word and also return with all their colleagues, friends and family.

Here's my summary so far:

Ilili.I give it 5 stars. http://www.ililinyc.com/

Fabulous Middle Eastern fare. Lovely, modern decor. Attentive, helpful staff. it had to be close to 100 F last Monday when I exited a taxi and walked in to a cool, spacious entry as gentle Middle Eastern music wafted thru and made me feel at home immediately. The sweet waitress suggested a refresher: lemonade. Sure. It had a hint of mint and a spear of cucumber. Out of this world! I'm going back, if I can just have this.

Actually, I've dined here before and couldn't resist the special pricing and an excuse to to go to another spot on earth and in my soul.

I had a beautiful green bean salad topped with pickled baby onions and sprinkled with sesame seeds. Lovely with a hint of lemon and olive oil. Next was a lamb sip with au jus and pink horseradish sauce. Simply divine. Tender, shredded lamb piles high on a tasty bun. I spread the sauce then dipped each bit. This hit the spot. Funky, old world flavours eminated throughout the sandwich.


These were sublime. The mix of flavors lingered on my palette and was soothed by the magic lemonade.

A tiny bit of bird's nest baklava was the dessert. Typical and lovely.

I said I didn't have to go...

...far for material. But this time the material came to me! I'm still smiling about this one. Jewel, derived from Jew Al, Jew-al, hence: jewel, said he was stopping by to work on the lawn mover. Another project that has taken weeks. Not finished yet. So, I was at a meeting off the grounds and he picked me up and as we were coming toward the barn I saw 2 purple latrines, or port o sans, on a small trailer sitting in the driveway. If that's not bad enough, the police were circling. I counted three times within a half hour as I watered the plantings. I waved and smiled. I think a yenta neighbour called them, guess which one, to find out if we were doing demo/construction work without a permit or having a gypsy family reunion under the tent.

Then, to make it even sillier, Jewel said while he worked on the mower he had to relieve himself. He wouldn't venture into the house alone. A sissy boy is afraid of Zazoo. So he said he went to the studio above the barn. I said, "why didn't you use the facility in your little wagon?" "It smells," he said matter of factly. Sweet baby Jesus, this Wanker drives around all day with these things, move them around when they're full and scours them out with a hose. Smelly? Oy vey.

Zazzy's new sister, ilili, or how to kiss butt...

...and make new friends. We've recently had an addition to our small family! Her name is Ilili, which is Lebanese for "tell me". Apropos coz this baby Afghan Hound is quote vocal. She talks, whines and howls just like a baby Afghan usually does. And she screams...it sounds like she is being murdered slowly when she's placed in her crate and shits herself. Poor little thing.

So, if you know me, you know I couldn't have that, so I've been walking or dragging her along when I march Zazoo. It's comical because Zaz walks like such an elegant gentleman and then dragged behind us is this silly belligerent puppy. I hope no one calls SPCA about me.

She's lovely and just eight weeks now so she misses her mama and her litter-mates. She was happy to meet Zazoo and he reciprocated but she is a bit needy for his taste. The first night, she cuddled up to me to sleep but soon I found her nestled into Zazoo. Then I was able to get this shot as they lounged on the couch during a rainy afternoon.