The Carnegie

On 7^th Avenue in Midtown Manhattan somewhere around 54^th and 55^th streets is the location of what USA Today refers to as the “most famous” delicatessen in the United States – The Carnegie Deli.  

The Carnegie has its walls decorated from floor to ceiling with autographed photos of celebs and other notables that have visited.  (I tried to give them mine, but they said they had plenty of toilet paper, and to take it to the Stage Deli.) 

Adam Sandler, a frequent patron,  has a snippet in his Chanukah Song about the Carnegie Deli,  and Woody Allen has one of the Deli’s signature sandwiches named after him.  It seems the Deli was used in the filming of one of Allen’s films.  With me not being a fan of Woody Allen’s screen talents, I am unaware of the film, BUT we did try the sandwich that bears his moniker.

Sandwiches at the Carnegie Deli are served with at least one pound of meat.  The Carnegie makes all of their own meat; therefore it is virtually impossible for any other deli to duplicate their work as it is all made in house.  (This fact is point made in the deli wars of New York.  The Stage Deli and the Carnegie are in constant battle for the top billing of the city evidently.  Having eaten at both I see no competition from the Stage for the Carnegie.)

Our waitress, upon finding out we were from the southern states, was very polite in telling us some of the history of the deli, it’s sandwiches, and more.  She suggested that we “split” a sandwich.  Now those of you that know me know that I don’t split my food.  I might eat mine and then finish yours, but I don’t split my food.  However, on this day I would not be able to hit the hotel fitness center so I said ok, let’s split one.  While we pored over the menu, we were treated to a basket of pickles.  Yum!!

We finally decided to go with the recommendation of the patrons sitting next to us from Australia.  The four of them still had a huge pile of food on their table from the two sandwiches they “split”.   These friendly folks told us they were like us and could not decide on corned beef or pastrami either, so they went with the Woody Allen which was piled with both.  That was the kicker.  We ordered the Allen for splitting, and Natalie wanted a hot dog.

Natalie’s hot dog was quite an adventure for her.  When the wait staff delivered her dog, (it must have been a Great Dane at one time) her eyes lit up!  This was one happy hot dog eating girl!

Our sandwich was the right choice for splitting.  As a matter of fact I believe we could have split it with all the folks riding the 6 train!!  This monster was huge.  The waitress delivered a plate of extra bread slices to the table for us.  I didn’t know why at first, but after a few bites I realized it was to make EXTRA sandwiches out of the stuff that falls from the MAIN sandwich!!

Now the Carnegie Deli also has the reputation of being one of the best for New York Cheesecake, but after the meal we just ate, “there was no room at the Inn” for any cheesecake on this trip to the deli.

If I should ever get the chance to venture back into Manhattan, the Carnegie Deli will be the place I want to go for lunch.

ENJOY!

Movin' on up to the East Side - Upper East Side NYC that is.

An aptitude for making desirable discoveries by accident – SERENDIPITY!

    It wasn’t really an accident that we were able to eat at this Upper East Side noted establishment.  It required some very skilled planning and conniving for my wife to get the noon reservation months in advance, have our daughter up, dressed, ready to go, and me convinced that we were just going for some sight-seeing on FIFTH AVENUE before lunch.   (I sometimes wonder where my mind is drifting off to on these occasions.)  I must readily admit that the trip to Serendipity3 was so worth the effort put forth by my bride of 25 years.  Although, I may not say the same about 5^th Avenue!  

 

     From the outside looking in, most would probably keep on looking – for somewhere else to eat!  The entrance was very plain and not very glitzy. (Glitzy? Is that a word?  It must be, as you know what I meant!) If it weren’t for the fact that this is a little NYC gem, made even more popular by the movie of the same name starring John Cusack and Kate Beckinsale, many would not venture here to break bread.  With that said, at 11:45 when we arrived for our noon reservation there was already a long waiting list and a line to sign up for the list.  (Did I mention how much I love my bride’s planning skills?)

     Upon giving our name and reservation time, the Maître d’s face lifted from a partial scowl to warm and friendly.  His voice even seemed lighter as he immediately proceeded to show us to our table.  (Did I mention how much I love my bride’s smarts for making reservations weeks in advance?)   Allowing my two lovely ladies to pass me and follow our fresh new host, I could feel the daggers in my back from the eyes of those waiting.  “C'est la vie”. 

As we sat at our table in the dining area, I noticed that the light was wonderful for taking photos.  The overhead skylight with some stained glass in sections was allowing just the right amount of light into the room.  The room was decorated with Tiffany stained glass, antiques and nostalgic advertising materials of times past.  Our host set out our flatware and handed us our menus.  Unbeknownst to us at the time, the colossal menus forebode a similarity that would later be revealed upon the serving plates. 

     There was so much to choose from on the menu, but having heard so much about New York’s Challah bread I had to try it.  I ordered the Ultimate BLT served of course on Challah bread.  While discussing all the options for Natalie, the waiter came up and delivered our water.  He suggested the child’s plate Grilled Cheese for her.  Natalie was sold as grilled cheese is her favorite food group.  Stephanie decided on the waiter’s suggestion of the Monet Salad.  ( I almost had a coronary, because I thought he said the MONEY salad – after all we did just leave 5^th Avenue and Trump Towers!) The Monet salad was fruit, and avocado, and greens, and much like a Monet painting – full of color.

      The service was exceptional and the food was even better!  We could not leave Serendipity without sampling their signature item – Frozen Hot Chocolate.  (Yeah, I had a hard time wrapping my head around that one.  It belongs in the same name-game failure as Fried Ice Cream)  Pictures are worth more words than I could ever assemble, so here they are.

A great morning in New York City to be topped off with a subway ride downtown to ride the Staten Island Ferry to see Lady Liberty and Ground Zero.

Enjoy

Little Italy – A meal you can’t refuse!

On the final night of our trip we had our reservations for Angelo’s on Mulberry Street in Little Italy.  We rode the subway from our hotel to Canal Street at the edge of Chinatown.  As you walk up the street a drastic change takes place from the Orient to southern Europe. 

    I have never been a big gangster movie buff.  I have seen The Godfather, and a few bits and pieces of others, but never really a follower.  Yet when we turned off of Canal Street onto Mulberry Street, a rush of gangster, mobster, and “offers I couldn’t refuse” came rushing at us. 

                           

        As we walked down the street and passed the dark sedans with driver’s sitting in them or on them reading the NY Post, I wondered if anyone was stuffed into the trunk of any of them!  I swear Guido and Luigi were peeking out behind the shadows of the sidewalk restaurants. 

    This young “family business” man (pictured above) asked me repeatedly to have a seat at a table and he would serve us.  He was actually starting to get annoying when Steph mentioned that we already had reservations.  Calling the bluff he looked at me and shrugged and asked, “Where do you have reservations?”  I simply said, “Angelo’s”, and it was as if I said a magic word.  He immediately stepped aside and said, “Enjoy your meal sir!”  This goes on the list of “Things that make you go – Hmmm.”

     We arrived at Angelo’s and were immediately greeted, asked our name, checked off the list, and seated. (Glad we were checked off and not – RUBBED OUT.)  The restaurant was very narrow when you saw it from the street, but seemed to go back forever inside the building.  The atmosphere was as if we stepped into an eatery in Italy itself. 

   


 Our waiter was obviously of Italian decent, accent included, in his white jacket and his hair slicked back like the rest of the wait staff.  He was very prompt, very polite, and very knowledgeable of his trade.  He made reading the menu seem as if we were actually sampling the dishes as he described each one. 

     He also took the time to discuss with Natalie what she would like to eat.  He explained to her that they did not have a child’s menu at Angelo’s.  The chef himself would make her something special that was not even on the menu!  That did the trick for her!  Spaghetti with a special made meatball on the side would be coming from the chef to her.

    Stephanie decided on the chicken marsala – the dish I had the night I proposed to her I might add.  Deciding for me was difficult at Angelo’s.  I love seafood, and they had mussels, calamari, crab and shrimp in one dish with a light sauce, and in another with a spicy marinara sauce.  They had white fish, lobster, and many other seafood dishes as well.  It was so overwhelming.

   












In the end I decided on something I had never tried before - Cannelloni Ripieni Amalfitani.  This is a homemade large pasta filled like a jelly roll with meat (pretty sure it was veal), spinach and cheese.  It is all covered with a marinara sauce with many spices and bits of spinach in it.  Of course then we had to top it with fresh parmesan cheese when it was served!

 *Sorry my pictures are not the greatest.  The light was very low in the restaurant, and Guido kept looking at me funny when I would take a picture.

This meal was awesome!  Thanks Michelle for the recommendation!

After dinner we stepped back on the street.  Next door to Angelo’s was the Cannoli King’s at Caffé  Palermo.  This little restaurant has been in business for over 25 years on Mulberry Street and has been featured in several magazines, and the newspapers as the Cannoli King.  This was our first cannoli experience, and I can assure you it will not be our last!

All in all our final night of Spring Break was a never “fuh get about it” evening!

Mugged in NYC

This was not your typical New York City mugging that one thinks about when you hear the term ‘mugging’.  Although we rode the subways, walked in the alleys, and hung out on street corners, this robbery took place in The Stage Delicatessen over breakfast. 

    All week the doormen, bell hops, and Concierge had been spot on for every breakfast venture we took.  Our final day in NYC we decided to grab a quick bite right across the street from our hotel, the Sheraton Towers on 7^th & 53^rd, before we headed to the airport.

    From the street it was very inviting as neon lights beckoned ‘Stage Deli’ and pictures of stars patronizing the establishment were posted.  The smell of coffee and potatoes wafted out the door onto the street in an inviting manner.  These wonderful smells were soon blended with fabulous others as we entered the trap.

    Stereotypes of New Yorkers always tend to portray the natives as rude, obnoxious, and arrogant folks.  All week we were treated as guests, patrons, and on occasion – as friends.  On this our last meal in the city, we found the reason for the stereotype in our lovely waitress. 

    Wishing to be politically correct here, I don’t want to say the biddy was old, so I’ll just say that she didn’t think William Shakespeare was really going to make it as a playwright when she first heard his stuff.  We’ll call this lovely young Shakespearean woman Ms. Kate – an untamed shrew – for the rest of this story.

    Ms. Kate greeted us with a pleasant grunt as we entered the door.  She rasped out, “This way”, and headed off to the back corner of the restaurant.  I stopped and asked if we could be seated in the window seats which of course were empty.  Ms. Kate muttered something under her breath that I’m sure this blog should not post, and I was thankful that Nattie did not hear to repeat!

   My wish was granted and Ms. Kate had us all seated in the window.  She promptly dealt out the menus like an experienced blackjack dealer from Atlantic City, and in that soft sweet velvety voice (imagine if you will, the sound of a three pack a day for 50 year smoker crossed with an angry chainsaw on hardwood), “Whaddya want a drink?”  With our drink orders in hand, Ms. Kate marched off to the kitchen leaving us to examine the menu. 

   The Stage Deli is a New York City icon.  It has celebrity status with the likes of Adam Sandler, Dolly Parton, Martin Short, and many more.  In the 1950’s Mickey Mantle and other Yankee’s players shared a room above the deli that they often frequented.  The menu boasted star’s names posted with their favorite dishes and the menu was not lacking of items.  It took us quite a while, much to the chagrin of Ms. Kate, to decide what we wanted to order. 

    Once we decided on our breakfast choices and began placing our order with our talented Ms. Kate, it seemed that she suddenly became hard of hearing.  She was obviously not acquainted to the dialect of the southern states.  Ms. Kate had to repeat and correct our order several times before she finally seemed to have it in her bonnet and shuffled off to the kitchen again.

   Oh, did I mention how I about had my head taken off for requesting some Splenda for my coffee?  You would have thought that I had slapped the Queen of England across the face and she was a palace guard!  (Had to get the Royal Wedding action keyed in as this was the day royally betrothed sealed the deal)  When Ms. Kate returned with three small packets of Splenda, I was certainly happy that I had not asked for a steak knife!  I never knew you could SLAM a packet of Splenda.

   When our food arrived it looked and smelled wonderful.  Stephanie had the eggs, bacon, potatoes and toast, which originally started as her order for an egg bagel in the ordering confusion.  Nat-Nat had the French toast, and I had the Bilini (potato pancake), a Cheese blintz, and Corned-Beef with an easy over egg on top.

     Ms. Kate was very fond of her java juice(coffee) rarely sharing it with the patrons of the deli, and when she did it was ever so sparingly shared.  Yes, I had to request the Splenda EACH time she shared the java to much under the breath grumbling and continued slamming of the precious little packets. 

    It was toward the end that I thought I would be kind to my lovely bride of twenty five years, and ask Ms. Kate for a FULL refill of my coffee and a to-go cup.  This was extreme considering the previous antics of Ms. Kate, and the fact that I am not that large a coffee fan.  I love my wife so, as Ms. Kate was shuffling back to the kitchen with another poor soul’s order, I asked her of my request.  There was no acknowledgement of my request, or my existence from our darling Ms. Kate.  She dropped the bill on to the table and kept shuffling back.

  I decided it would be best to take on the line at Starbuck’s for my bride a cup of coffee.  Oh heck!  It would be better for me to flap my own arms all the way to Seattle for her a cup of Starbuck’s than to ask Ms. Kate again, so I prepared to pay the bill. 

    Upon turning the bill over and examining the little extra add on’s from the hearing impaired Ms. Kate that I realized we had been mugged!  Breakfast for three at $58!?!?!?!   Not to mention that the service… well the service was memorable to say the least.  I lay my money with tip, (I’m not heartless – usually) on the table as we prepared to leave.  As I was getting out of my seat a hand pressed me back into my seat.  It was not a hard push or a belligerent shove, but a gentle “where you going bub?” kind of press. 

    I turned to see Ms. Kate with a pot of coffee and a to-go cup.  She said, “Where are you going?  I know what I heard and someone over here wanted more coffee!”.  She poured my coffee in my cup left the to-go cup and lid on the table, and then….

She SLAMMED my Splenda on the table. 

True story.  J

The Blue Marlin Restaurant

Even though my birthday isn't until Wednesday it was more convenient for the family to gather in Columbia on Sunday.  The boys are finishing classes and preparing for exams, and Stephanie, Natalie and I are gearing up for Spring Break and our trip to New York City.  So I got to choose where in Columbia we should eat – being MY birthday and all.

There are many fine places to eat in our state’s capitol, and making a decision is about as hard as a kid choosing ONE piece of candy in a candy store.  I went online and checked a few menu’s and replayed prior dinners in my mind.  It was the latter that won out, and I chose one of my favorite all time places – the Blue Marlin.

The Blue Marlin is located in the remodeled Seaboard Coast Line depot of the revitalized and thriving Congaree Vista District of the Columbia.  The restaurant is about fifteen years in existence now.

I love seafood, especially when it is cooked in Low Country style.  For those that are not aware of Low Country fare, it is the rich flavors blended from the Caribbean, West Africa and Indies brought here years ago with the plantation servants and slaves.  

The Low Country is the area of coastal plains, marshes, beaches and inlets from Georgetown, South Carolina south to Savannah, Georgia.   Many great, delicious, flavorful meals come out of this area from the shrimp, crabs, fish, and other abundant fauna and flora of the area.

The atmosphere at the Blue Marlin lends itself to an upscale eatery in the Vista, but dress is casual.  The restaurant is filled with all sorts of wonderful smells, but the fresh baked bread aroma would make even the least bread-lover drool. 

The hostess and wait staff were grand ambassadors of “Southern Hospitality” the entire evening.   They even seated us before we had all of our party present.  This is something a bit rare on busy nights, and with the Gamecocks just finishing off #1 Vanderbilt at Carolina Stadium ,it was about to get much busier.  (Way to go ‘COCKS!)

The bar is fully stocked!

As we waited for Matthew and Katlyn to arrive, Patrick, Natalie and I enjoyed an appetizer.  We ordered the Pecan Dusted Calamari.  It’s dusted with crushed pecans and romano cheese with a sweet onion dipping sauce!  Natalie, my six year old, loved it although we had to cut it into bite sized pieces for her.  Patrick and I ate our share too.  Steph is not a fan of “fish bait” as she calls it.  That’s what I get for taking her deep sea fishing – more “fish bait” for me!

Once we gathered in all the directionally challenged people in our group, we were able to place our orders.  The menu offerings were for all.  The Blue Marlin has the fried seafood eaters covered with a large platter of many sea creatures.  They have the land animals offered up in various chicken and beef dishes, as well.  But tonight, I would be ordering from the Chef’s Choice section of Low Country cuisine – Tilapia Charleston.

(Tilapia Charleston is humorous in the fact that Tilapia is NOT a traditional Low Country fare as Tilapia is not a native fish!  That understood, I like it better than the flounder or sea trout that are.)

This dish is two small pan seared tilapia filets topped with a light shrimp and crab cream sauce.  Adluh grit cakes and sautéed fresh green beans were served up as the sides to compliment the main entrée. 

Adluh grit cakes are made from Adluh grits - duh!  The Adluh milling company is located in the Congaree Vista since the early 1900’s. 

Next time you’re looking for a somewhere special to eat, try the Blue Marlin.  The price is normal for restaurants of comparison, such as Bonefish Grill, or Chestnut Hill in North Myrtle Beach.

ENJOY!