Two Words on Mail Order and a Book Recommendation

In this fast paced, crazy, wacky, get-it-done-yesterday world, there is really never anything we can't get. Fast. But for a price. I previously spoke of getting the ultimate long-distance pizza delivery, a special Fedex pack from Cornwall, New York containing a fresh, authentic Prima Pizza. Today, another New York favorite plus a thought about lobster-- Maine lobster, that is.

My brother is a way more thoughtful gift giver than I am. Here's proof. The first Christmas we lived in California after having moved from New York, my genius brother sent us a care package from Zabar's. My wife used to live on the Upper West Side (83rd and Columbus) and we used to walk over to Zabar's and H&H Bagels, as well as Citarella and Fairway Market. We would buy the freshest ingredients every Saturday late afternoon for the best Sunday brunch possible (we're talking bagels and lox with tomato and onion) and eat it every week, while reading the paper. (I don't have to explain what "the Paper" means, just like there's no question when I say "The City." It's not SF.) Truly as good as it gets. (Here's a question to discuss among yourselves, which makes for a better shopping experience: Going up and down upper Broadway from Zabar's at the north down to Fairway, or.....Berkeley Bowl? Discuss.)

The care package from Zabar's included bagels, (of course), smoked salmon, pastrami and some shmear. Everything was really great and it was shipped in an insulated bag with some frozen stuff to keep it all cold. Bagels fresh as you can get, crunchy and chewy. Smoked salmon sweet and salty and like buttah. I can highly recommend Zabars for any of your core basic East Coast Homesick essentials. Truly a great sample of everything that Zabar's does so well and that we long for from afar. And with the exception of some of their fancy-shmancy corporate gift baskets, you can get decent value (unless a friend happens to be visting NY some time in the future....)

Zabar's, 2245 Broadway at 80th Street, NY, www.zabars.com , 800-697-6301

Speaking of mail order (but not of New York for a change), have you ever craved a nice, sweet live Maine lobster like we used to always have for the Fourth of July? As we got older, we started having lobster any time we wanted to feel like celebrating, though it is officially a July Fourth tradition in the Parker House.

When we go to Maine every year after Labor Day, we always find occasion to patronize Bayley's Lobster Pound in Scarborough, Maine (say "Scarbrowe"). We always, always get our lobsters there ever since my mom's friend Claudie told us that what the locals do. So I think they are the real deal as far as Maine lobsters go. Small enough to be folksy, but large enough to have their own website. Go to www.bayleys.com . It's all there. I'm kind of sad that they are out here on the net but if it helps spread the word that thay are the rulers of all crustaceans, then so be it. We'll pretend we don't know when we head back there at the end of this summer. They ship live lobsters anywhere in the country with three days notice.
Bayley's Lobster Pound, Jones Creek Drive and Avenue 6, Scarborough, ME 800-WE-BOIL-M


OK, here's the book reco. The New York Cook Book by Molly O'Neill. If you cook at all and read the New York Times for any period of time, you know who she is. East Coast Homesick is a big fan of Molly's. This book covers the entire city and gives such color to the different pockets of people who dot this great, vast place. My parents (who are also extremely good gift givers), gave this book to my wife in the year following our move West. Not only are the recipes well chosen but Molly's intros and sidebars within the book are almost like touring the city from the comfort of your own home. (God, I sound like the flack I used to be. ) Bottom line is: this is a great book and it will make you hungry just flipping the pages. Buy it soon and give it to friends.

Check this link: New York Cookbook