Still Here

Funny how things go in waves. The longer you don't do something the harder it is to get back to it. This is an excellent example.

I am going to head back to the East Coast for July 4 this year, just a few weeks away. Some highlights of the planned trip:

After flying into JFK on JetBlue from Oakland, I will take the bus into Grand Central. And from there, as everybody knows, you go directly to the Oyster Bar. I go into the saloon area and head for the long bar. I always prefer to sit to right hand side, but there's usually not a seat there. The reason? The bartender on the left, who has been there forever, is a bit gruff, though efficient and professional. Maybe it's a good introduction to being back in New York. He won't say anything to you that he doesn't have to say. He's all business. Is he nasty? No. Is he warm? No. But I usually have more fun sitting to the right where there is a more chatty bartender. 

But it's about the food and drink. Depending on what's so going on, I may order a martini or a beer. There's also great white wines by the glass which can be great accompaniments to the oysters. Oh the oysters. I would be lying if I could say that I have certain favorites and that I look at the menu and seek those out. I just try about 3 or 4 different kinds and they are pretty much all good. Well I do have a strategy to pick oysters from areas with particularly cold waters because I feel that this is what is lacking here on the West Coast. But I can't say that this is the real difference. Very fresh oysters served raw and cold in this temple to seafood. This may be one of my top ten dining experiences.

It's also very exciting to head up to Cornwall knowing that, since this is July 4, mom and dad will have ordered lobsters from the Lion's Club and we will eat them with cole slaw, maybe corn on the cob, possibly some famously inferior french fries and either good cold white wine, or more likely, a couple Budweisers, also known as the official beer of July Fourth weekend. Thank you Johnny. 

I need to place a call to Mr. V to see if he indeed will be hosting his traditional parade viewing station in his front yard. I sure hope so. More to come.