3 on Thursday

I went into this week thinking it would be a return to normal, but it's turning out to be just as busy as last week!  I don't mind at all though because this week I may be busy but it's all related to seeing friends I haven't seen in a while.

I've enjoyed the short-form, multi-media format of tumblr since joining not long ago (refer to previous "3 on Thursday" post here), but my own tumblr is just a compilation of random things that make me happy.  I'll keep it up because we all need a happy place, but one thing I missed was the idea of a theme.  I like structure and felt that was lacking in my tumblr universe.  Basically, I wanted to take the more systematic approach I use for this blog and apply it to the short form framework of tumblr.  Thus, a new tumblr was born.  I'm calling this one "First and Last".  When I was in high school, someone mentioned a theory that the first and last sentences of a book will tell the entire story.  Basically, they were trying to figure out if they could get away with doing even less work than reading the SparkNotes.  I'll be testing the theory by rating how well you can understand the story by reading just the first and last lines.  Check it out! 

Move over Carrie Bradshaw!  I just got my very first pair of Manolo Blahniks and it's a pretty good feeling.  There was a sale at What Comes Around Goes Around (one of the city's great vintage/thrift shops) and there they were on a shelf, looking all dainty.  I couldn't believe no one had snagged these perfect condition pumps, especially when I saw the $69 (with tax) price tag.  But for some reason, these shoes were covered by Harry Potter's invisibility cloak until I walked by.  They are the perfect heel height for a taller gal like me and the cutouts make them fun when ivory pumps can easily turn dowdy otherwise.  I feel like such a grown up now that I own fancy shoes, even if they aren't exactly new.

It finally happened.  At age 27 I have just been summoned for jury duty.  I know everyone complains about jury duty and tries to get out of it, but I'm intrigued by it.  You get to see the justice system at work and hopefully some Law and Order type crazy case.  That said, I am now realizing how inconvenient it can be.  I mean, I do have a job that needs to get done.  We'll see how it all pans out soon!

The Liberty

The bars in the West 30s all have the same pub feel, which is fine for what they are bound to become: happy hour spots for all us Midtown suits.  I was happy to walk into The Liberty and see something different in this part of town.  Instead of mirrors displaying a beer logo and tvs airing some version of NYC sports, The Liberty has an art deco feel with black and white mosaic tiles, damask wall paper, and bow tie clad bartenders.  It's nice to see Midtown West class it up a bit!

grk

Because our NYC Dawgs board meeting was scheduled at supper time, we all planned to grab food on our way to Hansel's apartment and eat during our working session.  Hansel lives in the financial district, an area I am wholly unfamiliar with so I picked up food from the place closest to her apartment, grk.  After stuffing my face with this fresh Greek food, I immediately went online to see where else it was located.  Nowhere.  That's what I learned.  The only location of this restaurant is in the entirely inconvenient [to me] Financial District.  Why, grk, why?!  I enjoyed your food so much and need to be able to eat it on a far more regular basis.  Consider this my plea for you to open up another branch, preferably in Murray Hill.

Here's the thing: there aren't a ton of Greek restaurants in Manhattan.  There are a couple of wonderful taverna style places, but those are for sit down meals and tend to be pricier.  Other than grk, there's no place for a good gyro.  You could always go for street meat, but though it's fabulous at 3 AM, it seems too greasy in the light of day and doesn't come with any sides.  And, sure, all diners are owned by Greeks and have a few Greek items on the menu, but it's not the same as going somewhere devoted to this type of food.  grk is the solution.

I wanted to try one of the sides, so I ordered the yeero plate, which comes with your choice of meat (chicken, pork, or lamb & beef - I got lamb/beef), tzatziki (traditional, spicy, or basil - I got basil), 4 pita triangles, and side (chips, brown rice, or aegean slaw - I got slaw).  The meat was not greasy, the portions were ample, the yogurt in the tzatziki was thick, the pita soft and just charred enough, and the slaw had the perfect blend of spices that I can't figure out.  I didn't think I would love the slaw but I ended up stuffing into my pie hole in forkfuls too large to be considered ladylike.  I didn't try the yogurt, but it looked like there were some interesting toppings (fig preserves, savory options) and it is imported from Greece.

If only I had an excuse to go all the way downtown again tonight, I would go back to grk and order the exact same thing all over again.  So, again, grk, please open up a location near my apartment soon.

Book Review: "Pavilion of Women"

Madame Wu runs her large household - the most prominent in their Chinese village - with precision.  She always knows what is going on and pays attention to even the smallest of details, able to distinguish the subtle differences between each of her sons' footsteps.  On her 40th birthday, instead of handing the reigns over to her eldest daughter in law, she decides to continue running the household but that it is time for her husband to take a concubine.  Family, friends, and servants are all shocked by this decision, but Madame Wu assures them it is not due to marital strife but because she does not want to bring shame to the family by becoming pregnant at such an age.  As Madame Wu settles into the Autumn of her life, she begins to explore her new freedom.  She has lived her life according to strict cultural guidelines, but as she begins to study with a foreign priest she discovers she may have always wanted more out of life.

While it was interesting to sense change simmering below the surface as China approaches WWII, there is little action throughout the story.  As Madame Wu grows closer to Brother André she experiences an awakening and her outlook on responsibility, education, and love shifts.  Something like this is a major life event but it is written without flair.  If Madame Wu is excited about this new world view, no one can tell because it is described in facts not feelings.

2 out of 5 stars.

Penelope

Penelope stands out in Murray Hill as the one adorable brunch place.  It's a cutesy cafe with rustic windows serving simple but comforting foods like grilled cheese, the BLT, and salads.  Unfortunately, since it's the only restaurant of this category in the neighborhood, the line is always ridiculous.  In no mood to wait for an hour and a half, I always sport a frown and walk someplace else nearby.

Monday, however, appeared to be the best day to try it out for supper.  Since I had the day off work for Presidents Day, I was able to get to the restaurant a little early and put our name on the list while I waited at the bar with coffee and a book.  Turns out, the whole group had to be there, but we showed up during a miracle of a window where we didn't have to wait long for a table.

Since I saw some version of the chicken meatballs on the menu in three separate places, I concluded they must be a house specialty.  I chose the version that came on a bed of arugula with a dusting of parmesan cheese.  Moist doesn't even begin to describe these meatballs.  I was concerned that I'd be disappointed by white meat meatballs, but they were infused with pesto and had enough flavor to render salad dressing practically unnecessary.  I also snuck a fry or two from Lindsay and Beth's plates and they didn't even need ketchup.  Unfortunately, my picture didn't turn out well so you'll have to use your imagination.

No longer deterred by the wait, I'm determined to eat at Penelope again.  It'll take a little planning by putting my name on the list while I run an errand or two, but I think it's worth it for this oasis of a café in the middle of Curry Hill.

3 on Thursday

It is very weird to come back from a beach vacation spent entirely in bikinis to freezing cold New York.  At least my trip away gave me the reminder I needed that it won't always be cold and dreary.  Spring will soon arrive and I can spend all my time outdoors.

New favorite nail color: Essie's "School of Hard Rocks".  It's a green that falls somewhere between army and avocado skin that's dark enough for winter without being a downer.

Before leaving for vacation I attempted to ice skate.  It's definitely a fun winter activity but my Southern blood was not prepared for it.  I basically wobbled around the rink.

My favorite picture from my Curacao vacation.  I tore through three books while I was there and my favorite place to read was on our room's private patio.

Book Review: "Unorthodox"

There is a small handful of Orthodox Jews in Savannah and they generally stay to themselves, but in a small Southern town, it is impossible to section themselves off completely because there are simply not enough resources for them to live a completely sectioned off Jewish life.  Still, I pretty much thought that was as religious as it got.  I was very very wrong.

After reading "Unorthodox" by Deborah Feldman, I now know that Hasidic Jews are not simply Orthodox Jews, they are Orthodox, Orthodox Jews.  Feldman's account of growing up in the insular Satmar community in Williamsburg is harrowing.  Girls are not given a true education, are submitted to degrading hygienic practices, and are regulated in every aspect of their lives.  While I respect anybody's decision to practice religion as they please as long as it is of no harm to anyone else, I was shocked that there was so much I did not know.  This is an entirely different religion from the Judaism I know and so much of it is kept under wraps.  The customs governing marriage are interesting and at times scary.  I admit, I find it hard to imagine living like this but was so enthralled to learn of all the things that are secretly happening right under our noses.

4 out of 5 stars.