Restaurants come. Restaurants go. I never had an opportunity to sample Night And Day , a nice looking place on Park Slope's restaurant row. Too late. It has now closed and reopened as Biscuit, whose tag line is "authentic Brooklyn BBQ." The chef is Josh Cohen, well known to foodies and chowhounds as the owner of the now-defunct Biscuit BBQ joint on Flatbush Avenue. Josh is the son of Mary Cohen who is the owner of Prospect Perk, a great neighborhood coffee shop that I visit almost every morning for the best espresso americano in these parts. She also stocks Bagel Hole bagels which resemble the small, knotty bagels of my early years not the oversized, over-caloried, air-filled and humongous bagels of today.
I used to drop into the old Biscuit because Josh served up some really good barbecue. I particularly loved his Mr. Brown, a sandwich made of pulled pork but blending some of the well-done (thus, "brown") ends of the pig mixed in with the regular morsels. Yum.
So I biked over to Fifth Avenue and President Street for today's grand opening. And I wasn't disappointed. Besides the requisite ribs and chicken, there are sandwiches, wings, salads and a full, and nice looking, bar. Some western music was playing, interspersed with pop and I had my pulled-pork sandwich with very delicious barbecue sauce (Josh's own) and coarsely cut cole slaw on a semi-hard bun ... just like they serve it in the Carolina's. So they can tout it as Brooklyn Barbecue but it definitely has a southern-Brooklyn accent.
Highly recommended.
Biscuit is creating a buzz in a neighborhood with a dearth of bbq joints.
The bar at Biscuit.
Part of the menu at Biscuit.
It's BBQ time at Biscuit -- 230 Fifth Avenue at President Street.
My friend Carol turned 70 this month. Time to celebrate! Not just the years. More, the person. I met Carol Weinshenker in 1981 (she insists that I knew her earlier than that and that I took her campaign picture when she ran for local office years before; I don't remember.) We were co-founders of the Shorefront Peace Committee, a peace and justice organization that we built in the Brooklyn neighborhoods of Brighton and Manhattan Beaches, Coney Island and Sheepshead Bay. We worked hard together to build Shorefront and became fast friends doing it.
Carol's campaign poster for Council-At-Large. She tells me that I took the picture. All I remember is that she has been a tireless worker for peace and economic justice ever since I met her.
Over the years, Carol and Mickey and Stacey and I have become good friends. We do theater, we do demonstrations, we do dinner, we hang out. To be honest, it's comes as a big surprise to me that Carol is 70! It seems she's still in her 40's! And, after all, she is the youngest and sweetest and greatest 70 year old that I know -- a great friend and comrade, a person you can count on when the going gets rough, a person you can call when you need someone to talk to. Never ever judgmental, she's the person to seek when you need advice and it's always sage counsel and ever given with compassion.
.....
We gathered at East Of Eigth restaurant in Manhattan's Chelsea, family and friends, on Saturday night. Once again, Stacey was absent, still upstate helping with the new baby. She was sad not to be there and, I believe, she was missed as well. She and Carol have become very good friends - having travelled to Palestine together. That was a trip that created very tight bonds for all the women who participated.
Carol's family - children (with the exception of daughter Mindy who lives in Holland), grandchildren, cousins, makheteyneste and lots of friends were all in attendance. The garden (enclosed and heated) was packed. We ate, drank and sang happy birthday. Mickey made a speech and then others took the floor with their thoughts. There was a lot of love in that room on Saturday night.
Mickey and Carol at Carol's 70th birthday party.
Ahmed, Anne and Doreen give Carol a peace sign.
A daugther and a daughter-in-law: Lori and Naomi.
Naomi and Michael - having fun at Carol's party.
Carol welcomes her neighbor, Eedeete.
The in-laws - Naomi's parents, Anita and Kenny.
A gaggle of kids and grand-kids.
Lori and Mickey - daughter and dad.
"And I tell you, if I had it to do all over again....."
If you want to see all the photos from Carol's 70th birthday party, just click here.
My brother Lee and his wife, Alexis, have three daughters. As of last Friday, all three are now married off. And that's something wonderful. True, Lex and Lee are now penniless, but think of all the joy that comes along with that wedding-induced poverty.
Stacey, Mike and I had been visiting Dani and the new baby upstate. Stacey stayed up there to act as nurse/momma while Dani recuperated and both she and Erik accustomed themselves to their new lives plus one. Mike and I, on the other hand, had to fulfill other familial obligations: the wedding of my niece (his cousin), Corey, to Alex Shurchin.
This wedding was a wonderful affair but getting there was half the fun. Of course, you realize that I'm kidding. We drove down from Dani's on a drizzly, cold Friday and reached New York at about 3:00 pm after an exhausting four hours. We quickly dressed, rested for about 10 minutes and set off again. Before starting out to Long Island we first had to pick up a family friend, Lauren, and my Aunt Sissy, both of whom were hitching rides with us. By the time both of those were ensconsed in our car it was 4:30 and weekend traffic out to the burbs had reached its usual immense proportions. An hour's trip turned into two and we reached the beautiful, old Bourne Mansion on the St. John's campus in Oakdale, NY at 6:30, just in time for family photos. Tell me again, why do people want to live out there? Is it the taxes or the traffic?
We reached the wedding just in time for family photos.
Jess, Corey and Marlo - the three Weinstein women ... now all three are married.
Quickly, the wedding got under way. Alex and Corey took their vows during a beautiful ceremony performed by a woman rabbi and surrounded by friend and family. Three of the youngest generation, Luke and Olivia (children of Marlo and Malte) and Jordan (Jessie and Ed's three-year old), were part of the procession and stole the show just by being their very adorable selves.
A proud daddy and his beautfiul daughter/bride.
Lee and Alexis pose for photos - no wonder their kids are so beautiful.
Jordan and Olivia -- charmed the gathering.
Here comes the Bride!
Alex and Corey show off the Ketubah - the Jewish marriage contract.
Mazel Tov!
A kiss to seal the deal.
OK! Let's party!
What made this wedding even more special was family! It's not often that we're all together. Duba was in with Buddy. Kris flew in from Germany. My cousin, Peter came in from Detroit. And cousin Ken Schaffer and his wife Yong Hee and their beautiful kids, Cara and Seth came in from Maryland. Of course, Aunt Sissy was there and last, but not the least, my far-away son Michael. Besides Stacey, Dani and Erik, who were sorely missed, the only other ones missing were those who have departed -- how they would have loved to have been at these cherished family gatherings: new babies, new spouses!
Kris, Duba and Buddy with Howard and Carmen behind them.
My beautfiul Aunt Sissy and way cool Cousin Peter.
Ken, Yong Hee, Cara and Seth drove in from Baltimore.
Mike and an old friend, Jennifer.After the celebration, guests mingled at a cocktail hour which was followed by a wonderful sit-down dinner. The food was great. The drink was even greater and the dancing continued into the wee hours. The bride and groom are honeymooning in Italy, having rested for a day and then flying off to start their new life together. Let's wish them Mazel Tov, happy honeymoon and good luck for a great marriage!
Old friends Chuck and Marion give good wishes and warm hugs to the new Mrs. Shurchin.
Let's check out that ring!To see ALL the photos from Corey and Alex's wedding,
check out my SMUGMUG photo site.
Taking a shower this morning at Dani's house, it finally hit me - my new status in life as a grandpa. More than about me, it's more about the transformation of my daughter who, after all, used to be my baby. As the hot water poured down on me, I was reviewing, in my mind's eye, the visits to the maternity ward over the last few days at Albany Medical Center. Here is my daughter holding her new son, gently stroking his face and taking in his features; memorizing every little crease and dimple in his newborn face; cooing at him, rocking him and telling him, over and over, how much she loves him. Erik, also, has changed in front of my eyes; suddenly, he's a new father and it's palpable in his embrace of this tiny new being. It's a beautiful thing, becoming a parent. When it happens to you, you don't realize the transformation that's about to take place in your life. But the grandpa can stand back a bit and observe. From such a vantage you can see and appreciate the change in all its exquisite glory.
Erik ... a natural dad, overnight.
Mike flew in from L.A. last night. We picked him up at Albany airport and hurried back to the hospital for a quick introduction to his new nephew before visiting hours were over. It's funny, watching him pick up Ethan, a little stiff at first, like handling a piece of very expensive and delicate china, but quickly adapting and then warming to this little baby and new family member.
Mike, taking in his new nephew. Ethan, waxing philosophically on his new uncle.
Grandma kvells as her son holds her grandson.
I'm excited, no, ecstatic. I'm tired, no, exhausted. Stacey and I are upstate in Clifton Park, NY, at Erik and Dani's house. Only they're not here with us. They are at Albany Medical Center, fourteen miles south, keeping company to their new little boy. He, Ethan James Lundberg, became part of their family this morning at 7:48. Ethan tried to come out of Danielle the natural way, but that wasn't to be. So after an all day and all night attempt at labor, Ethan departed the womb via a c-section and that beautiful new boy was born! He weighed six pounds and four ounces and measured 18 inches long. His pate is covered with lots of brown hair and, so far, his eyes seem to be a deep blue.
We drove up to their home yesterday (Monday) knowing that the birth was imminent because Dani's labor was to be induced beginning Monday (in her 37th week) and would be completed either late that day or sometime Tuesday. Our job was to feed and walk the two dogs who had been left behind. Then we sat and waited. I had finally gone to sleep at midnight and was sleeping for one hour when the call came -- Dani was going in for surgery. But when we sleepily got to the hospital an hour or so later, we learned that it had been a false alarm -- labor was proceeding normally again. A couple of hours later (around 4:00 am) we headed back to the house again and to sleep. We were wakened at nine on Tuesday morning with the news of the new baby boy's arrival and that he had been delivered via a c-section. Off to the hospital again, where we spent the day ogling and cooing at, and holding and rocking, our new grandson. It had been a very long night and day - but one we'll never forget and now life goes on, a new stage having been entered: our little girl is now a mother and Stacey and I, new grandparents. May our grandson grow up in a world of peace and plenty. May we all work to that end.
Grandma Stacey holds her new grandson. He's five hours old!
Here's mom with her new son.
Stacey looks on as Dani enjoys her new baby boy.
A little kiss on the keppy for baby boy Ethan.
That's daddy changing his baby's diaper. He's a fast learner!
Here's mom and baby....he's 11 hours old here.
Is this a proud grandpa or what??!!
Ethan with eyes wide open. He's very alert and is checking out his new surroundings.
Ethan being held by the new guy in his life -- his dad!
We spent Sunday running from here to there and then back again. Friends from out of town had slept over. After we dropped them at a restaurant to meet some other friends of theirs, we shlepped out to Great Neck for our friend Teri's 60th birthday. We celebrated, along with other friends and family, at a restaurant called Starfish Too.
Teri and her husband Joel at her 60th birthday party in Great Neck. (to see Teri's birthday photos, click here.
After the party, we drove back to Brooklyn, took a brief breather and then drove into Manahttan for dinner at Stacey's brother's house. We were tired but happy -- we were finally getting a chance to meet our new nephew, in person. Actually, our new grand-nephew: the new son of Lizzy Press (our niece) and Shawn Hatosy. Jordan Cassius Hatosi is a beautiful, 4-month old baby boy. And oh boy, what a big boy! Lizzy and her new baby came east from L.A. to visit her mom, Janie and her dad, Peter (Stacey's brother). We'd seen a few fuzzy pictures and were eager to meet the young man in person.
Say hello to "Cash" Hatosy.
Cassius and his new great aunt Stacey.
Cash and his great-uncle, Matt...he seems to like me, right?
Cassius (he's called by his middle name) is quite a package. Big for his 4-months, he's very energetic. Lizzy is diminutive and is developing new muscles as she picks him up and carries him around.
Mother and son.
Baby likes mommy.
Cash and his grandma, Lori.We can't wait to meet Cassius again ... and soon.
Life is tough enough without having someone kick you from the inside. ~Rita Rudner
Dani's baby shower was held this past Saturday at her home near Saratoga, NY. It was a splendid affair. Surrounded by friends and family, she and Erik celebrated, in advance, the little boy that has been growing for many weeks inside her body.
Dani is due in early November but the date will be advanced to mid-October because she has come down with a condition that affects about five percent of pregnant women: pre-eclampsia. This can be a dangerous condition, both for mom and baby, that involves high blood pressure and swollen joints and can negatively effect just about every organ in the body. There is no known cause of this illness. In its mild form, strict bedrest for the mother is ordered by the doctor, along with constant monitoring. In its severe form, the mother is hospitalized and the birth induced -- giving birth is the only way to cure the condition.
We drove up to Dani and Erik's on Tuesday. Stacey would stay the week -- cooking, cleaning and helping to get the house ready for the invading hoardes on Saturday. I returned to the city to take care of Pumpkin (the cat) and other business.
In addition to Stacey, Dani's good friend Erica flew up from Florida. She, along with Stacey, were the shower organizers. With Erica came a little doll -- her 15-month old baby, Brennan.
Say hello to Brennan. She captured our hearts!
Saturday morning came and we stepped up the preparations. The shower was called for 12 o'clock and there was lots of work still to be done. I had picked up food in Brookln and brought it back with me when I returned upstate on Friday. The kitchen was busy with Stacey, Erica, Tina (another good friend of Dani's who lives nearby), Erik and myself - setting the table, laying out the paper goods and appetizers, moving the furniture around to make more room for the guests and more.
Dani takes it really easy as Erik tests the appertizers and helps to set up the living room.
Mary Lundberg, Erik's mom, arrives and says hello to baby boy Lundberg.
Tears of Joy for the mother-in-law. Brian, Erik's dad is all smiles.
Cousin Corey is very happy. Cousin Steffi makes nice to Dani's belly.
Tina helps out in the kitchen.
Erica, working hard to get things ready.
The guests arrived and the party got under way. The Lundberg parents arrived. Then the Weinstein entourage. Malte and Marlo and their kids, Luke and Olivia, had flown up in Malte's seaplane. They landed in Albany and took a cab to the house and walked in at the same time as my brother who had driven up with Jessica and Eddie and their kids: Jordan and the new baby, Ben. Next came Alexis who had driven up with daughter Corey and Corey's soon-to-be-husband, Alex. More and more friends and kids and babies arrived until the house looked more like a nursery on Open School Day than a house in suburban Albany.
Next door neighbors, Marta and her daughter Raquel, greet Dani.
Mark, Corey, Alex and Erik ... in the backyard.
Erik and mom Mary.
Tina and Joe's kids - (l-r) Sophia, Alek and Victoria.
Marlo and her new nephew - Ben Mosher.
Corey, Jessie and Ben - two sisters and a baby.
Luke and his dad - Malte.
Family meeting in the backyard.
Ron and Joe talk it over.
Joe and Tina - ain't that sweet?
The food was great and plentiful and people gathered around the serving table. After eating, Dani opened her presents to the oohs and aahhs of the guests. The kids surrounded the mother-to-be and watched as the presents were opened. This was a real happening.
Plenty of good food (and plenty of good people to eat it).
Dani opens a present. Erik looks on.
Look at those faces ... think they like it??
"Hey everyone! My mom knitted this for her new grandson." A labor of love for sure!
We all watched as the presents were opened.
After the presents, out came scrumptous desserts and coffee. It was a great shower and we realized, after everyone left, that there would soon be a third person in this now-quiet house and he would probably not be so quiet. Welcome! We can't wait and are so happy for Erik and Dani. Hope your share our joy and excitement.
Stacey's famous chocolate cake and other wonderful goodies.
Wasn't she my little girl just....yesterday? And now she's having a little boy? 
The two Lundbergs - soon to be three. Life will never be the same again....(much better).
Biscuit is creating a buzz in a neighborhood with a dearth of bbq joints.
The bar at Biscuit.
Part of the menu at Biscuit.
It's BBQ time at Biscuit -- 230 Fifth Avenue at President Street.
