I had a magnificent weekend. It was simple, but it was wonderful. It was one of those rare times when you have not a care in the world and nothing matters other than what is happening as it is happening. Ah, what a feeling to exist in the now!
We met up with some people on Saturday afternoon and posted up at our favorite neighborhood bar/hangout. It's a bit like Cheers- where everybody knows your name. The bartender greets us by name and immediately starts to concoct our usual drink. We sat around visiting with friends, nibbling, and sipping away the afternoon. We sat perched on our stools for 3-4 hours. When we go to close, the bartender tells us $10 each.
We departed. Hugo and I headed out of Manhattan towards Queens where our feast awaited us. After several people had mentioned to us over the past few months that the "best greek restaurant" in all of NYC was in Astoria, we decided we would try it for ourselves. We cabbed it deep into Astoria until we reached Taverna Kyclades. The street was virtually deserted with the exception of the throng of people piled out the door and down the sidewalk in front of this particular Greek restaurant. It was apparent that nothing else on the street was drawing in any of the crowd. Every one had made the trek for one reason and that reason was good food. We waited for an hour an a half before being seated but could immediately tell that it was an hour and a half well spent. The food looked incredible. We started off with a carafe of red wine and a loaf of fresh baked bread sitting on a plate of herbs and olive oil. Next was our greek salad. It was the closest thing I have had to the greek salad that I ate in Santorini while overlooking the Mediterranean. No lettuce, no dressing. Just the ripest tomatos and mildest feta overtop a bed of cucumbers and onions with some seasoning. Next came the grilled octopus. I could have eaten three plates of it with no help from my dining companion. It was incredible. It lacked the semi-rubbery consistency that octopus often has. Instead is was the most tender and delectable meat I have ever tasted. It was absolutely phenomenal. And I would wait another hour and a half any day for another serving of this particular dish. At this point in the meal, we were already nearing a food coma. Then our entree arrived: A fillet of sole, lobster tail, sea scallops, crab stuffed shrimp, and crab stuffed clams. Ohh- it was good. And we were so grateful that we had decided to split one. Somehow we were able to finish the meal feast. We were fortunate enough to snag a cab right in front of the restaurant- which is nothing short of a miracle considering how deep into Astoria we were. I woke up when the cab driver stopped back in East Village. We were both too stuffed to stay awake for the ride. When I woke up the next morning, I still had on my shoes and was clutching my purse- still in the exact same position I had sat down in upon my arrival back to the city.
I had nearly convinced myself that I wouldn't eat at all the next day after tossing and turning- completely wallowing in the food induced misery I had inflicted upon myself. But! we decided to go on yet another food adventure instead.
"I am not a glutton- I am an explorer of food". (My new excuse)
We decided to go sample a breakfast sandwich from Russ & Daughters- an iconic NYC spot that has been run by the same family for over 100 years. They specialize in smoked fish, caviar, and bagels. We had a lox bagel with one of their many varieties of smoked salmon. Fresh bagel, chive cream cheese, salmon, fresh tomatoes, onion, and capers. Oh! You have not experienced a breakfast bagel until you have had one here. It was delightfully delicious. We took our bagel and OJ to a nearby park and sat on a park bench to indulge in our morning treat while watching people walk their dogs, shoot some hoops, and slowly begin to start their Sunday mornings. It was so relaxing and such a perfect little meal.
The rest of the afternoon was spent planted on the sofa watching tv, napping, and squeezing every last bit of laziness out of the weekend before Monday arrived.
What a great weekend it was.
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