HG/BSK, during HG/BSK’s New York years, relished four landmark historic restaurant interiors. Luchow’s (long closed). Brooklyn’s Gage & Tollner’s (long closed). Plaza Hotel’s Oak Room restaurant and bar (closed except for special events). And, Keens Chop House. Still open with beautiful interior unchanged. Walls and ceiling filled with Church Warden pipes. Traditional painting of nude woman over the bar. Soft, flattering lighting. So, HG/BSK lunched at Keens with SJ and HG daughter Victoria before boarding a train for Providence. Started with a cold platter of oysters, clams, shrimp and lobster. All perfect. Drank sparkling Prosecco. Vicki had a big dish of grilled vegetables. BSK’s choice was a steak salad. SJ and HG shared the signature mutton chop with mashed potatoes and creamed spinach. (crock of fiery English mustard as a condiment). HG drank some good cabernet sauvignon. Lovely New York meal. As a grace note, one of the Keens’ managers, picked up the wine tab. It was a nod to the birthday lady. His daughter works at Shuka, Vicki and husband Marc’s Soho middle eastern restaurant. If HG remains mobile, the hungry fellow will want to return to Keens one day for English cut roast prime rib (a BSK fave).
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