One of life’s pleasures is listening to the late Dave Frishberg (accompanying himself on the piano) singing the witty songs he composed. Three HG favorites are “Van Lingle Mungo”, “My Attorney Bernie”, “I’m Hip.” He also wrote and sang “Do You Miss New York?” Urban and urbane Dave’s answer was: Yes. HG thought about missing New York. Not really. New York today is meant for oligarchs and the New York HG loved has changed. Of course, there are things HG misses. Here’s a partial list. Central Park. Chinatown. The Bronx’s Arthur Avenue. Pastrami. Museums. Russ & Daughters. Zabar’s. Pumpernickel bread, Jewish rye bread. Bialys. Grand Central Oyster Bar. Riverside Drive. Chrysler Building. Queens restaurants. HG daughter, Vicki Freeman and husband Marc Meyer’s Manhattan restaurants (Rosie’s, Shukette, Shuka, Cookshop, Vic’s). Empire State Building. Seagram Building. Sammy’s (gone);Jewish “dairy” restaurants (one or two remain); Citarella’s. Most of all HG misses those former Brooklynites–now in Tokyo–Son Jeremy; his wonderful wife, Exquisite Maiko; HG’s delightful grandkids, Haru and Teru. Facetime will have to do.
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