HUNGRY GERALD

HG is often asked: “What were your favorite restaurants when you lived in New York and New Jersey??” Okay. New Jersey faves: Vincent’s, Harrison NJ. (Best Italian restaurant ever–fried zucchini, steamed mussels, fabulous pastas); Belmont Tavern, Belleville, NJ. (Incomparable Stretch’s Chicken; cavatelli in cheese sauce, scungilli); Mama Lucia, Belleville, NJ. (Raucous, noisy, down home Italian–like having Sunday lunch with a big, voluble Neapolitan family). New York: Nom Wah, Doyers  Street, Chinatown. (Had dim sum there every weekend starting in the 1960’s when it was the only dim sum eatery in the city); Gitlitz Delicatessen, Upper West Side (The best Jewish treats–pastrami, corned beef, chopped liver, tongue, brisket, real rye bread. Better than Katz’s and 2nd  Avenue Deli); Christ Cella, E.44th St. (The ultimate steak house. HG meal:  Scotch sour, lobster cocktail; medium rare sirloin, pan fried potatoes, Guinness Stout, Cognac, coffee). Keen’s, East 30’s ( Wonderful mutton chop and roast beef hash); Gage & Tollner,  Downtown Brooklyn (It was affordable in the 1960’s and 1970’s before it closed and finally reopened in 2023 as a pricey venue. In the old days, HG ate succulent sauteed clam bellies, fried fish and a great springtime platter of shad, shad roe and a  rasher of bacon).