HUNGRY GERALD

HG lived in New York for some 30 years as an adult before moving with BSK to Montclair, NJ, in the 70’s. Wow, has Manhattan (and large sections of Brooklyn) changed. Seems to be inhabited by plutocrats (billionaires are a dime a dozen) and young, affluent financial services experts and equally young and affluent techies. Restaurants are shockingly expensive (Hey, even a hot dog costs five bucks). Living space? Four figures a month buys you a cramped, one room “studio”.  (There are still some affordable apartments in gritty areas of The Bronx and Staten Island–and there are bargain meals to be had–not many-in Chinatown, Flushing, Sunset Park). In HG’s day, there was good ethnic dining in Manhattan: German (Luchow’s and Blue Ribbon were the best); Czech (Roast duck on Second Avenue in Yorkville); Mexican and Spanish (Greenwich Village); Irish (Corned beef and cabbage in bars plus pot roast at Connolly’s on 3rd Ave.)- There were numerous good Italian restaurants in town. (Red sauce and fiery scungilli ruled). However, New York had a distinctly Jewish food flavor yesteryear. Savoury delicatessens featuring pastrami were omnivorous (Sadly, only Katz’s and 2nd Avenue Deli remain). Scores of “dairy” restaurants. (Ratner’s, Paramount, Rappaport’s–HG faves–are gone and only two decent dairy restaurants remain). The classic Jewish restaurant Moscowitz & Lupowitz is gone –Motto: “Where The Finer Jews Eat”– (Brains, chopped liver were treats). The cheap “Romanian Broilings” joints where HG’s beloved late Father took HG for garlic infused “karnatzlach” are no more (They were a favorite of Italian mobsters and their Jewish counterparts). Sammy’s Romanian (Bottle of ice enclosed vodka on each table), was a loud, crazy carnival of schmaltz, garlic and tenderloin steaks. HG, son Jeremy, friends (Including the much missed late Adam Schlesinger), business colleagues (Bruce Maguire, Donald Kitchen) went two (Or three) times a year More was life threatening. Suddenly, it closed. Happily, it’s reopening on the Lower East Side.  Cardiologists might picket.