HUNGRY GERALD

HG rarely reads fiction. History, essays, biography, autobiography, architecture and design; cuisine—these are HG’s reading choices. However, daughter Lesley R. gifted BSK with a novel–“Life After Life” by Kate Atkinson, the distinguished British novelist. Lesley and BSK raved about the novel and insisted HG read it. So,  for the last few days–in HG’s Central Falls, RI, loft and the deck of Lesley’s Riverside, RI, home–HG didn’t stop reading the book until its end. An enthralling, stimulating,  frightening book (the horrors of the London Blitz have never been written about with such passion and focus on the grisly deaths and maimings as buildings and people were shattered). The structure of the book is innovative–and inevitable. HG will not try to summarize but urges HG followers: READ IT!!. HG finished the book on Lesley’s and her husband, Massimo’s sunny deck facing the Providence River. Dinner time and all spurned take out meals, So, Massimo made anchovy and smoked bluefish appetizers and drank chilled Rose’ as Lesley cooked a lush penne, cauliflower, gorgonzola pasta dish with chives plucked from a deck planter. The dish was delicious with Massimo selected wine. Obliging Lesley packed a small container of the dish for HG and the happy old fellow had it for lunch today.

In the 1970’s, London was HG/BSK’s favorite city. HG/BSK went there often. London was very English in those days–not the relentlessly international financial center it has now become. Portobello Market was a favorite hangout for HG/BSK—splendid food (best fish and chips); bargains galore in tableware, art, furniture and clothes. One day, HG spotted eight shapely soup spoons. They were  made in England and looked blackened and battered. The dyed hair, buxom lady who was the stall keeper, reassured HG in a lilting Cockney drawl: “It’ll shine up loverly, ducks!!”. She was right–HG bought them and they have been the go to spoons for more than 50 years. London museums were stimulating: The National Gallery, Tate (before it became Tate Modern) and Victoria & Albert were wonderful. HG/BSK also enjoyed the smaller art venues—Courtauld Gallery, the Wallace Collection, Sir John Soane’s house. And, the food, ah, the food!!  Fabulous, affordable eating–fresh oysters, Dover Sole, steamed grey sole, super scallops, shrimp and mussels–and the best thinly sliced Irish and Scotch smoked salmon. When in a carnivorous mood, HG/BSK had a mixed grill with souffle potatoes at the Connaught Hotel Restaurant  and Savoy Hotel Grill. (Connaught also served lush steak and kidney pie as well as “Silversides”, a riff on Viennese boiled beef–with hot mustard and fiery horseradish, of course). For casual dining, there were scores of good Indian restaurants as well as a dozen Chinese restaurants (dim sum was nice). That London is no more (though the Indian restaurants continue to flourish) but HG/BSK are left with an abundance of happy memories.

Orsini’s on New York’s W. 56th was a hangout for HG in the 1950’s when HG was married to HG’s late ex-wife. First a coffee shop and then a restaurant; its customers were famous socialites, actors and writers. When on stage in New York, Yul Brynner and Larence Olivier took their meals there. It was founded by the handsome and courtly Italian, Armando Orsini, and his younger brother, Elio. HG spent a lot of time with Armando since Armando was dating HG’s ex-wife’s close friend, a beautiful model. HG took Armando to HG’s favorite rough and ready Italian restaurants— Patsy’s Pizzeria on First Avenue in East Harlem was one. Snobbish Armando didn’t like it–as well as other HG choices. This made HG dislike Armando and his phony nobility. (In later years, Patsy’s was discovered by Woody Allean and became a gourmand choice —there was no connection between this Patsy’s and the classy Patsy’s in midtown which was a favorite of Frank Sinatra). Armando and the model broke up (she didn’t like his sexual choices). Orsini’s had a long run–1953-1984. Before opening Orsini’s, Armando was married for a few years to the famous stripper, Lili St. Cyr. (though separated, it was believed Lili helped bankroll Orsini’s and encouraged her numerous famous theatrical friends to patronize it).   Armando died in 2011, age 88. He had been married for 51 years to Georgianna Orsini–they wed in 1960. Georgianna was a well regarded poet–author of “Imperfect Lover” and “In Concert”.