HUNGRY GERALD

When HG was in college (CCNY graduate 1950) and in the immediate years thereafter, HG ate in cheap, tasty ethnic restaurants. HG knew all of the ethnic neighborhoods. Rough hewn French food favored by the crews of French liners was found near the docks in the West 40’s. Eel stew, Pig’s feet. Offal. There was very cheap Spanish food on West 14th Street. German food in Yorkville. Hungarian food (splendid duck) on First and Second Avenues in the 90’s. Ukrainian pierogi and other filling dishes on First and Second Avenues on the Lower East Side. Fried catfish, ribs and soul food classics in Harlem. Italian food on Mulberry Street in Little Italy. There was only one Mexican restaurant in Manhattan and it was terrible. Good, inexpensive Greek restaurants in the West 40’s and West 30’s. The great multitude of Irish “Bar and Grills” throughout Manhattan served corned beef and cabbage of varying quality plus hard boiled eggs and pickled pig’s knuckles. There were two Japanese restaurants–one near Columbia and the other in the East 30’s. Chinese food was centered in Chinatown. An encyclopedic array of flavors and texture–Plus shockingly cheap. New York was quite Jewish in the 40’s and 50’s. Hundreds of Jewish bakeries, delicatessens (pastrami and corned beef heaven); “appetizing stores”; “dairy” restaurants. And, more. Much, much more. There was an exodus to the suburbs. The city, the food and restaurants all changed. New York now has an astounding number of ethnic eateries. Every continent with its tumultuous cities and groundbreaking cuisine is represented. Raise your forks (or chopsticks) !!

Before throat cancer surgery 31 years ago limited HG’s chewing and swallowing, HG relished New York’s best-in-world red meat. HG will indulge in the pleasure of  culinary nostalgia and list the best of the best: STEAK–Christ Cella produced masterpieces. Al Cooper’s in the Garment Center was the runner up. FILET MIGNON–Ben Benson’s was the champ. LAMB CHOPS–The chops at Coach House in Greenwich Village scaled new heights in flavor and juices when cooked medium rare. And, thankfully, they were thick. Surprise. Theater district Sardi’s had very good lamb chops and accompanied them with kidneys. STEAK TARTARE–At lunch, HG often liked this raw meat dish and its flavorful embellishments. Best was found at The Blue Ribbon, a German restaurant a few blocks from The New  York Times. When in Paris, HG ate steak tartare at Chez Georges and Le Stella. MUTTON CHOP–Keen’s, of course. Huge in size and deliciousness. The mutton chop (and corn fritters) at Gage & Tollner in Brooklyn was more modest in size but full of flavor. HAMBURGER–Cooked with a pink interior, these were equally good at P.J. Clarke’s and J.G. Melon. 

Marlon Brando said the late Paul Muni (1895-1967) was the best actor in the world. Looking back, HG agrees. These days, the only actor who is comparable to Muni is Daniel Day Lewis. HG doesn’t know if Muni is remembered. He was an authentic movie star and equally brilliant on the Broadway stage. When HG was growing up in The Bronx, Muni was a hero of HG’s family. Born in Ukraine, Muni was Jewish and his first language was Yiddish. He got his start on the Yiddish stage (where he was a star). He was very talented at makeup. When he was 12 years old, his makeup skills allowed him to play a convincing 82 year old man. Muni could play anything. His crime boss (loosely based on Al Capone) in the 30’s movie, “Scarface”, launched the genre of Hollywood “gangster” movies. A contemporary remake starred Al Pacino.  “Goodfellas” and the Godfather trilogy owe much to Muni’s original “Scarface”.  Muni’s makeup skills allowed him to make “The Life of Louis Pasteur” and “The Life of Emile  Zola ” —both convincing biographical movies. Muni was riveting on stage. ‘Inherit the Wind”, based on the Scopes trial, starred Muni as Clarence Darrow and Frederick March as William Jennings Bryan.  Fabulous!!                                         

This may not be a surprise to you. Hospital food is as bad as airline food. However, there are surprises. Dinner tonight was a fairly tasty–HG must admit–dish of creamy scalloped potatoes with slices–HG believes–of frankfurters. Of course, the star of dinner was SJ’s “Green Soup”–brought to the hospital by super loving and caring BSK. SJ’s soup is a hearty and nourishing puree of greens, vegetables and other good things. A few mugs make a celestially filling meal. (Alas, no red wine to accompany it.). Lunch is Liberte yogurt and BSK’s superlative smoothie (Both provided by BSK). Breakfast is oatmeal and coffee. The oatmeal is enhanced by jam made by BSK’s sister, Noel M. Big spoonfuls of her fruit jam turns oatmeal into a delight. Lime Jello (HG’s mother gave it to little HG as an “American” treat) is a daily snack. Sad. Would like to accompany it with gin and Italian lime syrup on the rocks.

An indicator of a stable world: The Notre Dame football team opened the pigskin season by beating Navy in a blowout. In HG’s youth, Notre Dame always won. Joe Louis always won. FDR always won. The Democratic Party always won in New York City. Tattoos were sported by sailors and criminals. Tattoo on a woman? Only in the circus–tattooed woman was a “freak” (Like the sword swallower and The Fat Lady). Seasons were precise. There were four. Women wore girdles. Men wore fedoras. Skirts, sweaters and dresses were the staples of female costume. Only the daring or eccentric wore slacks. Folks dressed up for restaurant dining, the theater, plane flights, etc. Men had wardrobes full of ties–and wore them. All of this has gone as the USA (And the world has shattered). Some things are better now– women are empowered and respected; homosexuality is recognized, legalized and no longer treated as an abhorrent mental illness; relations with African -Americans have improved. The USA may be embracng fascism under the leadership of a criminal. Global warming and nuclear threats are frightening. However, Notre Dame won. There are still things you can depend on.

Hey, hospital life isn’t too bad. The love of my life, BSK, brings HG delicious food.  Dining is awkward but HG can swallow easily. As noted, hospital desserts are good. Breakfast is enhanced by the fabulous blueberry muffins. A mystery. A bag of the muffins was left in front of the door of HG/BSK’s Prince Edward Island ocean front home. No note. Just a big bag of juicy, blueberry packed yum yums. Oatmeal, muffin, coffee. Good way to start the day. Today, lunched on carrots and mashed potatoes. Insipid. Happily, Lesley R. and BSK arrived with BSK’s Wonder Smoothie and ravioli to be heated for dinner. Sweet surprise. Ice cream for dessert. A surge of creamy joy.

No, not better yet. But, HG is comfortable and sleeping well. A blessing. BSK arrived with a large bowl of BSK inimitable congee. Yumarooney!! Sweet surprise. Dessert was two versions of bread pudding  with caramel and maple syrup topping. Best ever. So, life on Prince Edward Island in a hospital (Or, oceanfront home) has its charms. Took long walk with a walker. (Physical therapy) this morning. Oxygen level is good. Happy indicator.

Before HG had his bad fall and ended up in the hospital with a broken hip, he wrote this post: Sadness. HG’s daughter Victoria Freeman and her stepson, Marlon Meyer, the Los Angeles cooking pro, have left HG/BSK’s Prince Edward Island oceanfront home. Marlon is off to Los Angeles and his sous chef job. Vicki’s destination is New York and her partnership duties as owner of five taste tingling restaurants: Shuka, Cookshop, Vic’s, Shukette and Rosie’s. It has been a great family reunion. Warm embraces and much fun. Present were SJ’s Tokyo family- wife Maiko Sakamoto; son Haru and daughter Teru (SJ had left a week earlier to return to Tokyo). The Riva family–daughter Lesley (a Renaissance woman) and her brilliant husband, Profesore Massimo. Plus their daughter Sofia. She looks like an Italian movie star and is an academic luminary. Only their daughter Arianna was missing from the festivities. Eleven (including HG/BSK, Vicki, Marlon) were at the crowded dinner table. Lesley made a fabulous farewell meal–a stew of cod, vegetables, rice, It was flavored with coconut milk and a host of spices and herbs. (Hot sauces, etc. were on the table). This was preceded by expertly shucked Colville Bay oysters. Delicious way to say goodbye.

 HG is 93 and beset with a long list of ailments (Challenges ???). They include COPD, enlarged prostate, dentures, hearing aids, urinary and bladder problems; destroyed rotator cuff; inability to raise arms (This is linked to radical cancer surgery thirty years ago). II seems that every part of HG’s body and intimate apparatus has been impaired  And, now this hip/femur surgery. HG presumes a long time hospital and therapy time before HG can come home. BSK can’t handle a crippled, pained HG. HG is difficult, impatient, querulous in the role of invalid. BSK is the target of HG’s impatience. Undeserved. BSK has been staunch, loving and efficient in handling everything. HG hasn’t mentioned one of his handicaps—a narrowing of throat making swallowing difficult—another cancer surgery link. Forget hospital food. BSK has been providing HG with wonder dishes HG can swallow,   (Congee, barley soup, Vietnamese noodle pho with tofu; butterscotch pudding, Greek Yogurt, Jello , etc.). BSK is the love of HG’s life and HG apologizes for his New York bred nastiness) . BSK is Canadian and the healthcare HG has received on Prince Edward Island reflects BSK’s nature.   Excellent surgery, caring medical staff, nurses and aides that do the most menial work with skill and good humor.  Thanks , BSK!! Thanks, Canada and PEI !!!                               .         

Don’t get worried, family, friends and hungrygerald.com followers. Had successful, efficient surgery. Painful post-surgery–but making good healing progress. Here are the details: HG/BSK’S  bathroom at Prince Edward Island oceanfront home.  Midday –August 19. HG slipped leaving the commode and crashed into the sink. KAZOOM!! Fractured hip. Bruised and bloody head needing some sutures.  Ambulance called and it came promptly–paramedics managed, with skills, to maneuver HG on a stretcher. HG was whisked off to Queen Elizabeth Hospital In Charlottetown. Surgery involved insertIng a steel rod on the hip bone and a steel pin on the femur to hold it all together.. HG was a few days at  Queen Elizabeth and then transferred  to Montague Hospital in the Town of Montague (Much closer to HG/BSK home). Everyone at both hospitals was welcoming, comforting , professional. However I prefer Montague. Truly Canadian.(Will keep you informed of progress and therapy).