viva Cuba and los Gays!

History happens every day;  sometimes in a whisper that you don't even realize it's on, and then there are times when you cannot deny it's happening.  This Sunday, NYC brought it, in the terms of legalizing Gay Marriage, and I've never been more proud of being a New Yorker than now.  The East Side is the Right Side, byatches, and we wont let you forget it!!

 And, end scene.  But, seriously folks, and so it was. that on Sunday, June 26, the best freaking Gay Pride Parade happened, and we were there to witness every glitter-covered leather jacket wearing, thong-exposing, feather-preening moment of it.  And, there was brunch included with the strongest drinks ever.

Brunch on Sunday was at CUBA, a deliciously cozy cornerstone located on Thompson St in Greenwich Village.

It was a nice crowd, with Steveie back in town from a four month journey through Bail, Thailand and Europe, and we welcomed him back with a nice stiff Strawberry Caiperinha...unlimited drinks for only 10$ - amazing!

We were all in a giddy mood, just like the rest of the city, and the brunch quickly went THERE; dirty jokes , chanting "Gay for Today, Gay for Today!", and yes, doing the wave around the table.  Three times.

And the food, the food was so satisfying.  Fried green plantains with olive oil and chopped garlic, Egg Casserole with peppers, onions and potatoes, fried steak, sweet fried plantains, saffron rice with shrimp, on and on, plate after plate of spices, oil and fresh goodness.  And yes, the unlimited strawberry mimosas, mojitos, caiperinhas and champagne didnt hurt either.

Afterwards, a smaller group of us tried to get into the parade, but it was insane, with wandering crowds, and blocked roads, so we supported our brothers and sisters in Gayness, but we quickly left and went to Mr Sunday to listen to the grooves of Moody Man, and yes, it was worth it.

We danced for hours, going on a journey that Moody Man orchestrated, and it was good.  Is there anything better than a DJ letting us know tracks he played, while he made us laugh, and calling us "MotherFuckers"?  Damn, it was good.

Finally, the night came to an end, and with fresh tacos in our bellies, we went back to the city, where I listened to fireworks ending another amazing day.

BRUNCH #23 -Greenwich Village

PLACE: Cuba

EATS: Tostones Rellenos, Ropa Vieja,  Huevos al Horno and lots o mimosas, Caprihinas, and Mojitos.
TRACKS : White Stripes - Seven Nation Army
OUTSTANDING QUOTES:"I feel great...just can't open my eyes."
"Why are we always chanting numbers?"
"Stand up so I can reflect off you."
OUTSTANDING WORD: "Memoriable"

twenty-two for 22

I should play poker more often.  After being in Las Vegas all this week, I've felt the pull of the cards calling me every time I walked by the tables, listening to the heavy breathing of human bodies bluffing, and upping their way through another game.  I think the feeling came from the last brunch, and really I'll never have another brunch #22 with exactly 22 attendees, so I pour a shot on the floor to Cafe Luluc, as a nod to another great freaking time.

The first thing  was the weather, as in glorious, sun shining, no humidity, a drift of clouds, and a city surprisingly light on tourists, in other words, near-heaven.  Our good friends, Kathleen and Mark had again made to trek up 95N to bless us with their energy and sheer beauty, and there were plenty happenings happening to keep the up up.  Unfortunately your local bruncher is on a quest to complete a 6 week cleanse.  Yeah, methinks my liver finally said " Hold up, wait a minute...I need a break , yo!" and so it was, that I was determined to have it all... my boozy brunches without the booze, for me anyway.  Let's see how that worked out.

Therefore, although there was THE party on Friday nite, I chose to hang at the Shanghai-La, then head home early.  Then there was the Mermaid Day Parade on Saturday,  but I went to the gym instead and hung with my brother and niece at the park -  let's see how long the convent-style behavior lasts.  Then finally, it was brunch-time on Sunday,  and the spot for this week was Cafe Luluc in Gowanus.  (that name needs to change btw.....Gowanus makes me think on gangrine for some disgusting reason.)

The restaurant is on the lovely-gentrifying Smith St, and there are plenty of restaurants to choose from, but Cafe Luluc won with a lovely backyard garden, vintage tin ceiling,  and the flexibility and ability to accommodate our ever-changing and growing group of folks.  "No, that will be eight for brunch..no, ten..no, twenty (thanks, Kathleen)."  Not a blink or eye-rolling was had, our host just kept bringing the extra chairs and tables.

The food was almost home-made style;  light, fluffy omelets, creamy hollandaise sauce, fresh vegetables, salads, and french toast.  Inexpensive and worth coming back.  One MAJOR gripe however, there were NO french fries.  For brunch.  With alcohol.  On a Sunday.  In NYC.  In America.  NO FRENCH FRIES.  OK, enough said.

And there was the incident of the shower of blessings.  So, I'm sitting in front of Kathleen, and drinking at the same time, when she said something that I found very funny. So, i tried to laugh, but all the champagne got stuck in my throat.  So, I kinda tried to take some air in, but my mouth was full, so everything  came out in a sprinkle, a gush as it were -  of love, all over Kathleen.  Shower of blessings.

So, good brunch, good food, good friends.  Then after, it was back to Mr Sunday Day party for some sweet deep house tracks , perfect music for a beautiful sunset over the ripe smell of the canal, and yummy sangrias to watch the hula-hoopers, jugglers and dancers end the night in one united movement of sound and love.  OK, I gush, but yeah, it was another good day.

BRUNCH #22 -Cobble Hill/Gowanus

PLACE: Cafe Luluc

EATS: Open-faced western omelet, Eggs bene, Mesclun Salad, Luluc Steak frites (no french fries), and yummy sangria, bloody marys and marias.
TRACKS : Pepe Braddock - Deep Burnt
OUTSTANDING QUOTE: "The fresh smell of Gowanus."

figment of my imagination - Brunch #21

Summer in the city - bringing  festivals, concerts and so many gatherings that's it's tough to choose what to do sometimes.  Not last weekend though, that was easy.  I got a chance to hang out with the most amazing peeps in NYC and yes, the world! I gush, but we know how to throw down an Art Festival, yes we do!  Figment is a yearly event, and a perfect way to showcase the amazing talented artists, musicians dancers, and community that exists in NYC. 

Governor's Island is one of my favorite spots to visit in the city, with  creepy stoic houses standing in rows, their empty windows speaking of another time and the twin girl ghosts inside, waving through dusty glass.  The houses were open to the public, and it's truly fascinating to experience the time-capsuled-encased grand hallways, staircases and chandeliers.  Creepy, but fun.  I'd live there....no, then again maybe after couple thousand seances.

It was a weekend of art, music and dancing.  My friend, Christine O'Heron, art galley owner in the LES, worked with several artists to showcase their creativity around the grounds of the island.  Great pieces that stood the test of rain and wind.

Disorient and Kustome Kult had their sound systems throwing down the beats, and the hoola-hoop dance-off was incredible!

So, what was for brunch.  Well, there were food-stalls located around the island that , unfortunately sold out pretty early, especially the Jamaican food stand, because I was seriously craving some good authentic Caribbean mac and cheese.  Damn, I just wrote that, and me belly growled.  OK, but we were lucky,  scored with the Greek Stall, and got an order of Spanakopita ..which was greasy, yummy and delish.

Sitting on the grass, watching kids throw soaking-wet stuffed animals at each other, walking through the mist machines, getting a ride on an art car..  dancing for hours watching the Statue of Liberty move to the rhythm.  Then, back on the ferry, seeing the skyscrapers hidden back a dusty layer of fog, and taking the new express bus, yes, the bus, back up to the LES, for a fine cocktail to end the day.

And this is what I love about NYC.

BRUNCH #21 - Governor's Island

PLACE: Governor's Island's Greek Stall

EATS: Spanakopita - spinach pie and Jerk Chicken, and water, WTW?
TRACKS : Shakira - This time for Africa

OUTSTANDING QUOTE:  "Dude, it's 4pm."

Chunky truffles for six graders

afterglow

Yes, what a day! I finally went on stage at the Urban Citizens Brigade in New York City, yes! What can I say, I dream of doing something, talk about it for years until friends and family want to puke whenever I open my mouth, then finally do IT even though my urinary tract won't hold the urine IN, until finally I am on stage, doing the thang I've dreamed of doing for more years than I will ever admit.

My sis

It was a beautiful day. My amazing sister, JerriAnne,  drove from New Hampshire to witness the event, and was able to make it to brunch with me.  I say me, because it was just us two, and it was perfect.  It's always great to be able to spend quality time with Sis, and just talk. And we did, because it was just us.

The food was presented well,  except for one tiny teenie thing.  And, yes, I'm going to rant for a minute.  Before I do, let's say where brunch #20 was: La Giara in Murray Hill.  They had the unlimited drinks special for only 10$ including food, so it was on like Donkey Kong.  I was super excited about this spot because it was kinda close to UCB, and in another neighborhood that wasnt the LES,  so I was like, word, let's do this.

VEAL

scambled w salad

So, I ordered the Spaghetti fritatta, and I asked, "Does it have any meat in it?"  The waitress looked at me and said "No, no meat, just cheese'" So I ordered the Spaghetti fritatta. Food arrived, and a large chunck was taken.  What was this, I wondered.  Delicious, amazing, seasonings I had not tasted for a while, my taste buds budded and my saliva salivad, and I asked the waitress.."Are you sure this has no meat?"  cause my taste buds were seriously canga-banging  in a way that hadn't been felt in a while.  "No, there is no meat, but let me check.." She responded assuredly, and off she went, to ensure me that no meat had entered my now hysterical tummy bummy.

Sis and I kept connecting, until waitress returned, and said sadly " I'm sorry, there is meat in it"  I took a deep breath, but before I could even think of an acceptable meat that would work for me,  she said.
" It comes with veal"

My head did not explode,  but my mouth did.  " Seriously, did you just say the most politically-incorrect meat out there?".  Silence.
"I mean, really...VEAL?"

Luckily, my darling sis turned down the volume, by offering to eat said milk-stuffed-cage-forced calf meat, and I did not suffer an aneurysm.

Little note to La Giara:  if you are offering Spagethii Frittatta with VEAL,  I believe that is the one MEAT that should be clearly written on the menu and into the mind of the peeps who serve said VEAL.

And I'm done.

After the meal, it was off to Improv, to stand in front of strangers and conjure up stories that would make them laugh.  It was exciting, terrifying and a boner-creator - ok, clitoris riser....anyway,  I was happy and apparently horny.  And again so blessed that my family and friends came out to support, THANK YOU AGAIN!

We made the rounds to Trailer Park, and finally ended up at Soho Grand for some pimms and lemon juice, then home, and what an insane day it was.

BRUNCH #20 (Murray Hill)

PLACE: La Giara

EATS: Spaghetti with freaking VEAL - and a bloody.
TRACKS : Rob Base & DJ EZ Rock - Joy and Pain
OUTSTANDING WORD:  Delicatecy
OUTSTANDING QUOTE:  "Somewhere over Viagra."  "I like my truffles chunky."

Pictures by Dennis Creary.

the terrible children at Gowanus

Summer has finally arrived in the big city of New York , yes!  Bring out the summer dresses, outdoor seating by the river and afternoon  dance parties  - Hipsters and Hippies included.  Another brunch done and done!  Brunch #19 arrived after an amazing week in Jamaica,  where I was totally connected to family and a sense of belonging.  It's was great to be home, get some sun, pool and beach, and one week was just not enough.

Before I could say "Big up all nice an decent people", I was back in NYC and ready to say goodbye to a friend,  and hello to new ones,  at an old favorite, Les Enfants Terrible in LES.  This place has been one of my best nite-time haunts for many years, and I'm totally not used to seeing it in the daylight.  It's a lovely French restaurant, at the corner of Canal and Ludlow, in the heart of Chinatown. where the fries are seriously just the way they should be...thin, crunchy on the outside and soft in the middle.  I had so many fries, I think I forgot about the rest of the meal, but that was all delish. We got THE corner table, and one by one we arrived, until nine of us broke bread together. 

The omelets are perfectly made, with french bread, olive oil for dipping, and fresh salad on the side.  We got our bloodys on, and although the glass was small, the punch was direct, and exactly what I needed after countless rum punches the week before in JamRock.

Peeps kept arriving and it was a family affair, but we didn't linger, cause our first daytime party was waiting for us at the Gowanus Grove, formally Bklyn Yard, where beats were about to be laid down, from the Mr Saturday Nite crew. 

So, off we went, for a sunday afternoon of sangria, beer, dancing and more sangria.  The music is really really grooving, and just enough balance of Hipsters and regular folk to not make me what to shave beards, or ask if everyone really needed to wear those big giant non-prescription glasses.  I mean really, as a person who needs glasses, I don't get why peeps would want to wear giant frames for no reason at all.....but I digress....again.

I was in it for the long run, but by 8:00 pm, I had to call it a day, as the sun and dancing kinda drained all energy from me, but yes, it was a good day, and with my smiles from being home still with me, I took my drunk-ass home, for some much needed R&R. 

See ya next week!  which is really tomorrow 'cause it took me a whole week to write up this one..

 

BRUNCH #19 (Chinatown/LES)

PLACE: les entants terribles

EATS: omelet with mushrooms, avocado,  green salad, pork sandwich, lots o fries and bloodys.
TRACKS : Sly & The Family Stone - It's a family affair
OUTSTANDING QUOTE:  "Forget about the manslaughter, why were you dating a republican?"