Italiano and the last Rooftop

And we're back!  After last week's respite, we are right on track with the project.  I thought it a good idea to give a little reminder of why we are doing what we are doing, and what this brunch is all about.  

This is 52 brunches in 52 weeks, and during this journey, we will find hidden treasures, amazing dancing events, and good good food.  Because you know what they say, "Good Food is Good,"  and good music is better!

INEXPENSIVE!  No more than 25$ per brunch - (this has been blown several times).
UNLIMITED DRINKS!  Let's get our bloodys, bellinis, and champagne on the cheap! (check)
GREAT MUSIC! How else can we stay in one place for 3 - 4 hours without dancing?(yes)

This week's festivities leading up to Brunch #34 started on a boat party Saturday night on the Queen of Hearts with Turntables on the Hudson's own Nickodemus, Cato, Nappy G and others like NYC's finest Rich Medina, throwing down some amazing music on the Hudson.

A great entry back into the swing of thangs, went until until 4 am, then it was time to head back home, get some sleep and get ready for the next day.

And so it was, that Sunday morning found us at Emporio, a delightful restaurant on the LES, right on the border of Chinatown.  A small group gathered to catch up on our end of summer activities, and get the low down on India, Burning Man and Art Gallery openings.

We got seated in the room in the back, beautifully decorated with wooden walls, large windows and a sun-roof.  The tables was family-size, and the service was impeccable.

The food was remarkably good, with a choice of a mimosa, bloody, bellini or rossini included with brunch specials for only $15.00.  Yes, Fat Radish, really good food that didn't break the bank (yes, I'm still miffed at the Radish).

We were wonderfully satisfied with brioche, grilled country bread, eggs baked in a skillet, scrambled eggs, goat cheese crostino and on and on, plate after plate of yumminess.

Afterwards, we headed out to Brooklyn for the last rooftop party of the season with Lee Burridge.  And, yes, I brought the fur coat that got much play with the revelers.  Nothing like a fur coat on a hot day on a rooftop!

Photo by Bill Kennedy

Sunsets, a glass of champagne  and good friends ended another weekend, and another moment of bliss and gratitude.

BRUNCH #34 - LES

PLACE: Emporio

EATS:  French Toast, Il Crostone, Uova al Forno, Strapazzate, bloodys, mimosas and bellinis.
TRACKS : Osunlade present Erro - Change for Me
OUTSTANDING QUOTE:  I'm a product of Bill
OUTSTANDING WORD: Rat patty = Ratty

Photo by Bill Kennedy.

New Hamphire rues the day

So, it's over.  All costumes, lights, excitement building has been put away for another year, and all that's left are memories for now.  The week after Burning Man was very slow, and sad, and a complete come-down, so what else was there to do, but head to New Hampshire to hang with the family, around trees, and lakes and a lovely balcony overlooking more trees.

So, I decided to hang on Sunday with the family, and planned a dual brunch in the country and in the city.  However, plans can sometimes take a turn for the other, and so it was, that everyone, including me, was feeling a bit in a hibernation-kinda mood, and as Chinua Achebe would say, "things fell apart".

Technically, I had a brunch, but in reality, I had breakfast with my big brother, and that was that.
Therefore, we will have to squeeze in another brunch before the experiment is out , to ensure that 52 brunches in 52 weeks, means what it says.  This ain't no 51 brunches, ya dig?

BRUNCH #

PLACE: 

EATS: 
TRACKS :
OUTSTANDING QUOTE: 

The playa provides the brunch - welcome home

The journey to Burning Man started at night,  and the excitement in our little mini-van was palpable.  There really are no words to describe this feeling, and this entry will not to it justice.  As I made my way from Reno to Black Rock City, for the sixth time, I was so excited , my skin was radiating pulses, tying my heartbeat to every nerve in my body.   OK, so, yeah, it was late, and dark, and we had been shopping and laughing and eating and dancing all day, so that might also have had something to do with it, but the grin was permanently fixed on my face.

Sunrise - Photo by Bill Kennedy

Burning Man has been a life-changing experience for me.  I've taken it into my life, and become part of a community that grows beyond our city back to New York, LA, and far reaches of the world.

However, for one week, the community comes back together and builds, supports and revels in our own city, based on what we bring, how we participate, and who we are.  And yes, I get to be thoroughly free from judgements.  There is a smile at every point, a hug and acceptance.  It's freaking awesome.

The art car - Photo by Bill Kennedy

There is so much happening; art installations, music, food, and friends created and maintained over the years.  It's near impossible to see everything or everyone, so here's a brief summary of what the next seven days gifted to me.

The playa - Photo by John Dill

Music - the best I've experienced on the playa so far:
Marques Wyatt's set at Disorient - took me to places I've never gone before.
Osunlade at the Irish Pub - need I say more?
Prom Nite - 80s music on the playa - hearing peeps singing choruses , and having other camps join us just for the music.
Sunset with Marko Peli and Shannon - dreamlike and tiger encounters.
Robot Heart - every time, everywhere, everyone.
Lush Bunny and Shannon at Disorient - created the inability to stop dancing
John Dill with Lee Burridge - I heard it was life-changing - and I missed it!

The Temple - Photo by John Dill

Experiences

• Mosaic Lounge family - re-connecting with the familiar and new connections with the sublime.
• Art Cars - new experience driving around the playa, from Mosaic's own mirage, to the Purple Palace , seeing Robot Heart pulsing in the distance, driving out to deep playa in Samantha's black kitty, and that freaking Octopus.
• Watching a movie in a balls-out real seats theatre in the middle of nowhere, in the middle of the playa.  American Graffiti anyone? Yes, that happened.
• Experiencing sunrise every morning, but especially and in deep playa listening to sunrise sets.
• The pier - a real freaking pier - birds, ocean sounds and fishing poles included.
• Watching 1000 people do sun salutations as the sun set over the mountains, while the largest string instrument in the world whispered hushed vibrations that lit the sky with sound and  energy.
• Sunday Brunch with the Nordic - what a lovely walk that was.
• Bubbles and Bass mornings - champagne, and seeing friends, and making new ones.
• Ayman at Whiskeys and Whores - the interpretive dance of all ages.
• The Trojan Horse - 600 people pulling it across the playa, before it burned.
• The Temple - the music installation introduced a new vibration that brought tears to my eyes.
• Watching the man burn - fireworks, fire, Terryl's set, more fire, then dancing some more.

The Pier - Photo by John Dill

Finally, brunch was very unexpected and truly a gift from the playa.  I spent the final morning  walking after sunrise until the sun was in the middle of the sky, with the Nordic.  We encountered a camp in the middle of the playa, serving eggs, sausages, pancakes and waffles, to anyone who approached.  The crew was open, beautiful and giving.  We stood there, plate in hand, watching the city move towards and away from mirages, and yes, it was hard to imagine, yet it was happening. 

Robot Heart - Photo by John Dill

Afterwards, we walked through interactive art installations, stopped and danced with Robot Heart, then made our way back to my camp, and slowly I realised the week was over, as quickly as it began.

The journey back to the real world would begin the next day.  Not before the temple burn, and a final lasting connection with loved ones.

Another burn, number six.   Next year won't come soon enough.

BRUNCH #33 - Burning Man

PLACE: Black Rock City - Nevada

EATS:  Scrambled eggs, waffles, pancakes, sausages and bloody marys - thanks to the playa.
TRACKS : Julio Bashmore - Battle for Middle you
Black Hole Sun - Kenny Summit Remix
Lost - Sunlounger
OUTSTANDING QUOTE:  Call me by my playa name, it's wasabi!

Photos by John Dill
Photos by Bill Kennedy

Hurricane Irene and Reno - Brunch #32

Last sighting of Stomper

Finally, it arrived.  Burning Man just a moment away.  We were on our way to Reno, after an insane journey from NYC.  Hurricane Irene decided to visit the city, this after an earthquake hit us a week before.

East coasters have no clue on how to deal with these strange thangs, so listening to the radio or reading the papers sounded like Armageddon was approaching...fast.

JFK cancellations

It was no surprise that JFK international airport was in a shit storm, preparing for the worst, and cancelling all flights leaving after 10:00 am.   My flight was at 9:40 am.  Stress ensued.

I was traveling with my good friend Des, and I made sure we got to the airport three hours before take off.   Yes, I was freaking out a bit, but hey, better to be super early, than trying to get through lines to get on a plane that maight cancel because the world is coming to an end.   Did I mention that I was stressed?

Our plane was the LAST plane to take off before all other flights got the red line.  We had some friends stuck in the cancellation nitemare, not being able to get out until Weds, so yes, we were lucky campers.  On to the burn!

eggs and CHEESE

We arrived at the Grand Sierra and settled in for our last real meal,   sleeping on a real bed, and real shower for the week.  That's a lot of real, byatches!

The hotel was overtaken by burners, and you could tell who was heading out to Nevada to spend a week in the desert, and who was here to gamble away their weekly pay-check.

more egss and CHEESE

So, where to brunch with the BM crew?   We chose the hotel diner, Cafe Sierra,  because, well, waking up, stretching and giggling takes up lots of time, and the Grand Sienna has so many places to choose from, that we took the easy way out. 

spicy beef - burner style

And so it was, that seven friends going on an adventure, sat down and broke bread together in the charming cafe at the Grand, and ordered alot of food.  Des ordered the schezuan beef and rice - for brunch - on Sunday, and it was GOOD!  I had the omelette with lots o cheese and jalapeno peppers - HOT! We had sausage links and fries and toast and hash browns, and bloody marys and mimosas and coffee, and orange juice and a hamburger and bacon.   Yes, indeed. And it was CHEAP!



After we rolled ourselves out, it was off to Whole Foods, and Walmart, and Trader Joe's.  Stocked up and ready for the plunge.   The adventure has begun.

BRUNCH #32 - Reno, Nevada

PLACE: Cafe Sierra @ the Grand Sierra

EATS:  Everything on the menu = Good!
TRACKS : When you're in love - Dazzle Drums remix
OUTSTANDING WORD: oh, and by the way, wtf?

The Fat Radish sings

I had plenty of help with getting ready for brunch #31, the Fat Radish was a choice on every one's mind, especially since we missed it because of the rain last week, and I had been joinzing for some Jamaican's food, etc etc etcetera.  So, we called up the Radish, told them about the project, and got a "sweet" deal for brunch.  For 35$, we would get an appetizer, drinks, and a main course.   This sounded too good to be true, and btw, yes it was.

But before I go into the actual day, let's just say that this project has been a journey of patience, love, irritation and friendship.   We live busy lives, especially in NYC, and getting a group of peeps together always lends itself to changes in agenda, missed calls, and waiting.  Waiting for a reservation, waiting for calls, waiting for waiting.    When we called the Fat Radish to create our deal, we had 14 RSVPS.  However,  by the time Sunday arrived,  the number kept changing and changing.   When we finally showed up,  we were down to  9 peeps.   This made the Radish mad, and they wanted to change the deal. 

Of course, they didn't tell us how mad they were until we'd consumed lots o bloodys.   BTW, the bloody marys are sublime, delishous and worthy of the price.  However, when ya start off thinking that your deal includes unlimited bloodys and you find out that it only includes ONE, the bill at the end might be a bit...surprising. 

And so it was, that we got hit with the largest bill since this project started.  Gasp... even larger than ABC Kitchen, so that says mountains.  The food was very good, but not worth the 417$ we coughed up.  The bloodys were significant, but really, I could go on and on as to why it didn't live up to expectations.

Finally, calculating who ate what, was ultimately one of the most frustrating things I had to experience. Lesson learned:  Smaller groups? Separate checks? I don't have the answer, but dividing the check equally seems to be the answer.

So, I move on, knowing that this experience is changing my life, allowing me to see NYC and explore places I wouldn't normally go to, and be with my friends and break bread with them every week.

In the end, it's a beautiful thang.   And as for the Fat Radish...come on now, really?  There are other places to eat, in this most amazing city.

Afterwards, we made our way to Mr Sunday in Gowanus...again.  And what an afternoon it was.  The best music to be heard, and yes, the rain started to fall, heavily.  So, what were we to do, but dance in the rain, eyes closed, bodies moving to the rhythm, over and over again, the beats moving to my heart, until I had no choice but to open my mouth, and drink the water coming from the sky, as the sounds lifted me up into the sky and beyond.

Another amazing day, bloodys included.

Photos: Syke Von Der Oston.

BRUNCH #31 - LES

PLACE: The Fat Radish

EATS:  Duck egg soft scramble, summer squash, maitake mushrooms,  all greens omelet with ricotta cheese, warm banana bread with butter,  avocado and seven grain toast with spicy eggs, lots o expensive bloodys and mimosas.

Rainy days in Negril

It was one of those weekends, one of those days, when the rain came crashing down, wind piercing through the trees, thunderstorms rolling their heavy furniture across the dark sky, lighting peppering glass buildings. If I closed my eyes, I could imagine being on an island somewhere in the Caribbean, instead of the big city.

And so it was, that Sunday started with a major rain storm, and I kinda knew that the brunch would be slim pickings.  I started getting cancellations pretty early, and really,  could you blame them?  No-one would want to go out in this weather, including me.  I also had my sister will me, visiting from New Hampshire, and we had already started with weekend with cozy family time, watching movies, talking memories, and my apartment felt even more like home, with the rain filling the streets with water.

So, it was real easy to change the venue for Brunch #30, and we were only one block away from Negril, and yes, family time meant Jamaican food.

Off we went, in the searing rain, to order up some ackee and saltfish with banana, dumplings and yam, omelette with codfish, tomato and onions, hard dough bread, bread pudding, more dumplings, and saltfish fritters.  I think my sis and I were homesick.    Yeah, we also had real Jamaican coffee wid condensed milk, because how else you drink coffee?

We finally rolled ourselves out of there, after I shamelessly/shamefully flirted with VERY cute waiter, (and yes, I got the digits), two hours later, my sister got on the road to NH and I went home, to my dogs, some sexy texting, and a rainy night, listening to some reggae tunes, and really enjoying some down-time with yours truly.

BRUNCH #30 - Greenwich Village

PLACE: Negril, Greenwich Village

TRACKS: Tiger - When

EATS:  ackee and saltfish with banana, dumplings and yam, omelette with codfish, tomato and onions, hard dough bread, bread pudding, more dumplings, and saltfish fritters.

OUTSTANDING QUOTES:
Big Sis 'So, now that we have some quality time together, for the first time in a long time, tell me, what's your perfect man?"
Little Sis "Are you fucking kidding me?"