Raoul's And The Follies: Ten Years Ago

[Pink Pig Time Machine by Wilfrid:  March 28, 2011]

Continuing a welcome stretch at home in late March 2001.  Home then was still a ground floor apartment in the Gramercy neighborhood, a little-used patio out back, a real fireplace, and a lethal spiral staircase to a sort of loft bedroom.  Nice place, and especially a nice kitchen; plenty of space, plenty of marble.

So home cooking was a pleasure when I wasn't on the road.  Roast squab, for example, with a gratin dauphinois.  Osso buco with tomato sauce, diced potatoes, green beans.  Braised oxtail with mash.  Chicken livers lightly fried and tossed with Puy lentils.  And requiring less cooking, Malpeque oysters, smoked sturgeon.  All on the menu in that last week of March.

As far as getting out and about, a show of Charlotte Salomon's gouaches at The Jewish Museum, "Life? Or Theater?"  A series of panels about life, family and love, in a trajectory abruptly cut short by Auschwitz. 

Restaurants?  Yes; an impromptu dinner in the Gramercy Tavern bar room: grilled sardines with an orange and fennel salad followed by cassoulet, cheeses.  And Roul's, my second visit I think, that perennially jammed retreat of hopeful models serving decent bistro cuisine.  Seared foie with ginger, grilled duck breast and confit leg, sweet potato mash.  More cheeses and a bottle of the cheerfully named Cokckfighter's Ghost shiraz.

And a joyful end to the week, Sondheim's Follies revived at last on Broadway.  The Belasco production featured Blythe Danner (yes, Goop's mother) and Treat Williams. 

When the wind is blowing,
That's the time to smile.
When the rent is owing,
Never lose your style.

Next week London, and back in time for opening day.