Here are some of the places we have visited over the past few weeks:

Met Museum: Mrs. Adu and her sister wanted to see the Alexander McQueen exhibit. Although they said wait was 45 minutes, it was closer to 1 ½. I did not go for many reasons. They were enthralled and overwhelmed with the exhibition. It was not only the use of materials but the ferocity of his designs. There was a freedom and sexuality that defined his work. While they were in that exhibition I visited some old favorites, such as the Rembrandts, where I am always astonished by the brushwork in the ruffles in his portraits. I also went to the musical instrument section, where the instruments are too valuable and beautiful to be played. We all went to the guitar exhibition which is now closed. These were instruments that were made in NY and were not half as interesting as the middle-aged guitar gods roaming through the glass cases commenting on the history of this one and that. One fellow with a fifty year old fro and red sneakers, seemed to know his stuff, while others shook hands with someone and lauded his performance the previous evening.

I had not been to the Museum cafeteria since a sixth grade field trip and now I know why. A hamburger and fries were $15 and a crappy turkey sandwich with chips and a drink was almost $15 as well.

Restaurant Week

We went to one of Tom Colicchio’s restaurants Craftbar. For $24 we ate three courses and of well prepared and tasty food. The wait staff was friendly which is not a given generally during Restaurant Week, since we are the hoi poloi. Mrs. Adu and a friend had a beet salad which they loved and I had the pecorino rice balls of which I could have eaten 7 or eight more. My friend and I had hangar steak and Mrs. Adu had fish for main course. They were all good, but like at many fine places, for some reason the main course is rarely as good as the starters and deserts. My friend had the panna cotta which she enjoyed and I had the cream cheese cake, which was the size of my thumb but topped with cherries which contained an unexpected but pleasantly satisfying zing. A good time was had by all.

Kafana
116 Avenue C

While roaming our own neighborhood, we found a new place called Kafana, which means restaurant in Serbian. This being our first Serbian meal we have no means of comparison. The menu had the names in Serbian and then an English translation most of which were helpful except translated into English read, “fried spearing with urnebese souse.” They brought out bread and what looked and tasted like ajvar. I had the Cevapi which was chopped meat in the shape of cigars, which was well seasoned and Mrs. Adu had prunes stuffed with walnuts and cheese and chicken livers all wrapped in bacon. The contradictory tastes made for a delightful dish. We will try it again some time.

By The Way
Hope and Anchor in Red Hook has new owners and it is safe to return. The food had become inedible and the new owners are striving to win back old customers and gain new ones.