Comments for Table Talk At Larry's

Comment on FEAST OF THE 7 FISHES / In memory of Jim Tabilio by Larry Sheingold

Larry Sheingold — Thu, 01 Dec 2011 21:09:04 +0000

Like his family and friends, I do miss Jim. The story brings him back a little. Thanks for reprinting it.

Comment on IRKS, PEEVES AND IRRITANTS FROM THE WORLD OF RESTAURANT DINING / what really bothers you? by Ron Block

Ron Block — Sun, 20 Nov 2011 00:50:56 +0000

I had the pleasure (most of the time) and opportunity of visiting a variety of restaurants around the world, and in the United States, through a previous position as VP of a major liquor company. My pet peeve, and it seems to be more prevalent in the last years, is the server attempting to take the main course plate of the party who finishes first, prior to others finishing. Understanding it’s the turn most restaurants try to achieve I quietly tell the server it is preferable to wait until all are done. This usually works, especially with the younger servers.
When I find a restaurant where this is understood and serving is done this way I become a fan.

Comment on IRKS, PEEVES AND IRRITANTS FROM THE WORLD OF RESTAURANT DINING / what really bothers you? by Larry Levine for James Vaughn

Larry Levine for James Vaughn — Fri, 11 Nov 2011 15:47:06 +0000

James Vaughn says it’s LOUD DINING ROOMS! that bug him. He likes to be able to hear myself think when I am trying to enjoy fine food. I don’t know how I left that off the original list. Maybe it’s because they have become so commonplace that I only notice when a dining room isn’t noisy. But I agree with James. Many dining rooms today seem to be designed to heighten the noise level. It’s almost as though they pipe in noise – call it Noisac – the way elevators pipe in musac.

Comment on FROM ACROSS THE POND / a travel journal by Larry Levine

Larry Levine — Thu, 03 Nov 2011 21:39:08 +0000

Our next door neighbors have been to Spain several times and love it. My view is tainted by a story a read some months ago about the Spanish Supreme Court reversing the conviction of a man who killed a Jew and citing as part of the reason for the reversal that Jews are attempting to take over the world’s finances. Even if I didn’t run into direct anti-Semitism, that would be in my mind. I wish I could remember the source of that article. For now I’ll ask that you trust that I am not inclined to cite sources that I don’t consider credible. As for France, we have seen no signs of any anti-Semitism, unless that was the reason why the Arab cab driver drove off when we approached his empty cab tonight. He circled the block, came back to the same corner and accepted a different couple as his fare. Could have been all sorts of other explanations for that. I suspect we would not be likely to be confronted with overt anti-Semitism in Spain either. Too bad about these personal blocks I carry. I would love to hear a Strauss waltz in Vienna but may never bring myself to do that. As for food, however, I suspect my tastes would run more toward Spain that Austria.

Comment on FROM ACROSS THE POND / a travel journal by LSD

LSD — Thu, 03 Nov 2011 21:22:31 +0000

I’m with Victor where food is concerned: Spain! Three years ago we didn’t notice anti-Semitism, but it was a short trip, we were only in Barcelona, and the economic downturn had not unleashed the need to find scapegoats. (There’s been a big upswing in anti-Jewish violence and acts in France, too, in the last few years. Did you have any sense of that while you were there?) Assuming hatreds subside, you and Jenifer would love (make that LOVE) eating in Spain, if our time in Barcelona is even the smallest indication. Not one bad meal. Not one bad dish at the various tapas places we went. Some less good than others, but on the whole…

Comment on FROM ACROSS THE POND / a travel journal by Larry Levine

Larry Levine — Thu, 03 Nov 2011 12:46:02 +0000

Cuba, hmmm. Nah. We have other plans for December. But safe and happy travels to you and Lilly. As for Spain, it was high on our list of future destinations until we realized that anti-Semitism in Spain today is worse than it is in Germany. That’s very hard for us to look beyond. But I’ve always wanted to see Spain and we probably will go sometime in the not too distant future.

Comment on FROM ACROSS THE POND / a travel journal by victor griego

victor griego — Thu, 03 Nov 2011 12:11:43 +0000

larry, i have been following your trip. seems like you guys are having a great time. i enjoyed your ocmments on the religous activities of the past. i felt the same when i visit spain and how the guides say proudly how they gathered all their gold in the new world. i was in spain once with my inlaws, who are from honduras. they made a comment to the guide that gave me reasosn to exit quickly. the comment was true but the spaniards dont like to be remeinded of how they invaded the americas, ripped off natural resources and corrupted the natives with their religion. oh well, civilization gives us challenging situations. i am so happy for you and jennifer that you can enjoy life 40 months later. it seems like your love for life, family and friends and food gives you the discipline motivation to manage your diet. you are a model of how it takes work getting old versus giving up and not. enjpy your time with your lovely wife of 41 years and fabulous travel campanion of 43. buena sueta and on to spain on your next trip across the pond or come with me and lily to cuba dec 7-jan3. be safe.

Comment on FROM ACROSS THE POND / a travel journal by LSD

LSD — Wed, 26 Oct 2011 17:38:55 +0000

A cheese scone? Hm. Wonder if La Brea Bakery, which does pretty good scones at its flagship store in L.A., would make one. As for chocolate and beet root cake, we hear the British have always had a nationwide sweet tooth, but that combo is stretching the notion.

Comment on FROM ACROSS THE POND / a travel journal by Larry Levine

Larry Levine — Mon, 24 Oct 2011 20:35:14 +0000

I agree about anything below business class. Trouble here is I had been led to believe this was equal to business class. As for your recollections of days gone by, I guess I was fortunate the never have had so horrible an airline food experience. It never was great, but it wasn’t as awful as you describe. If Jennifer and I ever go less than business class in the future, we will follow your lead.

Comment on FROM ACROSS THE POND / a travel journal by LSD

LSD — Sun, 23 Oct 2011 17:11:00 +0000

Look at the bright side: you had extra room and therefore did not get off the plane with blood clots in your legs. I still maintain that flying ANYTHING below real business class demands taking one’s own food on the plane. (When you have a lemon, make lemonade.) Think of how happy you would have been if you’d packed a great bagel with Brent’s Deli lox or nova with a cold pack for the morning. Also, while that may have been the worst airline food you were ever served, I suspect you missed the opportunity to eat some of the “food” served in coach on domestic flights, back when they served “food” on domestic flights. I still remember a fellow passenger made so immediately and violently ill just from the odor of the “lunch” he was served that he went for his air-sickness bag, just in time. He was sensitive, but when other passengers were served whatever it was, the rank odor filled the plane, the pilot had to amp up the air conditioning, and the offensive crap was quickly cleared by the embarrassed (and iron-stomached, apparently) flight crew. Me, I just had at the turkey, cheese, mustard, tomato sandwich I’d made at home.