TANTALIZING TASTE OF QUEENS TIDBITS

What better way to raise money to support tourism in Queens County than having a fine food event.  On May 14^th, the Queens Economic Development Corp held a feast of food with 40 vendors representing various cuisines of Queens.   Over 900 people shelled out $125 for a 3 hour array of savory and sweets tastes as well as lots of liquid refreshments, all held at that Caesars Club at Citi Field and raising approximately $40,000.  

This eleventh annual extravaganza included performances by a Big Apple Circus clown, an appearance by 1969 Miracle Met Ed Kranepool, a booth displaying work by local emerging artists curated by Jackson Heights-based Zoescope and a stand up routine by Steve Hofstetter of the Laughing Devil Comedy Club in Long Island City.

Needless to say…Citibank was a big sponsor but one who gave the most, and not just in money, was the lead sponsor, Fairway Market. Queens was hit in the Rockaway and Breezy Point areas with destruction from hurricane Sandy.  One specific area of Brooklyn, Red Hook, got its share as the Fairway Market got totally flooded out.   They were determined to reconstruct the huge supermarket and not take it out on the employees, who during the rebuilding were transported, if necessary, to another of the 11 venues around the tri-state area. 

As far as food goes, Fairway Market gave a presentation of their catering menu, which included their own brands.

A couple won a gift basket in one of many raffles. 

Just about every vendor had more than one item to sample.   The Dog and Duck offered duck burgers as one taste.   O Lavrador leant its flavor on Iberian cuisine.  La Adelita and de Mole gave us authentic Mexican fare (vs. Tex-Mex), while La Rioja showed us what you would eat if you dropped in at a restaurant in Spain. 

 

Leo’s Latticini Mama’s was there to give us a the Italian taste of not only the sandwiches offered at both their restaurant and Citi Field food stand, but the pasta and baked goodies that they make as well.  

Surprisingly, the fare was minus Asian delicacies…Thai, Chinese, Korean…even Filipino.   Only one Greek restaurant was represented by Christ’s Steak House.  

Some of the others were: Austin’s Steak and Ale House; Bourbon Street; The Irish Circle, a Rockaway venue that rebuilt; Rocoto Restaurant; La Fusta Restaurant; and Sac’s Place.  On the sweet side was: Cookie Fairy Sweets; Rudy’s Bakery and Café; and Little Bird Chocolates.

Four tasters chose winners. McClure Pickles took the appetizer spot while there was a tie for entrée with both Pine Restaurant’s Chicken Scarpareillo and spiced Burgers and Belgian Fries owned by F. Ottomanelli.   Dessert went to Take a Break and I’ll Bake (pies were later raffled off). 

Liquid refreshments of the alcohol ilk were available that included wines, vodka, and some of the hard stuff.  Native Coffee Roasters was one of the non-alcoholic option.  Me, I’m Milkaholic. Whatever reason people choose for a shot of booze….I need milk.   Luckily, I didn’t have to opt for coffee…extremely light.  Five Acre Farms had their brand called, “Local”.  I did remember seeing that at Fairway and wondered what it meant.  Fairway had some killer brownies that were OMG and Five Acre Farms was just steps away.  Need I say more? 

Queens Borough President Helen Marshall attended to give the event a thumbs up.

 Melinda Katz, who will be vying for Marshall's end of the term spot, was also present.

Photos by Merle Exit and Dominick Totino

STOP AND CHECK AGAIN

Yeah folks I went to good old Stop and Shop which has to change their name to Stop and Check.  It started when I brought home a rotisseire chicken simply because I was absolutely too tired to cook and on Friday they sell them for 2 for 11 dollars.

I unload the packages and put things away before hoping to enjoy my dinner.  Appetizer of sushi was just fine.  I can always count on that because the guy who makes it doesn't work for Stop and Shop.

The chicken is still warm as I grabbed one that was "under that lamp".   I cut it open to find that the meat is raw at the bones.

I am about to call Stop and Check when I decide to look at my receipt.   I first notice that despite giving my "card" to the cashier the price of milk does not reflect the discount of 30 cents.  I had also handed a rain check to the cashier allowing me to get a free Hagen Daz gelato with the purchase of two pints of their regular ice cream on sale a 2 for 7 dollars.  Didn't give me the cold bag thing as noted in ad.

Cat food on sale 24 for 10 dollars...Friskies.. the 5.5 ounces...when  it's that price I need to stock up.  When I buy the cat food at that price or another sale when its 20 for 10 dollars I bag it.  I bag everything I buy so that when I get to the register, what is in each bag is what I want back it that bag.  It is much easier for me as bags are now separated in categories....I even bring an insulated bag so that I know that that bag has everything that needs to go into the freezer or refrigerator first.  Okay....anyway.  I wound up with two bags each having 24.  However, my receipt shows that I have four more.  The cashier scanned each can but it didn't look as if it were done correctly....which is why I checked.

I call the store and speak with a manager on duty by the name of Rog.  He said that he is new and only working there for a month.  I first tell him about the chicken and ask if the policy of getting double my money back was still being honored.  He didn't know.  He had to ask a cashier who said that I needed to bring back the chicken in order to get my money back.  I asked him how long should I keep the chicken as I'm not coming in like the next day....the cashier tells him that I should put it in my refrigerator.  I just did my shopping so how long do you think it's going to hang there before it stinks up my refrigerator....a week?

I called the next day to talk with the store manager.  She told me to throw away the chicken and bring in the receipt and she'll take care of all. 

SPARKLING CLEAN

Attention friends! It is more than safe to come to my house.  You know all that dust and dirt you keep pointing out to me?  It's all gone thanks to a company called The Sparkle Center.  Yes, I know that I have been putting it off until the winter is over and I can open my windows...the summer is over and the windows are open and brought in more dust...so it won't matter...and there is an excuse for the Spring and Fall...if such seasons actually do exist now.

This is what happens when you don't have allergies as well as being forgetful...no...not forgetful...just having so many things on your mind.  For instance I would actually notice the clump of dust attached to the ceiling fans, acknowledge that I have to clean it but go yet to another task...not necessarily a chore.

When an email came regarding Amazon.com offers, I saw this one where they come into your home and clean for 3 hours, one person, for a cost of $59.  I thought....here is my chance to get the things cleaned that I just can't do...the bathroom floor, the bathroom tub, the collected grease on my kitchen walls, cabinets...washing the floors while they are at it, etc.

I checked the website of The Sparkle Center to notice something of more importance regarding cleaning.  It is owned and operated by Anita Kutayiah, a 20 year veteran in the retail and cleaning industry and Chandra Ramsammy, a former Director of Operations and Financial Director in fashion industry.  They use Eco-friendly products.  I only had to provide the garbage bags and they provided the rest. I also noticed that they are fully bonded and licensed.  That's also important in having strangers coming into my home.

The bathroom...the tub was cleaned so well that I even considered taking a bath...my body won't allow me as even if I got into a tub, I would not be able to get out of it without requesting that the fire department bring three strong ones.

You know those corners that build up....they found them.  You have to move things around in the kitchen to get to the floors.  Dirt loves to play Hide and Seek.  I know...you want to see some before and after photos.  If I put up the before photos you'd probably point me as being a slob and the after photos make it just look as if I were simply moving into a clean and renovated apartment.

Oh, yeah...the house smells clean and without the smell of chemicals.

The price is an offer from Amazon.com  but not much more than if you called them directly.   Next cleaning?  I must get the finished basement floor washed, let alone biting the dust!  The website is www.thesparklecenter.com

LET'S HEAR IT FOR MARK LORD

Editor's note: What do you do when a longtime friend asks you to review a play and your job has you being a theatre critic?   Here is my review for a show called "Let's Hear It For Queens" written by Mark Lord who has done much directing but a first at both writing the show and the song lyrics.

Although longtime Queens resident Mark Lord is a retired English teacher, he has spent much of his time acting and directing.  What is left in the way of Community Theatre?  Writing a script for a play and in this case, one with original music to which he also wrote the lyrics.   The play, presented as part of the FSF Community Theatre Group, located at the Free Synagogue of Flushing, is titled, Let’s Hear It For Queens.

The show is all about Queens County (not drag queens or the Queen of England), its history and culture as Keiran Larkin plays a 400-year-old Antiquous, a humorous man who has seen it all and done everything.   

Todd Berkun, for instance, wrote an article some years ago about a woman named Mary Sendek, who opposed having her house, located on the corner of 54^th and Broadway in Elmhurst, bought up to make way for Macy’s.  The story was told with photos followed by a song called “At The Corner”; music by Joe Ferrante, lyrics by Mark Lord.

Let’s Hear It For Queens would be characterized as a “revue” vs a play as there is no plot.  At many times a group of actors would enter onstage and each would recite a line or two.  At other times, they were production numbers such as: “The Queens We Mean”, “Hello!”, “Unisphere” and a finale of “Anthem”, “We Point With Pride” and “Let’s Hear It For Queens”.

Landmarks were presented as surprised guests Daniel Dromm, Melinda Katz, Curtis Sliwa, and Carl Clay were given lines to read.  It was also a chance for Melinda Katz to announce her running for Borough President and John Liu to announce being the first Asian-American to run for mayor.  

Segments would have an actor portray an anecdote of personal information contributed to the production such as having Richard Weyhausen talking about “Gay Culture in 1970s Jackson Heights” through the eyes of Councilman Daniel Dromm.

Much of the second act was devoted to celebrating the 40^th year of FSFCTG with songs from past musicals of which most were directed by Maryellen Pierce for the last 30 years.   As a song from Fiddler On The Roof was sung the front of the playbill was shown with the date of 1997.  Doing the math I realized that it was that many years ago when I had portrayed Yenta in that production.  It was this segment of the show that appeared the most polished and where the actors truly showed their talent.  Kudos goes to Richard Weyhausen, Donald Gormanly and Amanda Doris.   Larkin was a great choice having excellent acting abilities.

At most times I felt as if I were in an auditorium during “assembly” and being lectured.   The audience is asked if anyone speaks a language other than English or Spanish and called on to say a phrase in that language.  Another one is a contest at the end to see how many questions one can answer based on whether you remember what you heard in the show.   Alma mater songs were chosen as a sing-a-long to include one from Mary Louis Academy, where Pierce teaches.

For a first time author and lyricist I applaud Mark.   Two more performances: May 11^th and 12^th.  For tickets call (718) 428-8681

BAGELS AND BEYOND

Having sampled a bagel at a Rally Downtown in Greenpoint, Brooklyn, I decided to visit their location at 349 Bedford Avenue on the corner of South 4th St. in Williamsburg.  I thought I'd be sitting down to a pumpernickel bagel with a lox cream cheese spread.  I then took a look at the vast amounts of bagels and spreads.  OMG!  Aside for the usual bagels it seems that Scott Rossillo,  the baker/co-owner comes up with artisan bagels that no one else has.  Here is Ross, the other owner, describing the bagels.

Then we got to talking about the various cream cheese spreads of which  are not flavored but actually have the ingredients in them.  

I needed to do a photo shoot so we set up a variety of bagels and cheese spreads.

Here are some photos of the store.

I have been experimenting at home.  For instance, I had the bacon, egg, and cheddar cheese bagel placing an egg over easy and sundried tomato cream cheese in it.   Another was a sundried tomato with parm cheese bagel of which I put a thin pork cutlet and a shmear of garlic and herb cream cheese.  Then there was the spinach and artichoke with parm cheese bagel that I shmeared a scallion cream cheese and added mashed avocado and a piece of poached chicken breast.  Although it is not Thanksgiving, I had an egg bagel with a shmear of cranberry and horseradish cream cheese adding slices of turkey.  As for the lox thing.  The best is taking a challah bagel with a shmear of lox spread and scallion cream cheese.  This morning I substituted the scallion cream cheese for the olive cream cheese.

Dinner. steaming shrimp and chopping it up.  Mixing with spinach and artichoke cream cheese and mashed avocado.  Placing it on a sundried tomato with parm bagel.  I will be scooping out some of the bagel to use to dip into olive oil from California Olive Ranch and one imported from Italy to taste the difference. 

Not all are savory!  Take the French Toast bagel for instance.  There was a strawberry cream cheese, blueberry cream cheese,  nutella cream cheese and chok-olat mousse cream cheese to tantalize the taste.

What is great about these bagels and spreads is that the combos eliminate having to add any herbs or spices to a protein.  I'm working on a few other ideas....stay tuned.

CICELY TYSON BOUNTIFUL IN TALENT

An all-star cast alone would warrant a trip to the theatre.  Cicely Tyson’s performance in The Trip To Bountiful is even a better reason and proves that talent doesn’t fail with age nor keep from being nominated for a Tony award.

Carrie Watts (Cicely Tyson) is living her later years, presently 1953, trapped in two room apartment in Houston, Texas with a controlling daughter-in-law, Jessie Mae (Vanessa Williams) and a hen-pecked son, Ludie (Cuba Gooding, Jr.). Her only “buck list” wish before she dies? A revisit to Bountiful, a small Texas town of her youth are where her son grew up of which she still refers to as "home."

Problem? Ludie is too concerned about mom’s health to allow her to bus it alone and her petty daughter-in-law insists they don't have money to squander on the tickets.  Escape attempts each month seem to coincide with the arrival of Mrs. Watts' Social Security check. 

In the meantime, Ludie is looking to get a raise and Jessie Mae wants to “go out” for an evening or two each week as well as get her hair done.

The scene changes as Carrie slips out to make her way to the bus station, bringing along her social security check that she had hidden from Jessie Mae.   There doesn’t seem to be a bus going to Bountiful and rumor is it that most of the town is gone.   One of the passengers waiting in the “colored” waiting area is Thelma (Condola Rashad).   Carrie sits next to her telling her woes and who she expects to visit.   However, Ludie and Jessie Mae show up as she exits to where the bus is situated.  Thelma hearing them arguing about Carrie, keeps her mouth shut…for awhile.

We then see Carrie and Thelma sitting next to each other on the bus and sharing information about their lives.  As Carrie then waits at the bus depot in Harrison to get to Bountiful she tries to cheer up Thelma by singing a Christian hymn of which it appears that Tyson gets the audience to join in.

A sheriff (Tom Wopak) shows up as Ludie has requested.  Carrie begs him to first take her to Bountiful, since the only money she now has on her is her social security check which nobody will cash.  She does convince him as she arrives to see her old house boarded up.   While the sheriff waits for her, Ludie and Jessie Mae arrive and I’ll leave the ending to when you see the play. 

The Trip To Bountiful is playing at the newly renovated Stephen Sondheim Theatre, formerly the Henry Miller Theatre and where in 1953, the original production took place.  Most interesting about this theatre is that the mezzanine is located on the main level and the close orchestra seats are two levels down.  Yes, there is an elevator.   

BEERING IT AT HEARTLAND

Evening theatre pairs with dinner usually chosen by menu, price, reputation and moreso…location.  Heartland Brewery has several locations, one of which is just across the street from the newly renovated Sondheim Theatre on W. 43^rd Street to see The Trip To Bountiful.  Some people enjoy a glass of wine with dinner.  I prefer a tasty beer.  

With its own brewery located in the Fort Greene area of Brooklyn, the offerings are pretty much all of their own and with a wide range of choices.  Blue Moon, Stella Artois, and Kwak have become my favorites.  Here I was able to get a flight of six different beers placed on a wooden plate indicating the number to coincide with the list.  

Indian River Light Ale – with accents of fresh orange and hint of coriander.  Cornhusker Lager – golden lager crafted from Midwestern malts and flaked with sweet corn.  Harvest Wheat Beer – straw-colored  traditional American wheat beer made with malted red wheat and barley served with a lemon wedge (my favorite).  Red Rooster Ale – Carmel and Munich malts give this red ale flavors of rich toffee and roasted nut and adding American hops. Indian Pale Ale – golden color and aggressive bittering hops.  Farmer Jon’s Oatmeal Stout – hearty and creamy oatmeal stout with hints of espresso and dark chocolate of which I did appreciate.

I also sampled their combo of Apple Cider with a raspberry liquor and non-alcoholic sodas that they produce and are on tap.  Black cherry was favored on this.

Let me get to the food.  I dined with my writer-friend Renee Gordon.    She ordered the onion rings for an appetizer while I selected the Buffalo Chicken Spring rolls accompanied by a spicy “buffalo sauce” and creamy blue cheese.   We both opted for the St. Louis Ribs that were so “fall off the bone” that there was nothing left on the bone after forking it off.   Came with choice of potatoes of which I had the hand cut sweet potato fries.  

Although stuffed, I had to sample a dessert . Bread Pudding with cranberry and apple, run sauce topped with cinnamon ice cream.  Yum on everything.   www.heartlandbrewery.com