After conking out at 8:30pm, woke at 6pm feeling weird -- hungry, tired and energized at the same time. I suspect my body is fighting off a bug, but the adrenaline that the resto gives me has been smacking it down. Despite the full night of sleep, found myself dozing off during class.
BREAKFAST: 6:45am, yogurt with honey and vanilla, .5 bowl, hunger 4/5
Woke up hungry in a bad way, like my stomach in a knot. This helped.
AM SNACK: 8am, blueberry muffin, water, .5 bowl, hunger 4/5
Still hungry when I got to school. I hate Starbucks, but their pastries are so much better than the carts.
AM SNACK: 10am, can of Welch's Grape Soda, .5 bowl, hunger 4/5
Falling asleep, got this out of a school vending machine in hopes of waking up, did not help.
PM SNACK: 12:45pm, mediocre sicilian slice, .5 bowl, hunger 4/5
We ordered a drier moz from our cheese maker, but what they sent yesterday was aged and too dry, so we sent it back. What we got today was fresher and looser, but drier and tighter than what we've been using. This slice was used with the aged stuff, and it truly made for an inferior product.
LUNCH: 4:30pm, small salad, gelato, .75 bowl, hunger 4/5
L was making anything, so I just busted out some special salads for the peeps.
RESTAURANT HAZE: 5-10pm, snippet of lemonade, taste of spinach, bite of cheese crisp, .25 bowl, hunger 4/5
EVENING SNARF: 10:30pm, small scoop of gelato, a small cup of tap beer, .25 bowl, hunger 4/5
Friday, May 15
Wednesday, May 13
Dark Chocolate Vs. Lost: Lost Wins
Was able to stay awake through class, mostly by telling L stories -- everyone really wants to meet him, and L himself has already volunteered to come in and talk to the class, but I dunno. It's like career day and your parents come to talk to the class, and you're afraid they'll do something dorky and embarrass you.
Like today -- I was rotating a pizza that was in back of a newly placed pie, and I foolishly didn't hook the pizza door open, so while I was jiggling the pie, I shook the door a little and it tapped me lightly on the hand, giving me a bit of a burn. I jumped and slapped the edge of the new pie with the peel, not enough to make it bad or unsalable, but L was there to scold me for being uncoordinated and out of shape and nonathletic and how bike riding isn't doing it for me and on and on a bit. I shrug it off, run my hand under some cold water, move on.
A few minutes later, I'm working on a yield test for a new recipe for prosciutto balls when L comes into the kitchen and scolds me some more for being weak, then runs me through his Qi Gong practice, which he strongly recommends I do every morning and evening to build up my strength and coordination -- he flexes his muscles and calves at me to show me what it's done for him. Then he hikes up his kilt and boasts that he's "U.F." today - Underwear Free, and how I should consider the practice. Ugh.
Dark chocolate usually gets me buzzing, but lying on the couch wrapped around the very pregnant B and her watching the extremely boring Lost/American Idol business, I passed out around 8:30pm without dinner.
BREAKFAST: 8am, chocolate cheese muffin, water .5 bowl, hunger 4/5
Starbucks muffin to help me in my determination not to fall asleep during class. Was about to buy two pastries, but there were calorie counts on each item....the donut and apple fritter together were about 800 calories, while the muffin alone was 330. Ah, informed decision making...
LUNCH 1: 12:15pm, 10 pork & chive dumplings, .75 bowl, hunger 4/5
At my favorite dumpling hole-in-the-wall on the way to the resto, as I got out 15 minutes early. At $2.50, can't beat it.
LUNCH 2: 4pm, slice o' white, slice o' red with meatball, red pepper and olive, .75 bowl, hunger 4/5
Chill staff lunch with dah fellahs and dah ladies.
PM WATERING: 6:30pm, quart o' water
PM INDULGENCE: 7pm, packet of Jaques Torres dark chocolate covered cornflakes, .5 bowl, hunger 4/5
Like today -- I was rotating a pizza that was in back of a newly placed pie, and I foolishly didn't hook the pizza door open, so while I was jiggling the pie, I shook the door a little and it tapped me lightly on the hand, giving me a bit of a burn. I jumped and slapped the edge of the new pie with the peel, not enough to make it bad or unsalable, but L was there to scold me for being uncoordinated and out of shape and nonathletic and how bike riding isn't doing it for me and on and on a bit. I shrug it off, run my hand under some cold water, move on.
A few minutes later, I'm working on a yield test for a new recipe for prosciutto balls when L comes into the kitchen and scolds me some more for being weak, then runs me through his Qi Gong practice, which he strongly recommends I do every morning and evening to build up my strength and coordination -- he flexes his muscles and calves at me to show me what it's done for him. Then he hikes up his kilt and boasts that he's "U.F." today - Underwear Free, and how I should consider the practice. Ugh.
Dark chocolate usually gets me buzzing, but lying on the couch wrapped around the very pregnant B and her watching the extremely boring Lost/American Idol business, I passed out around 8:30pm without dinner.
BREAKFAST: 8am, chocolate cheese muffin, water .5 bowl, hunger 4/5
Starbucks muffin to help me in my determination not to fall asleep during class. Was about to buy two pastries, but there were calorie counts on each item....the donut and apple fritter together were about 800 calories, while the muffin alone was 330. Ah, informed decision making...
LUNCH 1: 12:15pm, 10 pork & chive dumplings, .75 bowl, hunger 4/5
At my favorite dumpling hole-in-the-wall on the way to the resto, as I got out 15 minutes early. At $2.50, can't beat it.
LUNCH 2: 4pm, slice o' white, slice o' red with meatball, red pepper and olive, .75 bowl, hunger 4/5
Chill staff lunch with dah fellahs and dah ladies.
PM WATERING: 6:30pm, quart o' water
PM INDULGENCE: 7pm, packet of Jaques Torres dark chocolate covered cornflakes, .5 bowl, hunger 4/5
Tuesday, May 12
"More Better"
I had one of those rare days that started really good and then just got better as it went along. Woke up at 8, got the laundry in and sung the very pregnant B out of her sleep. Went over to Essex market to Shopsin's for breakfast, where Kenny Shopsin was holding court in the tiny dining room, explaining his technique for making and saving stock. ("Reduce it until it's...REDUCED! Get it in ice cube tray, and heat it up in watah." He's just like he is in the documentary.)
Then I popped in to the cheese counter right next door and introduced myself to Anne Saxelby, who is a total sweetheart. I heard her speak at school yesterday, but was too out of it and tired to interact. I asked her for cheese recommendations for pizza, and it turns out she's friends with Mark from Pizza a Casa, whom I assisted a class with at the Astor Wine Center. I ended up shootin' the bull with her for a while, getting a bunch of laffs with a few L stories. Good times.
Then some graphics work, then off to yoga with T, and a good snickle after. I really don't have enough T-Time in my life. Home to shower then off to the 'rant.
I totally forgot, but an old friend from high school came in and said there would be some friends from our graduating class coming in for an echo of the reunion I missed a few weeks ago, due to the hours I've been working. So 8 old compadres from 20-odd years ago materialized for a meal, and I spent the evening checking in on the kitchen and hanging out and catching up. It's quite frightening that one of them (hi D!) actually reads this blog and was quoting bits back to me. It was quite an honor that these folk from my not-so-recent past would take the time and effort to come to the place I've been chained to for the last 3 months or so and spend the evening. I remember myself as being a bit of an introvert, uncomfortable in my own skin and feeling out of place, but judging from the affection everyone seemed to have for each other (and lil' ol' me), perhaps my perception of self was a bit colored by the immature 17 year old me.
It just wasn't a day that happens every, errr, day. It could only be better if I spent more time with B. Or if she were to pop and release the baby unto the world. -sigh-
My two main kitchen workers, a Mexicana and an Afghani, have a limited grasp of English grammar, but both agree that when things are done properly, it is "more better." Today was definitely more better.
BREAKFAST: 9am, ricotta lime pancakes, water, 1 bowl, hunger 4/5
Shopsin's has about 1000 things on the menu, and about 30 pancake variations. These pancakes had ricotta and lime juice (and I suspect some grated rind) tucked pleasantly in the center of the otherwise ordinary pancakes, really filling and tasty. Gonna try this trick with my own homemade batter.
AM SNACK: 9:30am, snippet of cheeses
Anne sampled me some cheeses, all delicious, so I got a few quarter pounds of Grayson and Raclette to play with.
SNICKLE SNACK: 1:45pm, cup of dahl, vegan cesar salad, water, 1 bowl, hunger 4/5
LUNCH: 4:45pm, 3 meatballs, sprite, .75 bowl, hunger 4/5
RESTAURANT HAZE: 5-10pm, a few glasses of mandorla, .5 bowl, hunger 4/5
Then I popped in to the cheese counter right next door and introduced myself to Anne Saxelby, who is a total sweetheart. I heard her speak at school yesterday, but was too out of it and tired to interact. I asked her for cheese recommendations for pizza, and it turns out she's friends with Mark from Pizza a Casa, whom I assisted a class with at the Astor Wine Center. I ended up shootin' the bull with her for a while, getting a bunch of laffs with a few L stories. Good times.
Then some graphics work, then off to yoga with T, and a good snickle after. I really don't have enough T-Time in my life. Home to shower then off to the 'rant.
I totally forgot, but an old friend from high school came in and said there would be some friends from our graduating class coming in for an echo of the reunion I missed a few weeks ago, due to the hours I've been working. So 8 old compadres from 20-odd years ago materialized for a meal, and I spent the evening checking in on the kitchen and hanging out and catching up. It's quite frightening that one of them (hi D!) actually reads this blog and was quoting bits back to me. It was quite an honor that these folk from my not-so-recent past would take the time and effort to come to the place I've been chained to for the last 3 months or so and spend the evening. I remember myself as being a bit of an introvert, uncomfortable in my own skin and feeling out of place, but judging from the affection everyone seemed to have for each other (and lil' ol' me), perhaps my perception of self was a bit colored by the immature 17 year old me.
It just wasn't a day that happens every, errr, day. It could only be better if I spent more time with B. Or if she were to pop and release the baby unto the world. -sigh-
My two main kitchen workers, a Mexicana and an Afghani, have a limited grasp of English grammar, but both agree that when things are done properly, it is "more better." Today was definitely more better.
BREAKFAST: 9am, ricotta lime pancakes, water, 1 bowl, hunger 4/5
Shopsin's has about 1000 things on the menu, and about 30 pancake variations. These pancakes had ricotta and lime juice (and I suspect some grated rind) tucked pleasantly in the center of the otherwise ordinary pancakes, really filling and tasty. Gonna try this trick with my own homemade batter.
AM SNACK: 9:30am, snippet of cheeses
Anne sampled me some cheeses, all delicious, so I got a few quarter pounds of Grayson and Raclette to play with.
SNICKLE SNACK: 1:45pm, cup of dahl, vegan cesar salad, water, 1 bowl, hunger 4/5
LUNCH: 4:45pm, 3 meatballs, sprite, .75 bowl, hunger 4/5
RESTAURANT HAZE: 5-10pm, a few glasses of mandorla, .5 bowl, hunger 4/5
Monday, May 11
Monday Funday Again
A good day. Class in the morning, a graphics gig in the afternoon, dinner at Amorina with B and some school colleagues in the evening. Tomorrow, chores, yoga snickle and the restaurant in the later hours...
BREAKFAST: 7am, organic cornflakes with organic dead milk, .5 bowl, hunger 4/5
AM SNACK: 10:30am, 2 small pieces of funky cheese, slice of bread, hunger 4/5
At a talk with a cheese monger. Delicious raw milk cheeses.
LUNCH: 4pm, slice of pizza, .5 bowl, hunger 4/5
At 99¢ Fresh Pizza by Port Authority, a god reminder how crappy crappy pizza can be
PM SNACK: 5pm, a snippet of Balthazar cookie
DINNER: 7pm, small slices of a variety of pizzas, a little pasta, onion tart and a sampler of desserts, 2 glasses red wine, water, 1.25 bowl, hunger 4/5
At the restaurant I used to work at, really good vibes. Ah, to work at a smoothly operating and comfortably functional restaurant....
BREAKFAST: 7am, organic cornflakes with organic dead milk, .5 bowl, hunger 4/5
AM SNACK: 10:30am, 2 small pieces of funky cheese, slice of bread, hunger 4/5
At a talk with a cheese monger. Delicious raw milk cheeses.
LUNCH: 4pm, slice of pizza, .5 bowl, hunger 4/5
At 99¢ Fresh Pizza by Port Authority, a god reminder how crappy crappy pizza can be
PM SNACK: 5pm, a snippet of Balthazar cookie
DINNER: 7pm, small slices of a variety of pizzas, a little pasta, onion tart and a sampler of desserts, 2 glasses red wine, water, 1.25 bowl, hunger 4/5
At the restaurant I used to work at, really good vibes. Ah, to work at a smoothly operating and comfortably functional restaurant....
Sunday, May 10
Sunday Release
After working almost 15 hours on a Saturday at the restaurant, it was time to ride. Holy crap, it was time to ride. L has been riding me this past week, trying to get me to his definitively undefined amorphously specific and constantly changing standards on the pizza station, and criticising me in not a gentle way. It’s a good thing I’m an adult with a strong sense of self, or I would've gone the way of a rapidly increasing pool of ex-employees. I actually don’t mind the yelling...but he rides the line between effective and cruel.
There were some sweet highlights -- a very pregnant B came in with a few of her friends and it was great fun doting on them (and L comped the meal, which was nice and appropriate.) And Patrick and his gal came in, which was unexpected. L fired the hostess so I had to put on a clean and too-small t-shirt and greet and sit people, while wearing a kilt...yes, put out like a cheap street walker to pimp the pizza! Got out of there by 12, rode home, switched into spandex and met C (he who quit the restaurant weeks ago but I’ve made friends with, he’s just a kid) and we rode south to South Ferry, then a full loop around Manhattan, about 30 miles. We went to Veselka for a meal, was very busy, felt bad for the staff there, but I guess that's what you sign up for in a 24-hour resto. Home by 4:30am, sleep by 5, inspired by Server T made banana walnut muffins for the B and her family on mothers day by 8:30! Glad to be home, appreciating B’s huge belly. Any week now!
I miss my parents something fierce today. Only got 3 hours of sleep, then had a Mother's Day brunch/mini pre-baby celebration at cousin’s place. Was really nice to be a part of such a strong and happy extended family unit, even though it sucks that it makes me feel the loss of my own family that much more. Hopefully those feelings will recede when the mini-B is out and about!
BREAKFAST: 9am, 3 freshly baked banana walnut muffins, .75 bowl, hunger 4/5
Used this recipe, but only as a jump off. Added an egg, doubled the baking soda and the salt, melted the butter instead of softening, added eggs to the liquid rather than with the dry, added a little whole milk to add extra silkiness and moisture, used whole wheat pastry flour instead of straight whole wheat, pulled back on the nutmeg because I was freshly grating it, scraped out two vanilla beans instead of extract, and folded the wet into the dry minimally, so little that there were pockets of dry powder in the mix but I knew most would bake out. I usually don't improvise on a baking recipe until I make it once (so I know how my kitchen and equipment is influencing the results), but I just kinda vibed this one, inspired by some conversations I've been having with a server (and friend) at the resto who sounds like a pretty accomplished home cook. I think she was making these muffins, too, and sounded really yummy. Next time, though, out with the walnuts and in with the dark chocolate chips. Oh yes.
BRUNCH DAZE: 11:30am-5pm, a few pickles, a half bagel with cream cheese, lox, onion and tomato, a large number of chocolates and chocolaty things, a sip of booze, water, cheese and crackers, 2 bowl, hunger 4/5
Long day of grazing at B's cousin, lots of yummies, good vibes, compliments on my muffins, pizza talk. Went into the living room to take a nap, and when I woke up a few hours later, the whole family was around me, snacking, livin' it up, was very nice way to come out of a rejuvenating nap.
DINNER: 8:45pm, roast pork & tofu with rice, shrimp toast, wonton soup, 1.25 bowl, hunger 4/5
Comfort dinner horray!
There were some sweet highlights -- a very pregnant B came in with a few of her friends and it was great fun doting on them (and L comped the meal, which was nice and appropriate.) And Patrick and his gal came in, which was unexpected. L fired the hostess so I had to put on a clean and too-small t-shirt and greet and sit people, while wearing a kilt...yes, put out like a cheap street walker to pimp the pizza! Got out of there by 12, rode home, switched into spandex and met C (he who quit the restaurant weeks ago but I’ve made friends with, he’s just a kid) and we rode south to South Ferry, then a full loop around Manhattan, about 30 miles. We went to Veselka for a meal, was very busy, felt bad for the staff there, but I guess that's what you sign up for in a 24-hour resto. Home by 4:30am, sleep by 5, inspired by Server T made banana walnut muffins for the B and her family on mothers day by 8:30! Glad to be home, appreciating B’s huge belly. Any week now!
I miss my parents something fierce today. Only got 3 hours of sleep, then had a Mother's Day brunch/mini pre-baby celebration at cousin’s place. Was really nice to be a part of such a strong and happy extended family unit, even though it sucks that it makes me feel the loss of my own family that much more. Hopefully those feelings will recede when the mini-B is out and about!
BREAKFAST: 9am, 3 freshly baked banana walnut muffins, .75 bowl, hunger 4/5
Used this recipe, but only as a jump off. Added an egg, doubled the baking soda and the salt, melted the butter instead of softening, added eggs to the liquid rather than with the dry, added a little whole milk to add extra silkiness and moisture, used whole wheat pastry flour instead of straight whole wheat, pulled back on the nutmeg because I was freshly grating it, scraped out two vanilla beans instead of extract, and folded the wet into the dry minimally, so little that there were pockets of dry powder in the mix but I knew most would bake out. I usually don't improvise on a baking recipe until I make it once (so I know how my kitchen and equipment is influencing the results), but I just kinda vibed this one, inspired by some conversations I've been having with a server (and friend) at the resto who sounds like a pretty accomplished home cook. I think she was making these muffins, too, and sounded really yummy. Next time, though, out with the walnuts and in with the dark chocolate chips. Oh yes.
BRUNCH DAZE: 11:30am-5pm, a few pickles, a half bagel with cream cheese, lox, onion and tomato, a large number of chocolates and chocolaty things, a sip of booze, water, cheese and crackers, 2 bowl, hunger 4/5
Long day of grazing at B's cousin, lots of yummies, good vibes, compliments on my muffins, pizza talk. Went into the living room to take a nap, and when I woke up a few hours later, the whole family was around me, snacking, livin' it up, was very nice way to come out of a rejuvenating nap.
DINNER: 8:45pm, roast pork & tofu with rice, shrimp toast, wonton soup, 1.25 bowl, hunger 4/5
Comfort dinner horray!
When the Baby Comes, I'll Get More Sleep Then
Oh lordy. It's almost 5am and I need to get some rest. Just did a loop around Manhattan on the bicycle with a fellow restaurant worker, after a grueling 15 hour shift. I can't even begin.
BREAKFAST: 8am, purple gatorade, .25 bowl, hunger 3/5
AM SNACK: 11:30am, slice of eggy breakfast pizza, .25 bowl, hunger 4/5
LUNCH: 4pm, mayo-slathered corn on the cob with salad, .5 bowl, hunger 4/5
RESTAURANT HAZE 5-10pm, a few snippets of gelato, a piece of cucumber, a rootbeer, ? bowl, hunger ?/5
DINNER: 11pm, 3 slices of pizza, lemonaide, 1 bowl, hunger 4/5
POWER DRINK: 12:30am, half a Manhattan Special
POWER DRINK: 2am, purple gatorade
DINFAST? BREAKNER: 4am, mixed fried perogies, water, 1 bowl, hunger 4/5
At Velselka post-early morning ride.
BREAKFAST: 8am, purple gatorade, .25 bowl, hunger 3/5
AM SNACK: 11:30am, slice of eggy breakfast pizza, .25 bowl, hunger 4/5
LUNCH: 4pm, mayo-slathered corn on the cob with salad, .5 bowl, hunger 4/5
RESTAURANT HAZE 5-10pm, a few snippets of gelato, a piece of cucumber, a rootbeer, ? bowl, hunger ?/5
DINNER: 11pm, 3 slices of pizza, lemonaide, 1 bowl, hunger 4/5
POWER DRINK: 12:30am, half a Manhattan Special
POWER DRINK: 2am, purple gatorade
DINFAST? BREAKNER: 4am, mixed fried perogies, water, 1 bowl, hunger 4/5
At Velselka post-early morning ride.
Saturday, May 9
Do it again
Long but good day at the restaurant, it's nice to see things that were solved theoretically be put to the test and shown to be....working smoothly. Got to be up in a few hours so I can do it all over again...
BREAKFAST: 9am, organic cornflakes with organic dead milk, .5 bowl, hunger 4/5
PM SNACK: noon, 2 slices of pizza, .75 bowl, hunger 4/5
An experiment -- L only uses pecorino romano on his pies and on this he used parmegano reggiano. Definitely an illustration in contrasts.
LUNCH: 4pm, crappy cheese ravioli, a little chicory salad, water, .75 bowl, hunger 4/5
RESTAURANT HAZE: 5-10pm, a meat ball, a slice of sicilian, a snippet of gelato, a gulp of lemonade, a random bite of pizza here and there, a couple of house-made prociutto balls, ? bowls, hunger ?/5
EVENING SNACK: 11pm, scoop of chocolate gelato, .25 bowl, hunger 4/5
DINNER: 12:30am, pint of pork fried rice, 1 bowl, hunger 4/5
Ahhh, the greasy pause that refreshes.
BREAKFAST: 9am, organic cornflakes with organic dead milk, .5 bowl, hunger 4/5
PM SNACK: noon, 2 slices of pizza, .75 bowl, hunger 4/5
An experiment -- L only uses pecorino romano on his pies and on this he used parmegano reggiano. Definitely an illustration in contrasts.
LUNCH: 4pm, crappy cheese ravioli, a little chicory salad, water, .75 bowl, hunger 4/5
RESTAURANT HAZE: 5-10pm, a meat ball, a slice of sicilian, a snippet of gelato, a gulp of lemonade, a random bite of pizza here and there, a couple of house-made prociutto balls, ? bowls, hunger ?/5
EVENING SNACK: 11pm, scoop of chocolate gelato, .25 bowl, hunger 4/5
DINNER: 12:30am, pint of pork fried rice, 1 bowl, hunger 4/5
Ahhh, the greasy pause that refreshes.
Friday, May 8
You are feeeeling sleeeeepeeeee....
Woke up sleepy, didn't really get going until service time. Class was in a kitchen, with a chef instructor breaking down sides of beef and cooking up some yummies....I wish I'd been more awake for it.
BREAKFAST: 8am, sesame bagel & butter, .5 bowl, hunger 3/5
Wanted something other than sugar, but got so sleepy in class that...
AM SNACK 9am, peanut M&Ms, .25 bowl, hunger 4/5
...I resorted to a chocolate dose to keep me up. Didn't quite work.
AM SNACK: 11:30am, 2 pieces of roasted beef tenderloin in espagnole sauce, .25 bowl, hunger 3/5
PM SNACK: 1pm, 2 small slices of pizza, .5 bowl, hunger 4/5
LUNCH: 4pm, tuna fish sandwich with french fries,water, .75 bowl, hunger 4/5
PM SNACK: 6pm, manhattan special, .25 bowl
DINNER: 8pm, 2 slices of pizza, .5 bowl, hunger 4/5
Mistakes back to the kitchen, delicious mistakes...
EVENING SNACK: 10pm, glass of mandorla, glass of lemonade
EVENING SNORT: 10:30pm, small amount of tap beer
BREAKFAST: 8am, sesame bagel & butter, .5 bowl, hunger 3/5
Wanted something other than sugar, but got so sleepy in class that...
AM SNACK 9am, peanut M&Ms, .25 bowl, hunger 4/5
...I resorted to a chocolate dose to keep me up. Didn't quite work.
AM SNACK: 11:30am, 2 pieces of roasted beef tenderloin in espagnole sauce, .25 bowl, hunger 3/5
PM SNACK: 1pm, 2 small slices of pizza, .5 bowl, hunger 4/5
LUNCH: 4pm, tuna fish sandwich with french fries,water, .75 bowl, hunger 4/5
PM SNACK: 6pm, manhattan special, .25 bowl
DINNER: 8pm, 2 slices of pizza, .5 bowl, hunger 4/5
Mistakes back to the kitchen, delicious mistakes...
EVENING SNACK: 10pm, glass of mandorla, glass of lemonade
EVENING SNORT: 10:30pm, small amount of tap beer
Wednesday, May 6
I need to go food shopping
School, resto for a few hours, then the evening with the B, dinner and future baby related stuff. Almost fell asleep in class, gotta get more sleep tonight.
BREAKFAST: 8am, apple fritter and chocolate donut, .75 bowl, hunger 4/5
From starbucks, just wanted something convenient and fast. Must try for some real breakfast tomorrow.
PM SNACK: 2pm, chocolate gelato, a meatball, .75 bowl, hunger 4/5
LUNCH: 4pm, 4 pork tamales, 2 slices of slightly burnt prosciutto pizza, 1.25 bowl, hunger 4/5
PM SNACK: 6:15pm, 4 tiny meatballs, a few spoonfuls of stinky pasta, water, .5 bowl, hunger 2/5
B was hungry, so we went to Bar Stuzzichini. They're a competitor in the same meatball contest my resto is in, so I couldn't help but try theirs. Not impressed, 5 half ounce balls in a little sauce, finished with grated cheese. Tasted a bit too breadcrumby and grainy, almost like the meat was an afterthought.
PM SNACK: 9:15pm, 4 little baggies of popchips from the 5 boro bikeride, .25 bowl, hunger 4/5
PM SNACK: 10pm, nutella-like stuff and good peanut butter, .33 bowl, hunger 4/5
I really need to do some grocery shopping.
BREAKFAST: 8am, apple fritter and chocolate donut, .75 bowl, hunger 4/5
From starbucks, just wanted something convenient and fast. Must try for some real breakfast tomorrow.
PM SNACK: 2pm, chocolate gelato, a meatball, .75 bowl, hunger 4/5
LUNCH: 4pm, 4 pork tamales, 2 slices of slightly burnt prosciutto pizza, 1.25 bowl, hunger 4/5
PM SNACK: 6:15pm, 4 tiny meatballs, a few spoonfuls of stinky pasta, water, .5 bowl, hunger 2/5
B was hungry, so we went to Bar Stuzzichini. They're a competitor in the same meatball contest my resto is in, so I couldn't help but try theirs. Not impressed, 5 half ounce balls in a little sauce, finished with grated cheese. Tasted a bit too breadcrumby and grainy, almost like the meat was an afterthought.
PM SNACK: 9:15pm, 4 little baggies of popchips from the 5 boro bikeride, .25 bowl, hunger 4/5
PM SNACK: 10pm, nutella-like stuff and good peanut butter, .33 bowl, hunger 4/5
I really need to do some grocery shopping.
Tuesday, May 5
Good Monday
Woke up with minor Beard Belly, not as bad as I thought it would be. Nice to be able to be kinda conscious an hour before waking and being able to wrap my arms around a very pregnant B, and Rufus then getting on top and horning in on the snuggle action. Definitely the right way to start the day, when the day involves 13 hours at a restaurant. We stood by the window in the kitchen and I read "The Little Red Lighthouse & the Great Grey Bridge" to her, it reminded me how much I loved that book as a child and how I can't wait to read it to my kid then take them up the west side bike path to visit said little lighthouse.
L has been really psyched about the ramps we received from our produce purveyor, which are now in season. It's dead simple: Crust topped with mozz and olive oil only. Once baked to light golden brown, whole trimmed and cleaned ramps are pressed into the pie in a decorative fashion, then cut. The ramps are slightly cooked by the heat, and set off by the salt in the cheese and the flavor-enhancing oil.
Ramps kind of taste like a peppery scallion, but with a bit of a woodsy overtone. It tastes, well, wild.
After this weekend, the restaurant will be open on Sundays. B, give birth already!!
BREAKFAST: 11:30am, 2 slices wild leek pizza, .5 bowl, hunger 4/5
LUNCH: 4pm, a handful of mini meatballs and bread, a slice of prosciutto pizza, water, .75 bowl, hunger 4/5
PM SNACK: 8pm, beef tamale, .33 bowl, hunger 4/5
PM SNACK: 9pm, scoop of espresso gelato, .25 bowl, hunger 4/5
EVENING SNORT: 10:15pm, small cup of draft beer
L has been really psyched about the ramps we received from our produce purveyor, which are now in season. It's dead simple: Crust topped with mozz and olive oil only. Once baked to light golden brown, whole trimmed and cleaned ramps are pressed into the pie in a decorative fashion, then cut. The ramps are slightly cooked by the heat, and set off by the salt in the cheese and the flavor-enhancing oil.
Ramps kind of taste like a peppery scallion, but with a bit of a woodsy overtone. It tastes, well, wild.
After this weekend, the restaurant will be open on Sundays. B, give birth already!!
BREAKFAST: 11:30am, 2 slices wild leek pizza, .5 bowl, hunger 4/5
LUNCH: 4pm, a handful of mini meatballs and bread, a slice of prosciutto pizza, water, .75 bowl, hunger 4/5
PM SNACK: 8pm, beef tamale, .33 bowl, hunger 4/5
PM SNACK: 9pm, scoop of espresso gelato, .25 bowl, hunger 4/5
EVENING SNORT: 10:15pm, small cup of draft beer
Monday, May 4
Beard Belly Revisited
Interesting day. Bikeless, had to rely on public transportation to get me to school....and due to the rain and the lack of F service, ended up being 30 minutes late....I HATE being late. And I had to jet 2 hours early to get tickets to the James Beard Awards. I went last year and it was a bit mind (and belly) blowing. This year, the ceremony was an hour long and the food was a lot less plentiful, but it was still a gut-busting, intensely interesting time. I rolled out of there stuffed, but sober and comfortable enough to ride the bike home.
Oh, and after picking up tickets, I took a meeting in Chelsea which I'm not at liberty to discuss in this forum. Very interesting.
BREAKFAST: 7:45am, a horrible chocolate chip muffin off the street, .75 bowl, hunger 4/5
AM SNACK: 8:30am, a few slices of fresh mozzarella, a little bread, olive oil, .25 bowl, hunger 4/5
A student gave a presentation on moz, and brought in a few samples of the stuff they make in his restaurant.
PM SNACK: 2:45pm, a few spoonfuls of good peanut butter with nutella-like stuff, water, .25 bowl hunger 4/5
PM SNACK: 4pm, 3 packets of popchips, .25 bowl, hunger 4/5
Free samples from yesterday's 5 boro ride. Trying to stay hungry for the evening's gorging.
JAMES BEARD GORGING: 9:30-11:30pm, various small plates including octopus terrine, organic pork sliders, bluecheese-topped brownies, conch cuban sandwich, chocolates, pickled shrimp, shrimp andouille, marrow on croute, weird chestnut terrine, spicy Korean salmon, wonderful chilled steak tartar in anchovy broth with shaved ice, oysters on the half shell, weird chocolate ice cream crunchy thing, bite of duck hot dog, a few sips of different cocktails, a half a beer, a few pellegrinos, a few things I'm forgetting, 2 bowls, hunger 4/5 to 1/5
Sunday, May 3
5 Boro
After 3 hours of sleep, got on the bike and met D for a 45 mile bike ride in heavy rain. I had plans to go out to the Cherry Blossom Festival and see a friend for dinner, but when I got home and ate and snuggled with a pregnant B, I fell fast asleep at 4pm and woke at 6am, with a short moment of wakefulness to eat some cheesy crackers.
BREAKFAST: 6:45am, organic cheerios with dead organic milk, .5 bowl, hunger 4/5
AM SNACK: 8am, 2 good donuts, .75 bowl, hunger 4/5
BIKE SNACK: 9:45am, puffed potato chips, a banana, water, .5 bowl, hunger 4/5
BIKE SNACK: 1:30pm, puffed potato chips, cheesy crackers, .75 bowl, hunger 4/5
LUNCH: 2:30pm, shrimp in garlic sauce, yellow rice, water, 1.25 bowl, hunger 4/5
Ordered from a local Spanish joint, usually it's really good, but this time they forgot the black beans and the sauce tasted overpoweringly like raw garlic, blech.
PM SNACK: 10pm, 2 packs of cheesy crackers, .25 bowl, hunger 4/5
BREAKFAST: 6:45am, organic cheerios with dead organic milk, .5 bowl, hunger 4/5
AM SNACK: 8am, 2 good donuts, .75 bowl, hunger 4/5
BIKE SNACK: 9:45am, puffed potato chips, a banana, water, .5 bowl, hunger 4/5
BIKE SNACK: 1:30pm, puffed potato chips, cheesy crackers, .75 bowl, hunger 4/5
LUNCH: 2:30pm, shrimp in garlic sauce, yellow rice, water, 1.25 bowl, hunger 4/5
Ordered from a local Spanish joint, usually it's really good, but this time they forgot the black beans and the sauce tasted overpoweringly like raw garlic, blech.
PM SNACK: 10pm, 2 packs of cheesy crackers, .25 bowl, hunger 4/5
Torn up
Long day at the restaurant, the weather was good and we were packed from beginning to end. Went smoother than previous Saturdays, as we all know a little bit more what we're doing, and was able to get out of there before midnight. Went for a drink in Brooklyn Heights after with the front of house manager and a server, then attempted to ride to a party in Greenpoint, but caught a flat and had to hoof it home. It's for the best, as I have to be up in 4 hours for the 5 Boro Bike Ride!!
BREAKFAST: 8:30am, organic cornflakes with organic dead milk, .5 bowl, hunger 4/5
NOON SNACK: noon, 3 small pieces of breakfast pizza with egg, prosciutto, and wild ramps, .5 bowl, hunger 4/5
LUNCH: 4pm, 3 small slices of shrimp pizza, water, .5 bowl, hunger 4/5
RESTAURANT HAZE: 5-10pm, lemon aide, a sip of espresso soda, a cream soda, .5 bowl, hunger ?/5
TIPPLE: midnight, pint of old speckled hen, .5 bowl, hunger ?/5
AM SNACK: 1:45am, chocolate spread and cashews, .33 bowl, hunger 5/5
Not much to eat in the house. Hrumph.
BREAKFAST: 8:30am, organic cornflakes with organic dead milk, .5 bowl, hunger 4/5
NOON SNACK: noon, 3 small pieces of breakfast pizza with egg, prosciutto, and wild ramps, .5 bowl, hunger 4/5
LUNCH: 4pm, 3 small slices of shrimp pizza, water, .5 bowl, hunger 4/5
RESTAURANT HAZE: 5-10pm, lemon aide, a sip of espresso soda, a cream soda, .5 bowl, hunger ?/5
TIPPLE: midnight, pint of old speckled hen, .5 bowl, hunger ?/5
AM SNACK: 1:45am, chocolate spread and cashews, .33 bowl, hunger 5/5
Not much to eat in the house. Hrumph.
Saturday, May 2
Trout!
Business pretty much squashed at the restaurant due to weather. Gearing up for a slammed Friday, was nice to be able to just chill and get to know the staff a bit better, bond a bit and feel cozy. Of course, a dead day like this will kill a restaurant eventually, so I guess I shouldn't be too happy about it....but still, it's a grind. Got to see a friend after work who has been having a hard time of things, nice to be able to find time to lend her an ear. I would'vegone home, but the Sweet B was fast asleep! I look forward to catching her conscious on Sunday.
BREAKFAST: 9am, cashew cake donut, .5 bowl, hunger 4/5
AM SNACK: noon, small slice of Sicilian, .5 bowl, hunger 4/5
PM SNACK: 2pm, small amount of rootbeer float
Experimenting with what's on hand to make a new menu item.
LUNCH: 3:30pm, oven roasted trout, garlic bread, chicory salad, water, 1 bowl, hunger 4/5
L has really been getting into making staff lunch, a step away from the pizza grind. This time he ordered a case of whole trout, and he made them in a very rustic style, with the scales and fins on, just pre-gutted and cleaned. Pretty good.
PM SNACK: 5pm, 6 prosciutto balls, a sprite, .75 bowl, hunger 4/5
Served up a mess of almost-too-old prosciutto balls to the staff, I ate a bunch because they were quite delicious.
PM SNACK: 7pm, small scoop of chocolate gelato, .25 bowl, hunger 4/5
DINNER: 10:45pm, Cesar salad with shrimp, 1 beer, 1 bowl, hunger 4/5
BREAKFAST: 9am, cashew cake donut, .5 bowl, hunger 4/5
AM SNACK: noon, small slice of Sicilian, .5 bowl, hunger 4/5
PM SNACK: 2pm, small amount of rootbeer float
Experimenting with what's on hand to make a new menu item.
LUNCH: 3:30pm, oven roasted trout, garlic bread, chicory salad, water, 1 bowl, hunger 4/5
L has really been getting into making staff lunch, a step away from the pizza grind. This time he ordered a case of whole trout, and he made them in a very rustic style, with the scales and fins on, just pre-gutted and cleaned. Pretty good.
PM SNACK: 5pm, 6 prosciutto balls, a sprite, .75 bowl, hunger 4/5
Served up a mess of almost-too-old prosciutto balls to the staff, I ate a bunch because they were quite delicious.
PM SNACK: 7pm, small scoop of chocolate gelato, .25 bowl, hunger 4/5
DINNER: 10:45pm, Cesar salad with shrimp, 1 beer, 1 bowl, hunger 4/5
Friday, May 1
Lobster!
Set the alarm for 6, and turned it off in a sleepy haze. Around 7:15am, B peeped up apologetically, "It's after 7, don't you need to get moving?" That's perhaps the coolest, most lovely way to wake up late! She's so great, I can't wait to wake her up and say something like, "Sweet B, the Sweet P needs yer boobie now."
Restaurant was eerily slow yesterday, slow enough to be our least-earning day since we opened. I'm of two minds -- on one hand, it hurts because even though I only have sweat equity in this place, I want to see it thrive and go on. I feel responsible for it's well being, like I was the owner. On the other hand, so many choices were made before I came on, choices that in hindsight could of been made differently to make things a lot smoother now. Regardless, I'm learning a lot more there than I am in culinary management school.
Had a flair up among the rank and file in the restaurant today, a real test of my managerial competence. I think I handled it ok, was able to smooth the water with a few people who speak very poor English, but the test will really be going forward.
BREAKFAST: 8:15am, apple fritter and marble cake, Manhattan Special, 1 bowl, hunger 4/5
A breakfast that wakes you. I knew I'd be sleepy, so I took the Special home from the restaurant last night.
AM SNACK: 9am, snippet of sourdough bread, tomato, moz, basil, olive oil
A taste from the basil presentation in class
LUNCH: 4pm, lobster tail with freshly made coleslaw and roasted corn, water, .75 bowl, hunger 4/5
A very odd staff lunch. L ordered a bunch of live lobsters for staff lunch, fortunately there was someone else in the kitchen who wasn't too squeamish about dispatching them. All my anxiety and ill feelings about killing lobsters came back up, just like in c-school. Holding the box, feeling them twittering and reacting to my movements, ick!
PM SNACKAGE: 5-10pm, a meatball, a cream soda, a slice of soda, a snippet of gelato, 1 bowl, hunger 4/5
DINNER: 11:30pm, 2 slices cold pizza, water, .75 bowl, hunger 4/5
Restaurant was eerily slow yesterday, slow enough to be our least-earning day since we opened. I'm of two minds -- on one hand, it hurts because even though I only have sweat equity in this place, I want to see it thrive and go on. I feel responsible for it's well being, like I was the owner. On the other hand, so many choices were made before I came on, choices that in hindsight could of been made differently to make things a lot smoother now. Regardless, I'm learning a lot more there than I am in culinary management school.
Had a flair up among the rank and file in the restaurant today, a real test of my managerial competence. I think I handled it ok, was able to smooth the water with a few people who speak very poor English, but the test will really be going forward.
BREAKFAST: 8:15am, apple fritter and marble cake, Manhattan Special, 1 bowl, hunger 4/5
A breakfast that wakes you. I knew I'd be sleepy, so I took the Special home from the restaurant last night.
AM SNACK: 9am, snippet of sourdough bread, tomato, moz, basil, olive oil
A taste from the basil presentation in class
LUNCH: 4pm, lobster tail with freshly made coleslaw and roasted corn, water, .75 bowl, hunger 4/5
A very odd staff lunch. L ordered a bunch of live lobsters for staff lunch, fortunately there was someone else in the kitchen who wasn't too squeamish about dispatching them. All my anxiety and ill feelings about killing lobsters came back up, just like in c-school. Holding the box, feeling them twittering and reacting to my movements, ick!
PM SNACKAGE: 5-10pm, a meatball, a cream soda, a slice of soda, a snippet of gelato, 1 bowl, hunger 4/5
DINNER: 11:30pm, 2 slices cold pizza, water, .75 bowl, hunger 4/5
Wednesday, April 29
Quiet Long Day
BREAKFAST: 8am, 2 street donuts, water, .75 bowl, hunger 4/5
AM SNACK: 10:30am, 1 coffee bean, small piece of spinach bread, a fig with goat cheese dressing, a snippet of bacon
Presentations in class today, some presented with tastings of the product they were talking about. Whole roasted coffee beans remind me of whole cacao pods -- reminiscent of the final product, but tastes amazingly bitter and blunt.
PM SNACK: 1:30pm, a small piece of calzone, .25 bowl, hunger 4/5
L made an amazing calzone today, perfectly balanced, crisp in the right places, gooey in the right places. Maybe a menu item?
LUNCH: 4pm, steak and onion sandwich, pickles, water, 1 bowl, hunger 4/5
Good and greasy, but enough with the red meat already.
PM SNACKS: 5-10pm, a meatball, a few snippets of bacon, a glass of lemon aide, a few snippets of mixed vegetables, a glass of lemonade, a taste of draft beer, .5 bowl, hunger 4/5
EVENING SNACK 11:15pm, slice of local streetza, .75 bowl, hunger 4/5
Felt hungry coming home, realized I had nothing for dinner after a slow night at the restaurant -- I could HAVE had another steak sandwich, but enough was enough. The only thing open nearby was...pizza. It wasn't very good, but good enough.
AM SNACK: 10:30am, 1 coffee bean, small piece of spinach bread, a fig with goat cheese dressing, a snippet of bacon
Presentations in class today, some presented with tastings of the product they were talking about. Whole roasted coffee beans remind me of whole cacao pods -- reminiscent of the final product, but tastes amazingly bitter and blunt.
PM SNACK: 1:30pm, a small piece of calzone, .25 bowl, hunger 4/5
L made an amazing calzone today, perfectly balanced, crisp in the right places, gooey in the right places. Maybe a menu item?
LUNCH: 4pm, steak and onion sandwich, pickles, water, 1 bowl, hunger 4/5
Good and greasy, but enough with the red meat already.
PM SNACKS: 5-10pm, a meatball, a few snippets of bacon, a glass of lemon aide, a few snippets of mixed vegetables, a glass of lemonade, a taste of draft beer, .5 bowl, hunger 4/5
EVENING SNACK 11:15pm, slice of local streetza, .75 bowl, hunger 4/5
Felt hungry coming home, realized I had nothing for dinner after a slow night at the restaurant -- I could HAVE had another steak sandwich, but enough was enough. The only thing open nearby was...pizza. It wasn't very good, but good enough.
Tuesday, April 28
Tuesday Funday
Went to the restaurant, left at 5 so I could join B for a look-see at a pediatrician, who in the end was on vacation when we arrived....never confirmed the appointment, guess that won't happen. Still, nice to be able to have dinner with my pregnant wife and chill a little.
Got a call from Nickelodeon to work on a short-term good-money gig, first in a solid 6 months that I accepted, the other calls were for little one day day-raters which weren't worth interrupting my pizza life.
BREAKFAST: 11:45, 3 slices of pizza, 1 bowl, hunger 4/5
LUNCH: 3:45pm, 2 hotdogs with kraut and mustard, water, sprite, 1.25 bowl, hunger 3/5
PM SNACK: 6:30pm, 2 bites of streetza
On the walk down from her office, we got a slice out of the Vinnie Vincenz pizza truck on Union Square. It was a little burnt, with a bitter char. The crust was stretched unevenly, too thin in the middle, too thick toward the cornicone (yep, thats the technical term from the raised crust at the outer edges! I'm a geek!) and the cheese was on the edge of scorched.
DINNER: 7pm, hijiki tofu sandwich, large spinach salad with carrot dressing, water, 1 bowl, hunger 3/5
At Dojo with the B, though because of it's vegan angle, needed an HVS.
EVENING SNACK: 7:45pm, half a street vanilla ice cream cone, .25 bowl, hunger 4/5
Got a call from Nickelodeon to work on a short-term good-money gig, first in a solid 6 months that I accepted, the other calls were for little one day day-raters which weren't worth interrupting my pizza life.
BREAKFAST: 11:45, 3 slices of pizza, 1 bowl, hunger 4/5
LUNCH: 3:45pm, 2 hotdogs with kraut and mustard, water, sprite, 1.25 bowl, hunger 3/5
PM SNACK: 6:30pm, 2 bites of streetza
On the walk down from her office, we got a slice out of the Vinnie Vincenz pizza truck on Union Square. It was a little burnt, with a bitter char. The crust was stretched unevenly, too thin in the middle, too thick toward the cornicone (yep, thats the technical term from the raised crust at the outer edges! I'm a geek!) and the cheese was on the edge of scorched.
DINNER: 7pm, hijiki tofu sandwich, large spinach salad with carrot dressing, water, 1 bowl, hunger 3/5
At Dojo with the B, though because of it's vegan angle, needed an HVS.
EVENING SNACK: 7:45pm, half a street vanilla ice cream cone, .25 bowl, hunger 4/5
Monday, April 27
Monday Funday
Ah, Monday, my personal Sunday. I fell asleep last night around 7pm, after that 35 mile bike ride, too much meat for lunch and 4 hours of sleep the night before after a 70+ hour week at the restaurant. Only got a little drowsy at school.
Went down the street to R.U.B. for lunch, it's a restaurant we saw a show about in class, the trials and tribulations they went through to get open. It was surprisingly good, probably the best BBQ I've had in NYC, much better than the sloppy joints D has taken me to in midtown.
Visited Y briefly at her shop, but they are going through a renovation and I couldn't spend too much time. Rode up to Central Park and chilled for a few hours in the sheeps meadow before heading down to 42nd to catch a movie with D, then dinner with D and B. L cancelled our dinner meeting, but will reconvene Wednesday.
BREAKFAST: 5am, organic cheerios with the good milk, .75 bowl, hunger 4/5
AM SNACK: 8am, 2 street donuts, water, .75 bowl, hunger 4/5
LUNCH: 12:15pm, pulled pork on rye, 3 little pickles, water, 1 bowl, hunger 4/5
DINNER: 7:30pm, bread with white bean dip, Cesar salad, a little octopus, spaghetti & a few lame meatballs, a slice of lame pizza, water, half a small portion of cheesecake, 2 bowl, hunger
4/5
Dinner at a non-descript Italian joint in Chelsea that offered pizzas, too thin and undercooked, lacking herbs and tasting flat. Nice to be out and not working, though.
Went down the street to R.U.B. for lunch, it's a restaurant we saw a show about in class, the trials and tribulations they went through to get open. It was surprisingly good, probably the best BBQ I've had in NYC, much better than the sloppy joints D has taken me to in midtown.
Visited Y briefly at her shop, but they are going through a renovation and I couldn't spend too much time. Rode up to Central Park and chilled for a few hours in the sheeps meadow before heading down to 42nd to catch a movie with D, then dinner with D and B. L cancelled our dinner meeting, but will reconvene Wednesday.
BREAKFAST: 5am, organic cheerios with the good milk, .75 bowl, hunger 4/5
AM SNACK: 8am, 2 street donuts, water, .75 bowl, hunger 4/5
LUNCH: 12:15pm, pulled pork on rye, 3 little pickles, water, 1 bowl, hunger 4/5
DINNER: 7:30pm, bread with white bean dip, Cesar salad, a little octopus, spaghetti & a few lame meatballs, a slice of lame pizza, water, half a small portion of cheesecake, 2 bowl, hunger
4/5
Dinner at a non-descript Italian joint in Chelsea that offered pizzas, too thin and undercooked, lacking herbs and tasting flat. Nice to be out and not working, though.
Sunday, April 26
Sunday Funday
Got to bed at 4am, after doing a minor binge brought on by booze and not really eating dinner. Still, it was a minor thing compared how I'd stuff myself after drink in my earlier years. Woke up after 4 hours of sleep, intended to go back to bed but it was just too exciting to be lying next to my pregnant wife AND not have to get up and go, so we just spent an hour just talking and hugging and listening to old Brian Eno records. I sang tracks off of "Here Come the Warm Jets" to her belly, hopefully my kid won't like Miley Cyrus or whoever the teeny boppers are digging then.
Weighed in at 215.0 this morning. Huh, twenty pounds, I thought I'd be skinnier. By medical standards, I have to go to 185 to have a BMI of a non-overweight person! Don't think THAT will ever happen.
B went to a bridal shower and I finally got on the road bike. Met an ex-employee of the restaurant (a group rapidly growing in number) and E and we road out to Flushing Meadow in the 90 degree weather, really nice. Meat and beer was not my first choice of post-ride meal, especially since I had to ride a few miles after to get home. Got home around 6, fell asleep after showering around 7pm
DRUNKY SNACK: 3:30am, half a bagel with gender-specific chocolate spread, a banana walnut muffin, .75 bowl, hunger 4/5
AM DRUGGING: 8am, 1 extra strength tylenol
A preventative measure, woke up slightly buzzed, so took this to keep a hangover in check.
BREAKFAST: 9:15am, toasted bagel with lox, cream cheese, tomato, onion, water, 1 bowl, hunger 4/5
Deliciousness from the B. She can't cook, but she can prepare. -sigh-
AM BIKE SNACK: 11:30am, churro, .5 bowl, hunger 4/5
PM BIKE SNACK: 12:30pm, most of a chocolate donut, bite of a cinnamon bun, .5 bowl, hunger 4/5
PM BIKE SNACK: 1:30pm, 20oz of gatorade
PM BIKE WATERING: 2-4pm, a few quarts
LUNCH: 4pm, weiner shnitzel with German potato salad, kraut, 2 cups of beer, a bite of kielbasa, 1.5 bowl, hunger 4/5
After-ride meal at the Bohemian Beer Garden in Astoria.
Weighed in at 215.0 this morning. Huh, twenty pounds, I thought I'd be skinnier. By medical standards, I have to go to 185 to have a BMI of a non-overweight person! Don't think THAT will ever happen.
B went to a bridal shower and I finally got on the road bike. Met an ex-employee of the restaurant (a group rapidly growing in number) and E and we road out to Flushing Meadow in the 90 degree weather, really nice. Meat and beer was not my first choice of post-ride meal, especially since I had to ride a few miles after to get home. Got home around 6, fell asleep after showering around 7pm
DRUNKY SNACK: 3:30am, half a bagel with gender-specific chocolate spread, a banana walnut muffin, .75 bowl, hunger 4/5
AM DRUGGING: 8am, 1 extra strength tylenol
A preventative measure, woke up slightly buzzed, so took this to keep a hangover in check.
BREAKFAST: 9:15am, toasted bagel with lox, cream cheese, tomato, onion, water, 1 bowl, hunger 4/5
Deliciousness from the B. She can't cook, but she can prepare. -sigh-
AM BIKE SNACK: 11:30am, churro, .5 bowl, hunger 4/5
PM BIKE SNACK: 12:30pm, most of a chocolate donut, bite of a cinnamon bun, .5 bowl, hunger 4/5
PM BIKE SNACK: 1:30pm, 20oz of gatorade
PM BIKE WATERING: 2-4pm, a few quarts
LUNCH: 4pm, weiner shnitzel with German potato salad, kraut, 2 cups of beer, a bite of kielbasa, 1.5 bowl, hunger 4/5
After-ride meal at the Bohemian Beer Garden in Astoria.
Blown Thoroughly
Yesterday went well, so it was easier getting into the restaurant today. Not enough time to prep properly, and after a lunch service that went relatively smoothly, I found during dinner service it was one long game to catch up. I was in the back kitchen a lot leading a brigade of 3 others to put out the fires where ever they arose, whether than was making sauce, cutting cheese, making dough, cleaning and prepping garnishes, slicing toppings, keeping on top of the dishes, keeping delivery boxes stocked, and moderating between all the personalities involved. Hella fun, but after 14 hours two days in a row, I could see how people could burn out of this. The after-work drink really helped.
BREAKFAST: 8am, bialy with a little cream cheese and smoked salmon, .75 bowl, hunger 4/5
B got some fish from Russ & Daughters for some brunch thing with friends, so I was able to indulge myself before the pressure cooker of a new restaurant on a Saturday.
LUNCH: 4pm, 2 slices of pizza, water, 1 bowl, hunger 4/5
Too busy for L to cook up something more off-menu, which is fine by me -- I think the pizza we produce is fantastic.
RESTAURANT HAZE: 4pm - midnight, sprite, a few prosciutto balls, a snippet of cucumber, a dry ginger ale, water, a glass of lemonade, .5 bowl, hunger 4/5
DEHAZING FLUIDS: midnight, pint of beer, one gin & tonic, 2 shots of whisky, water, .5 bowl, hunger 4/5
The initial plan was to go home and recuperate, but people were going out, so after the kitchen crew finished up I followed after, aiming to be there a few minutes and ended up spending 2 hours and drinking way too much. It's nice when people cheer when you show up, hug you and kind of thank you for making their lives a little easier. I didn't let anyone buy me a drink, in fact I bought everyone one round, just seemed like the classy thing to do as a manager.
BREAKFAST: 8am, bialy with a little cream cheese and smoked salmon, .75 bowl, hunger 4/5
B got some fish from Russ & Daughters for some brunch thing with friends, so I was able to indulge myself before the pressure cooker of a new restaurant on a Saturday.
LUNCH: 4pm, 2 slices of pizza, water, 1 bowl, hunger 4/5
Too busy for L to cook up something more off-menu, which is fine by me -- I think the pizza we produce is fantastic.
RESTAURANT HAZE: 4pm - midnight, sprite, a few prosciutto balls, a snippet of cucumber, a dry ginger ale, water, a glass of lemonade, .5 bowl, hunger 4/5
DEHAZING FLUIDS: midnight, pint of beer, one gin & tonic, 2 shots of whisky, water, .5 bowl, hunger 4/5
The initial plan was to go home and recuperate, but people were going out, so after the kitchen crew finished up I followed after, aiming to be there a few minutes and ended up spending 2 hours and drinking way too much. It's nice when people cheer when you show up, hug you and kind of thank you for making their lives a little easier. I didn't let anyone buy me a drink, in fact I bought everyone one round, just seemed like the classy thing to do as a manager.
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