note to self: make res Kefi; Greek 84th and Columbus ...ask for Gianni (thanks Gladys)

Heidelberg Vundarbar .Das Schloss mit das beer

1969 octoberfest like gathering in a biergarten on the river with the castle above next to the Kamping...since then there was an umpah place near Thornwood or Hawthorne ...and definitely the triangle Hofbrau(Jamaica Avenue near Hillside) headed by the Four family who had their own game farm upstate ...and there was Luchows and the Sacher House? (on 86st) and Ridgewood
had Gebhardts and Yorkville had many such places and bakeries and turnvereins...oh i remember Father Foerst from St Barbaras,
but most of all I remember Mrs Foerst a Bavarian farmer's daughter, neighbor in Bushwick, a housekeeper mentor who taught me about kindness and generosity and...potato pancakes (kartufelflaks?) mit apfelsaus. Latkes. And so Heidelberg on 2nd av and 85st
still standing after all these years was an opportunity for memory revival,not nostalgia but great hand rolled soft pretzels ,potato dumpling and pancakes and spaetzle and cabbage and sauerbraten and beer. Great beer.Picture of the Schloss on the wall. No "is das not the glackenspeil" but still a song in my heart.

Flex Muscles is an invite,not a command

Oysters and many kinds of muscles(try Thai). Wine and a party vibe. 82st between lex and 3rd Manahattan(the other boro). The shiny silvery pot opens steaming(the photo I missed).

bushwick redux..ne kingdom and robertas

pizza at robertas could be an anthony bourdain adventure, Just amazing setting for great strawberry salad and verdichio and pizza...and so cool(261 moore st/bogart). then to north east kingdom on Troutman and Wykoff for beer and cheese soup and cockles two ways and a blackboard list to live by. All would be too exotic if I hadnt grown up there and got a lift from louie who knew the pretzels and the fish and chips and ices of my youth. Louie is at Bushwick Car Service and he is the salt of the earth and the essence of all things i am always searching for in people.

Stone Park BEEN Berry good to me

Red Hook by Ikea ferry and O'barone

Itlo-Austrian newby on Van Brunt welcomed Stuart, Karen, and Jeanne and I. i resisted mentioning Grandpa being in Franz Josef's personal guard...the maturity that just precedes senility. We ate well. All dishes except for the basel dense pesto worked. Pork cutlet,spaetzel and speck, edible flowers with ricota, veg streudel. If you dont live in bklyn take the ikea ferry(free on week ends).

The Vue at Le Bleu

Elevated Train ,Manhattan skyline,bklyn industry,the kentile sign. Go to the top of this mystery hotel on 4av and 5st in Park Slope.
Based on a cheese/salad plate it seems Chef David has talent and the staff seem excited to have jobs and so they are really welcoming . Sunset wine and snack? Romantic escape? Toute suit.