July 2019

I hope you enjoyed the weather in June, because now the real summer is here. Has it been hot enough for you? Can you believe that in France (not Paris, but other parts) the temperature has reached 120 F degrees? Even Alaska is facing a heat wave, and weather forecasters are predicting that Anchorage could get its first 90-degree day in history. Please make sure you stay cool, properly hydrated, and protected from the sun during these summer months. I’ve already gotten a sunburn on my head twice!

Some interesting facts about and dates in July (observed in the US unless otherwise indicated):

• July 1 is Mother’s Day (South Sudan)
• July 6 is International Free Hugs Day (I wonder who decided that?!) and also National Fried Chicken Day in the US
• July 14 in Bastille Day (France) — we will be going to dinner at Marseille on this day!
• July 15 (the 3rd Monday in July) is Children’s Day (Cuba, Panama, and Venezuela)
• July 21 (the 3rd Sunday in July) is National Ice Cream Day
• July 23 is National Hot Dog Day
• July 27 is National Korean War Veterans Armistice Day (if you are a veteran of this war, thank you for your service) 

I always get questions about my mother, so here is an update: for the most part, she feels fine. She is going out every day for exercise, and sometimes has to be reminded to take it easy or else she is sore the next day! A couple of artifacts from the therapies are still with her, though: she has neuropathy (a feeling of pain, numbness, or pins and needles), and she is very sensitive to the sun. Hopefully these things will go away soon. Once again, thank you all who have expressed support and offered prayers. 

The first event in July will be at Marseille in the theater district, on Bastille Day, Sunday, July 14. The Single Gourmet has been there in the past, but only for Christmas and New Year’s Eve. We may return for Christmas, but given its proximity to Times Square (which I did not take into account last year!), we will not go back to Marseilles for NYE — ever. The second event in July we will go to the Knickerbocker, a steakhouse in the heart of Greenwich Village, on Sunday, July 21. I won’t say whose, but we will have a couple of birthdays that weekend. Lastly, on Sunday, July 28, we will head to Gramercy and dine at an Italian ristorante on the more affordable side, suggested by one of our members: Sal Anthony’s.

 

Inspired by its namesake French port city, Marseille has incorporated the cultural melting pot that is France’s gateway to the Mediterranean into all the dishes served on the menu. Taking its name from the port town in southern France, the restaurant, like the town, is a melting pot of influences and ideas and an integral landmark and favorite eatery for locals and Broadway veterans alike. Chef Andy D’Amico, also of the Upper West Side staple eatery Nice Matin, creates exciting, flavorful, and authentic cuisine celebrating Marseille’s mix of French, Italian, Greek, and North African influences. Marseille offers its guests the opportunity to experience the ambiance of a French restaurant while never learning the island of Manhattan.

MENU:

Appetizers (choice of):

• French onion soup – Country bread & gruyere gratinée
• Mediterranean Salad – Tomato, cucumber, fennel, peppers, onions, olives, parsley, feta, sumac, toasted pita
• Burgundy Snails – Pastis-garlic butter, herb bread crumbs
• Risotto – Sweet peas, asparagus, sun dried tomatoes, saffron cream
• Kale Salad – Fourme d’ambert, strawberries, almonds, pickled onions

Entrees (choice of):

• Atlantic Salmon – Eggplant puree, roasted tomatoes, olive & caper persillade
• Chicken Grand-Mère – All-natural roasted free range chicken, potato gratin, green beans almondine, roasted garlic
• Duck Breast – Rhubarb confit, brown & wild rice, mushrooms, peas
• Hanger Steak – Prime angus beef, buttered spinach, au poivre sauce, crispy shallots
• Spring Pasta (v) – dandelion, pancetta, spring garlic, fresno chili, ricotta
• Vegetable Couscous (v) – roasted vegetables marinated in charmoula with apricots, almonds, moroccan tomato sauce, cilantro

Note: consuming raw or undercooked meat, fish, shellfish, or eggs increases the risk of foodborne illness

Dessert (choice of):

• Chocolate Mouse – Hazelnut praline, chocolate meringue
• Profiterole – Coffee & vanilla ice creams, chocolate sauce
• Warm Apple Tart – Vanilla ice cream, caramel sauce
• Classic Crème Brûlée – with fresh berries
• Mixed Berries – with Chantilly cream
• Ice Cream or Sorbet

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A few blocks from Union Square, Knickerbocker comes highly recommended by members who live in the area. The word “Knickerbocker” itself says “New York”, and upon entering you’ll know you’re in the heart of the Village. Join us for drinks at the 100-year old marble bar where Charles Lindbergh signed his contract to fly across the Atlantic. Zagat says, “Time warps don’t get more lovable than this 1977 vintage Villager, an old-school source of no surprises Americana that’s solid with warm service. This one is a keeper! A great alternative to NY’s stuffy steakhouses.” Chef Clara O’Marde, started at the Knickerbocker in 1985.

MENU:

Appetizers (choice of):

• French Onion Soup – gratinee of provolone, muenster, herb croutons (v)
• Caesar Salad Wedge – anchovies, parmesan, toasted croutons
• Field Green Salad – tomatoes, white balsamic vinaigrette (v)
• Shrimp Cocktail – lime, knick cocktail sauce

Entrees (choice of):

• Fettuccine – Italian sausage Bolognese, arugula, pecorino
• Sauteed Atlantic Salmon – farro, kale, roasted red pepper coulis
• Japanese Spice Crusted Saku Tuna – sushi vegetable rice, soy orange wasabi
• Grilled Chicken Paillard – fingerling potatoes, frisee, pearl onions, dijon vinaigrette
• Pork Tenderloin – wrapped with Bentons Smoked Bacon napa cabbage, pear/apricot/onion compote
• Braised Boneless Short Rib of Beef – with baby root vegetables
• Steak Frites – with mashed potatoes, creamed spinach
• BBQ St Louis Ribs – with french fries
• Cast Iron Shrimp Scampi – with focaccia and linguine
• House Made Spaghetti – plum tomatoes, basil, parmesan (v)

Dessert:

• Classic New York Cheese Cake – with berries
• Chocolate Souffle Cake – with raspberry sauce, whipped cream

Note: Consuming raw or undercooked meat, fish, shellfish or eggs increases the risk of foodborne illness