Better Late Than Never!!

Well, let me start out this entry with an apology. I have had many complaints about the tardiness of entries (well 2 actually but I can hear the blogosphere mumbling in discontent). This will not happen again (I hope). There is nothing wrong, we haven’t been eaten by those tarantulas that inhabit the sewer system or the wolves that roam the plains of Long Island. Although we have had an infestation of a different and complete unexpected nature – but you will have to read on to learn more about that.

So where was I when was so rudely interrupted….

Friday night, March 13th. Claire came with us to dinner at Fiori’s which was very good indeed. We arrived and the restaurant was fairly empty and we were seated in the back corner of the room. We ordered and the food came although my order was wrong (that will teach me to order off the menu – but I don’t much care for pasta that isn’t long and thin). By the middle of the main course the restaurant was packed, and we were worried that we might need a crane to get us out of there without disturbing the other diners.

When we had finished we had to squeeze out of our seats we had to squeeze past the family next to us and I apologized before the maneuver as I was worried that it might end badly. The father who was as chubby as I, laughed and told me that it was alright and said I didn’t need to worry because chubby people needed to watch out for each other.

I like it here!!

Saturday dawned and it was time for our weekly visit to the Statue of Liberty, well, to the grocery store that looks out over Lady Liberty, but I was the victim of the shopping Bait and Switch. Little did I know that IKEA was about a block away from the store and we just had to go look for some stuff. An hour later I remembered why IKEA is not my cup of tea. Although if you have to go, getting there 5 minutes after it opens in the morning reduces the pain somewhat.
So onto the grocery store and it must have been Firefighter’s Day there as there were about 20 firefighters, all dressed in firefighting gear, wandering around the store. Gone are the days when all they cooked and ate was Chilli, these guys obviously wile away the hours by creating gourmet culinary delights.

Back to the apartment and Williamsburg was very proud to host this year’s NYC Beard and Moustache competition. We strolled up to the main street and sat in the Verb Café looking for contestants but it was not to be, not a one. A great disappointment!!

Sunday Claire came over for the weekly box based search and rescue event. It is getting there, slowly but surely. Dinner was at the Italian restaurant around the corner La Nonna.
And then we were ready for a new week.

The week went by without much of interest happening, except Peg had to find a place to have her hair done (I do too but men have a different relationship with their hairdresser) She decided to go to the place that Claire goes, the Beehive. She went there with some trepidation – unsure whether it catered to our demographic, and I went with her for moral support (well my moral support only went so far as it was St Patricks day and there was a bar open and calling my name right next door. Imagine my delight when I entered and discovered that it had beers from around the world – should I have a Boddingtons or a London Pride?? Pride won !!.) Anyway I was halfway though my nectar when she appeared happy with her selection – the Beehive has passed its interview and the appointment was set for next Tuesday at 4:30pm. Pretty darn exciting, huh.

Friday arrived and we decided to visit Claire at her office – her boss was away and so it seemed like a good time. We caught the subway and within 15 minutes were in the middle of the Union Square farmers market. Delicious!! Apples, cows, turkeys, bread, vegetables, pretzels, bacon - it was all there (although we only bought some cheese).

We then had a tour of Claire’s place of work, The Rockwell Group, we put many faces to names and were welcomed as parents of a popular colleague should be.

Out of there and into Whole Foods, where I was reunited with my store roasted turkey breast. The local establishments in Williamsburg all seem to sell Boars Head which is just not as good.

The weekend arrived and we decided to change it up and try the Super Stop and Shop in Long Island City (about 5 miles in the other direction from Redhook). The bad news is that I didn’t get to see the Statue of Liberty – the good news was that the rooftop parking garage had a great view of Mid town Manhattan and the Empire State Building.

The Home Depot store (DIY) was right next door and we were able to pick up some stuff there too. We went looking for self storage units and I think we have found somewhere to store our excess stuff.

Coffee on Saturday was at the very disappointing Blackbird Parlour . True to the reviews, the service left a little be desired, my croissant was burned and it just was not as good as the Verb Café, still the winner in the coffee stakes.

This brings us to the annoying infestation of TOURISTS. They were everywhere with their cameras and tour groups. Many Brits and other Europeans. My theory is that they thought they were going to Williamsburg, VA and just went to the wrong place ;-).

For my entry in the best quote of the year contest Peg said “I am too old to be a tourist attraction” – I think I may have t-shirts printed.

Sunday rolled around again and Claire came round and helped with unpacking – I don’t know what I would have done without her. I think another week and a couple of trips to the storage unit and we will be good to go.

Dinner was at the surf bar. The chowder ( I had Corn and Crab and Claire had Clam) was exceptional – we then had fish and chips, fish tacos and a lobster roll. The girls were enthusiastic, my fish and chips were average. Dessert was a deconstructed Tiramisu (only in NY) which amounted to a cup of Mascarpone, a cup of espresso and some sponge fingers. Very tasty but a little pretentiously named if you ask me.

Anyway that is the story for the last 10 days, sorry if it was a little long and I PROMISE to keep it updated more frequently. Sorry readers.