The sun sets on 2009, a mighty good year.
This picture was taken up in Vermont by loyal Banter reader Lorin Duckman.
So, what’s the plan for tonight? It is snowing in Manhattan and midtown is gearing up for the usual madness tonight. I’ve always been a homebody on New Year’s Eve. Even when I was younger and more inclined, and I was never big on jumping around town like a mo mo. Nah, chilling at home with the Mrs and our kitties, a good meal, some old movies, and I’m straight.
I’m a cheap date, what can I tell you?
I was really hoping to watch the blue moon reflecting off the gorgeous vistas of Lake Tahoe tonight, but it looks like we are going to have cloudy skies up here in the high desert. I guess I'll stay by the fire in the cabin instead. Regardless, I'll be toasting to a repeat!!
Hells Yeah!
The city looks so beautiful before the ineviatable slosh fest. I love this town. I'm with you, AB. Not much for going out. I'm cooking Peruvian food for Peruvians and other sundry friends. A small. intimate thing.
At midnight, we drink champagne and eat chocoalte-covered strawberries (a family tradition). I, too will toast to a repeat. Nothing this year made me happier.
I wish all Banterers a wonderful 2010, filled with prosperity and joy, and another world series win (that goes without saying). Thanks for all your illuminating posts.
AB-that piece about Robert Moses was fascinating. I watched something like that on PBS, over his life and his work. What a complicated figure in NY history.
3] What food? My fiancée is Peruvian, so it’s become one of my favorites.
New Year's Eve is always a little sad, especially when saying good bye to a year as good as 2009. The end of the holiday season can serve up a little melancholy, but thankfully, I have another Christmas waiting in April. On New Year's as a kid, I would start a literal countdown until Opening Day by taping hand made cards (I’d usually make them watching a bowl game) to my closet door. So, Happy New Year and 93 days until Opening Day.
Our small annual gathering of family takes great delight at watching the Times Square fishbowl on the tube. The colder and more crowded it is, the happier we feel to be amongst loved ones, safe and warm with a bathroom right down the hall.
Cheers!
[4] Love of Peruvian food is something we have in common. Have you made it to Peru yet? I have been several times, and am in the process of trying to bring my gf over.
What's your favorite dish?
I'm going to the proverbial overcrowded open bar
what can I say? I'm not all that original.
although tomorrow is gonna be Ralph, Ed, Alice, and Trixie all day...now THAT is a tradition!
Man, I don't know anything about Peruvian food. That sounds enticing. And I'm willing to bet that Yankee Mama can cook her ass off.
OYF, join me in lamenting someone as young as Alex talking about 'when I was younger'...
But more seriously, a toast to the Bombers and the Banter, and my own best wishes to all here for 2010.
I used to like going out but I don't much feel like it now. I'll be happy to watch a movie and play some video games.
[6] Yes...I've been there once with plans to go again soon. My fiancee (she came to the U.S. when she was 14) has family in Lima, so we basically stood in the city, but next time we are going to branch out a bit (hopefully see Machu Picchu).
I love Aji de Gallina and Lomo Soltado (but only if it is made with Tenderloin). I also love the arroz chaufa. Unfortunately, I am not a big sea food eater, so things like ceviche are lost on me.
[8] The best thing about Peruvian food is it is so eclectic. It seems to combine elements from every part of the world.
Re Peruvian food, if you're ever in Portland, OR, definitely go to Andina, in the Pearl District. It is admittedly the only Peruvian food I have had, but it is fantastic. Truly outstanding.
http://www.andinarestaurant.com/
[8] Well, if you ever make your way to Port Chester, I can hook you up. Otherwise, I hear a lot of things about Pio Pio in Queens. I've never been so I cannot say how good/bad it is.
[11] I go twice a year, I also stay in Lima, San Martin de Porres. Aji de Gallina, and Lomo Saltado are among my favorite dishes. Can't forget pollo la brasa, which can be found just about everywhere. There is a Norkys, Rokys on just about every corner. Which are found next to the Chifas. I love seafood, so I enjoy ceviche and sushi when I'm there.
[12] Agreed. I had no idea that Peruvian cuisine was held in such high regard.
[8] [14] Pio Pio is very well know for its rotisserie-like chicken (pollo la brasa), but I actually find the seasoning to have too much garlic. Still, most people that go there rave about it. The original location in Jackson Heights is usually packed, but they have one in the City and the Bronx.
The only problem is the menu is limited. There are some basic appetizers, ceviche, jalea and the chicken. If you want steak or pork, you need to go elsewhere.
Two places that I go frequently are located closeby in Jackson Heights: El Sol (8707 Northern Blvd) and Urubamba (86-20 37th Avenue). They have a more diverse menu, so if you want something other than chicken, I would recommend trying either of the two.
[14] I ate at Rokys once...they had karaoke. Every song selected was American. I also loved the Chifas...there are some good ones in Patterson, NJ, but not like the ones in Lima (although I doubt many would pass a health inspection, but who's counting anyway)! Ironically, the only food I didn't like was in the only "fancy" restuarant I went to...a chain place called Rustica. Next time, I really want to go to Astrid y Gastón and sample the master.
NYE is generally great for the working musician, 'coz we get paid the most money to play essentially the same gig we normally would. unfortunately, tonight, i'm getting paid the same as i normally would. feh! oh well, it'll still be sooo much fun to play instrumental, challenging music with 2 of my dearest friends, who are also musical geniuses.
i'm sure parking will be brutal. i won't imbibe a single adult sud.
[4] 2009 was amazing - baseball wise. i lost a ton of work halfway through the year. most importantly, i lost my hero in the spring when my grandpa left the planet. now, i'm watching one of the most special people in my life watch her father dying.
ugh, sorry for the downer post!
[11] Maccu Picchu, is the name of a cool band composition for school. my high school percussionists performed it at their Spring Concert earlier this year!
[14] my very first college roommate is from Port Chester! it's waaaaay up there in NY, basically Canada. i came in with this thick Queens accent and he had the most hick-like redneck accent i had ever heard, up to that point. i couldn't believe he was from New York! i guess "state" and "city" made for a HUGE difference!
as far as Peruvian food goes, lemme beat RI Yank to the punch - nope, never had it!!! that said, i would absolutely try it...and hope to someday!
[16] as a Paterson native I can assure you that no...they probably didn't pass, and no no one was probably counting anyway. But thats what makes it so good!
happy new year's everyone.
i really like peruvian food too. i am a big fan of all of the south american and caribbean cuisines that combine many cuisines as william alluded to.
i ate at a peruvian place in park slope that was pretty good - the best i had was off the beaten path in miami. i love fish so i can appreciate a lot of the seafood dishes.
[15] I also saw Pio Pio on the boardwalk in City Island
[16] I tried Rustica and wasn't really impressed either. If we do takeout it's usually pollo la brasa at Canastas, maybe Norkys or Rokys. Service is sometimes hit or miss depending on where and when you go. One other thing I find amusing is that while we take fast food restaurants for granted here, it's a big deal to head to a KFC there.
My gf usually cooks for me when I'm there. Also, there's a pollada practically every day; someone is always trying to raise money for something, so sometimes we'll attend and eat there. I also want to try Astrid y Gaston, along with La Rosa Nautica. There are a couple more restaurants that I'd like to try, but names escape me at the moment.
my very first college roommate is from Port Chester! it’s waaaaay up there in NY, basically Canada.
LOL! Not many rednecks around here; lot of Latin Americans though. Seems before that it was typical Irish-Italian working class around here. It has changed a bit since I first showed up in the area around 1993. I was going to Westchester Community College, and the baseball team practiced @ a storage facility along the Byram River.
[20] yeah, this was 1991 and i do believe he was Irish-Italian! i dated an Irish-Italian girl from Worcester for many, many years...
[20] the bass player working with me tonight, has a daughter named Astrid and she'll be there tonight. the famous one, spells it Astrud (Gilberto)...
i know nothing about food, but i've been enjoying these frozen organic things called "Chicken Rustico" by Kashi. not sure if the "rustico" is peruvian at all, but they sure are good!
[20] That is not Pio Pio! I stumbled past that place, ordered Arroz Chaufa and got a plate full of grease. They use the name, but have no association. The owners of the real Pio Pio are trying to make them the change the name. The quality of that place was so bad, any association is a major detriment.
La Rosa Nautica is also on my list, but almost as much for the location as the cuisine (which is still reported to be very good).
One of the best things about Peruvian food in Peru is it is a relative bargain because of the exchange rate. While clothes and electronics, for example, are actually more expensive there (mostly because they are imported), the food is very cheap.
[21] I like the name Astrid...a rare case of a Germanic word sounding very nice.
Chicken Rustico isn't Peruvian, but thanks to the wonders of the internet, it sure sounds good: Chicken Rustico is full of flavor in every bite, combining marinated garlic chicken, spinach, fire roasted red peppers, crimini mushrooms with Parmesan cheese and a roasted garlic, white wine tomato sauce.
[23] yeah, it's a pretty name...and she's an adorable little 7-yr old girl. i'm looking forward to seeing her at the gig tonight!
yeah man, the Chicken Rustico really is terrific! you don't have 'em in Joisey, but i get mine at Kroger. they're kinda pricey, but they generally have 'em on sale for $2 apiece, which is totally a fair price. i recently picked up their Turkey Fiesta, which looks to be very similar, just w/ a Southwestern flavor. i haven't tried it yet, but i'm sure it's excellent. also, easy to make - 2 minutes in the microwave!
Wow! I left my computer for a couple of hours and a peruvian food discussion was afoot.
I am making Ají de gallina. My husband, who is Peruvian is making Causa de Cangrejo (crab).
Tomorrow, I'm making Tallarines verdes con bistec (matinated and then breaded (maybe)
Pisco Sours to start.
I'm not a big Pio Pio fan. When there, I stick to chicken and salchipapas.
[8] Yeah, I can cook.
[27] i can't!
[27] in fact, i can't even link correctly to the proper post! : ~
drummers...
Hi folks.
Yeah, I was planning to go to some Bright Night events in Providence, buty the weather is threatening and most likely I'll stay home and cook something and just hang with my family. I'll try to make up for it this weekend.
Thelarmis is just kidding. He's never had Peruvian food.
[29] hey man, Happy New Year! and by "new", i mean something that rhymes with that, but i'm not sure how kosher it is of me to type that here! ; )
oh, and i actually can cook. a little bit. it's generally pretty bland, but i can fend for myself okay...
I'm thinking back on the 2009 World Champ Yankees, and I'm thinking what a great acquisition Sabathia really was. Obviously there were important contributions from others, notably Rodgiguez, but CC was the key to winning the whole enchilada.
[17]
As Msgr. Monkeypants would undoubtedly agree, Heureusement, ici, c'est le Banter!
[20] Vive le Port Chéster libre! >;)
[9] Really. Alex as NEVER younger.
Did ya know... when we talk about 1965, a lot of people here think we are talking about B.C.?
Happy New Years everyone.
Happy New Years GGBG!
P.S. We talk about Food this year...
But NEXT year
we talk about baseball... right?
[33] Actually, when you guys talk about 1965, we always thought it was a count-the-rings-in-the-trunk thing. C'mon, we have to give you some credit...
[30] Yes, a very belated Happy New Year to you, too!
Happy New Year, one and all!