Another rainy day; can’t and don’t want to travel too far from work. I’m craving a pie from Stolle, my favorite Russian pie bakery in-a-kiosk.  Today, the blond Russian miss offered me the special (there’s a lunch special? Really?), which is one pie slice (savory or sweet) with your choice of daily salad or soup.… Continue reading Pretty salmon leaf: Stolle Bakery @ Falchi’s, 31-00 47th Ave., Long Island City, Queens 11/30/16

I wonder: Does this diner own a vertical rotisserie? They must keep it in the back, with lamb meat whirling and roasting all the time. The gyro meat at Van Dam Diner tastes like the real deal. The first time I had a gyro (we pronounced it Gee-ro) was at the Greek House in Norman, Oklahoma in… Continue reading Tuesday’s gyro pleasure: Van Dam Diner, 44-55 Van Dam St., Long Island City, Queens 11/29/16

I’ve always hated Black Friday, so I usually go back to work. This year, I’m saving up precious time and money for a big trip in mid 2017. Also, Black Friday shoppers are stone-cold crazy. This morning, as I was walking towards Columbus Circle at 7:30 am on my way to Queens, I saw a line of… Continue reading It’s dead here on Black Friday: 7-11 on Thompson Ave., Long Island City, Queens 11/25/16

Okay, my original plan of eating nothing but sticks before Turkey Day is a total wash. I have many things to label, and miles to go before I sleep (including cooking for tomorrow’s Thanksgiving dinner.) So, with Lactaid pills in hand, I shuffle towards Pizza Sicilia (previously noted in an earlier post): Staying on Thompson… Continue reading Was that enough garlic for you? or, It’s almost a pizza party: Pizza Sicilia on Thompson Ave., Long Island City, Queens 11/23/16

The countdown to Turkey Day resumes. I bought extra-important ingredients for Great-Grandma Grace’s stuffing last night (as hubby cleaned the kitchen) and will commence cooking tomorrow night after work. However, tonight, I get a night off from holiday prep. (Thank God for chorus practice 🙂 ) For a while, I was on the mad search for decent… Continue reading Chicken noodle soup, Thai style: Khao Man Gai @ Falchi’s, 31-00 47th Ave., Long Island City, Queens 11/22/16

“Wow…is that an actual snowflake?” With chicken already in my hands, the cute student’s commentary reminded me that my lunchtime jaunts in Queens may be numbered; Winter is coming. However, I can still walk easy, if bundled up. I’ll treat the last weeks of November-early December as they were my last…to get good food from… Continue reading Hold up there, sweet non-cowboy: Mister Chicken To Go, 53-26 Roosevelt Ave., Woodside, NY 11377 11/21/16

I’m exhausted for many reasons: late night rehearsals, labeling and taking notes on compact cassettes from various collections at the library (I did 70 items yesterday of Jerry Bock; today’s collection, The Joseph Papp Oral Histories interviews, is a real bear, due to mismanagement of tape labeling, noting what interviews got recorded on which tape(s),… Continue reading Superfood for a non-super Friday: Juice Press @ Falchi’s, 31-00 47th Ave., Long Island City, Queens 11/18/16

I need to eat something light and cheap today. Tonight I’m seeing Behzod Abduraimov, a young up-and-coming Russian pianist perform at Carnegie Hall. Hubby and I are eating before the concert before I will join up with my friend, so lunch can be on-the-fly. Also, I need to try the goods at the other end… Continue reading $5 lunch in a cup: Rib in a Cup @ Falchi’s, 31-00 47th Ave., Long Island City, Queens 11/17/16

I almost didn’t have a good lunch today. Thanks to Yelp, I was temporarily was its bitch; it guided me to 44th Drive and 9th Street to Fushia, a “fusion” restaurant at the Wyndham Hotel. Horrors upon horrors: the sushi was still frozen. The $8.50 lunch special (two rolls with soup or salad) was lackluster,… Continue reading The meat cure: John Brown Smoke House, 10-43 44th Dr., Long Island City, 11/16/16

I can’t explain it, but every time when anything unusual happens in the heavens, it has a negative affect on me. Sunday-Monday’s Supermoon (this close to the Earth next time in 2034!) made me feel “flattened”, as if I was run over by a steamroller. I must be “astronomically-challenged”….so I stayed home, took some Midol,… Continue reading Curing moon sickness the Spanish way: Don Tapas @ Falchi’s, 31-00 47th Ave., Long Island City, NY 11/15/16