Katz’s is King
Langer’s in Los Angeles may have slightly better rye bread, but when it comes to the whole “Pastrami Experience” there’s not better place then Katz’s Deli on Houston  & Ludlow. If you have lunch here (and you’re not a 250 lb. fireman or a petite SVA student who hasn’t had meat in weeks) don’t plan on being hungry for dinner. Oh yeah, don’t forget your ticket on the way out!
Clown Time at Katzs
Hail The King
Comfort Food
As the saying goes, “I just flew in on the red- eye and boy my arms are tired!” So, I can think of no better way to get rid of jet lag, lessen the shock of just being on Kauai for 6 weeks or just embed myself under the skin of New York City, then having lunch at The Oyster Bar in Grand Central Station and dinner at The Corner Bistro.
Bistro Burger- rare
Out To Lunch
It’s really difficult to go out with Debbie these days. Spring break started a couple of weeks ago for Simon, Sam’s started this week, and Henry, Theo and Ollie’s starts next week. That means a month of at least one boy at home every day of the week. That means no time for Debbie and I to actually have any time to ourselves. So, with Sam having an AP study group with his English teacher downtown, Simon hanging out with Sookie, Ollie at Emile’s house followed by a hot dog and moon bounce birthday party at Kenai Jennings and with a little help from my mom and Debbie’s mom, we had about 3 hours to ourselves in downtown Los Angeles. We went to Cole’s French Dip.
The Pork Dip
Besides the fact that we got there at 10:30 and Cole’s didn’t open till 11:30 and that Debbie had to wait over a 1/2 hour for her Bloody Mary to be made, just having a few hours alone with Debbie was wonderful.
Bloody Mary with spicy pickle
Coles has been around since 1908 and claims to have invented the French dipped sandwich to cater to the older clientele with soft gums or no teeth at all. Philippe’s, a few blocks away, also lays claim to have created the French dipped sandwich, is our usual French dipped sandwich place. They are both great. Philippe’s is perhaps a bit more institutional in look, feel and taste is perhaps a bit more kid friendly and the perfect place to stop before a Dodger game.
A Rye Buck- my grown up drink
Coles pork (we get pork dips of course) dipped was perhaps a better cut then that of Phillipe’s. It had light smokey flavor and the pork was sliced nice and thin. Great bacon potato salad, so so cole slaw and a great cocktail bar. When the same Aerosmith record started playing again for a second time around I asked the waiter if it was possible to put a different record on. He said, “No problem.” and put on a different Aerosmith record.
Time to go, time to start retrieving our children from around town. We get a couple of French dipped sandwiches for the boys who are always hungry and think it’s “NO FAIR” that we got to go out to lunch.
Winding Down
Gecko Taking a Shower
Not only did I see the Milky Way and a meteor while taking an outdoor shower in the rain, I also saw a gecko when I turned on the light. This is one of the few photos I’ve taken while naked.
Theo, testing out Halloween costumes
Sam Sleeping
With only 8 days left till we go back home we find ourselves thinking about our last meals, what books we can finish and how many times we need to go into town. I haven’t been anywhere in weeks or worn shoes and a shirt in just as long. What to be for Halloween has been looming large on the kids’ minds as of late as well.
Our friends Kim and Keoki have come over to visit from Maui. Kim was Sam’s kindergarden teacher in Santa Monica and now teaches parent toddler classes at the Haleakala Waldorf School. It’s always great catching up with them. The kids all love Keoki’s stories like “Eddie and the Barracuda”, “Eddie and the Pig Hunt”, “Keoki Kills the Car”, “Keoki and the Ghost and the Wallet”, and “Uncle George and the Hammerhead”. Usually we surf together, but this year Keoki’s shoulder has been acting up and after he leaves Kauai it’s off to Oahu for shoulder surgery. Can’t wait till we hear “Keoki’s Shoulder Surgery Story”. I’m sure it will have a happy ending. Good Luck Keoki.
Keoki and the youngest Catanzaro Boy
Group Shot
This shot was a toughie. Ollie threw a football point blank at Debbie, knocking the wind out of her and reducing her to tears, Ollie ran away, it started to rain and Simon started to cry.
Soaking Skewers
So, what are are last meals you ask? The possibilities out number the remaining dinners,they are:Ahi burgers, cheese burgers, fish stew, sushi, Kalua Pig, beef and pineapple kabobs,burritos,fried rice. What will make the cut?
Garden Queen
Speaking of meals, this spider has been getting fatter and fatter every day. She’s been eating bugs, flies and moths.
All Star Game, Pizza and Root Beer
The boys at dinner
The MLB All Star Game is synonymous with pizza and root beer in our house, as is Debbie going out for dinner and or a movie with friends.
an all star catch, photo by Sam
The American League won for the 13th straight year and was highlighted by an amazing catch by Tampa Bays’ Carl Crawford. Us gentlemen made and ate 2 pepperoni and 1 cheese pizza, all washed down by bottles of root beer.
Simon chugging
It don't get much better than this
This year Henry recorded most of the game with his Flip camera Sam gave him for his birthday last month. He would download between innings and after the game while I was doing the dishes I heard him overdubbing the play by play with his own voice. I’ll try to link a clip up for everyone.
una pizza pepperoni
The dishes are done, Sam is playing Scott Joplin’s The Enertainer on the piano, the littler guys are asleep, Debbie is still at her Johnny Depp movie and the Dodgers are still in first place- all is well in Mudville.
