Pastrami! 17oct2016

Today I had three goals. Katz Deli, Staten Island Ferry, and a new phone. 

I began with Katz Deli. It’s one confusing, wildly busy place. They give you a ticket when you go in and whatever you buy gets put on the ticket and then you turn your ticket over and pay on your way out. 

I ordered the Reuben with pastrami. You order at a counter and the guy carving the meat and making your sandwich cuts off a little for you to try. I consider myself a connoisseur of cured meats. Although, after cooking corned beef every single day of my life for eight straightn years made me wonder if I’d ever be able to eat it again. Katz’s pastrami? The best I’ve ever, ever had. I couldn’t believe how it melted in my mouth. 

I asked for something other than rye (vile seed) and got a huge soft roll. It couldn’t have been more perfect. Two inches of meat, house sauerkraut, cheese and the best Russian dressing I’ve ever tasted. We were doing it all wrong at Jam. This wasn’t a mayonnaise based sauce but vinegar based. It soaks into the bread and the tang cuts through the richness of the sandwich. They serve pickles on the side – both barely pickled and fully pickled cucumbers. So yummy. 

I also got two beers. I mean, come on. A sandwich that big was gonna take two beers. I had zero intention of eating the whole thing. I really didn’t. Then suddenly half was gone. I was reading while eating. I thought I’d pick through the second half. I finished it, too. Literally the best sandwich I’ve ever had. And I’ve had A LOT of sandwiches!  

Off I went to catch a ferry. That involved a bus. I was happy to see that my subway ride to Second Ave transferred to the bus – so it was free. As was the Staten Island Ferry. It’s AWESOME. It’s huge and takes you out to Staten Island – turns around – and comes back. Everybody does have to get off in Staten Island and then you can get back on. It goes by the Statue of Liberty (not close – but close enough for me) and then the return trip gives you the BEST cityscape. Plenty of seats, $4 Heinekens – and it’s a free ride! My kind of entertainment. 

From there I went back to the World Trade Center to buy an iPhone 7 plus. This was at 5pm during peak commute. The subway train was so crowded and so hot I thought I’d die (it was record breaking hot in NYC today plus humidity). Then it stopped and didn’t start for way too long. I felt like Elaine on the Seinfeld subway episode. I was mentally willing it to go. Sweat was pouring down – everywhere. Then the loudspeaker said “This train is…..” Nothing. This train is WHAT????? “Out of service, please disembark and wait for the next train. NO! Can you imagine how awful that was for actual commuters who had worked all day?

I decided to get out of that hot box and walk. It wasn’t that far and I got to see the fountains again. The Apple Store in World Trade Center is enormous and two stories. But, of course…..sold out of the iPhone 7 plus. Have no idea when more will be in. “I just work here.” My least favorite snide remark from a “genius.” Meow. 

I took the subway back to Grand Central to catch the train back. But I really wanted to sit down and have a beer. Fortunately there are many choices. Downstairs is all restaurants. Like a huge food court. Then, at one end of the main terminal there is a store full of every kind of delicious meat, produce, spices, cheese, pastries….. My idea of heaven. I sat downstairs and had a beer while charging my dumb, dies in six hours, phone. I have a Goal Zero charger – thank Jesus. I’ll tell you about my obsession with Goal Zero sometime. 

Then I thought about getting something to snack on back in my room. What!?!? How could I think of food after that monstrosity of a sandwich? My only defense is the amount of exercise I’m getting. One mile is a big day in Vegas. I’m averaging six every day – not to mention all the millions of cocksucking stairs in and out of subways. 

So, I bought two cupcakes – one yellow with chocolate frosting and one chocolate with buttercream frosting. I also bought a super crusty Parmesan baguette at Zabars. I thought maybe I’d save them for tomorrow. Hahahaha. 

Tomorrow I’m going to The Met and Central Park. That may be it for NYC. There is just so much to see and it takes an entire day to get from one end of the city to the other plus one activity. I wanted to get to Rockefeller Center, China and Korea Town, Brooklyn, and so much more! I’m definitely bringing Larry back here. He won’t like getting around but he sure will like the food!

Onward ♋+♊