Table of Contents
Preface: My Mother's New York 11
Lox Et Veritas: Russ & Daughters 19
Dumpling Love: Jing Fong 29
The Culinary Evangelist of Mott Street: Di Palo's 37
George Washington Drank Here: The Ear Ink 43
Making Magic: Thompson Chemists 49
Breakfast at the Bar: Fanelli's 53
The Queen of Soho: Raoul's 61
The Sweet Smell of Celluloid: Film Forum 67
Where New Yorkers Sample La Dolce Vita: Caffè Dante 73
Book Love: Three Lives & Company 81
Sip-Ins and Oliver Sacks: Julius' 91
A Kiss from Charlie Mingus: The Village Vanguard 95
The Sounds of the Med on Bond Street: Il Buco 103
Almost Famous: Indochine 111
On the Wall: Chisholm Larsson Gallery 119
It's a Man's World: Keens Steakhouse 127
Bread in the City: Sullivan Street Bakery 131
Our Own Private Bernardin: Le Bernardin 137
Whimsy on 60th Street: Serendipity 3 145
Drinking on the UES: Donohue's Steak House 149
Hanging with Madeline: Bemelmans Bar 155
The Last Luncheonette: Lexington Candy Shop 163
The Best of the Wurst: Schaller & Weber 169
Philip Roth and the Chopped Herring Sandwich: Barney Greengrass 175
School Daze: The Hungarian Pastry Shop 183
Where Ella Bopped with the Boys: Minton's Playhouse 189
Ahead of the Rest: Flamekeepers Hat Club 197
Uptown Fried: Charles' Country Pan Fried Chicken 203
The Heart of Harlem: The Apollo Theater 209
Apologies 217
Acknowledgements 221