Since Camp

It's been two weeks since Michael and I spent the weekend at my childhood sleep away camp and I've been cooking some, going out some and ordering in some.

We've been to Dani's with the Wisners and had our usuals.  They have a new waiter (not that new, but I've not commented on him before).  He runs around and sweats and works really hard, but falls short of efficiency.  He spends time on unimportant things and leaves things like clearing and setting up new tables.  So there are empty tables with customers waiting.  Maybe he'll figure it out.  He also forgot to order one of our dinners, so that took some time...

Lenny and Karen planned and pulled off a wonderful surprise party for Jill's 50th birthday on Friday night the 15th.  About ten of Jill's girlfriends and family surprised Jill at Sato and the men went to Lenny and Jill's apartment for their own get together.  Then we all met back at Lenny and Jill's for more cocktails, cake and coffee.  Everyone had a great time and the food at Sato is always great. However, our most favorite waitress, Perlin, is no longer there.  After nine years she has gone back to Malaysia :(.  Lenny brought in two 3 foot heroes, antipasto, etc..for the guys. Most importantly, Jill was surprised and had a very good time!

Saturday the 16th, Michael and Lenny had a BBQ for their Little League team (burgers and dogs) and I made cole slaw, mesclun salad and Old Bay chicken wings, which were a big hit.

Father's Day we were supposed to go to the beach but we didn't like the weather.  We went to dinner with the Wisners to the Lobster Joint (http://lobsterjoint.com/) in Greenpoint, Brooklyn.  What a cool place. You order at the bar inside and then grab a table outside (or you can stay in if you prefer) and your food is brought to you.  We had:  Lobster corn bisque (no cream); fried clam strips and popcorn shrimp for appetizers.  A few Connecticut Lobster Rolls Served Warm with Butter and a few Lobster Club Rolls with Celery, Fresh Herb Mayo, Avocado and Bacon and a burger.  We had two pitchers of beer and Michael had an amazing Bloody Mary.  It was a great dinner.

Barbara and I revisited Atlas Park in Glendale for shopping and lunch.  We didn't buy much, not great stores or anything, but we did eat outside for lunch at Venezia Ristorante.  The food is average, but sitting outside under an umbrella, chatting with my friend and having a glass of wine (while Barb had a few sips of her cucumber-lemonade gin and tonic) was the best part of the day.

Friday night the Wisners came for dinner-we have seen much of them lately :)-and I made BBQ baby back ribs with homemade bbq sauce, farfalle with pink sauce and peas, mesclun salad with beets and goat cheese, tomato and mozzarella, brownies and fruit.  And wine of course!

Saturday we spent at the beach, all day and for dinner too.  It was actually Jill's 50th on Saturday and her sister Karen came too.  We ordered dinner from Mother Kelly's (balsamic chicken, linguine with white clam and Caesar salad).  We had little cakes for dessert that Karen brought and some coffee made in my 4 cup Farberware pot.  The weather was great and we loved the day.

Brett is graduating from high school on Tuesday and we have been invited to join them and their family at The Palm for dinner.  They have a great lobster special and I am jumping in :)

Congratulations Brett and Sarah on their high school graduations!