Dan Antion

Way Off Broadway – #SoCS

A New York frame of mind this week. Wednesday at Maddie’s, this was the random cup I was given.

It’s Saturday, Cheryl has changed the kegs, opened the wine, retrieved her step-stool for those top-shelf delicacies and Linda G. Hill has given us the Stream of Consciousness Saturday prompt.

“Your Friday prompt for Stream of Consciousness Saturday is ‘fab.’ Use it as a word or find a word beginning with “fab.” As always, use any way you’d like. Have fun!”

I know right where we’re going with this one, because…

If we were having a beer, you would be jealous.

“Hi Dan, how are you feeling?”

“Other than being parched, I’m fine.”

“Parched, oooh, I like to hear that. City Steam Amber?”

“That sounds good. You wouldn’t happen to…”

“Have some spiced salt? In fact, I do. In the mood for a Michelada?

“Sweet! Yes.”

“And how about you, David, what are you drinking today?”

“Since we’re going with a Texas theme, I’ll have some of John Howell’s bourbon.”

“Also known as Willett, I’ll be right back, guys.”

“So, Dan, if you’re feeling fine, how come I saw your car in the driveway on Monday afternoon?”

“Oh, I took half a vacation day.”

“Why? Monday was a crummy day; windy, cold, why waste vacation on that?”

“I met a friend for lunch, and I didn’t want to rush back to work.”

“Old friend? Long-time-no-see friend?”

“Friend from out of town. He was driving back to Chicago after moving his son up to Boston.”

“Where did you eat?”

“Rein’s Deli.”

“In Vernon?”

“Yes. He wanted to stay close to the highway.”

“Hey guys, you know the rule about talking up other restaurants at this bar.”

“Yeah, Cheryl, but Dan went to Rein’s Deli – with a friend – who wasn’t me.”

“Yeah, yeah, sorry for you, but let’s not be going gaga over their food. Here’s your beer, Dan.”

“Thanks Cheryl. We’ll keep it short and sweet.”

“But, Cheryl, it’s not like you even serve pastrami here, and theirs is fabulous.”

“What did I just say about gaga? – You want me to yank the cherries out of this bourbon, wise guy?”

“No, don’t take the cherries.”

“Then, like Dan said. Short and sweet. I’ll be back with the rest of your drink.”

“Why didn’t you tell me you were going there? I would have met you and your friend.”

“To be honest, I’d never been there before. I wasn’t even sure it was going to be all that good.”

“What did you have?”

“Pastrami Reuben.”

“Oh, I can almost taste their Thousand Island dressing, and those pickles – they still give you pickles, right?”

“OK, here’s your snifter of seltzer, your glass of ice and your last warning about this conversation.”

“Thanks Cheryl. Just let him confirm the pickles. I need to know that they still give you pickles.”

“Dan? Pickles?”

“Yes, Cheryl, they had pickles.”

“OK, zip it!”

“So, this friend you met, is this the same guy you went to see on that overnight extravaganza to Chicago.”

“I wouldn’t call it an extravaganza, but yes, same guy.”

“You paid to stay in a hotel, cab from the airport and dinner on the town just so you wouldn’t lose an airline voucher. I’d call that…”

“… a matter of principle. I wasn’t letting Southwest keep that money.”

“Have you flown with them since?”

“I have not.”

“That’s a serious grudge.”

“It’s not that. I just haven’t had the opportunity.”

“So, you will fly with them in the future.”

“Perhaps, one more time.”

“One? Why?”

“My frequent flier points are about to expire.”

“Are you going to fly to keep them alive or fly to use them?”

“Use them.”

“Why not keep them until after you retire?”

“I have enough for one flight. I’m never going to earn enough for a second flight, so I might as well use them.”

“I guess. It just seems there are nicer places to fly.”

“I don’t have that many points. I think I can fly to Chicago, or Baltimore.”

“Then why not fly somewhere – you know, buy-a-ticket kind of flying – so you can build a slightly bigger pile and keep them alive for two years?”

“The only other place I’ll likely be flying is Iowa, and Southwest doesn’t fly to Des Moines from here.”

“Chicago it is.”

Rein’s Deli is the closest thing we have to a good New York deli in this part of Connecticut. For those who care (I know there’s at least one) you can order extra lean pastrami if you like. All the other bits of NYC Deli fare are available.

Note: I’ve been having problems with WordPress not showing me a “Like” button and not letting me post comments. I’ve also been dropped from the email feed from a couple of you. I think I’ve found / reconnected, and I’ve persisted in reloading pages until I can post my comments. One of my lost connections was our bartender. Here’s a link to one of her recent posts, in case you missed it.

I have only tried the Pastrami, but I think I’ll be back.
I will try the potato pancakes the next time I visit.
I am starting to see the sunrise during my morning commute.
Looking east over Elm Grove Cemetery.
Elm Grove Cemetery
The sun is rising behind Elm Grove Cemetery
Now, that’s a floral decoration for a headstone.
Red sky rising over Elm Grove Cemetery
Nice to see you awake, MiMi
Maddie has been enjoying some sunny afternoons
A New York frame of mind this week. Wednesday at Maddie’s, this was the random cup I was given.
With a long drive ahead for my friend, we opted not to visit the lounge.
Smokey fends off an attempt by a Blue Jsy to steal his peanut.
In addition to an extensive eat-in menu, everything is available for take-out.
The retail side of Rein’s Deli.
Half sour pickle, potato salad and a pastrami Reuben.

And, if the lead into the story reminded you of a John Lennon song, here it is.

76 comments

  2. That menu looks delicious. I’ll have the Stuffed Cabbage today! You know in addition to all the other things I’m going to find, new doctor, dentist, hair tech to do my cuts and styles, and on and on when I move I have to find a good Rueben! We have Gunther’s here but in my new town? I hope there are! We find a great BBQ place so there’s hope!

    The red sky in the morning was gorgeous!

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

    • Thanks Deborah. Finding good BBQ, good breakfast and a good Reuben are critical. I’m not as worried about a barber. Mine is semi-retired, but there isn’t much to cut. I wish you luck. What were missing around here is a good Mexican restaraunt.

      The sun is rising earlier, which is why I stopped at the cemetery. Next up will be our back yard, but it’s not as pretty a view.

      Liked by 1 person

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    • Thanks Judy. That flower is too big. I can’t imagine it will be allowed to remain there once they start mowing. I’m looking forward to trying a few other things in that menu, but it will be hard to pass up that sandwich.

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply

  4. You can’t beat a good NY deli, that’s for sure!! Down here I go to Flakowitz’s! They make a lamb shank that falls off the bone! When you go for lunch – you HAVE to have the PICKLES!!!

    Liked by 1 person

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    • Thanks Roberta. I can like a post, but only after reloading the page. Sometimes, I have to reload twice. Then, I type a comment but it won’t post 🙁

      I’ve been through this before with WP. I’m sure they will get it fixed.

      Like

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  8. While the pastrami sandwich would probably kill me, I would go there to try the potato pancakes…so that I can compare them to mom’s. Plus I would have to try the cabbage and gingersnaps because that sounds incredibly interesting. I will try anything once, but not the chopped livers.

    Have an awesome weekend, Dan. I hope you get to use your miles on a fun trip.

    Liked by 1 person

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  9. The sandwich is to die for. I have not had a good corned beef sandwich since coming to Texas. BBQ? Of course. Your photos of the sunrise are superb. The sandwich photo made me want to book Southwest to NYC and cab it to the Carnegie Deli. Fab post. Thank you for the mention.

    Liked by 1 person

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  10. I’ve been having all sorts of problems with WP this week. I cannot ‘Like’ posts, I cannot comment, I cannot think good thoughts about this platform… It’s not be FAB. I’d go to Chicago, btw. It’s always fun.

    Liked by 2 people

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    • Thanks Ally. I’m sorry you’re having problems (but I’m glad it’s not just me). I’m pretty sure Chicago will be a good time. My friend is always up for one of the walking tours and a few beers.

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  12. That sandwich does look awesome. Your post made me hungry for one. I’ve been having problems with WP this week too. I did notice that the WP Socializer was causing some of it, still haven’t figured out how to fix it. When you do find the solution, I hope you share what you learned! Happy Saturday, Dan! I hope you find a fun way to use up those frequent flyer miles.

    Liked by 1 person

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  13. I love that song, Dan. It is on the Imagine album, also my favorite of John’s. That food looks wonderful. I love a good, New York style deli. We have one here called The General Muir. Hubby would have loved that reuben. You could have my pickle though. I think I burned myself out on them in 6th grade. That was the year of dill pickles and rock salt. Yes, I think I am an alien. 😂We used to order rock salt samples that came in the mail…and ate them. 😳Happy flying with those free miles. And thanks so much for the shout out and link. WP has been really ‘hinky’ lately. Ever since I had to create the new blog I don’t have half the followers I did.
    Happy Weekend!

    Liked by 1 person

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    • Thanks Cheryl. I’m not sure what’s going on with WordPress, but it sure is annoying. I’ve had to drop and re-follow several bogs (including yours) and I sometimes have to reload the page 3 times to get the like button to appear. Yesterday, I was able to type comments, but I had to reload the page 2-3 times to be able to post them.

      Like

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  14. hmmm. the food talk is making me hungrier. especially the potato pancakes. the deli here makes ruben latkes instead of using bread. however the sun is shining and the garden beckons. and if things work out the end of the day will bring fire roasted hot dogs. i cannot think of a better way to dispose of the fallen branches.

    Liked by 1 person

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  17. Love the song choice. Today has been musical despite my original intent to veg out of Lifetime movies. The music is much better. And I can imagine the sandwich without breaking any calorie goals. Yum!

    Liked by 1 person

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  20. I don’t like pastrami yet I’m drooling over your sandwich! Now that’s a first class deli for sure. Deli pickles rule!!

    Beautiful sunrise shots Dan. Maddie looks quite content to be sitting outside again, and MiMi…..well, MiMi couldn’t care less about the weather. Just let her sleep and give her food and she’s good to go.

    I wonder if the folks who installed that huge garden art flower ever asked for permission. Don’t think it will make the groundskeepers too happy.

    I like your choice of music this week.

    Have a nice weekend. Hope the winter repairs don’t take up too much of your time.
    🐾Ginger 🐾

    Liked by 1 person

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    • Thanks Ginger. That piece of art will not last once they start cleaning up the grounds. I think it’s really a bit rude – it looks like someone could get hurt if they walked into that.

      Maddie has been getting some time outside, on her cot and on the stairs. The squirrels pester us for peanuts, but she doesn’t seem to care (as always).

      You can get Reubens made with all sorts of meat. Plus, they have potato pancakes (which I need to try).

      I hope you’re having a great weekend!

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  21. Looks authentic, but we’re a bit wary, having lived so long in Cleveland, where there are the most fabulous Jewish delis with the best corned beef ever. Of course my favorite thing to do with corned beef is to have it on day 1 with potatoes and cabbage that I stir-fry with onions, then on day 2, make homemade corned beef hash. SO good! Stop! I’m making myself hungry. Fortunately, I have a corned beef in the fridge yet and will be making the aforementioned meal tomorrow. :-)

    If you get to Chicago, you had better let me know! Or else!

    janet

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  22. I never wanted to go back to the office after lunch out, so I usually ate at the office. Cheryl does a good job on the boundary setting. The cherry threat made me chuckle.

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  23. WordPress has been all hinky with me, too. It almost always fights me when I try to “like” your posts but most of the time I think I force its hand. Either way, the deli sounds fabulous. (Not that I’d say it while sitting in Cheryl’s bar. ;) )

    Liked by 1 person

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    • Ha ha – thanks Laura. I think we pushed the limit, but it really does have good food. The Happiness Engineers are looking into the like/comment issue.

      If it were just my site, I’d change themes or something, but I sent them links to five sites where I have the problem.

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      • Hi Dan, have you heard anything from WP at all? I just tried to like another one of your posts via an email notification and it got rejected again. Currently I wouldn’t even attempt to comment when accessing your posts via email notification. I’m getting quite frustrated as it seems to be a random thing across quite a number of bloggers sites. I’ve had four different “Happiness Engineers” respond to my complaint so far. I don’t think they have a clue what the problem is.

        Liked by 1 person

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        • I have been exchanging links, screenshots and test results with them but so far, no conclusions. They did say that it seems to be a very difficult problem (which makes me think they now believe it’s affecting more than me). I’ll let you know as soon as I know anything useful.

          My habit now is to either immediately reload the site, or post a comment before trying to like the post. The comment post forces a reload.

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  25. Yum Yum! Ours is Shapiro’s and it’s phenomenal. Melt in your mouth pastrami on rye with mustard and a pickle – I mean, that IS the life!
    I haven’t flown in so long, I don’t know what to expect anymore, but I’m sure the travel is still worth it.

    Liked by 1 person

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  28. This deli. Did they…. Did they have Dr. Brown’s Cel-Ray Tonic? If so, I’m super jealous. I haven’t had good deli OR Cel-Ray Tonic since Uncle Miltie’s in Louisville closed, lo, these many years ago.

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      • I can see why there are strong views about it.
        and I learned a few years ago that people can be weird about the gravestone, the burial and all that. I was surprised at how some folks get so crazy about the head stone – not me tho. And that flower would be fun – but I can see how it might be too loud or just satnd out too much.
        my yoga teacher said there is this new thing where bodies are buried in a way that a tree is planted on top and the tree grows from that point. She said that is what she wants

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