CMG luncheon Sat Aug 11

lennygoran · Post by **lennygoran** » Wed Aug 01, 2018 10:42 am

CMG luncheon Sat Aug 11.

I guess it's time to check out what's happening on this-please let me know if corrections to this list are needed. Regards, Len

Another one at Pomodoro 2PM

Definites:

John F

John B

Len and Sue

Brian and Theresa

Possibles:
Lance and Steve

Larry Rinkel

Garrett

Don I

John F · Post by **John F** » Wed Aug 01, 2018 11:19 am

Count me in!

maestrob · Post by **maestrob** » Thu Aug 02, 2018 10:53 am

Yes, Len, we're planning on attending as well.

lennygoran · Post by **lennygoran** » Thu Aug 02, 2018 10:57 am

Well we have at least 5 definites-I sure hope John B is still a definite. Hope to hear from Lance on this. Any others? Regards, Len [heading upstate soon]

jbuck919 · Post by **jbuck919** » Thu Aug 02, 2018 1:59 pm

I am still a definite and have not forgotten the date.

lennygoran · Post by **lennygoran** » Thu Aug 02, 2018 3:55 pm

jbuck919 wrote: ↑
Thu Aug 02, 2018 1:59 pm
I am still a definite and have not forgotten the date.

John, great! Do you have tickets to anything for sat night-I forget? Len

What arainstorm we encountered going over the newburgh-beacon bridge-no way one could even see the hudson-scary

jbuck919 · Post by **jbuck919** » Thu Aug 02, 2018 11:24 pm

lennygoran wrote: ↑
Thu Aug 02, 2018 3:55 pm

jbuck919 wrote: ↑
Thu Aug 02, 2018 1:59 pm
I am still a definite and have not forgotten the date.
John, great! Do you have tickets to anything for sat night-I forget? Len

What arainstorm we encountered going over the newburgh-beacon bridge-no way one could even see the hudson-scary

Len, I can remember when that bridge did not exist and one had to take a ferry to cross from Newburgh to Beacon. Then for many years more it was a single two-lane bridge on an interstate where there was always a bottleneck.

Belle · Post by **Belle** » Fri Aug 03, 2018 1:55 am

A well known Canadian intellectual recently had dinner at this restaurant in NYC and said they had the best steaks he'd ever eaten in his life!! I looked at the prices and couldn't believe how reasonable they were:

https://www.royal35steakhouse.com/

That 'fixed price' menu would be over $100 in Australia!

John F · Post by **John F** » Fri Aug 03, 2018 2:17 am

Good tips are always welcome - thanks for passing that one along. But what's "reasonable" for Peterson is not so much for us. Their online menu doesn't give prices, always a bad sign, but on the Yelp site I found this, "Our prices start at $38 for an 8oz petit filet and go up to $140 for our Tomahawk for two." That's comparable with New York's premier steak house, Peter Luger in Brooklyn, if not more, and for our meetings we keep the prices down so nobody is shut out because they can't afford it.

Belle · Post by **Belle** » Fri Aug 03, 2018 2:25 am

John F wrote: ↑
Fri Aug 03, 2018 2:17 am
Good tips are always welcome - thanks for passing that one along. But what's "reasonable" for Peterson is not so much for us. Their online menu doesn't give prices, always a bad sign, but on the Yelp site I found this, "Our prices start at $38 for an 8oz petit filet and go up to $140 for our Tomahawk for two." That's comparable with New York's premier steak house, Peter Luger in Brooklyn, if not more, and for our meetings we keep the prices down so nobody is shut out because they can't afford it.

I totally get that, but when I looked it had a set menu for $US35 on that web page, which I thought was excellent value. Anyway, I sent the link to my sister who visits NYC regularly.

jbuck919 · Post by **jbuck919** » Fri Aug 03, 2018 2:39 am

Belle wrote: ↑
Fri Aug 03, 2018 1:55 am
A well known Canadian intellectual recently had dinner at this restaurant in NYC and said they had the best steaks he'd ever eaten in his life!! I looked at the prices and couldn't believe how reasonable they were:

https://www.royal35steakhouse.com/

That 'fixed price' menu would be over $100 in Australia!
L)

For those who don't know, the Australian dollar is approximately equal to the US dollar. Belle, everything except perhaps marsupial meat is more expensive in Australia because you're so darned far away.

John F · Post by **John F** » Fri Aug 03, 2018 3:48 am

Belle wrote: ↑
Fri Aug 03, 2018 2:25 am
I totally get that, but when I looked it had a set menu for $US35 on that web page, which I thought was excellent value.

In NYC we'd say that is "moderate," at the upper end of our usual range but not beyond it. Steak is not on the prix fixe menu, but then, we don't seem to have many steak eaters in our crowd, even when it's on the menu (as it is at Pomodoro Rosso, for $17).

The Gorans and I, and any adventurous visiting firemen, take advantage of NYC's multiethnic food culture. Near Lincoln Center, beside the usual Italian and French and Chinese, are fine and affordable Indian, Turkish, and Mexican places. sp we aren't spoiled for choice. The area has come a long way since "West Side Story."

All this talk is making me hungry. Time for an early breakfast!

lennygoran · Post by **lennygoran** » Fri Aug 03, 2018 6:05 am

jbuck919 wrote: ↑
Thu Aug 02, 2018 11:24 pm

lennygoran wrote: ↑
Thu Aug 02, 2018 3:55 pm

Len, I can remember when that bridge did not exist and one had to take a ferry to cross from Newburgh to Beacon. Then for many years more it was a single two-lane bridge on an interstate where there was always a bottleneck.
John intereting about that ferry-didn't know about that-we like staying in fishkill because there are a lot of hotels at reasonable prices there, a wonderful Italian restaurants and it's 2 hours closer to annandale on hudson-The Demon. Len

lennygoran · Post by **lennygoran** » Fri Aug 03, 2018 6:11 am

jbuck919 wrote: ↑
Fri Aug 03, 2018 2:39 am

Belle wrote: ↑
Fri Aug 03, 2018 1:55 am
A well known Canadian intellectual recently had dinner at this restaurant in NYC and said they had the best steaks he'd ever eaten in his life!! I looked at the prices and couldn't believe how reasonable they were:

https://www.royal35steakhouse.com/

That 'fixed price' menu would be over $100 in Australia!
L)

For those who don't know, the Australian dollar is approximately equal to the US dollar. Belle, everything except perhaps marsupial meat is more expensive in Australia because you're so darned far away.

Belle it looks very nice-never heard of it but we're around there quite a lot-you know sue and macys.
The prices look scary to me. Len

John F · Post by **John F** » Fri Aug 03, 2018 9:04 am

They grow some excellent Wagyu Kobe beef in Australia, I'm told. It's expensive, no doubt, but not because it's far away, because it isn't.

lennygoran · Post by **lennygoran** » Fri Aug 03, 2018 9:15 am

In 1974 we took a month long trip to south america-the pampas meat-buenos aires, la paz bolivia-superb beef! We had the famous beef in Japan and that was great too but the cost-oy! Len

Belle · Post by **Belle** » Fri Aug 03, 2018 5:42 pm

lennygoran wrote: ↑
Fri Aug 03, 2018 9:15 am
In 1974 we took a month long trip to south america-the pampas meat-buenos aires, la paz bolivia-superb beef! We had the famous beef in Japan and that was great too but the cost-oy! Len

Actually, I'm not partial to steak and too much of it is bad for cholesterol anyway. My husband eats 'aged beef' and I eat salmon, grilled or barbequed. We pay $26 for a kilo of salmon here, grown in Tasmania. For a decent piece of 'aged beef', which melts in the mouth, one can pay $54 per kilo and it takes a bit of hit and miss to find the right butchery to get it.

One of my friends, Len, sailed his own yacht around The Horn and spent time in BA in Argentina. He and his wife said it was a really beautiful, generally under-appreciated city!! He also sailed the same yacht right around Australia with a mate - a yachting enthusiast and retired university professor.

https://www.theherald.com.au/story/1259 ... australia/

lennygoran · Post by **lennygoran** » Fri Aug 03, 2018 9:22 pm

Belle what a wonderful trip that must have been-don't get me wrong-salmon can be great-just last night at a wonderful Italian in Fishkill NY they did it superbly-still beef is something special for me. Len

John F · Post by **John F** » Sat Aug 04, 2018 5:02 am

A reminder, for those who don't live by pasta alone: we chose August 11 because it's also the finale of this year's Mostly Mozart, with the concerto no. 21 played by Stephen Hough and the Requiem. Some tickets are still available at all prices and locations.

Also on the 11th, in the Rose Theater at Columbus Circle, is a program by the Mark Morris Dance Group with music by Monteverdi, Brahms, and Schubert.

http://www.lincolncenter.org/mostly-mozart-festival

lennygoran · Post by **lennygoran** » Mon Aug 06, 2018 12:14 pm

We're getting closer now and I haven't heard from 5 possibles yet-can anyone reach out to them so I can see if they're coming or not-thanks. Regards, Len

Possibles:
Lance and Steve

Larry Rinkel

Garrett

Don I

John F · Post by **John F** » Mon Aug 06, 2018 4:11 pm

Why not send Lance an email? I'll provide the address if you don't have it.

lennygoran · Post by **lennygoran** » Mon Aug 06, 2018 4:40 pm

John F wrote: ↑
Mon Aug 06, 2018 4:11 pm
Why not send Lance an email? I'll provide the address if you don't have it.

John thanks-I need his email addresswhen you give it to me I'll send him a message-if I don't hear from the other possibles should I assume they're not coming-I do want to confirm things with the restaurant in the next few days. Regards, Len

John F · Post by **John F** » Mon Aug 06, 2018 5:42 pm

Seems to me we shouldn't assume anybody will be coming who hasn't said so, i.e. hasn't confirmed. Restaurants don't like it when you reserve their space and don't fill it.

But if any of the possibles has said yes to August 11, that should be enough.

I'll email you Lance's address when I get home tonight.

lennygoran · Post by **lennygoran** » Mon Aug 06, 2018 7:07 pm

John F wrote: ↑
Mon Aug 06, 2018 5:42 pm
Seems to me we shouldn't assume anybody will be coming who hasn't said so, i.e. hasn't confirmed. Restaurants don't like it when you reserve their space and don't fill it. But if any of the possibles has said yes to August 11, that should be enough.I'll email you Lance's address when I get home tonight.

John, I agree-thanks! Regards, Len

Post by **Lance** » Tue Aug 07, 2018 1:03 pm

Well, as much as I was looking forward to it, as well as Steve Nanni, he has a singing engagement and I have concert piano work that weekend. I've driven about 4,000 miles the past six weeks, just returning from Marlboro VT and two fabulous concerts there. New York would have been the easiest trip to make of any of my travels. I know you tried to arrange this around our schedules but life isn't always so perfect and cooperative. Please accept my most humble apologies. I would still like to keep on trying for a get-together and certainly will miss seeing all of those who were going to be there.

John F · Post by **John F** » Tue Aug 07, 2018 1:24 pm

I take back what I just posted - it's too late to change our luncheon date from Saturday. Looking foward to seeing you all soon, those who will be coming.

maestrob · Post by **maestrob** » Wed Aug 08, 2018 10:15 am

Lance, you & Steve will be missed greatly!

lennygoran · Post by **lennygoran** » Wed Aug 08, 2018 10:54 am

maestrob wrote: ↑
Wed Aug 08, 2018 10:15 am
Lance, you & Steve will be missed greatly!

Brian exactly how Sue and I feel-we hope they'll be another chance when Lance is ready for a NYC experience-meantime looking forward this Saturday. Regards, Len

jbuck919 · Post by **jbuck919** » Wed Aug 08, 2018 1:17 pm

You're going to love this. I don't know if anyone else here depends on Amtrak, but Penn Station is currently under maintenance and trains are being diverted to Grand Central. What a terrible shame.

I actually don't have to walk around a rat-hole that seems the entire width of Manhattan on this trip. I'm not even going to worry about public transport, it has been so long since I have been in Grand Central. I know that our fearless Len never takes a taxi, but if I'm going to be there at all, it seems the prudent alternative.

lennygoran · Post by **lennygoran** » Wed Aug 08, 2018 3:59 pm

jbuck919 wrote: ↑
Wed Aug 08, 2018 1:17 pm
I'm not even going to worry about public transport, it has been so long since I have been in Grand Central. I know that our fearless Len never takes a taxi, but if I'm going to be there at all, it seems the prudent alternative.

We love Grand Central-just walking down the main aisle of that great food market! No taxi for us-you could easily take the shuttle over to the westside and get on a 1,2 or 3 right to 72nd st-if you get an express it's one stop from times square to 72nd st. Regards, Len

PS-and then there's the oyster bar!

jbuck919 · Post by **jbuck919** » Wed Aug 08, 2018 5:12 pm

lennygoran wrote: ↑
Wed Aug 08, 2018 3:59 pm

jbuck919 wrote: ↑
Wed Aug 08, 2018 1:17 pm
I'm not even going to worry about public transport, it has been so long since I have been in Grand Central. I know that our fearless Len never takes a taxi, but if I'm going to be there at all, it seems the prudent alternative.
We love Grand Central-just walking down the main aisle of that great food market! No taxi for us-you could easily take the shuttle over to the westside and get on a 1,2 or 3 right to 72nd st-if you get an express it's one stop from times square to 72nd st. Regards, Len

PS-and then there's the oyster bar!

In the old days, Len, as I have posted before, I could make my way through the truly labyrinthine pass between the Port Authority Terminal and the Times Square Station. Now what you are suggesting to me sounds half impossible, not to mention the unbearable heat of NYC subway stations during the summer. The few extra dollars I have to spend on a cab are of no consequence.

lennygoran · Post by **lennygoran** » Wed Aug 08, 2018 7:07 pm

jbuck919 wrote: ↑
Wed Aug 08, 2018 5:12 pm
The few extra dollars I have to spend on a cab are of no consequence.

John don't get me wrong-your plan makes a lot of sense! Regards, Len

John F · Post by **John F** » Thu Aug 09, 2018 4:02 am

Actually, Len's instructions work perfectly. The crosstown shuttle from Grand Central to Times Square connects with the no. 1, 2, or 3 train going up the west side, and while you do have to do a fair amount of walking underground, sometimes it's better than going out in the midday sun.

Only the 1 train stops at 66th Street/Lincoln Center, the express trains skip it. But all three stop at 72nd Street, which is a couple of blocks from Pomodoro Rosso.

jbuck919 · Post by **jbuck919** » Thu Aug 09, 2018 4:18 am

John F wrote: ↑
Thu Aug 09, 2018 4:02 am
Actually, Len's instructions work perfectly. The crosstown shuttle from Grand Central to Times Square connects with the no. 1, 2, or 3 train going up the west side, and while you do have to do a fair amount of walking underground, sometimes it's better than going out in the midday sun.

Only the 1 train stops at 66th Street/Lincoln Center, the express trains skip it. But all three stop at 72nd Street, which is a couple of blocks from Pomodoro Rosso.

Well that was helpful.

Again in the old days, the only line I really took was the number 1, known as the Broadway Local. Thanks, but I think this time I'm going to stick with a cab.

maestrob · Post by **maestrob** » Thu Aug 09, 2018 9:38 am

As for temperature, the Weather Channel is predicting a balmy high of 74 degrees, with scattered thunderstorms, which very often fail to materialize until later in the day. It should be a fine day in Manhattan.

Looking forward to seeing you all......

Donald Isler · Post by **Donald Isler** » Thu Aug 09, 2018 9:38 am

Sorry I cannot join you this time. Hope you enjoy it as much as our last get together there!

Belle · Post by **Belle** » Thu Aug 09, 2018 6:37 pm

John F wrote: ↑
Thu Aug 09, 2018 4:02 am
Actually, Len's instructions work perfectly. The crosstown shuttle from Grand Central to Times Square connects with the no. 1, 2, or 3 train going up the west side, and while you do have to do a fair amount of walking underground, sometimes it's better than going out in the midday sun.*

*which is only what 'mad dogs and Englishmen' do!!!

lennygoran · Post by **lennygoran** » Thu Aug 09, 2018 7:54 pm

Belle wrote: ↑
Thu Aug 09, 2018 6:37 pm
*which is only what 'mad dogs and Englishmen' do!!!

Belle exactly what Sue and I do in our own garden! Regards, Len

Belle · Post by **Belle** » Thu Aug 09, 2018 9:45 pm

Beautiful!! You have a bigger sized lot of land?

Yesterday at our music group our retired lecturer presented a program on Anna Netrebko and a few performances were from the Met. He subscribes to Met on Demand and I must say it's an impressive site. Anna was singing Lady Macbeth and I was struck by the rowdy enthusiasm of the audience!!

John F · Post by **John F** » Thu Aug 09, 2018 10:34 pm

Belle wrote:which is only what 'mad dogs and Englishmen' do

You got it!

Speaking of lectures, did you see my latest addition to the Beethoven sonatas thread? Maybe it will be helpful.

Belle · Post by **Belle** » Fri Aug 10, 2018 12:24 am

John F wrote: ↑
Thu Aug 09, 2018 10:34 pm

Belle wrote:which is only what 'mad dogs and Englishmen' do
You got it!

Speaking of lectures, did you see my latest addition to the Beethoven sonatas thread? Maybe it will be helpful.

Thanks very much; I did read that and it confirmed some things.

Have a pleasant lunch, all of you.

lennygoran · Post by **lennygoran** » Fri Aug 10, 2018 3:52 am

Belle wrote: ↑
Thu Aug 09, 2018 9:45 pm
Anna was singing Lady Macbeth and I was struck by the rowdy enthusiasm of the audience!!

Belle yeah-she's great! Regards, Len

maestrob · Post by **maestrob** » Fri Aug 10, 2018 11:50 am

lennygoran wrote: ↑
Fri Aug 10, 2018 3:52 am

Belle wrote: ↑
Thu Aug 09, 2018 9:45 pm
Anna was singing Lady Macbeth and I was struck by the rowdy enthusiasm of the audience!!
Belle yeah-she's great! Regards, Len

Netrebko's Lady MacBeth has been issued on DVD......She's spectacular!

Belle · Post by **Belle** » Fri Aug 10, 2018 6:27 pm

The people in our music group loved it!! Dr. Cook started with old video from Anna's early appearances in Russia, discussing her technique and how it had changed. This academic is a clarinet player and a choral director - or was until recently, when he retired. His special interests are opera and early music.

I prefer baroque opera to the 19th century and verismo and have been enjoying "Atys" on MediciTV with Les Arts Florissants/William Christie.

John F · Post by **John F** » Sat Aug 11, 2018 1:31 am

Anna Netrebko and Valery Gergiev made their first appearances in America in 1992 with what was then called the Kirov Opera. Also in the ensemble were Galina Gorchakova, Olga Borodina, Sergei Leiferkus, and others who have since made careers in the west.Netrebko's Met debut in "War and Peace" was a sensation; I'm not sure that any of them have surpassed their achievements in Russian opera.

John F · Post by **John F** » Sat Aug 11, 2018 9:56 am

Thunderstorms are forecast for all afternoon from 2pm on - be prepared!

jbuck919 · Post by **jbuck919** » Sat Aug 11, 2018 7:30 pm

Yes, folks, I blew it. I'm not exactly old and feeble, but from where I live I just don't have this kind of trip in me anymore. I live alone and would need someone else to kick my arse out of here to motivate me. I hope you will forgive me, and that those of you who did attend had a wonderful time.

lennygoran · Post by **lennygoran** » Sat Aug 11, 2018 10:05 pm

John missed you-the conversation flowed. Len

Belle · Post by **Belle** » Sat Aug 11, 2018 11:20 pm

lennygoran wrote: ↑
Sat Aug 11, 2018 10:05 pm
John missed you-the conversation flowed. Len

Where are the pictures??

John F · Post by **John F** » Sun Aug 12, 2018 3:06 am

We did have a great time but it would have been even better with you there - sorry you couldn't make it. The five of us resolved to do this more often - easy enough since maestrob and I live nearby and Len/Sue make it into Manhattan frequently. So there should be more opportunities when/if you feel up to it.

No photos this time - we were too busy talking to think of it.

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