Used to have a “starving artist” of a friend trying to make it in this big city living in East Village area so I sort of know East Village area having stayed there (bless her soul) but …staying in Upper West side is first time for me … Opened in 1908, apparently this place is an institution… Seinfeld has been spotted and maybe that explains, wow, so expensive – $17 for just a sandwich? as I in shock pull out a 20 over a chaotic counter where the cash register sits with mess of checks covering the surface in disarray. It’s charming …how the waiter yells with that New York accent for a change to a guy who sits at the cash register … In some ways, this scene (without the yelling) reminded me of a Soba shop in Tokyo where an old lady, the 4-5th generation owner’s mom basically is entrusted with handling of money – sits there like a fixture. Rumor has it that she’s in her 90’s but quite spry and full of vitality:)
This place is packed – it’s Sunday morning …
I realized I was doing this wrong as I saw the dishes on the patrons’ tables – best to order several deli items a la carte and have toasted bagels to spread them on – share with a friend or two for best assortment while you save some money …
As always, sharing is the best way to go …