Ah, Springtime in the City

Friday night, Deb, Frannie, T, and I enjoyed raw fish and unlimited quantities of sake and white wine at Azuki, a small little sushi joint on Park between 19th and 20th. I thought I figured out their biz model -- they ply you with lots of cheap sake and white wine so that you're too drunk to discern the quality of fish they're selling you. But that theory fell apart as the fish was both cheap and tasty. So they charge less and give you more. Go figure. Like a perpetual motion machine of accounting. Or a front for the Japanese Yakuza.

Saturday was my idea of a near perfect day in the City. After off the fuzz from sleeping on Deb's red carpet, T and I took a run around Central Park. First time I've done that. I discovered that there's a wonderful panorama of the city once you look back from the Jacqueline Onassis Reservoir.

Got back to Deb's, showered, then subway'ed down to Prince Street where we walked to China town and grabbed Dim Sum at Gum Fung. Dim Sum: food for the masses. Afterwards, we grabbed some pastries at a congested Chinese bakery. It's really quite hypnotic watching the chaotic movement of so many people in a confined area. Molecules in a balloon.

Satisfied with the Asian cuisine, we then ambled up town through the Bohemian turned Yuppie streets of Soho in search of the Laboratoria di Gelato. I was satisfied with a small cup of strawberry and lemon ice. Theresa and Deb split a pint.

Again on the move northward, we passed St. Marks' and found ourself in the East Village, where we stopped at Around the Clock, a quiet, 24/7 diner. I double fisted on cider and cappucino while taking a crack at Anna Karenina (the book).

Pablo and Glenn joined us soon-after for drink there, then Theresa and Deb split to make a run for some Belgian fries while Glenn got a quick haircut. And after eating the fries, we all parted ways temporarily -- the girls to continue shopping, the three of us guys to see the documentary Inside Deep Throat (which deserves a post of its own).

And to finish the night, we ate Thai food at an affordable and surprisingly authentic Thai restaurant on 49th and 9th Ave.