I had my first day off today.  Yeah, I know I’ve closed for a bunch of days and even between Christmas and New Years but for whatever reason none of those days felt truly “off”.  Even though I did a bunch of work-related things today it felt like I owned it and it felt good.  

I don’t have any clue how we did today, who came in, who complained or raved.  I was tempted to text and find out but I resisted because I know that Chris and the rest of my team wanted me to rest and relax. Its a testament to them that I could finally step away for a full day and just chill.  I know I need to do more of this, to take my health more seriously.  I swore I’d get to the gym today but I didn’t.  I’m feeling like an overstuffed kishka these days and either need to lose a few pounds or buy new clothes.  I choose the former.

Instead of going to the gym I went to Costco which isn’t as self-indulgent as it sounds.  Since I opened I haven’t taken the time to preserve or mount any of the reviews and articles written about Caplansky’s.  Sol, the gentleman behind the counter of the photo shop at Costco was very sweet.  ”Is that you,” he asked looking at my clippings.  ”Have I gained that much weight,” I thought to myself. “Yeah,” I smiled.  ”I’ve heard all about you,” he said. “Friends email me telling me I have to go – they say your smoked meat is terrific.” “Only one way to find out,” I said as I signed a 2 for 1 coupon for him. “Bring a friend.”   Another customer recognized me too.  ”I’m from Montreal,” she said “I grew up on smoked meat.” “Do you miss it,” I asked. “My stuff is different than you’ll remember but it’s pretty good.” She smiled and in a very nice way said “I go to Centre Street for my fix”. “But when I’m downtown,” she added “I’ll drop in.” Sol helped me get set up with a Costco account and I was off to buy oversized versions of stuff that until then I didn’t even know I needed or wanted.  Most of it is for the deli anyway.

After Costco I drove down to Colemans and paid my respects.  The note on the door was proof of the rumours I’d heard that they were no longer in business.  I pressed my fat face against the glass and took in the sad scene.  Of course this was no different than it would look if they were simply closed for the evening but I knew no one would be opening in the morning.  I read over their menu and meditated on the way things begin and end in this world.  A shanda – and so it goes.   

I did manage to clean my place up a little.  My home is a sty and it needs some tlc.  I need to de-clutterfy the place, give stuff away, throw stuff out and create some breathing room.  I’ve so focussed on getting the deli going that I’ve neglected even the most basic house-keeping.  If I had the threat of a Health Inspector coming over I might do better but since Rachel left for DC things have gotten worse.  It felt good just to take out some garbage, to put a vcr I never used on my front step, to recycle.

Then I went to see “The Wrestler”.  I ate popcorn and nachos with salsa and warm cheese whiz and enjoyed a large root beer.  It was a sad movie with a powerful message: people matter.  Relationships matter.  Life, like a great meal is best savoured as a shared experience.  I confess that relationships aren’t my best thing but I’m working on that.  As strange as this may sound – and it pretty much confirms the previous sentence – I believe the most important relationship is the one I have with myself. I realise I’ve neglected myself for a long time and I want to do better.

Hopefully today was a turning point. The first step in the journey towards a balanced life.  What it will take are a series of more steps in that direction in order to make it so.  Time will tell.

As in mustard.  We stopped putting the yellow stuff on sandwiches in order to let customers decide for themselves.  This is just one of many changes you’ll see in the coming weeks.  Among them:

1. Smoked turkey will return to the menu probably on Tuesday or Wednesday of this week

2. We’ll be adding a green salad possibly with baby spinach and a smoked meat gravy dressing.  Just kidding.  I might do a honey mustard dressing with cherry tomatoes, red onions and cucumbers.  Feel free to offer opinions or suggestions on a great salad.  I want something meal-sized so veggie friends can eat too or it can be shared by two or more.

3. I’d like to add kishka to the menu.  I bought some the other day and we’ll probably start sampling it this week.  Not sure how many people know what this is (flour with chicken fat and spices in a sausage casing served simmering in gravy) but based on our knish sales, I imagine it could be a winner. Brian Greenspan suggested we do “Helzel” which is similar except with chicken neck skin instead of casing.  I love the idea but it’ll have to wait until we move. 

4. We’re going to start opening Mondays and will be adjusting our opening hours to make it easier to figure out when we’re open.  Moving forward I expect to be open until 8 or 9 on Sunday and Monday and open till 11 the rest of the week. Of course, we open at 11.30 am daily.

5. New Faces.  I’m thrilled to introduce Chris Chipman as my Assistant Manager.  Chris is a friend of founding server and great friend Jess Roher and has quickly fit into the rhythm of our little place.  My intention is to let Chris run the show on Monday and Tuesday so I can do my errands on one day and have the other to myself.  Can you imagine? A whole day to myself.  

6. Catering.  After a busy Holiday season I want to put the elements in place to be able to deliver top drawer catering services to people and companies in our area.  Stay tuned for some exciting announcements over the next couple of weeks but in the meantime, feel free to inquire about having us feed you and your guests at your next gathering.

January is typically a slow month for restaurants (darned resolutions!) but after making Joanne Kates’ “Top 2008″ list we’re still pretty busy.  I’m keeping my eyes open for new spaces and I know that when I see it, I’ll know it but for the moment I’m pretty happy at the Monarch. Its not perfect but its cheap and has lots of character – kinda like me.