The Mines Action Canada event was fantastic. Thanks to all who came and gave and ate.
Seems its been a while since I wrote. I think sometimes about posting something or some theme but I don’t make it here to share it. To tell the truth, the last couple weeks have been painful. A recurring ski injury makes it unpleasant to walk. I took two days off 10 days ago (and unfortunately standing up Howard Drukarsh and friends) hoping the pain would subside. Last week I went to my doctor to see why its taking 9 months to get in to see an orthopedic surgeon. Bottom line: I wait and I limp (and I have a cold too).
However, all is not suffering, I’m happy to report. To borrow from Dickens January and February are typically “the worst of times” in the restaurant world and I might even go away next January now that I’ve seen what it does to business. February was good thanks to a National Post story about the culture clash we’ve created at the Monarch. It also ended very well thanks to a wonderful mention by Joanne Kates in this weekend’s Globe and Mail.
The weekend also saw me cutting sandwiches in the hallowed lunchroom of Lax O’Sullivan Scott LLP on Friday. Saturday was the very definition of insanity with the place filling up because of the lovely and talented Ms. Kates’ piece in the Travel Section. It just didn’t stop. Sunday I was up at 6.30 am to cater lunch service for Moses Znaimer and his team of over 100 at Zoomer. I rested for a bit before heading back to help Tamar and Chris close Sunday evening.
Sunday evenings are usually slow unless Tamar’s family and their friends come down. As I climbed the stairs and heard the din, I knew: Fradkins and friends were in the house. Such lovely people.
Other news? Last week I got a message from Corey the Monarch bartender that my smoker had exploded late at night. Seriously. Gor the message first thing in the morning too. Luckily Chris was there and reset the smoker and it’s working fine but do you know what happens if my smoker breaks? Contemplating that very possibility for the first time I decided to buy a replacement. It should be here next week via Orlando.
Of course, almost every other conversation I have at the deli relates to “finding new space”. No news there although I am starting to realise that the need to smoke more meat to keep up with demand will necessitate doing something sooner than later.
Menu changes are on hold until I’m sure we can do everything at a level of quality I can be proud to serve.
Otherwise… life is good. I had a lovely time at my niece’s bat mitzvah last week. I was miffed they didn’t hold it at the Monarch until my sister told me it was going to be totally vegetarian because Talia’s veg. The party was incredible with wonderful food and music by Soular. I love that band and used to go see them at Bar Italia. Dionne Taylor? She’s amazing.
Okay. That’s it. I’ll try write less but more often.