philly

Lady and I took a trip up to NYC this past weekend for my Mom's bday (age unknown, but between 60 – 70 somewhere) and my brother in law's 40th (actually today). My immediate family as well as my brother in law's father, aunt and uncle were there. There was also one in the oven with my 8 month pregnant sister looking 8 months pregnant.

I ate so much food and especially enjoyed my sister's specialty: tempura shrimp. She's been a pro at it for over a decade now after repeated lessons from my mom. I brought up a few batches of cookies. One for each of the birthday people and a batch for dessert so that the birthday people wouldn't have to share their booty. My mom started to hand out cookies from her tin until I told her that there was a batch for everyone and she hurriedly put the lid back onto hers and put it away for safe keeping.

That's my 7 (going on 8) year old nephew Justin above. It's just incredible how he's grown. He just lost his third tooth. My niece, Emily who is 3, is quite the talker now. She barely uttered a peep for 2 years. Now, she's talking and shrieking up a storm. She took quite a liking to Lady (who doesn't!) during the course of the evening.

The next morning, my sister got us a dozen bagels to bring home, but we polished off a few for breakfast. Then it was off to SoHo/Little Italy for a walk through my old stomping grounds. We wanted to get a sandwich at Dom's on Lafayette/Kennmare, but sadly, they closed their doors. I pointed us towards Little Italy to another sandwich spot I frequented and I was in for a surprise. The Italian Food Center at Mulberry & Grand was now the Grand Italian Food Center and now had sit-down service instead of Italian specialty groceries. Their sandwiches were still top notch. After scarfing down our sandwiches, we were walking away when I spotted a guy who looked like he could be the owner and I struck up a conversation.

I told him how I used to eat there all the time 7 or 8 years ago. He asked why I stopped coming and I told him I moved to Philly. He responded with a very eye-talian "You kiddin' me?! I love Philly!" which made me smile. He said that people stopped coming to the store for their groceries as larger markets moved into the area around SoHo, Little Italy and Chinatown. He made the decision a few years ago to put in some sit-down service and additional tables on Mulberry St and it's been great. I'm happy for him. It's always sad for me to visit my old stomping grounds and see shuttered windows and gated doors. It looks like the Grand Italian Food Center has some years left in it.

While eating, I noticed an H&R Block which had popped up in the heart of Little Italy. RIGHT NEXT TO Ferrara no less. Crazy. No attempt for the firm to blend in at all either which is a shame. Banks and chain establishments in Chinatown have signs in 2 languages as well as culturally sensitive branding. If CitiBank, Starbucks and McDonald's can respect their surroundings 5 blocks away, why can't H&R Block? Stick a damn red, white and green Italy boot in your window or something! Hang a row of cured meats. A poster of the 1994 World Cup squad with Roberto Baggio's ridiculous hair and Paolo Maldini when he could still run with the best of them. Throw the neighborhood which gave us The Godfather a bone.

It was a great trip back home. I'll be back up in May for my best friend from college's law school graduation party and again in June to see my new nephew and a stay over at my brother and sister in law's place (which Lady hasn't seen yet). It'll be good to be back there a few times in a few months. I still have to get my act together for a long day trip dedicated to photography though.

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