Life And Times

Long weekend, here's what I did:

• Thursday: Despite the raves it's earned, I've never been willing to stand in line for a Shake Shack burger, however, I was walking by Madison Sq. Park with a friend Thursday evening when we both noticed the line was only about 5 people long! Holla. Like many before me I'll confirm, that's a tasty burger (which I washed down with a Shack Shack Ale - meh). It was warm enough to eat outside which was nice except for the fact that there's a slight rodent problem in Madison Sq. Park. After a couple rounds at Taj in the Flatiron District we headed to West 8th and McDougal to the subterranean, cave themed club - Club Love - where wouldn't you know it but the Tortured Soul boys just happened to be playing. I haven't been out that late on a week night in a while. Fun.
  
  
• Friday: I headed to Carroll Gardens Friday night to try the much raved about brick oven pizza and calzone destination, Lucali. I knew waits here were long but unlike any other restaurant I can think of, they take your number when adding you to the wait list allowing you to entertain yourself elsewhere until your table is ready. We walked to the Brooklyn Social on Smith Street. The Social is located in a space formerly occupied by a members only social club and tries hard to retain an old school flare. From the jukebox to the barkeep, everything intentionally evoked an earlier era. I didn't find it particularly appealing but they did have Six Points Hop Obama on tap which was enough to keep us happy until Lucali called. It's a testament to a restaurant that hour long waits can be deemed worth it. So it was for Lucali. The charming dining room was dimly lit and casually romantic. The menu consists of two items, pizza and calzones. A dozen or so toppings are available for each. We had basil, portobello mushroom and onions on our pizza, pepperoni and peppers in our calzone. As delicious as it all was, particularly the calzone which was the best I've ever had, it was simply too much food for two. I can't recommend this place highly enough. Cash only and BYOB. (Corner of Carroll and Henry)
  
  
• Saturday: Thanks to the generosity of my boy Kurt Emhoff a good friend, I found myself ringside for the Roy Jones/Joe Calzaghe fight at Madison Sq. Garden Saturday night. (Crappy camera phone shot but great seats!!!) Calzaghe, a resident of Wales, was supported by thousands of fans who had flown in for the fight. Their energy was incredible. Aside from the roar of the Calzaghe fans the highlight of the night might have been running into an apparently drunk Danny Devito near the restroom and overhearing a British fan exclaiming "oh my god, I knew he was short but I didn't think he was that short!"