Tuesday, March 20, 2007

Large Kwok

Normally, when your girlfriend asks another man if he has small kwok, you don't really think twice. But when the response from the man is that he only has big kwok, well, that's when you do a double take. unless the name of the man is hercules.

Hercules is our beer monger. This neighborhood is so great. We've got great cheese mongers, fish mongers, beer mongers, and even fear mongers, like the antagonist in the Greenwich Village gunfight.

Hercules' small beer store is on the northern leg of the triangle created by 7th Ave, Bedford, and Morton, right next to Subway. It's an amazing beer store with fresh beer from all over. I have a feeling that he specializes in belgian-style, but next time you're in there, just ask him what's been popular. Chances are he'll upsell you on a $12 bottle of 28 oz. something or other, like Kwok (big bottle, of course). You won't be able to walk out of there without 6 bottles of beer and $30 lighter in the wallet.

But it's the art of the upsell that's great. You see, Hercules makes you feel GREAT for overpaying for some beer you've never heard of. And the next time you go in, two things will be certain: 1. you won't remember what you bought last time, and 2. you'll be ready and willing to overpay again.

Tuesday, March 13, 2007

Risottoria

The war is over and Rio Rancho is victorious!

That was a text I got from Red a few days ago. I was surprised. We've been talking about declaring war vs. Risottoria for quite sometime, but I don't remember anyone taking any action (typical Rio Rancho...all talk, no action. but the talk is some funny shit!). No reason for war, really, we're all peace loving individuals. Additionally, I think combined, in our collective time living in the village, I think there have been 2 meals consumed at this neighborhood eatery. It's just the principle that we stand behind.

People waiting in line for this "restaurant": NYU students and their parents, tourists, bridge and tunnel. What sampling of the consuming universe personifies ignorance and tastelessness better than those three categories of vermin?

After all, isn't risotto a side, an accoutrement, not a main event?

Anyway, we talked about war, devising plans of boycott and torment. In the end, the health department waged our war for us.

Rio Rancho: 1. Greenwich Village: 0.