Thank you, Marc & Yoko

Big thanks to Marc & Yoko for having us over at the shore.
It was a lot of fun with a good company, wonderful wine, and amazing food.

Can we do it again? (if we are allowed)

Helene, Viktor, & Niall, have fun in PR!!!

We’ll see the rest of you on 4th of July.
Darren, my brother-in-law, will be in town again for 4th of July.

Aliseo Osteria del Borgo

Openings & Buzz - Week of April 4, 2005

OpeningsAmorinaAfter opening what might be New York's most idiosyncratic wine bar-Prospect Heights' rustic Aliseo Osteria del Borgo-Albano Ballerini continues to remake burgeoning Vanderbilt Avenue in his own offbeat culinary image. Ballerini's family has been in the food business since his grandmother opened a café in the Marche region of Italy, and in her honor, he's transformed a Brooklyn slice joint into a boutique focacceria. Pizza chef Ruth Kaplan, an Aliseo customer and avid home cook whose puffy, free-form pies got her the Amorina gig, has a toppings repertoire that runs the gamut from classic (tomatoes and mozzarella) to creative (dried cherries, nutmeg, orange peel, and crème fraîche). Homey pastas like spaghetti and meatballs perfectly suit the cozy room, which has been outfitted with red-checked-cloth-covered tables, salvaged menu boards, and Ballerini's grandmother's yellowing invoices and receipts. 624 Vanderbilt Ave., nr. Prospect Pl., Prospect Heights, Brooklyn; 718-230-3030

The shore

OK guys!Perhaps this should be carried by theslackers.blogspot.com -- here are the details as I know them for this weekend:1. List: a. me b. yoko c. xoff d. ashley e. christina + animals f. niall g. helene h. viktor

Q1: Steve & Aki - ae you coming? I MUST KNOW, so that we can sort out sleeping...

2. Transport: a. ME - I have a small car and will be leaving Friday night, around midnight. I was planning on taking Xoff & Ashley, as they don't mind sleeping in the car on the way down b. Viktor - has a station wagon - may help for transport (maybe 5 people?)

Q2: Anyone else with a car?

3. Supplies: a. I am expecting a case of wine this evening. I will bring that b. I might pick up some bulk meat for grilling c. We will probably need 1 additional mattress d. After my slumber today (if stores are still open), I may purchase some culinary equipment, as most of the items are "antiques" or handmade tools (believe it or not - the place was my grandparents' until they passed a few years ago). e. there may be some 420 - probably no vaporizer f. Bathroom sundries purchased this past weekend - big sale at bath and bodyworks - shampoo, shower washes, etc - of course you are welcome to bring your own

Q3: any preferred supplies can be brought along (not really a question, I know) you may want to bring extra towels

4. Accomodations: a. Five bedrooms - 3 on 1st floor, 2 on second (one is really just for storage upstairs) = 4 working - 1 bedroom with 2 twin beds - 1 with a double - maybe a queen - 1 will have an air mattress - 1 will have no bed - just cleared out this past weekend by my Dad in anticipation of your arrival - reasonable - sized living room w/ couch / loveseat - 1 bathroom with shower -

Q4: anyone with an air mattress or sleeping bags?

Well, that sums it up. The beach is over the bridge, about 10 miles by car.

It is private - I think ~$6 for the day. We have 3 season passes and 1 senior pass -- its very nice, with a boardwalk leading to the standard amusements / rides / food -- DRINKING IS ALLOWED ON THE BEACH, with recycling stations, etc - its clean, even for Jersey - Ask Yoko!

The weather should be nice, 88 degrees!I will post this as an add on to the ABC NO RIO stuff on xoff's may 31 post at theslackers.blogspot.comDirections will be e-mailed by request soon!I must now sleep - I have been up for 30 hours.....zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz