There is a business at 179 E. Houston Street, in the Lower East Side of New York that almost makes this country fella want to move back to the city.  I miss the museums, the shops, the incredible variety of cuisines, and the culture.  Most of all, I miss the food.

I’ve spent 30+ years in the food business and nothing rocks my world like good food.  A trip to the Lower East Side with its old world feel and  history will make your tongue dance.  There are  wonderful restaurants and specialty food shops.  Grab a pletzel at Kossar’s or find amazing cheeses at Saxelby.  By all means get a hot Pastrami at Katz’s.  Better still, go to Katz’s with a group and share; a bite of this, a chomp of that, and ess gesunt!

A Perfectly Acceptable Gift !!

But for me the place I could live in is Russ and Daughters.  I adore smoked fish in general and salmon is nirvana.  My father is responsible for my addiction.  He forced it on me as a boy and I have been enamored, even enthralled, with it ever since.  R&D has so many varieties of such really good salmon I am driven to distraction just writing this.  The herring is another slice of heaven.  I don’t care what form it comes in, it is a wonderful tongue pleaser.  Father was fond of roll mops, as am I, and marinated herring with cream and onions is absolutely ” the bee’s knees “.  I have to confess to not having tried the curried herring yet, but it’s on my list. ( Hint, Hint)

You can learn more about the Lower East Side at Wikipedia, the neighborhood guide and the Lower East Side BID,  while I have a bagel with cream cheese, lox, and onion for lunch.