Lazy Sunday

Finally they arrived. Saturday morning, I had my first snow shoveling duty of the season. We really have no snow this year- it's already late January. Last year Taiyo was quite enthusiastic and grabbed the shovel and dragged it around the sidewalk, trying to do the job. And he got millions of pictures taken! This year to my surprise, he wasn't interested anymore. He stuck his hands in his coat pockets and watched me shovel light accumulation off the sidewalk. Now he can say "See you later, alligator," and already working on "in a while crocodile."

Despite of my suggestions, Taiyo decided to spend another Sunday naked in the house today. He loves to roll around and jump on the bed while chanting, "No more Taiyo jumping on the bed!" Clearly, that book about jumping monkeys teach kids how fun it is to jump on the bed. At one point, he was also riding on a imaginary motorcycle with his grey kitty on his lap on the bed, "We're going to museum!" So it was also a doing-nothing Sunday for me too, and I didn't mind it at all with this kind of entertainment. We ordered lunch from Sauce on Rivington and Allen, and it was pretty quick but the delivery guy didn't speak a word of English and the bill didn't have a total. So after some hand gestures he called the restaurant and had to talk to a spanish guy and they he had to go talk to a guy in front. Meanwhile Taiyo was jumping up and down beside me just in diapers (at least he wasn't all naked) asking for the food. I handed him the package and he finally stopped screaming and ran into the house. I had to then ran to the package to grab the bill to explain to them what I had ordered to get the total. But now the delivery guy has no change. I had to look for some more change to pay for the food. So it was a kind of awkward ordering experience from them, but food was pretty good. Taiyo did like the hero sans meatballs, and potato and kale gnocchi with marinara sauce.

Last Wednesday, we had lunch at Phebes on Bowery and 4th Street. The Restaurant Week was on, but just didn't feel like going to a pretentious place, and this joint had a perfect sunny and laid back dining room for us. This used to be a dive with a scary bathroom, some 20 years ago. Sometime between now and then, probably the ownership changed, and they cleaned it up and turned into 'tavern and grill,' to match the changing scenery of Bowery. It still had a neighborhood pub feel, with a waitress who seems to recognize many regulars hanging around the bar, but the spacious place was served only by her, which was a bit crazy although tables weren't to busy. When we walked in she asked us if we want a high chair, and Taiyo answered yes, but she never had time to bring it to us, and she also forgot my drink which she realized toward the end of my meal. But Angus burger was pretty good although sauce was a bit too salty, and Taiyo of course was happy with the crispy french fries. I just really loved the feel and brightness of this place in the afternoon. Recommended.