Quick Hello to NYC
Seasoned Vegan Real Quick & Otto’s Shrunken Head

With plans to catch up with some old friends, I headed to Manhattan’s East Village, my old stomping ground. It’s always nice to walk these streets–monitor the changes, assess the level of its downfall.

A Buffalo bar

I was excited to learn that Seasoned Vegan, which had recently closed after 9 years in Harlem, has a quick service post in the East Village: Seasoned Vegan Real Quick. I stopped in for a bite…

I got the BBQ Craw Sandwich: chopped, grilled burdock root “crawfish” smothered in their bayou bbq sauce on a pretzel bun with cajun remoulade sauce. It is DELICIOUS and I had never had burdock root as a sandwich base.

Now at Otto’s Shrunken Head, a tiki bar I used to hit up many, many years ago. We were surprised that it was still affording Manhattan’s rent.

The Volcano Blast, below, was pretty spectacular.

Bad lighting but hey, this bar is a throwback.

Comforting my friend whose father passed away several days ago.

It was a long day of driving and socializing; I was officially drained. Time to head to Long Island where I’d be staying for the weekend.