The Subway

In a group of 10, and with much coaxing, I was talked into taking the subway. I will say that of all the things one could do in New York, taking the subway would definitely be at the bottom of the list. Actually it wouldn't even make it to the list.

But armed with several people who seem to know where they were going, we set off down dark and creepy stairs at Lexington & 51st Street. We were heading to "little Italy" for dinner.

Since the subway car was extremely full, we were told we would be exiting at Spring Street... just in case we got separated. I will say this, you must develop really strong leg muscles to be able to stand erect while the subway car is jerking left and right. Sardines in a can... really came to mind... since we were so tightly packed into the train. But finally... Spring Street...exit appeared.



We tumbled out... and began to inch up the stairs... squinting our eyes as we once again surfaced, leaving the darken gloom and popping back into sunshine.

We were heading to a place called "Angelo's". As we wove in and down little streets, never seeing a cab along the way, I was beginning to think that perhaps we should mark our trail, so at least we could find our way out of there. But finally we arrived at our destination.



And after walking in a maze, up and down streets, you can imagine our faces when we discovered that Angelo's was closed.

But that didn't stop our fearless leader.... he was determined that we were going to have dinner in little Italy... and once again we began walking down Mulberry, or was that up Mulberry. All I know is that it was a lot of walking, my feet hurt, I still hadn't seen a cab anywhere... and I was hungry.

But then... at 125 Mulberry... a beam of light sliced through the clouds and shun down on "Il Cortile" and a little man standing outside coaxed us inside... and dinner was now a possibility.



We started off with the Chef's Sampler Antipasto..A variety of cold and hot Antipasti served family style. At $18.00 a person... our waiter said it was so hearty... that instead of getting it for 10 people... we should get it for 8 people. I will tell you this. Between the amazing bread basket... and the antipasto platter... I didn't have to order a meal. One of the little appetizers was this grilled shrimp with garlic which was the best damn shrimp I've ever had. Also.... a wide array of olives... all colors and all sizes that were pretty amazingly good. After much food and wine... we headed out. But first we stopped at some Italian bakery. I was so full, I stayed outside.

The group standing outside, perhaps being full and filled with wine, somewhat cold and generally worried if we would find the right subway back... came across a shirt that looked sort of like this. (not my picture... it was dark and I was cold and forgot to take a photo.)



We stared and stared at it, wondering what it said and what language it was. You should have heard our attempts in using phoenics.

And then someone finally figured it out. And we laughed and laughed and almost peed ourselves.

Oh... and we did finally find the right subway back to Lexington and 51st. And in celebration... 3 of us went to PJ Morans for a little night cap.