From a Jaunting Car, Bliss

I once played pool in a pub where now a bistro sits. The bistro removed the pool table and the televisions, which seems to have girded the beams a bit as well. Certainly the paint around the toilets and the mint in the urinal have both helped, too.

Claire and I weren't expecting much - we'd just been rabble-roused by the fine citizens at the American Museum of the Moving Image - which is only marginally American, hardly a museum, and certainly not moving - what, with a bunch of Queen's finest playing video games and selling you tickets at their leisure all in an effort, I'm sure, is only designed to confuse.

Anyway, our friend Nathaniel Bates had recommended this neighborhood bistro, Bliss, or www.blissgardens.com on Skillman Ave. and 43rd St. (I believe.) Once the home of the Jaunting Car pub and many a late night billiards game with the locals for myself. I met Lynda there, she of Rupert Murdoch fame, of Christopher Allan Davis Fame. She was surprised that I knew her name was spelled with a 'y' when I put her up on the chalkboard for next game. I never told her the truth. Especially not after sucking up a good portion of her cocaine in the bathroom.

Quite the "Neighborhood Bistro" it is, too. Called in from Central Casting: Chef so-and-so is there; but he doesn't have much to say. There is much to be said however: We've seen it all before. Spinach salad with goat cheese, Calamari (with nothing special, just fried); Grilled salmon; roasted chicken, three kinds of steak, each more expensive than the last. But, all done fine, just fine.

The service tried very hard to be attentive. He even knew beyond a shadow of a doubt that there were no pine nuts in the black olive tapanade. Excellent. Especially considering that he was the only one working the whole room- with occasional help from the manager and oversight performed in a slight way by a female co-owner or hostess. Difficult to tell - she was older and non-committal.

We ordered two salads, house for her; spinach for me; and we both ordered burgers.
That, and we drank. Two rounds each of bourbon and red wine (hers).
No big complaints. So here's the small ones:
If you suggest reservations, have someone at the door, or if people come in, greet them quickly. b) We're ready to order drinks more quickly than you think. c) get the bartender out from behind the empty bar to take or deliver these said drinks. d) tell the busboys not to answer questions. they don't understand english. there's nothing wrong with that -it is okay not to speak the language. Just don't add to the confusion. e)burgers without mustard??? Dijon does not do. It is not for burgers. Burgers, even rare, deserve a bold, yet delicate brown mustard. Coleman's is NOT okay. Grey Poupon is a slap in the face.

And, finally, the booze- what a nightmare. $9 for a bourbon on the rocks? You're on Skillman Ave in Sunnyside. And, don't serve red wines we can get at the liquor store for $7 a bottle for $8 a glass. Do your research, get some exclusives. Hide your cheapness. Don't flaunt it next to my Penthouse Bourbon... And, always use a clean glass, please.

Tell the waiter he's doing a fine job, but he needs to calm down a little bit. I don't need to know that your name is Chip and you'll be my waiter. We caught on to that one well before you did.

You'll do well, Bliss, we'll be back, with friends, but we won't order our drinks on the rocks nor our wines by the glass. Beers and bottles! Here, Here!

With Warmest Regards,
Wesley and Claire