Latest news with #Zabar's
Forbes
05-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Forbes
Mother's Day Gift Guide 2025: Delicious Ways To Treat Her To A Long-Distance Meal
On Mother's Day, it's important to show mother figures in our lives they are cherished. This may include gifts or flowers and a special dinner date. Festive place setting for Mother's day But if they live far away and restaurant reservations are not part of the equation this year, there's some delicious ways to treat her to a fabulous long-distance meal that is delivered right to her front door. No reservations required! Zabar's Brunch for Mom Gift Crate Anyone who has ever visited New York City familiar with Zabar's, and for any mom who is from the city or is wistful about a visit, the Brunch for Mom Gift Crate ($209), is the next best thing. This selection of treats Zabar's is known for, like their babka in an updated raspberry flavor, fancy chocolates, New York-style bagels, as well as, of course, Smoked Nova Lox, homemade whitefish salad, and cream cheese. Everything necessary for a perfect Mother's Day brunch, no effort required. For anyone who wants to get a bit fancier, there's also an option to upgrade the kit to include caviar. Giadzy Cacio e Pepe Pasta Box This is one of the most classic of Roman dishes, but short of taking her on a weekend trip to Italy, it may be hard to do it justice at home. But this all-in-one kit (starts at $51) includes everything needed to make just as it's meant to be enjoyed: Organic Bucatini, super high-quality Parmigiano Reggiano and Pecorino Romano, 4 Pepper-Infused Extra Virgin Olive Oil, and Giada's personal recipe for pulling it altogether. Peter Luger Dry-Aged Strip Steaks One of the most famous steakhouses in the country, this would be an incredible date night on any occasion – but if she does not live near one, shipping her some of their legendary steaks is the next best thing. In fact, it may be better because she can enjoy them in the comfort of her own home. This package of four dry-aged strip steaks ($362) also comes with steak sauce, optional added extra thick bacon, and detailed prep instructions so she can make a perfect steak dinner just as she enjoys it when the desire hits (which would probably be always.) Classic Surf & Turf Bundle Surf & Turf is as elegant as a dinner can get, and this gift set ($281) includes prime filet mignon and sustainably hand-harvested cold water lobster tails from Maine. It'll be a beautiful high-end meal – that she can enjoy in her pajamas! Citarella Oyster Flight Freshly shucked oysters with a chilled martini are one of life's greatest pleasures, but the experience is not always easy to come by. This oyster flight ($99)includes Wellfleet, Kumamoto, Lucky Lime, and Fisher's Island oysters that are all freshly shucked (they did the hard part for you!) and paired with lemons, mignonette and cocktail sauce. Goode Company Classic Mesquite Smoked Brisket There's nothing like Texas BBQ, and when the craving hits, only that will do. Houston-based Goode Company has a Classic Mesquite Smoked Brisket ($215) in its online shop, and it's freshly made in their BBQ pits before being shipped to her door. Whether she hails from Texas or just loves a beautiful cut of meat, this can be the makings of a beautiful Mother's Day meal to give this year. Wild Alaskan Company Alaskan Snow Crab Seafood Boil Kit The Wild Alaskan Company Alaskan Snow Crab Seafood Boil Kit ($189 for Wild Alaskan members and $239 for non-members) is for the mom who takes her seafood very seriously and includes snow crab legs and claws, sidestriped shrimp or spot prawns (depending on location) and Pacific halibut quick cuts. Pat LaFrieda Dry-Aged Burgers Gift Set These burgers are from a world-famous butcher and are no joke – they are the same ones used at many household-name restaurants, and if she loves a great burger, these can be delivered right to her house and be waiting in her freezer next time the craving hits. The set of two prime aged beef patties starts at $16.58 and is a blend of chuck, brisket, short-rib, and 30-50 day dry-aged prime rib. From there, all she has to do is create her perfect build. Grandma's Chicken Soup Care Package This company is one that's going to pull on the heart strings of many a family, especially one that harkens back to the classic moments having homemade meals in Grandma's kitchen. This is a small, family-run business based in Massachusetts, and offers a variety of heat-and-eat meals that would work for an at-home Mother's Day dinner. Build a package (price will vary depending on what you add) that may include chicken soup (with or without matzo balls), challah, knishes, and other comfort foods and it'll be like a trip back in time to Friday night dinner at Grandma's – without having to take a trip to the kitchen! Zucker's Mother's Day Bagel Brunch for 6 Zucker's is another New York City spot known for having some of the best bagels and appetizing around, and their bagel brunch gift set ($110) serves as a greatest hits box sent right to your mom's door, including a variety of bagels, schmears, Nova lox, and so much more. Omaha Steaks Mother's Day Surf & Turf Another great spin on the Surf & Turf concept, this one ($150) includes Butcher's Cut Filet Mignons and Wild Argentinian Red Shrimp along with a bunch of fun sides like stuffed baked potatoes and dessert options for a complete dinner with a whole lot going on – all in the comfort of home. Caroline's Brisket Taco Party A really fun option for when Mother's Day brunch meets Taco Tuesday, this kit ($70) has everything needed for a brisket taco gathering. This includes savory chopped beef brisket, cole slaw, rice, queso fresco, tortillas, sauces, and even dessert.
New York Times
17-04-2025
- Entertainment
- New York Times
A Baritone Walks in Bernstein's and Mahler's Footsteps
Good morning. It's Thursday. Today we'll take a walk with a Dutch baritone who visits the haunts of great composers when he is in New York. We'll also look at what could be an opening move against one of President Trump's adversaries, the New York attorney general. Thomas Oliemans arrived wearing a baseball cap from Zabar's on the Upper West Side. He said it got him reduced admission at the Metropolitan Museum of Art, which gives a price break to New York residents. But he's not one. He is a Dutch baritone who is appearing as Papageno in Mozart's 'Die Zauberflöte' at the Metropolitan Opera. It is the same role that he sang at the Met two years ago when, on a day off, he walked 40 blocks to see where George Gershwin and Sergei Rachmaninoff had once lived. A jaunt like that was a way to decompress, he said then. Now it was the morning after another performance, and he had new places to walk to. He wanted to see where Leonard Bernstein and Gustav Mahler had lived — two larger-than-life musicians and larger-than-life personalities who had both been music directors of the New York Philharmonic. Mahler presided in the early years of the 20th century, Bernstein much later. Both were also composers as well as conductors. Bernstein once lamented that there was never 'enough time and energy to do both things,' which was 'one of the reasons why I'm so sympathetic to Mahler; I understand his problem.' And both were the subjects of very different movies. Mahler was played by Robert Powell in 'Mahler' in 1974, which The New York Times called 'crashingly unsuccessful.' Bernstein was played by Bradley Cooper in 'Maestro,' which was nominated for seven Academy Awards last year, including best picture and best original screenplay. So the first stop was Central Park West and West 72nd Street, home to both, decades apart. 'This corner is spectacular,' Oliemans said as he stopped in front of the Dakota, on the north side of the block. Bernstein lived there from the 1970s until his death in 1990. Oliemans marveled at the strikingly detailed recreation in 'Maestro.' On the south side of 72nd Street is the site of the Hotel Majestic, which was so extravagant that The New York Times published lists of who had checked in under headlines like 'Guests at the Hotel Majestic' or 'Hotel Majestic Arrivals.' Oliemans said that Mahler had looked out the window of his suite on the 11th floor of the Hotel Majestic one day in February 1908 as a funeral procession for a firefighter was passing by. The muffled sound of a drum 'moved Mahler so much he used it in his 10th symphony,' Oliemans said. (Mahler sketched out Symphony No. 10 two years later but died without orchestrating it. And the Hotel Majestic was demolished in the late 1920s for an Art Deco apartment house that was called simply the Majestic.) The next stop was 15 blocks away. Oliemans led the way through Central Park, stopping for a moment at the statue of Beethoven near the Naumburg Bandshell. Along the way he talked about an episode from Season 2 of the 1970s police drama 'Columbo.' It was about 'an overcharismatic conductor' obviously based on Bernstein, he said — except for the part where the conductor kills his wife. The destination was another storied apartment house, the Osborne, at 205 West 57th Street, where Bernstein lived in the 1950s. So did the pianist Van Cliburn, who got wake-up calls from Naomi Graffman, who worked for Cliburn's manager at Columbia Artists Management in those days. She and her husband, the pianist Gary Graffman, moved into the Osborne in 1962, after Cliburn had moved down the street. Naomi Graffman died in 2019. Gary Graffman, who is 96, still lives there. The Osborne is diagonally across Seventh Avenue from Carnegie Hall, where Mahler conducted more than 70 concerts and where Bernstein became a sensation in 1943, substituting with the Philharmonic with no rehearsal when the conductor Bruno Walter called in sick. 'Bernstein's ascent to the top of the accepted classical world and of Broadway is all here,' Oliemans said, looking up at the Osborne. 'Everyone said, 'You can't do both,' but he wrote 'West Side Story' here.' It opened in 1957, the same year Bernstein was named to succeed Dimitri Mitropoulos as music director of the Philharmonic. 'And that's only 1957,' he said. 'For many others, that would have been the pinnacle, to write something like 'West Side Story' and to be the chief conductor of the New York Philharmonic, but for him it was a beginning point, where by the time he was living in the Dakota he was 'the maestro' in capital letters.' Expect a sunny day with a high temperature around 63. In the evening, clear conditions will continue, along with a drop into the mid-40s. Suspended for Holy Thursday. The latest New York news A Trump official scrutinizes N.Y.'s attorney general over real estate It could be the opening move against one of President Trump's foremost adversaries. The administration has looked into real estate transactions by New York's attorney general, Letitia James. My colleague Jonah E. Bromwich writes that the head of the Federal Housing Finance Agency sent a criminal referral letter to the Department of Justice this week, saying that James 'appeared to have falsified records' related to properties she owns in Virginia and New York in order to get favorable loan terms. The letter was dated April 14, one day after Trump posted a story involving the claims against her on Truth Social and called her a 'crook.' It is unclear whether the claims are substantive enough to warrant criminal charges. The letter about James, whose office filed a lawsuit in 2022 that accused Trump of overvaluing his assets by billions so he could receive more favorable terms on loans, cited documents concerning two properties: a house in Norfolk, Va., that she bought with a niece in 2023, and a Brooklyn house she has owned for two dozen years. When she bought the house in Virginia, she signed notarized paperwork saying that she would use it as a principal residence. Roger Stone, Trump's longest-serving political adviser, has been one of several right-wing critics to point out that she did not live in Virginia and accused her in heated language of committing mortgage fraud. Stone directed a social media post at her on Tuesday, warning, 'Look for the F.B.I. on your doorstep one morning soon.' A spokesman for James said she was 'focused every single day on protecting New Yorkers, especially as this administration weaponizes the federal government against the rule of law and the Constitution. She will not be intimidated by bullies — no matter who they are.' A press representative for the Federal Housing Finance Agency declined to comment. Grand Time Dear Diary: I was on a downtown A in November 2023 when I noticed a happy family sitting across from me. Mom, dad and the children all appeared to be having a grand time. It was relatively warm for the season, and dad was wearing shorts. He obviously did not care if anybody noticed that he was also wearing an ankle monitor on his left ankle. As a criminal defense lawyer, I certainly noticed. When I got off the train, I smiled and gave him a thumbs-up. He smiled back at me. — Robert Beecher Illustrated by Agnes Lee. Send submissions here and read more Metropolitan Diary here. Glad we could get together here. See you tomorrow. — J.B. P.S. Here's today's Mini Crossword and Spelling Bee. You can find all our puzzles here. Stefano Montali and Ed Shanahan contributed to New York Today. You can reach the team at nytoday@ Sign up here to get this newsletter in your inbox.
New York Times
13-04-2025
- Politics
- New York Times
Kathryn Garcia Was Nearly Elected Mayor in 2021. Who Gets Her Votes Now?
It was the final weeks of the Democratic primary for mayor of New York City and seemingly out of nowhere, Kathryn Garcia began to rise from a crowded field of 13. She drew voters with her no-nonsense style, proven management skills in city government and moderate political views. She almost won that primary, in 2021, finishing second to Eric Adams by roughly 7,200 votes. He went on to become mayor. This year's Democratic mayoral primary seems just as unwieldy, with nine major candidates, including a former governor, two recent city comptrollers, the City Council speaker and three state lawmakers — but not Ms. Garcia. Her supporters, while not a traditional voting bloc, still coalesced in the late stages to nearly elevate Ms. Garcia to City Hall. Where will those voters go this time? Interviews with more than a dozen voters who said they backed Ms. Garcia four years ago revealed a split: Some support former Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo's candidacy, some had mixed feelings about him and many were looking for a better alternative. Kate McDonough, a writer who lives on the Upper West Side of Manhattan — a neighborhood that Ms. Garcia easily won — voted for her. She likes Brad Lander, the current city comptroller, though she could not recall his name. As she left the grocery store Zabar's on a recent afternoon, Ms. McDonough expressed concern about Mr. Cuomo, who resigned as governor in 2021 after a series of sexual harassment allegations that he has denied. She said he seemed 'meanspirited' and questioned whether he had lived in the city 'for more than two minutes.' 'Why can't we just have a good manager who loves New York?' she said. Ms. Garcia was viewed as just that. She was a successful leader of the city's Sanitation Department who was tapped to create an emergency food network during the coronavirus pandemic, and had leadership positions at the city's environmental and public housing agencies. Many of the candidates this year hold or have held public office, but few boast the hands-on experience that Ms. Garcia had. Mr. Cuomo seems to come the closest, having led the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development under the Clinton administration, and served as attorney general and governor of New York. Mr. Cuomo is fond of reciting a list of accomplishments, including raising the minimum wage and opening the Second Avenue subway. But his record also includes sexual harassment complaints by 11 women; investigations into his handling of nursing homes during the pandemic and allegations of concealing the number of nursing home residents who died from Covid; and a vindictive management style. Some of Ms. Garcia's supporters on the Upper West Side were ready to give Mr. Cuomo a second chance. Ellen Friedman, a retired architect, said she watched his daily coronavirus pandemic briefings and thought he had the 'best grasp' of the issues. 'He's a doer,' she said. 'He gets things done. We all screw up.' Ms. Garcia now serves as director of operations under Gov. Kathy Hochul, and declined to comment on the race. Many candidates are courting her voters. Mr. Cuomo has highlighted his infrastructure projects, including rebuilding LaGuardia Airport. Mr. Lander, the left-leaning comptroller, has moved to the center to broaden his appeal; he once called for reducing the police budget and now wants to hire hundreds of officers. Matt Wing, a former top adviser to Ms. Garcia, recently joined the campaign of Adrienne Adams, the City Council speaker. Mr. Wing, who is a former aide to Mr. Cuomo and is divorced from a top Cuomo adviser, Melissa DeRosa, said that Ms. Adams was in a strong position to win over Ms. Garcia's supporters. 'Garcia voters wanted competence without the political drama — someone focused on running the city well, not on themselves,' he said. If Mr. Cuomo, who has a sizable lead in polls, gets enough of the roughly 400,000 votes Ms. Garcia won in the 2021 primary, his victory seems assured. He is expected to benefit from Mr. Adams's decision to exit the Democratic primary and run as an independent, especially by drawing from the mayor's base of Black and Latino voters. Rich Azzopardi, a spokesman for the Cuomo campaign, said that Mr. Cuomo would fight for every vote. 'This city is in crisis and Governor Cuomo is the only person in this race with the experience and proven record of results necessary for the job, and that's why he has built a broad coalition of support that reflects our great city and is leading in every borough, and with every race and gender,' he said. Liz Krueger, a state senator who represents the Upper East Side of Manhattan and endorsed Ms. Garcia in 2021, said that Ms. Garcia's campaign message was even more important after the tumultuous first term of Mr. Adams, who was indicted on federal corruption charges that were dropped under pressure from the Trump administration. 'I still think people want competence,' she said. 'I'm concerned that they may think that Andrew Cuomo offers that.' Ms. Kreuger argued that Mr. Cuomo brought chaos to state government and had a poor record on the mental health crisis and public housing. She said she supports Mr. Lander, who 'loves to get into the weeds on issues' and 'surrounds himself with smart people.' Others view Mr. Cuomo's record more warmly. Betsy Gotbaum, a former city public advocate who until recently led Citizens Union, a good government group that backed Ms. Garcia in 2021, said that Mr. Cuomo had the most experience and appears to have learned from his brief period in exile. 'Andrew has proven that he can manage and get things done and boy, is that important,' she said. Some of Ms. Garcia's supporters lamented that The New York Times, which gave her its editorial-page endorsement in 2021, does not plan to formally back a candidate this year. They worry that it could be harder for a competent candidate with low name recognition to stand out in a large field without an endorsement. Many of the civic groups who endorsed Ms. Garcia, including the New York League of Conservation Voters, are weighing whom to back. Eric McClure, executive director of the street safety group StreetsPAC, which endorsed Ms. Garcia, said that Mr. Cuomo did not have a strong record on public transit, but many other candidates did. Mr. Lander 'checks a lot of the technocrat boxes,' Mr. McClure said, and Zohran Mamdani, a democratic socialist state lawmaker who is second in polls, was running the 'most joyful and exciting' campaign. The city's ranked-choice voting system, which allows voters to list five candidates on their ballots in order of preference, played an important role in Ms. Garcia's performance in 2021. She forged an alliance with another candidate, Andrew Yang, and wound up getting many of his votes after he was eliminated in an earlier vote-counting round. Several candidates this year are considering forming similar alliances to defeat Mr. Cuomo. The left-leaning Working Families Party has endorsed four candidates — Mr. Lander, Ms. Adams, Mr. Mamdani and State Senator Zellnor Myrie — and for a progressive candidate to defeat Mr. Cuomo, they would likely need a large number of Garcia voters to rank them. Another candidate, Scott Stringer, a former city comptroller, is also vying for Garcia supporters. Many business leaders have lined up behind Mr. Cuomo and donated to his campaign. Kathryn Wylde, the president of the Partnership for New York City, a major business group, said that her members had met with several candidates and that none had yet emerged as the natural successor to Ms. Garcia. Ms. Wylde said that having a 'technocrat city manager mayor' like Ms. Garcia was 'attractive to the business community in a political environment that they feel is chaotic and unfriendly.' Some Garcia voters on the Upper West Side said they were reluctant to vote for Mr. Cuomo. Joe Giordano, a retired artist, said that competence was important to him, but Mr. Cuomo was not the answer. 'I think he has too much baggage,' he said. 'I don't think I want to see him every day.' Molly Pollak, a retired teacher, said she used to like Mr. Cuomo, but now she was 'not so sure.' So far, none of the other candidates have 'said anything that makes me think they can do the job effectively.' For Ms. Pollak, the most important issue is standing up to President Trump. She said she admired elected officials who were challenging him. 'I want a person with that kind of guts,' she said.
USA Today
10-04-2025
- Business
- USA Today
Taking stock of grocery store tourism: 10 cool stores to check out
Advertisement Zabar's, in New York City, has been a backdrop in movies, such as "You've Got Mail" – Photo courtesy of Zabar's Grocery store tourism is all the rage on TikTok, and it's no surprise. It's the perfect way to sample the local flavor of a place. Grocery stores and supermarkets offer insight into everyday living, cultural norms, and culinary traditions. Specialty grocers and mom-and-pop shops also can be a great source for snacks, sweets, condiments, beverages — even gifts and souvenirs — while traveling. Here are 10 grocery stores around the country that we think offer fantastic local flavor and are worth checking out. Stew Leonard's, Connecticut, New York, and New Jersey Stew Leonard Jr. poses with mascots at this grocery store tourism hot spot – Photo courtesy of Stew Leonard's This regional supermarket chain started out as a small dairy store in Norwalk, Connecticut, in 1969. That year, founder Stew Leonard Sr. decided that it was time to switch from running a milk delivery business to developing what's now described as the "Disneyland of Dairy Stores." Still run by the family of its namesake founder, Stew Leonard's makes grocery shopping a fun outing that's complete with animatronics, costumed characters, and a petting zoo. Additionally, the store produces a line of prepared meals, baked goods, and beverages. They even still bottle their milk! Parties, theme nights, and special holiday breakfasts add to the local flavor of this grocery store tourism destination. Advertisement Jungle Jim's International Market, Ohio Jungle Jim's International Market is a culinary expo of products from around the world – Photo courtesy of Jungle Jim's International Market This 6.5-acre grocery showcase in Fairfield, Ohio, originated as a produce stand and has evolved into a larger-than-life global epicurean emporium. At this Jungle Jim's location, wander through mazes of kitchen staples — literally hundreds of hot sauces, among other food finds — representing more than 70 countries. Customers can go on guided store 'safari tours" and scavenger hunts. There's also a cooking school and in-store podcast. Perfect for grocery store tourism, Jungle Jim's hosts festivals honoring beer, wine, hot sauce, and pickles. The market's second location in Eastgate, Ohio, also is a fun spot with photo-worthy décor and many regional, national, and international products. Uwajimaya, Washington and Oregon Uwajimaya is a tasty grocery store tourism destination for Asian food culture – Photo courtesy of Alfredo Vitente, Uwajimaya A fantastic place for grocery store tourism in the Pacific Northwest, Uwajimaya was founded in Tacoma, Washington, in 1928 by Fujimatsu Moriguchi. He began by selling Japanese fish cakes out of the back of his pickup, then word spread about Moriguchi's food so much that he and his wife opened a small market in Tacoma. Amid the outbreak of World War II, the store was closed as the Moriguchis were sent to an internment camp in Northern California. After the war, the family reopened their shop in what's now Seattle's Chinatown-International District. Along with seafood, produce, and meat departments, browse along a sake section, Asian beauty products, and a nice collection of housewares. This grocery store tourism designation is also perfect for souvenirs. Zabar's, New York City Grocery store tourism destination Zabar's has great merchandise for souvenirs and gifts – Photo courtesy of Zabar's It's easy to envision yourself as a New Yorker doing your weekly grocery shopping at this Upper West Side landmark founded by Louis and Lillian Zabar in 1934. No doubt, you've spotted Zabar's on countless TV shows and movies or perhaps in a Vampire Weekend music video. This four-generation, family-owned business specializes in roasted coffee blends, artisanal cheeses, caviar, and smoked fish. It's also where you can order from a Jewish appetizer counter or pick up black and white cookies or fresh-baked rugelach along with Zabar's signature mugs, totes, and apparel — all of which make perfect grocery store tourism gifts. Advertisement Corti Brothers, California Corti Brothers introduced many Italian staples to this region of California – Photo courtesy of Rick Mindermann / Corti Brothers In 1947, siblings Frank and Gino Corti opened this Sacramento grocery store, introducing their customers to European culinary delights not widely available in Northern California at that time. This store has added to Sacramento's culinary scene so much that when it risked losing its lease in 2008, the city's chef community showed their public support. Food writer Ruth Reichl mentioned the store in her memoir, "Comfort Me with Apples." Chef and restaurateur Alice Waters also holds this grocery store tourism hot spot in high regard. Amid its impressive imported inventory, Corti Brothers has a solid wine department and a deli with great sandwiches. H-E-B, Texas H-E-B in Texas has popular items such as fresh butter tortillas made daily – Photo courtesy of H-E-B newsroom Started as a family store in 1905, this top supermarket chain across the Lone Star State is where you'll come across some interesting Texas food finds. H-E-B fan favorites extend to the store's Poteet Strawberry ice cream, warm butter tortillas, Cafe Olé Texas Pecan coffee, and specialty salsas with flavors ranging from green chile tomatillo to smoky citrus. Select store locations also house the True Texas BBQ restaurant, where all-natural meats are slowly smoked to perfection. Erewhon, California If you're into health food and celebrity sightings, Erewhon is a must grocery store tourism destination – Photo courtesy of Erewhon Despite its humble beginnings as a food stall in Boston, Massachusetts, Erewhon has become a symbol of California's health food culture and a pop culture sensation. This certified organic retailer and Registered B Corp., which has multiple locations in California, made headlines this year for selling a $19 strawberry from Japan. Advertisement If you go, try Erewhon's menu of high-end smoothies (perhaps a collagen peptides blend called Hailey Bieber's Strawberry Skin Glaze) or marvel at endless aisles of supplements. Through celebrity collaborations, mukbangs, and influencer culture, this health-food haven has become a social media phenomenon, as well as a supermarket staple for Angelinos. Cherry Republic, Michigan All things cherry are sold at Cherry Republic in Michigan – Photo courtesy of Traverse City Traverse City is known as the 'cherry capital of the world' and this specialty store is stocked with just about every imaginable cherry-related product. Founded within Traverse City but now in multiple locations around Michigan, Cherry Republic carries cherry salsas, pies, preserves, beverages, sauces, and chocolate-covered cherries. At its first location in Glen Arbor, you'll find not only a store but also a winery and the Cherry Public House, a lunch and dinner spot with a cherry-inspired menu. Kessler's, South Dakota Kessler's is where you can find a South Dakota version of steak tartare – Photo courtesy of Kessler's Grocery Established in Aberdeen, South Dakota, in 1939, at this family-owned grocery store, you can try "tiger meat" — a raw-beef dish made with seasoned hamburger meat — commonly referred to as South Dakota steak tartare. According to Kessler's owner, Reed Kessler, his great great grandfather, Jacob Sahli, introduced tiger meat to Aberdeen when he made homemade whiskey. Kessler's great grandfather, George Kessler, opened the store in 1939 and sold this meat as well. In addition to supplying local and regional products, Kessler's heavily supports the community, hosting charity events and sharing its family recipes. Di Bruno Bros., Pennsylvania Di Bruno Bros. hosts After Hours Experiences, like wine and food tastings – Photo courtesy of Di Bruno Bros. Back in 1939, brothers Danny and Joe Di Bruno opened a tiny market in South Philadelphia's historic Italian Market, providing premium imported cheeses, gourmet meats, and specialty items. Over eight decades, Di Bruno Bros. branched out with shops across Philadelphia and the neighboring suburbs of Wayne and Ardmore. Each location hosts educational and social events dubbed as After Hours Experiences.
Yahoo
25-02-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Scott Stringer, a New York City political mainstay, losing steam on his home turf in mayoral run
NEW YORK — The path to victory in New York City's mayoral race is paved through the West Side of Manhattan for many candidates. That path is narrowing for lifelong politician Scott Stringer, who is losing support in his backyard as he fights in a crowded field looking to unseat Mayor Eric Adams. Five political clubs on the West Side of Manhattan — a mix of affluent, predominantly white neighborhoods with large Jewish populations and sky-high voter turnout — are backing opponents to Stringer after endorsing him in his unsuccessful mayoral bid four years ago. That amounts to a vote of no confidence in someone so entrenched in that area that he already won the backing of its political elder, Rep. Jerry Nadler. The shift in loyalty has mostly benefited City Comptroller Brad Lander, another candidate taking on the embattled incumbent. As Lander, Stringer and others scrap on that coveted turf, the race remains in relative stasis until Gov. Andrew Cuomo enters and Adams' federal legal case is finally settled. The race unofficially kicks off Tuesday, when candidates begin collecting signatures to get on the ballot for the June 24 primary. 'Everybody likes Scott. But they want to move on,' said City Council Member Gale Brewer, a Manhattan political institution herself, who has been on the scene since working in the council in the 1970s. 'And Brad is in office now. So they know him.' Lander spokesperson Dora Pekec was bullish about her team's wins, saying in a statement, 'When it comes to grassroots excitement and support, it's increasingly clear that Brad Lander has taken over the west side of Manhattan.' Not content with just the endorsements, Lander is kicking off petitioning Tuesday outside of the iconic Upper West Side grocery store Zabar's — a shop so quintessential to Stringer's political brand that his last campaign spoofed its logo for merch. Stinger hasn't been totally shut out. He won the endorsement of the West Side Dems — a major club of which he's a member — and the Downtown Independent Democrats. But the turn of fortune suggests his pitch to voters as the experienced, trusted alternative to the scandal-scarred Adams and Cuomo and a crop of younger progressive challengers isn't taking, which could leave him shut out from City Hall once again. Nevertheless, the former city comptroller was the first candidate to qualify for $2.8 million in public matching funds, leading his campaign to downplay the defections. 'Scott Stringer has gotten the club endorsements he needs to get on the ballot and will have hundreds of volunteers deployed starting (Tuesday) in every corner of the city,' Eric Hyers, general consultant for the Stringer campaign, said, referring to the start of petitioning for ballot access Tuesday. 'Stringer vs. Cuomo is not going to be decided by a few small Democratic clubs.' Lander won the endorsement of two Upper West Side political clubs — the Broadway Democrats and Three Parks Independent Democrats — that endorsed Stringer's mayoral bid in 2021. Lander also won the local Indivisible affiliate, Upper West Side Action Group. And he picked up the Hell's Kitchen Democrats and Village Independent Democrats, which both endorsed Stringer four years ago. Another mayoral candidate, state Sen. Jessica Ramos, flipped the Chelsea Reform Democratic Club in her favor. 'We were very positive about Brad and his 'progressive and pragmatic' platform,' said Paula Diamond Roman, a Democratic district leader on the Upper West Side and longtime member of the Broadway Dems. As for Stringer, 'sometimes people have just lost their window. There's just this feeling around Manhattan,' that he can't win, Diamond Roman added. Everyday voters may not follow their local club's endorsements, but members of political clubs are among the most involved and committed Democrats, who will gather signatures for candidates, hand out flyers and get people out to rallies and fundraisers. Stringer's recent losses were most notable in Manhattan. But two clubs representing high-turnout areas of Brooklyn, the Independent Neighborhood Democrats and the Central Brooklyn Independent Democrats, also endorsed the Brooklynite Lander after backing Stringer last time. This marks the second time Stringer has lost support from political clubs. He was a leading progressive contender in the race for mayor in 2021, before his campaign was derailed by accusations that he sexually harassed a campaign volunteer 20 years earlier. Stringer vehemently denied wrongdoing and is suing the woman who accused him for defamation, but the damage was done. Many clubs and elected officials that endorsed him pulled their support, while others stuck by him as he ended up finishing fifth in the Democratic primary. It was an ignoble result for the then-61-year-old Stringer, who's been involved in city politics for more than 50 years, since working on his distant cousin Bella Abzug's congressional campaign. He has been an aide for Nadler, an assemblymember representing the Upper West Side and the Manhattan borough president. He was elected to comptroller in 2013, foiling former Gov. Eliot Spitzer's comeback attempt from a prostitution scandal. Stringer references that win in his pitch to voters — he beat a well-known governor who resigned in a sex scandal before, and he can do it again. A person close to Stringer who was granted anonymity to discuss internal strategy said that the politician worked really hard for club endorsements in 2021, flattering members and making phone calls — 'and it didn't matter one bit.' Stringer finished fifth in the Upper West Side Assembly district he once represented. 'We're fine with Lander running a very unsuccessful Stringer '21 playbook,' the person added. 'We're focused on a playbook against Cuomo. We're not doing the full dog and pony show on clubs that don't matter.' CORRECTION: A previous version of this report misstated the relationship of Eric Hyers to the Stringer campaign. He is a general consultant.
