SSC: Steak Night

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"Hey Jesse, here it is."

A plastic chinatown grocery bag landed with a hefty thud on the table next to me.

"Figured it would be safer if it was in a nondescript bag," said my friend. "Less chance of you being robbed. Enjoy."

My heartbeat increased as my Uber driver pulled up. I wasn't going to risk it by going on the subway. Safely ensconced in the backseat of a Toyota Camry, I slowly opened the bag for the first time and examined the contents.

An audible gasp escaped my lips. 

This shipment was supposed to be 6 lbs but staring back at me was 9.25 lbs of vacuum-sealed A5 Miyazaki Wagyu.

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Contra - A Gem in LES

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I first met Jeremiah Stone back in September at a pig roast in Williamsburg. Night had fallen and I was devouring a chorizo caramel ice cream from Oddfellows when Michelle introduced us to her friend, Jeremy, was opening up a restaurant called Contra in early October on the LES.

He was amped about the progress; with 2 weeks left before opening,  the decor and furniture were installed and the 5-course, $55 prix-fixe menu of New American cuisine were in the final stages of development.

Last week, Michelle called in a reservation for what turned out to be an enjoyable experience for our group. The five of us sat comfortably at 2 veneered wooden tables near the bar. By the time we ordered the extra bread and cheese course, the restaurant was humming along, filled with patrons eager to try the food.

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NYE 2012 at SakaMai

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“What are you doing for New Year’s?” asked Doug.

It was New Year’s Eve and I didn’t have any plans yet. After being in NYC for 6 years, the whole counting down in a club with overpriced bottle service in a throng of sweaty strangers had lost its appeal. Back in 2008, Carson Daly had been a no-show to the official "Carson Daly and Friends NYE party" at $125/ticket (while I was still a temp making minimum wage) -- but I’m not bitter about that any more.

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