Writes of Passage

The Apple stores in New York are mostly glasses. This one is in the Americana.

^{Dongpo Pork: L to R: reality and the lie – on their menu.}
39-07 Prince St
Flushing, NY 11354

Probably won’t return.

Once up on a time, there was a poet from Song Dynasty who, among many talents, was a gastronome. Rightfully, a dish is named after him, Su Dongpo (1037 – 1101) – Dongpo Pork. It’s the most famous dish from Hangzhou, where West Lake is (nowadays, think the punitive Jack Ma and his Alibaba which is trading as BABA at $177 a share.)

The pork is cut about 2 inch square and about 3″ thick. Although the fat and lean ratio is nearly equal, but it is not greasy because it the first stage of cooking is frying – to get the fat out. The skin is always on top when serving and looks deep red and shiny. The texture is soft to the point it melts in your mouth.

So, when I marched into the restaurant, my mouth was already watering. The decor and atmosphere is casual and pleasant, so is the waitstaff. The mini carnations do make a big difference. However, I was offended by the Dongpo Pork. No kidding, it is not even close, as making me feel Insulted.

The other dish, the flounder with pickled mustard soup is bit too sweet for me.

Most patrons ordered lobster. Our server did suggest it but we declined. The two young girls dined next to us had it. The one last strike: a grannie stopped by that table – essentially ours too since the two tables were close (you needed to go side way), pointed to the lobster and asked about it. “How does it taste…” her finger was so close to the dish, it not only made the two girls uncomfortable, it made me too. I looked up for someone to intervene. But no one cared. The woman even called to her husband or companion who was almost walked out, “come, look at it, maybe we should have order this one …”

Talking about manner and culture.

^{seven seconds recording of the fire}

The Sunday matinee at Tanglewood is anchored by Beethoven’s 6th symphony. It’s so appropriated to listen to on the grass, under a glorious skies. Families. Friends. Lovers. Butter drinker – me.

However, the turnaround time is very tight: ours started at 2:30 and the evening is at 8pm. We sat in traffic for 86 minutes. It’s horrible, totally avoidable, which makes me think to come again twice …

3 Depot St,
West Stockbridge, MA 01266

Oh my. I’m speechless. I’m elated by stumbling into this little gem. Old red barn. crackling floor. desk that built with books. the walls that filled with books. a dress made with 850 pages from a dictionary. typewriters. The room with a view.

2 Main St,
West Stockbridge, MA 01266

This is a really nice cafe, mixed with arts. More art objects are on the second floor, which is open to public.  The outdoor area is substantial. We sat by the Williams River, the dam is behind us. On the other side, is the Shaker Mill bookstore.

This town is even smaller than Stockbridge in the Berkshires, with a population of 1,306 in the 2010 census. But I find the town center is enchanting. With an unmanned tourist center, a public bathroom, a Shaker Cafe and Shaker Mill bookstore. The Rouge Bistro on Center, and Coffee Roastery and No Six Depot on Depot Street all look very nice. On the way to Tanglewood, we passed Olivia’s Overlook @ Yokun Ridge South, Hiking Trails.

A little off the Center Street, is the playhouse the Foundry (Particularly in the Heartland) and a Vietnamese restaurant with a deck full of ceramics.

This Stockbridge church on Main Street has a lovely ceiling…

30 Main St,
Stockbridge, MA 01262

A very lovely place. With a lot of history. An old map of MA. An old elevator. Two phone booths. Even the bathroom is nicely decked out in pastel green and white. But, not sure I’d want to stay there.

46 Main Street
Stockbridge, MA 01262

If you have a garden and a library, you have everything you need.

Cicero said, who was a Roman philosopher (statesman, orator, lawyer …). He lived from 106 B.C. to 43 BC.

如果您有花园和图书馆, 那么您拥有所需的一切.
西塞罗

This is a town in the Berkshires, with 2,000 population, which is 2/3 smaller than Lee. The Red Lion Inn at the corner of Main and South is well known, which is cross the Main St from St. Paul’s Episcopal Church. On Pine & Main, is a Civil War memorial. Their library is very cute and pretty. Unfortunately it’s not open. Some the buildings with red brick walls are very handsome.