Tuesday, December 3, 2013

there's something about a diner



The last summer my store was open a nice family from Brooklyn blew in. They had bought an old diner in a nearby town and loaded up with retro items that fit the character of a diner and the setting in the Catskills--a wooden box filled with ice fishing tackle, enamel mugs, a lantern, an aqua breadbox (and more) and went on their way.

I'm happy to report that The Phoenicia Diner is thriving. Great food, setting and service. Right now I'm dreaming of the Farmer's Skillet: potatoes, bacon, and cheese topped with two sunny side up eggs, served in a cast iron skillet. Fuel for a day of hiking, skiing or reading by the fire.



Diner breakfasts remind me of my father. He was one for spontaneous road trips, and he took me on several during my troubled teenage years. We travelled California in his old Land Cruiser, from San Francisco to Los Angeles, Oregon, Monterey, Half Moon Bay, Big Sur.

Plenty of diners along the way. Always eggs over easy, rye toast and black coffee for him. There's something comforting about diners--they're familiar, not demanding.

 (Unless you're Jack Nicholson.)


27 comments:

  1. Hi Jen, It must be fun to spot items that came from your shop. The Phoenicia sounds like a great diner--only now I'm afraid to ask them to hold the bacon!

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  2. That's not an easy life running a diner. I'm glad to hear that they're thriving.

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  3. Ha ha, hold it between your knees, love that line. I love diners, luckily I live in New Jersey where there are still quite a few of them. Ramember the end of The Sopranos?

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    1. I hated that ending. Have you ever gone to White Manna in Hackensack? Amazing burgers.

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  4. You have to love a place that serves breakfast all day! The menu looks yummy and nothing stated against substitutions. Really loving the breakfast served in those little cast iron skillets... Now if I could just get grits with that order!

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    1. Grits are showing up on a lot of menus in the NE these days--I'm afraid they're getting fashionable.

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  5. I have been to the states a couple of times ..never got a chance to go in a diner. My daughter lived for a year in Florida , and the way you describe the diner, is just like she does. They have been twice this year to the states on holiday. She says going to the states one must get the feel of a good diner. I know them only from tv. and passed a few along the way while there..but when with friends its difficult to do it all. Diners are so truly American.
    nice memories of you and your dad stopping at the diners.
    val xxx happy week Jen

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    1. You know, I never thought about diners being American, but you're right!

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  6. Troubled teenage years - with a sympathetic dad, it appears. That's nice. I like diners, too.

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    1. Yeah, he never lectured, just tried to be there.

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  7. Thats the sort of place we would have loved to have visited over in US. A bit of character does it everytime for us.

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  8. One of the best diners I've ever been to was just outside of Port Angeles on the way to Yamhill, Orgegon a few years ago. It was like being transported into the 1960's. The best burger I've ever eaten but the coffee was a little weak!

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    1. Ohh...I have happy memories of Port Angeles. My mom used to live on Orcas Island.

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    2. My great uncle was born on Barston Island in 189(?). I love that area of Washington.

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  9. Excuse me, Jen, for my poor understanding; Your store became Diner, it means?
    I don't know exactly how Diner is, though your memory makes my heart warm.
    Have a nice weekend!

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    1. I'll excuse you anything, my friend. It's embarrassing how good your English is (fluent) compared to my Japanese (none). Will email you about diners. xo

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  10. oh, that must have been an experience to see items from your shop. I love diners too. nothing beats road trips and eating along the way xoxo

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    1. It is fun. You are all about good food these days on your blog.

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  11. What wonderful memories of time with your dad. That skillet breakfast sounds so good. I'm so glad the diner is doing well and that it has items from your store.

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  12. oh, diners. and your dad's breakfast filled me up with emotion. perfect. diner's are rare for me now. maybe i don't leave my little enclave enough. and when i do, i may be too busy to notice. thank you jen.....rye toast, over easy and coffee black......i think there's a song there.
    xoxo

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