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Bruncheon

Sun., July 17, 2005

Jimi, The Man and I took the train down to Jimi’s old West Village neighborhood and got brunch at Garage. It was a “jazz brunch” and we were treated to loud jazz renditions of classics from the ’80s, including Madonna’s “Material Girl” and a festive medley of Police songs.

While we were in the neighborhood, we did a lot of shopping. First was Banana Republic, where we witnessed two shoplifters bolting from the store right as we arrived. The Man, who decided a change was in order with his current ensemble, purchased khaki shorts and a handsome new short-sleeved shirt on sale, and wore the clothes out of the store. Next was Origins, where an enterprising young salesman demonstrated a new microdermabrasion product on Jimi’s hands, which Jimi then purchased. At the Jonathan Adler store, which resembles a funky early-’70s bachelor pad, Jimi pondered purchasing some small flower vases and a ceramic elephant, while at the Louis Vuitton store, he priced a bag he’s had his eye on, as well as some jewelry and dog collars for his dogs, Couscous and Bingo. Jimi one-upped the salesclerk with his superior knowledge of Vuitton bags. She admitted she was new but when we disparaged a hard-sided Vuitton vanity case as bulky and cumbersome, she noted it could be used as a stylish weapon to fend off a mugger. We popped in the Apple Store, then back to Jimi’s, with a brief stop in between at the Jamba Juice on Times Square for refreshments.

Jimi, The Man and Me.

Then it was off to the DeWitt Clinton dog run on 11th Avenue just off W. 52nd Street. Lucky is the man who not only fathered the Erie Canal (and was a mayor of New York), but has Hell’s Kitchen’s only dog run named after him. It’s also the only dog run I’ve seen with a kiddie swimming pool in it, although it’s most definitely for the dogs; if you placed a child in this pool, the child’s bacteria content would instantly quadruple. The Man attempted to teach Bingo how to fetch a ball, but Bingo has so far only learned how to chase a ball and pick it up, after which point he loses interest, drops it, and wanders off to rip around elsewhere.

Bingo racinig around.

Couscous, meanwhile, greeted this drooling mostrosity of a dog, which vigorously and almost constantly attempted to mate with some other guy’s dog at the run.

Couscous (right) makes a friend.

Jimi revealed an ambitious new meal plan he and The Man have devised: to eat at every restaurant on Ninth Avenue between W. 42nd Street and W. 57th Street, in order. They’re starting on one side of the street, then working their way back up the other side. There are a few rules: Carryout is not allowed. They don’t have to eat at coffee shops, bars and delis, but they do have to eat at fast-food places. And if they’re not in the mood to eat at the next restaurant on the circuit, they can eat elsewhere, as long as it’s off that stretch of Ninth. Good luck, Jimi and The Man!

Tags: Friends, Photo, Shopping | Photos by Jimi. | Comments have been closed.