Linda

*I met Linda on October 16, 2009*

I've been walking on the "Great White Way" (stretch of Broadway that runs through NYC's Theater District") everyday for the past several years but I have only seen a handful of Broadway shows. On the other hand, Linda, who is from Fort Wayne, Indiana, has made the Broadway Theater trip at least once a year for the past 15 years. Given that she gets to see three shows per trip, she has seen shows and plays galore. On this trip, Linda was accompanied by her best friend a/k/a husband of 45 years, brother in law and five friends. Yesterday's show was 39 Steps and tonight's is Burn the Floor. Thanks to my theatrical ignorance I wasn't even aware of the existence of these shows. Her favorite show is Jersey Boys. There's one that sounds familiar!

Today, Linda broke away from her group and after a late breakfast, she caught up on her reading, strolled around the city and then stopped by McD's. In contrast to today's quick meal (McWrap and an appetizing iced tea), Linda tends to appreciate the slower paced lunches at places like Carmine's. During her latest stop at this festive Italian restaurant, she relished the generously portioned eggplant parmigiana. A few years ago, my husband and I took a big group of relatives who were visiting from out of town. After devouring several platters of their hearty and garlicky family styled pastas we ordered the Titanic for dessert. I will never forget the blissful look in the eyes of our young nieces and nephews at the sight of this gigantic mass of ice cream sundae covered in a cloud of whip cream. I think we managed to finish it all but it wasn't long until we realized that we had overindulged. Every time we eat at Carmine's, we vow not to order or eat as much the next time we visit but such intensions are always short lived. NY is like a good family restaurant. Whether it's the shows, sites, food, shopping, or the people, patrons can't get enough of all it has to offer and keep coming back to explore its menu. Some, like Linda, become regulars because after 15 years she continues to cherish the habitual late breakfasts, strolls around the city, laid back lunches, and a show and dessert afterwards.