STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. — Just when the restaurant-writing gig seemed to be getting back to normal — talking about who’s open, who’s closed and how fantastic is the menu — the food beat has careened into politics once again.
But I assure you that for every awful thing we read in current events, there is at least one wonderful thing to come of it. This is Staten Island, after all, and somehow the generous sides of our borough residents always prevail.
So, with that I will nod to the bad — and then the promise of something good to follow — starting with Egger’s ice cream parlor.
As you may remember from earlier in the week, some patrons furious over vaccine card checks blasted owner Danielle Raleigh. She has cooperated with the fineable city mandate and, as you know, the compliance has not gone over well with some Staten Islanders.
Egger's Ice Cream sundae (Staten Island Advance File Photo)Third-party shot
The proprietor recently received a comforting letter from a patron. Addressed to “Dear Danielle Raleigh,” it read, “My husband and myself would like to thank you for doing the right thing in checking people’s vaccination status. It’s one way to stop the virus plus it makes us feel safe to eat there. Please know that Egger’s Ice Cream Parlor is a top destination for us. Have a good day.”
Note some of the comments from food service operators and friends on their sense of things.
Said one, “Covid has turned the world upside down and usually rational people irrational. Hope we see real normal soon.”
And another, “Crazy time. Everyone has gone nuts. I’m at my wits end here.”
And another, “I am moving to France.”
Then, there is Regina Cassidy of Castleton Corners to offer up a little sunshine in her corner of the world. She shares a story about her neighbor, Joy Alessi.
Cassidy says during the pandemic, Joy has cooked meals for others — even for Cassidy.
Cassidy explains how the food “connected us.”
She said, “Perhaps one person delivered it, or had an excess of something. Joy picked up fresh peaches several times during the summer —even fresh produce from Goodhue Center or from around Staten Island. She just gave us fresh figs from someone’s tree on Staten Island! And she volunteered all summer in a local community garden, which raises much needed food for Project Hospitality.
Figs to share with neighbors (Staten Island Advance/Pamela Silvestri)
In addition, Alessi spent days cleaning out someone’s Port Richmond basement, after it was flooded by Hurricane Ida.
As for the name “Joy,” Cassidy says, “She lives out the meaning of the word so quietly and simply, bringing joy to everyone.”
With that, I encourage you to carve out some kind of good from the otherwise unfortunate situations of these times — or life.
Pamela Silvestri, Ray Carr and the late Michael Heffernan (Staten Island Advance/Pamela Silvestri)
From my own realm, the American Grill restaurant family laments the passing of Michael Heffernan, a bartender at our restaurant, formerly of West Brighton. He became known for a red apple martini, an inspiration that came from what we might call a happy mistake.
In those days, the most popular drink was the Cosmopolitan — vodka, cranberry, triple sec and squeeze of lime with a lime garnish. And at this time of year back around 2003, the hot seller was a green apple martini.
With a flurry of orders on the Cosmo one Saturday night, cranberry juice was added accidentally to the apple thing. Rather than toss it, Michael hung a red apple slice on the side and declared it a cocktail. By Thanksgiving, we sold it by the gallon.
The upshot is that with no rain, there are no rainbows. I believe Michael would appreciate that perspective.
Have a happy food story to share? Send to silvestri@siadvance.com.
Pamela Silvestri is Advance Food Editor.
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