Liam maintaining his new weight of 35 pounds, half pound gain
Boy you're gonna carry that weight, carry that weight for a long time
Boy you're gonna carry that weight, carry that weight for a long time
from Golden Slumbers-The Beatles
Restaurant week http://www.nycgo.com/restaurantweek?cid=nycgo_restaurantweek_sem_google_=new+york+city+restaurants+week
found us heading to Maialino's downtown on 22nd and Lexington. Did I once again get fooled by the trickster street Broadway which dissects Manhattan? uptown it is on the west side, downtown on the east. Yes, but only briefly. I had it down this time- I had my google walking directions and all I had to do was walk from Penn Station down Broadway, make a couple of tums and there I would be, at the Gramercy Park Hotel,
home of Danny Meyer's new trattorial treasure, Maialino, meaning little pig.http://www.maialinonyc.com/I was not doing the walking route though, as we had sudden soaking ferocious storms on Tuesday and Wednesday appeared to have the same threat or promise depending on your point of view.
So I subwayed down and emerged onto Broadway having no idea which way to turn.
But I have acquired some wisdom from my previous "lost on Broadway" debacles oft depicted in this blog. I asked a doorman and several passersby which way was Lex-all pointed to the exact opposite direction my body wanted to take. I trusted them (sort of) but I kept asking folks as I walked "til I saw Lexington Street sign. Being farsighted as I am, is only good for seeing distant street signs in NYC. My eyes confirmed I was walking in the right direction way before the word "Lexington" was visible to most walkers.
I arrived first, pic next looking towards left as one enters the GPH shows Maialino's entrance from the lobby
and I was loving the lobby 
which seemed like a castle, and a church with candles, burning fireplace, yes, it is heat wave, but so what. Atmosphere.I found a high and long red velvet bench and sat on it, my legs dangling. I felt like I was waiting for confession, the Catholic school girl always lurking just beneath the surface.
I was drawn to a painting above the fireplace which I took to be a Botero, he being the Colombian artist who paints porco -like figures. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fernando_Botero
This painting made me smile, as it enhanced the pig theme, made me feel thinner and worthy pigging out on thousands of calories in Maialino.
Further investigation though does not list Botero as one of the artists rotated in and out of the lobby. http://www.gramercyparkhotel.com/artwork.html
Any LL reader know this painting
and who did it? 
each next pic is entrance to Maialino's, note little pig holding business cards
Our restaurant week lunch can cost 24.07.
However, ours always is more due to the addition of wine
and sometimes coffee which is usually a request from me.Our waiter, Jeremy, was quite adorable, charming, knowledgeable, devoted to our questions and to our dining pleasure. He blended all with a mischievous sense of fun. He explained, recommended and guided us through a savory, colorful, luscious meal. And we had a great backdrop, lots of wine lining the walls.
see next pic-our appetizer- Carciofini Fritti-Anchovy bread Sauce (in small dish to the left) and fried artichokes
next- entree Malfatti al Maialino- suckling pig ragu and arugula
and we scoffed down the desserts with such relish that none were intact long enough for a shot.
Jeremy even suggested we have a pot of French pressed coffee which was divine. He is a musician actor -a man of many talents. We offered to see him perform and call ourselves "discreet older people"
We left with gift certs for a future breakfast; yes, this restaurant wants you there all day for every meal. We used the facilities on the way out, next shot vestibule leading to restrooms
At Penn Station, I stopped to buy my Starbucks for the ride home. In this Starbucks they ask for your name and write it on the cup, a practice I support as I love being recognized. A Leo trait.
I have been Grace and Kara; today I might be Charlotte or Paulina (since I am ordering our Polish Diva's favorite drink). I explain to the woman in front of me what fun I have changing my identity, but when asked I blurt out Carol. Damn. I have to be myself.
I fight my way to my train through the rush hour crowds who never walk straight to the train they all converge on angles. Why is no rider ever right in front of their train hole? They are always off to either side and must rush to the entrance horizontally instead of linearly. I was spun about several times until a grabbed a pole to steady myself. No pole dancing.
Liam waited at home. Enjoying his water, lamb and brown rice pellets.
Liam has gained 1/2 pound which on his little body equals about 10 pounds on a bigger dog. Believe me, I understand.
We have been calling him sausage dog, but now I might call him my Maialino.
Liam better start chasing some squirrels, instead of listening to the chirping birds. The doxie/beagle half might be gaining on the Irish setter/Dalmatian half.
Woof, Woof,
or oink oink
