I live in a really weird Brooklyn neighborhood, surrounded by drunk Irishmen, junkies, Asian immigrants, Mafia gangsters and women in burquas. No wonder I'm always in the middle of an identity crisis.
One thing my neighborhood has to boast for itself, however, is the food. There is a lot of food here, most of it delectable and just about all of it at least 30% less expensive than Manhattan - probably because it fell off a truck, but we try not to talk about that. For a foodie who usually can't stop stuffing his face long enough to burp, it's heaven living here. Some of the restaurants in my neighborhood are a little scary, but as long as you remember not to use your credit card in any of the Italian places, you are generally fine.
One of my favorite little haunts is Mike's Donut Shop, just up the street from us. It's a small, independent donut shop where they do the baking right on the premises. Who needs Krispy Kreme? Mike's Donuts are delicious, and available to me at intervals when I decide I'm too depressed to get on the subway without a little bag of sugary treats to keep me warm and fat.
And Mike's is cheap! You can go in there and order several coffees and half a dozen donuts, and the bill will come to some ridiculously low price. One time I brought a Manhattanite friend in there for a snack. He ordered a large latte, I had a regular coffee and we each had several donut treats. My friend was in a generous mood and decided to treat me. The cashier told him "$2.50."
"No, I want to pay for his too."
"$2.50."
"Each?"
"No, $2.50." The cashier was starting to look annoyed, so I hissed at my friend just to give the guy $3.00.
I passed by Mike's today while I was out doing errands, and saw a sign in their window to watch for them on Rachael Ray's show this week! Yes, Gentle Readers, my girlfriend Rachael Ray has finally discovered Mike's Donuts.
It's one of those days when all is right with the world.
