8/11/04 Show Win with the Ulivellas; Mrs. Ulivella's FIRST SUSHI:

Mrs. Ulivella has never had sushi before. She has been averse to it for as long as anyone can remember. She doesn't like the way it looks, she doesn't like the way it smells, and more than anything else, she doesn't like the idea. And so, Richard Jr. and Richard Sr. have been limited in their sushi-eating to occasions when Mrs. Ulivella is not around. Most of the times the Richard's have met up in Manhattan over Sr's lunch break, they do Sushi. And when the Mrs. has a parent-teacher conference night, you can bet that the men of the house are out enjoying raw delicacies from the ocean.

But today that's all about to change. After losing her taste to chemotherapy treatment, and waiting for it to return, Mrs. Ulivella has a different perspective on life... and, apparently, on her willingness to try an entire category of food that she has thus far ruled out of her life. And today is the day it will be put to the test. And where better to convince a person of the wonders of the sushi world, than at the best place we currently know of: Show Win in Northport.

This was no easy dinner to schedule, and it's been in the planning phase for much of the year so far. But we knew we would have to wait for the summer, when Mrs. Ulivella is on summer break from teaching, and when Mr. Ulivella usually takes some vacation time. This is because we wanted to go to Show Win on a quiet weekday, when Chef Tom could personally take care of us and pay some attention to us. And the only time the Ulivellas can drive from New Jersey all the way to Eastern Long Island on a weeknight, and drive all the way back after a long dinner, is right around this time of year.

Rich and I took a Hunterspoint Avenue diesel train directly to Northport station, and waited to be picked up by his parents, who got delayed almost an hour and a half in rush-hour traffic.

Richard, realizing that his parents are so far away that we should probably walk to Show Win.

40 minutes of walking later, we arrive at our holy grail.

AND IT BEGINS:

Phyllis literally ate everything that was put in front of her. Not only that, she dove right into everything. She didn't smell it. She didn't lick it or take nibbles. She put whole pieces in her mouth, and chewed wholeheartedly. And what amazed us more than anything else... she loved it!!!!

Though, we did have to help her a bit with the chop sticks.

Then, Chef Tom brought out the big guns.

Jesus.

Uni for Rich.

We liked the black mini fish eggs on top of this roll so much, we ordered more:

It was an amazing dinner in its own right, but more importantly, I think, a landmark one for Richard's mom. And I was glad to have been there!

We all loaded back into the car, and they gave us a ride back to Manhattan.

Back at the building, I got a birthday present package from Uncle Jack and Aunt Barbara:

Two beautiful sweaters from Land's End. One blue, one khaki/tan.

Alex and Victor.