Today's Culinary URL

[chrishansenhome]

Does anyone who reads my journal except me remember The Automat? Horn and Hardart used to run many of these restaurants, up until 1991 when the last one closed in New York City. You provided yourself with change, went to the wall of little doors, selected what you wanted and put coins in the slot. Then you turned the knob and, presto! The door opened and you got your food.

Well, Bamn is opening on St. Mark's Place in New York City; a modern automat with an Asian kick. I can't wait to get to New York, arm myself with some quarters, and try it. The New York Sun article is here.

Yumn!

Comments

[mango-king.livejournal.com]

I remember reading/seeing pictures of the Automat when I was a kid, but never experienced it first hand. The Automat and the TV shows "Family Affair" and "Love American Style" always made me want to live in an apartment in NYC when I grew up though. ;)

[quillon.livejournal.com]

I vaguely remember visiting an automat when I was younger, but I haven't seen any in quite sometime.

In any case, there are a couple of automat-like vending machines where I work, where you actually have to slide a door open, take your purchase and let it close. Of course, there's not a staff of cooks constantly refreshing the machines as they're emptied.

[rsc.livejournal.com]

I remember them. I'm astonished to learn that they existed as late as 1991.

New Yorkers of a certain age probably remember P.D.Q. Bach's Concerto for Horn and Hardart -- actually, non-new Yorkers may remember it as well, but I wouldn't exepct them to "get" it.

[spwebdesign.livejournal.com]

I think I have heard this, or at least of it, and didn't get it.

[chrishansenhome.livejournal.com]

Do you get it now? I have it somewhere in my vast collection of PDQ Bach CDs and tapes and will lend it to you if you like.

[spwebdesign.livejournal.com]

I would get it now, but I don't remember the piece well. Maybe when I return your towel I can borrow the CD.

[fj.livejournal.com]

The Netherlands still runs on them after 2 AM.

[qnetter]

The last one was 3rd and 42nd, right?

I used to go to the one in downtown Brooklyn (Court Street area) every week. The nuclear-hot mac and cheese with drippy sauce -- yum!