Tomorrow Ali’s running off to Egypt (where I’ll get to see him!) for a month, then doing some major renovations on the restaurant when he gets back, so he’ll probably be closed till mid-June or so.

I am so relieved I know about this in advance. Last time he shut down for a long stretch, it was extremely traumatic.

In the meantime, it’s a good excuse to go down the street (25-22 Steinway) and eat at Mombar, his brother Mustafa’s place. But don’t go getting used to the elbow room!