I don't quite remember now how it happened - maybe it was when I first signed up for streaming videos on Netflix or maybe it was from reading the reviews from the Sundance Film Festival. Doesn't matter, the point is that about 4 or 5 years ago I stumbled upon the independent documentary "I Like Killing Flies" that chronicled Kenny Shopsin, an eccentric (to say the least) restaurant owner in New York City. It's still available for streaming on Netflix - if you haven't ever watched this film you should.
Shopsin is one of a kind, both accomplished "chef" and neurotic philosopher. I remember about 20 minutes into our first viewing of the film Mrs. Hendo asked me "where the hell is the health department?" There is a reason the title ended up being I like Killing Flies! At the same time Kenny is complex and quite simple, and despite first impressions he's one hell of a chef. His restaurant when the film was made was a little hole in the wall place in Greenwich Village - that featured over 900-plus items on the menu. He has since moved to the the Essex Street Market on the upper east side of NYC but he's retained much of the original menu: http://www.shopsins.com/wp-content/uploads/downloads/2012/12/ShopsinsL290.pdf Just watch the film - if you like food you'll like this movie.A few years ago one of my all-time favorite food critics, Calvin Trillin of The New Yorker magazine profiled Kenny and Trillin makes a memorable appearance in the film.
The Christmas after we first "discovered" Kenny - Mrs. Hendo gave me his cookbook, appropriately titled "Eat Me: The Food and Philosophy of Kenny Shopsin"
I can honestly say that this is probably the only cookbook that I've ever read cover-to-cover. It's a hoot.
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