barbossa

i need to find a new way to tell people what i do. i typically just say "i'm in energy". because getting into physical trading takes up a bit of time to explain. and i'm not sure most people understand. but the vagueness of "i'm in energy" has a big downside of douche-y mystique which is not worth it. and i typically don't like to start the conversation with "i trade oil". that's the easiest way to explain it, but it's not completely accurate because "i trade petrochemicals". and then the explanation conversation of what i do is more like "i do import/export".

one cannot underestimate the art of stumbling into the "in" places...after an hour on the phone with miss hot shot while i aimlessly walked uptown from work she says "there's no where i really want to go because i've been everywhere already...YOU CHOOSE". so i chose. i walked past barbossa. it was what i was looking for. small. quaint. tidy bar. rustic bistro look. i didn't really even care what the cuisine was. and with 4 dollar draft for happy hour, i quickly downed 2 at 6.30 and ordered the caipirinha to follow. "hi can i have a menu....OMG>>>I LOVE FEJOIDA>>I LOVE BACALHAU!>>>I WANT THIS STEW>>>wait...it says the wings take 15 minutes to make. there's gotta be a reason. im gonna have to get it" i passed on the fejoida, too hot and too heavy to be having a pork stew. beets were delicious. wings very tasty (tandoori marinated baked in cast iron). bacalhau very very very good. then when we got a table "you guys order...ok. done." portugese seafood stew...which had bits of rice in it....light and tasty. almost like the teochew style of congee. calabreza sausage was exactly what i expected. salty. still good. steak and polenta. also very good. it's almost like rendeng style braised meat in thick sauce and the polenta were fried triangles like crostini wedges. tun tar tar...standard. tasty. fresh. if your seat faces into the restuarant, there are windows that open up to the air duct of the pre war building. decorative clothesline runs across with brazilian futbol jerseys hanging adds a cool touch. go for it. take ur date. it's open aired but airconditioned.

cheers!