Shoe Shopping with Jeffrey Steingarten
When our first book, Peace, Love, and Barbecue, was nominated for a James Beard award, we traveled to New York City for the ceremony. Jeffrey Steingarten, one of the world’s most acclaimed food writers and the food critic for Vogue magazine, insisted we save room in our schedule for a pastrami sandwich lunch with him at the famous Katz’s Delicatessen. Once we were there, Jeffrey led us through the ordering procedure at the hallowed counter as we talked about the nuances of pastrami and corned beef, and devoured the thick, delicious sandwiches. When I mentioned that I needed a pair of shoes to wear that evening, talk turned to Jeffrey’s other specialty: fashion. He placed a call to one of his editor friends at Vogue, asking where to shop. As luck would have it, we were directed to a street behind Katz’s known for a great selection of designer shoes I could have at a (very slight) editorial discount. Jeffrey reeled off names like Manolo and Jimmy Choo as Mike eyed him warily.
The two men set up shop outside, smoking Marlboro Reds, as I tried on dozens of pairs, sticking my foot out the door for opinions. Finally I found the perfect pair of strappy heels. “Yes,” Jeffrey nodded. “Those.” Mike winced as he pulled from his pocket a wad of money held together with a rubber band and peeled off a few large bills.
My daddy is never going to appreciate fashion, but the man certainly knows his pastrami. At any given time, we have a batch of briskets marinating in our signature brine in the walk-in cooler.
