Dinner on 9th

It was the day before Yom Kippur (unintentionally - I’m not the most responsible Jew and mixed up the days). Friends from all parts of my life gathered in my teeny East Village apartment to enjoy a “break fast”. Not traditional whatsoever, not kosher whatsoever (hence the sushi), but awesome nonetheless. We drank a lot of wine.

As daylight peaks in through the window, the cooking commences. A conglomerate of ingredients for sushi and brisket sit on the counter for a day early Break Fast.

As daylight peaks in through the window, the cooking commences. A conglomerate of ingredients for sushi and brisket sit on the counter for a day early Break Fast.

A block over from 9th, on St Marks, Osakana Market sells tuna in 3 cuts. Chutoro is used for spicy tuna tonight - dinner is not kosher.

A block over from 9th, on St Marks, Osakana Market sells tuna in 3 cuts. Chutoro is used for spicy tuna tonight - dinner is not kosher.

By the time we take the scallops out, the sun has set. Guests have not quite arrived but the challah is done.

By the time we take the scallops out, the sun has set. Guests have not quite arrived but the challah is done.

No time to change in between prep and cooking - slippers stay on for the duration of the dinner party.

No time to change in between prep and cooking - slippers stay on for the duration of the dinner party.

Scallop nigiri is best served with a hint of citrus and a dash of salt. In Japan we used yuzu, here we use lime.

Scallop nigiri is best served with a hint of citrus and a dash of salt. In Japan we used yuzu, here we use lime.

My grandmother's brisket recipe. Whenever she makes it, she calls me to remind her what ingredients she uses. Between canned potatoes, beefy mushroom soup mix, and ketchup, the grocery trip ahead of making brisket is always bizarre.

My grandmother's brisket recipe. Whenever she makes it, she calls me to remind her what ingredients she uses. Between canned potatoes, beefy mushroom soup mix, and ketchup, the grocery trip ahead of making brisket is always bizarre.

Charlotte brings rugelach which I conveniently forgot to make.

Charlotte brings rugelach which I conveniently forgot to make.

Olive has her biggest social outing since joining our family. She charms our guests, her mother (me) is proud of her.

Olive has her biggest social outing since joining our family. She charms our guests, her mother (me) is proud of her.

It's not Hanukkah, but we light candles nontheless.

It's not Hanukkah, but we light candles nontheless.

Friends from college enjoy plates. They've had my brisket throughout the years; they say this is the best yet.

Friends from college enjoy plates. They've had my brisket throughout the years; they say this is the best yet.

When Sophia and I first met, she did not eat meat. Thank god she does now.

When Sophia and I first met, she did not eat meat. Thank god she does now.

All men for themselves once the tablescape is done. Sushi is meant to be finger food after all.

All men for themselves once the tablescape is done. Sushi is meant to be finger food after all.

We've run out of seating so Ben eats on my bed as others lay in their food coma.

We've run out of seating so Ben eats on my bed as others lay in their food coma.

With 20+ people in an East Village 2 bedroom, counter space is limited. Jesse doesn't mind using the trash can to cut his meat.

With 20+ people in an East Village 2 bedroom, counter space is limited. Jesse doesn't mind using the trash can to cut his meat.

The crudo (hamachi, crisp asian pear, jalapeño, and yuzu soy) is the first to go, along with the orange and white wines. My friends don't love reds, but I'm trying to force them to.

The crudo (hamachi, crisp asian pear, jalapeño, and yuzu soy) is the first to go, along with the orange and white wines. My friends don't love reds, but I'm trying to force them to.

A mess is how you know a good time was had by all.

A mess is how you know a good time was had by all.