FOR BREAKING NEWS VISIT WWW.QNS.COM JANUARY 23, 2020 • THE QUEENS COURIER 49
Victoria’s Finding treasures in our city
DIARY
Victoria
SCHNEPSYUNIS
vschneps@gmail.com
tweet me @vschneps
To me, nothing feels better
than a good laugh. I never
realized it’s power until I
read that humor and optimism
play a critical part of a healthy
person.
As a long time subscriber to
Bottom Line, a newsletter fi lled
with short punchy articles on a
huge variety of what they call
“information from the world’s
best experts,” I look forward
to its 16-page arrival because I
always fi nd something new to
learn and share.
One piece talked about how to
have the perfect smile in a photo.
Th e advice: Say “MONEY!” It
works!
But they also have experts
write about a broad variety of
topics from investment recommendations,
to job search tips,
to selecting the right clothes for
every sport — you get the idea.
Th is past issue spoke about the
many benefi ts of laughter, and I
want to share with you the editor’s
comments about meeting a
man of humor who is spreading
the message of laughter. Lenny
Ravich, author of “Everlasting
Optimism: 9 Principles for
Success, Happiness and
Powerful Relationships,” is a
gestalt therapist who believes
that a good sense of humor is
a protective armor against life’s
challenges.
Ravich gives this analogy:
“Look at life like a bullfi ghter
who holds his cape to the
side when the bull charges. He
doesn’t hold it in front of his
body.”
Ravich claims every negative
thing that comes our way is
not meant for us, but rather
it’s meant for the cape,
so hold the cape to the
side, let negativity go
by and “give yourself
time to fi nd the
humor in the situation.”
I love the idea of not
dwelling on negativity
and pessimism. But
I believe it’s in my DNA
to be an optimist. I wonder
if that’s teachable? It’s a better
world for each of us if we could
avoid negativity. Th e bullfi ghter
whose life depends on how he
meets the bull is a good lesson
for us in our everyday life.
Food
for joy
Being a publisher of amNewYork
Metro, a citywide
daily newspaper, I get the
joy of meeting people from all
over our great city.
For years I heard about the
Red Rooster, an iconic Harlem
restaurant co-created by star
chef Marcus Samuelsson and
Andrew Chapman. It was a
great place to have a lunch
meeting.
Th e spacious restaurant
that has become a destination
location for New
Yorkers and tourists was
on my bucket list and I
wasn’t disappointed!
A huge smile came to my face
as I entered the restaurant. I was
thrilled by the stunning powerful
artwork on every wall, along
with Chef Marcus Samuelsson’s
hats hanging colorfully from
the raft ers. Th e glass wall separating
the dining room from the
bar was an architectural treat
to the eyes. Soon my stomach
would get its treats.
As soon as our waiter arrived
in a hand-painted apron, the
tone of our meal began. It made
me smile and the meal gave me
great joy. Th e four of us shared
their iconic dishes, from the
mouthwatering cornbread, to
the fried chicken, to the apple
cobbler dessert, and more!
I have a hint for you:
the restaurant is booked
solid, but we were there on
a weekday aft ernoon and
were seated immediately.
Th e ambiance, service and
food hit the mark of excellence!
Try it and you, too, will
cherish the experience and
feel happy!!
Chef Marcus
The mouth-watering Samuelsson
peach cobbler
The waiters’ aprons
are hand-painted
by local artists Marcus’ hats hanging
from the rafters
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