Tonight starts the Jewish New Year, Rosh Hashanah.  Traditionally, I would celebrate this holiday with my family.  Throughout the past five years, my family dispersed to various corners of the United States, so we have not had large holiday gatherings.

This year, my aunt Marilyn is in the Hudson Valley for Rosh Hashanah and has invited me to celebrate with her.  She keeps kosher, and has become increasingly, religiously observant in the later half of her life.  However, she cannot cook.  Everything she makes is overcooked, under seasoned, dry (devoid of fats) and bland.

As you can imagine, I do not savor the prospect of such a meal. 

I, on the other hand, am not observant at all.  I certainly don't keep kosher and care greatly about the quality of my cooking. 

Conflicted, I have to attend a business dinner this evening with colleagues from out of town.  I could have cancelled it for religious reasons, but it's at Le Bernadin, one of my very favorite New York restaurants.

So, with reckless abandon to my Jewish heritage, I will dine tonight on Chef Ripert's perfect food.  Tomorrow, I will visit my aunt's house for the holidays.