Church Dinner

During the marathon weekend, Jody, Eric, Kym, Neilson and I went to the pasta dinner at Our Lady of Pompeii Church, which is in my neighborhood, on the corner of Bleeker and Carmine. We didn't know what to expect, but, for a mere 6 dollars, we ended up with plates heaping with tasty pasta and sausage.


The meal was so good that Neilson and I have been anxiously awaiting another food-centered event at the church. Last night we had our chance, when the church held a roast beef dinner to benefit the Caring Community, a group which helps the elderly. The dinner was delicious and a bargain--and served by local cops. For 10 dollars, we had roast beef, mashed potatoes, rolls, and peas. The roast beef was especially good--moist and not too well-done. As soon as we cleaned our plates, a policeman appeared with a huge tray of cake. While some people look down on it in the age of yuppie bakeries, I happen to love white cake with white frosting, and the church dessert was a very high-end version of that kind of cake. Yum.


Not long after we had finished the last bite of frosting, the same policeman appeared and insisted we take seconds. I really couldn't eat another bite, so I wrapped mine up to take home and look forward to eating it tonight. While all this eating was going on, a man was singing Christmas carols while playing an electric keyboard. There was also a Santa, who turned out to be a woman. Another woman came around and gave us candy canes and wished us a Merry Christmas. Full of roast beef, cake, and the Christmas spirit, we decided to head home. At the door, a big, burley cop gruffly told us to wait. It was a little intimidating. Then he said, "You can leave without your gift bags" and handed up little bags filled with Christmas treats, including chocolates, a lottery ticket, and another candy cane, this one decorated with a Christmas ornament.