Nov 1, 2009

Soule Restaurant: Peace at Last?


The 2009 Nobel Peace Prize was awarded to President Barack Hussein Obama for his extraordinary efforts to strengthen international diplomacy and cooperation between peoples.

And the world responds.

“It confirms, finally, America's return to the hearts of the people of the world... you can count on my resolute support and that of France.” …French President Nicolas Sarkozy.

“In a short time he has established a new tone, creating a willingness for dialogue… we all should support him to make peace in this world possible.” …Angela Merkel, German Chancellor

“I am really pleased. I want to congratulate him from my heart. I've seen the world changing since President Obama took office...” …Yukio Hatoyama, Japanese Prime Minister

“…His will and efforts for creating friendly and good relations at global level and global peace make him the appropriate recipient of the Nobel Peace Prize.” …Siamak Hirai, Spokesman for Afghan President Hamid Karzai “You have already inspired so many people around the world… this award also expresses the hope that your presidency will usher in a new era of peace and reconciliation…”
…Benjamin Netanyahu, Israeli Prime Minister

“I am happy. What Obama did during his presidency is a big signal, he gave hope. In these hard times, people who are capable of taking responsibility, who have a vision, commitment and political will should be supported.”
…Mikhail Gorbachev, Former Soviet Leader And Nobel Prize Winner

“We condemn the award of the Nobel Peace Prize for Obama. We condemn the institute's awarding him the peace prize. We condemn this year's peace prize as unjust.”
…Taliban Spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid

“…It is unfortunate that the president’s star power has outshined tireless advocates who have made real achievements working towards peace and human rights...”
…Michael Steele, Republican Party Chairman

Is it me, or is Michael Steele totally in sync with the Taliban?

…maybe it’s just me.

Soule Restaurant Cares!


Soulé Restaurant, in cooperation with New York Cares, is hosting a Winter Coat Drive from December 1st – 31st! Please drop your gently used coats off at our drop point in Soulé from 11am – 11pm to help us keep New Yorkers in need warm.

Soule Restaurant: Announcements

Soulé is available for catering on and off premises.

Special Events listed on

www.squidoo.com/soulecalendarofevents
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Soule Restaurant: Coconut Shrimp


Try Soulé’s latest menu offering:

Coconut Shrimp

Dipped in coconut batter and fried golden, try with our sweet apricot duck sauce as a preclude to dinner!

Soule Restaurant: Happy Thanksgiving!


The first Thanksgiving was a feast in celebration of the pilgrim’s first harvest.

The Native Americans provided four deer for the feast, and the pilgrims’ contributed wild fowl. Lobster, goose, duck, seal, eel, and cod were also plentiful during that period, so it is likely that their tables possessed a good variety. Yet, turkey has become synonymous with Thanksgiving in America, and historians are unable to give a definitive reason why.

Maybe it was just the delicious scent of roasting turkey with fresh cornbread stuffing and cranberry sauce, accompanied by candied yams and macaroni and cheese, and collard greens. (Callaloo if you’re Caribbean!)

The sweet pumpkin pie with whipped cream that follows dinner so perfectly…
All of the, combined with a day of watching football; the parade; the official start of the holiday season. With family and friends together, giving thanks for home, health and heart.

Yum…works for me!

Soule Restaurant's Food Facts: Corn


Corn is America's number one field crop, used as much more than a food source; fuel alcohol, which makes gasoline burn cleaner and effectively reducing pollution is made from corn.

Corncobs, finely ground, are very absorbent, making them useful carriers for pesticides, fertilizers, vitamins, hand soaps, cosmetics, and animal litters. They are also useful in the production of paper products, paint and varnish, and as a clear covering for aspirin.

Corn as a food source is a fair source of vitamins B1, B5, C, E, folic acid, magnesium and phosphorus.

It is low in protein, and a good source of complex carbohydrate, fiber, and healthful essential fatty acids.

If interested in weight loss, it’s a good idea to limit your consumption of corn; it is more suitable for those trying to gain weight.

Soule Restaurant: Just Another Day... US ARMY


0430. They can’t be serious.

Who would’ve thought that eight weeks could drag on like this? The thought doesn’t slow me down. Brooding has to be done while multitasking during Basic Training for the U.S. Army.

I sleep on top of my blanket to save time in the morning, covering with the rough, green blanket that functions as a pillow cover. I fold the blanket lengthwise twice and lay it across the pillow, tucking the ends into the sides beneath the mattress before getting under the bed and pulling the main blanket tighter through the bedsprings.

There. A quarter can bounce on that easily.

I sleep in my PT (Physical Training) uniform so in the morning, I only have to brush my teeth and go.

After returning from the latrine, I close my combination lock and dial the first two numbers; after PT I’ll only have to turn to the last and it’s open. My secret; no one knows how I’m always the first in the shower.

I grab my sneakers and head for the stairs where I pause to put them on. (We buff the floors at night for morning inspection; only socks are allowed on the floor of the barracks.)

0440. Five more minutes to formation. Plenty of time.

My buddy PVT Slaughter waits impatiently at the steps for me.

“You know today’s the unit run, right?”

Goodness... I was resigned to a cardio day, which was only three miles. The unit run meant six.

We ran to formation, and were soon off to the field to rendezvous with the rest of the unit. It was February in South Carolina; not yet dawn, and cold enough to see your breath. We weren’t upset; we’d warm up from our run soon enough.

Our company normally split into four groups before a run with group one comprised of the fastest, and group four the slowest. For a unit run, however, we would run together at a slower pace with a designated Guide On up front holding our Bravo Company flag.

As we arrive at the parade grounds, PVT Navarez begins her normal banter.

“Mayers, I dare you to take the guide-on,” she says.

“I dare you.”

“You first.”

“Last time I went first, you flaked. You first.”

“Alright,” Navarez answers, surprisingly, because she’s not a strong runner and is normally grumpy on cardio days.

Picking up speed, she heads to the front, taking the flag from our Guide On and sprinting towards Alpha Company, who are positioned ahead of us in our running formation. She proceeds to run a circle around them as they run at a normal pace.
When I see her returning, I start to the front to meet her at the Guide On. Handing it over, she says, “I ran around the whole company.”

(Sigh.) There are four platoons in a company, so that meant I’d have to circle all four as they ran.

“Cool,” I responded.

I was the leader of the fast running group and she was in group three. No way I couldn’t do this.

The purpose of this exercise is to antagonize the other unit by demonstrating superior ability, and this display of arrogance isn’t complete without cadence.

I sprinted, passing the first and second platoons easily enough while singing at the top of my lungs:

Down by the river
I took a little walk
Me and Alpha Company
Had a little talk
I pushed’em, I shoved’em
Threw’em in the river
Watched them drown
No more Alphas
Hanging around


By the third platoon, I slowed down, just a little. I had to pick up speed to give them a wide enough berth to cross in front on the return. I reached the front feeling good; the decelerated pace and singing of cadence had helped to regulate my breathing. I took my time running back to my platoon, allowing them to meet me.
Handing the flag back to our Guide On, I took my place in formation besides Navarez, where she and Slaughter could barely contain themselves.

“What?” I asked.

“Did you run around the company?”

“Yes,” I said, ready to argue in case they didn’t believe me.

“I only ran around one platoon,” Navarez laughed, stumbling and almost causing the soldier behind her to run into her.

I shook my head, laughing… I’d been bamboozled.

We continued the run in a pretty good mood, at a pace much slower than I usually had to maintain running in the fast group, so I was breathing easily.

At mile five, I glanced sideways; the First Sargeant now kept pace beside me.

“Mayers. Go help the Guide On,” he challenged.

I smiled.

“No problem, First Sargeant,” I replied.

Please note: This is not to make light the experiences of our troops; rather, we should appreciate their sacrifices for the sake of our country and its citizens. All done with pride.

Soule Restaurant: From the Mind of ILL


As I write this on the morning of the Parade in New York for the World Champion New York Yankees (27th Championship... next Closest? Oakland Athletics, 9) I feel pride.

I am not a bandwagon fan like others. I remember when the REAL R. Kelly (Jheri Curl Spokesman Roberto Kelly) patrolled Centerfield, before Bernabe Figueroa Williams played.

I remember when Matt Nokes was our best player.

Yeah. “Who?”

So I tip my 2009 World Series Champion Fitted to Alexander Emmanuel Rodriguez, Derek Sanderson Jeter, Andrew Eugene Pettitte, and Justin Louis Heath.

(Look up who that is... may surprise you.)

I bring this up to ask: who will have a parade for me?

I paid my rent.

I want a parade.

I made it to work on time.

Parade ME.

I had a good date.

I wanna get... Um... Might rhyme with parade. (Hint: it also rhymes with Pet Made.)

Someone sent me a beat this morning and I listened to it while getting ready to go to the plantation. (aka work)

For those that don't know, I also do music. Your favorite klown, ILL Wayne Gacey.
When I record it, I'll share.

Follow me on Twitter, too, @ILLWayneGacey. I have 90 followers. Five people and 85 spambots.

Yay, me!

On a serious note, condolences to the families of the victims of the unfortunate incident at Fort Hood.

Victor Torres

Soule Restaurant: The Buzz


In these difficult economic times, many are forced to choose between a winter coat and food. Join Soulé and New York Cares in helping to warm New Yorkers in need by contributing an unused winter coat at our donation center located at Soulé… CONGRATULATIONS YANKEES, ON THE 27TH WORLD SERIES WIN…The unemployment rate 10.2 percent last week. We haven’t hit that high since the Reagan era… According to the Health Department, just one in five kids signed up for a free swine flu vaccine since the city began offering it in elementary schools last month… A crazy man stripped naked in front of PS 56 in Clinton Hill on Election Day and ranted to a group of campaign workers that he was the son of Jesus Christ… Congratulations Councilmember Letitia James! The Honorable Councilmember won the recent election, holding her seat as representative of the 35th District in a landslide 92.3% victory… The Fort Greene and Dumbo-based Brooklyn Flea will make its first foray into Manhattan on Black Friday, launching a month-long "Gifted" holiday market in the East Village… Sixty-five residential buildings in central Brooklyn, (some in Clinton Hill), are financially troubled, on the verge of distress or struggling to sell out remaining units, according to a recent survey conducted by Democratic Assemblyman Hakeem Jeffries… New parking rules in Clinton Hill and Fort Greene are in effect. Drivers have had a reprieve while signs were being replaced, and that is now over… The judge who ruled on the repeal of term limits for Bloomberg has passed away at the age of 74… Bobby Brown has an upcoming concert? Is it a competition with Whitney? Sorry, Bobby… No one can deny the mayor has made big changes in the New York City school system but debate still swirls around how effective his policies have been…