Well written. I am also struck by his regrets about not paying greater attention to the people he loved and cared for. However, from having worked in restaurants I know they are a lot of work and all consuming. Even a basic restaurant is like that. He must have worked very hard, consistently, to create what has. I guess it's true what they say - attention is the rarest form of generosity. Hard workers give their attention to work and then later realize that they should have given more attention to those they love. ❤️
Well one thing he did was, once he got these iconic restaurants rolling, he was very quickly off to the next project. Which was why it was so crucial who eventually ran them. He always seemed to get really good people. In the case of Odeon, he essentially "gave" it to his ex wife--maybe as part of their divorce settlement?--and she did a good job running it. He doesn't go into that really. But Odeon is still there to this day! So the people who run these places day to day must be very talented and well chosen.
I want to read this book. I'm going to buy this book. Just the title sells it to me. Having EVERYTHING to regret sounds like a riveting read,as your review confirms. I was aware of the glitzy New York scene via tv,radio,Sunday newspaper magazine features and just by osmosis,the drip,drip of popular culture. It was a planet away from my world but not my aspiration anyway. But interesting. About "working class". Once the Butler Education Act opened up higher or better education to 'working class" people hordes of talented people leapt into the opportunity space. That was the 1960s,to name a few,The Beatles,Michael Caine, all those hip photographers, Alan Bennett!, Terry Jones . Even the ones who didn't get the education or skipped it got to rise by their native wit and innate intelligence. That was the 1960s good side. But - I must do my own Substack on this. Did everyone who could rise do so in the 1960s leaving as "the working class" a truly lumpenproletariat,a cold rice pudding of undesirable and talentless stodge of which I am one. Yes,I am. The title of my memoir would have to be "I should regret absolutely everything - but I don't". The fact is what we now term "the working class" for want of a better term is not people who actually work,it's a mass of non-working humanity who totally lack the wit and initiative of the pre 1960s working class.
Sounds like a fascinating book & life! I grew up in Tribeca in the late 90s/early 2000s and love Jay McInerney so the Odeon looms large in my imagination
Blake has perfected the travel narrative. Always great to read his work.
Well written. I am also struck by his regrets about not paying greater attention to the people he loved and cared for. However, from having worked in restaurants I know they are a lot of work and all consuming. Even a basic restaurant is like that. He must have worked very hard, consistently, to create what has. I guess it's true what they say - attention is the rarest form of generosity. Hard workers give their attention to work and then later realize that they should have given more attention to those they love. ❤️
And another dinner report from Balthazar: https://www.instagram.com/p/DMy2fv4ssJr/
These are incredible notes (like audit notes!). It is an “account” of the Night. It shows the care they put into relationships.
Here's one of the nightly reports the manager wrote to McNally at Balthazar:
https://www.instagram.com/p/DGn0wz2vUIq/
Well one thing he did was, once he got these iconic restaurants rolling, he was very quickly off to the next project. Which was why it was so crucial who eventually ran them. He always seemed to get really good people. In the case of Odeon, he essentially "gave" it to his ex wife--maybe as part of their divorce settlement?--and she did a good job running it. He doesn't go into that really. But Odeon is still there to this day! So the people who run these places day to day must be very talented and well chosen.
It sounds like he really liked the designing and building part of the projects. He essentially built “the spirit” of these places.
Another "Dinner Report" from Balthazar:
https://www.instagram.com/p/DMy2fv4ssJr/
Blake, I love your style. Punchy.
Blake that's awesome.
Can your read my book and write something that genius about me?
I want to read this book. I'm going to buy this book. Just the title sells it to me. Having EVERYTHING to regret sounds like a riveting read,as your review confirms. I was aware of the glitzy New York scene via tv,radio,Sunday newspaper magazine features and just by osmosis,the drip,drip of popular culture. It was a planet away from my world but not my aspiration anyway. But interesting. About "working class". Once the Butler Education Act opened up higher or better education to 'working class" people hordes of talented people leapt into the opportunity space. That was the 1960s,to name a few,The Beatles,Michael Caine, all those hip photographers, Alan Bennett!, Terry Jones . Even the ones who didn't get the education or skipped it got to rise by their native wit and innate intelligence. That was the 1960s good side. But - I must do my own Substack on this. Did everyone who could rise do so in the 1960s leaving as "the working class" a truly lumpenproletariat,a cold rice pudding of undesirable and talentless stodge of which I am one. Yes,I am. The title of my memoir would have to be "I should regret absolutely everything - but I don't". The fact is what we now term "the working class" for want of a better term is not people who actually work,it's a mass of non-working humanity who totally lack the wit and initiative of the pre 1960s working class.
so good - agreed that he 'regrets them only in principle' re: his romantic relationships
Sounds like a fascinating book & life! I grew up in Tribeca in the late 90s/early 2000s and love Jay McInerney so the Odeon looms large in my imagination