Text 1766, 83 rader
Skriven 2006-05-26 14:08:00 av MICHAEL LOO (1:123/140)
     Kommentar till en text av DAVE SACERDOTE
Ärende: Food Zone 732
=====================
 DS> In the weeks leading up to the closure, I had noticed that some
 DS> of the shelves were looking a little thinly-stocked and mentioned
 DS> it to Lynn.  We would go down the aisles and the fronts of the
 DS> shelves were filled with product, but only one or two items deep,

I remember your describing this. It was saddening, especially
as I'd had the opportunity to become familiar with the store.

 DS> like a supermarket version of a Potemkin Village.  When I pointed
 DS> it out to Lynn I said, "Watch, these guys are on the edge. When a
 DS> store stops stocking the shelves, it's a sign that they're nearly
 DS> bankrupt."

And the phenomenon of Potemkin followed hard on by normality
bespeaks a good faith effort to keep the place running, now
that I think of it. The owners can't pay their suppliers, who
don't make a shipment; but then the owners find a source of
ready cash or a more gullible supplier, and things start up
again, but as the problems persist, the whole thing does end
up coming to a crashing halt. Sounds to me as though the IGA
pulled the plug gradually.

 DS> Everything unfolded in much less time than might have happened
 DS> had they gone through channels with the bankruptcy.  The whole
 DS> situation had the smell of someone ducking out in the middle of 
 DS> the night.

But your mother knew several days ahead, so it didn't seem like
a classic debtor's flight.

 DS> But the neighborhood isn't all poor people.  The southeast Asian
 DS> community encompasses a wide range of incomes.  On the other side
 DS> of Belmont, and to the east, is the Forest Park section (middle
 DS> class and up.)  Plus there's a huge Hispanic population there.

I was thinking on the customer flow and how there's a lag
between the time people leave their old neighborhood and the
time they stop shopping at their old store. But they do stop
eventually, except for holidays and such. I was wondering if
FPM was in this unbearably cyclic condition. Of course, maybe
Senor Diaz's team did its market research and concluded that
the area was coming up again economically.

--mm
Duck Breast With Rhubarb-Strawberry Compote
cat: main, odd
serves: 6

3/4 c sugar
1 c water
1 1/4 lb rhubarb, cut in 2" pieces
1 lb strawberries, hulled and quartered
2 whole duck breasts (about 3 1/2 lb)
- split in half to yield 4 lobes
Kosher salt and freshly ground pepper to taste

Combine the sugar and water and bring to a boil over high heat.
Lower the heat and simmer without stirring, 3 min. Put the
rhubarb in a baking dish large enough to hold it in one layer.
Add the syrup and bake until the rhubarb pieces are tender but
still hold their shape, about 35 min. Allow to cool for 10 min;
stir in the strawberries.

Score the skin side of each breast with a knife, down to the
meat. Make 1/4"-deep scores on the other side, then season the
breasts generously with salt and pepper.

Place a large, heavy skillet over medium heat. When hot, add
the duck breasts, skin-side down, and cook 10 min, lowering
heat if they begin to smoke and spooning off excess fat as
it accumulates. Turn, and cook on the other side to
desired doneness, about 10 min more for medium rare.

Remove the duck from the pan, cover and allow to rest 5 min.
Slice the meat thinly on the bias and serve with the compote,
warmed or at room temperature.

Molly O'Neill, NY Times 6-13-99
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