Those Annoying Pre-Election Texts Starting to Grate Nerves

The texts keep coming–and thankfully after ED (Election Day), they’ll stop. But in the meantime the pings from my phone keep coming and, for some reason http.//t.demgov. (there’s more) has gone rogue with the following message: “We’ve asked you at least 10 times if you endorse Kamala Harris! Now we’re asking you for at least the 4th time: Are you planning to vote this November?” And then there’s a “Y” or “N” after the above link.

Hmm, what a way to win votes and make friends. My text response - not Y or N–just “Don’t ask again! I’m a registered voter and vote accordingly. Quit the bullying!” So there, & stop with the pings!

The son’s across town–For years restaurateur Mirso Leksic has owned such East Side favorites as Il Valentino Osteria, Caffe Milou, and Four Cuts Steakhouse, which was, a popular dining spot for Donald Trump, Jr. For the past several years Mirso–everybody calls him Mirso–has owned Tudor City Steakhouse in the heart of UN country. The handsome, halcyon dining spot is a favorite of our Gov. Kathy Hochul. And now that her other go-to favorite, Neary’s is gone, there’s more time to dine at Tudor City Steakhouse.

All the celebrity and hoopla hasn’t been lost on Mirso’s older son, Dennis, who owns the recently opened–in the last year or so–Benny John’s at 8 East 48th Street off 5th Ave. in the heart of Rockefeller Center country. Twenty-three-year-old Dennis Lekic, a graduate of Manhattan College (before it became Manhattan University) and long after Rudy Giuliani claimed a degree from Manhattan College, lives on the Upper East Side in Yorkville. Dennis’s opening of his own restaurant was in keeping with the family tradition. Dad Mirso started in 1989 and Mirso’s brother John owns Farmers and Chefs in Poughkeepsie, NY. Dennis keeps his eye on the operation as he and his younger brother, Benny, wait tables and learn the business hands-on. Dennis brings a young vibe to the bar and grill.

The dining room is light and airy with cheerful, upscale artist Phil Kay paintings. Hours of operation are Mon-Sun, 11 a.m.to 10 p.m. Lunch is Mon-Fri. Brunch is Sat and Sun. Dinner Mon-Sun. Happy Hour all day in the bar area and patio. Bar Bites 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. Benny John’s most popular dishes: Beet Salad, BJ’s Burger, homemade creme brulee and some terrific signature cocktails. Seating capacity’s 100. So you’ll fit right it.

Benny John’s buzz resounds across the Canadian border and Canadian celebrities Eugene Levy CC and Paul Allen Wood Shaffer CM chowed down on luscious filet mignon, steak frites and panne cotta and cheesecake for dessert as reported on the NY Post’s Page Six. Levy’s a Canadian actor and comedian and is known for portraying flustered and unconventional figures. He has won four Primetime Emmys, a Grammy, and a Screen Actors Guild awards. Wood Shaffer’s background is rich in the arts. He’s a musician who served as David Letterman’s musical director as well as being a singer, composer and author.

86th St Live–Hot & Crusty’s been long gone. Other venues have come and gone in its location on the block between 85th and 86th St, the venerable Lexington Avenue bus stop. Now comes 7th Street Burger to occupy the Hot & Crusty spot. Up until their move to 86th St., 7th Street Burger had locations on the Lower East Side and on 2nd Ave in the 80s. Their smashburgers are good, but the 2nd Ave. spot is kind of drab and unappealing. Not so the more grandiose new 86th St location from the look of things.

I’d be remiss if I didn’t put in a plug for BurgerFi on 2nd Ave and 82nd St. They reopened after closing during the pandemic. The place is uber clean. The staff is gracious and accommodating. And the burgers and fries are first rate. Unfortunately, burgers aren’t served rare, my favorite. But my medium, almost rare, burger, was just fine. Add BurgerFi to the Yorkville menu.