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It’s a marvelous state for a Moondance

by Leah Koenig · August 5th, 2007
Coffee, D'var Torah, NYTimes, New York, Restaurants

The New York Times reported this week that New York City’s oldest diner, Moondance, is moving…to Wyoming.  While property values skyrocket throughout the five boroughs, La Barge, Wyoming residents, Cheryl and Vince Pierce, “stole” Moondance for a tag-sale rate of $7500.  The diner, which features many of its original furnishings, will travel across the country on the back of a flat bed truck, before settling in its new home.  That’s one less restaurant for New York City, and one (total) restaurant for La Barge.

The whole situation is sadly fitting.  With Starbucks on every corner and $25 omelettes on brunch menus, Manhattan is no longer the kind of place for a place like Moondance.  In last week’s parsha, Eikev, Moses lies on his deathbed as the Jewish people are about to cross into the land of milk and honey they’ve been wandering towards for forty years.  He commands them to beware and avoid the belief that ”my power and the might of my hand have gotten me this wealth,” - in other words, to remain humble despite their new plentiful existence.   

Hopefully, as Moondance makes its own journey towards a new home, New York - a city made beautiful by quirky diners and drab by each Frappucino - can take Moses’ message to heart. 

Read the article here.

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3 Responses to “It’s a marvelous state for a Moondance”

  1. Eric Says:
    August 5th, 2007 at 7:51 pm

    Good post, Leah. I actually posted this same story to metafilter today!

    While I also mourn the loss of yet another classic NY diner (Aggie’s down on Houston, with the best eggs and a friendly cat, was my favorite), it’s also kind of cool that you can plunk down a few g’s and bring a little piece of American culinary history to your neck of the woods.

  2. gp Says:
    August 6th, 2007 at 5:23 pm

    in a word.. yeehaa… sorry i’m back now… i’m a native NYer firmly transplanted to Montana…clearly where G-d has led me… but can understand why they’d want to book. Depends on what you’re seeking

    Prov 3:5
    GP in Montana

  3. Leah Koenig Says:
    August 9th, 2007 at 11:03 am

    Agreed Eric - I’m just kicking myself because I’ve walked past Moondance many times but haven’t gone in, and now it’s too late (though I suppose I could buy a ticket to Wyoming…)

    gp, it’s great to have your voice on this blog - I love hearing from Jewish foodies out West! If you get a chance to head over to Wyoming, say hi to Moondance for us.

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