At Le Monde’s bar, a portly man—apparently a manager of sorts—blowing haute air with two old, midwestern friends who were visiting the city.

They ask him about working so close to Columbia, with the students and all.

Yeah, but we keep it too expensive for the kids. Mostly professors and faculty in here.

They agree: That makes good business sense. Pesky kids. The fat man, gesturing to his guests’ drinks, looks over to the bartender,

Hit them again, sweetheart.

Grateful for the extra dose of white wine, the couple daintily cheers, and then curiously turn back to the previous question. He must take advantage of the cheap, collegiate labor, they reason.

No we don’t hire students. Ever! They are so… entitled. Ya know? Mel’s down the street hires those kids. The service is TERRIBLE!  [deep belly laugh] We hire more… of the artist type. Ya know, singers and actors. 

 mime via edrants.com

With or without sprinkles?

On Monday, Le Monde, that little corner of Paris in Morningside, will augment their menu for a week-long Pig Frites Festival. Besides their usual fare, they’ll feature a variety of exotic pork related dishes, including “Bacon Ice Cream with caramelized apples and chocolate dipped bacon ($6).” (!!) This is old news apparently, but it’s a pretty big step forward for our humble ‘hood. Last time we checked the most exotic thing around was really expensive juice. Carnivores can also indulge in “a whole roasted and stuffed suckling pig served with a pork jus ($21); Cassoulet De Porc with white beans, pork sausage and bacon ($18.50); and Porc À La Bourguignon ($16.75), pork braised in red wine with mushrooms, pearl onions, bacon and mashed potato.” Read the full menu in all its porcine glory here.

Pig meat via Wikimedia