Dinner at Jack’s on Halsted last night. I was the first to arrive so I sat at the bar and had a drink. It’s a nice place to go for a drink. I ought to remember that for future reference. Fairly quiet, nice windows looking out onto the intersection, which is a prime one for people watching. Not the best Manhattan I’ve ever had, but at least it wasn’t overly sweet. And it was $5.

I had roast chicken and it was fantastic. Last weekend I went to Bin 36 for the first time and also had roast chicken, and last night’s was much better. I could’ve eaten a whole plate of the garlic mashed potatoes that came on the side.

When I got home I was in a serious food coma. Before I knew it I was watching a documentary on WTTW about the long-time rivalry between Helena Rubinstein and Elizabeth Arden. They were the first female businesswomen to really insist that every woman could be beautiful, and that it was something they could do for themselves. A revolutionary idea, coming out of the 19th century. They were also great patrons and popularizers of modern art. Rubenstein had Man Ray paintings in her salon, and she gave Dali a leg up. They don’t teach you about this stuff in art school.