Mystery #3 Solved: Cliff's Ugly Eggs at Miss Albany Diner, Albany, NY

And the winner is…. Betsy!

Congrats. The dish was Cliff’s ugly eggs at Miss Albany. And yes, the ingredients are eggs, mushrooms and anchovies. I asked them to add cream cheese, but that is my own special twist.

When I first saw this sign hanging above the counter at Miss Albany, I had that awkward feeling that happens when worlds collide. Like, say, and I’m just using my imagination here, that once a week you love to dress in drag and sing Pointer Sisters songs. I’m picturing a puffy wig and some torn fishnets, but feel free to add your own wardrobe to the fantasy. And let’s say that in the other part of your life, the one that is not on Wednesday nights, you sell insurance. And between the steady paychecks and the raunchy stage antics you’ve figured out a peaceful life that works. Until one day, into your fluorescently lit insurance office walks your drag queen posse. And they plop down in front of your cubicle, put their platforms up on top of your desk and start calling you Cinnamon (or is that Sinaman) in front of all your office mates.

World colliding.

Well, I walked in to Miss Albany Diner the other week, and there was my favorite pizza, the one I order in my private life when I am eating alone and just being me, there it was masquerading as a plate of scrambled eggs. Anchovies and mushrooms. Salt and smoke. Ocean and earth. The part of life you can’t explain. Either you get it or you don’t.

It’s raining men…

Of course, I had to try the eggs.

The first time I ordered them, they were perfect. Lovely, soft, yellow eggs with flecks of mushroom and anchovies, the whole thing softened by dabs of cream cheese throughout. I had to stop several times and tell my friend (who was pregnant and not loving my smelly plate of food) how good they were. She just nodded, and gave me one of her best “yes Dear” looks.

The second time I ordered the eggs, I learned that according to the diner’s standards, the first eggs were a mistake. The meal is meant to be much more of a mash. The first eggs, for one thing, were far too pretty. What arrived this time was one of the ugliest plates of food I’ve ever been served. Sort of a grey pile of anchovy-smelling mush. (I was very glad my friend wasn’t with me on this visit.)

I tucked my fork in and took a bite. This time the anchovies were in bigger pieces and dominated the bites where I found them. And I can’t say I loved the consistency, although I’m sure that was partly my fault for adding cream cheese to their mash up. Still, they were mighty tasty if a bit overwhelming.

Now, I’m not about to start telling Cliff how to serve his eggs, but I’m wondering if I go mid-week, perhaps I might get the cook who made the “mistake” the first time.

Hey, Betsy, I will send you an email with the details. Again, congrats.