“Souk” is an Arabic word meaning an open-air marketplace. But, in the Village on Thanksgiving, Le Souk — as in Le Souk restaurant, on La Guardia Place — means teaming up with BAMRA to host a delicious dinner and good times with fellow community members. In what has become an annual tradition, 325 locals — over the course of two seatings — enjoyed a traditional holiday meal with turkey, stuffing, mashed or sweet potatoes, roasted veggies and — if they still had room for it — pie or angel food cake for dessert. There was also a vegetarian option. Le Souk had to borrow some chairs (les chaises) from Le Poisson Rouge around the corner on Bleecker St. They also added light bulbs for brighter lighting, since this event was all about belly filling, not the usual belly dancing. And they ran the elevator to the place’s third level for improved accessibility. Local volunteers pitched in to help serve the meal. Novac Noury, a.k.a. the “Arrow Keyboard Man” of Studio 54 fame, provided the tunes to make the dinner go down all that much sweeter. The meals were free for those in need, but those who could pay gave a contribution. The proceeds will go to Visiting Neighbors, and were matched by both Le Souk and BAMRA (Bleecker Area Merchants’ and Residents’ Association).
