"I am hung-over, tired, and pleased to be alive. The mission, as you may recall, involved sampling the favorite vices of Barney Panofsky, the protagonist of Richler's last novel Barney's Version: Montecristos (the Dominican cigars), medium-fats on rye (a spectacular brisket served at the legendary Schwartz's Deli), single malts (preferably Macallan whisky), the veal-marrow hors d'oeuvre at L'Express restaurant, XO cognac, marbled rib steaks at Moishe's Steakhouse, and caffeine." Gary Shteyngart completes an unusual pilgrimage in honour of Mordecai Richler.