Adams House's chopped liver was almost as good as my mother's.

The potato latkes were, like most of the stuff we study here at Harvard, good in theory. Of course, it takes a lot to get a theory to work in practice. Still, they were a nice touch.

The fact that most of the food on Deli Day is prefaced by the term "real" says a lot about what we normally eat. "Real" bagels remain round and slightly misshapen because they aren't kept in plastic bags and mass-processed at the Lender's factory. "Real" rye bread is sort of oblong, not square. "Real" cheesecake is a shade of yellow between lemon squares and the Hollandaise they try to serve with brocolli spears.

"Real" food tastes good, too.

HARVARD Dining Services should feel good that they have finally created a theme meal that works.

They should also feel appreciated. In these work-filled weeks before vacation, we need all the extra happiness we can get.

For those who have missed the Deli Days so far, don't worry. One should be coming eventually to a dining hall near you.

If you can't wait for fate to guide you to right place at the right time, just follow me to lunch. I have a "feeling" (all right, this time I have inside information) that there are going to be Deli Days this afternoon.

You can bet I'll be there. My record has been pretty good so far.