Restaurant: Nickel Diner
Location: 524 S. Main Street, Los Angeles
Like/Don't Like: Holy Cats! If it were a rich, single, non-weird Mormon man I would marry it.
We was looking for a place in downtown LA to have my birthday dinner because we were going to be down there for a sing-along (natch). I already love a few places in that area but I wanted to go someplace new. So I got onto Yelp and found this gem. It's right in the heart of downtown, a few blocks from City Hall, the area looks a little sketchy in the dark, but let me tell you, it may actually be worth getting mugged if you can have their root beer creme brulee.
I was with a bunch of people who like to eat and want to share, which is the best group to be with when you're going out to eat, and we each ordered something different and passed the plates around. I had the skirt steak with chimichurri (perfect), there was some mac and cheese which was out of sight, spicy pulled pork, cat fish with brussel sprout hash (I don't even like cat fish very much but I would have cuddled with this after hours), stuffed artichoke and a pork chop with some kind of jam sauce that made me want to weep. So delicious. And then we couldn't pass on the desserts. We tried the smore cake, the surprise cupcake (surprise! Pop Rocks!), and the aforementioned root beer creme brulee. You know how most creme brulee that you get when you eat out is kind of grainy? This was so silky and delicious and root beery. I wanted to lick the ramekin. And here's the kicker - they're really known for their breakfast. I can't wait to try it.
The review on Yelp said the ambiance was "Hipster Casual", which was initially a deterrent. And it was also dead on. But it was also kind of legit. It didn't look like it was trying too hard. And the staff was incredibly friendly and helpful. They kept the water coming and they joked with us without being obnoxious and made really good suggestions. After I finished my dinner I told our server that I just wanted to hug everyone, it was so good. So on my way out she gave me a big hug. You know you have a winner when you leave with a hug.
Saturday, August 18, 2012
Monday, August 13, 2012
The Particular Sadness of Lemon Cake
Book: The Particular Sadness of Lemon Cake
Author: Aimee Bender
Like/Don't Like: Mmmm...lemon cake. Oh, wait, yes. I liked it.
It took me a bit to form a solid enough opinion on this novel before writing anything and I've decided that I liked it. Even though I felt uncomfortable through the whole thing.
Rose is about 9 when she realizes that she can taste emotions in the food that people cook for her. It starts with her mother's despair and her brothers confusion. And this starts a lifetime of trying to avoid anything but food that is made in a factory because she can't process all the bad emotions that others struggle with and hide. It was a pretty interesting premise. But her family was so awkward. I cringed every time they would have a conversation because they just had no idea how to communicate. So the whole time I was reading it I just wanted to yell, "Will someone just give this girl a hug!"
The bulk of the blame goes to the author for this very drawn out style of writing. A conversation of just a few sentences could last pages and pages because she kept interrupting with thoughts. And that's a fine technique but it felt overplayed at times. Also, it felt a little sloppy at places, like time had no meaning. But I cannot deny that the story lingered with me long after I finished. I think she captured the confusion and fear in Rose nicely. Overall it was a good read.
Author: Aimee Bender
Like/Don't Like: Mmmm...lemon cake. Oh, wait, yes. I liked it.
It took me a bit to form a solid enough opinion on this novel before writing anything and I've decided that I liked it. Even though I felt uncomfortable through the whole thing.
Rose is about 9 when she realizes that she can taste emotions in the food that people cook for her. It starts with her mother's despair and her brothers confusion. And this starts a lifetime of trying to avoid anything but food that is made in a factory because she can't process all the bad emotions that others struggle with and hide. It was a pretty interesting premise. But her family was so awkward. I cringed every time they would have a conversation because they just had no idea how to communicate. So the whole time I was reading it I just wanted to yell, "Will someone just give this girl a hug!"
The bulk of the blame goes to the author for this very drawn out style of writing. A conversation of just a few sentences could last pages and pages because she kept interrupting with thoughts. And that's a fine technique but it felt overplayed at times. Also, it felt a little sloppy at places, like time had no meaning. But I cannot deny that the story lingered with me long after I finished. I think she captured the confusion and fear in Rose nicely. Overall it was a good read.
Thursday, July 26, 2012
Midnight in Paris
Movie: Midnight in Paris
Like/Don't Like: Yeah, I liked it
I never quite get the allure of a Woody Allen film. I think my west coast, non-neurotic sensibilities makes him sort of just okay in my book. But I aside from the usual unrelatable characters that are always in his films, I thought this one was totally charming. Mostly because it's set in Paris, partly in the 1920s which means it's filled with Hemingway and Gertrude Stein and Picasso and Cole Porter. And the whole thing was warmly lit and had lovely jazz music in the background and, well, I watched it like 2 weeks ago which means that it has completely slipped out of my mind. But it counts if I remember that I liked it, right?
Like/Don't Like: Yeah, I liked it
I never quite get the allure of a Woody Allen film. I think my west coast, non-neurotic sensibilities makes him sort of just okay in my book. But I aside from the usual unrelatable characters that are always in his films, I thought this one was totally charming. Mostly because it's set in Paris, partly in the 1920s which means it's filled with Hemingway and Gertrude Stein and Picasso and Cole Porter. And the whole thing was warmly lit and had lovely jazz music in the background and, well, I watched it like 2 weeks ago which means that it has completely slipped out of my mind. But it counts if I remember that I liked it, right?
Unbroken
Book: Unbroken
Author: Laura Hillenbrand
Like/Don't Like: Like, if only to learn that you should never go to war against the Japanese.
You should read this book, because it's a ridiculously good story told by an amazing writer and you'll be so grateful that you have never 1.) been lost at see for 40+ days, 2.) been captured by the Japanese and put into a POW camp, 3.) what, you need more to be grateful for than that?
It's the true story of Louis Zamperini, an Olympic mile runner and WWII vet whose plane went down in the Pacific, which he and a fellow crewman survived, only for the current to sweep them right into enemy territory. You will want to shut the book when you get to the part about all the torture they went through in those camps. Those Japanese were hard core when it came to brutality. There were several times I had to shut the book and breathe slowly and imagine fields of daisies because it was just so horrific. But it is a testament to how resilient the human spirit is.
And I have to give it up to the author. Laura Hillenbrand wrote Seabiscuit and I was floored by how much a story about a horse sucked me in. So I wasn't surprised by what a gripping story-teller she is. I generally stay away from non-fiction because all I really care about is a good story told well and most non-fiction writers have the good story but forget that they are not in a lecture hall. Hillenbrand moves things along and gives you just enough facts and data to keep you feeling like you're actually learning something while being entertained.
And if none of that has piqued your interest you should know that somewhere in the south Pacific, while they're floating along, exhausted and starving, Louis decides to get even with the sharks who have been stalking them the whole time. So he kills one with his bare hands.
Author: Laura Hillenbrand
Like/Don't Like: Like, if only to learn that you should never go to war against the Japanese.
You should read this book, because it's a ridiculously good story told by an amazing writer and you'll be so grateful that you have never 1.) been lost at see for 40+ days, 2.) been captured by the Japanese and put into a POW camp, 3.) what, you need more to be grateful for than that?
It's the true story of Louis Zamperini, an Olympic mile runner and WWII vet whose plane went down in the Pacific, which he and a fellow crewman survived, only for the current to sweep them right into enemy territory. You will want to shut the book when you get to the part about all the torture they went through in those camps. Those Japanese were hard core when it came to brutality. There were several times I had to shut the book and breathe slowly and imagine fields of daisies because it was just so horrific. But it is a testament to how resilient the human spirit is.
And I have to give it up to the author. Laura Hillenbrand wrote Seabiscuit and I was floored by how much a story about a horse sucked me in. So I wasn't surprised by what a gripping story-teller she is. I generally stay away from non-fiction because all I really care about is a good story told well and most non-fiction writers have the good story but forget that they are not in a lecture hall. Hillenbrand moves things along and gives you just enough facts and data to keep you feeling like you're actually learning something while being entertained.
And if none of that has piqued your interest you should know that somewhere in the south Pacific, while they're floating along, exhausted and starving, Louis decides to get even with the sharks who have been stalking them the whole time. So he kills one with his bare hands.
Sunday, July 1, 2012
Brave
Movie: Brave
Like/Don't Like: Like. I was suprised by some parts. But in a good way.
I've never been envious of a cartoon character's hair until I saw Merida's red curls. Pixar should get an oscar just for how glorious they looked. In other news: this was a sweet movie. All I've really heard about it was that the animation was amazing. And I totally agree. Let's all move to Scotland! But the story was really good. And suprising. You don't often find a movie that deals almost exclusively with a mother/daughter relationship, but especially an animated one. Because most mother's are dead or abscent in animated Disney films. And you definitely don't find a Disney movie without a love story. This didn't have one at all. And it was kind of refreshing. I was genuinely surprised by the twist this had (no, I won't tell you ) and was kind of put off at first but then went with the flow and saw that it was a really tender story. It still has everything you expect from Pixar, it was funny and sweet and had a lot of depth. And Merida made a great heroine. It was pretty solid.
Like/Don't Like: Like. I was suprised by some parts. But in a good way.
I've never been envious of a cartoon character's hair until I saw Merida's red curls. Pixar should get an oscar just for how glorious they looked. In other news: this was a sweet movie. All I've really heard about it was that the animation was amazing. And I totally agree. Let's all move to Scotland! But the story was really good. And suprising. You don't often find a movie that deals almost exclusively with a mother/daughter relationship, but especially an animated one. Because most mother's are dead or abscent in animated Disney films. And you definitely don't find a Disney movie without a love story. This didn't have one at all. And it was kind of refreshing. I was genuinely surprised by the twist this had (no, I won't tell you ) and was kind of put off at first but then went with the flow and saw that it was a really tender story. It still has everything you expect from Pixar, it was funny and sweet and had a lot of depth. And Merida made a great heroine. It was pretty solid.
Tuesday, June 19, 2012
Bunheads
TV Show: Bunheads
Like/Don't Like: Conditional like, if only because it is so familiar
(NOTE: There is a big spoiler in this so stop reading if you haven't watched the first episode and are planning to. Or keep reading and just live with knowing.)
I don't normally review TV shows, simply because I don't usually start watching new TV shows. I don't like being committed to a show, even with the magic of the DVR. And also, it's tough to judge a show on just a few episodes. But this was created by Amy Sherman-Palladino, who created Gilmore Girls, and if there was one show that I loved and truly miss and wish that they would do a reunion special just so I can see how happy Luke and Loralei are right now that would be it. So I recorded the first two episodes and watched them tonight and am happy to report that this is Gilmore Girls on the west coast.
Proof: it has several actors from GG. Like Emily. And Gypsy. And Mitchum Huntsburger as a hippie barkeep. The same gal who did the music in GG is doing the music here, with similar guitar strumming and la-la-ing. It has the same rat-a-tat-tat dialogue that I loved in GG, with lots of pop culture references and sarcastic zingers. And Sutton Foster is a good fit for that, even though I hope she'll ease out of her Broadway broadness and into the subtleties you can get away with in television. So over all, I liked it, because it was so nicely familiar.
But here's where I object (And here's where the spoiler begins. You've been warned.) I do not think that I can get beyond Alan Ruck being given to us for one episode and then so abruptly taken away. When I saw that it was him I squealed, because who doesn't love Cameron? And he's such a sweetheart in the first episode. And now he's gone. Boo. I fear I will always think what might have been.
Like/Don't Like: Conditional like, if only because it is so familiar
(NOTE: There is a big spoiler in this so stop reading if you haven't watched the first episode and are planning to. Or keep reading and just live with knowing.)
I don't normally review TV shows, simply because I don't usually start watching new TV shows. I don't like being committed to a show, even with the magic of the DVR. And also, it's tough to judge a show on just a few episodes. But this was created by Amy Sherman-Palladino, who created Gilmore Girls, and if there was one show that I loved and truly miss and wish that they would do a reunion special just so I can see how happy Luke and Loralei are right now that would be it. So I recorded the first two episodes and watched them tonight and am happy to report that this is Gilmore Girls on the west coast.
Proof: it has several actors from GG. Like Emily. And Gypsy. And Mitchum Huntsburger as a hippie barkeep. The same gal who did the music in GG is doing the music here, with similar guitar strumming and la-la-ing. It has the same rat-a-tat-tat dialogue that I loved in GG, with lots of pop culture references and sarcastic zingers. And Sutton Foster is a good fit for that, even though I hope she'll ease out of her Broadway broadness and into the subtleties you can get away with in television. So over all, I liked it, because it was so nicely familiar.
But here's where I object (And here's where the spoiler begins. You've been warned.) I do not think that I can get beyond Alan Ruck being given to us for one episode and then so abruptly taken away. When I saw that it was him I squealed, because who doesn't love Cameron? And he's such a sweetheart in the first episode. And now he's gone. Boo. I fear I will always think what might have been.
The Sweetness at the Bottom of the Pie
Book: The Sweetness at the Bottom of the Pie
Author: Alan Bradley
Like/Don't Like: I was completely taken in
I've been a little annoyed lately with writers who don't trust their readers. Few things infuriate me more than when an author spends too much time explaining things that should be understandable through context. Or puts in references simply to look smart. It makes me feel like they think I'm dumb. You have to trust that your reader will figure things out on her own.
So here we have Alan Bradley who not only wrote a YA novel, a genre that is fraught with this sort of stuff, but did it without the slightest bit of condescension. This story is stocked with Latin phrases, chemical compounds, allusions to female chemists, snippets of Shakespeare, and a mystery involving stamp collecting and not a bit of it is spoon fed to you like you're an imbecile. He does not coddle his readers at all His heroine, Flavia de Luce, is a smart, no-nonsense, eleven year old budding chemist and member of the British gentry. She's a heroine I can get behind and not just because she's a girl sleuth. I love girl sleuths. With the exception of Nancy Drew who was just too perfect. Ugh, didn't you just wish Ned would dump her, even if he was a dope?
Anyway, Flavia finds herself in the middle of a murder mystery and she manages to make her way around the inspectors and the murderer and her two scheming sisters to discover the truth, all while whizzing around the English countryside on her bike. It is charming and smart and a book I would have devoured if I had gotten my hands on it as an 11 year old. Ok, so I devoured it as a 36 year old. It's just that good.
Author: Alan Bradley
Like/Don't Like: I was completely taken in
I've been a little annoyed lately with writers who don't trust their readers. Few things infuriate me more than when an author spends too much time explaining things that should be understandable through context. Or puts in references simply to look smart. It makes me feel like they think I'm dumb. You have to trust that your reader will figure things out on her own.
So here we have Alan Bradley who not only wrote a YA novel, a genre that is fraught with this sort of stuff, but did it without the slightest bit of condescension. This story is stocked with Latin phrases, chemical compounds, allusions to female chemists, snippets of Shakespeare, and a mystery involving stamp collecting and not a bit of it is spoon fed to you like you're an imbecile. He does not coddle his readers at all His heroine, Flavia de Luce, is a smart, no-nonsense, eleven year old budding chemist and member of the British gentry. She's a heroine I can get behind and not just because she's a girl sleuth. I love girl sleuths. With the exception of Nancy Drew who was just too perfect. Ugh, didn't you just wish Ned would dump her, even if he was a dope?
Anyway, Flavia finds herself in the middle of a murder mystery and she manages to make her way around the inspectors and the murderer and her two scheming sisters to discover the truth, all while whizzing around the English countryside on her bike. It is charming and smart and a book I would have devoured if I had gotten my hands on it as an 11 year old. Ok, so I devoured it as a 36 year old. It's just that good.
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