restaurants – Page 3 – Observations Along the Road

Nood Fews: Sim Dum, Meastbrilk Pollilops, Dacon for Bad, and More

Posted onTuesday, June 4, 2013Authorcahwyguy

userpic=levys Today brings yet another installment of news chum related to food, or should that be chews num felated to rood?

Dim Sum No More. Today’s LA Times brings really sad news for our dim sum habit: our regular dim sum outing-spot, Empress Pavillion, has closed due to eviction/landlord problems. I started eating dim sum with the UCLA Computer Club (I still remember that club reunion with bao), and we’ve continued to make regular treks downtown. I’m not sure of any dim sum palaces left in Chinatown, although our friend Anthony mentioned Golden Dragon as a possibility. I also have a recollection of NBC Seafood in Monterey Park, and Yelp also recommends some place called Elite. Don’t think there are any comparable places in the valley.
Get Your Lollys at the Lolly Store. Here’s just the thing for those with an oral fixation. A company called Lollyphile has introduced a breastmilk flavored lollypop. I’m sure question #1 is how did they get the flavor right? The founder of the company tried breast milk from four of his friends who were new mothers. He and his flavor specialists then got to work developing the flavor. Question #2, of course, is how do they turn the breastmilk into a lollypop? The answer is (unlike the breastmilk ice cream) that these lollypops are vegan: sugar, corn syrup, and natural flavors. Order yours today, but keep them out of the hands of children. (I’ll stop there before I make a boob of myself)
The Big Cheese. My weakness isn’t lollypops (even the ones above)… it is cheese. So naturally I love an infographic from BuzzFeed all about the different types of cheese. I tend to go for the semi-hard non-blue cheese, particularly super sharp cheddar. I guess I’m just a rat.
Goodies for Dad. Need to get something for dad for Fathers Day. How about Oscar Meyer Bacon Boxes. They are available by mail order. If you’re in a city with a “Counter” burger joint, he can get a free burger at most locations on Dad’s Day if you just say “My dad is a BFD”.
Origin Stories. Lastly, two origin stories. First, here are 14 dark secrets of how your food is made. After reading these, I’ll never look at hot dogs or shredded cheese the same again. They truly emphasize why it is important to get food with the least processing possible. The second origin story provides information on the surprising origins of 10 of the biggest casual dining restaurants.

Music: Blast: An Explosive Musical Celebration (2000 Original Broadway Cast): “Split Complimentaries”

Friday Food Frenzy

Posted onFriday, April 26, 2013Authorcahwyguy1 Comment

userpic=levys Today’s end-of-the-day news chum brings together a number of articles all related to dining or food:

Truly Honest Reviews. What do you get when your food critic is 4-years old? You get this wonderful series of pictures wherein a 4-year old reviews Mission Chinese in San Francisco.
Loving That Chinese Food. Let’s continue on the Chinese food theme. Here’s a guy that has eaten at almost 3,000 Chinese restaurants, and has kept a written record of all of them. In doing so, he’s traced the history of Chinese food in Los Angeles.
An Apple A Day. My favorite type of apple is the Newtown Pippin. Alas, you never see them any more — nor most of the old varietals. This article explains why you only see 5 types of apples, and what one man is doing about it.
Coffee, Tea, or …. Before there was Starbucks, and before there was Peets, there was Coffee Bean and Tea Leaf, a local chain in Los Angeles. They still do their roasting locally, and here’s a picture essay to prove it.

Saturday Miscellany: Money, Food, Plumbing, and Body Acceptance

Posted onSaturday, March 9, 2013Saturday, March 9, 2013Authorcahwyguy

userpic=angry-dog It’s Saturday. Time to clear out the bookmarks from the week that didn’t form into otherwise coherent themes. As always, these are news articles or other items that came across my RSS feed during the week:

Where Does Your Money Go? Have you ever wondered, as you buy things from corporate America, exactly which billionaire’s pockets you were lining? This special report from Forbes allows you to map corporate brands to the wealthy people behind them. Some of these I knew, such as the folks behind Aldi being behind Trader Joes as well. Some I didn’t, such as the Koch Brothers being behind Brawny, or some of the same folks being behind both Burger King and Budweiser. It’s like a giant game of concentration.
Historical Money. In the musical Tenderloin, one of the songs makes reference to a “double eagle”, and I’ve always wondered what that was. I found my answer in this Mental Floss article, which looks at 10 of the lesser known coins in the US. This is more than just Suzies and Sacajaweas. It is things like Gold Buffalos, Unions, Stellas, and various odd coin denominations such as ½¢, 2¢, 3¢, 20¢, half-dimes, and $3. Speaking of the ½¢, here’s another related item: Why are coupons worth ¹/₁₀₀^th of a cent? Hint: The answer goes back to trading stamps. Remember those?
Food Issues. Another twofer of food items. The first looks at a niche in the world of Chinese restaurants in Monterey Park, CA: Organic Chinese Food. Monterey Park is an Asian community east of Los Angeles, home to loads and loads of great Chinese restaurants. Many of these place the emphasis on quick and cheap. A few are bucking the trend attempting to go for organic and healthy cuisine (something that would go well in West LA), and the article looks at their struggles. Also food-related is a petition effort from a number of food bloggers to get Kraft to remove the food dyes from their Mac&Cheese. Of course, what they fail to realize is that one eats Kraft Mac & Cheese expressly for the food dye (it’s a food group, don’tcha know?); if you want healthy food for your family, don’t depend on the corporations — make it yourself! Great mac and cheese isn’t hard to make.
Plumbing Issues. This one I discovered through Boing Boing: An article about a fellow who buys a new house, has a drain problem, calls a plumber, and enters into the rabbit hole of plumbing problems. This is something I’ve run into — especially the situation of tarpaper sewage pipes, which we had in our front yard (our house was built in 1962). Plumbing is one of the reasons I hate houses built on concrete slabs — I still remember, as a kid, having plumbing leaks under the slab and having to rip up the carpets and jackhammer the floor.
Body Issues and Acceptance. One of the folks I read on Livejournal is TheFerrett. A wonderful writer, he often has very insightful essays (for example, his recent essay on being the dumb one in the room). This week he reposted an essay he had originally posted over at Fetlife, a fetish-oriented bulletin board. This essay looked at body image from the genitalia point of view, noting that whatever you’ve got, there’s someone else that finds it sexy. This essay hit a nerve with a lot of people — it is a very positive statement of body acceptance, and one that many people need to remember. It is something to think about everytime you see a couple and go: Why is he/she with her/him? The answer is because each has something the other loves. Related to this: The Nu Project kickstarter, as of when I write this, has about 3 hours left. This is your last chance to get the Nu Project book at a discounted price; the Nu project presents pictures of women of all shapes and sizes, taken in their homes, demonstrating that all bodies are beautiful.

Music: If Not Now When? (Debbie Friedman): “Kumi Lach”

Food In The News

Posted onSaturday, February 2, 2013Authorcahwyguy

userpic=pastrami This is an offshoot of the previous news chum post that is specifically focused on food news:

Packaging and Its Influence. Our first item, from Bon Appetit, is from a food psychologist and explores why we eat the way we do. It posits the notion that we would eat a lot less if our plates were smaller, among other things (e.g., package size influences what we eat). I blame our mothers who taught us to clean our plates before we could leave the table.
Bound in Chains. Our second article, from Slate, explores what it takes to open a chain restaurant. I tend to discount chains in deference to local shops, but each chain is really a local shop, hiring from the community and serving the community. The real questions should be: (a) is the menu what you want; (b) is the food prepared on premesis; (c) does the food have the quality and price you want?
What’s The Bowl Without Beer? Our third article, from NPR, explores the world of Gluten-Free Beers and performs a taste test. Now, I’m not a beer drinking, but I know those who are. My wife (who used to be one before going GF) has tried some of these, and says they are pretty good.

Unexpected Changes

Posted onFriday, January 11, 2013Authorcahwyguy2 Comments

userpic=observations To close out our lunchtime news chum for the week, here are a few articles about some unexpected changes reported in this week’s news:

Free Checking. We all know TANSTAAFL, meaning that “free” checking usually isn’t. As opposed to providing checking and imposing a lot of fees after the fact, some banks are now starting with a basic products and letting the customer build the features they want to add, which determines the monthly cost. The article calls it ala-carte checking, but I see it more as transparency about what you are getting.
National Cathedral. In light of decisions in MD and DC regarding same sex marriage, the National Cathedral has announced it will perform same-sex ceremonies. Good! This truly demonstrates that public commitment to one’s partner(s), same sex or different, is what is mainstream, and that the old ideas are just like old bread that has been left out too long. In a related article, the Marines have ordered spouses clubs on base to accept the partners of same-sex military couples, even though they are private clubs. Say what you will about the military: The Marines have been exemplary in implementing the repeal of DADT. Basically, the government said to accept gays; it’s goverment policy, we do it. Gotta admire that.
Housing Sales. We’ve all been hearing the housing market is picking up a little. Even more interesting is the fact that the number of short sales is outpacing the number of foreclosures, at least here in SoCal. This is demonstrating to banks that it is cheaper to move the property to a new owner in good condition, speedily, than all the hassles and damage of foreclosure. There’s even activity in Vegas on this.
Token Changes. Monopoly is running a survey to choose some new tokens for the Monopoly game, and to get rid of some. I think it is a publicity stunt; after all, who plays Monopoly?
Happy Books. An interesting change here: In the UK, McDonalds has replaced the toys in Happy Meals with books. I think we should push for that in the US!
The Chinese Theatre. Turns out the Grauman’s Chinese Theatre may soon be named… by the Chinese. It appears that TCL, a Chinese Firm, has just bought the naming rights for the Grauman’s Chinese for more than $5 million. It will now be called the TCL Chinese, and the money will be used for a slew of infrastructure improvements, such as repairing the concrete in front of the theatre that a bunch of people walked through when it was wet. As an aside, I’m actually distantly related to the Grauman family.
Hidden Menus. We all know about the hidden menu at In-N-Out. Did you know there was one at Panera? It emphasizes low carbs, and by the looks of it, might be good for the gluten-free folks.
Setting an Example. And for our last unexpected change. Allyn Rose is the contestant from DC for Miss America, which is announced Saturday. Win or lose, due to her family history of breast cancer, she plans on getting a double mastectomy right after the competition. She’s 24, and her mother found her first lump at 27. The disease took her mother, grandmother, and great aunt. In some ways, I hope she wins: it will truly demonstrate that it is not the body that makes Miss America, it is the person.

Altered Lives: Pastrami, Porn, Kings, and Maps

Posted onThursday, December 27, 2012Authorcahwyguy

userpic=pastrami Today’s news chum brings together a few stories of people or situations that have altered lives:

A Pastrami Heaven. West Los Angeles is reeling is shock, after the announcement that Juniors is closing its doors on 12/31 (more, and more). As usual, it is a landlord not trusting a new management team, and wanting to get more rent than a delicatessen and obtain. Never mind that this is one of the deli’s that Hollywood eats at, and scripts are written at. It is a true shock for the westside; there really is no where else to go (Nate and Als? Roll and Rye? Please!) Now I was never that impressed with Juniors, but that’s because we’re spoiled in the valley with Brents.
A Porn Life. An interesting article from Kveller, a set of Jewish parenting that explores the question: What do you say to the kids when Daddy works for a porn website? Actually, quite a well reasoned answer.
A Kingly Secretary. An interesting article from Mental Floss about an African King who is working as a secretary in a DC consulate to pay the bills. It’s probably not what you think. She’s a secretary, drives a beat up Volvo, and is doing remarkable things for her kingdom.
Maps Affecting Lives. A while back I wrote an article about a treasure-trove of maps discovered in a house, and donated to the LA public library. The Times has a nice follow-up piece on how those maps have changed a number of lives.

Music: Finale (Loggins & Messina): “Medley: Thinking of You”

Things That Were, and Things That Never Were

Posted onMonday, December 24, 2012Authorcahwyguy2 Comments

userpic=tombstones As we approach the end of the year, the newspapers are bringing a number of stories of things that were, or in some cases, never were…

Clint Eastwood. No, Clint is still alive. However, his plywood cutout has gone missing. It’s actually an interesting story. The cutout was created and placed on trails in the Glendale hills by Justin, a 31-year-old Glassell Park resident. There were similar cutouts of John Wayne and Gene Autry. After Clint disappeared the first time, the cutout was replaced in memory of a child whose organs were donated. But recently, someone cut down Clint again… and they are looking for him.
Sierras. In 1969, a new branch of a Mexican restaurant, Sierras, opened in Canoga Park. The restaurant has remained open since then serving food to shoppers and scientists alike (as it was across the street from Rocketdyne). Well, Sierras (and Mission Burrito next door) is closing on New Years Eve to make way for “development”. Yet another long-time establishment disappears.
Frank Beardsley. You may not recognize the name, but you’ll recognize his story. Frank Beardsley, the patriarch of the clan portrayed in Yours, Mine, and Ours, has died at age 97. Many of us remember the original movie (Lucille Ball, Henry Fonda, Van Johnson), and the remake (Dennis Quaid, Rene Russo) less fondly. The original was close to the true story. What I didn’t know was that it really took place in Carmel, and that Beardsley actually taught at Naval Postgrad.
Projects in Los Angeles. This goes in the category of things that never were. A kickstarter has begun to raise funds for an exhibition of major projects in Los Angeles that never happened. This ranges from well-known things, such as Disneyland in Burbank, to lesser known projects, such as a chain of parks across the city, or a Los Angeles International Airport at Roscoe and Balboa. More details on the Kickstarter page.
Larry King. No, not that Larry King. The other Larry King … specifically, Larry L. King, the author of “The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas“, has died. I remember when the original story was published in Playboy (which was well known for its stories and articles, in addition to the photos).

Music: Butterfly (Barbra Streisand): “Jubilation”

Fast Food for the Brain

Posted onThursday, November 15, 2012Thursday, November 15, 2012Authorcahwyguy2 Comments

As you’ve figured out by now, I do a news chum post when three or more collected bookmarks form a theme. That’s happened again, and the theme for this post is junk food:

The Twinkie Defense. Evidently, there is a baker’s strike, and as a side effect of the strike, Hostess Brands may file for liquidation if it continues. Yes, folks, that means the maker of the popular snack cake may go out of business (as early as today), and the branded Twinkie (as well, I guess, as Hostess Cup Cakes and Ding Dongs) may go off the shelf. But don’t worry. The ones left on the shelves will never go stale.
Ruining Tea. Most people don’t go to Starbucks because their coffee is good. After all, if it was, why would they feel the need to doctor it with so much fattening crap. It’s gotten to the point where real coffee drinkers prefer McDonalds Coffee. Luckily, us tea drinkers have been relatively safe. Until now. Starbucks has purchased Teavana for $260 million. Teavana, which already had overpriced and overmarketed tea, is a perfect match for Starbucks. Starbucks said it plans to expand Teavana’s existing 300 mall-based stores while adding a “high-profile neighborhood store concept.” According to Starbucks, the Teavana deal is a “signal that we have moved our plan to fundamentally transform the consumer tea experience in both North American and international markets into high gear.” Sigh. I love tea because I drink it black… and I already have great sources for tea (Upton, Stash, Franklin Tea). I also believe it is important to support your local coffee or tea shop, not the megachains.
Your Drink is Bad For You. We’re learning more and more what we drink is often bad for us. First it was large sodas. I’ve just talked about the junk people add to coffee. Today’s news brings a report of another hazard: it appears the calories people get from booze nearly equals the calories they get from sodas. According to the report, soda and other sweetened drinks are the source of about 6 percent of the calories adults consume, on average. Alcoholic beverages account for about 5 percent. A 12-ounce can of regular Coca-Cola has 140 calories, slightly less than a same-sized can of regular Bud. A 5-ounce glass of wine is around 100 calories. Now people are asking whether New York will ban large alcoholic beverages. Of course, I’ve got a different question. I only drink black tea. So where am I getting my extra junk calories :-).