restaurants – Page 6 – Observations Along the Road

More Chum To Chew On

Posted onWednesday, March 4, 2009Authorcahwyguy

I bet you thought I had found all the chum for the day. Think again. Here’s some more to chew on:

From the “ABC: Following in the Footsteps of Fox” Department: There is some bad news buried in the SF Chronicle review of “Ashes to Ashes”: “ABC announced this week that they’re canceling [the US version of “Life on Mars”] with closure – meaning people will find out about Detective Sam Tyler’s fate.” Sigh. Just as the series was getting damn good.
From the “I’ve always wondered why they have doorbells” Department: Not only is business booming for those with clearances. The SF Chronicle is reporting that business is booming for fortune tellers. Now, what I find most amusing is this quote from the article: “Rosemary McArthur, founder of the American Association of Psychics, a professional trade organization with more than 100 members, said 90 percent of her customers are now asking questions about their jobs and the economy.” Wait. Psychics have a professional trade organization? Do they have conferences? Why? Don’t they know ahead of time what is going to be said?
Frim the “But I wouldn’t want to eat there” Department: Time Magazine is reporting on an unusual restaurant in Taiwan: Modern Toilet, a popular Taiwanese restaurant chain that’s expanding into China and other parts of Asia. Every customer sits on a stylish acrylic toilet (lid down) designed with images of roses, seashells or Renaissance paintings. Everyone dines at a glass table with a sink underneath. The servers bring your meal atop a mini toilet bowl, you sip drinks from your own plastic urinal (a souvenir), and soft-swirl ice cream arrives for dessert atop a dish shaped like a squat toilet. What do they serve? Curries, pasta, fried chicken and Mongolian hot pot, as well as elaborate shaved-ice desserts with names like “diarrhea with dried droppings” (chocolate), “bloody poop” (strawberry) and “green dysentery” (kiwi). I’m just speechless.

You know, I was going to conclude with a serious piece about the importance of arts funding, but that last piece of chum is causing some intestinal blockage. I’ll write it tomorrow.

Chum for Square Root Day

Posted onTuesday, March 3, 2009Authorcahwyguy

Although it’s not a prime as it could be, here’s some choice news chum I selected for you over lunch for Square Root Day, 3/3/9:

From the “When Times are Hard, Rebrand” Department: There have been a number of articles recently about how groups are coping with hard times by rebranding themselves. For example, the Girl Scouts are rebranding by deemphasizing badges and emphasizing the Internet and Blogging. The cookies will remain, but they too are being downsized. Other things are rebranding as well: Pepsi is changing its logo, and that doesn’t sit well with some.
From the “But Some Change Can Be Good” Department: Yesterday, while driving the van to work, I noticed that the Granada Hills Bakers Square had changed names: it was now a Du-pars. I did some further investigation, and found that the same thing had happened to the Bakers Square in Oxnard. In fact, I learned that almost all Bakers Squares in California had been closed. The NoCal ones are becoming Shari’s; the SoCal ones are either Du-Pars or Pollys. This actually is good news: Du-Pars is a local chain, recently brought back under control of the Naylor family, who used to operate the Tiny Naylors chain, which I remember quite fondly. I shall have to go try the new Du-Pars.
From the “Are You Feeling Secure Yet?” Department: Slashdot is reporting that the stimulus package is pouring boku bucks into Cybersecurity, which is a good thing. But on the other side of the ledger, there are more breaches: USA Today is reporting that there has been a third major breach in MasterCard and Visa accounts, although no details are provided.
From the “Good Things Come In Threes” Department: I’m sure you’ve heard by now of the Spiderman musical coming to Broadway in 2010, as well as the Addams Family Musical. Here’s a third: “Sleepless in Seattle: The Musical”… with music by Leslie Bricusse. I’m not encouraged. This is not a good time for the performing arts. Companies are closing left and right, and the money has gotten even tighter. The public views the arts as a frivolity in hard times, forgetting that the arts creates jobs just as any manufacturing business, and the people in these jobs use their paycheck to pay their mortgage, their credit card bills, their grocery bills, and to take care of their families just as any other worker. We’ve decimated our schools by cutting back on arts education; let’s not decimate our lives and culture as well.
From the “Won’t You Be My Friend?” Department: It seems Facebook is really in the news these days. There’s a good article in the NY Times about how to deal with friending co-workers and family safely on Facebook. Specifically, it talks about how to use friends groups to provide more fine-grained controls on who can see that Facebook picture where you’re tagged in a drunken bacchanal. Well worth reading.

News Chum O’the Day

Posted onWednesday, February 4, 2009Authorcahwyguy

Some selected chunks of chum, for you to chew on over dinner:

From the “Just Put It On The Tray” Department: The Los Angeles Times has an interesting piece on Clifton’s Cafeteria. Clifton’s was one of the earliest cafeterias in Los Angeles (I have vague memories of going to it as a child). There was a small chain of them, each one with its own theme. They have their recipes… and their regulars who know if a single spice is varied. They have their traditions. All in all, it sounds fascinating, and I’ll have to go visit there.
From the “Twenty-Five Is A Good Number” Department: I know you’ve seen it. That 25 Random Things meme that has been going around everywhere. Well, it’s now made the New York Times! An article in their Fashion section today discusses the meme, and notes that a Google search for “25 Random Things About Me” yields 35,700 pages of results, almost all of which seem to have been created in the last two weeks. I do have to say I’m seeing it everywhere, and it reminds me of the old days when memes would propagate like that on LiveJournal.
From the “Old Friends” Department: The Daily News has a nice piece on an old friend of mine, Jolie Mason, who runs the Los Angeles Radio Reading Service. They were knocked off the air during the recent Sesnon fire (which burned the KCSN transmitter), and are now attempting to raise $7,000 to get back on the airwaves. They do such a great service for folks, that I just wanted to mention the article. I worked with Jolie back when she was a programmer at SDC — yet another BLACKER person!
From the “Be Careful What You Eat… Or Maybe Not” Department: The New York Times today has an article today about how many food allergies might be false alarms. The article is interesting, but seems to forget one significant fact: Allergy .NE. (that’s != for you perl folks) Sensitivity. An allergy is something that raises a histamine reaction. But there are other forms of non-allergy sensitivies (such as Celiac Disease), which can be equally or more problematic. Further, those sensitivities can serve to create more sensitivities (i.e., if you are Celiac and keep eating wheat, other foods tend to create problems — often getting off the wheat clears the other sensitivites). So, eat what makes you feel healthy. If you don’t feel good eating it, don’t. But do eat your brussel sprouts.
From the “A Quite Amazing Paradox” Department: The New York Times is also reporting on an interesting transit paradox: although the economy is driving ridership on transit systems up, the economy is forcing such systems to make significant cutbacks. The problem is that fare-box revenue accounts for only a fifth to a half of the operating revenue of most transit systems — and the sputtering economy has eroded the state and local tax collections that the systems depend on to keep running. Further, the billions of dollars that Congress plans to spend on mass transit as part of the stimulus bill will also do little to help these systems with their current problems because the stimulus is for capital projects, not operations.
From the “Now You Take That Back!” Department: You may have heard that the Pope recently unexcommunicated (would that be communicated?) some cardinals who had very conservative views. The problem was the one of them was a holocaust denier. Well, the Pope (after some pressure from Merkel) has now directed that cardinal to recant those views. Evidently, the Pope knew nothing about them. Right. I thought he was infallible. In any case, he’s done the right thing.
From the “Where is the most unusual place that you and your husband have ever made whoopee?” Department: Yes, that story is true. But that’s not what this chum is about. You see, GSN is reviving the “Newlywed Game”, and has announced the new host. Carnie Wilson. Why, oh why? It’s not like Bob Eubanks is dead. In fact, he’s looking for work. Right now, he only seems to work one day a year. If the original is still around, why not use him. And if you can’t use him, rub it in his face and hire Stephanie Edwards!

Ain’t That The Chum?

Posted onWednesday, January 14, 2009Authorcahwyguy

Some accumulated news chum for the week:

From the “Where Do We Go From Here?” Department: This is mostly for bdot, who I seem to recall has a soft space for this place. The LA Times has a nice article today on where the Mt. Calvary Monastary will go next. The spiritual retreat was destroyed in the recent Tea fire in Monticito, and the monks are contemplating its future in a fire area, in light of the aging of the monastic order’s members.
From the “Pappy Parker’s Noodley Appendage” Department: The LA Times has a nice “Column 1” piece (which they rarely do anymore) about a former Bob’s Big Boy in Alhambra that has been converted to a noodle restaurant. The founder always loved Bob’s, and when the Alhambra location closed, purchased it for his noodle restaurant. In homage, however, he has retained a Big Boy statue, and pays $1/year to license it. That reminds me… I need to go out to Burbank, home of one of the original restaurants (still operating) designed by Wayne McAllister.
From the “And The Economy Keeps Rolling Down…” Department: Today brings news of both Nortel Networks and Gottschalks filing for bankruptcy. Closer to home, we’re seeing a victim of the collapse of the auto industry: Superior Industries is closing their Van Nuys Factory next to the Van Nuys Flyaway. 290 workers will lose their jobs. Superior supplies aluminum wheels to Ford, General Motors, Chrysler, Audi, BMW, Jaguar, Land Rover, Mazda, Mercedes-Benz, Mitsubishi, Nissan, Seat, Skoda, Subaru, Suzuki, Toyota, Volkswagen and Volvo.
From the “You Knew It Was Coming” Department: Come the end of March, WaMu will be history, its brand replaced by Chase. Chase plans to invest $300 million in refurbishing and renaming the 708 California branches and another $75 million to open 20 more this year. The Chase logo will also appear on 1,900 ATMs across the state by the end of the first quarter. Of course, as with the side effects of the auto industry, this cost California jobs: both at the Pleasanton and San Francisco operations centers, as well as earlier cutback at the loan operations departments in Chatsworth. Chase said it will honor the free checking WaMu offered to existing clients. For now, customers can also continue to use their WaMu checks and debit cards. Dimon said the company is studying how it will alter or combine the product offerings of the two banks.
From the “10101010 10111000: The TV Series” Department: There’s more information coming out about the push to delay the DTV switch. Yes, the coupon program has run out of money, and there’s no quick fix… but there are costs to the delay as well, both in the electricity for operating two transmitters, the staffs coordinating the switch, etc. Quite interesting to see the background. However, in some markets the switch is already starting: On Monday in St. Louis, KNLC Analog 24 will go all digital, freeing its analog channel for use by KMOV Analog 4’s digital channel, which is now on Digital 56. The article notes how boxes will need to rescan for signals, which makes sense for us but will probably confuse most folks. As this transition comes closer, I’m even more thankful I have DirecTV, although I’m curious whether DirecTV will ever broadcast some of the Digital subchannels that are now available in local markets.
From the “He’ll Have Pie With That” Department: Wednesday’s paper brings news of the death of Don Callender, the man responsible for bringing us the food of his mother, Marie… especially her pies. Waistlines will stop their expansion for one minute in his honor. Even after selling Marie Callender’s he remained in the business: in fact, the day after he died his Jackalope Ranch restaurant in Indio, Calif. opened.
From the “Secret Asian Man” Department: Alas, Number 6 has died. Star of Danger Man, Secret Agent, and The Prisoner, he was one of those great actors. I remember watching the Prisoner when KCET ran it in the 1980s, and having intense discussions about it in the UCLA Computer Club. I just hope that the recent post from the mayor_of_tv about the planned remake of The Prisoner TV Series didn’t send him to his grave prematurely. Haven’t heard about it. Later this year, AMC is planning to present a six-hour miniseries adaptation of “The Prisoner”. All together now: But why?
ETA: From the “That’s Two” Department: We also lost Ricardo Montelban. 80’s TV folk will instantly go “Da Plane, Da Plane”; SF folks will go “Kahhhhhn”. But that’s two. Who’s next in our SF actor trifecta?

Hello, Chum

Posted onWednesday, December 17, 2008Authorcahwyguy

Been busy the last few days, but I do have a few news items for you to consider:

From the “Butter. Parkay.” Department: Missouri is considering finally decriminalizing margarine. Missouri House member Sara Lampe said Tuesday that she plans to file legislation repealing Missouri’s butter law, which dates to 1895. The law restricts the sale, possession or shipment of imitation butter and bans yellow-tinted varieties. Those dealing contraband dairy products can be fined up to $100 and jailed for up to a month.
From the “Remember When They Were Joined At The Hip?” Department: MGM Mirage is selling ~~Treasure Island~~ TI to Phil Ruffian, owner of the site that used to be the Frontier hotel. TI was built for $450 million by casino mogul Steve Wynn and opened in 1993, featuring a public pirate show set on a replica ship in front of the building. It now has 2,885 guest rooms and suites, 90,000 square feet of gambling space, restaurants and entertainment. The property was recast in 2003 by MGM Mirage as TI, with a sexier “Sirens of TI” show replacing the pirate extravaganza. Me? I liked the pirates.
From the “Where Are We Going To Eat?” Department: Orange County has rejected having letter grades for their restaurants because the Board of Sups is worried about harming restaurant owners during a recession. Come again? What about the patrons? In the last three months, for instance, health inspectors have shut down an ice cream shop in Orange after finding cockroaches on the floor and wall near the preparation counter and a Laguna Beach restaurant after finding a live rodent caught on a glue trap. Both of the restaurants reopened after passing follow-up inspections.
From the “Mmmmm. Fat.” Department: Want to know what makes holiday cookies good? Butter. The NY Times has a nice article about its secrets.
From the “When Will They Learn?” Department: Wondering why the big three don’t build successful small cars? Because they’ve failed before and before that.
From the “Planned Obsolescence” Department: And yet again Stan Freberg comes to mind. No, not Green Chri$tma$. Rather, there’s a good article in the NY Times about how things are now meant to be non-repairable, to be thrown out and replaced in our disposable culture.

News Chum and Observations: Post Election Edition

Posted onWednesday, November 5, 2008Authorcahwyguy

From the “Watch What You Say” Department: Back in 2000, George W. Bush said that he wanted to be a uniter, not a divider. After 8 years of his administration, I think we can now say that goal was achieved. He united a majority of the country… behind President-Elect Barack Obama.
From the “Remember the 14th” Department: Alas it looks like Proposition 8 is passing in California. It just looks like same-sex “marriage” will not be accepted by a majority of Californians, let alone Americans, easily. This is a shame, but not surprising. We’ve seen it in other civil rights areas before — it is where the Supreme Court must take its role of interpreting the law of the land, sometimes in uncomfortable ways, if that way is what is right. The 14th Amendment states, “No State shall make or enforce any law which shall abridge the privileges or immunities of citizens of the United States.” Providing different legal rights and benefits to one class (traditional marriage) that is not available to another class (homosexual marriage) clearly violates this law. If the government is going to give rights and privileges based on marital status (such as inheritance, visitation, tax benefits), then it must be equal for all classes. The ballot box is not the way to get this enforced. The courts are. People are uncomfortable with changes in their paradigm, but given time, it will happen. Just look at what happened yesterday. And the first lawsuit has been filed.
From the “I Love A Map” Department: Back when my parents still had their accounting practice, one of their juniors had this fascinating hobby of hand-coloring electoral maps county by county. I don’t know if he still does this, but such maps are now easily available. But there are other maps of interest, such as this map that allows you to see the electoral breakdown for any year. For those in California, this map gives a breakdown, county by county, of propositions and statewide offices.

In other news:

From the “And the Trifecta Completes” Department: The author death trifecta is complete. First was Tony Hillerman, and then Studs Terkel. Today completes the trifecta with the news of the death of Michael Crichton, author of The Andromeda Strain and Jurassic Park.
From the “Don’t Order Those Potatoes” Department: In the restaurant death trifecta, I’m sad to report the death of “Hamburger Hamlet” on National in West LA. LA Observed notes its passing, together with the outlet in Brentwood and the outlet in Westwood. You can still get your fix in Van Nuys and Pasadena. In other restaurant news, “La Fondue Bourguignonne” in the Valley is closing, to be replaced with a Stone Fire Pizza. I believe this means there are no fondue restaurants left in Los Angeles.
From the “Comfort Food” Department: Mmmmm. Macaroni and Cheese.

But Is It Good For The Soul?

Posted onWednesday, October 29, 2008Authorcahwyguy

I was tired of vegetable soup. Vegetable soup for lunch the last two days. Vegetable soup for dinner the last two days. I wanted Chicken in the Pot.

So, I attempted to find a Jewish Deli in Dallas. I went to the Chowhound Page, and started researching. My first thought was Cindi’s NY Deli, but the downtown location, which was near the hotel, closed at 3pm. So, based on what I read, I trudged off to Ed’s Deli.

Being cheap, I wanted to avoid the tollway, so I took surface streets along Preston Blvd. Went through what appeared to be pricey neighborhoods (with lots of McCain Palin signs, and only two Obama signs).

When I got to the Deli, it was in this large shopping center. Not that fancy, even plainer than Abe’s in Northridge. I ordered the Chicken in the Pot… only to be told they were out of chicken. So I had what was called a mishmash soup: chicken soup with chicken pieces, kreplach, matzo balls, noodles, and rice. The soup was kinda-bland, although it did the trick on getting stuff moving. The place was certainly no Brent’s or even Weiler’s… but what should I expect… it’s Texas!

So I’m back. One more day of the conference tomorrow, and I fly back to LA Tomorrow evening. Have you guessed what song I’ll be posting tomorrow yet?

People In The News

Posted onFriday, October 17, 2008Authorcahwyguy

Today’s news chum is about people in the news. So, without further fanfare, some items noted whilst perusing the news over lunch…

From the “Walt Disney” File: The Los Angeles Times is reporting on the updated plans for Disney’s California Adventure. As they say, “This time, for sure”. The general approach is to theme the area and entrance to reflect Walt Disney in 1920’s Los Angeles, just as the entrance to Disneyland reflects Walt’s boyhood in Missouri. The equivalent of the castle will be a recreation of the Carthay Circle theatre where Snow White premiered. The Red Car trolley that recalls the old Pacific Electric Railway will rumble and clang along Buena Vista Street, conjuring up the bygone era and winking at Walt’s love of trains. Paradise Pier will take on a nostalgic seaside amusement park vibe, with glittering lights and new boardwalk games incorporating a mix of such classic and contemporary Disney characters. There will be a World of Color nighttime display of water effects, lighting and music to bring new energy to the pier, together with a new Little Mermaid ride, and of course, a Cars-themed area. You can see an updated map here.
From the “Thomas Kinkade” File: Of course, the “World of Color” brings to mind Thomas Kinkade, the self-titled “Painter of Shite”. According to the LA Times, Kinkade has made ArtReview’s List of the Power 100. True, he’s number 100 out of 100, but if being 844 out of 899 in his Naval Academy class is good enough for John McCain, being 100 out of 100 should be good enough for Kinkade.
From the “Carmen Rocha” File: The LA Times is also bringing news of the death of long-time El Cholo waitress Carmen Rocha. El Cholo is one of the oldest Mexican restaurants in Los Angeles (started in 1923), and Rocha is responsible for the introduction of that signature dish we all know and love: Nachos.
From the “Joe the Plumber” File: The SF Chronicle brings us some more information about that debate favorite, Joe the Plumber. However, it seems that Joe is really Sam; he isn’t a licensed plumber; he wouldn’t be seeing a tax increase for his plumbing business; he actually owes back taxes and has tax liens; and he’s a registered Republican, having lived in both Arizona and Alaska.
From the “Barack Obama” File: Alright, I can’t resist. There are a number of significant endorsements of Barack Obama out there: Los Angeles Times, Washington Post, St. Louis Post Dispatch.