You, too, can make a Superbowl Sunday dish I saw in the local paper. Picture it ... a big, rectangular serving bowl -- loaded with guacamole which has been evened off with the flat side of a knife. Now imagine cream cheese piped in little lines to represent the yard markers -- now dot three red and four yellow cherry tomatoes on the "field" -- those represent players' helmets! Isn't that cunning?
Clearly I didn't get the memo, but when did Superbowl Sunday eats start to pass Thanksgiving Day stuffing? You know, when you push away from the table feeling like a boa constrictor that ate a goat?
Domino's Pizza expects to sell "enough pizza to cover 50 football fields!" I find that scary myself...But bon appetite and may your team win! And your numbers come up in the pool!
Saturday, January 31, 2009
Friday, January 30, 2009
Odds and Ends
Laundry & a Pizza -- Sears can't come out until Monday to take a look at our washer. The clothes were piling up. So we took them to the laundromat next to Valentino's Pizza. The price for one load of laundry (washer only) is $1.75! How's that for sticker shock?
But in the length of time it took us to order and then eat our slices of pizza, the laundry got done!
Run, Avocados, Run! -- National Public Radio had a segment on the fear that there wouldn't be enough chicken wings for Superbowl fans. Relax -- the reporter said that there will be one billion (billion) available for your dining pleasure, along with something like 10 tons of guacamole.
Made Me Laugh -- the old IHOP near the gym was sold to one of those Chipotle places. Naturally, they're doing some work on it. The sign hanging off the front reads: "Burrito-fication in progress!"
Going for an Even Dozen -- I read in this morning's Page Six that Joan Rivers is not only getting royalties on her book ("Men Are Stupid/Big Boobs") but one of the plastic surgeons she touted in it is giving her a free arm lift in gratitude. She will have had 12 of the 15 procedures she wrote about ...
Finally! -- they've repaired the up escalator from the parking lot at our gym. It totally freaks me out to have to climb a stilled escalator. It's wrong; the escalator should be moving, dammit! And, yes, of course, it's funny to take an escalator to a gym. I know that.
But in the length of time it took us to order and then eat our slices of pizza, the laundry got done!
Run, Avocados, Run! -- National Public Radio had a segment on the fear that there wouldn't be enough chicken wings for Superbowl fans. Relax -- the reporter said that there will be one billion (billion) available for your dining pleasure, along with something like 10 tons of guacamole.
Made Me Laugh -- the old IHOP near the gym was sold to one of those Chipotle places. Naturally, they're doing some work on it. The sign hanging off the front reads: "Burrito-fication in progress!"
Going for an Even Dozen -- I read in this morning's Page Six that Joan Rivers is not only getting royalties on her book ("Men Are Stupid/Big Boobs") but one of the plastic surgeons she touted in it is giving her a free arm lift in gratitude. She will have had 12 of the 15 procedures she wrote about ...
Finally! -- they've repaired the up escalator from the parking lot at our gym. It totally freaks me out to have to climb a stilled escalator. It's wrong; the escalator should be moving, dammit! And, yes, of course, it's funny to take an escalator to a gym. I know that.
Thursday, January 29, 2009
Contrasts
We took Jane to the Getty. Cannily we planned our visit to include lunch at their excellent "Main Cafe" where there are a variety of choices -- regional (Asian, Mexican) hot sandwiches, fries, onion rings, fresh salads, a daily double of soups, and "grab and go" sandwiches. A lot of the food is prepared to order ("Hold the lettuce!")
Portions are generous and plates are garnished with a sprig of parsley or a couple of spinach leaves. Richie and I had cheeseburgers which come with cole slaw ($11.90 for both of them) and Jane had a tuna melt ($7.95) with lovely, crunchy onion rings for the table ($1.95) Lunch for all three of us was $23.60 and money well spent. It's a big, sunny room with dynamite views. Added attraction: Putting your used tray on a conveyor belt and watching it disappear through a hole in the wall.
The Main Cafe, Getty Center 310-440-7300 getty.edu
It was Jane's last night in town and she wanted to have dinner "by the ocean so we can have a drink and watch the sun go down." Richie thought of Old Tony's, but I countered with the Chart House which is right on the beach (and, better still, has a big, free parking lot) so that's where we went.
We sat at the bar and watched the sun blaze across the horizon and the fire blaze in the bar's fireplace. I ordered fresh potato chips with Parmesan and white truffle oil ($3.99) to snack on with our drinks. They seem to be the latest rage locally and I wanted to try them. Here the Parmesan was scattered sparsely, only a few chips seemed "oily" (as in "laden with truffle oil") and they were just ... okay. We'll see how they heat up in the convection oven tonight.
We were moved to a window table (great view) and ordered dinner. Because their salad bar has caviar (side: $6.99; dinner $15.99) I ordered that and a bowl of lobster bisque ($7.99.) Jane had a Caesar salad ($6.99) and the crab stack tower on a bed of chopped, ripe mango with a topping of avocado chunks ($13.99) and Richie the shrimp trio -- coconut, scampi and grilled with seasonal vegetables ($26.99.)
Jane liked her salad and crab stack, "Oh, the mango just makes this dish! The crab seasoning is a little ... sweet." My bisque arrived with a scoop of lobster meat right in the middle. It was served in a cunning little steel bowl with a lid to keep it hot. Richie didn't say much about his shrimp then, but this morning he said, "I really don't think their food is all that good." Dinner was $67, the bar bill was ($73 - wines by the glass) for a total of $130 plus $26 tip.
Chart House, 231 Yacht Club Way, Redondo Beach 310-372-3464
Truth be told, we had better food at the Getty. But if you want a sunset beach view, the Chart House is the place to go. The Getty's ocean view is a little ... distant.
Portions are generous and plates are garnished with a sprig of parsley or a couple of spinach leaves. Richie and I had cheeseburgers which come with cole slaw ($11.90 for both of them) and Jane had a tuna melt ($7.95) with lovely, crunchy onion rings for the table ($1.95) Lunch for all three of us was $23.60 and money well spent. It's a big, sunny room with dynamite views. Added attraction: Putting your used tray on a conveyor belt and watching it disappear through a hole in the wall.
The Main Cafe, Getty Center 310-440-7300 getty.edu
It was Jane's last night in town and she wanted to have dinner "by the ocean so we can have a drink and watch the sun go down." Richie thought of Old Tony's, but I countered with the Chart House which is right on the beach (and, better still, has a big, free parking lot) so that's where we went.
We sat at the bar and watched the sun blaze across the horizon and the fire blaze in the bar's fireplace. I ordered fresh potato chips with Parmesan and white truffle oil ($3.99) to snack on with our drinks. They seem to be the latest rage locally and I wanted to try them. Here the Parmesan was scattered sparsely, only a few chips seemed "oily" (as in "laden with truffle oil") and they were just ... okay. We'll see how they heat up in the convection oven tonight.
We were moved to a window table (great view) and ordered dinner. Because their salad bar has caviar (side: $6.99; dinner $15.99) I ordered that and a bowl of lobster bisque ($7.99.) Jane had a Caesar salad ($6.99) and the crab stack tower on a bed of chopped, ripe mango with a topping of avocado chunks ($13.99) and Richie the shrimp trio -- coconut, scampi and grilled with seasonal vegetables ($26.99.)
Jane liked her salad and crab stack, "Oh, the mango just makes this dish! The crab seasoning is a little ... sweet." My bisque arrived with a scoop of lobster meat right in the middle. It was served in a cunning little steel bowl with a lid to keep it hot. Richie didn't say much about his shrimp then, but this morning he said, "I really don't think their food is all that good." Dinner was $67, the bar bill was ($73 - wines by the glass) for a total of $130 plus $26 tip.
Chart House, 231 Yacht Club Way, Redondo Beach 310-372-3464
Truth be told, we had better food at the Getty. But if you want a sunset beach view, the Chart House is the place to go. The Getty's ocean view is a little ... distant.
Wednesday, January 28, 2009
Cougar Attack!
My cousin is an LA County Fire Department captain with an engine company in Palos Verdes, aka "The Hill" to locals. We (Jane, Richie and self) met him at Polly's on the Pier for breakfast Monday moring and he told us this true story --
Perry and the engine crew were sent to help on the Butte County lightning complex fire near Chico, Calif. During a mandatory rest break, the crew decided to go into Chico and see what it was like In town, they were immediately recognized by a pair of 40-something women who squealed with joy, "We LOVE firemen!" Both were well-built with capacious bosoms.
One of them launched an attack on the chief, who laughingly brushed her aside, saying, "We're all married -- except him!" pointing to Mike, the new guy on the crew. Undaunted, the woman lunged at Mike, grabbed him in a bear hug, kissed him right on the mouth and followed that up with a love bite on his neck!
Naturally the rest of the crew have their cell phones out, snapping pictures, but one guy proved to be more enterprising -- he added a voice over. "Uh, oh! Cougar! She's spotted her prey! Chief fights her off! Now she's spotted Prey #2 -- she's attacking! She bit him! He's fighting her off! He's successful!" and showed it around. Everyone had a good laugh.
Until the next morning when the battalion chief called an all-units respond meeting. He began by saying, "Yesterday Engine Company #364 was attacked by a cougar so I want you all to pay close attention when you're in the brush."
When the truth was explained to him, he had a good laugh. But I say, "Beware, young men -- there are cougars in Chico and they're hungry!"
Perry and the engine crew were sent to help on the Butte County lightning complex fire near Chico, Calif. During a mandatory rest break, the crew decided to go into Chico and see what it was like In town, they were immediately recognized by a pair of 40-something women who squealed with joy, "We LOVE firemen!" Both were well-built with capacious bosoms.
One of them launched an attack on the chief, who laughingly brushed her aside, saying, "We're all married -- except him!" pointing to Mike, the new guy on the crew. Undaunted, the woman lunged at Mike, grabbed him in a bear hug, kissed him right on the mouth and followed that up with a love bite on his neck!
Naturally the rest of the crew have their cell phones out, snapping pictures, but one guy proved to be more enterprising -- he added a voice over. "Uh, oh! Cougar! She's spotted her prey! Chief fights her off! Now she's spotted Prey #2 -- she's attacking! She bit him! He's fighting her off! He's successful!" and showed it around. Everyone had a good laugh.
Until the next morning when the battalion chief called an all-units respond meeting. He began by saying, "Yesterday Engine Company #364 was attacked by a cougar so I want you all to pay close attention when you're in the brush."
When the truth was explained to him, he had a good laugh. But I say, "Beware, young men -- there are cougars in Chico and they're hungry!"
Tuesday, January 27, 2009
Ah, Contentment!
9 a.m. Monday morning ... out on the long patio-pier that looks out over the Redondo Beach marina ... sun pouring down, coffee cups being replenished with a smile - Welcome to Polly's On The Pier, 233 N. Harbor Drive, Redondo Beach 310-318-3736 rbmarina.com for a look at the menu. There's ample parking in the vast lot and Polly validates!
We had a family meeting there yesterday -- my sister, my cousin Perry and us. Even though the menu warned "this is spicy" and even though our waitress said, "It's kind of hot" Richie and I both ordered the Huevos Rancher ($7) which comes with beans, potatoes and choice of tortilla. Jane went for the guacamole-cheese omelet ($8). Perry had two fried eggs and an apple muffin (don't ask; he's weird.) The eggs were $4.95. Coffee $1.60 and refills are free.
The huevos were indeed spicy but it was a good kind of heat. Jane's omelet was a generous portion with lots of guacamole and cheese. Clean plates were the order of the day.
It was so pleasant to sit there with family, basking in the sun, listening to the waves against the breakwall. I recommend it for good food -- and tranquility! Validated parking is always good for bonus points with me,.
We had a family meeting there yesterday -- my sister, my cousin Perry and us. Even though the menu warned "this is spicy" and even though our waitress said, "It's kind of hot" Richie and I both ordered the Huevos Rancher ($7) which comes with beans, potatoes and choice of tortilla. Jane went for the guacamole-cheese omelet ($8). Perry had two fried eggs and an apple muffin (don't ask; he's weird.) The eggs were $4.95. Coffee $1.60 and refills are free.
The huevos were indeed spicy but it was a good kind of heat. Jane's omelet was a generous portion with lots of guacamole and cheese. Clean plates were the order of the day.
It was so pleasant to sit there with family, basking in the sun, listening to the waves against the breakwall. I recommend it for good food -- and tranquility! Validated parking is always good for bonus points with me,.
Monday, January 26, 2009
Extreme Makeover
"Men Are Stupid ... And They Like Big Boobs; A Woman's Guide to Beauty Through Plastic Surgery" by Joan Rivers with Valerie Frankel. Pocket Books $25 288 pages
Clearly, men are not the only ones who are stupid. Rivers boasts that she's had 11 of the 15 procedures detailed in this book which range from mild (skin peel) to major (surgeries of 5 or 6 hours on the table.)
She believes that getting man rests solely on one's looks. How medieval is that?
Rivers apparently wants the admiration of men (plural) but has no desire to have her own (singular.) She's 75, been through endless procedures -- perhaps she's afraid intimacy would cause a massive migration of body parts?
She espouses treatments from the top of your head (hair transplants) to your toes (fat injections for bony feet.) The "mommy make-over" is "not recommended until you stop breast feeding your last child" and is rather grotesque. The surgeon goes in through the belly and stitches your abs back together again like tightening a shoe lace. I was horrifed to read about beautifying one's lady parts! 'Way too much information. ...
But if you've ever looked at some part of your body and murmured a thoughtful "Hmmm" to yourself, you'll enjoy this book. What did strike me as funny (besides some nice catty lines) was Rivers' habit of telling readers that if they don't like surgical descriptions, to skip on a few pages.
Not too helpful if you're actually considering that procedure.
Clearly, men are not the only ones who are stupid. Rivers boasts that she's had 11 of the 15 procedures detailed in this book which range from mild (skin peel) to major (surgeries of 5 or 6 hours on the table.)
She believes that getting man rests solely on one's looks. How medieval is that?
Rivers apparently wants the admiration of men (plural) but has no desire to have her own (singular.) She's 75, been through endless procedures -- perhaps she's afraid intimacy would cause a massive migration of body parts?
She espouses treatments from the top of your head (hair transplants) to your toes (fat injections for bony feet.) The "mommy make-over" is "not recommended until you stop breast feeding your last child" and is rather grotesque. The surgeon goes in through the belly and stitches your abs back together again like tightening a shoe lace. I was horrifed to read about beautifying one's lady parts! 'Way too much information. ...
But if you've ever looked at some part of your body and murmured a thoughtful "Hmmm" to yourself, you'll enjoy this book. What did strike me as funny (besides some nice catty lines) was Rivers' habit of telling readers that if they don't like surgical descriptions, to skip on a few pages.
Not too helpful if you're actually considering that procedure.
Saturday, January 24, 2009
Running Amok
My sister is in the air, on her way here from Chicago. She'll be at LAX in 40 minutes.
But, hark! What's this? Yon washer has quit on me! It won't do the final spin-dry before the clothes go into the dryer. I had to hand-wring out two pairs of sweats and a pair of fleecy pajamas. How my heart went out to pioneer women! But enough about them -- gotta get to the airport!
But, hark! What's this? Yon washer has quit on me! It won't do the final spin-dry before the clothes go into the dryer. I had to hand-wring out two pairs of sweats and a pair of fleecy pajamas. How my heart went out to pioneer women! But enough about them -- gotta get to the airport!
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