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Stephen Colbert’s rant on McDonald’s

Eater posted Stephen Colbert’s piece earlier this week about McDonald’s slightly condescending website devoted to teaching employees how to “budget” their earnings.  I say slightly condescending because when someone puts up a video telling you that if you buy $1 worth of candy each day, that equals $365 a year, it feels like McDonald’s doesn’t think that their employees know how to do simple math.

From Eater: “Last night on the Colbert Report, comedian Stephen Colbert addressed McDonald’s efforts to provide financial guidance to its workers with a website providing handy budgeting worksheets. Colbert explains: “Instead of raising salaries, they’re giving their workers something more valuable than money: A website.” He goes through the suspicious math of McDonald’s sample budget and concludes the fast food giant’s assertion that “you can have almost anything you want as long as you plan ahead and save for it” works, “unless the thing you want is money.”  READ MORE

(Source: http://media.mtvnservices.com/)

Paella Contest

Love this!!!!!!

Westport, Mass. — It all began innocently enough. “Valerie and her sister make the best paella ever,” my friend Ihsan Gurdal said. Even though Ihsan happens to be Valerie’s husband, no one who had ever tasted her paella had any reason to doubt him.

But our mutual friend (and my frequent collaborator) Chris Schlesinger was listening. And Chris has a well-demonstrated knack for turning what might be considered work into fun, very often by making it into a competition.  READ MORE

By John Willoughby at the New York Times

Eater LA has Cronuts on the brain!

Although the hybrid croissant-doughnut debuted more than two months ago,Cronut Mania is still very much in full swing. This week’s smattering of in-your-face cronutness includes comedian Jerry Seinfeld enjoying Cronuts with his family, Anthony Bourdain prepping to get intellectual with Cronuts, and Cronut-inspired entrepreneurialism. Here’s what’s new in the world of SoHo’s Dominique Ansel Bakery and Cronut Mania:

[wpvideo tRryaCg5]

The Cronuts Craze continues.  Today with Jerry Seinfeld

Freddy Smalls Backyard BBQ

I’m not really sure I should tell you guys about this as I’m assuming you will now all rush to go and there might not be a spot left for me.  But I love Freddy’s so much, I must tell you.  Freddy’s having a BBQ!!!  Can you imagine an entire afternoon of gorging yourself on Charlie Parker’s grilled tri tip, Maryland blue crab and more?  Did I just go to heaven?

August 18th

$45 = All You Can Eat

Starting at 2:00p

Sounds pretty amazing to me!

Have you ever Eaten at Hof’s Hut in Long Beach?

I think I did way back in the day.  Well it’s changing into a smokehouse but still operated by the same company…  Hmmm, should we check it out?

While the legacy of Long Beach’s 50 plus year old Hof’s Hut at 2nd and Pacific Coast Highway seemed sealed after it was closed four months ago, the tides are shifting. Back in March, Hof’s Hut was forced to call it quits, along with a neighboring supermarket, to make way for a shiny new Gelson’s, CVS, and possibly other dining and shopping options. But, last week came news from the ownership group led by Craig Hofman (whose family opened the original Marina Gateway Hof’s Hut in 1961), announcing the family will not be leaving the locale after all.  READ MORE

eatplusdrink:

Wow!  One of my FAVORITE L.A. watering holes, Freddy Smalls, was listed by Zagat as one of the best 16 Must Try Cocktail Destinations Around the U.S.!

LA:  Freddy Smalls Bar & Kitchen

Food: 26
Decor: 24
Service: 24

“Adventurous foodies” will delight in the “innovative” American fare (“try the bacon cashews”) at this “hip but welcoming” new West LA “neighborhood bar and kitchen” by owner Jeff Weinstein (The Counter) and chef Charlie Parker; with its “vintage” design, “nicely curated cocktail menu” and “jagged” but “cool” music selection, the “tiny” room feels like “stepping into a speakeasy”, so it’s “excellent for dates.”

11520 W. Pico Blvd.; 310-479-3000

The new CATCHING FIRE trailer!!

eatplusdrink:

Al Gelato on Robertson is starting up their annual “Free Gelato for a Year Contest".  

All you have to do is email them at algelatobeverlyhills@hotmail.com with “I Want Free Gelato!” in the subject line and you’re entered.

Here’s all the fine print:  Yes, that’s a free pint of gelato, any flavor of your choice, every single week for a full year, OMG! $400 OF GELATO FOR FREE!! The lucky contest winner will be drawn Nov. 1st, just in time for the holiday season! Double your chances and have your friends and family enter too! Just have them email us “I Want Free Gelato!“ and their name to algelatobeverlyhills@hotmail.com. (And if they win, you know they’ll share…maybe.) Last year’s winner, Stephanie Chan is waiting to hand over her Gelato Crown to a new winner! 

But wait there’s more…A COUPON FOR A FREE APPETIZER: Starting now through Aug., 31, 2013, purchase any full pasta and a drink on a Tuesday, Wednesday or Thursday and we’ll throw in one of 4 hot appetizers for free! That’s free Garlic Bread, free Mozzarella Sticks, free Breaded Zucchini, or NEW Cheesy Crostini Melts…that’s a $6.95 value, free! The best part is you can redeem this coupon over and over again through the end of August! Simply print this out OR show us on your phone during your visit. This offer is valid for sit down AND take-out orders. 

THE FINE PRINT FOR THE COUPON & GELATO FOR A YEAR CONTEST RULES:

The above coupon cannot be combined with other offers but you CAN use it over and over through August 31, 2013 on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays, all day and night. Enjoy. Only 1 redemption per table (or takeout order) per day - no exceptions. 

No purchase necessary to enter the gelato contest. Limit 1 entry per customer. All entries must be received by midnight on 10/31/13. The winner will be announced on November 1st, 2013 and will be notified by email. Contest winner will receive 1 pre-packed pint of gelato of their choice every week for 52 weeks! Prize is not transferable and must be picked up in person by the contest winner weekly. The winner agrees to have their name and photo taken for identification and promotional purposes. Prize may not be substituted for other products or cash. All contestants agree to receive notification by email regarding future Al Gelato promotions. For your privacy, Al Gelato does not (and will not ever) sell or share your information with any other company. Contest not open to current Al Gelato employees - sorry guys! GET READY FOR 52 WEEKS OF HOME MADE GELATO GOODNESS! 

Al Gelato on Robertson is starting up their annual “Free Gelato for a Year Contest”.  

All you have to do is email them at algelatobeverlyhills@hotmail.com with “I Want Free Gelato!“ in the subject line and you’re entered.

Here’s all the fine print:  Yes, that’s a free pint of gelato, any flavor of your choice, every single week for a full year, OMG! $400 OF GELATO FOR FREE!! The lucky contest winner will be drawn Nov. 1st, just in time for the holiday season! Double your chances and have your friends and family enter too! Just have them email us “I Want Free Gelato!” and their name to algelatobeverlyhills@hotmail.com. (And if they win, you know they’ll share…maybe.) Last year’s winner, Stephanie Chan is waiting to hand over her Gelato Crown to a new winner! 

But wait there’s more…A COUPON FOR A FREE APPETIZER: Starting now through Aug., 31, 2013, purchase any full pasta and a drink on a Tuesday, Wednesday or Thursday and we’ll throw in one of 4 hot appetizers for free! That’s free Garlic Bread, free Mozzarella Sticks, free Breaded Zucchini, or NEW Cheesy Crostini Melts…that’s a $6.95 value, free! The best part is you can redeem this coupon over and over again through the end of August! Simply print this out OR show us on your phone during your visit. This offer is valid for sit down AND take-out orders. 

THE FINE PRINT FOR THE COUPON & GELATO FOR A YEAR CONTEST RULES:

The above coupon cannot be combined with other offers but you CAN use it over and over through August 31, 2013 on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays, all day and night. Enjoy. Only 1 redemption per table (or takeout order) per day - no exceptions. 

No purchase necessary to enter the gelato contest. Limit 1 entry per customer. All entries must be received by midnight on 10/31/13. The winner will be announced on November 1st, 2013 and will be notified by email. Contest winner will receive 1 pre-packed pint of gelato of their choice every week for 52 weeks! Prize is not transferable and must be picked up in person by the contest winner weekly. The winner agrees to have their name and photo taken for identification and promotional purposes. Prize may not be substituted for other products or cash. All contestants agree to receive notification by email regarding future Al Gelato promotions. For your privacy, Al Gelato does not (and will not ever) sell or share your information with any other company. Contest not open to current Al Gelato employees - sorry guys! GET READY FOR 52 WEEKS OF HOME MADE GELATO GOODNESS! 

Fascinating little story in the NYTimes today about a boatload of wine that the owners’ can’t get their hands on after Hurricane Sandy.

More Than a Flooded Cellar.  A Vintage Mystery.

Via New York Times By: Charles V. Bagli

WineCare marketed itself as a high-security cellar that stores, catalogs and cares for 27,000 cases of wine in the basement of a Manhattan warehouse, charging substantial fees to safeguard collections worth tens of millions of dollars.

But there was one problem: the cellar was just 100 yards from the Hudson River. And when Hurricane Sandy struck, the water came rushing in.  READ MORE

How to Make a Pizza

Ever wonder how a pizza gets made?  Well someone put a Go-Pro on a pizzaiolo and made a video.  Cute.

From Eater.

(Source: https://www.youtube.com/)

eatplusdrink:

Imogene & Willie

While in Nashville, a must-shop is Imogene & Willie.  I had read about them a few years ago but hadn’t actually made it to Nashville to check them out until last week.  It’s not a huge shop but they pack in lots of great stuff.  From the semi-custom jeans they are known for to Warby Parker glasses, homewares and more recently Shinola products (like that orange bike) from Detroit.  I picked up a toothbrush made out of charcoal that is supposed to make my teeth pearly white, a field guide of Nashville, a super cute bandana and of course, some super cool jeans.  It was a good day.  :)

Kayne Prime

I know this restaurant is a little off MY beaten path but we had such a good time and the wine list was so great, I had to write about it.  If you’re ever in Nashville and you’re feeling like a carnivore, Kayne Prime is a solid place to go.  

Apparently it’s one of the better if not best restaurants in Nashville. I wasn’t sure what I was expecting but our dinner was put together very last minute and included three 6-year olds, three middle-aged Moms and  four grandparents.  We had a WIDE range to satisfy. 

First off, the wine list was extensive.  Instead of on paper, they bring out an iPad for you to scroll through.  I found something astonishing.  They had one of my favorite wines by one of my favorite winemakers in their cellar - the Phifer Pavitt “Date Night“ by winemaker Ted Osborne.  Under 300 cases of Date Night are produced each year so I was in complete shock when I saw it on a wine list in Nashville of all places. I proceeded to order two bottles and to be honest, the rest of the night is a bit of a blur - in a good way.

We first ordered the Tuna and Housemade Bacon - both great. I had the Wagyu Filet - cooked perfectly.  We then consumed so many sides and finally dessert that we were stuffed to the gills.  Luckily, the hotel had a shuttle that promptly came over to pick us up and deliver us back to our cozy rooms. I think we all slept soundly that night.  

Heather’s Rating: Definitely go while in Nashville

Kayne Prime

1103 McGavock Street

Nashville, TN 37203

(615)259-0050

Reservations

eatplusdrink:

Barista Parlor

So my friend Shelly Fairchild said she wanted to meet us for breakfast before we flew out of Nashville so she picked this uber-hip coffee spot for us to get together.  They are pretty damn cool down there.  But why does every hip, cool locale now have mason jars as glasses?

Scratch Bar

This is what happens when friends go to dinner and blog - dueling reviews!

Heather: Oh this is going to be one of those difficult reviews.  The Scratch Bar recommendation came through a friend who highly recommended it and I will say it has a lot going for it.  It’s in an interesting spot on La Cienega’s Restaurant Row just south of Matsuhisa (and the SLS Hotel).  The front is very inviting with the hostess right out there almost on the sidewalk.  As you enter, there is a great courtyard/terrace area that looks perfect for those lazy afternoons when all you want to do is sit with your friends and have a drink. Walking inside, the decor is “bespoke” enough but not overwhelming - although they do have those mason-jars-as-glasses thing that I’m so confused by.  The bar is the kind of bar you want to while away the evening with friends.  So you can see where I’m going with this - I loved the look of Scratch Bar.  I loved the wine cocktails (they are waiting on their liquor license).  I even loved the staff (SUPER cute, sassy boys).  The only thing missing for a home run was amazing food.  I’m confident they will get there.  But for now, they’re trying a bit too hard with too many flavors in each dish.  As soon as they scale back a bit, this place is going to be on your must-visit list.

Craig: Remember those scratch and sniffs when you were a kid?  You just scratched away and ended with a delicious smell.  Well, Scratch Bar LA promises more of the same, with delicious smells abounding, except of course the scratch here is “made from scratch.”  And that’s about all Scratch has going for it—a premise and some interesting smells from the food, which is overwrought and tries to hard.  I’m not normally a fan of bad reviews, but then again I don’t have to be because there are so many other good restaurants out there.  And you should try any of them before venturing to this one.  A tapas bar with creative cocktails, my fantastic friend and I tried so many things on the menu and I didn’t like a single one, except for the wine-based cocktails.  There were too many flavors in each dish, too many things trying to compete, and the result was what happens if you ever put me in the kitchen: confusion.  Good thing that I had a good friend and amazing conversation with me for the night, because that could save any evening, and it did just that.

Heather’s Rating: Worth Going Back in a Few Months to see Progress 

Scratch Bar

111 N. La Cienega Blvd.

Beverly Hills, CA 90211

(310)289-8010

Reservations