Sound Bites 3.0: The Woods, Dumont Burger @ Brooklyn, NY

I don't claim to be a food connoisseur (honestly I haven't eaten at even half the amount of restaurants that LA's most popular food bloggers have eaten at), but I think hanging with HC has made my palate a bit more particular.  Since I've become more interested in cuisine lately, I thought I could make some future posts, dubbed Sound Bites (formerly Savor the Sounds), about my forays into food writing.  Again, I'm not an expert, these are just my opinions.

The Woods

Photo via NY Press

We were wandering around Brooklyn (my first time in a borough other than Manhattan) and stumbled upon The Woods.  It was late afternoon and we entered because the decor we saw through the open window looked cool.  I was sick, so I was very disappointed I couldn't have a drink here, but they offer beers and alcohol minus the frills.  The place felt like it was a flea market, but with alcohol.  Liquor lined the shelves along with trinkets like animal skulls and odd statues.  It had a hip neighborhood bar kind of feel and a fantastic patio filled with picnic tables and benches merged with planters.

Photo by Plate of the Day

More:
Free Williamsburg


DuMont Burger

DuMont Mini Burger

I had the Dumont Mini Burger with sauteed mushrooms and fries.  Don't know why no one else has ever thought to cover their burger with grilled brioche.  The meat and mushrooms were so simple and delicious together.  Matt and his cousin both said it was the best burger they've ever had.  I think I have to agree.  I wasn't sure at the time, but even now I still can't think of having had a better burger.  The fries were kind of sweet and definitely the backup singers to the Beyonce of burgers, but that was alright because after the burger (even though it was a mini), I could barely eat anything else. 

More:
Chowhound
A Hamburger Today
NY Times
nyc.com
Plate of the Day

Blogger Prom 2010

Yamashiro

I had heard of Yamashiro before, but I had no idea that it was hidden away on a hill just past The Magic Castle.  I've been to The Magic Castle and didn't even realize the restaurant was right above it. Yamashiro was such a beautiful venue, I just don't know how the Blogger Prom Committee's going to top that next year.  Can you believe the view from the entrance? 

The landscape was just gorgeous:  perfectly full moon, no fog, dazzling lights.  This was a rare moment in my life as a Los Angelean where I actually thought my city was beautiful.  I was captivated by the view every time I stepped outside or glanced out one of Yamashiro's broad windows. 

As I filed into check-in area with other glamorously dressed bloggers, I felt like I was taken out of Hollywood and dropped into an ancient Japanese palace.



I still can't believe a place like this has been resting above Hollywood this entire time.  I must go back and check out the Farmer's Market before it ends in October. 


Drinks

I was surprised that we all only used one of the three drink tickets (the line got a bit long, but that's understandable since there was only one bar compared to having two at last year's Blogger Prom), but I definitely didn't feel like I needed the other two tickets thanks to The Dalmore, The Beer Chicks, and the after party at Test Kitchen.

• The Dalmore 15 - nice, spicy start to the evening 
• Eagle Rock Brewery IPA - recommended by The Beer Chicks to go along with Chef Brock's tacos   
• Pinky Confidential signature drink by The Liquid Muse - Jennio found this sweet and tasty
• Zaya Gran Reserve Rum and Coke

 Appetizer

• Hukilau Poke Ahi, teardrop tomato, macadamia nuts, soy-sesame marinade on a wonton crisp
• Charred Albacore with serrano chilis, blackened shallots, cilantro, tomatill-ponzu salsa on a tortilla chip - our favorite.  My companions had several 
• Hoisin-Braised Kurobuta Pork with scallion risotto and honey-mustard sauce - I enjoyed the pork but not the risotto, my +1 doesn't really eat pork but liked the risotto.  This just couldn't win with us
• Asian Baby Back Ribs with house-made BBQ sauce - I was surprised that this was served as finger food.  Seemed a bit messy, but Jennio and her date enjoyed them   

Food

• Miso-Sake Black Cod taco - wish we had gotten in line for the tacos right away because the table got popular real quick
• Kleweno Farm's Smoked Sausage with Maple-Black Pepper Aioli taco
• Coolhaus Ice Cream Sandwiches - we absolutely loved their ice cream sandwiches.  I had the green tea ice cream between two chocolate cookies.  Their table looked great, like an old-fashioned candy store 
• ChocolateBox Cafe Chocolates
• Crumbs Cupcakes - I can't resist eating something that looks like a mini Hostess Cupcake   

Music

I noticed the live band was missing.  Turned out Dirty Martinis Jazz unreliably canceled a week before Blogger Prom.  Seems pretty unprofessional to bail so last minute and missed out on a lot of free publicity with all the tweeting going on all night.  Luckily, DJ Steve kept the party going with a variety of jazz music. 


Goody Bags

There's so much good stuff in there.  My goal is to try to make a day of it and use as many coupons and gift certificates as possible. 

Photo by COFG

I'm excited about:

• Disney Tote - I <3 Disney!  The tote's the perfect size for carrying a book and a lunch to the park
• Free Admission to The GRAMMY Museum - which I've always wanted to check out
• Free Pass to The American Cinematheque
• $5 Gift Card from Pinkberry
• $10 Dining Certificate for Border Grill Truck - they serve awesome churros! 
• Drink Coupon with Purchase of Meal at Hugo's - free drink with food that I already enjoy? YES!
• Free Cupcake from Sprinkles - must redeem ASAP since it's expiring very soon
• CostPlus World Market Chocolate Bar - mmmmmm, chocolate!

Congrats to the Blogger Prom King and Queen, Food Marathon and JozJozJoz (photographed on left)!

Photo by Heather Kincaid

And thanks to 1933 Group for the drink token winnings!  I have my eye on some drinks at Thirsty Crow.

Tom, Jennio, Winn

More:
Heather Kincaid's (great idea to have a photo booth and photographer there.  Hope Blogger Prom has her again next year) Blog and Photo Gallery
BrandX
Sure Beats Work
LA Times / Image
kevinEats
Naked City

The Juliana Theory @ The El Rey

Since HC was my show companion, he didn't allow me to make just one stop throughout the night. 


Spitz
It was my first time eating a falafel and it was delicious.

Photo from The Happy Hour Tour

I couldn't believe how meaty (in a heavy kind of way) it felt even thought it was all vegetables...all tasty vegetables. 

The pita strips were so light and crispy, like a healthier version of chips.

Photo from The Happy Hour Tour

Then we had my favorite menu item, the Street Cart Fries, which was a bit too heavy on the dressing at the Eagle Rock location compared to the Little Tokyo location.   

Photo from The Happy Hour Tour

We tried a half order of fries and a half order of sweet potato fries.  HC put it best when he said the sweet potato fries weren't bad, but they didn't really add much to the side order either.  I had to agree that the regular fries went so much better with the toppings.  I always find that there's always a risk when it comes to ordering sweet potato fries:  they can be great or disappointing.


Colorado Wine Company
Fortunately, it was Sangria Saturday.  Yay!  They serve one of the best sangrias I've ever had. 


Luna Park
We still had some time before the start of The Juliana Theory show, so we stopped here for a drink.  Little did I know, HC meant a Scorpion Bowl.


The Juliana Theory

Photo from The Juliana Theory FB Page

We attended the fourth stop on their six-show anniversary tour for one of their best albums ever, Emotion is Dead.  We arrived around 9pm.  HC had an inkling that they were already them on stage, but I was in disbelief that they didn't have an opening act (and I admit, I didn't recognize the singer w/ his long hair).  Luckily, we didn't miss too much before we were on our way to the front.  I finally realized it was them when they started playing Don't Push Love Away.

Not many people seem to know what I'm talking about when I bring up The Juliana Theory, but you wouldn't have been able to tell if you had been at The El Rey; the place was packed.  When they started playing We're at the Top of the World, everyone went crazy and started singing along; a mosh pit started forming.  Poor HC had just gotten a massage earlier that day and he was rubbing his punched shoulders after the show.  I was surprised they even had a mosh pit going for such mellow music, but everyone just got excited.

Standout tracks for me were:
We're at the Top of the World (To the Simple Two)
Is Patience Still Waiting?
Something Isn't Right Here
You Always Say Goodnight, Goodnight (which was absolutely mesmerizing)
Closest Thing (from Understand this is a Dream album.  They played songs from other albums mixed in with Emotion is Dead)

I'm really glad I got to see them since I missed their shows during the height of their popularity in the late 90s / early 2000s.  I have to say they are still amazing.  Brett Detar's (vocalist) voice still sounds as good as it does on the albums. 


Emotion is Dead Track List

1. "Into the Dark" – 4:03
2. "Don't Push Love Away" – 3:17
3. "To the Tune of 5,000 Screaming Children" – 3:52
4. "We're at the Top of the World (To the Simple Two)" – 3:17
5. "Is Patience Still Waiting?" – 3:51
6. "Emotion is Dead Pt. I" – 2:04
7. "If I Told You This Was Killing Me, Would You Stop?" – 3:52
8. "We're Nothing Without You" – 4:14
9. "Something Isn't Right Here" – 2:07
10. "Understand the Dream Is Over" – 2:56
11. "This Is Your Life" – 3:35
12. "You Always Say Goodnight, Goodnight" – 9:30
13. "Emotion is Dead Pt. II" – 4:45

Luna Park

Yes, back again, this time for dessert (Make Your Own S'mores - the graham crackers broke too easily because they were so thin) and Mini Bar.  

Suehiro

Because the yakitori place a Colorado Wine Co patron mentioned looked pretty empty and suspect, we tried to go to Honda Ya, but got there right as the kitchen closed.  Ended up here because HC was starving.  I just wanted Spam onigiri, but HC added Hiyashi Rice, which was pretty tasty, kind of like a beef stew-type gravy over rice.  Very simple, but way too heavy for me to have as a late night snack.


More:
Yod BlogPublic Waste
The Void Remains
P.S.A.M.P.

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Scott Pilgrim Vs. The World

Photo from Daemon's Movies (great photo BTW)

Absurdly entertaining movie that sadly won't make as much money as, say, The Expendables (awesome in a corny 80s action movie kind of way) because the Scott Pilgrim-loving audience is so specific (nerds and geeks).  I'm not saying the audience is bad (hell, I'm a geek), but I think the general audience just won't get all the jokes, which the movie is chock-full of.  You get stuffed with pop culture references (per Edgar Wright's usual style.  BTW, Spaced is one of my favorite shows) until you burst into laughter, which happens almost nonstop.  I didn't even notice the movie was over two hours.  I wasn't as geeky as my two video game-loving companions, so I missed a few jokes here and there (I'm sorry I never passed Zelda :\ ), but they loved the movie and picked up on many small details that hardcore gamers would notice. 

The movie was really well-cast; Michael Cera played Scott Pilgrim to a tee.  Kieran Culkin was a fantastic sidekick and Jason Schwartzman was perfect. Who knew Mary Elizabeth Winstead could so easily go from perky cheerleader to space punk tough chick. 

I was surprised at how good the music was for all the made-up bands in the film.  Music had to be vital when the main character was named after a song. 



With the likes of Beck, Nigel Godrich, Broken Social Scene, and The Rolling Stones contributing to the soundtrack, the music had to be exceptional. 


Scott Pilgrim Vs. the World soundtrack:

01 Sex Bob-Omb: "We Are Sex Bob-Omb"
02 Plumtree: "Scott Pilgrim"
03 Frank Black: "I Heard Ramona Sing"
04 Beachwood Sparks: "By Your Side"
05 Black Lips: "O Katrina!"
06 Crash and the Boys: "I'm So Sad, So Very, Very Sad"
07 Crash and the Boys: "We Hate You Please Die"
08 Sex Bob-Omb: "Garbage Truck"
09 T. Rex: "Teenage Dream"
10 The Bluetones: "Sleazy Bed Track"
11 Blood Red Shoes: "It's Getting Boring by the Sea"
12 Metric: "Black Sheep"
13 Sex Bob-Omb: "Threshold"
14 Broken Social Scene: "Anthems for a Seventeen-Year-Old Girl"
15 The Rolling Stones: "Under My Thumb"
16 Beck: "Ramona (Acoustic)"
17 Beck: "Ramona"
18 Sex Bob-Omb: "Summertime"
19 Brian LeBarton: "Threshold 8 Bit"


More Reviews:
NPR (comprehensive)
NY Daily News
MTV
Guardian
Stereogum


Fun Interview:

Empire of the Sun @ Henry Fonda Music Box

Photo from Pretty Much Amazing

Great reviews from LA Weekly and Golden Bloggen.  I caught Empire of the Sun on Friday, Day 3 of their 4-day stint at Henry Fonda.  My favorite song of the night, and the most radio-friendly, was We are the People. 



Frontman Luke Steele put on a great show for being just one man, but I have to agree with LA Weekly that his dancers stole the show with their bizarre costumes and frantic dancing.  Favorite costumes of the night: the swordfish.



Some people thought Steele's voice cracked a bit, but I didn't really notice because there were so many distractions from the stage show (screensaver style background, costumes, headdresses) and you have to give him some leeway when he's been singing for a third night in a row.  The music and singing was still good enough to dance to.