Oh, Tivo

I screwed up my taping selection on the Tivo and missed out on the Academy Awards. I only saw about the last half hour. What a drag! I have to read about it on the internet! Boo.

Bob's bacon

Ok, so finally got the chance to sample the bacon from Bob's and it was literally the best bacon I've ever had. Not too fatty (it didn't fry up into nothing leaving only a bath of grease behind). It wasn't too salty. It cooked up perfectly chewy.

Perfect! I got enough to include in a sandwich and to fry up in a soup or something. I would definitely go back for more -- even tho bacon is not really part of the healthy diet plan I'm trying to follow. Oh, well. Bob won't be back for another week or so anyway.

Bob's!

For some crazy reason, when I lived in Columbia City I never checked out Bob's Quality Meats. I finally went on a recent field trip to the old 'hood. What luck. They were having a one day blow-out sale because the store was to be closed for 2 weeks. We loaded up on some sausages, the best-looking thick cut bacon you have ever seen, and some pork chops.

We fried up the chops and they were so delectable! I will definitely go back!

Also on the field trip agenda was Mutual Fish for some mussels (we made a steamed saffron mussels dish -- yum!) and some kushi (?) oysters. Fantastic. Oh, man, we shucked the oysters and ate them raw. So good. I remember this place from going with my grandma way back in the day. Freshest seafood in town! My parents will still make a special trip to get the best here.

And finally -- visited the Columbia Street Bakery -- which has been on my list FOREVER! Too bad we got there kind of late and most of the bread was gone. But we did score a white crusty loaf to go with the mussels. While there we also had to sample the sesame tahini cookie and the doughnut muffin. THAT is a stroke of genius!

To Be in Bruges

I had to see this movie, In Bruges. I mean, how long have I been saying that I want to go to Bruges? It's freaking gorgeous and I have not been to Belgium yet. The movie highlighted how beautiful a place it is -- like a fairytale.

I have to say beyond the scenery, this movie is pure genius! The dialogue is some of the best I can remember. The characters are all pure gold. This is what makes movie going special. Something unexpected like this. The ending wasn't completely to my liking, but it did not lack in any way. A part of me wanted a happier ending, but I think for the film it actually was totally appropriate. Even Colin Farrel pulled out all the stops and put in a brilliant performance as an almost Rain Man kind of child-like novice hitman.

Last Sunday I saw Jumper -- for need of a distraction and lack of anything else to see. Kind of lame. Bad acting. Interesting premise. Just not well executed.

There are actually a bunch of movies coming up that I want to see. It is about time is all I can say! There has been quite a dry spell. But that is soon to end:

Be Kind Rewind -- Jack Black, baby. Hopefully will see this tomorrow.

The Other Boleyn Girl -- horrible title, but i do love my historic chick flicks

Penelope -- about a girl with a pig nose. Romantic comedy of the year! My fave James McAvoy...

Miss Pettigrew Lives for a Day -- overall looks fantastic

What Was Vegas

Unfortunately, Vegas turned out to be nothing but 5 days of back-breaking work for me. I did have a couple of good dinners -- one night out for Mediterranean and one Italian. But I did not make it to the strip nor did I make it to Mario's restaurant or Thomas Keller's place. So sad. So sad. The highlight? A field trip to the Zappos office and coming home!

Now the birthday month can continue....

Cocktail

Umm...I couldn't not show you my Floridita cocktail at the Havana Club. Here's a shot of the bar as well. Swankadelic, Baby.

Birthday Time

It's been pretty crazy with everything going on at work. I definitely deserved to take a break for my birthday. Karl took me out for a very special birthday dinner at Crush that did not disappoint. We started off with a baby beet salad with gorgonzola sauce, Yakima pears, croutons and arugula in a balsamic vinaigrette. Fabulous.

Then we shared entrees of seared sea scallops with risotto with panchetta and a dish of lobster and gnocci in a caviar sauce. Whoa. We finished off with the best of all world -- a sampler of 5 chocolate desserts that included a chocolate sorbet, chocolate pot de creme, a homemade s'more, a white chocolate truffle and chocolate lava cake. Oh my.

Top it off with a lovely bottle of wine and the most delightful company, and I'm a happy girl. We prefunced at the Havana Club and had some nice cocktails to start the evening. Definitely want to check that place out again. With a cocktail menu that "goes way back" I tried the Floradita, which was a lovely combination of grapefruit and lime juices, white rum and grenadine liquer. Strong....and tasty.

Partying only lasted one evening as I have been working like crazy to prepare for a Vegas tradeshow I'm going to tomorrow morning. I'm hoping to check out some good eats while I am there.

A Hidden Gem

I got that quote from someone on IMDB who wrote this about I Am Reed Fish: A hidden gem! Don't miss it! I could not agree more. A film within a film, it's an autobiographical tale of a young man from a small town with big shoes to fill when his father dies in a car crash. It's just about finding about who you are, what makes you tick, and getting what you want -- having your own voice. Good stuff. One might even call it charming.

It IS Rocket Science

Out of the 2 movies on dvd that I watched over the weekend, my choice to recommend to you is Rocket Science. The description on the movie sleeve said this movie was "charming" and I would have to say that I agree. It's about a teenage stutterer who is recruited into the high school debate team by the team's star debater. She is the epitome of ambition gone wrong as it turns out that she is scheming to move schools, leaving her old team with a stutterer on the squad so she can dominate in the state tournement.

But the stutterer finds that he has more in him than he realized -- forced to face this humiliation and he ups his game. He doesn't win. But he does. Anyway, it's worth a viewing. And if you like underdog movies, you will be cheering him on like crazy.

Sunshine was not a bad movie. I liked the pace and the feel of it as it moved along (it's about a group of scientists who need to travel to the sun to jumstart the dying star in the future to save mankind). Then it took a kind of crazy turn toward the end of the movie into a bit of suspense/horror. I watched the credits and realized that this movie was directed by Danny Boyle -- and it all made sense. He also directed 28 Days Later, one of the only zombie movies that I like (also starring Cillian Murphy, by the way). In any case, it was interesting and thought provoking. It's dark, yet sees the light at the end. Yes, much in the same way that the characters in 28 Days Later are doomed, so is the cast of cosmonauts. However, the earth survives and the crew manages to fulfill their mission -- but at a cost.

Tonight's Dinner

Rigatoni with Eggplant Puree
Recipe courtesy Giada De Laurentiis
Show:
Everyday Italian
Episode:
Warming Up Winter

1 medium eggplant, cut into 1-inch cubes
1 pint cherry tomatoes
3 cloves garlic, whole
3 tablespoons olive oil
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
1 teaspoon red pepper flakes
1/4 cup toasted pine nuts
1 pound rigatoni pasta
1/4 cup torn fresh mint leaves
3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
1/2 cup grated Parmesan


Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
In a large bowl combine the eggplant, cherry tomatoes, garlic, olive oil, salt, pepper, and red pepper flakes. Spread the vegetables out in an even layer on the baking sheet. Roast in the oven until the vegetables are tender and the eggplant is golden, about 35 minutes.

While the vegetables are roasting, place the pine nuts in a small baking dish. Place in the oven on the rack below the vegetables. Roast until golden, about 8 minutes. Remove from the oven and reserve.

Meanwhile, bring a large pot of salted water to a boil over high heat. Add the pasta and cook until tender but still firm to the bite, stirring occasionally, about 8 to 10 minutes. Drain pasta into a large bowl and reserve 1 1/2 cups of the cooking liquid.

Transfer the roasted vegetables to a food processor. Add the torn mint leaves and extra-virgin olive oil. Puree the vegetables.

Transfer the pureed vegetables to the bowl with the pasta and add the Parmesan. Stir to combine, adding the pasta cooking liquid 1/2 cup at a time until the pasta is saucy. Sprinkle the pine nuts over the top and serve.

I made this for dinner. Because I can't seem to get away from substitutions for whatever reason, here is what I did: I used basil instead of mint. Had ravioli for the pasta, and threw in roasted asparagus and mushrooms into the sauce. It had a nice flavor, and I felt like I got a lot of veg without even trying. I would say I would make it again -- next time with noodles!