August 14, 2009

• Song of the Day
  主動…是一種態度…勇敢的去做自己想做的事…表達自己的想法…
  被動…也是一種態度…默默的看著事情的發展…默默的勉強我自己去做我不想做的事情…

  지지지지 baby baby baby!

  
  From left to right: Ye-eun, Sunye, Sohee, Sunmi, and Yubin

  Lately, I couldn’t help but dance and wiggle to the beat whenever any of the “Wonder Girls” tracks are playing. It’s just like I have caught a contagious virus. Frankly, I don’t know what they are singing in Korean lyrics and cannot really tell them apart, the gals all look the same to me. But their dance moves and rhythms are so addictive, especially “Nobody”. In early 2009, the group started their International Tour in Bangkok and then Los Angeles and New York. This June, they joined the Jonas Brothers on the North American leg of the Jonas Brothers World Tour 2009. It was also announced that “Nobody” would be the first English single, followed by “Tell Me”, and that an English album would be following soon. I later learned that in order to concentrate on their American debut, two members of the group had to drop out of high school while touring in the USA.

  I saw “Julie & Julia” last week. This movie tells the real-life stories of two women struggling at a crossroads in their lives: Julia Child and Julie Powell. “Julie & Julia” is a delicious comedy about two women whose lives are animated by a love of food and cooking; one is living in Paris in the 1950s, and the other is living in present-day Queens, New York. In this movie with parallel story lines they are both writers; one is working on what will become a famous cookbook, and the other is a blogger.

  

  

  Why would I volunteer to watch a ‘chick-flick’ (Readers, please do not misinterpret that I despise this genre, I just don’t want to get too emotionally bonded with a movie at the end.) Not only the movie starred one of my favourite actresses – Meryl Streep. How often do you see in a movie with so much action related to cooking, such as poaching an egg…de-boning a duck…killing a lobster in a humane way, etc? This is the kind of chick flick you can take not only your mom or grandma to, but also your husband or boyfriend without making them squirm or fall asleep ten minutes in. The food presented in this movie was like watching porn, the more the better! There is a lot of food in this film, delicious, fancy food. It may not be a good idea to go hungry, and the snacks at the theater will pale in comparison and make you sad you wasted your money on them.

  My advise? Don’t go see on an empty stomach – unless, of course, only if you despise good food. Asked to sum up my response to the film, I will just say: “YUM!”

  PS. I originally planned to watch “G.I.Joe”, sadly, no one wants to see it, therefore, “Julie & Julia” was the consensus.

  I had the most delicious hamburger at “The Counter”. This restaurant touts itself as the “custom” burger joint, and their beef are all freshly grounded Angus fed on 100% vegetarian diet, with no hormones nor antibiotics. Their menu is plain and simple, just follow a step by step multiple choice check-the-boxes process, and you’ll get your special made-to-your-specs burger.

  The one-page menu – you can have ‘burger in a bowl’ – meaning there’re no buns, kinda weird to eat a hamburger without any buns, right?
  

  I had the Shake of the Month – Cherry Pie Shake – Vanilla Ice Cream mixed with Cherries and Crumbed Cookie,
  this is the most delicious milk shake…
  

  Burger with Jalapeno Jack Cheese, toppings of onion, tomato, lettuce and pickle – a good ol’ meaty American Burger…
  

  Burger of the Month – Greek Lamb Burger, topped with Fried Green Chilies, on a bed of Mixed Baby Greens,
  Red Onion and Tomato. Served on a Burger Bun with Tzatziki Sauce…
  

  This burger joint has locations in Ireland and Australia, there may even be one near you! Check this link out – The Counter

  Saturday evening we went to explore a few eateries near the Sunset-Silverlake Junction. Recently, there are a number of new restaurants where many local diners patronize frequently. Barbrix is a ‘wine bar’ which serves tapas. They have an extensive wine menu, multiple selections of imported cheeses and cure meat. The restaurant has its own building with private patios and valet parking. We arrived at the peak dinning hour, and we were seated at the bar, right in front of the open kitchen where all the dishes are prepared.

  I tried my best to capture every dish as they were flying off the counter to be served to other diners,
  (front) the Hamachi Crudo – Ginger Creme Fraiche, Avocado & Paprika Oil…
  

  The dessert caught my attention…
  

  Crostini Misti – (left to right) Sobrasada with Manchego; Ricotta with Charred Cherry Tomatoes & Old Balsamico;
  Jidori ‘Blonde’ Chicken Liver Pate with Pickled Red Onion…
  

  Grilled Black Mission Fig Salad – stuffed with Gorgonzola Dolce, wrapped in Speck with Watercress,
  Walnuts, & Spicy Vin Cotto…
  

  Panzanella Salad – Heirloom Tomatoes, Lemon & Persian Cucumbers, Gaeta Olives, Ciabatta Croutons,
  Opal Basil, Red Wine Vinaigrette…
  

  Duck Leg Confit – Grilled Duck Leg on Fig Vin Cotto…this is the most uninspired dish, where the meat
  came out dry with not much flavour…
  

  Grilled New Zealand Lamb Chops – Eggplant “Caviar”, Artichoke Chips & Mint Pesto
  

  Ginger Shortcake – with Berry Compote & Whipped Cream…
  

  This restaurant is for sure not just another one of those come-and-go “wine bar”. The dishes are simple, yet varied with flavors and presentation. With almost every dish under $12, you may want to try everything. Furthermore, their menu changes seasonally, so there is enough excuse to go back again. The waiting staff are attentive and friendly, the vibe is hip and yet casual. This place is a promising addition to the neighbourhood that deserves a jump start in the culinary scene!

  • 2:31 am
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