Celentano Men Have Named You

The Celentano is by far my favorite pizza from Osteria La Buca in Hollywood on Melrose. I've also had two great celeb citings there, Don Johnson and Danny Devito (so you know it's good). This amazing creation features pancetta (Italian bacon), blue cheese, mozzarella, parmigiano reggiano and yes, a sunny side up egg in the middle. There is no sauce on the pizza, so the egg yolk, once broken, serves that purpose.

Previously "La Buca" was run by my friend Fillipo and his "Mama", who made all the pasta from scratch. Now, Fillipo and Mama have since left and opened a restaurant down the street from La Buca called Osteria Mama. The new "Mama" seems to be quite popular, but I'm waiting until their liquor license goes through to try the place.

Four Twenty! Oh, it's 4/30? Oh well...

Sublime with Rome at the Palladium on 4/20 was sublime. For those of you that don't know Sublime with Rome is the two original members (bassist and drummer) with Rome Ramirez as the lead singer. Legally they have to be called "Sublime with Rome". The show was smokin' ;) and Rome sounded very much like Bradley Knowles (R.I.P). Check out this clip of "40oz to Freedom" and other song video clips on youtube.

Rock n' Lobster

For the record, I love a chowder, a chutney, a fritter, a custard and yes, a pot pie. So when we were at one of my favorite local eateries, The Larchmont Grill, recently, I had to try their's. When I saw that I could have it with lobster, I clawed at the opportunity. The waiter served it at the table "Larchmont Grill Style", which is flipped over, inside out with the flaky pie crust on the bottom. It was so good that I said to Leisure Girl, "Pinch me! I must be dreaming."

On A Roll

Bowling Brunch went down this morning at Pinz in Studio City, CA. The 2 game session was followed by some nosh at Jerry's Deli next door. Leisure Girl, my long time friend PB and his girlfriend were there to join in the fun and food. Nice rolling, PB. Nice rolling, everyone.

The Square

I was lucky enough to attend the US premier of The Square, directed by an Australian colleague of mine, Nash Edgerton and written by his brother Joel. The movie has been out a while, touring the festivals (SXSW, etc), but now it's been released in the states. The film is a dark comedy thriller shot in the land of OZ, featuring an All-stralian cast, including the writer. It's definitely worth checking out on DVD if this indie does not make it to your local theater. NEWS FLASH: LA friends it looks like there will be a limited screening at the Landmark NuArt Theatre, this Friday April 9th.

Cheers Mates!

Happy Easter from LA

This one always gets me. It's a tagged electrical box near Runyon Canyon Park in the Hollywood Hills.

Glow Balls

Had a great leisurely weekend that kicked off with a 10 hole 4 person scramble-style Glowball tournament at Scholl Canyon in Glendale. They give each team 1 glowball per player (really it's a ball that flashes red when you hit it). Our team "Tron Shack", named for the glow of "Tron" and the comedy of "Caddy Shack", turned in a score of Even and tied for 5th place, just barely missing the cut for a prize for 4th place or better. The full moon and the Los Angeles skyline made a dramatic backdrop for a fun filled night. See you at the next one.

Flanigans

Recently, while visiting Florida, we stopped by Flanigans in Deerfield Beach. There are several former Big Daddy's Lounge turned restaurant locations throughout the Greater South Florida Area. We enjoyed the smoked fish dip to start and then I had the perfectly seasoned and lightly breaded dolphin fingers (mahi mahi, not Flipper's digits). Man, I miss that place.

Check it! In this picture, I'm wearing a Spirit Alley t-shirt. Get yours at www.spirit-alley.com.

Corn Pone, Covered

I've heard the term Corn Pone before but never know what it was. I assumed it was a made up word by Frank Sinatra, currently being used by my teed friends, but...last night at The Brentwood Restaurant and Lounge I discovered the true meaning. A corn pone is a delicious long and slender cornbread product, made for dipping in soup or in my case chicken chili. I can see the resemblance to well...a corn pone...

...in Mexico

We had a great time down in Puerto Vallarta last President's Day Weekend. We stayed in a 12 room villa, Quinta Del Mar, which was also the location of our friend's wedding. When we weren't whooping it up at the festivities or cruising around downtown, I spent a great amount of time sitting in a chair in our room, enjoying the view, sipping beers, watching the boats through binoculars, and feeling very relaxed.

Here We Go!

Check out my boy, Eric Normington (in the beard) in this hilarious Bud Light spot that was shown early on, during the Super Bowl. Nice job Normie!

A Reading from the Book of Teed

As a new installment, I'm choosing some excerpts from my new favorite piece of literature, Drunk by Paul Dickson. I picked up this puppy at Borders. Periodically, I will quote some alternative terms for teed (teed is in the book, but more on that later). Heck, I could even start a new blog called Teed and Teed(lia), an homage to Julie and Julia, where I act out every. It's also fun to use these words in a sentence. Try it at home or at the bar!

Starting alphabetically:

All at Sea (The gents and I are All at Sea right now.)
All Schnozzled Up

Been too free with the Creature
Been too free with Sir John Strawberry (TK can't drive, because he's been too free with Sir John Strawberry this evening.)

...stay tuned for C

Cuckoo for Coconut Chips

If you've every been to Haiku's Twin Falls Fruit Stand on the Hawaiian Isle of Maui, you may have noticed and / or enjoyed Coconut Chips. If you have not been there, odds are you have not enjoyed them, because it's the only place in the world to get them. I sent my girlfriend, Leisure Girl, on a wild goose chase all around the island looking for this delicious snack. "We scoured the island from ABC Stores to local farmers markets in pursuit of the chips. We became obsessed with finding these crack-like wonders and they didn't disappoint. I ended up getting the private number of the maker and owner the company Bananas and Coconuts from the concierge at the hotel," says LG.

LG tells me that they only sell these treats, consisting solely of toasted, then roasted shaved coconut and Hawaiian salt, at Twin Falls Fruit Stand on the road to Hana. Luckily, she brought back a few bags of the savory delights that taste oddly similar to bacon.

Tonight we enjoyed part of the last remaining bag in our possession, chopped up and sprinkled over vanilla frozen yogurt. Mahalo, Leisure Girl!

Burgs in the Hood

In my neighborhood of Hollywood, CA, two new great burger joints have recently opened; Umami Hollywood, the 3rd installment of the famous Umami chain and Stout, a hip spot serving a great selection of micro brews and burgers. While Umami consistantly serves some of the best hamburgers, turkey burgers, portabello mushroom burgers and pork laden sandwiches known to man, it has no TVs and only 2 beers on tap. Stout's "Stout Burger", while good, Senator, is no Umami, but Stout does have 2 large TV's, friendly staff, and serves food until 4am. Stout does have great ground chicken and veggie burgers too.

The Pee-Wee Herman show at Club Nokia

Zen and the Art of Bowling

I took my first bowling lesson today with Nancy Kato and Rich Honda at Pinz in Studio City. It was awesome. I learned so much about oil patterns and the markers on the lanes. We got to walk the lanes and I looked into the end where the pins are set up. Did you realize each pin is 12 inches apart? I did not. The next step is to buy my own equipment; ball, shoes and a bag or "hook in a box" as Nancy calls it, because the spin comes from the ball (and spin is tough to do with the solid plastic house balls one borrows from the lanes).

If you are in the greater Los Angeles area and looking for a great bowling teach, call Nancy Kato, USA Certificed Coach at 818-640-6000. Her partners, Rich Honda, video tapes part of your lesson as well, which is a helpful learning tool.

Tim Robbins Say Hi

"Excuse me, Mr. Robbins can I take a picture with you?" I asked. "Sure," he said.Nice shades and skull caps!

Happy New Year!

2010, wow, man, we really live in the future. I bet James Cameron is happy about his billion dollar box office draw. Check out this song by Counting Crows, kind of a fitting tune for the new year.