Andy Gavin's Blog, page 124

Game of Thrones – Episode 47

Show:Game of Thrones

Genre: Fantasy

Watched: Episode 47 – May 24, 2015

Title:The Gift

Summary: In motion

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NOTE: SERIOUS SPOILER WARNING. This review/discussion contains tons of spoilers about the episode and even ones crossing over from the books. It’s really my free-for-all musing given all the information at my disposal.

First off, I wanted to put forth my perspective on the flackthat’s been flying around the internet with regard to the demon in the room at the end of last...

Yamakase Return

Restaurant: Yamakase[1, 2, 3]

Location: You wish you knew!

Date: Mary15, 2015

Cuisine: Japanese

Rating: Even better than last time!

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I’ve been meaning to get back to Yamakase for forever (2 years) and finally got around to booking the whole place again (which is really the only way to go!). The Foodie Clubeasily jammed in here. Not that 11 seats are that much to fill for such a great place.

This is the kitchen. Well it’s also half the room.

Yamakase is the brainchild of chef Kiyoshiro Yam...

The Doctor is In

Restaurant: Republique[1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8]

Location: 624 S La Brea Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90036.(310) 362-6115

Date: May12, 2015

Cuisine: Modern Bistro French

Rating: Nice (loud) space, tasty hip food, great service

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OMG, Republique again! This time for another special wine dinner, hosted by Sage Society and featuring Ernst Loosen of Weingut Dr Loosen, one of the world’s premier riesling producers.

The main interior is nearly church-like. It’s been all opened up and looks great, but it’s...

Game of Thrones – Episode 46

Show:Game of Thrones

Genre: Fantasy

Watched: Episode 46 – May 17, 2015

Title: Unbowed Unbent Unbroken

Summary: Mostly great

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First off, this week I was watching the titles and realized that the little symbols next to the cast names are the houses. How I never noticed that before I will never know, having watched every episode 2-4 times. Goes to show. There are even made up symbols of the writers and producers.

NOTE: SERIOUS SPOILER WARNING. This review/discussion contains to...

Homestyle Korean Double Dinner

Restaurant: Seong Buk Dong

Location: 3303 W 6th St, Los Angeles, CA 90020.(213) 738-8977

Date: May7, 2015

Cuisine:Korean

Rating: Super flavors

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My friend Liz Lee of Sage Society wanted to take a bunch of us out to her favorite homestyle Korean restaurant, but they don’t allow alcohol, so we decided to do a “double dinner” with a part 1 at Republique (including wine) and a part 2 at Seong Buk Dong.

We sat near the Republique bar, early in the evening.

I just had to show off their Normandy b...

Lucky Noodle King is the Dan Dan Emperor

Restaurant: Lucky Noodle King

Location:534 E Valley Blvd #10, San Gabriel, CA 91776.(626) 573-5668

Date: March11 & May 6, 2015

Cuisine:Szechuan Chinese

Rating:Amazing Dan Dan

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I had a craving for Chinese noodles so strong I drove 60 miles round trip by myself for them! Well, not just for any noodles, but for what Jonathan Gold describes as “the best Dan Dan in LA.”

Located in the same mini-mall as Hunan Chili King, the location isn’t much to look at.

Although I find this kind of “authentic...

Game of Thrones – Episode 45

Show:Game of Thrones

Genre: Fantasy

Watched: Episode 45 – May 10, 2015

Title:Kill the Boy

Summary: Awesome episode

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First off, this is one of those medium focus episodes, which are my favorites. By medium I mean that it covers a limited number of threads, but not just one (like Blackwater). I like these episodes that have some different threads to cut between, but enough time to lavish on more detail. Those that cover more than 3-4 threads tend to feel rushed.

NOTE: SERIOUS...

Shin Sen Gumi – Ramen Revolution

Restaurant: Shin Sen Gumi

Location:1601 Sawtelle Blvd. #101 Los Angeles, CA 90025Tel：424-208-3293

Date: March6, 2015

Cuisine:Japanese Ramen

Rating:Solid Hakata Ramen w/ lots of options

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Ramen is just taking over in east Santa Monica (now officially Sawtelle Japantown). There are 6-9 places within a mile, the majority of which even specialize in Hakata ramen (the porky southern variety).

Shin Sen Gumi has an unassuming front.

But a busy and decent sized interior with both tables and counte...

Babykiller Birthday

Like many of us, my friend Matthew likes to celebrate his birthday with Burgundy. In this case, a free-for-all house party with lots of it. NOTE: this group doesn’t have real name, but I call them the Babykillers because they’re mostly younger than me, and because of a tendency to open great wines young (like 2010 DRC!). But hey, after who knows how long in the decanter those young DRCs were pretty awesome.

The birthday boy.

It should be noted that this dinner, like many Babykiller birthdays...

Game of Thrones – Episode 44

Show:Game of Thrones

Genre: Fantasy

Watched: Episode 44 – May3, 2015

Title:The Sons of the Harpy

Summary: Solid transitional episode

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Last week was a great episode and so this one has big footsteps to follow in.

NOTE: SERIOUS SPOILER WARNING. This review/discussion contains tons of spoilers about the episode and even ones crossing over from the books. It’s really my free-for-all musing given all the information at my disposal.

Tyrion– Jorah steals a boat by clobbering a fis...