Andy Gavin's Blog, page 154
June 24, 2013
Michael’s on Naples
Restaurant: Michael’s on Naples
Location:5620 E 2nd St.Long Beach,CA90803.(562) 439-7080
Date: January 30, 2013
Cuisine: Italian
Rating: A top LA Italian
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I rarely get down this close to the Orange County border, but I had to meet a friend near Long Beach and chose thisrestaurantbecause it was top rated. On the way in, I chatted with the owner (Michael) for a few minutes. He told me how they use all locally (or at least California) sourced ingredients, mostly organic. They make their ownmozzarella...
June 21, 2013
Summertime Peak
Restaurant:Saddle Peak Lodge[1, 2, 3, 4]
Location:419 Cold Canyon Rd,Calabasas, CA91302 (818) 222-3888
Date: June 14, 2013
Cuisine: Modern American
Rating: Greatambianceand terrific game oriented food.
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For the middle Hedonist dinner of the year, we return to Saddle Peak Lodge. It’s pretty much the perfect venue for both a winter or summer food and wine blast, with gorgeous lodge patio, game driven food, and awesome wine service. For those of you who don’t know, Hedonist events have amazing wines...
June 19, 2013
Man of Steel
Title: Man of Steel
Cast:Henry Cavill(Actor),Amy Adams(Actor),Zack Snyder(Director)
Genre: Science Fiction / Comic Book
Watched: June 17, 2013
Summary:Takes itself VERY seriously
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It was with mixed feeling that I went off to Man of Steel. The trailer actually looked pretty cool, but this is a Zach Snyder film and I loathed 300 (way, way too poor a representation of that most awesome of historical battles), found Watchmen overblown, and was just plain blown by by Sucker Punch. Actually Sucker Punch...
June 17, 2013
Yamakase – Burghound Bday
Location: You wish you knew!
Date: June 11, 2013
Cuisine: Japanese
Rating: Even better than last time!
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For my birthday I like to do a big wine and food blow-out with the Foodie Club. 2010 was in Spain at Calima, 2011 in Italy at Arnolfo, and 2012 was at Il Grano(spectacular) and this year, after an epic first meal at JapanesenewcomerYamakase, I decided to take over the entirerestaurant: all 11 seats!
This is the kitchen. Well it’s also half the room.
And the other half. A...
June 14, 2013
IO by Playground
Restaurant: Playground
Location:220 East 4th Street.Santa Ana, CA 92701.Phone: (714) 560-4444
Date: June 9, 2013
Cuisine: Modern
Rating: Amazing experience!
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At the last minute Foodie Club partner in crime Erick invited me down to the O.C. to join him at this unusual 28 course popup meal. Chef Jason Quinn puts on a kind of culinary theatre, in the vein of Jose Andres’ E, but more dynamic and changing up with much greater frequency.
Therestaurantis located in a fairly low rent mall in Santa Anna.
And...
June 11, 2013
Osiris “He Who Walks in the West”
Our beloved Labrador, Osiris, passed today, following the sun into the West through the Great Sky Door to Abydos. He departed embracing the same Naughty Dog zeal for which he was always known. He will will be sorely missed, but Ancient Magics protect him.
He spent 13.5 years with us in this realm.
A few words adapted from The Book of the Dead:
Homage to thee, Osiris, Lord of eternity, King of the Gods, Son of Rowdy and the Earth, whose names are manifold, whose forms are holy, thou being of hidd...
More Hedonism at La Paella
Restaurant: La Paella
Location:476 South San Vicente Boulevard.Los Angeles, CA 90048.(323) 951-0745
Date: June 1, 2013
Cuisine: Spanish
Rating: Really tasty traditional Spanish
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Since spending a month in Spain in 2010, I’ve beenaddictedto Spanish cooking, so when the Hedonists decided to return to this Hollywood staple I jumped on board for another evening packed with great wine and great food.
NV Billecart-Salmon Rose.Parker 90.The NV Brut Rose is a pretty, gracious wine. Freshly cut roses, red be...
June 9, 2013
Game of Thrones – Episode 30
Title: Game of Thrones
Genre: Historical Fantasy
Watched: Episode 30 – June 9, 2013
Title:Mhysa
Summary: Satisfying, but more staid
ANY CHARACTER HERE
After last weeks intense and narrow(er) focus, this week hits on each and every thread in Westeros (and beyond). The result is more diffuse, and is typical of GOT’s first/last episodes in that it’s mostly positioning the characters for the season to come. Still, there are some great moments like:
Arya and the Hound- Bolton ascends the keep to survey t...
June 5, 2013
The Last of Us – Review Roundup
Naughty Dog’s The Last of Us is nearly on us, and the review ban has been released, so I felt I’d round up a couple. Check out these reviews! They average 95, which is pretty unheard of. The most often repeated word is “masterpiece”!
First a long video showing off the gameplay and graphics here:
Then the review roundup:
Joystiq
Jun 5, 2013
100
The Last of Us is not a cheerful story, but it’s a damned good one.
Read full review
Push Square
Jun 5, 2013
100
An assured, touching, and engrossing adventure, T...
June 4, 2013
Summer of Hedonism
We Hedonists rarely take a break, and even after last week’s beyond epic Totoraku adventure and several Asian Invasions the summer season begins with a blow out of epic proportions last Thursday, May 23, 2013.
This time, the setting is the Hedonist Capo Lana’s gorgeous Beverly Hills home.
The crew begins to enjoy the evening outside by the fantasy pool.
While inside, the culinary adventures were masterminded by Chef Kevin Meehan of Kali Dining, a Hedonist member himself and all around awesome ch...
