Thursday, March 26, 2009

Fondue Night at Breadbar

Last Friday night was Fondue Night at Breadbar and so my man and I walked the few blocks in cheesy anticipation... Breadbar partners with The Bev Hills Cheese shop from time to time, so while all the food was good, it was a strangely chaotic affair. There was one fondue pot per communal table (which seated 10 people) and two fondue "stations" inside and one outside. At the stations were BH Cheese people making fondue and I think they were supposedly giving some sort of demonstration, but it was so noisy in that small space that any communication was hard to hear and understand and what I thought would be a "dinner" turned out to be well... I'm not too sure. There were three different fondues made that were brought to the tables at different times, but we were never clearly told which one was which and honestly, they tasted very similarly (not bad, just similar). It didn't appear that the Cheese people and the Restaurant people were coordinated in any way and so I observed several frustrated people who wanted to know some basic info on their meal and nobody knew what to tell them. Also, the accompaniments were sparse and low in variety AND NO DESSERT! After all that savoriness, a little sweet would have gone a long way.

On the positive side, I enjoyed the communal seating and the conversations and... a celebrity siting... CLORIS LEACHMAN! which is funny considering she made news today about her EPIC trist with Gene Hackman in the early 70's...

So, what I think is an excellent idea needs some refinement and organization...

On a side note, Breadbar is slightly changing it's menu beginning in April and subsequently removing two of the items I go there for... the jambon sandwich and the French Market salad. Alas...

Until next time... Miss Absinthe

Sunday, March 15, 2009

ARTIST FOUND - NEAL TURNER

www.flickr.com/photos/nturner
nealturner.com

As I was perusing Marie Antoinette artwork on Flickr, I came across this artist and fell in love. In addition to india ink drawings on book pages (like the above which I would LOVE to own), his colorful oil paintings are both fun and sublime. A modern Matisse, peut-etre...

Until next time... Miss Absinthe

Friday, March 13, 2009

Neighborhood News - Chado Tea Room/ W. 3rd Street

photo - www.chadotea.com

Still recovering from the loss of Zipper on W. 3rd street; I recently asked the owner/manager of Chado Tea Room about their business, in light of the recession and the on-going exodus of businesses from the area, when she informed me that their lease is up in two years and she isn't sure what they will do. Her tone suggested that no matter what, they will leave their current address at 8422 1/2 W. 3rd. Having tea and sandwiches at Chado is one of my regular affordable pleasures that I would truly miss and if you feel the same, I ask that you let them know how much you would like them to stay in our neighborhood.

As for my much missed Zipper... The last time I was in there to bid my adieus, the owners said they may (and I stress MAY) consider opening a pop-up store in our neighborhood, around the holidays. I couldn't have made my enthusiasm for such an idea more clear, so keep your fingers crossed.

Until next time... Miss Absinthe