Shochu? I Hardly Even Know You!

About a month ago, the people behind Haamonii shochu emailed me about reviewing their product, and given that I’m sort of a sucker for free booze, I told them I was more than happy to give it a whirl. A few days later, a box arrived at my doorstep, and ta-da! Free booze! Can’t go …

EATING IN LA: Seventeen Courses at Jitlada

Back in October of last year, I detailed a particularly enjoyable yet sweaty trip to Jitlada Thai Cuisine, a restaurant that is widely regarded as one of the best Thai eateries in Los Angeles. This is thanks in part to its unique Southern Thai menu whose famously delicious (and notoriously spicy) offerings have been well …

Taking on iTunes Genius

Yesterday, Apple released iTunes 8, which features a nifty new feature called “Genius.” By using fancy algorithms and special analytical tools (ie. MAGIC), Genius builds a playlist based on your listening habits, other people’s listening habits, and various other variables which are probably too complex for me to comprehend. It’s the same concept as last.fm …

The Most Vicious Restaurant Review You Might Read This Year

I realize that a lot of people who read this blog don’t necessarily live in Los Angeles, but that’s no reason why we all can’t simply adore this restaurant review which absolutely eviscerates one of the city’s oldest establishments, Gladstone’s of Malibu. The famed seafood joint gets the royal treatment from Leslie Brenner (subbing in …

THEATER REVIEW: Point Break Live!

It’s not often that I stray from my TV, but once in a while, I do peel myself off the couch and take in a bit of the theatre (pronounced “theee-atttrah”). Case in point: last week, I attended Point Break Live!, the much buzzed-about play which reenacts the famed 1991 action pic, Point Break, live …

EATING IN LA: Gardens of Taxco Edition

After a prolonged, icy winter that left Los Angeles reeling in the permafrost of multiple 62 degree days, the sun finally came out this past weekend, sizzling the Southland up to temperatures reaching triple digits. It was, in short, excellent. To celebrate this change (not to mention the impending weekend), my friends and I decided …

RESTAURANT REVIEW: Vito's Pizza

For those of you who don’t live in Los Angeles, there’s something you should know about our currently frosty (63 degrees!!) city:  we have very bad pizza.  Let me restate that:  we have very bad normal pizza.  The dainty, gourmet stuff is fine.  You know what I’m talking about:  the fancy stuff with the proscuitto …