REAL HOUSEWIVES OF OC PHOTOCAP: Whine Tasting

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I never trust entrepreneurial endeavors spawned from The Real Housewives (although, I did enjoy Ramona Pinot Grigio). However, I always enjoy their ridiculousness. Nothing will ever top Sonja’s mystery toaster oven, and few will be as iconic as She By Shereé. However, in a world where Cafface, Gretchen Christine Beauté, and Gigi’s Extensions are a thing (and yes, I realize that’s from Shahs of Sunset), one shouldn’t be surprised that we now have both Wine By Wives AND Vicki’s Vodka. The latter business hails from Vicki Gunvalson of The Real Housewives of Orange County, and call me crazy, but I never realized vodka was her “thing.” I mean, at least Ramona Pinot Grigio stemmed from Ramona’s much documented love of Pinot. Vicki’s Vodka seems to only be a curious biproduct of alliteration. It’s as if Vicki merely scanned a list of consumer goods starting with “V” and chose her favorite option. This leads me to believe that Vicki’s Veal is just around the corner, perhaps to be followed by Vicki’s Violin Repair or maybe Vicki’s Vaginal Rejuvenation.

Nevertheless, most of the cast headed up to Malibu for some wine tasting because, as Tamra explained, Napa and Temecula were so played out. Yes, the last thing we need is more Temecula dominance of the wine scene, am I right? Listen, I’ve been to wine tastings in Temecula. It’s certainly scenic. But the wine is shit. I mean, imagine a bunch of wineries run by Jim Bellino. That’s what Temecula wine country is. I swear to God, one of the wineries I went to was so overrun by gargoyles and griffins that I immediately turned around and left (opting for the “classier” European “village” just up the hill. Yes, a lot of air quotes, but this is Temecula we’re talking about. If you don’t use air quotes, then you have a problem).

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Get Ready For World Whiskey Day!

whiskey.jpgGreat news for whiskey fiends: this Saturday is World Whiskey Day! Never heard of it? Neither have I. In fact, I wouldn’t be surprised if it were some silly creation manufactured by Jack Daniels, but who really cares? Any excuse to go out for a drink is a good one by me (unless it involves numbing the soul from having committed a crime so vile it cannot be uttered to another being. But I digress).

Anyway, after the jump, check out a few whiskey options here in Los Angeles that may help scratch your itch for the brown stuff.

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REAL HOUSEWIVES OF OC PHOTOCAP: Faith In A Higher Power

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Not much happened on the latest episode of Real Housewives of Orange County. We met Lydia’s kooky mom, who might actually be the first mother on these shows to be more age-appropriate as a cast-member than her actual daughter. A former hippie turned fairy dust enthusiast, Lydia’s mom was definitely something of a character, and interestingly enough, she actual shed some light on Lydia’s personality. It turns out this woman spent the majority of her life stoned, and because of that, Lydia sought structure in religion. Dare I say it was a nearly fascinating revelation? Maybe that’s going too far. Nevertheless, I find Lydia’s brand of devoutness to be far more informed than Alexis’s, which doesn’t seem to stem from curiosity but rather what Jim has ordered her to believe.

In other news, Heather continues to rebrand herself as the most humorless cast member on the show. After having landed a role on Hot in Cleveland, she went out to dinner with her fam and then proceeded to pick a fight with her husband, which she then promptly blamed on him. I’m not sure that Heather has as much of a stick up her ass as a giant, corinthian column from the Parthenon. She’s making me hate her, and I always liked her. Stop it! (Meanwhile, I’m loving Lydia).

On to the photocap!

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ADVENTURES IN DOMESTICITY: ¡Benchiladas! Edition

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It’s been all of about thirty-five seconds since I posted an Adventures in Domesticity based off of Rick Bayless’s Mexican Everyday, and that just seems shocking. And so I am back with yet another recipe to tackle. This time it’s “Red Chile Enchiladas with Chicken and Melted Cheese.”

I selected this dish mainly because a) I had chicken in my freezer, b) it’s big and can stretch over several meals, and c) despite its appearance, it’s not all that unhealthy. Besides, with Cinco De Mayo right around the corner, why not whip up a batch of enchiladas? It’s only prudent.

After the jump, check out my handiwork (as well as a few choice photos of my dirty stovetop)… Continue reading “ADVENTURES IN DOMESTICITY: ¡Benchiladas! Edition”

Help Kickstart ‘American Psycho’ – The Musical!

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Hey everyone – my friend Jesse is working tirelessly on a Kickstarter campaign to help fund his musical of American Psycho, the Brett Easton Ellis book that was later adapted into a cult classic film starring Christian Bale. This is actually a legit production with the likes of Roberto Aguirre-Sacasa (Bookwriter), Duncan Sheik (Composer/Lyricist) and Rupert Goold (Director) behind it. The show is looking to raise $150,000 by May 24 in order to fund its run at the Almeida Theatre in London this December. (And after that — who knows? The BroadWAY?)

Anyway, check out the Kickstarter page, which details not only all the talent going into the production but also the various perks of donating to the campaign (the right sidebar has your groovy incentives).

Hope to see it soon on the Great White Way!

AMERICAN PSYCHO

RESTAURANTS ARE FUN: Takara and Sun Ha Jang

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I’ve decided to start a new little section of the blog called “Restaurants Are Fun” (name subject to change) to document some of the random spots I go to with my friends (and sometimes enemies, but that is VERY rare). I wouldn’t say these are full on reviews per se, but they’re kind of a simple “I ate this, and it was good” or a “I ate that, and it was bad” kind of thing. Whatever. This is a blog, not the New York Times. Just let me DO WHAT I WANT.

Anyway, today I want to focus on two Asian restaurants I went to last month: Takara, the new ramen shop in Hollywood, and Sun Ha Jang, a Korean spot specializing in duck. Pics and thoughts after the jump…

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REAL HOUSEWIVES OF OC PHOTOCAP: Tamra Throws a Party, Fit

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CUT Fitness is off to a great start! Yes, The Real Housewives of Orange County put the fit in fitness this week when Tamra had a disastrous launch event of sorts in the future home of her exercise studio. The problems began when Vicki asked if she could invite Tamra’s new arch-nemesis Alexis to the event, and claiming to be caught off guard, Tamra had said yes. Well, she soon regretted her decision to allow Jesus Jugs into her facility, and perhaps for good reason. It wasn’t long before Alexis began squawking about feeling “boolied,” a term that sent smoke out of the ears of Tamra, Gretchen, and Heather. This inevitably led to screaming, pointing, and Tamra’s much publicized ejection of Lady Bellino. It was certainly an explosive end to an episode, but just as noteworthy was the awkward and tense build up, which featured the women sitting around on couches, barely containing their rage. Basically, we were one Andy Cohen short of an actual reunion.

At least we had Lydia, who sweetly attempted to spur on some light conversation, but her attempts were thwarted by Gretchen, who replied with curt, bitchy remarks (usually supported by a nasty glare from Heather and Tamra). It was awful. And yet… awesome. This was one warehouse party I could defiitely get behind.

After the jump, check out the photocap…

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REAL HOUSEWIVES OF OC PHOTOCAP: New Faces (and New Cast Members Too!)

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Well, it’s springtime, which means one thing: allergies. And who better to personify itchy eyes and stuffy noses than The Real Housewives of Orange County. Yes, our favorite trashy blondes are back, and this time we have a new face: Vicki’s! The grand doyenne of housewifes has plumped up her chin, adjusted her eyes, and generally moved her face into a vaguely Joan-van-Ark territory (with a dash of Mickey Rourke). To Vicki’s credit though, she’s been totally upfront and proud of her surgery; so I really can’t ding her too much… even if she does leave me with horrific nightmares.

As for other new faces, we met also Lydia McLaughlin — an airy, seemingly sweet and goofy Christian girl with a handsome husband and a voice that would grate Jennifer Tilly. The jury’s still out on whether or not she’s awful, but so far, Lydia appears to be generally harmless. I mean all we really know about her is that she likes boats, lemon drops, and Jesus. And she seems to have the motor skills of one of those dashboard hula dancers. Nevertheless, I’m sure she’ll turn into a monster (just look at Heather, who has blossomed into an insufferable shrew in her second season).

After the jump, check out the photocap… Continue reading “REAL HOUSEWIVES OF OC PHOTOCAP: New Faces (and New Cast Members Too!)”

ADVENTURES IN DOMESTICITY: Garlic-Lime Shrimp + Jicama Salad with Watercress

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It’s been a few days since I last posted anything pertaining to Rick Bayless’s Mexican Everyday, and that simply won’t do. Thus, here I am again with yet another Adventure in Domesticity based off a recipe from this handy dandy cookbook. This latest experiment came from a sudden desire to have grilled shrimp for lunch. Bayless recommends using his garlic lime marinade for such an occasion, and who am I to resist?

After the jump, a look at my attempt to grill shrimp. Plus, a jicama salad with watercress, romaine, and lime-cilantro dressing…

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Pico De Gallo vs. Cachumber: A Difference of 3 Ingredients, 9,100 Miles

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Ever since I bought Madhur Jaffrey’s Indian Cooking in 2011, I’ve been babbling to whomever would listen (usually no one) about how similar Indian and Mexican cuisines are. Both use large amounts of tomatoes, cilantros, onions, chiles, garlic, and cumin. And yet, the flavors could not be more divergent. It makes sense, really: the countries are 9,100 miles apart. There’s no good reason for them to have any similarities.

A perfect example of how the same ingredients, with just a few tweaks, can yield such massively different flavors is Mexican pico de gallo and Indian cachumber (or kachumber). The former is considered a salsa, the latter a relish. Each have seven ingredients total, but by simply swapping out three simple items, we can go from Mexico to India and vice versa. (Listen, maybe if you were stoned, you’d find this as cool as I do).

After the jump, check out pics of me making both condiments (one from a Jaffrey recipe and one from a Rick Bayless recipe)…

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