REAL HOUSEWIVES OF NJ PHOTOCAP: Not So Sweet Caroline

hw-03.jpg

Not a huge amount happened on this week’s episode of Real Housewives of New Jersey. It felt vaguely like a scrapheap episode, one formed from random odds and ends of footage. The focus began on Teresa and her brother Joe as they both agreed that therapy simply wasn’t for them. After all, it’s not like they had that much to work on. Just multiple generations of warped parenting and psychological warfare. Nothing that a few Coronas couldn’t patch up!

Continue reading “REAL HOUSEWIVES OF NJ PHOTOCAP: Not So Sweet Caroline”

DINING IN LA: Meatless Mondays at Street, and Then Some

IMG_6613.jpg

A few years ago, celebrity (and celebrated) chef Susan Feniger opened up Street in Hollywood, a restaurant that bills itself as a home for global street food. For some strange reason, I had never set foot in the establishment until a few weeks ago when I was invited to enjoy a media-comped dinner there, and given that I have a strong penchant for ethnic nibbles, I was most excited about this meal.

After the jump, check out pics from the meal, including some offerings from the restaurant’s new Meatless Monday menu…

Continue reading “DINING IN LA: Meatless Mondays at Street, and Then Some”

It’s Another Cash Cab Giveaway!

CashCab_KeyArt.jpg

Need an extra $50 in your pocket? Well today is your lucky day! [insert circus music and confetti] We’re having another Cash Cab giveaway here at B-Side Blog, and the lucky winner will receive a $50 Visa Cash Card. The rules are simple. Leave a comment, and then I’ll draw a name at random. It should be marvelously exciting.

Now, if you don’t know what Cash Cab is, here’s the official company line:

Discovery’s Emmy winning hit Cash Cab is now airing 5 days a week!

The funniest game show on TV, Cash Cab combines elements of Who Wants To Be A Millionaire, Family Feud and Candid Camera as taxi driver/comedian Ben Bailey picks up unsuspecting people hailing a cab and gives them a chance to win thousands. To find out where Cash Cab is playing in your area, visit http://cashcab.mgm.com.

Okay people, get commenting!

Jim Bellino Might Just Be Super Mario

jim-bellino-mario.jpg
Jim Bellino and wife Alexis from The Real Housewives of Orange County

I mean, the comparison just has to be made.

And if Jim is Mario, that makes Alexis…

Continue reading “Jim Bellino Might Just Be Super Mario”

REAL HOUSEWIVES OF OC PHOTOCAP: Of Cake Bows, Fake Chins, and Evil Eyes

hw-07.jpg

The Real Housewives of Orange County was a veritable smorgasbord of dumb drama last night, and that’s usually the way it goes with these flaxen bitches, who perennially rally to give us the craziest season finales year after year. Last week, Earth nearly came to a halt when it was discovered that resident drunkard / swamp person Sarah had broken off a bow from Heather’s expensive cake. The fondant fiasco continued this week into part two this of the finale when Sarah tromped her way into a kitchen and attempted to plead her case again, still incredulous that her penchant for grazing on sugary playthings had caused such offense.

Continue reading “REAL HOUSEWIVES OF OC PHOTOCAP: Of Cake Bows, Fake Chins, and Evil Eyes”

REAL HOUSEWIVES OF NJ PHOTOCAP: Teresa vs. Jacqueline, Round 2

hw-04.jpg

You know what’s fun? When friendships totally fall apart. Actually, that’s not fun at all, and yet I’m thoroughly enjoying the disintegration of Teresa Giudice’s social life on The Real Housewives of New Jersey. Last week, we saw Caroline declare that she would no longer be Teresa’s friend, and this week, it was Jacqueline’s turn at the defriend derby. It all happened in a pretty predictable way. At a release party for Melissa’s “On Display” single (still LOLing over that song), Jacqueline decided to chat with Tre to smooth things over. Naturally, Teresa demanded an apology right off the bat and accused Jackie of ambushing her. It never was totally clear what Teresa felt she was ambushed with because as far as we could tell, the only thing she had to face were a few honest questions (at least until Caroline materialized from the New Jersey ether and got all Manzo on her). Anyway, Jacqueline tried to explain that she hadn’t been ambushing Teresa, but you know how it is: in one ear, out another. Or actually, when it comes to Teresa: in one ear, bouncing around the hollow cavity that is her head, out another ear, and then finally caught and tangled in her distractingly low hairline.

Continue reading “REAL HOUSEWIVES OF NJ PHOTOCAP: Teresa vs. Jacqueline, Round 2”

Burger Lounge Brings LA’s Burger Craze to Sunset

IMG_6566.jpg

In case you hadn’t heard, burger-mania has struck Los Angeles — specifically, fancy gourmet burgers. It started years ago with The Father’s Office. Then came The Counter and 8 oz. Burger (RIP) and Umami. Now the city is littered with gussied up, high quality concepts. From Stout to 25 Degrees, these burger joints are everywhere, and I’m honestly okay with it. More options for us (although, perhaps it’s time to rein it in — I once had a burger at Go-Burger in Hollywood that featured a “Black Angus Beef Patty, Caramelized Onions, Bacon & GO Burger Sauce between Two Slender Rye & Gruyere Grilled Cheese Sandwiches.” It represented both a high point and a low point in my burger history).

Anyway, throwing their ring into this beefy circus is Burger Lounge, a small, regional chain that actually stated way back in 2007 in San Diego. Its first Los Angeles location opened up a few months ago on the famed Sunset Strip with an emphasis on healthy, sustainable ingredients. Sounds noble. The restaurant recently invited me in for a media-comped meal where I sampled many of the goods. Does Burger Lounge prove to be a worthy addition to the crowded burger marketplace? Pics after the jump…

Continue reading “Burger Lounge Brings LA’s Burger Craze to Sunset”

REAL HOUSEWIVES OF NJ PHOTOCAP: Gay Pride & Prejudice

hw-01.jpg

Not a lot of drama on the latest episode of Real Housewives of New Jersey, but it did prove to be one of the most emotional installments in recent times. It was all about the gays this week, starting with Rosie’s heart-wrenching tale of coming out as a lesbian, leading to Caroline’s brother’s gay wedding, and ultimately ending with a smack of homophobia courtesy of the most gay-lovin’ man on TV: Joe Giudice. Fun times had by all!

Continue reading “REAL HOUSEWIVES OF NJ PHOTOCAP: Gay Pride & Prejudice”

REAL HOUSEWIVES OF NYC PHOTOCAP: Girl, Interrupted…

hw-15.jpg

They’re baaaaaaAAAAAACK. Well, at least three of them. I speak, of course, of The Real Housewives of New York City, which has been revamped with new opening credits, a new artistic direction, and of course a new(ish) cast. Gone are Cindy, Kelly, Jill, and Alex. In their place come three fresh faces. Well, I use the term “fresh” loosely. I wouldn’t call Carole and Aviva the paradigms of natural beauty. Poor Carole has done such strange things to her mouth that she often looks like she’s in a permanent state of Invisalign shame. Y’all know what I’m talking about.

Of the three newbies, Carole most certainly made the smallest impression. On the plus side, she seems to hate kids, which is hilarious, and even better, she hates when mommies talk about kids. Already she’s won me over. However, after that glorious revelation, Carole kind of become blah and forgettable. She talked about being a widow a lot (all the while simultaneously suggesting how annoyed she was about having to be pigeonholed as a widow), and she managed to humble brag a few times as well. Hopefully she’ll serve as something of a Greek chorus to the rest of these women because if there’s anything that has remained consistent with this series, it’s the high level of bat-shit craziness on display.

Continue reading “REAL HOUSEWIVES OF NYC PHOTOCAP: Girl, Interrupted…”

REAL HOUSEWIVES OF OC PHOTOCAP: Costa Rica Suave

hw-05.jpg

I suppose the Real Housewives of Orange County will be wrapping up in the next few weeks because we’re already at the group trip that almost always signals the home stretch of every season. This year, the ladies headed down to Costa Rica for a five-day excursion — or rather, a two day jaunt in Alexis’s case. The poor girl probably thought Costa Rica was a spa in Laguna Hills, which perhaps explains why she volunteered to travel down there for a scant two days. Of course, there’s also the distinct possibility she merely confused Costa Rica with Costa Mesa (also in Orange County), but at the end of the day, one truth remains: she still thinks she’s in Mexico.

Continue reading “REAL HOUSEWIVES OF OC PHOTOCAP: Costa Rica Suave”