B-Side Blog

Sorry, Haters: ‘Real Housewives of New York City’ Looks Awesome

The word on the street is that The Real Housewives of New York City was pushed back to April at the last second because producers needed to fix a broken season. I never really believed that, and I never totally believed that Bethenny departing would ruin the show. After all, people don’t seem to remember that between Jill and Alex, Alex and LuAnn, and Ramona and everyone, there’s plenty of ludicrous behavior to go around.

Well, if the upcoming trailer for the new season is any indication, we’ll have plenty of campy silliness coming our way soon enough. After the jump, check out a two minute preview for season four of RHoNY. One word: Ramona in a burka. Continue reading “Sorry, Haters: ‘Real Housewives of New York City’ Looks Awesome”

Le Saint Amour Serves Up Best Mussels In Los Angeles

A few weeks ago I attended a comped media dinner at Le Saint Amour, a charming French bistro in the heart of Culver City. I’d never actually heard of the restaurant before, but that’s also because I tend to focus mainly on the spots that open in Hollywood and east. Culver City is like one giant blind spot to me. I should really change that since there’s been a vibrant dining scene going on there for the past few years. Turns out Le Saint Amour has been around for a little while, and not only was the French cuisine on display totally delicious, it in some ways BLEW MY MIND. Continue reading “Le Saint Amour Serves Up Best Mussels In Los Angeles”

The Great Steamer Debate Of Our Time

I have a pressing dilemma. I once again have a gift certificate to use at CSN Stores, and I’m debating between two different types of steamers: either a funky lime green silicone insert or an austere and refined bamboo set. What ever shall I do?

First, a little background information about my cooking style: I rarely steam vegetables. I find steamed veggies to be rather bland and boring. I do, however, steam things like dumplings and shumai, and once I used my rice cooker to steam chicken.

With that being said, I must take a critical look at this steamer situation. Fascinating pros and cons after the jump. (And if all this talk of steamers has put your mind in a scatological place, all the more power to you.) Continue reading “The Great Steamer Debate Of Our Time”

Celebrities You Should Be Following On Twitter

So you’re at work, bored, waiting for me to post something new, right? Thankfully, Twitter offers endless fun, but who on Earth should you follow? WELL, for starters, you can follow me (http://twitter.com/bsideblog — help me get to 10,000 followers!! Or at least 3,000). But if you already follow me and want other (LESS GOOD) options, then Socialite Life has compiled a nifty list of celebs to follow. They range from the crazy (Charlie Sheen) to the clever (Stephen Colbert). Check out the list, and be sure to suggest your very own favorites (celeb or not) in the comments section below.

Socialite Life: 10 Celebrities To Follow On Twitter

Judging the Southwest Regional Barista Competition, or How I Learned To Live With Abdominal Cramping

Photo via LAist

This past weekend I had the supreme joy of judging the Southwest Regional Barista Championship, which saw baristas from California, Hawaii, Arizona, Colorado descend on Hollywood all with the hopes of advancing on to the U.S. Championships. Some of you may have read my tortured account of getting certification for this event, and I can assure you that a) training was much more difficult than judging, and b) my intestinal tract has finally returned to normal.

This was no easy task. I was in a world of pain Thursday night after having spent all afternoon sipping espressos and cappuccinos. Quite frankly, by the time Friday morning rolled around, I wasn’t sure if I was up for the challenge of enduring more caffeinated beverages. Luckily, being the intrepid blogger that I am, I persevered. A full account of my experience after the jump… Continue reading “Judging the Southwest Regional Barista Competition, or How I Learned To Live With Abdominal Cramping”

Charlie Sheen Got Fired… But Why?

In case you didn’t hear, Charlie Sheen got dumped by Warner Bros. television yesterday (that might explain the vacant parking spot). It seems pretty obvious why the beleaguered actor lost his job (insert “duh, winning” joke here), but now we have some concrete details behind the termination. Turns out WB wasn’t just upset at Sheen’s off screen antics. He was also a total mess on set. Shocking news, I tell you.

Read all the gory details here:

Vulture: Four New Reveals From the Letter That Fired Charlie Sheen

REAL HOUSEWIVES OF OC PHOTOCAP: Fun With Spirits, Both Alcoholic and Evil

The original ladies are back! The Real Housewives of Orange County premiered last night, which meant the women who kicked off a Bravo-lution are back. Of course, calling them “original” is highly misleading as only one cast member (Vicki) remains from the initial cast, and not even she seems to be composed of all her original parts. Ah, but big boobs, Botox lips, and various nips and tucks are nothing new to this cast, and for the first time, we witness a cosmetic procedure that I actually felt was necessary: Tamra getting her Simon tattoos removed. Now that the divorce with her boor of an ex-husband is complete, she’s gone through a whole empowerment phase, which I applaud, even if she remains catty and awful. Not all her blossoming has been wonderful though. While the tattoo removal definitely earned a thumbs up, I’m not sure I can endorse Tamra’s free-wheeling use of “I’m a free bitch!” It’s like she JUST listened to “Bad Romance” for the first time this morning (regrettably, she’s been using the phrase since last year’s reunion special). Continue reading “REAL HOUSEWIVES OF OC PHOTOCAP: Fun With Spirits, Both Alcoholic and Evil”

CELEBRITY APPRENTICE PHOTOCAP: Circus of the Stars

It did not disappoint. After several weeks of promos that promised to bring “crazy,” the fourth iteration of Celebrity Apprentice premiered last night, and it. was. amazing. This is what reality TV is all about: that combustible mix of people doing ridiculous things all for our enormous entertainment. After just fifteen minutes, I knew Celebrity Apprentice was going to be one of the very best shows of the year, and I have a hard time thinking it could possibly go anywhere but up. In many ways, eleven years of modern reality TV have led us to this very point: the brilliance that is Celebrity Apprentice. Continue reading “CELEBRITY APPRENTICE PHOTOCAP: Circus of the Stars”

Best Facebook Update of the Day

What happens when you can’t find a parking spot at Warner Bros? Looks like my friend found a solution…

B-Side Blog To Judge Southwest Regional Barista Competition

Wondering where my Survivor, Top Chef, and American Idol recaps have been? Fear not: I haven’t abandoned them. Instead I spent the day down in Long Beach, CA getting certified to be a judge at the Southwest Regional Barista Competition, and let me tell you something: it’s not easy. Aside from it being a terribly exacting process — prospective judges are trained in everything from taste balance to foam persistence and consistency — the certification has taken a full on physical toll. You see, here’s my problem. I don’t really drink coffee. I indulge in some foofy mocha lattes socially, and yes, on occasion I’ll enjoy an iced coffee, but espresso and cappuccino are not really my things. Furthermore, after half a coffee, I’m pretty wired.

Still, when I was invited to participate in this event, I thought it could be a ton of fun. What better way to earn coffee bragging rights than by becoming a CERTIFIED JUDGE?

Well, now I’m paying the price. I’ve spent the past five hours shaking with occasional sprints to the bathroom. This is not for the faint of heart, and I’m starting to think that I’m VERY faint of heart. Continue reading “B-Side Blog To Judge Southwest Regional Barista Competition”