The Magic of Walnut Shrimp….

 

by Mikey

First off, two thumbs up to Hosea for his Top Chef victory.  Although I really did love Carla a.k.a. side show bob, I was very happy to see Hosea come away with the victory.  Now join me on an adventure through the orient as we discover the magic of walnut shrimp.

 

China Dynasty – Off the 101 at Johnson in Ventura  

I had heard some good things from a few locals who had gone there praising the chicken chow mein, the walnut shrimp, and the beef and broccoli, so I decided to check it out ’cause Mikey loves him some Chinese food, even though you really do get hungry an hour later. Continue reading

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Filed under Ventura, Ventura County

Working Title: Top Scallop

by Brian

Hey everyone,

Sorry about the lateness of this post, Mikey was having technical difficulties getting his latest review online, so I decided to step in with some thoughts regarding tonight’s Top Chef finale.

For those of you who have watched the show, you probably recognize the phrase that I used in this post’s title.  It was uttered by Fabio Viviani a few episodes back, referring to Jamie’s penchant for using scallops in every dish.  And you probably saw that for the first time ever, a former contestant (the aforementioned Fabio) was allowed to weigh in at the final meal.  Anyway, I’m pretty sure that Bravo is in development with Fabio on a new series (or at least they should be).  I’m setting the over/under on the first season of Top Scallop  [Honorable mention: Top Bunky Bed] at 6 months.  Get your Tivo ready now. Continue reading

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Filed under Everywhere

Is it really chicken?

by Mikey

I want you guys out there to understand how much I love you. You need to comprehend the level I would go to in order to make sure your taste buds, stomachs and bowels are kept safe. I took a bullet for you today, a bullet I feel I will be paying for at least another few hours and maybe even into the early morning.

I was out getting a few parts for my busted sink and started to get pretty hungry, I still have many local restaurants on my list to review, but didn’t really have the time, so I found myself in that place we all find ourselves in on the road.  Yes, my friends, I needed fast food. Continue reading

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Filed under Everywhere, Oxnard, Ventura, Ventura County

Kid Rock, a Boat in Koreatown & Awesome BBQ. -OR- How I Spent My Sunday.

by Brian

Sunday is a day of adventure, a day where I can get away from the trivial things in life like “getting a job” or “making something of myself,”   This Sunday was no different. It started off with a plan, a good plan too, but I accidentally left it at home.  Lucky for me I had a navigator.

The one thing I knew I wanted to do was get some culture at LACMA (L.A. County Museum of Art) which by my reasoning should be called LACMOA, but apparently the powers that be consider that less arty.  Anyway, they have an awesome exhibit until the end of the month called Vanity Fair Portraits 1913-2008.  Go see it.  I promise you’ll be happy you did.  Don’t spread this around, but they actually have a picture of Madonna where she doesn’t look like skeletor.  Also, on the drive down we ran into Kid Rock (or a member of his immediate family) in Koreatown.

Keep it real, Kid, keep it real!

Keep it real, Kid, keep it real!

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Filed under Koreatown, Los Angeles Area, Pasadena, South Pasadena

8 oz. of Guilt

by Brian

8oz. Burger Bar – West Hollywood (near Melrose and Fairfax)

So… I’ve been trying to eat healthy lately, but that all went out the window Friday night.  I went out to this little restaurant that was formerly known as Table 8.  The head chef decided to turn the concept of a fine dining restaurant into a boutique burger bar (whatever that means).  Anyway, for those of you who know me, I love me some burgers.  And since I’ve tried going vegan, I’ve consistantly shown my willingness to break down and eat the bad stuff at least once a week.  (See my first post here)

The way I was manipulated this time was through the power of  Where Magazine which was magically sitting on my desk, folded to the page which contained a write-up on 8oz.  Because I really have no hope of being 100% vegan, I have decided that for the good of the blog that I will allow myself to cheat only if I write a post about it.  That means, no midnight Jack-in-the-Box runs, or casual flings with the Vons cake section.  I won’t bore you with all the details of all the healthy stuff I eat, because who wants to read that?

So I strolled into 8oz at about 11:30pm, knowing that the kitchen was closing at midnight.  Continue reading

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Filed under Los Angeles Area, West Hollywood

If you’re a little crazy then get on the short bus and follow me to the nut house!

by Mikey

Did you say nuts?

Did you say nuts?

 Here’s what I want you to do. Get your crazy sister that knits her own clothes, get your nutty neighbor who has his own gas powered leaf blower, and get your craziest best friend who is training to be a mime and picks fights with red headed midgets and take a nice little car ride down the old part of the 118 through Somis and meet me at the Somis nut house.

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Filed under Moorpark, Oxnard, Somis, Ventura, Ventura County

My Date at Natural Cafe.

by Brian

Sorry Mikey, I would have loved to eat greasy tacos with ya, but I had a hot date. Continue reading

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Filed under Simi Valley, Ventura County