Since I returned to this blog on November 29 after a 2+ month layoff I promised I would catch you up on what happened during my furlough. So far, I have checked nearly everything off my list except one: a massive Good Eats. Let's do it bullet style.
The Oceanaire (Financial District) - Went here for a work lunch. Pricey, all seafood, well designed interior.
Dempsey's (Everett) - I'd been wanting to try this place since I moved and it didn't disappoint. Great brunch spot.
Boston Market (Medford) - Might have gone once as a kid but otherwise had no familiarity with it. Good chicken but this location seemed a little odd.
Elevation Burger (PA) - We were pretty much starving after an epic basketball game but I think these burgers would have been good even in a normal lunchtime setting.
Philly Soft Pretzel Company (PA) - I'm not a pretzel aficionado but Brig is and she liked them here. Also, they were on an episode of Undercover Boss (hat tip to Sawheels for this tidbit).
El Burrito (PA) - A little hole in the wall Mexican joint but my burrito was much better than expected. And they sell Mexican Coke!
Continental Bakery (Everett) - Another spot in my neighborhood. Avoid Mike's and Modern and come on out to Continental! Not just pastries either, they bake a mean loaf of bread.
The Red Hat (Scollay Square) - I got a Groupon for this place because it's right near my office. The food was underwhelming and Brig thought the beer had a weird taste too.
Sports Grille Boston (North Station) - Went here before a Celts game and it was obviously packed. Every table had it's own TV which is pretty balla.
Anthem (Faneuil Hall) - Went here for another work lunch. It was fine but probably wouldn't feel the need to go back.
Four Burgers (Boston Common) - Big time disappointment. Ordering a burger here is harder than it should be and the fries are worthless.
The Tip Tap Room (Scollay Square) - A new spot that just opened up by my office. Had a great time here.
The Painted Burro (Davis Square) - Recommended by a friend of ours who also eats out a lot. My tostada was fantastic.
*As Brig pointed out in the comments I completely forgot the coup-de-grace. There is a Brazilian steakhouse in our 'hood appropriately named Braza. It is terrible. Bad service, bad seating, bad heating (they had a space heater out in the open) and bad food. The only thing that made it worthwhile was that I had a Groupon so it cost $0 because our waitress couldn't even bother to bring us the beers we ordered. FAIL
Wednesday, December 26, 2012
Movie Review: Argo
Argo was amazing. The story itself was a fascinating tale of real life danger and intrigue and then Ben Affleck got his hands on it and Hollywood-ized it in a good way.
The first act was a little unstable for me. The film jumped between the heaviness and direness of the situation these people were in overseas with the lightness and joking of Affleck's character coming up with the movie location scouting idea and teaming up with John Goodman and Alan Arkin to come up with a script and a studio and a press party. Don't get me wrong, these scenes were some of the funniest in the movie but you almost felt bad laughing because of what else was going on.
Once everything was set and the plan was in place the movie just dripped with suspense. Everyone knows what happened to the people so it's simply amazing that Affleck was able to pull off keeping the audience on the edge of their seats and their hands gripping the armrests. Once it ended I had to consciously relax my body again because it was that intense. I think this Affleck kid has a real future in the business.
The first act was a little unstable for me. The film jumped between the heaviness and direness of the situation these people were in overseas with the lightness and joking of Affleck's character coming up with the movie location scouting idea and teaming up with John Goodman and Alan Arkin to come up with a script and a studio and a press party. Don't get me wrong, these scenes were some of the funniest in the movie but you almost felt bad laughing because of what else was going on.
Once everything was set and the plan was in place the movie just dripped with suspense. Everyone knows what happened to the people so it's simply amazing that Affleck was able to pull off keeping the audience on the edge of their seats and their hands gripping the armrests. Once it ended I had to consciously relax my body again because it was that intense. I think this Affleck kid has a real future in the business.
The New Nutcracker
The past few years I've started a tradition of going to the Boston Opera House to see Mikko Nissinen's version of The Nutcracker. My family never went when I was a kid so when I first moved to Boston I thought it would be cool to make it my thing. (Just read last year's post.)
Anyway, this year was the first year Boston Ballet used new sets, costumes and props. At first, I was hesitant. The intro was different, the living room scene felt a little off, and for much of the first act I felt gypped. What got everything back on course was when midnight hit and everything turned crazy. The Nutcracker is a man! The Rat King is a great swordsman! From that point on I was in like Flint.
Overall, I give it 2 thumbs up. Most of my early issues revolved around the new sets and trying to find everything in its new place. (The tree is in the center of the stage now instead of the left. The grandfather clock is in the front left instead of the back right.) Once you acclimate yourself though you will be happy as a clam. And for anyone who hasn't seen Boston Ballet's performance before this will be a complete non-issue. It is running through December 30 so make sure to check it out while you still have a chance!
Anyway, this year was the first year Boston Ballet used new sets, costumes and props. At first, I was hesitant. The intro was different, the living room scene felt a little off, and for much of the first act I felt gypped. What got everything back on course was when midnight hit and everything turned crazy. The Nutcracker is a man! The Rat King is a great swordsman! From that point on I was in like Flint.
Overall, I give it 2 thumbs up. Most of my early issues revolved around the new sets and trying to find everything in its new place. (The tree is in the center of the stage now instead of the left. The grandfather clock is in the front left instead of the back right.) Once you acclimate yourself though you will be happy as a clam. And for anyone who hasn't seen Boston Ballet's performance before this will be a complete non-issue. It is running through December 30 so make sure to check it out while you still have a chance!
Sunday, December 23, 2012
Book Review: I Suck at Girls
by: Justin Halpern
Two things before I jump into this post. First, you may have noticed that I deleted the tab up top for "Recent Books." If you scroll down to the bottom of this page you will see why... Shelfari! Everyone likes visuals and I prefer this approach to showing off my reading collection. The second thing is, I still have love for Goodreads. I use that site to track what books I want to read, what I'm reading currently and to rate the books I've completed. That won't change but they didn't have a blog widget like Shelfari. Now, to the book!
I did not like Halpern's first effort, Shit My Dad Says. Why would I go back for more? Three reasons: 1) It was only 170 pages. 2) I read a preview chapter online that was funny. 3) I also suck at girls. And my leap of faith was greatly rewarded.
I loved this book. It was extremely funny, Halpern kept the story moving and he stayed out of his own way (which he wasn't able to do in his first book). His dad was in there -- of course -- but much more naturally and his comments actually fit and flowed. If you're a guy you have to read this. If you're a girl, well, I have no idea what you like. Halpern never quite figures that out either.
Two things before I jump into this post. First, you may have noticed that I deleted the tab up top for "Recent Books." If you scroll down to the bottom of this page you will see why... Shelfari! Everyone likes visuals and I prefer this approach to showing off my reading collection. The second thing is, I still have love for Goodreads. I use that site to track what books I want to read, what I'm reading currently and to rate the books I've completed. That won't change but they didn't have a blog widget like Shelfari. Now, to the book!
I did not like Halpern's first effort, Shit My Dad Says. Why would I go back for more? Three reasons: 1) It was only 170 pages. 2) I read a preview chapter online that was funny. 3) I also suck at girls. And my leap of faith was greatly rewarded.
I loved this book. It was extremely funny, Halpern kept the story moving and he stayed out of his own way (which he wasn't able to do in his first book). His dad was in there -- of course -- but much more naturally and his comments actually fit and flowed. If you're a guy you have to read this. If you're a girl, well, I have no idea what you like. Halpern never quite figures that out either.
Saturday, December 22, 2012
Book Review: I Am a Pole (And So Can You!)
by: Stephen Colbert
I was at the library perusing the new book section (which I just found 18 months after I started going here. Really, no signage?) and came across this book:
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I haven't read Colbert's first book but I think he's hilarious. Plus, this made me think it would be like a Go The Fuck To Sleep type of "adult" children's book. See, it's 32 pages long and the size of a Where's Waldo? book.
It's probably not giving too much away to say that this pole is trying to figure out what type of pole it is -- a ski pole? A barber's pole? A stripper pole? Yeah, so it's not exactly for kids and the illustration for that one I'll leave up to your imagination. But it's funny so spend the two and a half minutes it takes to read.
I was at the library perusing the new book section (which I just found 18 months after I started going here. Really, no signage?) and came across this book:
I haven't read Colbert's first book but I think he's hilarious. Plus, this made me think it would be like a Go The Fuck To Sleep type of "adult" children's book. See, it's 32 pages long and the size of a Where's Waldo? book.
It's probably not giving too much away to say that this pole is trying to figure out what type of pole it is -- a ski pole? A barber's pole? A stripper pole? Yeah, so it's not exactly for kids and the illustration for that one I'll leave up to your imagination. But it's funny so spend the two and a half minutes it takes to read.
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