The Sunny Days Of yesteryear! ..and Its Music!

In the 1960's, Bossa Nova hit the United States and Europe with a bang! I loved this music and one of my favorite Bossa Nova songs was Tristezza and one of my favorite singers (I was raised an internationalist!, don’t you know) was Italian POP singer, Ms. Ornella VARONI, whom I adored then and now!
Here is her rendition (fantastic musical chart, I must say) of that song!
Gad, how I miss those days of music!

Review Of Animal Restaurant - Los Angeles - I Loved It! BUT Can Never Go Again

The Saddest Story You'll Ever Hear!

Four of us (total foodies!) ate at the Animal Restaurant last night and all agreed, it had exceptional food and service. It's the kind of place you order "Chinese -Style", as the menu is so varied and so good, you must try and share as much as you can.The Chefs do something ,that most American restaurants do not, THEY SEASON THEIR FOOD!
We had:

** baby kale, pecorino, lemon, smashed croutons

** pig ear, chili, lime, fried egg - thin strips deep fried - incredible! Just incredible!

** barbeque pork belly sandwiches, slaw - WORTH THE PRICE OF ADMISSION! I could have eaten several orders!

** melted petit basque, chorizo, grilled bread - Good but our least favorite - The Chorizo was a bit tasteless.

** crispy rabbit legs, meyer lemon aioli, peas & their greens - The Best!!!

** foie gras loco moco, quail egg, spam, hamburger - Fantastic!
All said and done, it was a wonderful meal, an unforgettable meal and YET, and here is the big YET,The noise level was very intense. I could not hear my partner seated next to me, we were touching shoulders in fact. I could never hear my other diners across the small table the entire evening. I should have learned American Sign Language!
It was the most uncomfortable dining experience I have encountered in a long time. I could not wait to leave, it was so deafening, that when we left, we felt like having to take a valium to calm our senses.

I love the food! It is something I have been searching for a long time in Los Angeles and then finding it, sadly I can’t return.

Why, oh why, do American restaurant have to be designed to have a over powering noise level?
In France, this same kind of design in a restaurant would not have that noise level. Why? You ask. Well the French and Europeans speak at a low level. Any raised voices in a French restaurant and you’ll know who they are immediately……………..Americans!

I am sorry to report, it’s a fantastic restaurant food-wise!, but for ones dining pleasure, a distinct disaster.
You have been warned!

February 24, 2010
Chicken liver toast 3
crispy hominy, lime 5

blood orange, chili oil, castlevetrano, red onion 8

carrot salad, sunchoke chips, green goddess, avocado 8

baby kale, pecorino, lemon, smashed croutons 9

pig ear, chili, lime, fried egg 10

lettuce, beets, avocado, pita, feta, creamy sumac 10

barbeque pork belly sandwiches, slaw 10

grilled sardines, duck fat gremolata, pine nuts, raisins 10

rabbit loin, parsnip, pear mostarda, benton’s bacon 10

head cheese, cornbread, pickled fennel vinaigrette 10

baby broccoli, pancetta, parmesan, soft egg, bread crumbs 11

ricotta & goat cheese gnocchi, bologenese 12

melted petit basque, chorizo, grilled bread 12

sweetbreads, creamed spinach, capers, hen of the woods 14

duck confit, apple, pecans, dates, arugula 14

quail fry, grits, chard, slab bacon, maple jus 15

poutine, oxtail gravy, cheddar 15

fluke, paige mandarins, raita, mint, pineapple 15

lamb loin tartar, fries, greens, toast 22
foie gras, biscuit, maple sausage gravy 22

skatewing, collards, rutabaga, grainy mustard 25

veal breast, polenta, savoy cabbage, prosciutto 25

flat iron, sunchoke hash, truffle parmesan fondue 25

crispy rabbit legs, meyer lemon aioli, peas & their greens 25

foie gras loco moco, quail egg, spam, hamburger 35

and much more!

Bacon with Everything, Even Desert! - My Kind Of Restaurant

I am being taken out to dinner this evening to a restaurant called The Animal. I like the sound of it already! The cooking (I am told is by two hip dudes) is on the rough side of rustic and tends to be greasy (wonderful!), but made with good ingredients. It’s all about meat, meat, and meat! It’s dietary incorrect (that’s a plus in my book) , exuberant and indulgent, with bacon popping up in almost every dish, even with desert!

I will report back to you on Thursday on my experiences.

There is an old Mississippi Blues song called “Everything on the Hog is Good”.

I hope this restaurant proves the song right!

BRING ON THE BACON!

Ian Carmichael - One of the Most beloved British Actors Passes Away

Ian Carmichael personified the affable, archetypal silly ass Englishman in scores of revues ,light comedies, films and television programs. His wide-eyes boyish grin, bemused courtesy and trusting manner was his hallmark. His world of old world manners ( as are mine, if you must ask) were his technical lifeline. I have seen most of his films, once saw him in a revue , but what stands out for this Edwardian wanna-be ( me) is his portrayal Lord Peter Wimsey, Dorothy Sayers aristocratic detective in the famous British TV series. The style, the clothes, the props, the manners of this wonderful TV series endeared me to him forever. Based in the time between the wars (1918-1929) this era of England is my favorite time to be alive. I was born too late. Sigh!

I have watched over and over the series and have never gotten tired of it.

Mr. Carmichael is will be missed and we shall not see his likeness again.