Aaron and I decided to trek out to the Block and see "Juno", along with a theater-full of people about our age. Did you know that people still go to the Block? They really do. Bella Terra didn't steal them all away.
If you're a fan of Michael Cera, then go see this movie solely for his performance. He's hilarious, natural, and absolutely perfect as a confused, hormonal, naive, good-hearted adolescent. (So he reprises his role as A.D.'s George-Michael. What can I say, he does it so well.)
Ellen Page, as the title character, was pretty funny, but her dialogue seemed too scripted at times. No one spits out that many knee-slappin' one-liners in real life. Still, she was so likable that I wanted to step into the movie and hang out with her.
Rainn Wilson (a.k.a. Dwight of The Office) made a too-short cameo, which the trailer showed almost in entirety, probably to help reel in the aforementioned people our age.
Great performances by Allison Janney and J.K. Simmons as Juno's parents. There is a scene with Janney and an ultrasound technician that is pretty classic. Jason Bateman utilized his comedic timing to make his role as a non-committal adoptive father a bit more palatable. Jennifer Garner was cute and emotional as the adoptive mother, but I found it difficult to empathize with her character, which I think had to do more with weaknesses in the the story than her performance.
Anyway, it's a fun movie, although "not as good as Little Miss Sunshine" (Aaron's words).
Saturday, December 22, 2007
Tuesday, October 9, 2007
Stop, in the name of love
This blog is dedicated to my favorite things that, like the Old South, have gone with the wind.
1) Coffee / Heath Bar cheesecake at the Cheesecake Factory: This was, in my opinion, the best cheesecake at the Factory. I went with Aaron a few months ago and was so looking forward to the end of the meal, but, Ta-Da! It disappeared! According to our waiter, it wasn't a very popular selection. Whatevs.
2) Chicken Giardino at Olive Garden: Again, "not a very popular selection". That's not an easy excuse to hear. It definitely makes me feel outside of the "We're cool and we order the popular stuff on the menu" clique.
3) Chat Noir: Aaron and I love this restaurant. It is kinda Frenchy and sorta cheesy and they have live jazz on Friday and Saturday nights. We went a couple of weeks ago and, when I tried to order my favorite thing, the waitress told me that they don't have it on the menu anymore, because they're changing the menu, and the whole restaurant, even down to its cute name. And they're turning it into an "American" restaurant. Land sakes!
4) Tropical Dots: So chewy, so colorful, and so much better than the original flavors. Except, I can't find them anywhere. If you spot them around, I beg you, let me know. Or if you buy them for me, I will totally pay you back and include a hefty tip.
5) Candy Corn: No, don't worry, they still make it. But our Stater Bros. only had those pumpkins and caramel candy corn. We asked one of the grocery store guys to check for us, and then caught him wandering around the wrong part of the store like five minutes later.
But, the good news is, Chipotle is still going strong.
How has your heart been broken?
1) Coffee / Heath Bar cheesecake at the Cheesecake Factory: This was, in my opinion, the best cheesecake at the Factory. I went with Aaron a few months ago and was so looking forward to the end of the meal, but, Ta-Da! It disappeared! According to our waiter, it wasn't a very popular selection. Whatevs.
2) Chicken Giardino at Olive Garden: Again, "not a very popular selection". That's not an easy excuse to hear. It definitely makes me feel outside of the "We're cool and we order the popular stuff on the menu" clique.
3) Chat Noir: Aaron and I love this restaurant. It is kinda Frenchy and sorta cheesy and they have live jazz on Friday and Saturday nights. We went a couple of weeks ago and, when I tried to order my favorite thing, the waitress told me that they don't have it on the menu anymore, because they're changing the menu, and the whole restaurant, even down to its cute name. And they're turning it into an "American" restaurant. Land sakes!
4) Tropical Dots: So chewy, so colorful, and so much better than the original flavors. Except, I can't find them anywhere. If you spot them around, I beg you, let me know. Or if you buy them for me, I will totally pay you back and include a hefty tip.
5) Candy Corn: No, don't worry, they still make it. But our Stater Bros. only had those pumpkins and caramel candy corn. We asked one of the grocery store guys to check for us, and then caught him wandering around the wrong part of the store like five minutes later.
But, the good news is, Chipotle is still going strong.
How has your heart been broken?
Wednesday, August 29, 2007
Harry's Place
Harry's Place is located on Knott Avenue, just north of Lincoln. You can't miss the orange sign. Both times that I've gone there, I've ordered the kids' meal grilled cheese. It's pretty legit, it comes with fries, and the whole meal costs less than four bucks. Also, they totally don't care that I'm not 12 or under. Aaron, on the other had, has not had the best time at Harry's place.
The first time we went, he ordered the bean and cheese burrito. Hard to screw up, yes? In this case, it indeed was hard to screw up and Aaron was fairly satisfied with it. Having relinquished some trust, Aaron decided to move forward in his relationship with Harry's and order the chicken burrito. After, of course, scrutinizing the menu for half an hour and peppering the cashier girl with questions. Cashier Girl claimed to really like the chicken burrito. If I recall correctly, she said that it was "one of her favorites."
Halfway through our meal, I noticed that Aaron wasn't wearing a happy face. In fact, his face looked more like that of a man consigned to spend his two-weeks paid vacation with his mother-in-law. "What's wrong?' I queried.
"This isn't very good", he responded.
"Why don't you tell them that and get something else?"
"Nah."
So he continued to pick at it. I felt pretty bad for him. He's so considerate of the cook's feelings.
When we got in the car, he looked over at me, his countenance both green and sly.
"You know what that burrito tasted like?", he rakishly posed. I anxiously awaited his description.
"Like someone took a tortilla and farted in it."
The first time we went, he ordered the bean and cheese burrito. Hard to screw up, yes? In this case, it indeed was hard to screw up and Aaron was fairly satisfied with it. Having relinquished some trust, Aaron decided to move forward in his relationship with Harry's and order the chicken burrito. After, of course, scrutinizing the menu for half an hour and peppering the cashier girl with questions. Cashier Girl claimed to really like the chicken burrito. If I recall correctly, she said that it was "one of her favorites."
Halfway through our meal, I noticed that Aaron wasn't wearing a happy face. In fact, his face looked more like that of a man consigned to spend his two-weeks paid vacation with his mother-in-law. "What's wrong?' I queried.
"This isn't very good", he responded.
"Why don't you tell them that and get something else?"
"Nah."
So he continued to pick at it. I felt pretty bad for him. He's so considerate of the cook's feelings.
When we got in the car, he looked over at me, his countenance both green and sly.
"You know what that burrito tasted like?", he rakishly posed. I anxiously awaited his description.
"Like someone took a tortilla and farted in it."
Nostalgia minus some calories: Yogurtland
A common thread I have found woven between the childhoods of many of my acquaintances is going to “The Ice Cream Place”. This was a highly-anticipated event which could be used to manipulate children into good behavior, when one would go with one’s family, or grandma, or b.f.f., and totally pig out on sugary dairy goodness. (My place was Swensons.) Inevitably the recollection of such times at the ice cream place will conjure a smile, and a faraway look that communicates, “If only I could relive those experiences. And not gain ten pounds a month.”
Yogurtland is The Ice Cream Place for grown-ups. Unless you are a total downer, I promise you some sort of happy rush as you walk through its doors and realize that before you lie 16 or so self-serve frozen yogurt flavors, begging you to sample them, accept them, reject them, whatever – begging you to interact with them. (You might have to wait a while before you get to do this; people can be mighty reflective in line about their yogurt choices.) So grab a styrofoam container, and go for it. To help you out with your selections, I should inform you that Yogurtland’s flavors can be divided into two major categories: Tart, and Normal. The tart flavors are, go figure, not very sweet and have the tangy smack of plain yogurt. This may be a taste that you have to acquire, unless you are Asian or my husband. As for the “normal” flavors, I am a big fan of the Chocolate Mint, but you’ll have to pick your own poison. They range from regular old Chocolate, Vanilla, and Strawberry to fancier ones like Espresso, Green Tea, and Raspberry Cheesecake.
But wait, the happiness grows. Once you have dispensed your yogurt, you proceed to a smorgasbord of toppings that looks like something out of the food-fight scene in Hook. Well, minus the Technicolor frosting and roasted meats, but there are a ton of choices, including cookie dough bits, crushed oreos, gummy bears, and a variety of chopped fresh fruit. Major bonus: as with the yogurt, the toppings are self-serve (no more wincing as the person behind the counter overloads your dessert or sells you short!). So load up, but remember: you have to pay 30 cents an ounce for your creation. Plop your container of deliciousness down on the scale, and the friendly cashier will ring you up. All you have left to do is dig in, and prepare yourself for the cravings that may follow at all hours in the ensuing time until you visit Yogurtland again.
Extra tips for enjoying Yogurtland:
1) Read the yogurt-extolling blurbs that are plastered all over the walls. If you are a grammar snob at all, you’ll have a knee-slappin’ good time.
2) Bring some boba with you and put it on top of your Plain Tart yogurt. This is Aaron’s tip, not mine. Have at it if you wish (or dare).
3) Go really, really late, like right before they close, or at odd hours in order to avoid their notoriously long lines.
Locations / Hours:
Fullerton: 501 N. State College Blvd. Ste. C Sun.-Thurs. 10 am-12 am; Fri. & Sat. 10 am-12:30 am
Irvine: 14775 Jeffrey Rd. Ste. J Mon.-Thurs. 11 am-11:30 pm; Fri. & Sat. 10:30 am-12:30 am; Sun. 10:30 am-11:30 pm
Yogurtland is The Ice Cream Place for grown-ups. Unless you are a total downer, I promise you some sort of happy rush as you walk through its doors and realize that before you lie 16 or so self-serve frozen yogurt flavors, begging you to sample them, accept them, reject them, whatever – begging you to interact with them. (You might have to wait a while before you get to do this; people can be mighty reflective in line about their yogurt choices.) So grab a styrofoam container, and go for it. To help you out with your selections, I should inform you that Yogurtland’s flavors can be divided into two major categories: Tart, and Normal. The tart flavors are, go figure, not very sweet and have the tangy smack of plain yogurt. This may be a taste that you have to acquire, unless you are Asian or my husband. As for the “normal” flavors, I am a big fan of the Chocolate Mint, but you’ll have to pick your own poison. They range from regular old Chocolate, Vanilla, and Strawberry to fancier ones like Espresso, Green Tea, and Raspberry Cheesecake.
But wait, the happiness grows. Once you have dispensed your yogurt, you proceed to a smorgasbord of toppings that looks like something out of the food-fight scene in Hook. Well, minus the Technicolor frosting and roasted meats, but there are a ton of choices, including cookie dough bits, crushed oreos, gummy bears, and a variety of chopped fresh fruit. Major bonus: as with the yogurt, the toppings are self-serve (no more wincing as the person behind the counter overloads your dessert or sells you short!). So load up, but remember: you have to pay 30 cents an ounce for your creation. Plop your container of deliciousness down on the scale, and the friendly cashier will ring you up. All you have left to do is dig in, and prepare yourself for the cravings that may follow at all hours in the ensuing time until you visit Yogurtland again.
Extra tips for enjoying Yogurtland:
1) Read the yogurt-extolling blurbs that are plastered all over the walls. If you are a grammar snob at all, you’ll have a knee-slappin’ good time.
2) Bring some boba with you and put it on top of your Plain Tart yogurt. This is Aaron’s tip, not mine. Have at it if you wish (or dare).
3) Go really, really late, like right before they close, or at odd hours in order to avoid their notoriously long lines.
Locations / Hours:
Fullerton: 501 N. State College Blvd. Ste. C Sun.-Thurs. 10 am-12 am; Fri. & Sat. 10 am-12:30 am
Irvine: 14775 Jeffrey Rd. Ste. J Mon.-Thurs. 11 am-11:30 pm; Fri. & Sat. 10:30 am-12:30 am; Sun. 10:30 am-11:30 pm
Tuesday, August 28, 2007
Welcome to reviewsmatter.
I'm glad you stopped by.
Coming soon: a smattering of helpful, or unhelpful, reviews of restaurants, books, and movies.
(But really, if I can keep you just once from getting food poisoning or some type of gastrointestinal problem, then that is all the satisfaction I need from writing this blog.)
Coming soon: a smattering of helpful, or unhelpful, reviews of restaurants, books, and movies.
(But really, if I can keep you just once from getting food poisoning or some type of gastrointestinal problem, then that is all the satisfaction I need from writing this blog.)
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