Posted July 26th, 2011 by Meg
I sure don’t go to Pasadena as often as I used to! Fortunately, I recently was able to visit one of my favorite bars in Old Town — Lucky Baldwins Pub. I’m a big fan of LBP’s partly because I grew up with English (UK) au pairs. (my sense of humor, strange loyalty to Manchester United, and use of the word “the Moz” all make a little more sense now!) Surrounded by UK paraphernalia makes me reflect back. To that time period so very long ago. Of too hot and humid summer days where we drove down to the local West Coast Video and rented a newly released VHS movie to watch. Does not feel like yesterday.
Although LBP doesn’t allow free tastings, they do let you opt for $4-5 little taster glasses. I chose an always amazing (but some say “too sweet”) Saison Dupont and a really disappointingly disgusting (I gave it away) Jolly Pumpkin something or another (bleh).
We ordered some pasties too. Cornish & chicken.
Lucky Baldwins
17 South Raymond Avenue
Pasadena, CA 91105
(626) 795-0652
Posted July 19th, 2011 by Meg
So happy that my 200th post is Umami Burger in Santa Monica (connected to Fred Segal). Great burgers, great beer, great location.
pronunciation: uːˈmɑːmi / oo-MAH-me.
translation: savoriness / the 5th taste.
review: delicious / DELICIOUS.
favorite burger: Hatch Burger (4 types of green chilies, house made American cheese).
pictured: Special Burger (I don’t remember what was in it) & Smushed Potatoes (dutch yellow creamers, double fried — get the ketchup!)
UMAMI
500 Broadway
Santa Monica, CA 90401-2406
(310) 451-1300
Mon-Wed & Sun: 11am-10pm
Thu-Sat: 11am-11pm
Posted July 12th, 2011 by Meg
For reasons I’m not going to get into, a few of my comrades and I were on a mission to find a bar with a ping pong table. Through a little research, we found that not only did Tony’s Saloon supposedly have a ping pong table, but it was also where some of the scenes from The League have been filmed.
I use the word “supposedly” because quickly upon arrival we realized that the ping pong table was out of commission. Apparently, drunk people and ping pong tables are not a great economic investment. The manager told me the tables are broken all the time. Although we couldn’t play table tennis, we stayed for a drink and played some pool. You’re probably wondering how good I am at pool? Well, considering that I can count on my two hands how many games I have played in my life, it is easy to say that I am the opposite of good.
My billiard skills aside, Tony’s is a great place. It was a little empty at the time we arrived, but I prefer that. I don’t go to bars to meet people (that I don’t know already). Tony’s also has a great selection of whiskeys and beers. My favorite part of the bar was the photo booth. For five dollars, you can shove all your friends into a tight space and take silly pictures that are printed on photo paper that is superior to other bar photo booths I know of in Los Angeles.
Because we were still on a mission, we continued on our journey to find a ping pong table, with a brief respite & some tacos at a Chipotle. We then arrived at Casey’s Irish Pub.
We immediately found the dilapidated ping pong table sitting outside in the shadows. People stood around it nonchalantly drinking their beer until we took over and played some crazy games of ping pong.
Overall, I liked both bars. I prefer Tony’s vibe, but I would be happy to go either one. Interestingly, both bars are owned by 213 Nightlife.
Tony’s Saloon
2017 East 7th Street
Los Angeles, CA 90021
(213) 622-5523
Weekdays 5pm-2am; Sat & Sun 8pm-2am
Casey’s Irish Pub
613 South Grand Avenue,
Los Angeles, CA 90017
(213) 629-2353
Hours found here.
Posted August 17th, 2009 by Meg
After a long walk in the botanical gardens, my friend and I walked down Haight and found Magnolia Pub and Brewery. It was a godsend that hydrated our souls (dehydrated our bodies) and lifted our spirits. Delicious homemade cask conditioned ales brewed in the basement of their Pub! Total drinkability.
Blue Bell Bitter
Gallows Hills Porter
Magnolia Pub and Brewery
1398 Haight St
San Francisco, CA 94117-2909
(415) 864-7468
Posted August 6th, 2009 by Meg
I was recently in San Francisco and was able to eat at some delicious restaurants. Over the next few posts, I will share my dining experiences.
The first restaurant my friend and I ate at was the Salvadorian Mexican restaurant, Panchitas (No. 2). I have only had Salvadorian a few times before in my life, but this little gem reminded me that I should have it more often.
Of course, Salvadorian Suprema Beer. A pale lager. Delicious!
Pupusa De Chicharron Con Queso (Pupusa with pork meat and cheese) AND Pupusa De Queso Y Loroco (Cheese pupusa). Mmm… pupusas. Cheese and just about anything is good in my book.
Platanos Con Crema (Plantain with cream). This was my favorite! I could eat this everyday. Yummy!
Yuca Con Chicharron (Yucca root with pork meat) - Mmmm, yucca root! I prefer them over potatoes.
Panchitas No. 2
3091 16th Street
San Francisco 94110
(415) 431-4232
Posted July 15th, 2009 by Meg
I read some great reviews about the recently opened West 4th / Jane gastropub in Santa Monica. A few of the articles mentioned their extensive beer list, so of course I went to check it out. They did have a great beer list, but just know before you go that all the beer is bottled! And, maybe research the beers found on their multi-paged menu before you go because it does not offer descriptions other than location of origin. Unfortunately, our waitress was not able to describe the beers either and had to go up to one of the owners to ask for help. Even worse, she came back saying “he said that beer was good.” I fully believe this situation was just part of the learning curve that occurs when opening a bar, and I hope and encourage that they quickly learn. (Let them drink to learn! Nothing beats drinking learning games. I think that’s how I am going to get through the next few years). Also, I hope they start a Happy Hour.
My palate is currently evolving to include darker beers, so it was quite the gamble on whether I would like the Californian Telegraph Stock Porter or not. The owner was correct though, it was good. A 750 ml marriage between fresh brewed ale with aged oak ale forming a unique glass of good drinkability. I was able to pick up hints of coffee and chocolate.
If you love bottled beer and know your beer, this is the place for you!
West 4th / Jane
1432 4th St
Santa Monica, CA 90401-2309
(310) 395-6765
Posted May 5th, 2009 by Meg
The easiest part of this race was the running. It was everything else that made it hard. Correction: Technology made it hard. My shuffle, Shuffley, refused to turn on when the race began. This made no sense to me because I turned it on 30 minutes prior to ensure it was working and that there would be no repeats of Shuffley trouble (San Diego Half Marathon). Shuffley might be a race-ist. Or, maybe Shuffley is just race shy, because Shuffley did not work. Thus, I started the race upset. I tried to focus on the running, but I kept getting distracted and discouraged by the beautiful noises of others. For instance, the lovely woman that took deep, loud, vocal breaths; each time she exhaled, she panted out the words “oh my god.” I was too frustrated to find humor in this situation at the time and only grew more annoyed and conflicted. I couldn’t sprint ahead because that would ultimately lead me to burning out. And I couldn’t slow down because that would compromise my own time. Instead, I distracted myself with random thoughts. Like, what if that dog, that I guess was allowed to be racing, poops on the course. I would definitely be the one that stepped in it. Fortunately, the blasphemous breather disappeared in my dust, the dog never went to the bathroom, and Shuffley finally turned on around mile four. Shuffley’s resurrection significantly increased my speed and mood. I was able to recover some of the lost time and finished the race in under an hour (which means that I ran the race faster than I train). So, yay.
Now… the good stuff.
It has become tradition for my roommate and I to go out to Father’s Office II for post race celebration. After the Santa Monica Classic, I did not think tradition was going to be upheld. Instead, I took a 2 hour nap, went grocery shopping, and lounged around. That is until I got the text message from my roommate asking if I wanted to go out. Of course I did! Here are the highlights:
1. Carafe of Melville “Vernas” Pinor Noir ‘07
2. Rare Yellow Fin Tuna (a special that quickly sold out after I ordered it) - yuzu cherry tomato “ceviche”, shiso, and cilantro sprouts.
3. The Bruery Saison Rue
