9.15.2007

Does This Count As Two Degrees Of Separation?

Death Sentence

Three years ago, I enter for the first time, what was to become one of my favorite local hang outs. A very friendly and courteous server named Juan Carlos approaches my table. Based on his excellent service, friendly personality, and handsome smile, this restaurant & bar quickly becomes a favorite.


Juan Carlos always waits on my friends and I. If he isn't there, I may not stay. The other wait staff just aren't as good as him. And I admit, I'm very judgemental of servers, being as I'm in the business. So if you can't meet JC's standards of service, you won't be getting my regular business.


Little by little, getting to know JC, I find out he has a passion for acting, not unusual for aspiring actors to work as servers until their big break in NYC or LA, but here in North Carolina, its not very often the case. He is soon getting small parts in local theatre. He's an extra in this movie. He's an extra in that movie. He's in a tv pilot that doesn't make it to air. And finally, he's now promoted to bartender at my local hang out. Ok. Move from the tables, now I find myself and friends at the bar most nights. No problem.


Then slowly, last summer, my favorite bartender is not at work as much anymore. He's there occassionally, and when he is, he never really mentions what's up, just busy working he says.

TONIGHT, we find out what he was up to last summer. Thru his invitation to a movie premier for Death Sentence, starring Kevin Bacon. In this movie, Kevin Bacon plays Nick Hume, "a mild-mannered executive with a perfect life, until one gruesome night he witnesses something that changes him forever. Transformed by grief, Hume eventually comes to the disturbing conclusion that no length is too great when protecting his family." Directed by James Wan. Release Date: August 31st, 2007. In the movie, Juan Carlos plays Sammy, the bartender at the Four Roses bar (okay, not much of a stretch, I admit, but hey, how many movies have you been in??). Four Roses is the hang out for all the thugs, gang members, killers and any other vile criminals in town. When Kevin Bacon's son is killed as part of an initiation rite for a new gang member, he decides to follow their lead, and it takes him into the criminal mind set and gang underworld.


In my favorite scene from the movie, (because Juan Carlos is in it), Kevin Bacon has had enough and is about to lay out everything and anything that stands in his path at the Four Roses, including poor Sammy's face! YIKES!


This isn't a romantic date movie, it's not science fiction, it's a thriller with shooting, chases, body parts, car crashes, etc. But if you like action movies, and you've ever wondered HOW FAR YOU WOULD GO TO PROTECT YOUR FAMILY, this is the movie to see.

Plus, isn't it nice to see good restaurant people succeed in life? And trust me, Juan Carlos is good people. See you at the movies!

To view the trailer, go to http://myspacetv.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=vids.individual&videoid=20203429. For some reason, it wouldn't let me save the video here.

This Is What Sucks

Do you know what sucks?

When an infant or child is crying. Not a normal crying, that a bit of attention from a Mom or Dad won't fix.

More like a distressed cry.

But the parent is too busy chatting with their dining companion to pay attention to the child. Or so used to the crying, that the parent barely pays it any mind. Not that the rest of the dining room can't hear it. Unfortunately, all eyes are on that table. Not that the child is the problem. The kid is innocent. The problem is the so called responsible adult who is oblivious to the commotion. Or to other guests' concerns for the baby and the wailing and what possibly could be causing it, and hey, how about pick the baby up and find out? There's a thought. Or just continue to ignore the situation like you're already doing.

Until the child becomes so distressed, that they throw up on the table in the dining room.

At which point, the responsible adult certainly notices, because hey, place a plate here, spread out a napkin there, no one will notice until you creep out the door without a word or apology to the server who now has to clean up the vomit they will find when they bus your table.

That sucks.

9.07.2007

Toasted Coconut Sesame Brittle

Haagen-Dazs
I was watching the Food Network and a contest show named The Scoop came on. About Haagen-Dazs search for the next great flavor. This flavor actually didn't win, it only came in second, BUT IT SHOULD HAVE WON!! Oh MY goodness, is this good! You can order it by checking out the source info below.

(Source:
www.icecreamsource.com - you can order these flavors on their website if you can't find these flavors at your local store. They package it in dry ice, and the ice cream is rock solid when you receive it. I know, because I ordered it. In June. It was yummy. Only thing I don't like about NC, the grocery stores are full of vanilla ice cream and other boring flavors.)

From Haagen-Dazs.com:
'Flavor Notes-
Luxurious slivers of toasted coconut are steeped in rich cream and coconut milk, then blended with crunchy pieces of ginger-infused sesame brittle. A hint of ginger will linger on the back of your palate after the last bite is gone.'

'Inspiration-
Much of the inspiration for our Toasted Coconut Sesame Brittle flavor comes from the lush islands of Thailand, where coconut trees line white beaches and the local markets are filled with exotic Asian spices like ginger and sesame.'

'Food Pairings-
Serve a scoop atop a banana leaf for the perfect ending to a Thai dinner.'

'Wine Pairings-
A sweet German dessert wine such as Trocken Beren Auslese.'

I also like HD's Black Raspberry Chip ice cream along side a scoop of their Chocolate Peanut Butter. Reminds me of this ice cream parlor named Richman's in the middle of New Jersey, that my family would always stop at on the way home from the Shore. I would always get two scoops of the above flavored ice creams and just hope like hell I could lick the cone fast enough to keep it from melting in the NJ summer sun. Richman's was creamy and homemade. HD's version is very close. Reminds me of my childhood.

One of these days, I will post my Great Grandmother's recipes for Home made Teaberry, Chocolate, and Chocolate Chip Ice Creams. You've never had such creamy ice cream. But you have to own a White Mountain Hand Crank or Electric Ice Cream Maker for that.

Meantime, enjoy Haagen Dazs.

9.01.2007

Push Button To Hear A Pre-Recorded Message From The Staff

The Greeter

Fournier: What if we could turn me into a holograph?

With a pre-recorded message? When customers don't listen, they could push a button to hear it again. And again. And again. I'd like a holograph of you with your 'Ode to HairSpray' movie hair. It was very cool!

Fournier: I hate answering the questions that would have been answered had they listened to the greeter at the front entrance...

Listen? Who listens anymore? It's so yesterday!

Fournier: For example. "What's your specials?"

Oh, they were supposed to listen when they were recited the first time? Huh, no crap.

Fournier: "What's your soup du jour?"

Well, seriously, at the rate Jen changes the soup schedule with new recipes, who can keep up?

Fournier: "Is it spicy?"

Consider your clientele. Cream of corn could be spicy to some people.

Fournier: "How is it made?"

With a hand held burr mixer.
Fournier: "Do you have any fat-free dressing?"

WAIT JUST A MINUTE! They want fat free dressing??? On the salad with blue cheese, fresh fruit, dried fruit, candied nuts, and other sugar laden goodies? They might as well be eating dessert. Amazing. That's like when I order a skim milk grande latte, extra caramel sauce, white chocolate chips, and whipped cream. I feel good knowing I ordered skim milk. Next!
Fournier: Most of the time they don't use proper grammar or they have it accompanied with the ever so present attitude.

Someone gave you attitude? hmmm. Was it Jimmi? LOL.

Fournier: And what is it about them putting their greasy fingers all over my freshly cleaned display area.

Nothing attracts fingerprints like freshly windexed glass.

Fournier: Or asking if the desserts on display are real or if they are plastic? "Can I touch it?"

Like the woman who stuck her finger in the Brulee last week and then licked it?

Fournier: I want to ask them sometimes, "Are you 5 years old? Do you still have to touch things?" I think not!

Good thing we have the electric outlets covered or they'd be sticking their fingers in there too apparently! LOL.

Nice.