It Isn't So Much Random, As It Is Planned

* So, we're heading off to Bolsa again to "sample their wares", and by "wares" I mean attractive waitstaff. I have planned ahead and will eat before I go, so I can just soak up the sights, a couple Sazarac's, and whatever desert looks good. Wish us giggling gals luck!

* "My Mom knows things about things... about houses" -The funniest thing said to me today care of "word-of-the-day" Jen. Who is she, Fletch?

*On the mother front: My mother asked me if I went home barefoot the other day because I had left my socks at their house. I wonder if she knew the definition of those words. Why would the absence of socks make me immediately bare foot? Is it impossible to wear shoes without socks? It made me giggle.

* My name is neither "facetious" not "sarcastic".

* Sunday's "What's up, Netflix?" is appearing today to make room for a new addition (to be revealed tomorrow respectively):

Whip It- 4 stars- This movie got a really bad rap when it came out. As far as first pictures go, this one is pretty good. Sure, there are moments where Barrymore showed indecision and naïveté; that's par for the course on a director's first film. The pacing could be tighter, but honestly, if you cut what needed to be cut, you'd have a MUCH shorter movie. Instead, I think it's best to focus on all the positives. The script is smart, without falling into the post-"Juno" (which is actually post-"Dawson's Creek") style of flowery/faux-smart writing. The camera also works well, taking you inside the track and skating right along with the derby girls. I wish some of the supporting cast had a bigger part, particularly Zoe Bell, Eve, and Alia Shawkat (who's watching Arrested Development reruns on IFC?). They really shined whenever they were on screen. Also nice, was Ellen Page coming out of her awkward shoulder slump long enough for us to believe she might actually be good at derby. You've got to understand- I love derby. I grew up watching it on TV and going to bouts. Is this a perfect representation? Hell no (no one checked IDs at try-outs? No one's asking for insurance cards?), but it tries real hard, and that's the point of the whole movie anyway.

Adam- 4 stars- This movie stars Hugh Dancy as a young man with Asperger's faced with living alone for the first time. Rose Byrne (TV's "Damages"- nowhere near as annoying here) moves in next door and "meet cute". I was worried this was going to be a made for Lifetime style movie and was pleasantly surprised when it turned into a thoughtful, yet funny and enjoyable, piece on life, growing up, and being different. We can identify with both characters- Dancy's socially awkward and shy, overtly honest young man finally growing up, and Byrne's optimistic romantic who finally meets the man who fills all of her perceived requirements only to wonder what she actually requires in the first place. Lovely.

St. Trinian's- 2 stars- The only reason this got two stars instead of one was for Rupert Everett in drag and I kinda think I know what they meant. Having not grown up in the U.K., I was unfamiliar with the St. Trinian's stories. Apparently it's a recurring story of misfit girls at boarding school that has cropped up on TV and the movies since the late '40's. The concept is stellar- what happens when you group together all the girls that have been expelled from every other school into a school run by a lazy, half-drunk headmistress? Chaos and comedy of course! Unfortunately, this movie took the concept from satire to farce, with none of the humor left in. It did very well in England (they're working on a sequel as we speak), but it just makes me sad to think about that. They lost me at distilling/bootlegging booze to Russell Brand; I turned it off half way through.

Little Ashes- 1 star- I didn't even finish this movie, and that's saying a lot! How anyone could take three of Spain's most interesting and influential artists and make it BORING (oh so boring), is beyond me. The reviewer who compared this to a poor Merchant-Ivory rip off is the most correct, though I think he was being generous with 3 stars. Can we finally be over Robert Pattinson? I can't say he's done well in any other role besides "Twilight" and that only requires what I call the "Keanu" school of acting. If this doesn't seal the nail in the coffin...

* And finally,

married to the sea

I Blame Gordon Ramsey For This!

Last night I went to a birthday dinner for the lovely shine at Bolsa. The best things about the restaurant were the bartenders and our waiter Ben, a younger, more handsome, slightly ethnic Henry Thomas. The restaurant was packed when we got there at 7 PM, so we sidled up to the bar to peruse the cocktail menu. They have an extensive list of wine and spirits available. As soon as I saw the Applejack Sazerac I knew I was set. I asked the bartender if I could have a traditional Sazerac (my favorite cocktail!) and off he went. A few seconds later, the bar manager came over and said, "Who wanted the Sazerac?" I raised my hand, "Where have you been all my life?"

He was charming and peppered us with trivia knowledge about the drink and it's origins. "People say I make the best Sazerac this side of New Orleans."

"We'll see, sir," I replied "We'll see."

I was not disappointed- It was delicious!

Once we were all assembled, we took out seats on the patio and set about ordering. Not a small feat I assure you- 16 guests, 2 picnic tables= slightly awkward.

One of the things that impressed me about Bolsa, and a reason I always wanted to go there, is their commitment to local and organic produce. The menu changes daily based on what is available at market that morning. However, when our food finally arrived, I wondered if their idea of organic meant "sans salt". The problem with the dishes is that they are conceived and created as a whole, not as individual components that compliment one another.

I had the good fortune to sit next to my friend Natalie, vegetarian. As I had already consumed enough red meat to last a month, I decided to go in on a veggie plate with her. Our delicious waiter assured us this was "not [his] first time at the rodeo" (love!), and the kitchen would be happy to assemble something for us. What we got was the Twigs & Branch flatbread (arugula, goat cheese, grapes), marscapone polenta, ratatouille, and haricot verts in a salsa verde.

The polenta was bland, which is too often the case, and adding marscapone to it doesn't help. How about a little salt? Maybe some pepper? The green beans were delicious (yum, garlic!), and thank god for the grilled onions in the ratatouille which really helped liven up the flatbread.

I just don't understand a chef who's afraid of salt or seasoning. Our friends who ordered protein fared a bit better, as there was sauce to flavor the polenta and sides. The Braised short rib was delicious, but the risotto that came with it was a bit sad. I've never seen such a uncreamy mess in my life. This is why I don't try to cook it at home, I don't have the chops. Perhaps they should hold off as well. The Coq au Vin looked fantastic. The bruscetta appetizer was hit or miss. The toppings delicious (smoked salmon, apples and honey, prosciutto and figs), but some of the bread was soft, and some crispy. A bit of an execution error there.

I would love to go back to Bolsa for drinks, and I would try the food again but only after looking at the menu ahead of time to see if it was worth it. Regardless of the food, I had a lovely time with my friends and hope to do it again soon. I was totally serious about the girly slumber party!