I’m entering this weird Mixology phase. Testing bartenders at their craft to see if they can concoct a tasty beverage where my only restriction is no Campari.
Well, I’ve met Brian Summers at Playa in Mid-City who’s one of the best bartenders I’ve ever met. I first ran into him at Test Kitchen, then again at this Cocktail World Cup thingy and he remembered me because I kept making him make me new drinks. (On my way to being a professional drinker!)
Apparently the bartender at Big Bar (in Alcove) knows a thing or two. Can’t wait to give him shit.
I wrote this review for the following restaurant a few months ago. Since then, I’ve been here at least 20 more times, and it’s become my local watering hole.
The Foundry on Melrose
Los Angeles, CA
Hyperbole: One of the best dining experiences I’ve had in Los Angeles.
From the moment I met Eric Greenspan, I knew I’d have quite a treat here at The Foundry. Regarded one of the best restaurants in LA, it’s been on my To-Try list for quite some time. Finally an opportune moment reared it’s head last week, so plans were made.
The staff is nothing short of excellent. I never felt as if I were being looked down on (a common occurrence at “high quality” restaurants), and genuinely had a good time with our waitress, which shames me, because I never got her name. My water was NEVER empty. My martini was pristine, and my friends loved their wine.
Onto the food.
Little knick knacks were brought to us whilst we waited for our food, and they tasty. I never really knew what they were, because our server had THE DEEPEST voice known to man, and I could make out about two words.
I tasted the grilled cheese with Sheepherder’s Bread (due to my friend’s nut allergy, we couldn’t try the normal bread), and it was still wonderful. I also had the Rum Glazed Pork Belly, which is…(I’m tearing up right now.) I love Pork Belly, and this is some of the best I’ve had. They didn’t do the cardinal sin of giving you a portion only a mouse would enjoy. The plantains go perfectly with salty pork.
Now onto the burger. There were other things I could try, but having read this burger being one of the best in the city, how can I not. And it damn well holds up. Disgustingly good, and the do-it-yourself condiments allows you to put however much or little of whatever provided. The caramelized onions were easily my favorite condiment, so soft and decadent. And the bread. Oh, that bread. SOFT. Now I want that burger again.
To finish it off, we had some Peanut Butter Bread Pudding, which is good, but not something I’d enjoy over and over. It has the consistency of bread pudding, plus some nuts, and of course peanut butter. I love bread pudding, and my favorite in town is hands down Ruth’s Chris, and after setting the bar so high, it’s difficult to find one that can contest. If you like peanut butter though, you’ll like this.
In closing, I had a hell of a time at this lovely establishment. I had a blast, and have no complaints about anything really. I’ll need to come back and take in their lounge area, since it looks to be a different beast all together.
@Mike – I had Five Guys about three years ago, and can’t really remember it all that well. They may have perfected their craft within those years, but if I’m to decide between those two now, I’d go with In-n-Out.
I’ve been following the 30 Burgers in 30 Days thing pretty closely. I’ve been to quite a few of these places, but I must go to more! Especially the ones outside of LA.
It’s just a well made burger. I’ve had both the hickory burger and the normal burger and the former wins out easily. Simple: patty, cheese, toppings, bread. No condiments are needed and it’s cooked to perfection.
And I find making a simple burger well much harder than a gourmet burger. Truffle cheese, burrata, Hawaiian bread, these are all additives to make your burger better (not saying they’re bad though.)
As one who’s battled arduous conditions working on set, I feel it does add to a film when a certain shot is difficult to achieve. But for me, it’s not just shots, it’s locales, it’s edits, everything involved in the film making process. Nolte talking into the radio in The Thin Red Line is one of my favorite shots because of the time of day. Right when the sun sets, but there’s still light out. That time frame lasts about 20 minutes, and to have the wherewithal to get that shot truly impresses me. Did it add to the validity of the film? Who’s to know. Then there’s the much heralded tracking shot in I Am Cuba. The first time I watched it (and this happens a lot with Kalatozov) I essentially only pay attention to the technicalities of the film.
Though I think this way because I know the perils of location scouting, first ADs hounding you to get the shot and move on, so on and so forth.
But back to the question, does it make it more artistic? Like someone said previously, it all depends on your intrinsic view of art and what’s artistic. I find solace and beauty in the subtle and eloquent, while someone may give the loud and boisterous equal artistic merit. Tarr, Kalatozov, Haneke, Malick, Weerasethakul, Yang, these artists speak my language in terms of their vision. But what I love, someone else may find boring and hate it.
I don’t get annoyed, I just usually preface my answer with “I like weird shit that no one sees,” followed by me spouting off three movies, and judging their reaction. If I see they’re disinterested, I stop.
I’ve learned how to circumvent the “What do you do” question, Odi. I just tell them I’m a Man About Town, which is honest and true. Or if I’m feeling dickish, I either tell them to ask me another question or “I’m not telling you.” As one who’s out and talking to people often, I tend to have to steer conversations where I want them to go, and before anyone tries to judge me, you try talking to drunk people in LA intellectually for one day, and see how far that gets you before you just succumb to their stupidity.
Because the “what’s your favorite movie” question rarely arises, I feel the need to answer.
I gravitate towards the music first and the lyrics are in the back burner. However, I much prefer lyrical songs to instrumentals. For me, it’s not so much of what’s being said, but how it’s said. The composition of the words. Do the words coalesce with the music to form one beautiful entity? There in lies the predictor of whether I’ll like a song or not. A singer’s voice becomes another instrument. And there are times when a voice can really bother me and I just can’t stand the song. I can’t stand Nico’s voice for example, so I can’t really get into Velvet Underground. Matt Berniger’s voice also doesn’t strike a cord with me (The National).
But again, the primary attribute I look to is great music first, everything else comes second.
Call it stubbornness, but once I’m turned off, no matter what, I’ll stay turned off. I later learned that Nico actually didn’t have much of an impact on Velvet Underground’s music, but since the first song I heard was with Nico, I’m opposed to all their music.
Off Topic - The Long Awaited FOOD THREAD about 2 years ago
I’m told there’s booze talk here??
True drinkers know the feeling you speak of, (who I assume to be) Dushane.
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STOP THE LISTS! about 2 years ago
Christine, I haven’t seen you in what feels like scores of years.
Seeing the schedule for Anthology Film Archives makes me miss being in NY.
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Off Topic - The Long Awaited FOOD THREAD about 2 years ago
I see right through your guile, Odi.
I’m entering this weird Mixology phase. Testing bartenders at their craft to see if they can concoct a tasty beverage where my only restriction is no Campari.
Go to Comment
Off Topic - The Long Awaited FOOD THREAD about 2 years ago
Well, I’ve met Brian Summers at Playa in Mid-City who’s one of the best bartenders I’ve ever met. I first ran into him at Test Kitchen, then again at this Cocktail World Cup thingy and he remembered me because I kept making him make me new drinks. (On my way to being a professional drinker!)
Apparently the bartender at Big Bar (in Alcove) knows a thing or two. Can’t wait to give him shit.
Juan is his name. I just remembered.
Go to Comment
Off Topic - The Long Awaited FOOD THREAD about 2 years ago
I wrote this review for the following restaurant a few months ago. Since then, I’ve been here at least 20 more times, and it’s become my local watering hole.
The Foundry on Melrose
Los Angeles, CA
Hyperbole: One of the best dining experiences I’ve had in Los Angeles.
From the moment I met Eric Greenspan, I knew I’d have quite a treat here at The Foundry. Regarded one of the best restaurants in LA, it’s been on my To-Try list for quite some time. Finally an opportune moment reared it’s head last week, so plans were made.
The staff is nothing short of excellent. I never felt as if I were being looked down on (a common occurrence at “high quality” restaurants), and genuinely had a good time with our waitress, which shames me, because I never got her name. My water was NEVER empty. My martini was pristine, and my friends loved their wine.
Onto the food.
Little knick knacks were brought to us whilst we waited for our food, and they tasty. I never really knew what they were, because our server had THE DEEPEST voice known to man, and I could make out about two words.
I tasted the grilled cheese with Sheepherder’s Bread (due to my friend’s nut allergy, we couldn’t try the normal bread), and it was still wonderful. I also had the Rum Glazed Pork Belly, which is…(I’m tearing up right now.) I love Pork Belly, and this is some of the best I’ve had. They didn’t do the cardinal sin of giving you a portion only a mouse would enjoy. The plantains go perfectly with salty pork.
Now onto the burger. There were other things I could try, but having read this burger being one of the best in the city, how can I not. And it damn well holds up. Disgustingly good, and the do-it-yourself condiments allows you to put however much or little of whatever provided. The caramelized onions were easily my favorite condiment, so soft and decadent. And the bread. Oh, that bread. SOFT. Now I want that burger again.
To finish it off, we had some Peanut Butter Bread Pudding, which is good, but not something I’d enjoy over and over. It has the consistency of bread pudding, plus some nuts, and of course peanut butter. I love bread pudding, and my favorite in town is hands down Ruth’s Chris, and after setting the bar so high, it’s difficult to find one that can contest. If you like peanut butter though, you’ll like this.
In closing, I had a hell of a time at this lovely establishment. I had a blast, and have no complaints about anything really. I’ll need to come back and take in their lounge area, since it looks to be a different beast all together.
Go to Comment
Off Topic - The Long Awaited FOOD THREAD about 2 years ago
@Mike – I had Five Guys about three years ago, and can’t really remember it all that well. They may have perfected their craft within those years, but if I’m to decide between those two now, I’d go with In-n-Out.
Go to Comment
Off Topic - The Long Awaited FOOD THREAD about 2 years ago
Apple Pan burgers are the best burgers ever in ever history!
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Off Topic - The Long Awaited FOOD THREAD about 2 years ago
Asterisk for bold.
Underscore for italics.
Hyphens for
strikethrough.Go to Comment
Off Topic - The Long Awaited FOOD THREAD about 2 years ago
LA Weekly’s 30 Burgers in 30 Days: Apple Pan
I’ve been following the 30 Burgers in 30 Days thing pretty closely. I’ve been to quite a few of these places, but I must go to more! Especially the ones outside of LA.
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Off Topic - The Long Awaited FOOD THREAD about 2 years ago
Steak fries are way too potato’y. Shoestring are too annoying. Just give me some perfectly twice fried fries, and I’m happy.
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Off Topic - The Long Awaited FOOD THREAD about 2 years ago
It’s just a well made burger. I’ve had both the hickory burger and the normal burger and the former wins out easily. Simple: patty, cheese, toppings, bread. No condiments are needed and it’s cooked to perfection.
And I find making a simple burger well much harder than a gourmet burger. Truffle cheese, burrata, Hawaiian bread, these are all additives to make your burger better (not saying they’re bad though.)
Go to Comment
Off Topic - The Long Awaited FOOD THREAD about 2 years ago
Commie!
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Off Topic - The Long Awaited FOOD THREAD about 2 years ago
Don’t fight it, Dushane. Embrace it.
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Men, A Question: What Are Your Favorite Leading Female Archetypes? about 2 years ago
Batshit insane chicks:
Leave Her to Heaven
The Housemaid
Betty Blue
Woman Under the Influence
Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf
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Men, A Question: What Are Your Favorite Leading Female Archetypes? about 2 years ago
They were both bat shit insane. I don’t discriminate.
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Off Topic - The Long Awaited FOOD THREAD about 2 years ago
Screw all of you and your food.
I’m going to get drunk and eat crappy dive bar pizza.
AMERICA!
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Off Topic - The Long Awaited FOOD THREAD about 2 years ago
Baby carrots are stupid and should be wiped off the face of earth.
Same goes for cauliflower.
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Off Topic - The Long Awaited FOOD THREAD about 2 years ago
Oh, and cilantro.
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Off Topic - The Long Awaited FOOD THREAD about 2 years ago
Don’t make my point my cilantro-wrath your way, Sam. It can get pretty dark.
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LA Film Screening/Get-Together about 2 years ago
I’m scared to meet all you crazy people. Especially Odi.
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LA Film Screening/Get-Together about 2 years ago
Just mentioning your name caused the rain to come down super hard.
Christmas is ruined.
This will be fun.
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Does Technically Difficult Filmmaking Actually Make a Film More Artistic? about 2 years ago
As one who’s battled arduous conditions working on set, I feel it does add to a film when a certain shot is difficult to achieve. But for me, it’s not just shots, it’s locales, it’s edits, everything involved in the film making process. Nolte talking into the radio in The Thin Red Line is one of my favorite shots because of the time of day. Right when the sun sets, but there’s still light out. That time frame lasts about 20 minutes, and to have the wherewithal to get that shot truly impresses me. Did it add to the validity of the film? Who’s to know. Then there’s the much heralded tracking shot in I Am Cuba. The first time I watched it (and this happens a lot with Kalatozov) I essentially only pay attention to the technicalities of the film.
Though I think this way because I know the perils of location scouting, first ADs hounding you to get the shot and move on, so on and so forth.
But back to the question, does it make it more artistic? Like someone said previously, it all depends on your intrinsic view of art and what’s artistic. I find solace and beauty in the subtle and eloquent, while someone may give the loud and boisterous equal artistic merit. Tarr, Kalatozov, Haneke, Malick, Weerasethakul, Yang, these artists speak my language in terms of their vision. But what I love, someone else may find boring and hate it.
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Does Technically Difficult Filmmaking Actually Make a Film More Artistic? about 2 years ago
What do you mean by “if the average viewer notices the filmmaking…then there’s something wrong w/ the film,” Brian P?
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representation of woman in world cinema about 2 years ago
Coach to Vienna is one of the most female empowering films I’ve seen to date.
Then on the flip side, you have Hanyo presents women as fucking insane.
There’s really no clear representation no matter where you look.
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Anyone annoyed when asked what their favorite film is? about 2 years ago
I like Mike’s approach to this. Stolen.
I don’t get annoyed, I just usually preface my answer with “I like weird shit that no one sees,” followed by me spouting off three movies, and judging their reaction. If I see they’re disinterested, I stop.
I don’t meet many true film fans. :(
Go to Comment
Anyone annoyed when asked what their favorite film is? about 2 years ago
I’ve learned how to circumvent the “What do you do” question, Odi. I just tell them I’m a Man About Town, which is honest and true. Or if I’m feeling dickish, I either tell them to ask me another question or “I’m not telling you.” As one who’s out and talking to people often, I tend to have to steer conversations where I want them to go, and before anyone tries to judge me, you try talking to drunk people in LA intellectually for one day, and see how far that gets you before you just succumb to their stupidity.
Because the “what’s your favorite movie” question rarely arises, I feel the need to answer.
Go to Comment
Music vs. Lyrics about 2 years ago
I gravitate towards the music first and the lyrics are in the back burner. However, I much prefer lyrical songs to instrumentals. For me, it’s not so much of what’s being said, but how it’s said. The composition of the words. Do the words coalesce with the music to form one beautiful entity? There in lies the predictor of whether I’ll like a song or not. A singer’s voice becomes another instrument. And there are times when a voice can really bother me and I just can’t stand the song. I can’t stand Nico’s voice for example, so I can’t really get into Velvet Underground. Matt Berniger’s voice also doesn’t strike a cord with me (The National).
But again, the primary attribute I look to is great music first, everything else comes second.
Go to Comment
Music vs. Lyrics about 2 years ago
@Janitor
Call it stubbornness, but once I’m turned off, no matter what, I’ll stay turned off. I later learned that Nico actually didn’t have much of an impact on Velvet Underground’s music, but since the first song I heard was with Nico, I’m opposed to all their music.
I’m weird like that.
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DIRECTORS’ CUP 2011 VOTING, ROUND 1, MATCH 6: Arturo Ripstein (Castle of Purity) vs Bernardo Bertolucci (The Spider’s Strategem) about 2 years ago
Arturo Ripstein (Castle of Purity)- 1 vs Bernardo Bertolucci (The Spider’s Strategem) – 0
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So Right On Topic: People You've Met on MUBI You'd Like to Sleep with about 2 years ago
I want to do me.
I’m sexy.
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