Sitcom revisited

If you know these people, please comment. If you don't know what I'm talking about, see entry below regarding sitcom.
GE - James Brolin
JK - Emma Thompson
JJ - Candace Bergen
AH - Winona Ryder
JR - Steve Zahn
CB - Jennifer Lopez (think Wedding Planner JLo)
BW - Jennifer Hudson

The Silver Lining

I am really tired. That so-exhausted-I-am-kinda-weepy tired. Despite not feeling very well, I have had business dinners the past two nights. Thankfully they were with very nice people. The silver lining - I got to eat at two restaurants I have wanted to try on someone else's dime. And, boy, were they good.

Last night we ate at Hattie's in the Bishop Arts District in the OC. First, the area is pretty groovy. I want to go down there when everything is open and check it all out. Second, the space is chic and clean but not cold. I loved the hutch with the old trophies and such. Finally, the food is the center of attention as it should be. It is the kind of food at which my brother (the chef) excels - sophisticated Southern food is what I would call it. I think he calls it contemporary Southern cuisine. Whatever you call it, Hattie's does it well. The tender pork was on a bed of some of the best grits I have ever eaten - and I have eaten a lot of grits! And the greens were sauteed to perfection. Everything about the experience was very nice. (My only quibble was the host / front door guy was quite aloof - such a turn off.)

Tonight we ate at Dallas Fish Market. You should go there. The space was nice and the service was absolutely flawless. Heck, even the valets were nice. Bon Appetit has just named DFM the fifth best seafood restaurant in the country! VERY impressive. The shellfish allergy limited me from the first two courses that came to the table - an amuse bouche of lobster corn bisque and pan fried oysters that looked and smelled so good they made me want to risk the allergic reaction. There were two bubblies by the glass, one from France and from Argentina. We had the Argentinian Brut. It was very good. I wish I had written down the name because it is not on the wine list on their website. We had a difficult time deciding on our entrees. The choices looked fab. Ultimately, PD got the skate mentioned in Bon Appetit piece and I got the swordfish. They were nice pieces of fish, and every flavor and accompaniment accenting them were so complimentary and delicious. We were very pleased. And we saved a little room for dessert. The figs with the cinnamon mascarpone are amazing (I nabbed a bite from PD). I had a lovely coconut lemongrass sorbet.

Now, this tired gal has finished off the bottle of Mylanta by the bed and is going to sleep!

Bon appetit!

Sparkling Shiraz

Someone asked me recently to recommend a reasonably priced sparkling shiraz. I couldn't. I know Veritas has had Black Bubbles (from Shingleback?). I have no idea of the price and don't know if they still have it. She was familiar with that one from imbibing it at said Veritas. I recently read about The Black Chook Sparkling Shiraz, which is from Australia like Shingleback. Looks like it retails for somewhere around $18-$20. Reportedly, not much was imported to the U.S. It has some good reviews online.

So C, maybe you can find it. If you do, let me know!

Your Sitcom

We used to do this fun thing at my last job when we weren't busy (and occasionally when we were). We would cast the sitcom of our office. Some folks were easier than others. TL was Marilu Henner - no question - sexy, sassy, sweet redhead. BM thought he was Jerry Seinfeld; I thought he was Tony Danza. The best we came up with for me was Janeane Garofalo. I would like to think I have brightened up a bit since then. Looks and personality are factors.

It's really fun. You would be surprised how long it can keep you entertained. Even if you don't work with a lot of people, you can cast the folks who come into your work circle. It's a great time waster.

I think I will start working on casting my current office. Again, some folks are easy. Reese Witherspoon (in Elle mode) plays ML. But she could also play PW - conservative and sweet in a perfect suit. Some aren't as easy.

Does anybody remember when Jamie Foxx did Wanda on In Living Color? If you do, and you work with me, you should be able to cast the appropriate role. :)

Hee hee. Just what we needed... another distraction.

Miscellaneous

I was wrong. I thought all California sauvignon blancs were soft. But last night I tasted the 2007 St. Supery SB. It has all the zest and tang I like in New Zealand SBs. I still think Kim Crawford makes my favorite SB, and it is a bargain.

I stopped by a holiday party last night at the newly refurbished Stoneleigh Hotel. The hotel looks great. The terrace was lovely. I didn't like the food. But it was a very nice party.

D Magazine's Best Restaurant issue is out. There are a number of places in there on my "want to go there" list. Among them are York Street (I am embarrassed I've never been there), Lola, and Tillman's Roadhouse. Hattie's isn't on there, but it is still on my list, at least for lunch.

Why do I have such an urge to bake cookies around Christmastime?