Thanks to some of you “anonymous” posters here, and you not so anonymous posters on Facebook suggesting Chinese restaurants; I have begun to create my list, and while I gear up for “Wok About 2009” (thanks to Ed K. for the catchy name), I thought I’d share some thoughts about some recent movies.
As you know, the Hollywood and local movie press and I have a “love-hate” relationship. I love the movies and the whole experience, but hate when the movie critics anoint a movie to be the apex of a genre, when in actuality, it’s the nadir (“Children of Men” anyone?) Lately, I’ve decided while I’ll read certain reviews, I’ll see the movies and decide for myself whether the movie has any value. I’ve been to the movies quite a bit lately, and share with you these thoughts…
“Duplicity” starring Julia Roberts and Clive Owen. I’m not sure I can ever forgive Owen for “Children of Men” or even “Derailed”, but Julia Roberts is maturing nicely…in all the right ways. I like the sharp dialogue in this corporate espionage “thriller”, and she fills out the business suits nicely. Rounding out the cast was Tom Wilkinson and Paul Giamatti, who hasn’t been this funny since he played “Pig Vomit” in “Howard Stern’s Private Parts”.
“State of Play”-Russell Crowe as a “seen it all, wrote it all” investigative reporter for a Washington newspaper (the best role played by a newspaper since the “LA Tribune” in “Lou Grant”), following a story involving his former college roommate, now Senator Ben Affleck (how can they be roommates when they’re 20 years apart in age?). Actually, a pretty good thriller, which could have been made slightly better by some skin from Rachel McAdams, or even the older “Caligula Cougar” Helen Mirren. Also featured in a small, but compelling role, Jason Bateman, who is really turning into quite a force in Hollywood, even since his turn on Silver Spoons. If he’s on-screen, pay attention.
“Star Trek”-I am neither a Trekkie, nor a Trekker, but I enjoy a good space opera now and then. Having seen most of the “Star Trek” movies, this was definitely the best, or tied with the first one, which starred a young Stephen Collins and a very bald Persis Khambatta (I have a thing for baldness…). This movie was an enjoyable romp through some revisionist history, and certainly opens the door for future movies with new storyline, without being held hostage to pre-determined destiny. Eric gives it two “Live Long and Prospers”.
“Hannah Montana”-gotta love being one of only five men on opening day, which happened to be Good Friday, so only every tween and younger girl NEEDS to see the very first shows. Ugh…I went in there with a fully charged “Treo” battery, ready to play Yahtzee for 96 minutes. Well, surprise, surprise…it was actually quite good. Very high production values, catchy music, entertaining dance numbers (I did have different expectations for “Ho-Down Throw-Down, but this was rated PG)…but I say it’s “Hee Haw” approved. As far as kid-positive message movies go, I liked it and have no problem if Junior Miss Palette wants to buy the DVD. I’d rather that, than more “Phineas and Pherb” on Tivo!!!
You’ve been great…enjoy Buck Owens and Roy Clark.
Monday, June 1, 2009
Thursday, May 21, 2009
One from Column A
Good evening Palateers...On June 19, 2009 at midnight, Jordan Rich will once again be graciously hosting me on his food show. This go-round, we'll be talking Asian cuisine. More so than any other food, this resonates with me. I feel like I was raised at the base of the Great Wall of China. Whether "House of Roy" or "Chef Chang's", Chinese food and I go hand in hand like "white" and "rice."
Over the next month, I'll be sampling the gourmet delights of the local Asian establishments. There are plenty out here in the hinterlands, but I'll be traveling a little as well. That's where you come in.
I'm inviting all of you to contribute your ideas about places I should try. Obviously, it has to be geographically possible, but feel free to throw out the names and addresses of your favorite places, and maybe I'll get in to try it.
Feel free to email me at: criticalpalate@gmail.com
I look forward to hearing from you.
And ss Confucious says..."that wasn't chicken!"
CP
Over the next month, I'll be sampling the gourmet delights of the local Asian establishments. There are plenty out here in the hinterlands, but I'll be traveling a little as well. That's where you come in.
I'm inviting all of you to contribute your ideas about places I should try. Obviously, it has to be geographically possible, but feel free to throw out the names and addresses of your favorite places, and maybe I'll get in to try it.
Feel free to email me at: criticalpalate@gmail.com
I look forward to hearing from you.
And ss Confucious says..."that wasn't chicken!"
CP
Wednesday, April 29, 2009
A teenager's Morton's...
While I'm busy actually trying to make a living, I offer the following-a special guest blog post from my son, the Junior Palate, who recently went to the new Morton's here in Boston. Disclaimer-he went with Grandma Palate, not with me. What follows is his impression of the experience...without further ado, ladies and gentlemen...the Junior Palate.
Hello Critical Palate readers. This is the Junior Palate, Eric’s son. Also, as many of you probably know, I have a taste for fine food, favoring steak. As a fan of fine steak and meats, I have visited many steakhouses and fancy restaurants. I have gone to some of the finest eateries in Boston, including Flemings, Capital Grille, Smith & Wolensky’s, the One-Eleven Chophouse, Metro 9 and more. Among the steakhouses I have been to, Morton’s is by far my favorite.
Morton’s has two locations in Boston; one is located in a basement in a very luxurious office building. This Morton’s, although not in a very exciting location, was excellent. Great food, great service, great décor and ambiance, but it was nothing compared to the Morton’s I went to last Saturday, April 25, 2009, at their “seaport” location. Morton’s has recently opened up a new location right on the harbor, near the world famous “No Name” restaurant. Here, not only do you get the experience of being at a fine restaurant, you get the view of the harbor, surrounded by some of the nicest buildings, apartments, condos and offices in Boston. Well, I will tell you this, it was nothing shy of perfect. I think I have re-discovered the definition of the word “amazing”.
Tonight, everything was top-notch. The service was by far the best service I have ever had. Not only did our waiter offer the nicest and most efficient service I have ever experienced, he also lives in same town we do. He was a young man who loved his work. He was nice, social and speedy. Not only did we enjoy or waiter, we also liked the manager and the valet. The manager, Mike, came to our table and chatted with us; he was the kind of guy that would make you want to come back, even if the food wasn’t that great (but it was). Our valet, a young man, also enjoyed his work, and socialized with his customers. But overall, it is the food that really wants to make you come back for more.
Unlike most elegant restaurants, the portions at Morton’s were huge. I ordered the Cajun rib eye steak and it was perfect. Medium, a hot pink center with a nice “char” on the outside. But what all added to the experience was the ambiance. You had the option of sitting outside which was perfectly fine and still very fancy, but you had to sit inside to understand the true Morton’s experience. Not only was the interior fancy, but they also had sports decorations hanging up, autographs and pictures of Boston athletes who have been there. Overall, I have to say that this is probably my favorite restaurant ever. If you are ever at the harbor with a huge wad of cash, Morton’s “SeaPort” is the place to go.
Hello Critical Palate readers. This is the Junior Palate, Eric’s son. Also, as many of you probably know, I have a taste for fine food, favoring steak. As a fan of fine steak and meats, I have visited many steakhouses and fancy restaurants. I have gone to some of the finest eateries in Boston, including Flemings, Capital Grille, Smith & Wolensky’s, the One-Eleven Chophouse, Metro 9 and more. Among the steakhouses I have been to, Morton’s is by far my favorite.
Morton’s has two locations in Boston; one is located in a basement in a very luxurious office building. This Morton’s, although not in a very exciting location, was excellent. Great food, great service, great décor and ambiance, but it was nothing compared to the Morton’s I went to last Saturday, April 25, 2009, at their “seaport” location. Morton’s has recently opened up a new location right on the harbor, near the world famous “No Name” restaurant. Here, not only do you get the experience of being at a fine restaurant, you get the view of the harbor, surrounded by some of the nicest buildings, apartments, condos and offices in Boston. Well, I will tell you this, it was nothing shy of perfect. I think I have re-discovered the definition of the word “amazing”.
Tonight, everything was top-notch. The service was by far the best service I have ever had. Not only did our waiter offer the nicest and most efficient service I have ever experienced, he also lives in same town we do. He was a young man who loved his work. He was nice, social and speedy. Not only did we enjoy or waiter, we also liked the manager and the valet. The manager, Mike, came to our table and chatted with us; he was the kind of guy that would make you want to come back, even if the food wasn’t that great (but it was). Our valet, a young man, also enjoyed his work, and socialized with his customers. But overall, it is the food that really wants to make you come back for more.
Unlike most elegant restaurants, the portions at Morton’s were huge. I ordered the Cajun rib eye steak and it was perfect. Medium, a hot pink center with a nice “char” on the outside. But what all added to the experience was the ambiance. You had the option of sitting outside which was perfectly fine and still very fancy, but you had to sit inside to understand the true Morton’s experience. Not only was the interior fancy, but they also had sports decorations hanging up, autographs and pictures of Boston athletes who have been there. Overall, I have to say that this is probably my favorite restaurant ever. If you are ever at the harbor with a huge wad of cash, Morton’s “SeaPort” is the place to go.
Sunday, April 12, 2009
Back, and badder than ever…
I cannot tell you how much I appreciate all you “fans of the Critical Palate” out there asking, practically begging, for an explanation of why I have gone into “radio silence.” I can sum it up with two words-Bar Mitzvah. Junior Palate has crossed the threshold into Jewish adulthood, and to be honest, I am spent, both literally and figuratively.
But, alas, kind readers, I know many of you want to hear me rant about dining experiences, movies or American Idol (Scott McIntyre is no Stevie Wonder…not even Tom Sullivan), so I’m back, badder than ever!
So, as a follow-up to my posts on December 15 and 30th, the manager of Outback in Westborough sent me $90.00 in “Outhouse Bucks” to encourage me to give them another chance. I don’t know what came over us, but we decided to give it a go back on February 28, 2009.
We had a call-ahead for 7:30p-7:45pm. Got there at 7:20pm. Told that it would just be "a few minutes."
Tick, tock...tick tock...tick tock...
At 8:00pm, I asked the host "wtf?" He said that they were just getting a large table their bill (there were 8 of us) and we were next for that table.
Tick tock...tick tock...tick tock...
8:15pm, manager comes over to us and apologizes...tells us that the table has paid, and that they're wrapping it up. We're the only large party still waiting, and we're getting that table. As a show of her regret, she says she'll have the onion thing and some wings on our table waiting for us when we sit. Considering “Men’s Health” magazine considers the Bloomin’ Onion the worst appetizer for your health, the manager isn’t doing this to apologize, she’s doing it to teach us a lesson!
Tick tock...tick tock...tick tock...
8:30pm, those people at my table have not even budged. I see them just getting the bill!!! WTF???!!! Didn't the manager tell me they paid? Liar! I ask to speak with her again.
She comes over, and tells me that she didn't know that they had asked to split the bill, so they had to re-run a bunch of checks for that table...yada yada yada...nothing she can do...yada yada yada...she's going to put us at 2 booths (kids in one, adults in another) that are right across from each. She says those two booths are clearing out now...
Tick tock...tick tock...tick tock...
8:45pm we are still standing there!!! I am having a stroke. I tell her that her entire system has failed and that I don't care whom to blame, but this is total bullshit. “Cartright…Cartright…”
8:50pm, we finally sit down, at a big table in back. She comes over to make sure we're ok, and I say "we're not ok, and you're not going to be ok, and corporate isn't going to be ok when I'm done. Let's go for a walk."
So we walk to the bar area, away from the kids, and I explain to her why we came. I told her that Rich Lanza (who is no longer there anymore) BEGGED us to come back after they nearly killed my wife with food allergens a few months ago. I told her "you should be embarrassed and ashamed of the way you guys operate. You beg us to come back, and your system totally breaks down...give me one, just one reason I should ever come back here. Give me one, just one reason I'm not going to a) call corporate on Monday, and b) post to my blog about why this place should be avoided at all costs". (By the way, I have never before played my "blog" card, but I felt I needed to beat her senseless.) How do you go from a 7:30pm call-ahead to being seated at 8:50pm???!!!
So she starts getting teary-eyed, and tells me that this is her first weekend as manager She had been a lead server and just been promoted from assistant manager to store general manager. She says that she is embarrassed and ashamed of the staff and the system, and that they'll obviously have to work it out. She tells me that she'll take $90 off my bill (the amount Rich had sent me) and that I should keep my certificates for another time and that she hopes I'll come back, though it won't be for a long time. She says "I hope you won't feel the need to contact corporate" and I say "no promises" and walk back to the table. She comes to the table, and says that she will monitor every aspect of our meal, and that everything will come out perfect.
The food ended up being ok, but I was ready to kill someone. Making her cry didn’t help matters, but considering she served us that onion…I’m lucky to be here writing this blog!
Gratuitous shout-out: Congratulations to charter subscriber A.B.S. who got married back in March.
You've been great. Now, enjoy John Sebastian.
But, alas, kind readers, I know many of you want to hear me rant about dining experiences, movies or American Idol (Scott McIntyre is no Stevie Wonder…not even Tom Sullivan), so I’m back, badder than ever!
So, as a follow-up to my posts on December 15 and 30th, the manager of Outback in Westborough sent me $90.00 in “Outhouse Bucks” to encourage me to give them another chance. I don’t know what came over us, but we decided to give it a go back on February 28, 2009.
We had a call-ahead for 7:30p-7:45pm. Got there at 7:20pm. Told that it would just be "a few minutes."
Tick, tock...tick tock...tick tock...
At 8:00pm, I asked the host "wtf?" He said that they were just getting a large table their bill (there were 8 of us) and we were next for that table.
Tick tock...tick tock...tick tock...
8:15pm, manager comes over to us and apologizes...tells us that the table has paid, and that they're wrapping it up. We're the only large party still waiting, and we're getting that table. As a show of her regret, she says she'll have the onion thing and some wings on our table waiting for us when we sit. Considering “Men’s Health” magazine considers the Bloomin’ Onion the worst appetizer for your health, the manager isn’t doing this to apologize, she’s doing it to teach us a lesson!
Tick tock...tick tock...tick tock...
8:30pm, those people at my table have not even budged. I see them just getting the bill!!! WTF???!!! Didn't the manager tell me they paid? Liar! I ask to speak with her again.
She comes over, and tells me that she didn't know that they had asked to split the bill, so they had to re-run a bunch of checks for that table...yada yada yada...nothing she can do...yada yada yada...she's going to put us at 2 booths (kids in one, adults in another) that are right across from each. She says those two booths are clearing out now...
Tick tock...tick tock...tick tock...
8:45pm we are still standing there!!! I am having a stroke. I tell her that her entire system has failed and that I don't care whom to blame, but this is total bullshit. “Cartright…Cartright…”
8:50pm, we finally sit down, at a big table in back. She comes over to make sure we're ok, and I say "we're not ok, and you're not going to be ok, and corporate isn't going to be ok when I'm done. Let's go for a walk."
So we walk to the bar area, away from the kids, and I explain to her why we came. I told her that Rich Lanza (who is no longer there anymore) BEGGED us to come back after they nearly killed my wife with food allergens a few months ago. I told her "you should be embarrassed and ashamed of the way you guys operate. You beg us to come back, and your system totally breaks down...give me one, just one reason I should ever come back here. Give me one, just one reason I'm not going to a) call corporate on Monday, and b) post to my blog about why this place should be avoided at all costs". (By the way, I have never before played my "blog" card, but I felt I needed to beat her senseless.) How do you go from a 7:30pm call-ahead to being seated at 8:50pm???!!!
So she starts getting teary-eyed, and tells me that this is her first weekend as manager She had been a lead server and just been promoted from assistant manager to store general manager. She says that she is embarrassed and ashamed of the staff and the system, and that they'll obviously have to work it out. She tells me that she'll take $90 off my bill (the amount Rich had sent me) and that I should keep my certificates for another time and that she hopes I'll come back, though it won't be for a long time. She says "I hope you won't feel the need to contact corporate" and I say "no promises" and walk back to the table. She comes to the table, and says that she will monitor every aspect of our meal, and that everything will come out perfect.
The food ended up being ok, but I was ready to kill someone. Making her cry didn’t help matters, but considering she served us that onion…I’m lucky to be here writing this blog!
Gratuitous shout-out: Congratulations to charter subscriber A.B.S. who got married back in March.
You've been great. Now, enjoy John Sebastian.
Monday, February 9, 2009
Props
Just want to say, that JH has gone out of their way on this issue, and I credit them for realizing that they aren't pulling it off and are willing to make changes to their menu.
That's the difference between a local place (even with a few locations) and some chain restaurant.
That's the difference between a local place (even with a few locations) and some chain restaurant.
Customer Feedback Making a Difference...
John Harvard's...they listen!
Received today, from the general manager:
"Eric,
I thought you would find this interesting. I was never particularly fond of the item that you had the unusual experience with here about a month and a half ago (the forgettable Au Poivre Burger). We have been running a "Black & Blue Burger" as a lunch special lately with the motivation of coming up with an item that could supplant the Au Poivre.
We dust the burger with blackening seasoning, top it with blue cheese crumbles and serve it on our well known foccacia bread with chipotle mayonnaise, and the standard lettuce, tomato, onion, pickle accompaniment.
Our Corporate Chef was here on Wednesday, we did a side-by side taste test and the Au poivre Burger is going away. This change will take place this Wednesday, February 11.
Thanks for making me want to get rid of it. A single experience can make a difference."
Witness, the power of the Palate!
Now, let's go give it a try.
Received today, from the general manager:
"Eric,
I thought you would find this interesting. I was never particularly fond of the item that you had the unusual experience with here about a month and a half ago (the forgettable Au Poivre Burger). We have been running a "Black & Blue Burger" as a lunch special lately with the motivation of coming up with an item that could supplant the Au Poivre.
We dust the burger with blackening seasoning, top it with blue cheese crumbles and serve it on our well known foccacia bread with chipotle mayonnaise, and the standard lettuce, tomato, onion, pickle accompaniment.
Our Corporate Chef was here on Wednesday, we did a side-by side taste test and the Au poivre Burger is going away. This change will take place this Wednesday, February 11.
Thanks for making me want to get rid of it. A single experience can make a difference."
Witness, the power of the Palate!
Now, let's go give it a try.
Sunday, February 8, 2009
White Noise
I don’t have much to say, other than I’ve officially become old! Junior Palate was tripping all over himself to watch the Grammy Awards, and I’m sitting here wondering who these people are…I’m still waiting for Human League, Flock of Seagulls and Spandau Ballet to take the stage.
The “musical” performances tonight have ranged from painful white noise to not-so-painful (at least for me) bouncing cleavage (Katy Perry) and an old, but game Paul McCartney. A big highlight for me was Stevie Wonder, but even bigger for T-Wein…the Jonas Brothers!
I think it was in the summer of 1986 when I had the distinct pleasure of seeing Stevie Wonder live in concert, on the “In Square Circle” tour. Plugging his new album, we had to sit through “I Just Called to Say I Love You” and other assorted puff pieces, but seeing him perform “Superstition”, “Living for the City”, “Higher Ground” and “Sir Duke” live, and watching him on stage, you know you are the presence of a musical genius. I’ve seen a lot of concerts in my day: Huey Lewis and the News, Hall & Oates, the Doobie Brothers, Billy Joel, Elton John, Fleetwood Mac, Bette Midler, Barry Manilow…I could go on and on. But when you see Stevie (even if he can’t see you), you can’t help but be amazed. My kids are genuinely amazed by his talent and ability, and thankfully respect him as a musician almost as much as they respect Jack Black. It would hurt me tremendously if they didn’t put him in same league with Tenacious D.
You’ve been great…now I gotta go watch Ne-Yo.
The “musical” performances tonight have ranged from painful white noise to not-so-painful (at least for me) bouncing cleavage (Katy Perry) and an old, but game Paul McCartney. A big highlight for me was Stevie Wonder, but even bigger for T-Wein…the Jonas Brothers!
I think it was in the summer of 1986 when I had the distinct pleasure of seeing Stevie Wonder live in concert, on the “In Square Circle” tour. Plugging his new album, we had to sit through “I Just Called to Say I Love You” and other assorted puff pieces, but seeing him perform “Superstition”, “Living for the City”, “Higher Ground” and “Sir Duke” live, and watching him on stage, you know you are the presence of a musical genius. I’ve seen a lot of concerts in my day: Huey Lewis and the News, Hall & Oates, the Doobie Brothers, Billy Joel, Elton John, Fleetwood Mac, Bette Midler, Barry Manilow…I could go on and on. But when you see Stevie (even if he can’t see you), you can’t help but be amazed. My kids are genuinely amazed by his talent and ability, and thankfully respect him as a musician almost as much as they respect Jack Black. It would hurt me tremendously if they didn’t put him in same league with Tenacious D.
You’ve been great…now I gotta go watch Ne-Yo.
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