The Dresden Dolls have become so popular that I don’t think I’ll ever be able to enjoy them at a small-medium sized venue again. They will be performing at The Warfield, but alas, it is sold out. Sadness. Though I am willing to drop $40-50 to see them perform, dealing with scalpers takes so much effort. One the one hand, I’m really happy that they’re moving up and such, but on the other hand, THIS SUCKS SO HARD!!!
And dude, The Rauconteurs for $80 a person? WTF. Their one album is nothing spectacular. I don’t think I have any understanding of what is ‘cool’.
I have tickets for: The Velvet Teen (July 29 at GAMH), Zero 7 (Aug 30 at The Fillmore[btw anyone know what happened to the fillmore and why it directs to live nation now?]), Less Than Jake (Oct 17 at Slims), and Ratatat (Sept 18 at GAMH).
I also _might_ have 1 extra of each (except for Velvet Teen) for anyone who may be interested in joining, though I am perfectly happy picking up tix for anyone. I work close enough to Slims.
Last night Dennis and Erin and I went to Catch To start with positive things, the food was decent. We started with kumamoto and malpeque oysters. I can’t remember which one I had but it was light and sweet. After having gotten over the ‘omg it’s still alive while I’m chewing it’ aversion to oysters (which took me a good 2 years), I’ve found that they can be very tasty. The crab cakes with the apple/raisin chutney was very good. The chutney provided the necessary tartness for the dense meaty cakes. We also tried the butter leaf salad with (fuji?) apples, candied walnuts and pecorino. It also tasted very pleasant, but I won’t get into how no one in the restaurant knew from what region the pecorino came, and the waiter told me ‘from his knowledge of working at an Italian restaurant, that the cheese comes from the northern region’. (Jack must be cringing at this…) My chosen entree was monkfish with a spinach/corn risotto. I liked the sweet corn in the creamy (not overpowering) rice, but Dennis thought it was ‘quite horrible’. The cut of fish was beautiful, but it was a touch more cooked (medium-ish) than I prefer it. Dennis enjoyed the halibut with pea-sized bits of crispy potato, broccolini, and asparagus. I had a bite and it was yummy happiness. Erin had a variety plate that had 3 types of fish; mahi mahi, tuna, and something else I can’t remember. It hit her spot.
All that being said, I don’t think I’ll go there again. I don’t want to be a snob, but being seated 20 minutes after the time that the reservation was made is a big no-no (especially if others are being seated). It shows that the restaurant is not well organized and does not respect their customers. The waitstaff is not horrible (as they are at Citizen Cake), but it was not friendly either.
This afternoon we all went to Maverick’s for brunch. I have written about this place before, and it continues to please. Who could resist $1 blackberry mimosas? (only the 1st one is $1, but that’s usually plenty of alcohol for me). The texan migas is goooooood- crispy tortilla strips, scrambled egg, fresh salsa with a nice bite of cilantro, and cubed garlic/parsley potatoes. It was exactly what I needed to pep me up. Erin’s beautifully made plate of sliced d’anjou pears and strawberries, toast and cheese also looked very appetizing. Andy’s salad was over-dressed, but it wasn’t much of a loss. The chips that came with Dennis’ bbq sandwich were perfectly crisp. After devouring our food, we further stuffed ourselves with dessert. The thought of the bing cherry crisp makes my mouth water. It comes warm, covered with sliced almonds and granola and topped with a scoop of vanilla ice cream. The cherries cannot be from a can because they were so flavorful. We also had cinnamon-sugar donut holes which were light, fluffy, and not oily at all.
