Beats & Eats

Interesting Little Documentary

2009-08-04T15:14:00.003-05:00

Have you ever thought about the evolution of music? How life-changing events and struggles a large group of people endure together can change how they express themselves? Last night, while flipping through my plethora of cable stations, I stumbled across a documentary on VH1 Classic called, "NY77: The Coolest Year in Hell." Different influential artists of the time such as Afrika Bambaataa and Blondie speak about how hip-hop, punk and even disco came to be. Poor economy forces schools to push-out music classes and the .44 Caliber Killer is on the loose. All of these events, people and creativity converge to create this poineering time in music. Check-check-a-check it out... http://www.vh1classic.com/view/playlist/1566482/167446/VH1_Rock_Docs_NY77_The_Coolest_Year_in_Hell/NY77_Afrika_Bambaataa/index.jhtml

The Pinkertones: A Weezer Tribute Show

2009-02-16T10:02:00.003-06:00

The Pinkertones are a local Weezer cover band that plays all of the tunes from The Blue Album and Pinkerton. Or according to them, the only albums from the band worth playing. They will be playing at the Ravari Room (2657 North High - located next to Hound Dogs Pizza) on Saturday, March 21, 2009 at 9PM with opening acts by Same Same and Slide Machine. Cover is $5 at the door.

I've never heard of these guys nor the two opening acts, but if you are a Weezer fan, it's probably worth checking out. At the very least, you can get really drunk for very little. Show up early for $1 drafts, $1.50 wells, and $4 pitchers. The full Hound Dog's menu is served until 10 PM.

Tips for Eating Out on a Tight Budget

2009-02-10T12:22:00.009-06:00

Times are tough. If you haven't lost your job already, you're probably worrying about it and if you're lucky enough to land a job, chances are you'll want to go out and celebrate. Even something as simple as dinner out one night with a close friend or significant other may seem like a risky stretch, but packing your lunch everyday and clipping the Sunday coupons should entitle you to a little pampering.

So with that, I decided to throw out a few pointers for eating out on a tight pocket without having to hit up the not-so-nutritious all you can eat china and pizza buffets and 99-cent value menus.

1. Restaurant.com is a great site that my friends and I have used on several occasions. Here you can purchase gift certificates at full value but for half the price. For example, you can buy a $25 gift certificate for only $10 but still redeem it for the full $25 value. The certificates are generated instantly so that all you have to do is click print and you're all set. Even more, enter the promo code TREAT for an additional 60% off. You can search the site by location to see which restaurants participate in this program in your area. I've used this site for two different dining establishments near my house (Johnny Buccelli's and Pomegranate Mediterranean Cuisine) and did not run into any problems. However, like most other dining coupons, they are not good for takeout or delivery. A small price to pay for feeding a group of four at a fraction of the price.

DineOriginalsColumbus.com also offers up some discounted gift certificates to locally owned restaurants, but only a limited quantity are available and they tend to sell out rather quickly.

2. The Columbus Dispatch has paired up with TheBag.com to bring subscribers local deals and specials right through your email. You don't have to have a weekly paid subscription to get in on the savings either. Just simply log onto The Columbus Dispatch and sign up for the TheEBag Newsletter. The email is sent out once a week and features coupons for just about everything imaginable in the Columbus area including dining, recreation, groceries, and fitness.

3. Those bulky Entertainment books your coworkers kids sell as a school fundraiser may sound awfully steep at $20 a pop, but if you really use it you'll certainly make your money back and then some. On top of all the coupons you get with the book, you also get a login and password to Entertainment.com where you can pull up even more deals or the original ones when the actual book is nowhere to be found.

4. Watch the local adds for meal deals. Mondays and Tuesdays are notoriously slow in the restaurant business so managers are using deals to get people through the doors. Asian Gourmet and Sushi Bar is offering up buy-one-get-the-second-half-off sushi rolls on those days and Logan's Roadhouse follows suit with their two meals for only $12.99 deal. While Columbus does not yet have it's own organized Restaurant Week, a simple google search will show that there is certainly talk around establishing one.

Recent statistics show that 68% of all Americans clip coupons. I, myself, have taken it up as a sport spending ample time in the grocery store on a Saturday morning weighing sales vs. coupons vs. doubling coupons. And I'm not the only one. Years ago I hardly saw anyone using them but now I see people trading each other in the aisles. A buck is a buck and if you have any of your own creative ways to save them, please leave a comment for the rest of the readers.

Five Guys Comes to Ohio

2009-02-10T11:31:00.006-06:00

Spending two years post-grad school in Washington, DC has made me very educated in the ways of Five Guys Burgers & Fries. In fact, the very first meal I had after unloading the moving truck was at one of their Alexandria, VA locations. My new neighbors insisted that it be the first thing I cross of my orientation checklist as a new DC Metro resident. In their opinion, Five Guys trumped the monuments, museums, and even Ben's Chili Bowl as a quintessential landmark in the nation's capital.

Truth be told, you'd be hard pressed to find another burger chain establishment that gets more rave reviews and positive press than Five Guys. And with that, it's no real shock that the company just announced that it would be opening up twenty new locations across Ohio within the next year.

Their custom, made to order burgers and fresh cut fries are awesome. I'll give you that. Do I think that it's worth all the glorified hype? Not really. People speak of Five Guys so highly that one might not be able to avoid inevitable disappointment (like Pans Labyrinth and the terrible Sex and the City movie- shame on all you people). So I insist on giving it to you straight.

Walking in you'll see a dry erase board letting you know where the russet potatoes used to make the fries came from today - a great opportunity to brush up on your small Idaho towns. You won't see a freezer anywhere as everything is pretty much fresh. The griddle is right there in front of you so you can see them grill up your burger. And you better know what you want, because just like Chipotle and Subway, you tell them exactly what you want on it and fast. For less than $10, you can land yourself a burger, fries, and a drink.

I've never seen anyone order anything other than a burger, but if you decide to break the mold, Five Guys also offers up hot dogs and veggie or grilled-cheese sandwiches. If you are a burger lover like myself, you must make a trip to Five Guys. It's definitely worth trying, but if you are anticipating an out of body experience as suggested by the Zagat ratings you'll come up a little short. I beg the question as to whether an influx in franchising will diminish the quality that has come to be expected from Five Guys. Some reviews claim that the food has gotten significantly greasier over the years and the service isn't as fast as it used to be.

The first Five Guys to open in Columbus is located at 2134 Polaris Parkway off of I-70 and is open from 11AM to 10PM daily. A second location is scheduled to open soon on the OSU Campus at 1607 North High Street. Expect to see lines around the block in the first week of business. Four other locations are already open for business in the Cleveland area as well. In a time when businesses are shutting their doors for good, the fact that Five Guys is opening them should speak volumes for their product or at the very least, their popularity.

Bonnaroo 2009 Lineup Announced

2009-02-03T07:55:00.007-06:00

After months of anticipation and lots of rumors surrounding this year's Bonnaroo lineup, the wait is finally over. Turns out the rumors are mostly true and Roo goers will get The Boss and two nights of Phish. For me (and probably most others) only one night will be needed, but I could not be happier about Phish headlining and bringing the Roo back to its jam band roots. The eclectic mix of bands range from none other than old school rappers, Beastie Boys and new school mash up artist, Girl Talk. Here's a run down of some of the bands and my expectations, but head on over to bonnaroo.com to see the full list. Tickets go on sale THIS SATURDAY. Hope to see some of ya there!

Forecasted to be Epic:
Phish
Beastie Boys
Nine Inch Nails

Always a Guarantee:
Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band
Wilco
Band of Horses
The Decemberists
Ted Leo and Pharmacists

Late Night Set Hopefuls:
Animal Collective
Girl Talk
Crystal Castles

Will Totally Rock:
TV on The Radio (props for being awesome and leaking the lineup to us the night before)
Grizzly Bear
Okkervil River
Arcade Fire
MGMT
Yeasayer
Booker T and the DBT's (Drive By Truckers)
Neko Case
Alejandro Escovedo
Santogold
Andrew Bird
St. Vincent
David Byrne
Rodrigo y Gabriela

Where Have All the Good Salads Gone?

2009-01-27T14:54:00.002-06:00

First, let me say everyone needs to get hip to Eat This, Not That. It's astonishing how much saturated fat, calories and sodium is in the food served up by many leading restaurants. For example, it is better to eat a Big Mac than a Whopper. Save yourself 220 calories and 18 grams of fat by making this swap.

Now begins my story followed by RAGE! Last week, Ashley, great friend and fellow dieter, sent me the Salad Hall of Fame according to Eat This, Not That as seen here:
Salad Hall of Fame
McDonald’s Premium Asian Salad with Grilled Chicken: 300 calories, 10 g fat (1 g saturated), 890 mg sodium
Panera Classic Café Salad: 400 calories, 11 g fat (1.5 g saturated), 270 mg sodium
Au Bon Pain Butternut Squash Salad: 280 calories, 6 g fat (4 g saturated), 570 mg sodium
Jack in the Box Southwest Chicken Salad with Grilled Chicken Strips: 310 calories, 12 g fat (5 g saturated), 840 mg sodium
Carl’s Jr. Charbroiled Chicken Salad: 330 calories, 8 g fat (3.5 g saturated), 580 mg sodium
Denny’s Grilled Chicken Salad Deluxe: 290 calories, 10 g fat (5 g saturated), 770 mg sodium
Arby’s Martha's Vineyard Salad: 272 calories, 9 g fat (4 g saturated), 609 mg sodium

No surprise to me that McDonald's Asian Salad with Grilled Chicken tops the list with a scant 300 calories and 10 grams of fat. This is a salad that I've lived and died by; delicious edamame, sliced almonds, mandarin oranges, mixed greens, snow pea pods, bell peppers and Newman's Own Sesame Ginger dressing (not included in the fat and calories but one packet at 90 calories and 2.5 grams of fat is more than enough to drench the salad). That is, until McDonald's DISCONTINUED the Asian Salad in the Columbus market. I've already emailed McDonald's for some sort of explanation. Just tell me the ingredients are too expensive and I'll pay MORE. Tell me the demand isn't high enough and I'll advertise! No, all I received (and why would I expect any more) was a form letter explaining how they cycle out the old for new, exciting product and they will contact the manager of my region. Who is this manager? Where is his office? Can I make an appointment to visit him? I've got the time. So my plan for bringing back the Asian salad is in the works. Stay tuned for that. I might need your help.

Ashley and I were planning another one of our Sunday Bloody Fundays (aka SBF). The plan: get in a good workout and do a good lunch to follow up. The only other salads that are available to us here in Columbus is the Panera Classic Cafe and Arby's Martha's Vineyard. So we planned on the Martha's Vineyard. We get to Arby's... NO MARTHA'S VINEYARD! What is going on? Am I in an alternate universe and I am receiving Salad Hall of Fame's from the other universe I'm not a part of? I feel like I'm taking crazy pills! Thus, left with no option, I ordered the *NEW* Italian Chopped Salad and Ashley, the *NEW* Turkey Chopped Salad. I find that my salad comes filled to the brim with pepperoni, salami, banana peppers, tomatoes and a balsamic vinaigrette. Awesome dripping with sarcasm. Looking at the nutrition info, it's way more fat and calories than I wanted to take in. With 282 calories and 18 grams of fat before dressing, I could have gotten a regular roast beef and been happier. Ashley did smashingly with her 95 calories and 11 grams of fat and using fat-free dressing she had at home.

All I know is that I've been burned. The great loves of my belly are disappearing and a few of them I really need. I lost 30 lbs. with the help of that Asian salad. Every person I know who tried this salad fell in love instantly. Damn you, McDonald's! You broke my heart... and my diet.

Animal Collective: Striving for Perfection

2009-01-27T12:22:00.005-06:00

The current buzz around the music community (and my cubicle) for the past month has revolved completely around the band, Animal Collective. While these guys have been together through nine years and nine studio albums, they have finally reached a point where their critically acclaimed music is at the highest and most approachable level. It's only January and their brand new release, Merriweather Post Pavilion (MPP), is getting near perfect reviews and is being referred to as one of the best albums of 2009. While this is certainly a premature statement, it is one that I will not contest.

The trio, who goes by the individual names of Avey Tare, Panda Bear and Geologist, create a truly unique sound that can most easily be described as psychedelic-pop. I like to think of them as a modern day jam band, where electronics take the forefront and the songs are built on layers and layers of instruments, noises, beats, and echoing vocals. Through all this, the band still entirely provokes feelings and lyrics revolving around human emotions.

Merriweather Post Pavilion, is indisputably Animal Collective's most polished album and as well as their "popiest" one too. MPP is friendlier than previous works too. By leaving out Avey's and Panda Bear's amplified yelping from previous works, it gets it power through its highly addictive melodies. I love, or rather, am obsessed with this album and it appears that the majority of music listeners agree (except Ashley who hates them). Needless to say, there was a lot of hype about the beginning of their MPP tour. So much so that the $25 ticket I bought prior to the MPP release was going for as much as three to four times that the day of the concert.

This was my third time seeing Animal Collective and besides the great new array of songs, the thing that stuck out most for me about this show was the awesome crowd. From the beginning and throughout the seventy-five minute set, the audience was nothing less than completely enthralled. The show more closely resembled a worship service than a music concert.

The night began with one of my favorites from MPP, Lion in a Coma. While I was instantly excited after hearing the first couple of chords of this song, the vocals were so hard to make out and therefore pretty disappointing. Luckily, they resolved this problem quickly and carried out another ten songs. MPP dominated the set with seven of the eleven tracks making an appearance. Highlights included my favorite Summertime Clothes, captive crowd pleaser My Girls, and an amazing energetic Brothersport. The set also featured a new unreleased song Blue Sky and one of the oldies that the band is having fun reworking, Slippi. As if more work needed to be added to an already almost perfect MPP portfolio.

The show was cut a little short due to Avey losing his voice (and actually canceled the next night's show in LA). Instead, there was a single Panda Bear original song encore that he and Geologist rocked out to. The phenomenal song Comfy in Nautica was overall the highlight of the night. It was full of energy and brought the crowd together in a sense of community as everyone was waving their arms towards and back from the stage in perfect rhythm.

If you are a long time Animal Collective fan, or are hearing about them now for the first time, Merriweather Post Pavilion is a heroic album that I would recommend to most music appreciators. It is a great place to start to explore the music of AC, as they have just about now reached their own unique perfection.

As If You Needed Another Reason to Never Eat at a Chain Restaurant Again - Part II

2009-01-26T10:23:00.004-06:00

Candice, who has her own blog and guests blogs on Beats & Eats from time to time, has a rant against Applebee's and Weight Watchers. I saw this as a great follow up piece to my own rant on chain restaurants and their practice of hiding or disguising the basic nutritional information of their dishes.

The truth shall set you free! OR cost you several million dollars. As is the case with Applebee's and Weight Watchers. A lawsuit has been filed against Overland Park, the parent company of Applebee's and Weight Watchers for allegedly conspiring to dupe consumers in to eating from the formers' Weight Watchers menu that advertised considerably less calories and fat than they actually contained. Analytical Labs of Boise, Idaho found that the Garlic Herb Chicken advertised as having six grams of fat actually contained 18 grams of fat.

I am a Weight Watchers customer and advocate. However, to hear this news saddens me. I am always scouring the "Eat This, Not That" website and Weight Watchers Online points tracker for acceptable meals to fit in to my diet. With the Applebee's Weight Watchers menu being backed by Weight Watchers, I always considered it a reliable menu that will fit into my diet. With the way Weight Watchers point system works, the fat content being tripled in some cases would only make a 1-2 point difference. However, when you are only dealing with 29 points, that can be a HUGE blow to your day. That could be my mid-day or evening snack; the two Oreo's that I allow myself to indulge in on a given day.

When one is losing weight not only to look and feel better, but to improve their health, this type of thing can shatter someones outlook on dieting. Over the past few months, I have been struggling with a serious plateau in weight loss. It's been very difficult to take off my honeymoon/holiday weight. This sort of thing makes me so angry. Twelve "hidden" grams of fat that is in the Applebee's Garlic Herb Chicken are 12 grams that I didn't even know I had to burn. It's ridiculous. I know it's hard to make things taste good without a little butter here or a little sugar there, but as dieters we've learned to sacrifice some taste for a smaller waistline. Just be honest, Applebee's. That's all we want. America is the fattest country in the world, bar-none, and it's not okay. But no wonder with the serving sizes that have become the norm. We have to stop this, people. Seriously.

Urban Active Fitness Club: A Gym I Actually Want To Go To

2009-01-22T10:05:00.013-06:00

In pursuit of the ultimate cliche, I joined a gym to kick off the New Year. Being that I live in the new, trendy, and consumer driven Easton area of Columbus, I certainly had my pick when it came to facilities. There is Lifestyle Family Fitness which is small but does the job, there is the megaplex LIFETIME Fitness, the twenty-four hour Anytime Fitness, and a slew of other smaller chains and independent gyms.

A couple years ago, Urban Active Fitness Center opened up right around the corner from my apartment. They bought out the Gold's Gym locations in Ohio and Kentucky and came up with a gym targeting the younger crowd. I've driven past this place a million times and admired the glass building that always seemed to be packed with members. When it came to looking at gyms this was automatically my first choice due to proximity, size, and quality of the facility.

When I went in for a tour I was more concerned about price than anything else. I was sold on the facility, but wanted to make sure I was getting a good deal on top of it. When it was all said and done, I was more than pleased. I got a two year membership including taxes and fees for $778.20. That works out to be roughly $32.43 a month. You can then add a second person onto that membership for only $25 more per month. Anyone who has a gym membership knows that is a pretty good deal. Even better, EVERYTHING IS INCLUDED (with exception to the optional personal trainer sessions, of course). Lifestyle Family Fitness runs the same kind of deal, but charges extra for all classes including spinning, aerobics, and racquetball court time. Not the case at Urban Active.

Reading various gym reviews online brought my attention to the personal trainer pitch. Gyms will try and sell you on these $50/hour sessions once you sign your membership contract. At Urban Active, they only approach the issue if you yourself expresses interest in working with someone. No pressure whatsoever, which is probably why they have more members pairing up with trainers than anywhere else I've seen.

But here is what is so great about Urban Active: Their goal is to keep you going by taking your mind off the fact that you are exercising. Each piece of cardio equipment comes with it's own mounted flat screen with over seventy channels. Music is playing throughout the facility with large flat screens everywhere playing the music videos to go along with it. My favorite amenity is the Cardio Cinema which is just like a real movie theater with its dark and chilly atmosphere and giant screen except instead of seats there are all types of cardio machines. They play a new movie everyday nonstop. I can usually be found in there, in a black-light spinning class, or on their new state-of-the-art free motion elliptical that does not stride on a track, but rather with the movement of your own body. After that, I stop into the "Ladies Only" Weight Room which keeps us off the boys equipment and keeps the boys off of our form. And for those of you with children, like most other gyms, they offer free childcare while you get in your workout. The only con I have come across is that the facility is not open twenty-four hours like Anytime and Lifetime Fitness. This could pose as a deal breaker for second and third shifters.

I've never been one to exercise. My numerous infomercial purchases show that I love the idea of it, but when it came to actually getting out there and doing it, I always had an excuse. Now I can get to the gym, catch the news, and get in a great workout in a little more than an hour. I can squeeze in an hour a day, no problem. You have to figure, $32 is probably your average bar tab on a Friday night. Why not put that towards something good and get a whole month out of it? Maybe, for once in my life, this New Years resolution won't pan out to be a total load of crap after all.

Columbus Area Concerts for February 2009

2009-01-21T11:17:00.003-06:00

Here is the concert lineup for the month of February. Nothing too intense on the radar, but I expect a big crowd to show up for the Yonder Mountain String Band (shown) as usual. I could really get into ZOSO: The Ultimate Led Zeppelin Experience and the Bob Marley Tribute. For all you blues fans out there, check out Buddy Guy, the "greatest living electric blues guitarist." And how could you ever go wrong with a little Ben Folds action?

Quartet Amici	Sun, 02/01	Columbus Athletic Club
Big Head Todd and the Monsters	Mon, 02/02	Newport Music Hall
Antony and the Johnsons	Wed, 02/04	Southern Theatre
Just Like US	Fri, 02/06	Mount Hall Theatre
Just Like US	Sat, 02/07	Mount Hall Theatre
Just Like US	Sun, 02/08	Mount Hall Theatre
Bob Marley Tribute	Sat, 02/07	King Arts Complex
Your Vegas, Shirock & The Daylights	Mon, 02/09	The Basement
The Lives of Famous Men	Tue, 02/10	The Basement
Los Campesinos!	Wed, 02/11	Wexner Center
Tannahill Weavers	Fri, 02/13	Fawcett Center
Katie Reider Rocks Back	Sat, 02/14	LC Pavilion
Matt Wertz	Sat, 02/14	The Basement
The Miracles/Danny & the Juniors	Sat, 02/14	Ohio Theatre
Times New Viking	Sat, 02/14	Wexner Center
Delta Spirit	Mon, 02/16	The Basement
Buckwheat Zydeco	Thu, 02/19	Columbus Athletic Club
Po' Girl	Thu, 02/19	Rumba Cafe
Brett Dennen	Fri, 02/20	The Basement
Dark Star Orchestra	Fri, 02/20	Newport Music Hall
Venere Lute Quartet	Fri, 02/20	Capital University
Ben Folds	Sat, 02/21	LC Pavilion
ZOSO	Sat, 02/21	Newport Music Hall
Tapes N Tapes	Sat, 02/21	The Basement
Cheech & Chong	Sat, 02/21	Palace Theatre
Christopher Wilke	Sat, 02/21	Capital University
Foxy Shazam	Sun, 02/22	The Basement
Peter Schickele & PDQ Bac	Sun, 02/22	Ohio Wesleyn University
Cross Canadian Ragweed	Tue, 02/24	Newport Music Hall
Ladysmith Black Mambazo	Tue, 02/24	Southern Theatre
Gaelic Storm	Thu, 02/26	Newport Music Hall
Yonder Mountain String Band	Thu, 02/26	LC Pavilion
Celtic Woman	Fri, 02/27	Ohio Theatre
Buddy Guy	Fri, 02/27	LC Pavilion

As if You Needed Another Reason to Never Eat at T.G.I. Friday's

2009-01-21T09:17:00.006-06:00

If you a regular visitor to Beats & Eats, then you have probably realized by now that I do not review chain restaurants. What's the point? Do you really need me to tell you how good my Chipotle barbacoa burrito was? Or that the fries at McDonald's are superior to all others? Not likely.

However when something comes up that will alter your daily dining practices, I try to make a point to cover it. For example, the inevitable phasing out of the Double Cheeseburger from McDonald's Dollar Value Menu. Expect to see the switch to the McDouble in 2009 which is the same thing as a Double Chee, but with just one less slice of cheese for only $1. Or how about when the McRib (check this link) makes a limited time appearance in the Columbus area? I'll cover the important changes such as those that affect your lunch plans.

Back to my point. Anyone who has dined with me before knows that there are three specific chains that I refuse to dine at: Waffle House, Denny's, and T.G.I. Friday's. Waffle House reminds me of high school and making the trips down to Bowling Green State University to party it up for the night. We always ended up at Waffle House so someone could sober up for the drive home and this stop always included someone passed out in a booth, a thick cloud of cigarette smoke and terrible, disgusting late night food that always ended up on the side of a country road after we pulled over to let someone puke. Denny's spurs on the similar memories from college in the hood of Dayton where the clientele is extra unsavory. But for T.G.I Friday's, I have serious beef with the quality of their food and their attempts to pawn it off as trendy. I adamantly believe that the success of a restaurant begins with the quality of their ingredients. Just last night I made a roast turkey dinner with a Caprese stuffing. I skimped and went for the cheap fresh mozzarella rather than the ciligne packed in water. Huge mistake. While it was still delicious, I could tell a dramatic difference.

In the case of T.G.I. Friday's, I am totally skeptical about any full service restaurant that offers up three courses for $12.99. And quite honestly, you should be to. For my job, I take a lot of people out to dinner and I always let them chose where we go. Knowing this is on a company tab, I would fully expect them to go for a nice steakhouse or a crab house, but in the past year I have been to more Applebee's and T.G.I. Friday's that I would like to admit. I've had dinner with people that go with this three course option and each time it turns out to be a terrible, lack luster decision. The chicken cheese broccoli skillet has a dried out paper thin piece of chicken with a side of coagulated cheese sauce and a few minuscule broccoli florets. And for the appetizer? Deep fried green beans and everything that is wrong with this world.

With that being said, I recently bought a copy of Men's Health Magazine's Eat This, Not That! which operates on the premise that no matter how diet conscious you may be, you're always going to eat out so let's try and make the right decisions while we do it. They even have a monthly email list that keeps you up to date on these choices. They recently announced America's Worst Food of 2009. Last year Outback Steakhouse really dominated the list, but this year Friday's makes a solid contribution. I think this has something to do with the fact that the restaurant chain refuses to release the nutritional information of their dishes - only the calorie count. As in, THEY AREN'T EVEN WILLING TO TELL YOU HOW BAD THEIR FOOD IS FOR YOU.

Let's start off with the salads. Their Fried Pecan Crusted Chicken Salad brings in a whopping 1,360 calories. That's pretty much my daily caloric intake (or so I'd like to think) in one very sub-par salad. No thanks. Don't go with the protein option either as the NY Strip & Shrimp comes in at 1,660 calories. And that's before your Mud Slide, Loaded Potato Skins and Stuffed Oreo dessert.

Outback Steakhouse made it to the list several times again this year and joined by Romano's Macaroni Grill and Chili's Grill & Bar. None of these lists really come as much of a surprise - more so the actual amount of calories, fat, and sodium in the dishes. Just be smart and stick to steamed and not fried and anything drenched in sauce is ALWAYS a bad idea. But then again, so is dining at T.G.I Friday's. Play it really smart and just take your money elsewhere. You'd be better off with a can of Dinty Moore.

Greek Island Opens in Gahanna

2009-01-20T09:48:00.009-06:00

Greek Island Gyro & Sub Shop threw a successful grand opening last week at their new location on the corner of Morse and Cherry Bottom Road in Gahanna (next to BW3's).

I have been seeing yard signs around the neighborhood advertising their presence and have been meaning to check it out. It just so happens that the day I popped in for lunch was also their grand opening and there was a promising turnout. Greek Island has been present for several years at the annual Taste of Gahanna celebration and has recently decided to turn their local popularity into a full time restaurant equipped with a catering van (donning a full broiler, of course) to bring their cuisine directly to your next big event.

Usually, when I'm in the mood for some Greek food and don't want to leave the neighborhood, I stop into Pomegranate Mediterranean Cuisine, which also offers complete entrees of schwarma, kafta, mousaka, and other common Mediterranean dishes. However, if you are looking for a cheap place to pop in a grab a quick bite, you can't really beat Greek Island.

Upon entering, the place kind of reminded me of a Subway Sandwich Shop. Yellow benches around rectangular tables and single cash register next to a food make-line allowing the customer to watch their food being assembled. Behind the counter you can see into the kitchen where they roast their meat and heat their pitas.

Greek Island offers a daily lunch special for $5.49. On Wednesday, my lunch special included a gyro, seasoned fries, and a fountain drink. I was in and out of the restaurant in about five minutes. Gyro meat has a tendency to be pretty dry which is why it is often drenched in tzatziki sauce, but that was not the case with this gyro. The meat was tender and juicy and paired with just enough sauce, seasonings then topped with lettuce, red onion, and tomato. The pita was warm and soft and the fries were very lightly seasoned. By the time I got to the end of the gyro, it was pretty greesy but that can be avoided by letting the juices drip for a second or two. Even still, for under $6, you totally can't beat that.

As I sat and waited for my lunch, I saw other people enjoying salads, soup, and subs which start at $3.99. Greek Island is open Monday - Saturday from 11 A.M. to 9 P.M. and is closed Sundays. If you are looking for something quick, cheap, and delicious, Greek Island is a solid bet.

Girl Talk: Do You Know Where Your Children Are?

2009-01-19T14:28:00.006-06:00

After much anticipation, myself and a close group of friends headed out to the Newport Music Hal l to see the first of two sold out Girl Talk shows in Columbus this weekend. Doors were at 7 P.M. and when we pulled into the parking garage across the street at the OSU Student Union, the line already stretched down the block.

The crowd was interesting to say the least. Think lots of hot pink tights and silver spandex accentuated with blatant panty lines. Young boys in old t-shirts reppin' their nonexistent days of Steve Erkel and Pac Man and metallic headbands across the forehead like something out of an MGMT video. Some went for the club kids look while others sported the high neon stilettos and mini dresses that scream "I had to put this on in the parking lot cause mom would kill me if she saw what I bought with her credit card."

After checking out the crowd the plan was to start drinking and at a rather alarming speed. Average wait for a drink: 42 seconds. It's not like any of these kids were legal. Potato salad container beers for $7 and Smirnoff Ice bottles (cause Candice rolls high class) for $4.50, $4.25, $5 or whatever other varying amount the bartender wanted to charge you.

The first band stepped out onto the stage at around 7:30 P.M. Some rap group whose name I didn't even catch muffled under their ski masks and the apple they were eating and spitting out on stage. It was a little ridiculous. Something out of a seventh mile rap battle featuring white dudes who want to tell it like it is while picking out two random chicks from the audience to dance on stage. To all aspiring artists out there, please do not ever do this. Not even Snoop Dogg can make this look cool and lord knows he's tried. Not only is it pathetic but it's so awkward that even the crowd can help but feel embarrassed watching young white college girls trying to hype the crowd by shaking their Jo Jeans and silk cami's. No. Sorry. Try again.

If that wasn't bad enough, out came a band called Hearts of Darkness. I would hyperlink to them however they don't even have a website. I even have a website. Think screamo indie wannabes performing at their high school talent show that had no tryout requirement. Not even these tweaked out youngsters thought they were worth a decent ovation. We went outside a good three times to join the smokers in the bitter cold just to avoid the terrible sounds this band let out. While out there we planned making money in our own band. Hey... if these guys can score a gig, we should be able to pull it off too. I can surly hit a tambourine better than this jabroni.

After they moved off stage the crowd began to chant for Girl Talk. But not too fast, kiddos. Gregg Gillis was going for a THIRD opener. What a diva! This was getting a little irritating, yet luckily the white rap duo from Pittsburgh, Grand Buffet, albeit quirky and odd were actually halfway decent. Lyrics were a little out there with the closing song titled My Cream Cheese Money, but they were there to hype the crowd and they definitely seemed to get the job done.

Finally around 10 P.M. Girl Talk takes the stage. Gregg comes out and stands post at a simple table with a Toughbook computer and some other electronic equipment I won't pretend to know anything about. He opens up the stage and people jump right up. Now I see the point of the eccentric outfits. The goal is to be seen on stage by everyone else, which was never more apparent than when girls spent the entire concert not enjoying the music and dancing, but rather fighting for their spot next to Gregg and along his table. (I'm talking to you red head girl in white tee and wrap scarf. That bouncer only tried to get you off ten times. You're a persistent - and obnoxious - one, aren't ya?)

The crowd was moving. People were sweating. Some even tried to crowd surf which never really turns out that well; Leave that to the Primus fans - at least they practice in their basement first. A slew of drunk girls holding onto the sides of the stacked speakers just trying to hold themselves up and look sexy doing it (FAIL). Toilet paper on paint rollers attached to leaf blowers and buckets of confetti kept the crowd looking up, which was necessary in order to dodge the glow sticks flying through the air. If you weren't there to dance, you needed to leave and some did just that.

If you expected to hear some of your favorite songs from Feed the Animals or Night Ripper, you would have been sorely disappointed. While many of his song combinations were ones that he used before, his live mixes don't incorporate nearly as many songs as those on his album.

Overall it was a great show. I would have showed up three hours later had I know that there was going to be three separate opening acts, but if the point was to get us drunk before GirlTalk took the stage, they succeed as we only had time and beers to kill.

I have to give much respect to the man himself. Mr. Gillis has the body of a marathon runner which comes from his strenuous performances. It's just him up there running the show and it's his job to keep the crowd going. He is in a constant state of trashing and clapping that has him working up an unbelievable sweat. Aerobics on speed, if you will. After attending a Girl Talk concert, I can't think of a better name than Feed the Animals. That's certainly what he does.

The Killers: Tickets Go on Sale Saturday

2009-01-19T13:30:00.006-06:00

The Killers have had one hell of a year. Winding down from their recent hit album, Sawdust, tearing up their 2008 summer tour, and then releasing yet another fantastic album, Day & Age, right before the holidays. The Las Vegas rooted band will be cleaning up the rest of their tour with a few stops on the other side of the pond and then heading back to the States to kick off yet another summer tour.

These boys mean business and they ain't gonna stop till they make yo body drop. Everyone likes at least one Killers song so it's no surprise that they keep selling out shows. No point in slowing down now.

The band will make a stop in Columbus on Tuesday, May 5 at the Lifestyle Communities Pavilion. Tickets will go on sale through Ticketmaster this Saturday, January 24 at 10A.M. All tickets are for general admission and are starting at $42.50.

Expect for the show to sell out and rather quickly. My boyfriend, Tom, isn't a big concert guru and has only ever been to see The Steve Miller Band, but he does love The Killers and bought their newest album the day of release. In hopes of breaking him into the music scene, I'll be posted up at a computer at 10 A.M. on Saturday to score us some tickets.

The music scene in Columbus is a young one considering the shear size of the OSU student body so like all other concerts in the area, expect a predominantly young turnout. The good news is that you don't have to wait in line too long for one of those potato salad container beers that only run you $7. The bad news is an overabundance of skinny jeans and high pitched screams of excitement. But this will be one of the first outdoors shows at the LC for the 2009 concert season which makes even the motliest of crews enjoyable.

Time Running out for Andy Warhol Exhibit

2009-01-19T08:21:00.004-06:00

The Wexner Center for the Arts located on the campus of The Ohio State University is about to close out its six month exhibition, Andy Warhol: Other Voices, Other Rooms. This much awaited exhibit kicked off in mid-September and has been hailed by both pedestrians and critics alike.

For those who haven't quite made it over to check out the thorough history of Warhol's artistic achievements, your time is quickly running out. The last day to sample the various forms of pop culture media will be Sunday, February 15, 2009.

I, myself, have always been a cynic when it comes to modern art. I find the vast majority of it to be insulting and rather cheap. While some may find the halls of the Smithsonian American Art Museum filled with the blank slashed canvases of Lucio Fontana to be a invaluable lesson in spacial concept, I find it to be a cheap pawn off of art and skill. I feel no different for the splatterings of Jackson Pollock or the solid canvas of International Klein Blue which sells for millions of dollars in the art world. I fall at the feet of Vermeer and van Eyck while scoffing at the presence of Mondrain. It's not that I don't understand their idea of thinking out of the box, it's that I simply don't value it as legitimate art. (See: My Kid Could Paint That)

With that said, even I plan on making it to the Warhol exhibit. Warhol has transcended the modern art world and redefined our view on pop culture. Even a dim-whited and cold anti-artista like myself can appreciate that.

Tickets are only $8 for adults and $5 for teens, seniors and COTA bus pass carriers. Children and students with a valid ID get in free, which is good news to those of us still touting around our college ID's from five years ago. And even better, admission is free to all visitors every Thursday evening and the first Sunday of each month. Pair that up with an appropriate dinner of Campbell's Tomato Soup and you got yourself a cheap, but memorable date.

My Morning Jacket: Timeless Folk For Today's Modern Rock

2009-01-12T17:23:00.008-06:00

I can't think of too many other bands I would rather see live than My Morning Jacket. I saw them for the fourth time on December 27th at the Chicago Theatre and just like the three previous concerts I attended, I was left utterly amazed. MMJ rocks out bringing their country-folk sound (from Louisville, Kentucky), adventurous psychedelic rock, and extended jam sessions all into one distinct genre that is My Morning Jacket. The great thing about this band is that there is something for everyone. Few people can attend a My Morning Jacket show and not appreciate their unique sense of rock and get personally involved with the performance.

Many of us Chicagoans were waiting over two months for this show as it was rescheduled from its original October date. The band has been on break since a night in October in which the lead singer Jim James fell off the stage. Luckily, he wasn't seriously hurt and the folks at the Chicago Theatre looked out for him by placing red tape along the edge of the stage for this performance.

You couldn't tell that Jim was injured or that they had taken a mandatory two month break. This set of Chicago shows was close to the end of the Kentucky-based quintet's Evil Urges tour.

I attended the first of two nights and witnessed a twenty-four song set list. While this doesn't compare to the four hour long Bonnaroo set in a rainstorm, it lasted a good two and a half hours and was enough to satisfy. The show was dominated by many of the songs from their new album Evil Urges, but of course included a variety from their entire catalog. The show opened with the new album titled single Evil Urges and followed the album order onto Touch Me I'm Going to Scream Part 1. This served as an intro into the high energy rock anthem and crowd pleaser Off the Record. Also, in the early end of the expansive set list I was pleased to hear I'm Amazed, my favorite song off of the new album. Other personal highlights for me included the epic song Mahgeeta and the beautifully moving Where To Begin. The slow song, Librarian, was performed with Jim under a solo spotlight on the side of the stage. The relatively rowdy crowd relaxed for a bit on this and let Jim have his moment and his vocals shine.

The second half of the set included an old tune, War Begun, with a long extended jam session to please the veteran fans. Followed by a couple of songs I am in love with: Phone Went West and a longer version of Gideon. On stage throughout all the songs was a full-spectrum light show that had more variety between each of the songs than I imagined, but still had the My Morning Jacket smoky fog that I expected. Touch Me I'm Going to Scream Part 2 closed the set before a four song encore.

The classic song Word less Chorus opened up the encore and was followed by the highly robotic standoffish track Highly Suspicious. I will be the first admit that I am not a fan of this song on the album and that the quirky squeals get a little under my skin. But I didn't hate this song live, it was full of energy, deep bass and brought a different element of surprise to the show. The night ended with Anytime and One Big Holiday, arguably two songs that showcase the band's best talent and when heard live have the power to freeze time and give you a rush throughout your body.

Phish Rumored to Headline Bonnaroo

2008-12-17T09:28:00.007-06:00

That's right folks and not just one night, but TWO. Rolling Stone Magazine has reported that a close source to the legendary jam band, Phish, claimed that the band plans to bring Bonnaroo back to its jam-band roots this year by headlining both Friday and Saturday night.

Even more, the rumor has escalated to include Bruce Springsteen as the show closer on Sunday night.

Phish recently announced that they would be coming together in 2009 for three weekend shows in Hampton, Virginia and then likely hitting the road with a tour. This was long awaited news for all those never-wavering Phish heads out there. But now with Roo on the radar, reactions are mixed. Phish front man, Trey Anastasio, has performed on the main Roo stage four times already, but never with the whole group. Some are thrilled by this rumor while others are less than pleased. I, myself, happen to fall into the latter category.

For one, I'm not a huge Phish Phan. I'm down with one night of headlining, but two would be overkill for me. Phish is okay as long as they balance the festival out with other worthy headliners just like SuperFly Prod uctions (the team behind Bonnaroo) did with Metallica this past year. People were up in arms when Metallica showed up on the lineup while I erupted in a rage of excitement. To no surprise, Metallica put on a great show and all the Roozles were content as the festival still offered up a wide range of musical flavors including Gogol Bordello, BB King, Willie Nelson, MIA, Robert Plant with Alison Krauss, Sigur Ros, My Morning Jacket, Jack Johnson, The Raconteurs, and even Kanye West.

Some are glad to see Bonnaroo return to its roots of being a jam band festival. Especially with long time festival closer, Widespread Panic, not touring this year. Who will be there to replace the wookie crowd? Apparently Phish. But replace and inundate are two totally different things and with a double headline gig such as this, you can expect Bonnaroo to closely resemble the bohemian-clad All Good Festival this year. Downside: Obvious. Upside: Primo drugs, I suppose.

Yet even a large population of the Phish heads are unhappy with this rumor. Phish is known for holding their own music festivals which go on for days and attract well over 100,000 people - a more than impressive feat in the shadow of Bonnaroo which attracts roughly 80,000 festival goers each summer.

Many are wondering why Phish doesn't just throw their own comeback festival. The most obvious answer to this question is that Phish wouldn't have to bother with logistics, setup, and all that good stuff that takes well over a year to sufficiently plan. It's hard enough getting everyone back together and finding their sound. Should they slide into the headline spot at Roo, all they would have to do is show up with their instruments, step on stage, and be revered as gods for a few hours.

Only time will tell. Will this change my plans for attending Bonnaroo this year? Not likely, but anything can happen. For now, I hope it's all hype and that SuperFly will, dare I say, keep it a little corporate. There, I said it. Hurl your hacky sacks at me. I can take it.

As far as the Boss rumor goes, by Sunday night I'm usually near the point of unconsciousness so I simply refuse to let myself build up any expectations for the closing show. And after all, it's all still nothing more than a mere rumor. Albeit, released by Rolling Stone.

Forget About the Frozen Mail-Order Steaks

2008-12-15T14:58:00.006-06:00

This weekend we tried our hand at the art of sausage making. I snatched up an book on the subject, made sure I had the proper KitchenAid attachments, and started planning our route to ultimate tailgating glory when we show up at Lambeau Field, a place known for sporting some serious sausage, with our own homemade batch.

Needless to say, this wasn't going to be some run of the mill sausage made from animal scraps and gobs of pork fat. Oh no. Our sausage was going to make you moan with it juices dripping from the chin. With that kind of pleasure in mind, we headed out to find the best cuts of pork shoulder and veal that we could get our hands on.

First stop was the Bluescreek Farm Meats counter at the North Market. Now before I get too carried away, I must say that the pork shoulder we bought from BFM was without a doubt the most beautiful cut of meat I have ever seen. These animals are completely grass fed without any hormones or antibiotics and are family raised locally in Marysville, Ohio. Obviously, the selection is pricier than even your nicest cuts at a grocery store, but it's well worth it. The color, sheen, and texture was unlike anything I've ever seen before. The muscle was iridescent and the fat was firm and pearly. Perfect marbling without the gristle. I almost wanted to preserve and frame it rather than stuff it into a meat grinder, but we had to keep our mission in sight.

Bluescreek Farm Meats can provide all your meat needs, but calling ahead with your order is advisable. They have a set schedule as to when they slaughter their animals and want to be sure to provide you with the freshest meat possible. Not knowing this, we weren't able to get everything we needed that day and headed to Carfagna's for the rest of our shopping.

Carfagna's is a Columbus institution priding itself for serving some of the finest meat and homemade specialties for over seventy years. Even the old-timers will talk about their family weekend trips to Carfagna's to stock up for the big Sunday dinner. The people behind the deli counter are knowledgeable and very proud of the product they serve. We were still unable to get our hands on the pork fat we needed, but that didn't stop the butcher from sending us out the door with a huge bag of beef fat, free of charge. This place has it all. Steaks, seafood, poultry, deli meats, salads, pastries, and breads, and even the casings (or intestines, rather) that we needed for the sausage.

Tonight we finish up our batch of bratwurst and then finally taste our creations. If all is well, we will continue to experiment with new variations and recipes, and if they are a total flop, at least we will know it was something we did, and not the quality of meat.

Best Albums of 2008

2008-12-10T15:12:00.015-06:00

With 2008 coming to an end, I wanted to take a moment and reflect on what music I have most appreciated this year (or really just copy the idea from every other music blog that comes up with year-end lists). Anyway, here is mine. I'm not going to justify every single ranking because I am basing this list on what albums I appreciate as being well executed or just simply what I listen to for pure enjoyment (see my six year obsession with Eminem).

And without further ado:

1. TV on the Radio - Dear Science (Shout Me Out): No surprise here. I've been in love with this album for months. It's completely solid from start to finish. The songs are unexpected, complex and still yet very catchy.

2. Fleet Foxes - Self Titled (White Winter Hymnal): For anyone who likes the southern reverb style of My Morning Jacket and Band o f H orses. This album is chillingly beautiful and full of emotion.

3. Of Montreal - Skeletal Lamping (Beware Our Nubile Miscreants): If you can past all of the sexual innuendos and general weirdness, this is a really captivating indie pop album. I've never seen Of Montreal live, but judging by this song, it looks like it would be a real trip.

4. Sigur Ros - Meo Suo i Eyrum Vio Spilum Endalaust (Inni Mer Syngur Vitleysingur): One of the best albums from the ambient Hopelandic (Sigur Ros' made up language) singing group. Sigur Ros is difficult to describe, but they always move me and take me to a surreal place.

5. Vampire Weekend - Self Titled (Oxford Comma): It's easy to criticize these guys, but impossible not to sing along to every song. If you live under a rock and subsequently have not heard these boys yet, you're doing yourself a great disservice.

6. She & Him - Volume One (Why Do You Let Me Stay Here?): She, Zooey Deschan el (actress from Almost Famous, Failure to Launch and Weeds) and Him, M. Ward (folk-friendly singer and songwriter), made their first record together which has turned out to be nearly every one's new favorite.

7. Drive By Truckers - Brighter Than Creation's Dark (A Ghost to Most): This southern rock/country album actually got me listening to some country this year. A great feat all in itself.

8. Santogold - Self Titled (Lights Out): Santogold is best friends with M.I.A. so basically I'm just really, really jealous of her and so I put her new hit album on this list. Obviously, I'm abnormally obsessed with M.I.A. I love the energy of this CD and apparently so does everyone else which is why you've heard this song on Bud Light commercials.

9. Bon Iver - For Emma, Forever Ago (Skinny Love): This album has a quiet acoustic production with extremely emotional vocals. It's very inspiring and this song will blow you away.

10. Hot Chip - Made In The Dark (Ready For The Floor): Hot Chip is an electronic dance pop band. Made In The Dark is super energetic and will get you ready for anything.

11. Girl Talk - Feed the Animals (Still Here): A prefect party mix; Greg Gillis is back mashing up your America's Top Forty favorites.

12. Cut Copy - In Ghost Colours (Lights & Music): This album is addicting! It's a dance inciting electronic pop album with a really cool 80's vibe.

13. The Hold Steady - Stay Positive (Sequestered in Memphis): While not my favorite album by The Hold Steady, it's still worth the hype. I can never get enough of Craig's crazy stories.

14. M83 - Saturdays =Youth (Kim & Jessie): M83 is a French electronic band that has a nostalgic, soft spoken feel to them. They have an extensive use of instrumental effects that create music that encompasses you.

15. The Cool Kids - The Bake Sale (Bassment Party): The only hip-hop album on my list so you know this must be the shit.

16. Sun Kil Moon - April (Lost Versus): April is packed with extended acoustic ballads. You will find the songs to be very soothing and if you listen carefully enough, you can even hear Ben Gibbard of Death Cab for Cutie in there.

17. The Raconteurs - Consolers of the Lonely (Old Enough): This is the sophomore CD for Jack White's second project (first being the White Stripes, obvi). It's exciting to listen, not to mention, the guitar hammers will put you in awe.

18. Okkervil River - The Stand Ins (Lost Coastlines): I read in a magazine article once that Okkervil River was for your grandpa. Whatever. I just hope this means more grandpa driven wheel barrel rides around the house.

19. Animal Collective - Water Curses EP (Water Curses): There are only four sounds on this EP, but I've always been one for quality over quantity. Some people get the Animal Collective and some people don't so just go ahead and judge for yourself.

20. Mates of State - Rearrange Us (My Only Offer): The best album to be released by this married duo yet. Catchy enough for your mom. Cool enough for you.

21. MGMT - Oracular Specatcular (Time to Pretend): This single turned out to be the anthem of the summer making it's way onto every one's iPod. Time to Pretend and the nine other tracks added a fresh alternative sound to this year. This gets Ashley's vote for best album too.

22. My Morning Jacket - Evil Urges (I'm Amazed): Yet another classic album by these Kentucky rockers. I still can't stand the freak out song, Highly Suspicious, but the other songs make up for it plenty.

23. Conor Oberst - Self Titled (Sausalito): The lead singer of Bright Eyes is out with his first solo CD. Stretching more of his folk influence here, he remained even more true to his magnificent song writing ability.

24. Death Cab for Cutie - Narrow Stairs (Grapevine Fires): This isn't my favorite Death Cab album by any means, but it is very easy to listen to. As a whole, and what you have come to expect from this veteran band, it's pretty damn good and more of what you love.

25. Wolf Parade - At Mount Zooner (Fine Young Cannibals): Fun Fact - this CD was recorded in the church owned by Arcade Fire in Quebec, Canada. Wolf Parade does experimental rock and while I wish it were a bit punchier, I find this album to be really interesting.

Britney Announces 2009 Tour

2008-12-03T09:42:00.007-06:00

She's baaaaaaaaack. Britney Spears has decided to embrace her 27th birthday by announcing that she will be kicking off a new tour this coming March down in her home state of Louisiana - New Orleans to be exact. [Insert your own train wreck analogy here]

Projections for ticket sales are high due to the fact that Britney hasn't toured in over three years. Really? I wonder why? Even still, are brokers really expecting there to be a high demand for tickets? Seriously?

That's basically all I have to say about that. Oh, and you're a womanizer, womanizer, woman, woman, womanizer. Yeah, you heard me.

Bonnaroo Ticket Pre-Sale Will Save You Some Cash

2008-12-02T15:39:00.007-06:00

The Bonnaroo Music & Arts Festival will be holding a ticket pre-sale for the 2009 summer festival. The festival will run from June 11 to June 14. The pre-sale will begin on Thursday, December 4th and run until Wednesday, December 31st. Can't decide if you should go in early? Here's pretty much the breakdown of whether to make that commitment now or wait on it:

PROS:

SAVE MONEY. Tickets typically start off at $275 for the first tier batch and go up into second and third tiers. Price per tier usually ranges between $10-20. Should you catch the third tier you could essentially expect to pay a little over $300 for your ticket. For the past two years, I logged on to the site the moment the tickets go on sale and have never gotten first tier. PRE-SALE TICKETS WILL BE SOLD FOR $250 plus applicable fees and sales tax.
No worries about making it into that first tier by logging in at exactly noon on a Saturday afternoon and praying the server doesn't crash.
Have your tickets way ahead of everyone else and avoid the risk of a sell-out situation. In all reality, a sell out is not likely, but you never know what kind of line up they will announce. A rumored performance by Led Zeppelin would certainly be capable of causing this type of situation. If you're serious about going, why risk it?
You have the option of an interest free payment plan of five monthly payments of only $50. Pretty great for those on a tight budget.
Surprise someone early with a set of tickets to the best summer music event around.
VIP tickets which sell out EVERY YEAR are also available during the pre-sale for five monthly payments of $285. Personally, I don't think VIP is worth it, but I also don't have money falling from my pockets. If there is no way you can baby wipe it for three days, this might be your better option.
Ticket sales for Bonnaroo are pretty direct. Unless you plan on driving all the way down to Manchester, Tennessee and take the chances of scalping along the roadside (which I've actually had a friend do) you're not likely to find a below face value ticket.

CONS:

Tickets are NONREFUNDABLE so if you aren't 100% sure that you can attend, you might want to wait on it.
The lineup won't be announced until the Spring. Purchase of tickets is on the blind faith that it will be a sweet lineup and you'll just be rocking your face off regardless.

No surprise here that I'll be buying my ticket on Thursday. BONNAROOOOOOOOOOO.

The Goat Nearly Ruined My Sunday Funday

2008-12-01T14:35:00.009-06:00

Here in my little world, I do something every week called "Sunday Funday." It's pretty self explanatory in that I just round up a friend or two or ten and we basically do whatever we want. Sometimes this is something cool like attending a political rally hosted by none other than The Boss, but more often then not, it consists of us laying around on someones couch, watching football, and having a nooner, nooner-thirty, nooner-forty-five, etc, etc.

This week we did just that until the hunger set in. No one was really equipped to drive so we decided to hit up The Goat, one of our local watering holes conveniently located in my friend's apartment complex. As far as I know, there are two Goat locations both within a Lifestyle Communities development - one in New Albany and another in Gahanna. I wish to state that this post is about The Goat in Gahanna as I have had nothing but pleasant experiences at the New Albany location. Both of them offer sand volleyball courts and leagues which one can join while I drink and watch you play.

When we got to the The Goat, no one was at the bar. Just us and no bartender. He was in the back somewhere doing only god knows what. When he finally appeared, he hesitatingly took our drink orders and gave us the menus we asked for. Now this is bar food so there is a total of about five different options all with slight variations, but consisting of the same staple ingredient that is most likely fried. This is how the order process went:

"I'll have the turkey and cheese sub."
"We don't have any bread."
"How about the chicken wrap?"
"We don't have any wraps."
"Hmm, okay, I'll have the chicken fingers."
"We don't have any chicken fingers."
"Oh my god, just give me the damn fried mushrooms and the mozzarella sticks."
"Yeah, okay."

None of our "food" (consisting of waffle fries, chicken wings, onion rings, mozzarella sticks, jalapeno poppers and fried mushrooms) came out together and as such we all watched each other eat while we longed for our own food or were about to regurgitate it. The marinara dipping sauce was cold and not that it really mattered as we had to ask for the mozzarella sticks three times before actually getting them.

Now this is my first post that is not so much about the establishment as it is about the staff. We have been here before and saw people literally throw temper tantrums (equipped with throwing chairs and lots of four letter words) as a response to this terrible "bartender" who spends most of his time picking out tunes on the jukebox or chatting it up with his pals while angry patrons wait in line for a drink.

The reality of it is, no place is that understocked on a weekend. Especially not a sports bar on a Sunday. He was the only guy working and is was quite obvious that he simply did not want to cook anything. Basically, if it couldn't go into the fryer, we weren't getting it. I have no idea what was going on with the chicken fingers; they were either legitimately out of them, they were at the bottom of the freezer and he didn't want to dig for them, or he was saving them all for himself and his pals.

Here's the best part. We could not complain and ask to talk to the manager because this jabroni IS the manager. Matt at The Goat in Gahanna and George W. Bush - proving you don't have to posses a single brain cell in order to make it to the top.

The only real endearing thing about this place is that we don't have to risk a DUI to get there. So it basically goes without saying that no matter how bad the service is, we will probably be back. Just next time I'll pack a baggie of Cheerie-O's.

Freshen Up That Christmas Playlist

2008-12-01T13:05:00.011-06:00

It's that time of year again. Thanksgiving is over now and everywhere you turn there will be Christmas music playing. As much as I love Dean Martin's "Baby It's Cold Outside" (who doesn't love a song that blames the cold as an excuse to get drunk and shack up), most Christmas music is outdated and can get tiresome rather quickly. Luckily in the past few years, there have been many artists that have remade old classic songs and have even written their own to contribute to the otherwise bland holiday music collection. Out of nineteen hours of Christmas music on my Mac (I wish I was kidding), here are a few of my crowd pleasing favorites for you to enjoy. If you have any of your own personal recommendations, please leave a comment about them.

Better Than Ezra "Merry Christmas Eve (On Christmas)": Remember the band that brought you Good? Well don't forget about them for this time of year. I am obsessed with this original Christmas song and think you will be too. I apologize for not being able to find a full free online version.

Damien Rice & Lisa Hannigan "Silent Night" (Live): Such a chilling song. Unfortunately the only thing I could find online is Lisa's part, but she steals the song anyway.

Jack Johnson "Someday at Christmas": A hopeful and inspiring acoustic Christmas song. Jack has a good version of Rudolph that is worth checking out as well.

Jimmy Eat World "Last Christmas": Everyone has their own adaptation of this song, but Jimmy Eat World's rendition is by far my favorite. Not to mention, makes my list of all time favorite Christmas songs ever.

Matt Pond PA "I Want to See the Bright Lights Tonight": Matt Pond PA have a Winter Songs EP that is definitely worth checking out. Listen to this great EP online.

Mike Doughty "I Hear the Bells": Not technically a Christmas song and it was played on the musically outdated Grey's Anatomy, but despite all of that, I love it enough to include it on this list.

Billy Mack "Christmas Is All Around": From the movie Love Actually, which makes me really want to watch it right now.

Death Cab for Cutie "Christmas (Baby Please Come Home)": You can find a nice version of this song by U2 as well, but I, of course, prefer the more indie pop Death Cab take.

The Raveonettes "The Christmas Song": This is a very catchy upbeat song that doesn't sound like traditional holiday music. You have probably heard it on different television shows and movies as it seems to be all over the place now.

Rufus Wainwright "Spotlight on Christmas": A great acoustic version of this wonderful Rufus written song.

Tracy Chapman "O Holy Night": A very simplistic approach to yet another classic song.

Pearl Jam "Let Me Sleep (It's Christmas Time)": Also check out their live version of Santa God/Jingle Bells.

Travis "River": This is a Joni Mitchell cover this is driven by the piano. Slightly depressing but truly beautiful.

Dido "Christmas Day": Dido has a beautiful voice that really shines through in this song. It's about a love tale and a Christmas wish in true Dido fashion.

Coldplay "Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas": I like how traditionally Christ Martin sings this tune, just like the original version.

Jimmy Buffet "Christmas Island": I'm sure you've all heard this one before, but I just couldn't leave it out of the lineup. I love the mood Buffet instills in me. He makes me want to sip margaritas in the snow all day long.

Smashing Pumpkins "Christmastime": What better year to include a Pumpkins tune on here? Not to mention, the homemade YouTube video is pretty pathetic yet entertaining to watch.

The White Stripes "Candy Cane Children": Jack White is Jesus. Or at least close to it.

Additionally, if you really want to expand your holiday play list, Arcade Fire, My Morning Jacket, The Smithereens, Sufjan Stevens, Bright Eyes, Aimee Mann, Barenaked Ladies, and Relient K have entire holiday albums worth checking out, just to name a few.

Columbus Crew Brings Added Excitement to Columbus Sports

2008-11-24T12:41:00.006-06:00

If you haven’t already heard, which I’m sure you haven’t seeing as how soccer still flounders in the American sports scene, Ohio’s own Columbus Crew won their first ever MLS Cup Championship yesterday afternoon in Los Angeles, defeating the New York Red Bulls 3-1. For those of you who missed out on catching a Crew game this past season, you missed something incredibly memorable. Not only did they win the MLS Championship, but they boasted the best record in the MLS and were far and away the most exciting team to watch in the league. So they don’t have big names like David Beckham or Landon Donovan, but that doesn’t take anything away from the exciting atmosphere that this team was able to produce this year. Perhaps the new household names will be Schelotto (3 assists in the championship game) and Hedjuk (team captain and fan favorite).

If you haven’t been to a Crew game in Columbus then you are really missing out on a great time. Tickets are easily available in the box office directly before kickoff for less than $15 a piece, and they offer Amberbock on tap (one of my favs). Fans at Crew games can get just as rowdy as any game played at the ‘Shoe, where fans in the northeast stands sing, play drums, jump up and down, and start stadium-wide cheers throughout the entire match. This is known as the “Nordecke”, where only the craziest and most loyal Crew fans are permitted to sit…err, stand for the entire game. You’ll notice that every time the other team has a goal kick the Nordecke crowd will shout “YOU SUCK ASSHOLE!” at the top of their lungs, absolutely hilarious.

At any rate, the games are always exciting to watch, even if you aren’t a fan of watching soccer. Being in Crew Stadium is a whole different experience than watching soccer on your couch, the fans are loud, the tickets are cheap, and the beer is good. For about $30 you can get a ticket, a few beers, and have a great time cheering on your 2008 MLS Cup Champions. There’s a reason to get excited for Columbus sports again, and this time it won’t cost you $100 to get in to see it.

We Don't Give a Damn for the Whole State of Michigan

2008-11-24T12:15:00.002-06:00

This fall has kicked some serious ass. First I got to see Madonna in Chicago and then I managed to make it to the Ohio State vs. Michigan game at the Horseshoe. That's two things crossed off my bucket list in just two months! Next up is taking off work for two months to backpack through Europe. That may take a little bit more time, but I did apply for a passport last week just in case someone decides to whisk me away somewhere.

I have been wanting to see the Buckeyes lay the smack down on the Michigan Wolverines at home for a really long time now. As soon as I moved to Columbus this past January, I started putting feelers out there for tickets knowing that this is always our biggest game of the the year. As of Friday night when Meg flew in from Chicago for the game we still didn't have tickets and were pretty much banking on tailgating the entire time.

Saturday was cold. Really cold. A high of 23 degrees, in fact. We woke up at 4:30AM, layered on the Under Armor and thick wool sweaters and headed down to Four K egs Bar & Grille for kegs and eggs. Beers were literally $1 and the shots of tequila I treated us to were only $3. By 7AM parking was scarce and people were already out in full effect. As the excitement continued to swell, Meg was welcoming the idea of scalping us some tickets.

We headed down to Heiny Gate, had a few beers, and then counted up our cash. $120 was what we were looking at without having to head back to an ATM. Meg stayed behind to polish off a few more beers while I walked up and down Lane Avenue seeing what kind of I deal I could conjure up. $150 a ticket. $250 for a pair. It wasn't looking good.

Now the brothers peddling the tickets love a girl with some hips so obviously I was negotiating prices that the old dudes couldn't get close to, but we were still way beyond our $120 cap. I headed back to Heiny Gate to tell Meg it wasn't looking good. We decided to head to another tailgate as soon as kickoff happened and they went to a commercial break. As we walked back down Lane Avenue, one of the scalpers asked me if I still needed tickets. "Sure do." "Well what you got?" "I told you man, $120 for a pair.." "Can't you just throw me another $40 and we will call it a deal?" "Nope, don't have the cash." "Alright, here you go."

He handed us two tickets for the student section in the south end zone - Section B and two student ID's that have to be scanned upon entering. I was going to be Amber, Meg was Thomas.

Tickets to this game were going for around $400 at the beginning of the season. The Ohio State and Michigan rivalry is one of the greatest in all of college football. Ohio State has beaten them for the past four years, but this year with two losses on the Buckeye's record, not to mention coming off of two back-to-back National Championship losses, and the Wolverines who won't be making to bowl game for the first time in thirty-three years (breaking the longest streak in college team bowl appearance history), the ticket prices were dropping. A week ago you could find single seats for as little as $100 on TicketStumbler. But to score two seats in the student stands for $60 a piece is virtually unheard of. Clearly, the key was to wait until after kickoff when the scalpers are desperate to unload (and have a ghetto booty). It's a bummer we missed the Script Ohio and all other pre-game traditions, but we got in and saw our beloved Bucks hammer on the Wolverines which was nothing short of an amazing experience.

There were maybe 300 Michigan fans in attendance. I barely saw any during the entire tailgate. When one was spotted, everyone began to chant "ASSHOLE, ASSHOLE." Personally, I find this to be super annoying. It's one thing to sport an "I LOVE APP STATE" shirt but it's quite another to be totally obnoxious. No wonder Ohio State fans are known as the worst and most hated among all big teams. It's not like this title is unfair... have you seen the videos from the 2001 and 2002 riots when we actually won and still proceed to burn cars and trash the city? What ever happen to the love of the game? Lets work on having some class, mkay? Luckily, officials said that this year was one of the most controlled and tame Michigan games to be hosted in the great city of Columbus.

Anyway, now it looks like we are onto the CapitalOne Bowl to take on Georgia. Let's hope the Bucks can come out of this with a win. We need to redeem ourselves.

Additionally, I would like to extend a huge congratulations to Big Ten Champs, the Penn State Nittany Lions. I don't really know what happened with Iowa, but as we know, no team is infallible and you guys certainly deserved a great year. Best of luck at the Rose Bowl! I will be cheering you on from a far off distance, JoePa style.

Sakura: Koi Ponds, Eastern Beauties, and Shrimp Tails

2008-11-24T10:56:00.005-06:00

During one of our routine Sunday Funday's, FlyerAsh and I were dropping some cash at Sam's Club on Morse Road when we spotted an architecturally-engaging establishment. The sign said, "Sakura." Without missing a beat, we both said, "We are going there." That was about six months ago and we finally made it last week.

We get to the place and we are seated immediately. Not exactly sure what type of restaurant this was ahead of time, I realize immediately that it is a teppanyaki restaurant. This is when you have your food cooked in front of you by a trained individual. It's usually done in an entertaining fashion.

Ash and I perused the drink menu while waiting for our table to fill up. I am not a wine fan so we skip straight to the mixed drinks. The server recommends the Green Jade. Make that two. I order the filet, medium rare and Ashley will have the scallops and filet, rare. We start with our mushroom soup, a chicken broth with scallions and mushrooms. Simple and tasty. Next, we have the salad. It comes with a dressing that is a thinner version of what is called, "yum-yum sauce." Yum-yum sauce is a mayonnaise-based sauce that is eaten with your meal and it ideal for seafood. We throw in another drink order of two Eastern Beauties which are served in porcelain cups shaped like geisha's. I was under the impression that these cups came with the drink as they do at Genji in Dublin and Reynoldsburg. That's not the case here. Dammit! The rest of the table fills up and the show begins.

If anyone has ever been to a teppanyaki restaurant (ex. Japanese Steakhouse, Genji, Kobe) then you already know what happens at this point.

A short, sprightly Japanese gentleman rolls up with his cart and greets us. He reviews what we've all ordered. We get a bowl of both the ginger sauce for meat and a bowl of our yum-yum sauce which I will eventually pour over everything. He throws some oil on the grill, then some butter and starts workin it. First, we get some hibachi (sauteed) vegetables. He stacks the raw onions on the grill starting with the largest ring up to the smallest creating a mountain. This is my favorite part. He fills it with oil and sets it on fire creating a large flame. Everyone at our table and surrounding tables can feel the heat. He then starts the shrimp appetizer which I will quickly pass of to FlyerAsh as I do not like seafood. He cuts the tails off and flips them in to his hat. He juggles the spatula which knocks over my yum-yum sauce (dammit!) so he offers me a fish tail which I am just drunk enough to accept though he doesn't follow through. Next, he makes the fried rice. It's fried rice. You know. Then, the main course. Ashley is the first to receive her food. The scallops come topped with a very thick egg yolk sauce. She also receives her steak which I thought would still be mooing but is closer to the way I like mine cooked. My steak is just slightly over-done. Nine times out of ten, this is what happens. I would assume that it's hard to get the cook time on good steak right when you are multi-tasking as the chefs at these type of restaurants do. Oh, yeah. And sometime in there, Ashley and I ordered Zombies served out of a skull mug. Very nice.

Sakura is a very attractive restaurant, both inside and out. I know every time I visit I will enjoy myself. While this isn't really what Japanese food is like, I've had real Japanese food that was TERRIBLE and I know what to expect here. DO NOT go to one of these restaurants if you are expecting meat cooked EXACTLY to your specifications. DO go if you would like some entertainment along with your terrific tasting meal.

1 love.

Candy K.

Girl Talk In Columbus: And With That My Holiday Shopping is Complete

2008-11-24T09:00:00.006-06:00

I'm not huge on the holidays. Well, I take that back kinda... I'm huge into Thanksgiving because I LOVE to cook so Thanksgiving has been my marathon of perfectly executing several dishes over the course of six hours while my family drinks in front of the TV. It's one of my favorite days of the year without a doubt. But Christmas has never been a big thing for me. Now that all the kids in my family are older, we have skipped the gift giving and gone straight to the wine drinking. I haven't done any legitimate holiday shopping in over four years and don't really intend to until I have kids of my own. That's a good solid decade of spending my money on myself.

With that being said, it has recently come to my attention that Girl Talk will be coming to Columbus and so I decided to use the holidays as an excuse to treat some of my greatest friends to what will inevitably be an insane dance party.

Girl Talk has been around for a few years now, but has really gotten popular with club kids and music festivals since the release of his newest album, Feed the Animals. The one man DJ, Gregg Gillis of Pittsburgh, spins up some incredible combos with classic tunes that everyone recognizes and some newer underground tunes that will open you up to new artists. The mixes and mash-ups are quick to turnover making this music perfect for that A.D.D. music listener who has a hard time making it completely through even their favorite song. My current favorite is Play Your Part - Part I for its inclusion of Sinead O'Conner's Nothing Compares To You. Click on the link and listen to it NOW... you will love it. I'm sure it will make it into the set list in January.

Girl Talk will be coming to the Newport Music Hall on the OSU Campus on Saturday, January 17, 2009. Doors open at 7PM. Tickets are currently only available through TicketMaster for $16 each or $18 at the door, but I would bank on this show selling out. Better get these fast.

Since I've come across Girl Talk this past summer, I've passed him along to a few of my friends which have now become obsessed with his beats and bumps. I picked up five tickets today, emailed my friends letting them know to clear their calendars, received praise touting me as the best friend ever (clearly), and now we wait to hit the dance floor. Nothing too bah humbug about that!

2009 Tours & Music Festivals

2008-11-20T09:09:00.015-06:00

I was originally going to wait to release this list around New Years as a great way to kick off 2009, but I simply cannot wait nor help myself. Besides, what better holiday present than to surprise someone with tickets (or made up tickets until the actual ones are released) to their favorite band or festival? As more tours and festivals are announced, I will be sure to bring them to your attention, but for now, Happy Holidays from me to all of you.

TOURS:
AC/DC: already kicked off their tour this past fall, but will be carrying it well into 2009.
U2: I will be traveling for this one. U2 is one of my "must see's".
The Eagles
Billy Joel: Shows in Florida in February and additional Vegas dates
Elton John & Billy Joel: tour starts in March and continues into May with a possible 20+ shows
Kenny Chesney
Phish: Reunion shows in Virginia in March with expected additional traveling shows to be announced soon
The Jonas Brothers: a few spring dates to be released on top of a summer tour
Il Divo: Full World Tour
Rascal Flatts - Bob That Head Tour
Nickleback: apparently people are willing to pay to see them...
Andre Rieu
Celine Dion: She came to Columbus and I would LOVE to see her. I saw her Vegas show on an HBO special and was completely captivated. Hopefully she comes around again.
Michael Bublé
Metallica
Dave Matthews Band: I wouldn't be summertime without Dave Matthews touring.
Fleetwood Mac: Think I'll be taking mom to this show for her birthday :)
Cher in Las Vegas: My gay boys should be going out for this one!
Bette Midler (Las Vegas)
Neil Diamond
John Mayer
Motley Crue
Neil Young
Tim McGraw
Tina Turner
Toby Keith
Widespread Panic: Sure to make an appearance at Bonnaroo to appease all their hippie followers.
Wilco
Brad Paisley
Taylor Swift
Aerosmith
Tran-Siberian Orchestra Non-Holiday Tour
Keith Urban
American Idols: I can't believe these shows sell out at $150+ a ticket. Insane.
So You Think You Can Dance: See American Idols note
Dancing With The Stars: See So You Think You Can Dance note
George Strait
Steve Winwood: BRING ME A HIGHER LOVE! Candice and I are going to this. She just doesn't know it yet.
Snow Patrol: Love, love, love them! Another one on my list! Think I will take the new roommate to see them.
Eric Clapton: Touring the United Kingdom in early 2009
Coldplay: Another UK tour, you know... just in case you happen to be over there
Oasis
The Pretenders: They're still around?
Bloc Party: Would love to see them team up with The Killers
Kings of Leon
Alan Jackson
The Killers: Would love to see them team up with Bloc Party
Def Leppard
Foo Fighters
Guns N' Roses: About time they came out for another tour. They canceled a lot of dates with their last tour and pissed off a lot of fans including my good friend in Dallas who had been waiting forever to see them.

RUMORED TOURS:
Rolling Stones
The Grateful Dead: Aren't the rumored every year?
Faces with Rod Stewart & Ronnie Wood
Rod Stewart solo if the Faces reunion fails
Jimmy Buffett: How is this even rumored? He tours every year.
Shakira
The Kinks
Tom Petty & the Heartbreakers
Whitney Houston: If she's not totally coked out, I would LOVE to see her!
No Doubt: ugh... yuck.
Pearl Jam: Count on this one.
Peter Gabriel
Beyonce
Bob Seger & The Silver Bullet Band: One of my favorites. Bet mom would like to go to this one too.
Roger Waters
Zeppelin (Led Zeppelin without Plant): This has been the big Bonnaroo rumor year after year, but Robert Plant always makes an appearance at 'Roo so we shall see if they all come together under the Tennessee stars for an epic show.
Prince
The Smiths: Add them to a line up with The Killers and Bloc Party and I'm in heaven

FESTIVALS:
10,000 Lakes Festival - Detroit Lakes, Minnesota: The biggest mid-west festival on the scene. If you're up for a serious road trip, this would certainly be worth it.
All Good Festival - Masontown, West Virginia: for the true potheads.
All Points West - Jersey City, New Jersey
All Tomorrow's Parties - New York, New York: This is a Australian festival that comes over for a stint in the US every summer.
Austin City Limits - Austin, Texas: Always a solid lineup proving that not all of Texas sucks.
Bonnaroo Music & Arts Festival - Manchester, Tennessee: This will be my third year going and we expect to have a big caravan coming down from Ohio equipped with both veteran and first time Roozles. This is my most favorite place in the whole world and I just can't wait until June.
Bumbershoot - Seattle, Washington
The Burning Man Project - Black Rock City, Nevada: I'm still not really sure what this is but I'm sure there's a lot of peyote involved.
CMA Music Festival - Nashville, Tennessee
Coachella Valley Art & Music Festival - Indio, California: California's big one. Always an epic festival.
Country Concert - Fort Loramie, Ohio: This is really big in Ohio, but I think I'll skip it. I've lived here my entire life and have never even heard of Fort Loramie.
Download Festival - San Francisco, Los Angeles, and Philadelphia: Not to be confused with the much larger and heavier UK Download Festival.
Essence Music Festival - New Orleans, Louisiana: Your R&B and Soul summer hot spot.
Farm Aid - most likely in Vermont this year: For all you Willie Nelson lovers out there.
Langerado Music Festival - Miami, Florida
Lollapalooza - Chicago, Illinois: I'm determined to make it out to Chicago this summer for this. I've passed it up the last two years and have been kicking myself ever since.
Monolith Festival - Boulder, Colorado
Movement: Detroit Electronic Music Festival - Detroit, Michigan: For all you techno and club kids out there.
New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival - New Orleans, Louisiana
Pitchfork - Chicago, Illinois: Meg went last year and raved about it.
Popped! Philadelphia Music Festival - Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Rock on the Range - Columbus, Ohio: Columbus' big summer heavy metal series. Definitely will be covering this one.
Rock the Bells Music Festival - Traveling: top notch hip-hop performers.
Rothbury Music Festival - Rothbury, Michigan: The big new competitor to Bonnaroo. Had some friends that went last year and loved it.
Sasquatch Music Festival - George, Washington
South by Southwest - Austin, Texas
Stagecoach Music Festival - Indio, California: Same place as Coachella, just for all those country fans.
Summerfest - Milwaukee, Wisconsin: A Wisconsin tradition with popular but not necessarily main stream Midwest bands. My parents went to this when they were in college and my brother went last year. Maybe one of these years I'll actually make it up there for it.
Virgin Mobile Festival - Toronto, Ontario, Canada: Changes locations every year.
Voodoo Music Experience - New Orleans, Louisiana: Why does the Crescent City get all the cool stuff?
Wakarusa - Lawrence, Kansas: Known for a solid and diverse lineup year after year.

FREE CONCERT: The All-American Rejects

2008-11-18T19:57:00.005-06:00

Well I suppose the title just about sums it up. For those of you in Columbus, or alive and conscious for that matter, you already know that this weekend is the Ohio State vs. Michigan Game. ESPN is in full force and will be covering this historic match up in their Rivalry Week spotlight. No surprise here that corporations are quick to maximize on the hype.

Samsung is sponsoring the "Rock 'N Rally" this Friday at the LC Pavilion in Columbus' Arena District. While this venue may be one of quality, it is not one of great size. Doors open at 7:30PM, but seeing that this is a free concert, people will be lined up by 10AM at the very latest. Don't believe me? I'd like to reference the recent sale of 23 cent pizzas by Papa John's and Free Chipotle Burrito Day which both brought out hoards cheap and apparently unemployed people who were willing to wait in line for eight-plus hours.

Unlike 7.2% of Ohio, I am lucky enough to have a job and will not be attending this concert, but stay tuned for my review of the OSU tailgate which my ladies and I will kick off at 5AM with "kegs and eggs" at Four Kegs Bar & Grille. And who knows... with tickets now going for as little as $60 each, we may even decide to scalp and head into the Shoe. Sure glad I wasn't that sucker who paid $400 per ticket at the beginning of the season.

TO THE BUCKS... MICHIGAN SUCKS! (Even though this is technically a post about The All-American Rejects or whatever)

Q: How many batteries does it take to beat Michigan?
A: Just one AA.

Spolier Alert: The State of Florida Is Clueless (But You Already Knew That Anyway)

2008-11-18T19:04:00.009-06:00

So I'm in Southern Florida for work. I was hoping to gather a lot of content for the blog while I was down here, but so far I've come up pretty short. Certainly, nothing to write home about. I had lunch at a great place in Miami this afternoon which I will cover some other time, but I just got back from a dinner that was so aggravating that it caused me to bypass the empty hotel bar and come straight up to my room and rant about it.

Obviously being in Florida, I'm surrounded with images and notions of seafood. With crab houses all around, I was set on finding some Alaskan crab legs. Yes, I know this is Florida which is as far as you can get from Alaska while staying within the US, but they are much easier to find here than in Ohio, trust me on this one.

I did a simple Google search and came across Spoto's Oyster Bar and Bluepoint Lounge. The reviews were great, prices looked reasonable for being West Palm Beach on the water, and most importantly, they touted their Alaskan and snow crab legs. I jumped in my rental Jeep, made my way over there, and shelled out $7 for parking.

First impression was that this place was lively and had a great atmosphere, but imagine my surprise when I looked over my menu and there were no crab legs to be found. I asked the waiter if there were any that I just wasn't seeing. "No, we don't have crab legs, but we have stone crab claws." This is not at all what I wanted and while they are both part of a crab, they are very different from one another, but in frustration I said, "Yeah, that's fine."

Snow crab legs are fairly easy to eat. They come steamed with drawn butter. Stone crab claws and a pain in the ass and come served on ice with lemon. I should have gone with the broiled sea scallops or Oysters Rockefeller. The potato salad and coleslaw that came along with the six claws were mediocre at best. The potatoes in the salad were barely blanched let alone cooked thoroughly and after one bite, I pushed them aside.

Even better, when the check came out, my dinner was $41 not including tip (snow crab legs usually run around $25)... far beyond my dinner expense account limit so I will be making that up out of my own pocket. Had it not been for the hot waiter who continually flirted with me, this entire dining experience would have been a total bust. On a fairly related note, I am convinced that men are drawn to dorky women dining by themselves and reading the latest non-fiction NYTimes Bestseller.

Additionally, it took me forever and a day to get back to my hotel. Only in Florida do they need to heavily enforce a MINIMUM speed limit. I have made several unkind gestures over the past two days to the people going forty miles per hour on Interstate 95 FOR NO GOOD REASON. If you really have no place to be then WALK, but get off the highway or AT LEAST stay OUT of the fast lane! [Sigh of malcontent] I miss Ohio.

Nine Inch Nails, Sucka!

2008-11-14T08:20:00.007-06:00

Nine Inch Nails has been touring quite a bit over the past year including a headliner position at Chicago's Lollapalooza (along with Radiohead and Rage Against the Machine... epic lineup). They will be making their stop in Columbus and as of this morning tickets on TicketStumbler were as low as $43 each.

The show is Monday night at Value City Arena and you can expect a packed house. I would absolutely be there if I didn't already have a business trip scheduled. However, given the option I would gladly pass up my trip to Miami to see Trent Reznor in full affect. If you are into Nails or simply want to revisit your tense teenage years, definitely go check them out. Besides, I have a sneaking suspicion that they might be showing up at Bonnaroo this year.

Just keep in mind that Reznor has come out with at least five new albums in the last few years (although I've honestly began to lose track), all of which are incredibly industrial sounding so if you are looking to fully revisit the days of Pretty Hate Machine or The Downward Spiral, you may be a little disappointed. Festival sidekick, Meg, who attended their show at Lollapalooza said their set list was one that few recognized. Regardless, I'm sure they will touch on some of the classics so grab some tickets, pound a few beers, and take in their ridiculous energy!

And speaking of the Value City Arena, can anyone explain to me why the cheapest tickets to see Duran Duran are going for $98? What is the deal with that? I understand people love them some Rio, but holy hell that's steep!

Big & Beautiful: The Best Burger in Columbus

2008-11-12T08:31:00.011-06:00

There is always a debate when it comes to the best burger in town, but here in Columbus, the notoriety and local fame surrounding The Thurman Cafe makes the argument a little less contested.

Whether you're new to town or were born and raised in the Buckeye City, you've probably heard of the the Thurman Cafe. Located on the outskirts of German Village (Thurman & Jager), this small cafe that seats maybe thirty guests at a time comes equipped with a long bar, old booths and tables, old school video arcade games, and patron-accented dollar bills all over the walls and ceiling. There is usually a short wait to get a table, but the veteran dining room staff of three or four tend to keep things running quickly and smoothly.

Once seated, grab a menu and turn right to the burger page. Sure there are other things on the menu such as subs, salads, pizza, and chicken sandwiches, but at a place that is nationally recognized as one of the best burgers in America, you'd be crazy to order something else. For the daring, there is the Thurman Burger (shown), a 3/4 lb. patty overloaded with ham, mozzarella, American cheese, lettuce, tomato, mushrooms, sauteed onions, pickle, peppers, and mayo served with a chips and a pickle spear. All burgers start off with this huge 3/4 lb. patty including the Garden Burger which comes topped with sauteed green peppers, onions, mushrooms, Swiss cheese, lettuce, tomato, and mayo. If you're looking for a black bean burger, try the Easy Street Cafe next door.

Thurman's runs monthly specials in addition to their usual menu. This month they are featuring the Johnnie Burger topped with horseradish sauce, bacon, bleu cheese, horseradish cheese, sauteed onions and served with a shot of 1800 at a whopping $10.49. This may sound like a little too much for the average lunch hour, but on a Sunday afternoon with a few of their awesome Bloody Mary's to boot, Thurman's is a must try for anyone living or passing through Columbus. And even better, you won't have to eat again for a week.

The Kerchner's Honeymoon through Orlando, Deep-Dish, Steak, and Sauce.

2008-11-10T14:54:00.007-06:00

I would like to begin this post by saying that my wedding was pretty fly. My ladies were hot and I didn't look too shabby myself. Bahama Mamas, fresh cannoli, and a good time was had by all. I married the lug of my dreams and I wouldn't have it any other way.

Chuck and I left the day after the wedding for our honeymoon in Florida with very few goals in mind. We wanted to visit a theme park, eat like kings and "enjoy each others company." Mission accomplished.

Hilarity ensued as Chuck and I embarked upon Florida with the crappiest rental car map available on this mortal coil. A true story seeing that we were lost for three hours. I couldn't Google the address of the house we were staying at located in a suburb of Kissimmee called Davenport. So after some over-the-phone assistance from the owner of the house, Chuck's bro-in-law, we finally found it. Very nice. But not that I gave a wild goose shit at this point because I was fucking starving. So I was looking through an ad in one of the tourist trap coupon books that offered things like "Free Shell Necklace w/ Purchase" and "Sizzler All-U-Can-Eat B-Fast - $3.99." I found this ridic-looking stuffed pizza from a classic Chicago based chain called Giordano's on Highway 192 (aka The Oldest/Tackiest/Neon-ist Road in All of Florida Leading to the Rat with Giant Ears and Suspenders). We walked in to a nice little place offering up "World-Famous Stuffed Pizza" and at $24 for a medium, we were all over it. We were warned that it would be a 45-minute wait on this pizza and it wasn't like Chuck and I would waste away to nothing so we played ball. This was plenty of time to take in the charm of this establishment. Over the bar were busts of music greats such as Mozart, Ella Fitzgerald, and... Babs? Because when I think great music, I think Barbra Streisand. So after we admire the almost-life size Blues Brothers statues atop the booth, our order is up. This 3" deep crust pizza covered in sauce emerges. And I must say, it had a LOT of cheese which essential to a good pizza. However, Chuck and I both agreed that what we paid for was more the novelty of the deep dish as opposed to the quality. The sauce was.... sauce. Nothing special. And the 1" of crust around the sides was extremely dry. It could have done with a not-so deep dish. However, the portion we got held us over that night with enough left over for breakfast.

On day three in Florida, we decided to visit International Drive, the main drag that takes you through Orange County Convention Center, Sea World, Aquatica, Prime Outlets International and Universal Studios. It was actually very nice. It was touristy but the buildings were in better shape and neon had its place on only some of the signage. This day was a relaxation day where we decided to play some Pirates Cove Mini-Golf and eat wherever the good Lord takes us. The quality of green was substantially better than a lot of putt-putts I've visited but not very challenging. Here, we found some locals who were following us through the course. A mother-son team, he was probably eight and mother was possibly twelve when she had him. She was primo, donning a puffy vest, leggings and Ugg boots that only the finest, abundantly-privileged housewife would sport. The boy made reference to salmon which triggered the synapses in my brain telling me that there must be a nice fish place around. They directed us to FishBones. It was here that I got plastered on Chi-Chi's and ate a primo 12 oz. filet. Also, Chuck ate his baked potato by cutting it in half, picking it up and chowing down. All in all, tasty beef, tasty beverage, and a tasty night cause I was feelin' saucy!

The rest of the week consisted of us visiting Universal Studios. The Simpson's Ride... GET ON IT! On our final night in our own little paradise, we happened upon a little place with a BIG neon sign called Diromio's. Italian and quaint, this place obviously had to resort to neon to get you in there but once we did, we regretted not getting there sooner. We started with a platter of deep-fried goodness. Mozzarella sticks, jalapeno poppers and onion rings. Chuck got some free calamari out of the deal because she ordered up our platter incorrectly. However, I couldn't look at that plate because there were little squids battered and fried just laying there... the humanity! One thing we noticed instantly was that they serve their pizza sauce with everything. With one bite, we knew why. It is one of the most unique and scrumptious sauces I've ever tasted. First thing to pop up on my palette, red wine. The texture was great. With a tomato puree to make it a bit more hearty, the basil crept up on me and I instantly wanted to drown everything in front of me in this sauce. Then came our dinner; the Stromboli. Eighteen inches of meaty deliciousness, just like I like 'em. Holler. There was a full inch of cheese melded with Italian sausage, pepperoni, bacon, and ham. It was everything I wanted from a good Italian meal and more. We will definitely be back on our next trip to sunny Florida.

We ate like kings and regretted nothing...except the seven pounds I put on. But it was worth every calorie of it.

Columbus Area Concerts for the Month of December

2008-11-07T08:35:00.004-06:00

Forgive me father for I have sinned. It has been over a week since my last blog post. But really, I've been a busy girl these days so I think listing all the December shows in the Columbus area will serve as a fair penance. I'll even throw in a funny picture of Sarah Palin for good measure.

So here you have it folks. Sadly, unless you are into the holiday performances, December leaves much to be desired. BUT Duran Duran is coming to town and you bet your sweet bippy that I will be going with one lucky friend who will get my extra ticket. Moses didn't get anything down about not taking bribes, right?

The Ekoostik Hookah show will bring in their usual hippie following. I've seen them at a couple of local music festivals and they're decent. I'm not particularly into them, but if jam bands are your thing you should definitely check them out.

Anyway, it's still early November so check back for updates to this list and as always, be sure to check out TicketStumbler for the very best price on tickets:

The Duke Spirit	3-Dec-08	The Basement
Columbus Jazz Orchestra: Home for the Holidays	4-Dec-08	Southern Theatre
Emerson Drive	4-Dec-08	Newport Music Hall
Garrison Keillor	4-Dec-08	Palace Theatre
Paul Wall	4-Dec-08	Screamin' Willie's
Josh Gracin	5-Dec-08	Screamin' Willie's
Columbus Jazz Orchestra: Home for the Holidays	5-Dec-08	Southern Theatre
Dave Koz & Friends Smooth Jazz Christmas	5-Dec-08	Palace Theatre
The Ohio State University Annual Holiday Musical Celebration	5-Dec-08	Wexner Center
Columbus Jazz Orchestra: Home for the Holidays	6-Dec-08	Southern Theatre
Paul Wall	6-Dec-08	Cardos in Chillicothe
Rene McLean	6-Dec-08	King Arts Complex
Columbus Jazz Orchestra: Home for the Holidays	7-Dec-08	Southern Theatre
Duran Duran	8-Dec-08	Schottenstein Center
Mudvayne	9-Dec-08	LC Pavilion
Hamell on Trail	11-Dec-08	Rumba Café
Promusica Messiah Side By Side Sing Along	12-Dec-08	Southern Theatre
Constantines with Obits	12-Dec-08	The Summit
Eagles of Death Metal	16-Dec-08	Newport Music Hall
Trans-Siberian Orchestra	20-Dec-08	Nationwide Arena
Clutch	30-Dec-08	Newport Music Hall
Ekoostik Hookah	31-Dec-08	Newport Music Hall
The Prodigals	31-Dec-08	LC Pavilion
Bobaflex	31-Dec-08	Cardos in Chillicothe

Off Topic, But I Needed To Get My Plug In Too

2008-10-29T12:06:00.008-05:00

This letter was sent to me today and I loved it so much that I decided to post it. I swore awhile ago that Beats & Eats would stick to concerts and restaurant reviews and not get off topic, but with Ohio being the major key state in this election (and in all elections, really) I figured it was somewhat pertinent and if nothing else, entertaining. Mark my words... 2008 is the year Ohio turns BLUE!

Dear Red States,

If you manage to steal this election too we've decided we're leaving. We intend to form our own country, and we're taking the other Blue States with us. In case you aren't aware, that includes California, Hawaii, Oregon, Washington, Minnesota, Wisconsin, Michigan, Illinois and all the Northeast. We believe this split will be beneficial to the nation, and especially to the people of the new country of New California.

To sum up briefly: You get Texas, Oklahoma and all the slave states.

We get stem cell research and the best beaches. We get the Statue of Liberty. You get Dollywood.

We get Intel and Microsoft. You get WorldCom.

We get Harvard. You get Ole' Miss.

We get 85% of America's venture capital and entrepreneurs. You get Alabama.

We get two-thirds of the tax revenue. You get to make the red states pay their fair share.

Since our aggregate divorce rate is 22% lower than the Christian Coalition's, we get a bunch of happy families. You get a bunch of single moms.

Please be aware that Nuevo California will be pro-choice and anti-war, and we're going to want all our citizens back from Iraq at once. If you need people to fight, ask your evangelicals. They have kids they're apparently willing to send to their deaths for no purpose, and they don't care if you don't show pictures of their children's caskets coming home. We do wish you success in Iraq , and hope that the WMDs turn up, but we're not willing to spend our resources in Bush's Quagmire.

With the Blue States in hand, we will have firm control of 80% of the country's fresh water, more than 90% of the pineapple and lettuce, 92% of the nation's fresh fruit, 95% of America's quality wines, 90% of all cheese, 90% of the high tech industry, 95% of the corn and soybeans (thanks Iowa!), most of the U.S. low-sulfur coal, all living redwoods, sequoias and condors, all the Ivy and Seven Sister schools plus Stanford, Cal Tech and MIT. We get Hollywood and Yosemite, thank you.

With the Red States, on the other hand, you will have to cope with 88% of all obese Americans (and their projected health care costs), 92% of all U.S. mosquitoes, nearly 100% of the tornadoes, 90% of the hurricanes, 99% of all Southern Baptists, virtually 100% of all televangelists, Rush Limbaugh, Bob Jones University, Clemson and the University of Georgia.

Additionally, 38% of those in the Red states believe Jonah was actually swallowed by a whale, 62% believe life is sacred unless we're discussing the war, the death penalty or gun laws, 44% say that evolution is only a theory, 53% that Saddam was involved in 9/11 and 61% of you believe you are people with higher morals then we lefties.

Finally, we're taking the good pot, too. You can have that crummy stuff they grow in Mexico.

Peace out,

Blue States

Smashing Pumpkins on Halloween, Literally

2008-10-29T10:14:00.006-05:00

If you don't have a party to go to on Friday or even if you do, think about ditching it and checking out the Smashing Pumpkins instead.

The Pumpkins will be performing at the Newport Music Hall on Friday, October 31. Doors are at 7PM. This is a special acoustic Halloween performance so keep that in mind.

While the show is sold out, my boy, Jake, got tickets this morning for only $90 (originally $40) . Always remember to check out TicketStumbler for the lowest price on tickets.

The Newport Music Hall is general admission and has a great balcony that also fills up fast, so if you are going, I would recommend getting in line around 6:30.

What better day of the year to see the Pumpkins than on Halloween? I'm super jealous that I won't be able to attend, but hopefully I can get a good review out of Jake.

Time To Get a Passport and Up to Speed on Your Vaccinations

2008-10-28T14:26:00.006-05:00

So you may or may not have heard yet that Radiohead is doing a bit of a Latin American tour in 2009. Not all the dates have been confirmed yet, but they are locked in for shows in Mexico City on the 15th, 16th, and 17th of March.

Sounds amazing, doesn't it? Well it only gets better. Sigur Ros will be opening for Radiohead for all three of their Mexico City performances. I repeat, SIGUR ROS WILL BE OPENING FOR RADIOHEAD IN MEXICO CITY.

Hot Damn! Peyote anyone?

Brunch for the Not-So-Hungover

2008-10-28T13:15:00.009-05:00

Scrambled eggs with cheese, home fries and ketchup, biscuits and gravy, flap jacks. Sounds familiar, right? Not to the loyal patrons of Orange Juice Cafe in Lincoln Park, Chicago (Harrison & Clark). Orange supplies overwhelming evidence that Sunday brunch has gone gourmet and the transformation is long overdue.

The menu states it all: If you want to build your own omelet, go somewhere with "Golden" or "Nugget" in the name. These flavor combinations are not to be tampered with. You can get ketchup but you'll have to ask for it. Their tables come equipped with barrel-aged balsamic vinegar and two different types of hot sauce.

Simply put, Orange is funky fresh. The juice bar serves as the nucleus of the cafe where the combinations are endless. I started off with a fresh squeezed tomato and celery mix. Have you ever juiced your own tomato? Nothing like Campbell's as I'm sure you could guess. From there we went fruity and tried a pear and lime mix that was delicious. My friend, Meg, had the orange-infused coffee which she loved.

Orange is known for their Frushi, which is exactly what it sounds like; fruit "sushi". The concept and presentation are there, but not so much the taste. Even with the mango puree and coconut flakes, the fruit with rice medley was too bland and heavy for me. But don't take my word for it.... everyone else seems to love it.

For the main course I opted for Omelet #11.5: a three egg omelet stuffed with thick-cut bacon, sauteed leeks, chunks of brie, and topped with an avocado mousse. Amazing! Meg went with the Caprese Benedict: English muffin topped with fresh mozzarella, poached egg, oven-roasted tomatoes, and a pesto hollandaise sauce. Both were fantastic, but I preferred the omelet over the Benedict.

If eggs aren't your thing, fear not for the pancakes here come fully loaded. From cinnamon roll to peanut butter and jelly pancakes to the french toast kabobs with mango salad or the decadent Chai stuffed french toast, I could easily come here every weekend.

The regulars are sure to visit at least once a week to check out the weekly "Flight of Pancakes." Each week has a different theme for you to eat through. This week was Halloween themed including Frankenberry pancakes and some sort of ghostly marshmallow concoction.

Whether you want to impress that person you took home from the bar last night or want to treat yourself to something totally out of the ordinary, Orange will definitely hit the mark, but not your wallet.

I Can Die Now

2008-10-28T10:35:00.009-05:00

Everyone has a bucket list, myself included. Mine isn't all too lengthy but in the top five of my "Must Do Before I Die" List is to see Madonna live in concert. I'm proud to report that this weekend I finally crossed it off my list. Since I was about eight years old I have been asking my mom to take me to see the Goddess herself. After all, my first song I ever sang as a child was Papa Don't Preach, but sadly I never ended up talking her into taking me. When Madonna announced her tour this year, I was ready and with no excuses in my way. I bought four tickets, called up two great friends and my mom and told them to meet me in Chi-town. It was time to do this.

Madonna is my absolute favorite performer so lets just put the bias out there. If you're looking for a comprehensive criticism of the show, you came to the wrong place. With any other concert, I would hope to provide you with that kind of, ahem, Fox Newsesque coverage, but it's just not gonna happen here. The air conditioning was turned off. That's my complaint. There you go.

Everyone is a critic and I'm no exception. I've been checking out her concert reviews for months now. Most of them are overrun with personal rants about how Madonna is old, washed out, and an untalented hack. If it's not that, it's verbal diarrhea about her divorce with Guy Ritchie or her Kabbalah sessions with Alex Rodriguez. Oh wait, Madonna stole yet another African baby from his poor father? Word.

Let's address that all right now. For one, this was not a concert, it was a performance. It is important we make this clear and necessary distinction. Troupes of dancers, complex choreography, cars rolling out onto stage, a full boxing ring with fighters, light shows, screens with music accompanying graphics, costume changes... this woman puts on one hell of a show. Love her or hate her, no one could leave that packed United Center without saying it was a sight to see and extremely well rehearsed.

It's no secret that Madonna turned fifty this year. I know, let me hear you say it, "Oh my god, she's SO OLD." She's FIFTY, folks! And unless you too can simultaneously double-dutch, dance, and sing flawlessly and look amazing doing it, you should probably get off that argument. Let's see how we are all doing when we are fifty. I, for one, am just hoping to have a retirement account and if I can still pull off a mean Soluja Boy, well then double bonus for me.

The same goes with untalented. Listening to Madonna on the radio will never give you the scope of what she is capable of. Not only can she dance, but she can play a righteous guitar. Several times throughout her concert she picked up her guitar and hammered away at some amazing power cords all the while hanging off the side of the stage and throwing in the audiences face. She even asked for some requests and then joked about not knowing all the words. I was on my feet the entire time with my hands in the air. I didn't even have time for my $10 vodka lemonade which ended up on the floor.

"But she's such a pain in the ass!" Sure she has a lot of drama in her life, but she's Madonna. She does what she wants and waits for no one. This comes at a price. Especially if you have a vagina (there, I said it). Last week she dedicated a song to "the emotionally retarded." This week she pretty much let it go. She made a comment about how the queen will overtake the king which was honestly in context with the rest of the show, but we all knew what she was getting at. Eyebrows were raised in true Madonna fashion. Regardless of all the drama going on in her life, she showed up, gave a great show, and provided us with our nickel's worth (unlike some other "diva" who shall be remain nameless as to not further her month long, concert canceling headache) Her career will always be the forefront in her life and god bless her for it. All the bullshit aside, this is what she does, and she's great at it.

Sticky and Sweet is her latest tour and her shows were selling out the day tickets went on sale. People are now fetching as much as $7,500 per floor seat at some of these major venues. My tickets were originally $55 each, but I ended up paying $120 each the second day they went on sale. If there is one person that doesn't hate Madonna, it's the ticket broker. Where would they be without her and Miley Cyrus?

Her set list was impeccable and the crowd was more than approving. Hitting all the old hits like Vogue, Like a Prayer, Music, Borderline, La Isla Bonita, Ray of Light and bringing out songs from her new CD, Hard Candy, including my new personal favorite, The Devil Wouldn't Recognize You. In line with a performance and not a concert, there was no encore. When she walked off stage the screens came up with "GAME OVER" and the lights in the arena were flipped on. Her last set was dedicated to social change. Worldly images of people all united through the common good of humanity and then a shout out for Obama as if we were going to get out of there without a plug. An encore would have been nice but it didn't matter because the crowd was satisfied as it were. There were certainly tears coming from my eyes.

For me, my bucket list isn't shorter now, just revised. Hopefully she's got at least one more tour in her because I will be shelling out the dollars to get close next time. Call me crazy, but she's totally worth a $500 ticket. This is the Material Girl after all. Respect.

Reaching New Heights on Top of Cookie Mountain with TV on the Radio

2008-10-28T08:23:00.005-05:00

TV on the Radio (TVOTR) is on a mountain (no pun intended) climbing mission and with each album, they are getting closer and closer to the top. The five-piece experimental group has been making progress the past seven years with four studio albums and a couple of EP's. It's hard to quite explain their musical style as their elaborate sounds tap into jazz, punk, electronica, indie rock, and even some hip hop.

TVOTR's brand new album, Dear Science, is a strong contender for my personal favorite album of the year, and I won't be surprised when I see it make many other year-end best-of lists. Dear Science is TVOTR's fourth studio album and is the follow up to the highly praised Return to Cookie Mountain (2006). Dear Science left me awed after the first listen and completely breath taken after the third. This album is a growth from its predecessor keeping the roots of complex layers of sound, but making the compositions more polished. The songs are more approachable with catchier melodies and while very complex, there is more of a clear separation between the lyrics and music. This album has an unsurpassed heartfelt passion, and I still no matter after how many listens, get chills to the eerie piano rich song Family Tree.

After listening to this album straight through on average I would guess four times a week, I decided there was no way I could miss their live show while they were on tour with this CD. TVOTR played at The Riviera Theater to a sold out crowd on a cold Wednesday night. The matured audience consisted of mid-20 to mid-30-year-olds and luckily not one annoying high-schooler was in sight. They brought energy to the show and there seemed to be quite a few very loyal fans in attendance. The show gradually began with the lead singer whistling the whole intro to Young Liars to get the night started.

Half of the set list consisted of songs from Dear Science, from the new single Golden Age to the highly electronic Crying to one of my personal favorites Shout Me Out. The new material live had a lot of depth and was enjoyable to hear in a more raw form. Katrina Ford (TVOTR contributor and from the band Celebration) along with a cadre of local brass players joined the band on stage to introduce these new songs and put a twist on the old. While I may be obsessed with this new CD, I'm still a fan of their older work and I must say that seeing Wolf Like Me live had more energy than I could ever have anticipated. The song builds you up and brings you down and back again creating a whole new level for emotional excitement. Everyone in the theater was captivated by this song, jumping up and down and singing all the "howling forever" chants at the end.

Dispersed with a mix of old and new material, TVOTR covered all the basics. They ended things with a three song encore, though at only running a fast moving hour and twenty minutes, I wanted more. Regardless it was a knock you off your seat show with great vocals, loud guitars and even introduced local brass players. The show made me appreciate Dear Science for a couple of more reasons and gave me an excuse to listen to it even a few more times.

Survivor Playlist - Nick & Norah's Infinite Playlist Soundtrack

2008-10-23T08:40:00.006-05:00

I am one of those people who create playlists for every single occasion. I constantly struggle with not what to put on the mix, but what to leave out so it isn't ridiculously long. So what I do is make a huge playlist and then weed it out from there. This train of thought is a great way to evaluate a playlist, album or in this case soundtrack. For the first Survivor: Playlist entry I would like to examine the soundtrack to the new movie, Nick and Norah's Infinite Playlist.

This soundtrack has been rather controversial as hipsters and new-to-music-sceners are all looking at it. It is full of relatively obscure bands ranging from rock to pop melodies. Comparisons to this soundtrack have been made to the Garden State soundtrack, but I believe this album surpasses Zach Braff and The Shins. This is a solid album with some new and some already established indie artists. As far as movie soundtracks go, this one is for sure a keeper.

15. Chris Bell "Speed of Sound": This is a simple melancholic song, typical to many other male singer/songwriter songs. It's somewhat depressingly beautiful, but also pretty easy to forget.

14. Paul Tiernan "How To Say Goodbye": Made mostly of vocals, this song has a minimal use of instruments. The chorus is too slow and is composed of different phrases to say goodbye, i.e. "so long", farewell", and "au revoir" I've never heard of this guy before and probably for a reason.

13. The Dead 60s "Riot Radio": The Dead 60s are a Ska Punk band from England. There is a nice retro rock to this song as a foot tapping baseline keeps you somewhat hooked throughout.

12. Richard Hawley "Baby You're My Light": Romantic tunes are usually inevitably cheesy and this one is just that. I can't explain it but somehow Richard Hawley does a good job of winning me over.

11. The Real Tuesday Weld "Last Words": The Real Tuesday Weld is known for making jazzy cabaret-style music. "Last Words" is full of subtle electronic beats, that are interesting but in my opinion don't really always fit to the other elements of the song.

10. Army Navy "Silvery Sleds": Here lies the most radio poppy song on the soundtrack. You have probably heard it in a lot of the movie trailers. It has a California feel and sounds like it came straight of a soundtrack of the OC. If that's what you are into, you'd enjoy it!

9. Devendra Banhart "Lover": Devendra is a folk rock musician that I have appreciated for awhile. "Lover" is more of a head bopping anthem that makes you want to sing along. It's full of his surreal lyrics that helps him stand out above other folk singers.

8. Mark Mothersbaugh "Nick & Norah's Theme": Here lies the only non vocal track to the soundtrack. This pop theme song is written by the talented Rushmore and Royal Tenebaums score composer. I find it quiet interesting and can see how great it probably fits in the movie.

7. Bishop Allen "Middle Management": Bishop Allen is an American Indie rock group with punk and ska influences. This one may also be familiar to you if you have seen the trailers on TV. It's, quick, catchy and has attitude.

6. Takka Takka "Fever": These guys who were noticed when Clap Your Hands Say Yeah! invited them on tour in 2006 have done well for themselves since. They now have two EPs and two LPs and hopefully this soundtrack also helps them immensely. "Fever" is a light, somewhat poppy song with a raw feel that I have always loved about Takka Takka.

It's hard to pick one standout track from this soundtrack as there are a handful of great tracks. But I will try to rank those top five tracks anyways.

5. We Are Scientists "After Hours": "After Hours" is the new single from the rock band We Are Scientists. This song is a rock piece that you can dance to and is sure to always be a crowd pleaser. After listening to "After Hours" it really wants me to get more into We Are Scientists.

4. Band Of Horses "Our Swords": Band Of Horses is one of my favorite bands and let me start off by saying this song should probably be at the top of this list. The only reason it is not is because it has been around for awhile now and I have heard it so much that I am more excited about other songs. Band Of Horses is a band wrapped in southern reverb, similar to the likings of a band like My Morning Jacket. Most of their songs, like this one, are slower than MMJ but are always classically beautiful.

3. Vampire Weekend "Ottoman": I love these boys. They are cute, entertaining and most of all make feel good music. This was probably the most anticipated song on this soundtrack from the buzz band Vampire Weekend. "Ottoman" is the first single released after the group's debut album that has everyone talking. Vampire Weekend is full of quirky beats a playful keyboard and is sure to always put a smile on your face.

2. Shout Out Louds "Very Loud": The Swedish indie rock band Shout Out Louds has been around for a few years and is now starting to get the credit they deserve. "Very Loud" has a great hook throughout as it begins slowly and then gets louder as the title suggests. I find this song perfect for any occasion and never gets tiresome.

1. The Submarines "Xavia": And The Submarines are the sole survivor here. They are an indie pop band from California who are relatively new as their first album was just released in 2006. They are composed of two main male musicians but in this song bring in a female guest singer. The collaborative male and female vocals on this song as well as the easy going spirit are the main reasons why I enjoy it so much.

A Dream Come True for Phish Heads

2008-10-17T10:32:00.007-05:00

If you haven't heard by now, get yourself out from underneath that rock. Phish, often hailed as America's best band, will be performing three shows together for the first time since their breakup in August of 2004. Tickets officially go on sale tomorrow, October 18, at 10AM EST through Ticketmaster.

All three shows will be performed at the Hampton Coliseum in Hampton, Virginia (near Newport News & Norfolk). The shows are scheduled for the evenings of March 6,7 and 8, 2009. I'm sure an unprecedented hippie brigade will be rolling into town days before the shows.

A limited amount of tickets went on sale on Phish's website on October 8. Open sale begins tomorrow morning with a strict two ticket limit. You can be certain that all three shows will sell out in record time, but make sure to check Ticketstumbler for a thorough price comparison from several different ticket broker sites. Unfortunately, you'll have to stock up on your necessary "party favors" somewhere else.

In addition to these three reunion shows, Phish is expected to announced additional tour dates in early 2009 so keep an eye peeled for updates.

This is heaven sent to the millions of die hard Phish Heads out there who have been long awaiting this kind of news. Phish is known for putting on several of their own music festivals lasting three to four days with day long sets. It's no surprise that as many as 90,000 festival goers would trek across the country to take part in these jam fests, making the scene comparable to any other well-known summer music festival. Front man, Trey Anastasio, has been putting on sold out gigs of his own, but nothing can compare to having the whole band back together again on one stage.

A friend of mine saw them perform on New Years Eve 2000 at the Florida Cypress Seminole Indian Reservation and regales it as the pinnacle of his life. While everyone was freaking out about the onset of Y2K, he sat in a field with 80,000 other fans and partied his ass off. Nine years later, it's still an experience he talks about often.

I've never been a huge Phish fan myself (although I do LOVE their song, Waste), but I can understand why ticket holders will be in a complete state of ecstasy for the anticipating winter months. If money were no object for me, I would go just to be part of the experience. It will be nothing short of orgasmic, I'm sure.

The REAL Deal & Unlike Anything I've Ever Had Before

2008-10-15T13:59:00.010-05:00

Being in North Carolina on business, there was no way I could leave here without experiencing my first Carolina barbecue. I did my research and came across Ole Time Barbecue which is said to be the best in the Raleigh/Durham area. The Food Network has featured them a couple times along with Extreme Makeover: Home Edition. I grabbed a map and head out to find this place.

Right along State Route 54 on the outskirts of West Raleigh is a small building across the street from some train tracks. If you weren't looking for it or already knew it was there, you'd probably miss it. I walked in to the small restaurant where locals were already perched up at the lunch counter. Small plaques with names etched onto them are posted at every seat and stool. The place can seat maybe forty patrons. I grab a seat at a table that is marked for "Tip." There are photographs everywhere of patrons ranging from faux magazine covers they had printed up while on vacation at Dollywood to greeting cards from their post in Iraq. Everyone's name here is "honey." A small sign notifies patrons that the recipes are those of owner Jerry Hart's grandfather who grew up in the small town of Snow Hill, North Carolina.

Looking around the place you would never know how famous this place really is. They sell bottles of their homemade sauce but that's about it. I wanted to pick up a shirt for my friend, Candice, that carried their slogan "A Place to get PORKED," but had no luck. Despite all their awards and regional popularity, I'd bet this place looks just as it did when it opened fifteen years ago. Perhaps with the addition of some pictures of their regulars, a couple of trophies tucked away in the corner, and a few newspaper clippings here and there.

The lady running the counter walks over to my table, ponytail wrapped in leather, and asks, "Hey honey, what can I get for you?" I decide to go straight up southern in this house: The chopped pork and chicken pastry combo dinner with collard greens, fried okra, hush puppies and a sweet tea. A basket of hush puppies comes with every meal and is brought to the table with the menu. There are two sauces both of which are homemade: mild and hot. I try both and go with the mild that has a strong yet sweet vinegar taste.

I snack on the hush puppies for a moment. I never really liked these things and could never understand what the big fuss over them was about, but now I get it. These were the real deal... sweet, crispy on the outside, soft in the middle, and just the right touch of grease. Lovely! I considered wrapping some up and taking them back to Ohio for Candice who lives and dies by the hush puppy, but I decided against it. Less than two minutes after ordering, my food is brought to the table on blue plastic plates with food partitions. I dig right into the chicken and pastry which is supposed to be Carolina style chicken and dumplings, but is much more soupy in consistency yet flavorful. It would be awesome served piping hot on a rainy day. Real comfort food.

Next up is the chopped pork. I'm not much of a pork eater, but holy shit this stuff was amazing. I ate all of that up between generous slatherings of their mild sauce. Add barbecue to the list of foods I like. You literally do not need teeth to eat this stuff.

The fried okra was decent. I ate a bit of it but I doubt it's something I would order again. I'm going to cook some okra up at home without frying before I make a final verdict on this southern vegetable. I wish I could say the same about the collard greens. This was my first time trying this and one bite was more than enough for me. I would have been better off going with the boiled potatoes and sweet corn, but I wanted to get a taste of real and authentic southern Carolina barbecue and this was the way to do it.

I stuck around for a bit longer to listen to the people coming in and out of Ole Time. Students from NC State drop by for pick up orders consisting of pounds of chopped pork and fried chicken. The man who has been sitting at the counter since early in the morning chats with the lady making up a new batch of potato salad. The lunch counter lady gets on a customer about taking his medicine and watching his cholesterol as she serves him another order of fried sweet potatoes and then they swoon over pictures of her grandchildren. A woman in her thirties comes in and says, "Hey honey, give me the usual for daddy." I'm not totally sure where I am but I know I haven't been here before and I love the change of pace. This is as real as you can get folks and it's worth appreciating.

Raleigh Something Special

2008-10-15T10:08:00.009-05:00

Aren't I punny this morning. But seriously now, I travel quite a bit for work and much to my displeasure, I've been assigned to several of the Southern States. I'm a born and raised Midwesterner (two years in DC was too southern for me) so I'd be lying if I said that I didn't book my trip to Raleigh/Durham, North Carolina without some salty prejudice. I've been told by several people that it's just beautiful down here and I will love it. Well, they were right.

After driving around for quite a few hours yesterday checking out the scenery and the changing of the leaves, I decided to find a place to have dinner. I was looking for some Carolina BBQ but decided to save that for tomorrow when I can really do my research to find the best spot. Driving around the Brier Creek area of Raleigh, I came across Champa, a Thai and sushi restaurant and outdoor patio. I love Asian cooking and of all the different cultural cuisines, Japanese and Thai are my favorite so I was immediately sold.

Champa is located in the Brier Creek Commons Shopping Center, but as soon as you walk in, you immediately forget this. This Tuesday night there was a live jazz band performing softly in the corner of the small restaurant. I grabbed a seat at the sushi bar, ordered myself a Springtini (something with a lot of booze in it) and watched the dishes come out of the kitchen. I peered over the menu for a good twenty minutes until I decided to just see what other people ordered and what looked good.

I was jonesin' for some sushi, but at $13 a roll, I didn't want to over stretch my expense account. The gentleman next to me ordered the Lobster Roll. Just the Lobster Roll? I figured he must not be that hungry, but then when it came out, I understood why that's all he ordered. This roll was easily the size of a Chipotle Burritto... with double meat. I was sold... I'll take one of those!

I sat there and sipped on my martini while enjoying my sushi, reading my book and listening to the soft jazz in the background. For once, I actually felt like I belonged in that suit that I was wearing. I guess traveling alone for work isn't too bad after all. And I'll certainly be excited to come back here again. Next up on the must try list, the tofu Pad-See-Ew. Looks amazing!

Throw in the Towel or What's Left of It

2008-10-14T11:47:00.007-05:00

The word is out. Janet Jackson has "postponed" her eighth consecutive show in her Rock Witchu Tour and the prospect of her coming back anytime soon is starting to look dismal. Janet postponed her performance at Madison Square Garden on Monday night, but this shouldn't have come to a shock to anyone who still had tickets. At this point in her career, there's no question that she should be selling out the Garden, yet fans can easily get their hands on some floor tickets without shelling out the cash. That's a hit to the ego.

Janet has another show tomorrow at the Verizon Center in Washington, DC but don't stave off your plans if something better comes up. No one is expecting her to show as they just announced that the start time is pushed back to 7:30 PM.

For now she is postponing shows and rescheduling them, but some of these rescheduled shows are coming up awfully soon and we there's still no Janet in sight. I had tickets to her show in Detroit which was her first postponement (and without ample notice, I might add). It's rescheduled for the 28th of October. Will she bail yet again? The odds are favorable.

If you haven't sold your tickets yet, you might want to seriously consider it. I sold mine for what I bought them for minus the nice $30 commission StubHub slapped on there only two days after she rescheduled. More and more tickets are popping up everyday if that tells you anything.

If Janet Camp were to decide to cancel, the word is that all tickets will be refunded, but what about all those third-party purchases? Shit out of luck I suppose. Rumors are flying as to what is really going on with Ms. Jackson who has been silent on the issue. Anything from pregnancy to multiple sclerosis has been thrown out there. I hope that whatever it is, she will be alright, but it's seriously time to pull the plug on this tour. Her financial supporters must be completely losing their asses right now and the fans are fed up. And think about it this way... If she's really that unhealthy to cancel eight consecutive shows, she's not going to put on the performances required to compensate for all the frustration caused anytime soon.

Cold War Kids Provide Their Own Economic Relief Package

2008-10-13T09:50:00.011-05:00

I've been on this ticket buying kick lately. I'll hear about a band I want to see that is coming to town and I'll buy two tickets with the faith that I'll find someone who will want to come along. Luckily, I haven't been turned down yet. I'll send out a few text messages the night before the show and by the morning I'll have a few takers. Last night I had tickets to see the Cold War Kids perform at the Newport Music Hall on campus (High & 12th). My sidekick was my friend Niki who has never really seen a lesser known band so to speak, has never been to a small music venue, and has never heard of the Cold War Kids, but she was fixin' for a new experience so she jumped at the ticket in a heartbeat. Tickets were going for only $15 when I swooped them up, but after the show sold out, StubHub was listing them at $60 each. And those sold out too.

On our way downtown, I gave her a really quick crash course on some songs I was certain they would play. This was going to be my third time seeing them, but the first since the release of their new album, Loyalty to Loyalty. I first encountered them at Bonnaroo 2007 when I had no idea who they were, but immediately got into their heavy yet twangy guitar and piano pounding, whiny vocals, and catchy choruses. Not long after that, I was fortunate to catch them at the 9:30 Club in Washington, DC and was prepared to sing along this time.

This was my first show at the Newport, but will certainly not be my last. The Newport is the oldest remaining bar on campus since the renovation of High Street over the past ten years. The old theater architecture looks like it might fall in on you in some places, but the atmosphere is top notch. People filled up the open floor in front of the small stage and stood on chairs along the perimeter. I inched my way closer to the front as Niki stood on a bench on the side of the stage, managing to get some great photos and video.

The Cold War Kids covered many of their new songs (including Something Is Not Right With Me), but still played all of their older songs that have become every one's favorites: Hang Me Up To Dry, We Used To Vacation, Quiet, Please! and ending the set with my personal favorite, Hospital Beds. They walked off stage to a rowdy crowd that absolutely demanded more. I looked at Niki and said, "They aren't leaving without playing Saint John." Two minutes later they walk back out on stage and said, "This one is called Saint John." The crowd roared.

We left the show sweaty and hoarse from screaming and jumping around. "So what did you think?", I asked. " You know, I love when you see a band live and they sound exactly like their albums. It shows their level of talent."

So take it from Niki, even if you aren't totally feeling the sound of the Cold War Kids at first still give them a shot if they are in town. They're quite the performers and you can't help but get sucked in. I've seen them three times now and will probably see them three more. Especially when tickets are that cheap!

Why Go to a Concert If You Hate the Band?

2008-10-09T08:43:00.017-05:00

Listen folks. I hate Queen. I know what you are thinking... "How can anyone hate Queen?" Well I just do. Bohemian Rhapsody makes me want to stab my eardrums with an ice pick. So let's say that my favorite musician, say Madonna (again, I know what you are thinking) is performing but Queen is the opening act. No doubt there will be people there who came to see Queen and not Madonna, that's just what they are into. So as a Queen hater, I have two options: 1) Show up late and miss the opening act or 2) Get over it and let everyone else around me enjoy their set. Pretty simple, right? Evidently not.

I was seriously pumped for Tegan & Sara all week. I've seen them before at Bonna roo Music Festival this summer and I can belt out pretty much any one of their songs on demand. What remains of my car speakers have been blasting them for weeks now. Tegan & Sara were opening up for Death Cab for Cutie last night whose recent album topped the charts for three weeks this summer and also performed at Bonnaroo. Tegan & Sara are a young girl band (twin sisters from Calgary) that rock out to relateable lyrics about euphoric relationships and mind-blowing breakups. If you haven't listened to their latest album, The Con, you're doing yourself a great disservice.

You're sure to get an interesting crowd when you mix their lesbian/punk/emo/I don't even know anymore followers with the hipsters/emo/I don't even know anymore crowd of Death Cab. I was fully aware of this going in, but figured that people would be there to enjoy the tunes and everyone would just soak it all in.

I went to the show with my Columbus concert buddy, Jake (right, top photo, recipient of the shocker). Entering the LC Pavilion, we joked about how we were quite possibly the oldest people there (at a whopping 25 & 26 years old) and how we've never seen so many "skinny jeans" in our lives. "Are we in Columbus, OHIO? Remind me to buy Urban Outfitters' stock when we get home! Isn't there a city-wide curfew for all minors?" We grab some ginormous beers and head for the lawn. Tegan & Sara take the stage and I go nuts. Everyone else just kind of stands around like they drank too much and then took one too many bong rips out in the parking lot. Lame, but whatever. Jake and I are entertained by the people watching as we both giggle under our breath. All is kosher until this guy next to us starts screaming at the top of his lungs "FUCK YOU, YOU FUCKING SUCK" during Tegan & Sara's set. I turn to Jake and say we need to put a handle on this because I'm about to lose it. Jake gets in his face and tells him to calm it down. He'd love nothing more than to take this guy down but knows that it's not the time nor the place. I mean, seriously, who gets in a fight at a lesbian rocker chick show? Anyway, this guy continues to yell. I 'pull' him aside and ask him why the hell he paid $37 (or more as the show was sold out) for a concert in which he doesn't want to see 50% of the show? I ask his girlfriend if she is embarrassed by his behavior, but she's clueless. "Pipe it down asshole or get the hell out of here, but stop ruining it for everyone else!"

Tegan & Sara come to a close and Death Cab is up. I was really excited to hear them since their new album released and I was hoping to god they would play Soul Meets Body so I can call up my old roommate from DC and reminisce about being stuck on the George Washington Parkway and rocking out to that tune. Just as Death Cab starts to amp up, this guy behind me is trying to cop a feel, grind up on me, and start up a conversation. "I like your style and I'd love to take you out to dinner sometime. What's your name?"

"Terry Schiavo"

"Oh yeah? Well what's your number? I'll give you a call this weekend and we will hit up Hyde Park."

"My number is 614-930-1111"

"Hot. I'll call you."

The show is about to come to an end. I kept looking out onto the crowd to see everyone quiet and standing still. Did I forget to drink the Kool-Aid when coming through the gate? What is wrong with these people? Am I missing something?

I'd go see both bands again, but perhaps in a different atmosphere. This is why I believe festivals to be so great... LOTS of people from ALL walks of life that are there to have a good time, certainly not start shit or get laid. Sure, people are doped up, but not to the state of complete comatose. You don't go to a concert because it is trendy, folks. You go because you enjoy the music. Last night had me wondering if Death Cab for Cutie is just the next Dave Matthews Band, a legitimate band overrun by a young and arrogant crowd. The training wheels of concerts, if you will. I wish I had more to say about the show, but we were left with little choice but to block everyone out and jam in our own world. We were fully able to enjoy ourselves, I just wish we could have enjoyed the crowd as well. After all, that's half the fun.

Ultimately, I came to see Tegan & Sara and sing along with them and that I did. Mission accomplished I suppose. Also, I told a guy my name was Terry Schiavo. So really, epic win for me.

Columbus Area Concerts: November 2008

2008-10-08T09:25:00.012-05:00

In attempt to serve as your one stop spot for concert information in the Columbus, Ohio area, I am pleased to present you with all the concerts and relevant shows going on in the month of November. I will be covering many of these in more detail soon, but in the meantime, check out the lineup and be sure to visit TicketStumbler to compare prices from several different brokers before throwing down any cash.

At first glance, my immediate recommendations go to: Relient K, Martin Sexton, Metallica, Steve Miller Band, YES, Nine Inch Nails, Low vs. Diamond, and Mannheim Steamroller.

Detroit Warriors w/Menace II Sobriety	1-Nov-08	4:00 PM	Alrosa Villa
Relient K	1-Nov-08	6:00 PM	Newport Music Hall
Secrecy	1-Nov-08	7:00 PM	Wexner Center
Citymusic's 25th Anniversary Concert	1-Nov-08	8:00 PM	Southern Theater
Matt White	1-Nov-08	8:00 PM	The Basement
Push Play w/ The Love Willows	2-Nov-08	5:30 PM	Skully's Music Diner
The Academy Is...	2-Nov-08	6:00 PM	Newport Music Hall
Chairlift	3-Nov-08	9:00 PM	Wexner Center
Jerry Seinfeld	5-Nov-08	7:00 PM	Palace Theater
Alan Jackson	6-Nov-08	7:30 PM	Schottenstein Center
Shawn "Thunder" Wallace Quartet	6-Nov-08	8:00 PM	Weigel Hall
Nelson w/Slaughter	7-Nov-08	7:00 PM	Alrosa Villa
Louis C.K.	7-Nov-08	8:00 PM	Capitol Theatre
The Cruxshadows with Ayria & I w/Scintilla	7-Nov-08	10:00 PM	Skully's Music Diner
Otep	8-Nov-08	6:00 PM	Alrosa Villa
Martin Sexton	8-Nov-08	7:00 PM	Newport Music Hall
Carlos Perez	8-Nov-08	8:00 PM	Capital University
The Ramsey Lewis Trio	8-Nov-08	8:00 PM	King Arts Complex
Andyland	8-Nov-08	10:00 PM	Wexner Center
Carlos Mencia	9-Nov-08	6:00 PM	Palace Theater
Metallica	9-Nov-08	7:00 PM	Schottenstein Center
Dance Gavin Dance	10-Nov-08	7:00 PM	The Basement
Marcin Wasilewski Trio	10-Nov-08	8:00 PM	Wexner Center
Tech N9ne	11-Nov-08	7:00 PM	Newport Music Hall
Blitzen Trapper w/Horse Feathers	11-Nov-08	9:00 PM	Skully's Music Diner
Puddle of Mudd	11-Nov-08	6:30 PM	LC Pavilion
YES	12-Nov-08	7:00 PM	LC Pavilion
The Clarks	13-Nov-08	7:00 PM	Newport Music Hall
Zoso	14-Nov-08	7:00 PM	Newport Music Hall
Andrew Dice Clay	14-Nov-08	8:00 PM	Palace Theater
Bobaflex	15-Nov-08	6:00 PM	Alrosa Villa
Secondhand Serenade	15-Nov-08	6:00 PM	Newport Music Hall
Oakhurst	15-Nov-08	7:00 PM	The Basement
Claremont Piano Trio	15-Nov-08	8:00 PM	Southern Theater
Steve Miller Band	15-Nov-08	8:00 PM	Nationwide Arena
Nine Inch Nails	17-Nov-08	8:00 PM	Schottenstein Center
Ayelet Rose Gottlieb	17-Nov-08	8:00 PM	Wexner Center
Soulfly	18-Nov-08	6:00 PM	Alrosa Villa
Low vs Diamond w/Barcelona	18-Nov-08	7:00 PM	The Basement
Corey Smith	19-Nov-08	7:00 PM	Newport Music Hall
Murder By Death	19-Nov-08	7:00 PM	The Basement
All Time Low	20-Nov-08	5:30 PM	Newport Music Hall
Puddle of Mudd	20-Nov-08	6:30 PM	LC Pavilion
Alternate Routes	20-Nov-08	7:00 PM	The Basement
Harry Connick, Jr.	20-Nov-08	7:30 PM	Ohio Theatre
Reba McEntire	20-Nov-08		Schottenstein Center
Escape the Fate	21-Nov-08	7:00 PM	The Basement
AC/DC	21-Nov-08	7:30 PM	Schottenstein Center
Dead Schembechlers	21-Nov-08	8:00 PM	LC Pavilion
The Pink Spiders	24-Nov-08	7:00 PM	The Basement
Eric Hutchinson	25-Nov-08	6:30 PM	The Basement
The Christmas Music of Mannheim Steamroller	25-Nov-08	7:30 PM	Ohio Theater
Cheetah Girls	28-Nov-08	7:00 PM	Nationwide Arena
Guarneri String Quartet	29-Nov-08	8:00 PM	Southern Theater
Money w/The Muffs	29-Nov-08	8:00 PM	Newport Music Hall

Með suð í eyrum við spilum endalaust: With Buzz In Our Ears We Play Endlessly

2008-10-02T09:06:00.029-05:00

The following post is from our newest Beats & Eats Blogger, Meg Sullivan, a lifelong friend and unwavering music festival sidekick, who currently resides in Chicago. We both experienced Sigur Ros for the first time together at Bonnaroo 2008. Both of us walked away emotional, moved, and inspired. As soon as we got back home, we both went out and purchased their documentary, Heima, and watch it often. Meg was able to see them again in Chicago for which I am infinitely jealous, but offered to share with us her personal perspective. (Photo: Meg [left] and myself rocking out at the Chicago Reggae Festival, August 2008. "Legalize It!")

Sigur Ros at the Chicago Theatre: Wednesday, September 24, 2008

With A Buzz In Our Ears We Play Endlessly; translated from the Hopelandic words Meo Suo i Eyrum Vio Spilum Endalaust, or better known as the title to Sigur Ros' newest studio album. Sigur Ros is currently on tour with this CD, whose title describes the absolute experience that they are.

For those not familiar, Sigur Ros is a four-piece Icelandic post-rock band that has an unsurpassed heartfelt and ambient sound. In their songs you will hear electric guitars, violin and cello bows, as well as piano melodies, all perfectly orchestrated together. The band is known for front man Jonsi Birgisson who sings in an angelic high pitched voice with a lot of reverb, creating an ethereal sound. He sings the majority of his songs in Hopelandic which is a combination of the language from Iceland and his own vocal gibberish. In this, the vocals become simply another complex instrument to orchestrate together. With the language barrier this allows you to really focus on the aesthetics of the music and the mood it inspires in you. The songs of Sigur Ros are so open ended that anyone can relate to them and reflect within.

When I was getting ready to see this show at the Chicago Theatre, I was holding it up with very high expectations. I saw them perform this summer at a stellar 1 AM set at the Bonnaroo Music Festival. I realized here that seeing Sigur Ros perform is what you would expect and much more. For those of you who have heard Sigur Ros before, imagine how you would feel listening to the CDs and then imagine seeing the spectacle of recreating those sounds in live action with absolute clarity. This first Sigur Ros show I can't put into words other than saying that it was surreal. The state of mind that their live performance instilled in me as I was laying in the grass gazing at the Tennessee stars is like nothing I have ever experienced. At one point I managed to come back to reality and look at my friend, Ashley (yes, the author of this blog), who has never really heard anything by Sigur Ros before. She was completely mesmerized staring at the stage with a tear rolling down her cheek. She went to the show to pass some time before Ghostland Observatory and Kanye West and ended up being pulled into the music with the rest of us. We left the show with a teary joy that we will never forget.

I, of course, could not wait to see them again in Chicago. I had a few reservations beforehand, primarily based on the audience. Usually more orchestrated and less rock shows create more chit-chatting and other distractions for those who really want to fully listen to the music. I must say that I was completely wrong in my preconceived notions of the crowd. It seemed like everyone was intimate, engaged, and very appreciative. During the middle of a song, there was a good five second pause in which the only thing you could hear was the quiet sounds of 4,000 breathing. Simply breathtaking.

The show consisted of a catalog-spanning set list, showcasing the band's shifts through the years. The set began with the swaying song Svefn-g-englar. This song works as one of their typical opening numbers as it acts as a memorable "calling all to the show" anthem. A personal highlight for me was when halfway through the show, two great songs: Hoppipolla/Meo Bloonasir and one of my personal favorites, Inni Mer Syngur Vitleysingur were played back to back. A lot of this playing was done strictly by the light of these little incandescent orbs that floated around on stage. These orbs would brighten along with intensity of the notes creating a truly magical atmosphere. The show ended on a high note with their recent single Goobledigook. This fast paced song, full of acoustic guitars and thumping percussion was performed by a dozen tribal drummers on stage. The audience was instructed to clap along with the rapid pace. At just the right moment, bright colors of confetti fell down into the entire theater creating an Icelandic snow globe. The band played a two song encore, Illgresi and Untitled 8, ending the show at just around two hours and fifteen minutes.

After the encore, the band members came down on stage and bowed while receiving a standing ovation. Walking out of that theater, most people left with an awed silence and satisfied look on their faces. Sigur Ros is a unique band that may not be for everyone, but I encourage all to at least give them a shot. And if by any means you have a chance to see them live, go and you will not regret it! Those who do will leave with a buzz in their ear and a new found appreciation for music.

Chef Boyardee Wouldn't be Caught Dead...

2008-09-29T12:08:00.008-05:00

When I first conceptualized this blog, I imagined reviews spanning all across the board for restaurants and concerts. Then as I got to writing I realized that if a restaurant is poor or sub-par at best, I naturally would have very little to say about it therefore dismissing the idea of a post altogether. Regardless, the reviews I do post will hold little credibility if it seems as though every place I eat at is superb and the site will loose its usefulness if I'm not pointing out what places you should avoid. And so alas, my first warning of many in the world of Columbus dining reviews:

'Mom & Pop' places are usually a pretty safe bet. They have that homemade cooking element and family service vibe in a world of chain restaurants. I'm reminded of Pasta Mia, a family owned Italian restaurant in the Adams Morgan neighborhood of Washington, DC. This place holds maybe forty diners at a time causing for people to line up outside hours before it even opens. I've done this several times with friends, drinking from paper bags outside in the rain and cold, waiting for it to open. Once in, we were treated to a basic listing of pasta options, all amazingly delicious, and accompanied with large carafes of the house red or white. We were always served by the same woman who recognized our faces and would greet us in Italian while her husband single-handily ran the kitchen.

On the complete opposite side of the spectrum is the Monte Carlo Italian Kitchen in Westerville (Schrock & Cleveland Ave). A friend of mine raved about this place for so long that I had to go with her to see what the buzz was about. I should have considered at the time that her favorite food is frozen french bread pizza from Stouffer's and Chicken McNuggets, no sauce. If you like factory food without any flavor or flair, then I can see why you might love the Monte Carlo.

We were immediately seated at a small table with torn and wobbly chairs. We were the only people there except for the two families with small children in high-chairs surrounded by scraps of food on the floor. (Here is where I must interject with a note to parents: If you want to take your toddler out to dinner, by all means, go for it... it's good training in manners, but be considerate of the other patrons; keep the screaming at a minimum and get your kids food off the floor. If you aren't going to tend to them then don't bring them and don't even think about leaving a mess behind for your server to pick up. I've seen this many times and each time I'm equally appalled.) I glance around at the mix and match of random posters around the dining room and the 9/11 shrine in the corner. I feel like I'm in Long Island. Ronkonkoma to be exact. I go over my menu and immediately decide on the gnocchi with the tomato sauce that comes with a small house salad. Our server brings out the bread; three rolls with that light dusting of fake flour on top to prevent them from sticking to one another in the bag that they come in and packets of butter. I pass on the crusty roll. Next up is my salad; a handful of iceberg lettuce with two olive slices and a packet of bleu cheese dressing. Seriously? And now for the gnocchi; not even thoroughly cooked meaning that there's no way it's homemade, with canned tomatoes on top. At this point I was just pissed. I had just wasted my time and money on something that my belligerent college roommate could have topped with a hotpot, a can of Spaghetti-O's, and some carrot sticks.

I didn't say much out of fear of offending my friend, but the dinner conversation was definitely hampered by my quiet discontent. She loves the food, but she also likes everything plain, avoids vegetables at all cost, and relishes in fried foods. Now don't get me wrong... anyone who has ever been to my house knows I always have at least one can of Spaghetti-O's in my pantry and they are my ultimate comfort food, but it's also cheap, convenient, out of can, and one-hundred times more tasty than Monte Carlo. Just because you are Irish, doesn't mean you have to open up a bar, and just because you are Italian doesn't mean you have open up a cucina, but if you must, please don't pretend that it's from the homeland. Last time I checked, Sysco was based out of Houston.

"No, My First Name ain't Baby, It's Postpone, Ms. Bullshit if you're Nasty."

2008-09-27T07:49:00.007-05:00

R A G E. I was so excited to post my first concert review on this site this weekend. My friend, Candice, has never been to a concert, so with her wedding coming up, my gift to her was two amazing tickets to see Janet Jackson in Detroit... all expenses on me. I WAS PUMPED!

I had talked to her last night before I went to bed and we sounded like two little school girls vexing in excitement. Imagine my complete and utter disappointment when I woke up this morning to an email from StubHub that the concert has been postponed until October 28... A DAMN TUESDAY! And coincidentally, the Tuesday right before her wedding. Damnit!

A concert like Janet Jackson is one you get pumped for over several weeks, months, and perhaps even years. To postpone less than twenty-four hours before the show is bullshit and everyone knows it. Even more, there is NO mention of the postponing on her website... not anywhere! The Detroit Free Press released a blurb saying that it was because of "production constraints." I don't care... fix it! I can't even imagine what I would do if I were to not check my email this morning and just drive on up to Detroit expecting to see the show as I'm sure some will do.

Needless to say, I immediately posted my tickets on StubHub for resale. They are great seats and now posted for less than what I paid for them so hopefully I can unload them quickly. As for the hotel reservation, a round of applause for hotels.com and the folks at the Hyatt Place of Auburn Hills. Not only did I have a non-refundable reservation, but my cancellation was not within twenty-four hours of check in. Despite my double whammy, both the hotel and hotels.com felt it was only fair to give me a full refund. I HIGHLY recommend hotels.com for their great customer service and the Hyatt for their understanding.

The Palace of Auburn Hills, however, and Ms. Jackson will forever be on my shit list. I could have had tickets to the OSU game this weekend but passed them up because I fully expected to be in Detroit. At least I get to see Madonna next month... a TRUE performer. That review will actually be worth reading! (And if for any reason, she postpones, put me on suicide watch... I have been waiting for that show for YEARS.)

Sustainability & Affordability: Black Creek Bistro

2008-09-26T10:06:00.012-05:00

My dear friend, Brooks, got a babysitter for the afternoon and asked if I wanted to meet up for lunch. Since the birth of her first child and the expecting of the second, she has turned into Mother Nature herself, composting her food scraps, building a root cellar, planting her own garden, switching over to herbal remedies, and voting for McCain. Well... she's not quite there, but maybe one day :) All that aside, I wasn't surprised when she suggest this new place for lunch.

Black Creek Bistro is a new downtown (Parsons & Oak) restaurant that serves as an extension from a family farm, using locally grown produce at very affordable prices. In the spirit of sustainability, Rock Creek Bistro has used the wood salvaged from old barns to outfit the dining room and old church pews for their seating. Their used vegetable oil is filtered and used to run their converted bio-diesel farm equipment out in Canal Winchester. All food scraps are composted and used as fertilizer for the next batch of crops. Even if you aren't one to jump on the green bandwagon or even try to fight it, you can't help but feel a little good about dining at BCB.

Nowadays, one pretty much assumes that being environmentally conscious comes with a price. Not the case at Black Creek Bistro: $6-9 for lunch, $10-20 for dinner, $5 cocktails and martinis, $5-9 appetizers, frequent wine tastings, and a rotating gallery for local artists, Black Creek Bistro shows that by keeping it local, it's not all that hard to pull off.

And pull it off, they do. For $15 Brooks and I got two of the small house salads (field greens, pecans, dried cranberries, and warm goat cheese), and both split the Chicken Club with dill Havarti and avocado and the roast beef with grated horseradish. She liked the chicken better whereas I preferred the roast beef, but both were delicious.

The bistro was pretty busy for lunch and in such a small dining room, things got to be pretty noisy so if you are looking for a quiet lunch spot, this may not be your best option. I imagine that the real charm with this place kicks in around five and six o'clock when groups of girlfriends join up to enjoy a couple bottles of wine and some rustic appetizers together. If you're a guy, sit at the bar while reading Fast Food Nation and you'll be sure to attract the attention of a female diner.

Attention Bocce Ball Enthusiasts

2008-09-25T09:40:00.007-05:00

Last night I met my lady, Candice, out for dinner at Joe's Crab Shack. Kind of shameful for a self-proclaimed foodie, but I was seriously fixin' for some crab legs and Joe's hit the spot with a bucket of seafood, cheap froo-froo drinks (a margarita topped with Pop Rocks? Brilliant!), and WONDERFUL service from Joey, our server.

On my way home from dinner my other lady, Niki, called and asked me to meet her out for a drink. "It's been a shitty day and I could go for a beer. Can you meet me at Carsonie's?"

"Carsonie's? What the hell is Carsonie's?"

"I don't know mama, I was driving by and it looked like a happening place so I stopped in. They've got some bocce ball thing going on. Like a full blown, real deal, bocce court. You've got to see this!"

"Word. Be there in fifteen minutes."

Carsonie's was a riot. Besides the waitstaff, we were easily the youngest people there. Lots of older people getting drunk, dancing to Kool and The Gang, staring at our asses, and playing in their Bocce Ball league semi-finals. Drinks were cheap, the garlic bread and marinara was solid (homemade, I'm sure), and the people watching was prime.

Apparently this has been a Westerville landmark (6000 Westerville Road - just south of 270) since the 80's, but neither of us have ever heard of it. Niki was having a crappy day, saw this place hopping, stopped in for a drink, and we ended up having a blast. Who doesn't love old men telling you how beautiful you are? "Thanks pops... you look familiar. Didn't I go to grade school with your granddaughter?" Regardless, I love these little hole in the wall places and we will definitely be back!

Would you like a side of food with your gravy?

2008-09-24T12:54:00.012-05:00

It's been a rough week. Friday afternoon, you email some friends, "My week was crappy. Co-workers came to work armed with bad attitudes and frozen fish sticks. Let's get together at the bar and keep them in business tonight." You dress not so much to impress… but you put enough effort in to it so as to not nauseate the opposite sex. Get there, you grab a round of shots and a beer, or in my case, Jager bombs and a Smirnoff Ice and proceed to pump the jukebox full of your hard-earned, reheated-fish-smelling dolla, dolla billz and get down to business. A good way to get the party started; something familiar to all, an oldie-but-goodie that makes you say to yourself, "I secretly and abashedly LOVE this song." This evening, nothing less than "You Got It (The Right Stuff)" by my first loves, NKOTB will suffice. Followed up by a little AC/DC, Heart, Beastie Boys, various Dirty Southerners, and other classics.

So after all moves have been busted, last call is announced, and all yo drinks get drunk up, everyone is hungry. You always have the guy who shouldn't have had that last rum and coke and will undoubtedly toss his cookies in the parking lot of whatever fine dining establishment you choose to patronize this morning, so his opinion scarcely counts at this point. Then, someone says, "Oh man, I could really go for some..." Here is where we enter in to domain that only true drinkers and late 2nd/3rd shifters can attest to. I myself worked 3rd shift for two years and I must say that I know all about 24-hour greasy spoons.

As far as Columbus is concerned, there are only so many sit-down restaurants open 24 hours. No Denny's here. I have never eaten at one, so I have no idea what, if anything, I'm missing. I also must say that campus is usually good for 24-hour sub shops and such. But I don't party on campus, so we will leave that up to another blogger.

Let's start with Tee Jaye's. If you are one of those, "I want breakfast at 3am"-types, this is the place for you. It's the closest to Bob Evan's you are going to get at this hour. Their claim to fame, the Barnyard Buster. At a scant $4.65, you get the works, two biscuits, two eggs, country fries, all of this covered in white sausage gravy. Pretty tasty and very greasy, you will most likely get your late night fix from this dish. And if you are in the mood for something sweet, they always have pies and apple dumplings available. And if you are in the mood for some stripper action, I hear that the High Street location is known for getting rowdy, drunk exotic dancers in after their shift who are more than willing to give anyone who is willing to look at them a free show. Talk about self-esteem issues, geesh.

Next, let's move on to my personal least-favorite, Steak-n-Shake. Now, I know many people, including the lovely Beats and Eats author, Ashley, are fans of this place. Please let me say, I get it. However, I personally don't understand how they can advertise those burgers as "steak burgers." I am 99% sure those are school burgers. You know, the ones that were kept warm by leaving them soak in hot water and are made out of the same meat as those pre-formed "barbecue ribs." I must say, I do commend the manufacturer of those burgers/ribs for putting fake grill marks on them. *pssst* I know they weren't really grilled. But we'll make that our little secret. I do want to also advise all to avoid the Steak-n-Shake version of Skyline chili and please, I beg you, stay away from what they call "special sauce." It tastes remarkably like stomach acid. And you don't need that after you are already trying to keep that taste in your stomach. I'm also not a fan of their milkshakes. Too much milk, not enough shake.

Now that I've bashed everyone's favorite steak burger joint, I will undoubtedly catch some hell for praising Waffle House. I must admit, there is some comfort in being able to look over and watch someone cooking your food. I like this for two reasons; 1) I admire the skills of the short-order cook. By strategically placing a pad of butter and a pickle on a plate, they know that I want a cheddar melt, well-done with my hash browns scattered, smothered, covered, topped and capped and a waffle. 2) I can keep an eye out for any cooks who are trying to gang bang on my hash browns. No spitting, mister. I can see you. As I am a huge fan of chili, I would like to recommend the Waffle House chili. It is distributed by the same people who make Wendy's chili, but it is made without fingers and instead, I am pretty sure that the fingers are replaced with love. Yes, love. But it goes without saying that you will undoubtedly run in to a few vagrants at any WH location. They are down on their luck, looking to pay 65 cents for a cup of coffee and like to check out skanky drunk girls who don't know how to keep their legs closed when they are wearing skirts.

So after you finish up your meal, it is time to split. Hopefully, your buzz has subsided enough to embark upon another trip home to the other side of town because, as it turns out, all of your friends live on the other side of town. Funny how that happens. Monday morning arrives, the smell of catfish looms. Checking out your credit card statement, you find a $75 charge to Steak-n-Shake… Damnit! I shouldn't have had that last rum and coke. I'm puking my life away in the parking lot and my losery friends are having fourth meal at my expense.

I Need a Fat Bitch, a Blunt Wrapper, a Case of Natty Light & a Condom

2008-09-24T11:43:00.006-05:00

This post is dedicated to Dan, the king of 3AM meals.

I've seen a lot of menus in my day, but I'm pretty sure I can die now after seeing the menu for PJ's: Home of the FAT Sandwich in the Dollar Saver on the OSU Campus. I was visiting a friend who lives near campus and I saw this ad and insisted on ordering from them right away. Hell, we could have waited all night to call in our order seeing that this place is open until 4AM on weekends and 3AM on weeknights.

Folks, I am not lying when I say that we are talking about the mecca of drunk/high food. Let's run down just a sampling of what they have to offer:

The Horny Stoner: Milkshake, Brownie, Munchies, Blunt Wrapper & Condom: $8.99
Drunk Eddie Special: Any two specialty sandwiches and a case of Natty Light: $21.49
Lazy Afternoon: Any specialty sandwich, a tall boy, and a cigarette. $9.99

Now what exactly are these specialty sandwiches, you ask? Where do we even begin?
Fat Bitch: Buffalo chicken tenders, beer fries, mac & cheese wedges, mozzarella stick & ranch dressing.
Fat Blunt: Cheesesteak, mac and cheese, corn dog, potato skins, onion rings, mustard, ketchup & mayo.
Fat Meg: Chicken tenders, bacon, mozzarella sticks, potato skins, cheese & sour cream.
Fat Cat: Two burgers, cheese, french fries, mayo, ketchup, lettuce, tomato onion.

The folks at PJ's are experts in the field of munchies. They know that when it comes to feeding stoners, texture is key. Why else would they offer a sandwich that includes a corndog AND potato skins AND onion rings AND mac and cheese AND, OH YEAH, it's all piled on a cheesesteak to boot? Even more, we are talking less than $8 for the sandwich.

Also need an order of egg rolls, mashed potatoes, wings, carrot cake, quesadilla, and a banana milkshake? They got all of that too. Beer and smokes? They are one it. Condoms and blunt wrappers? Got it covered. I'd be willing to bet you can get a side of Maalox with your food order if you ask politely.

I'm not saying it's delicious and I'm not saying you won't regret it in the morning, but I'm guessing you probably don't care if your other option is that freezer burnt bag of pizza rolls and a 40 of Olde English someone left in the fridge seven months ago.

So now that you know about PJ's, don't ask your wasted buddy if he can get it together long enough to make a Wendy's run. Don't go stealing the neighbors beer either. And please don't attempt to cook anything. Just log onto Campusfood.com to order or call 614-299-2113 and cancel that fun run you had scheduled for the next morning.

For the Health Nuts & Binge Drinkers Alike

2008-09-24T08:48:00.007-05:00

I hate coffee. Always have and always will. I know it's supposed to be an acquired taste, but I would rather drink a gallon of Pedialyte every morning than a single cup of black coffee. In fact, when it comes to everyday food, there are only two things that I rule out completely: celery and coffee. Naturally, the one food with negative calories and the other that aids in the digestive process are the two that I rule out. Go figure.

So lets assume for a second that you share my hatred for coffee or you are just trying to break the addiction. Something has got to get you going in the morning and I, for one, would trade an extra ten minutes of sleep in the morning over that bowl of Special K. As such, I have become a huge fan of the smoothie.

There are lots of these smoothie joints popping up all over the place and I have been on a quest to seek out the best in the Columbus area. Between Smoothie King, Planet Smoothie, Jamba Juice, Inta Juice, Robeks, and all the locally owned shops, there's a lot of options out there.

If you are downtown, without a doubt, the best place for fresh juice is Bubbles: The Tea & Juice Company in the North Market. I try to make it down to the farmers market and butcher shop about twice a month and each time I'm down there, I visit Eric and Steve, the two young guys that run this stand. They always have samples of the new blends they are working on and will stop what they are doing to enjoy a wheat grass shot with you.

Did you know that one ounce of wheat grass is equivalent to two pounds of green leafy vegetables? I started off drinking this stuff because of its health benefits, but after time I have learned that this could quite possibly be the best quick remedy for an epic hangover. Fight cancer AND the throbbing headache all at once... FIST PUMP! I know what you are thinking... For real? Grass juice?... but it's not that bad. The smell is a little funky, but generally it's pretty sweet and for all the doubtful first timers out there, try having it with an orange juice "chaser."

Over on my side of town there are about three different smoothie joints within a mile of me. Planet Smoothie is decent but nothing spectacular. Smoothie King is okay but veers more towards novelty than simplicity; I'm weary of a juice bar that features several chocolate and peanut butter based smoothies. Of the three, Robeks Juice really takes the cake when it comes to quality and service.

Conveniently located next to the Starbucks on Hamilton and Morse in Gahanna, Robeks has a simple menu with healthy snacks. Just about every Friday morning I stop in to see Matt, the awesome morning clerk, who always knows my name, asks what I'm doing for the weekend, and knows exactly what I need to fight off that Thursday night happy hours. A shot of wheat grass and a small Hummingbird smoothie and I'm out the door. This will easily fill me up until a late lunch and is much better than McDonald's breakfast.

So whether you are a mindful health guru or a tequila-lovin' whore, put down the coffee in the morning and go for the Robeks.

Got an Expense Account?

2008-09-22T12:28:00.009-05:00

My beau surprised me with Saturday night tickets to see Wicked in Pittsburgh a few weeks ago and I immediately insisted on treating us to a nice dinner before the show. While he assured me that he would be completely content with Taco Bell, it's not everyday a girl gets treated to out-of-town theater tickets so naturally it was time to pull out the big guns. Any city will have a lengthy list of high-end restaurants ranging from ultra-modern food to the classic French Bistro, but when treating a guy, you can't fall short with a classic steakhouse.

Pittsburgh offered several choices, but I was going for the best. I was looking for something that was within walking distance of both the hotel and the theater and was guaranteed to be memorable. Still on cloud nine by the thought of a nice romantic weekend away, I immediately dismissed price as a deciding factor with the comfort of knowing that I would be riding that same cloud when the bill came.

Nine out of ten times when traveling, which I often do for work, I go with the local fare that can't be found anywhere else. Pittsburgh was my exception. When considering location, reviews, and still trying a place neither of us have been before, I decided upon the ever popular and highly acclaimed, Capital Grille, a chain found in major metropolitan cities.

We had a 6PM reservation and arrived a few minutes early. They were ready to seat us as soon as we walked in the door and gave us the option of a booth or table. First impression was that everyone was well presented and mindful of their job. The hostess was in complete control of the entrance and sharp with her directions. Say, the opposite of what you would encounter on a Saturday night at T.G.I. Friday's with a PA system and a stack of pagers.

The wine list at the Capital Grille is definitely one of the more extensive lists I've seen in any restaurant. My favorite varietal is the Gewürztraminer from Germany which can be hard to find in a grocery store, let alone a restaurant, but the Capital Grille carried at least three different bottles of the stuff. Impressive, but in accordance to our style, we ended up passing on the wine and going straight for the Jack and Tanqueray.

The menu was not nearly as lengthy with appetizers, soup, salads, chef specialties, and sides covering only one page, but the decision was still difficult to make. Usually one would go straight for the Fillet Mignon, but there were actually better choices to be had as explained by our completely knowledgeable server. We started off with the Kobe Carpaccio (served raw and sliced razor thin) and then moved onto our entrees. I went with the Fillet Oscar; a fillet served over asparagus spears topped with jumbo lump crab meat and hollandaise sauce with the side of wild mushrooms. He went with the recommended dry-rubbed Delmonico (shown) and the truffle fries.

In my opinion, the make or break for any steak house is their ability to cook a steak. Too much or too little in accordance to one's taste can ruin the meal entirely. I usually order my steak rare in hopes that I will at least get a little pink in the middle. I've even had to sign a waiver at a restaurant in Dayton once just to get a damn steak cooked properly. CG was on the mark when both of our steaks ordered at medium-rare arrived at our table as medium-rare. In this moment, I actually considered getting up to genuflect the kitchen.

Everything was amazing and cooked perfectly. A side of mushrooms for $12 is steep, but well worth it. My handsome dining companion said that the truffle fries were too oily. I didn't try one, but with truffle oil generally going for $8-$10 per ounce, I figured that was a little like saying my gin and tonic had too much gin in it... words I guarantee you'll never hear me utter.

The food alone was fantastic, but even more, the service was spot on. The wait staff was attentive and knowledgeable. At one time during dinner conversation, I was pointing my finger in reference to something which caused our waiter to come to our table immediately thinking that I had signaled him. Even our leftovers were accompanied with a note signed by the chef hoping that we continue to enjoy our meal. First time I've ever seen that.

No doubt, the final bill was expensive, but fine dining like this should be viewed as entertainment. If you would be willing to drop a couple of hundred dollars on a show, concert, or sporting event, a meal like this should be just as worthy. And, well, if you have a business expense account, then you'd be dumb not to.

Phat Wraps: Even Better Than Chipotle?

2008-09-19T07:20:00.005-05:00

I just finished reading Mindless Eating: Why We Eat More Than We Think, which kicks off the first chapter by stating that the average person makes over two-hundred food choices a day.

Inevitably, the majority of these choices hit around lunchtime. Noon is about fifteen minutes away and before you resort to that Lean Cuisine in the office fridge, you poll the floor to see what people are doing for lunch. The results are typical: A Hot Pocket in the car while listening to Glenn Beck, Wendy's drive-thru and then back to their desk to catch up on the episode of Weeds they missed last night, yet another Subway run for everyone who thinks they are maintaining some kind of conscious diet, or last night's catfish leftovers just to gag your surrounding coworkers for the rest of the afternoon.

Your stomach is growling to let you know that Lean Cuisine isn't going to cut it. Chipotle sounds delicious, but am I really in need of a thousand calorie burrito right now? Sushi is a healthier option but I'm also not looking to drop fifteen bones on lunch either. My gChat confidant, Candice, and I go through this routine often only to report back with, "The Huevos Rancheros Smart Ones is grody to the max!"

Enter: PHAT WRAPS.

Phat Wraps is the hot new spot on OSU Campus (High & 12th) that offers Vietnamese inspired wraps at a nominal price. Think Chipotle, but healthier. Think Quizno's, but better. Custom meals designed around one's taste meets fast, affordable, and healthy.

I had the opportunity to try out Phat Wraps before it even opened a few weeks ago. I got a sneak-peak the night before the grand opening to try out the food and come up with my own combinations. You start off with a few choices of meat or vegetables and that is grilled up and stuffed into a toasted flat bread as they are ordered. From there you take it over to the toppings bar equipped with Thai Basil, peppers, onions, other fresh herbs and veggies and lots of different spicy and savory sauces. Dress it up anyway you want, throw the cashier $7 and you're out the door.

Even better, the food is nearly all organic, locally grown, and totally fresh (as opposed to Subway "fresh" bagged lettuce). Even the drink bottles and disposable utensils are made from decomposable corn by-product. A far cry from the double-chee in a greasy bag with warm ketchup packets.

Phat Wraps is the child of Lac Viet Vietnamese Lunch Counter in the North Market and the former director of food operations at the Abercrombie & Fitch Headquarters. Every summer, the City of Columbus, holds COMFEST, a Community Festival in Goodale Park, with lots of live music and local food. These wraps have made an appearance for the past few years and each year they are overwhelmingly voted as the best food at the festival. By taking the hint and opening up shop, Columbus folk don't have to wait until COMFEST to snag these up.

Check this spot out it will make you feel a lot better than your thousand calorie gut-buster and save you from lunch with Glenn Beck.

Phat Wraps
10 E. 12th Avenue
Columbus, OH