Baby Sis and I jetted out of the SweetCheeba event a little soon. We missed this 2DopeBoyz exclusive, featuring none other than Spec Boogie, Dallas Penn and NeckBone.

Peep It!

But not really. It actually took place on 3.13. The infamous Tasty Lacy decided to hold yet another Pi(e) Day event. This time, I was in state (if you don’t know, I spend six months in Florida, six months in NYC each year) and able to attend.

For as long as I have known Miss Lacy, she has been an excellent baker. And writer. I am NOT a sweets eater, but her treats are so good…it’s nearly impossible for one to resist.

Although late and out of breath, I attended and was welcomed with hugs and a table full ‘o’ desserts. Pies in attendance:  banoffee, lemon meringue ice cream, key lime, grasshopper, chocolate cream and sugar cream.

Banoffee

Lemon Meringue Ice Cream

Key Lime

Grasshopper

Chocolate Cream

Sugar Cream

Quite tasty were the desserts AND the drinks. Each pie offered a beer and liquor pairing. For example, it was suggested that my lemon meringue ice cream slice be paired with a lemon drop martini (not an extra whiskey shot…but that was nice too).

On hand were many other writers and eaters….including but not limited to, Dave Burdick of HuffPo and Tim Peterson of The Authentics Foundation. Enjoy the photos because I enjoyed the pie!

Auto Tuning (click HERE) from Casey D on Vimeo.

The Experience

BLT Burger is many things, but oddly, it’s the things it is not that make it unique.

Consider the following: it is in Greenwich Village; but has a decidedly un-Village crowd. It’s a burger joint with burger, fry and beer combos; but it’s full name includes the word bistro. It’s menu boasts traditional—even, common—restaurant fare; but has peculiar standouts like Grandma’s Treat (a Maker’s Mark-spiked milkshake) and a Lamb Merguez sandwich (with a mint-cilantro yogurt sauce).

MORE INFO AFTER THE JIIIIII-ZUMP!

Sample fare from my table included the namesake burger, the Tex Mex and the Turkey Burger (each about $11).

Ironically, especially considering the walls being plastered with painting of cows, the most delightful dish was the turkey burger, which reminded us of a Gray’s Papaya hotdog (“…But in a good way,” said one diner), with it’s grilled onions and herbs.

———————————————————————————————————–

Nestled between a Ricky’s NYC and a small nail salon, was Bistro Lourent Tourondel Burger, 470 6th Ave. The blend of people inside was like an awkwardly mixed drink: the elementary school student still in his uniform, having dinner with his mother; a the table of John Jay professors swigging beer and a table full of young adults having drink after $12 drink was just another paradox in the restaurant.

While appetizing, the food was hardly gourmet. Though in a place with staff wearing t-shirts with slogans like “If you are what you eat then I’m fast, cheap and easy,” I remembered that a gourmet atmosphere was never promised.

Overall, this experience as overshadowed by the fact that something was always just a little bit “off.” It was almost affordable, but the watered down drinks were too expensive. It was almost authentic, but the wood appeared faux. But, as was the theme for the night, everything it wasn’t made it everything it should be: the food wasn’t delectable, but a fun night with friends in a new restaurant made it just good enough.

The Bottom Line

The BLT (Bistro Laurent Tourondel) Burger is a medium-sized restaurant on a medium-length block that serves medium-well, medium sized (mediocre) burgers. However, their friendly staff, open space and multitudinous menu spice things up. It is a great place to relax with friends, take in the sounds and try something new…like the Fried Dill Pickles….or The Stripper.

]]> http://justme1a.wordpress.com/2009/02/05/blt-burger/feed/ 0 justme1a http://justme1a.wordpress.com/2009/02/05/blt-burger/ http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/ThisIsJustMe/~3/qRJl6KpZVVM/ http://justme1a.wordpress.com/2008/12/07/the-ultimate-in-christmas-jams/#comments Sun, 07 Dec 2008 08:34:18 +0000 justme1a http://justme1a.wordpress.com/?p=264 ]]>

So I am a total holiday badass!

I love everything related to the Christmas season. (I am also one of those people who go through holiday withdrawal around January 5. I’m generally pretty depressed until Valentine’s Day…which, depending on my personal life, can bring a whole new set of problems.)

Anyway, somehow (perhaps when I upgraded my laptop) I lost most of the good Christmas music I had. So, I’m taking suggestions (and links) for songs you consider the Ultimate in Christmas Jams. Yeah, I said JAMS! That let’s you know exactly what type of music I’m looking for; it can be straight from the Motown Christmas Album; or something that should have been included.

So the questions is: What Christmas Jams put you in the mood for food, family and fun? (**For the slower readers, I’m taking suggestions!)

My number one: Donny Hathaway, This Christmas (http://www.megaupload.com/?d=1FFRGCTY):

**Okay, I lied. I also LOVE Ray Charles and Betty Carter, Baby It’s Cold Outside (http://www.megaupload.com/?d=MP13SF3V):

*Track I really enjoy, but am sort of embarrassed to admit: Macy Gray, Santa Baby (http://www.megaupload.com/?d=HB4SVWNM):

Suggestions, please, folks! xoxo

In a recent telephone conversation, Forest announced that he wanted a “creative” Christmas gift. WTF?

“I don’t even know what that means,” I said to Canela, frustrated out of my mind.

“It means create something; make something,” Canela said, after which I promptly rolled my eyes and sighed heavily, while leaning back into the super soft arm chair.

I have no idea what to give. As a former writer, my mother suggested writing a poem (she went a step further by suggesting I write it on a photo silhouette) or making a dyed noodle picture. I don’t really bake, although many websites and people suggest baking him cookies. I really don’t know. Finances are tight (and he knows) so I know that although he IS the type to appreciate and love something creative and from the heart, this also lets me off the hook financially.

It’s weird that I am having such a hard time with this because I know how I feel about him and think should be simple. If you see me in the coming weeks with a furrowed brow you’ll know why.

**Any ideas?

**Maybe I can do this (make a Christmas ornament out of a credit card):

Mine serves no real purpose, anyway.

I always have a hard time with apologies. Like a man in an awkward sense, but more because I need them and men don’t give them.

My sign, if you believe in that sort of thing, is Cancer. There are a lot of adjectives used to thrust me and others like me into that category, but the one I will elaborate on now is sensitive. Things really effect me. I was recently pissed because a guy I thought was my friend was ignoring me on Twitter. It’s freaking Twitter for goodness sakes! (I also don’t think he really cares for me in real life, but, that’s neither here nor there.) It wasn’t until I found out that he wasn’t even following me on Twitter (which brings even more issues to my heart) that I realized he wasn’t purposely ignoring me.

So while I file many grievances, another Cancerian trait I have is loyalty. Like a dog. It’s pathetic in some ways. I mention this because it doesn’t take much to win me [back] over. (Granted, I am a true CRAB and when you’re outside of my hard outer shell, it’s a wrap!

…Back to my grievances….The main thing I ask for from people, in situations when I feel wronged are apologies. I mean, I would hope they are sincere, but (and I think this is more of a female trait than anything) I often just want people to acknowledge the wrong.

Scenario: My BF was out uber late and never called to say, “I’ll be out uber late…holla homie!” Now, I’m not a nagging girlfriend and to be totally honest I didn’t even care where he was. We have trust so that’s never an issue. However, I’m of the “courtesy calls” era and I don’t believe HOURS should go by without so much as a word. Anyway, I screamed on him (via text. hehehe) and he just didn’t get it. After I’d calmed down, I realized that all I wanted was for him to say, “Wow. I see how it frustrated you. My bad.”

I don’t need love songs and chocolate. Just an acknowledgment of the situation. Sigh…I guess my issue though, is how do I move on when I can’t get that.

And while I’m over my ex, there are still days when I just want to call him and scream, “Just acknowledge that you were wrong too!” As what I considered the high road, I apologized to him post-breakup for what I felt were my shortcomings in our nearly six years relationship. But for whatever reason, he could never do that. I wonder how that has served him in the two years since our split?

I’m not sure why this topic blasted home tonight (save for a blog i read earlier), but it obviously resonated for a reason since it compelled me to blog for the first time in months.

I’ll post a video below that was featured in said blog (and come back with links and tags later).

And finally, some apologies of my own:

1. To Forest: I’m sorry I didn’t say I love you when I hung up last night. Of course I do, but I know you hate it. I think that’s why I did it.

2. To My roommates: I apologize for being quiet (some would even say moody) since my return to NYC. I am relatively depressed. Period.

3. To The Cabbie: I apologize for not calling you the next day. I just didn’t have the money…even though $40 IS the price you quoted!

4. To D.Dot: for blasting you (even though you didn’t realize) on Twitter.

Peace!

I looove this song, but had never seen the video. Until today. LMAO@ the credits during the ENTIRE vid

**Shouts to CanelaNYC for not buggin when I had this song on repeat. And Trish for bringing it to my attention. And big shouts to all the people on the 1 train who diddnt flip when I was rappin it OUT LOUD.**