Rick's Atomic Cafe

Pretend for a moment that the Bible were rewritten for the twenty-first century.  While we’re pretending, pretend that I was in charge of writing the parables.  If I were writing parables, my theme song would be “2000 Man” by the Rolling Stones.

As I would sit and cobble away at parables, I would write one called “The Parable of Rick’s Atomic Café”.  It would be about a little, unassuming café in an office building in Costa Mesa.  Small and unflashly, though it may be, it would serve some of the finest bistro food in the land.  But it would only serve to those wise enough to look past exteriors and venture inside.

The proprietor would be a good and personable man.  He would personally come out from the kitchen to see if the mango chutney was too spicy.

But of course, the basis for my parable would be the real Rick’s Atomic Café.  Rick’s is a wonderful place where the food is as good as the location is unremarkable.  And yes, the owner did check to see if the chutney was too spicy.  See if they give you that kind of treatment at TGI Friday’s.

Tustin Brewing Company - Originally Published 2011

Pretend that you had a cool older brother.  Now, pretend that your cool older brother was a restaurant.  You know who he’d be?  He’d be the Tustin Brewing Company. 

You see, here’s the thing about cool older brothers.  Cool older brothers are all about the right now.  While the rest of the world gives you problems about crappy grades and your lack of direction, your cool older brother tells you now to worry about it.  He’s been there before you and he knows that it’s all going to work out.

It’s important to know about Geometry, but it’s also important to know that Mitch Cumstein was kicked out of college for night putting. 

Yup.  Older brothers are pretty cool.  In the time it takes to separate the stems and the seeds from a lid on a copy of Rumors, they’re sure to straighten out your perspective on the world.

Peters Gourmade Grill - Originally Published 2011

The other night I was in the parking lot of the Valero on McFadden.  I wasn’t there to get gasoline.  I was there to order dinner at Peter’s Gourmade Grill.

Suddenly, I had a sinking feeling.  Peter’s is bound for greatness.  It’s an undisputable fact.  He’s got so many factors going for him.  The food is great and the prices are reasonable.  According to the OC Weekly article that steered me here in the first place, he’s Courdon Bleu trained so he’s sure to hook the foodie crowd.  His little grill finds its home in a Valero gas station.

It’s only a matter of time before the Food Network finds out and sends Guy Fieri out to film an episode of Diners, Drive Ins, and Dives.  After that happens, there’s going to be a line that wraps the block.  And rightfully so, because this place deserves it.  So, while I am waiting for the world to fall in love with Peter’s Gourmade Grill, my plan is to eat here as many times as I can.

Peter, you have something special going over there and you deserve all the success that’s sure to come to you.

In no particular order, the Grilled Chipotle Chicken Sandwich, the Greek Fries, and the Ooey Gooey Fries. 

D-Box - Originally Published 2010

In the 1950’s, the movie palaces of old faced a crisis.  A little invention called television gave folks an excuse to stay home for their entertainment instead of going to the picture show.  The solution?  Local movie theaters needed a gimmick to get people back out.  Movie studios flooded the marketplace with things like the Percepto, Smellovision, and of course, 3-D.

Fast forward a bit and everything old is new again.  With downloading, home theaters, and Blu-Ray, once again movie theaters face a crisis.  The obvious answer?  Trot out our old friend 3-D once again.  But keep an eye out, movie goers.  Cinema Fusion, our local theater has brought in a great gimmick called the D-Box Experience.

What is it?  It’s a 3-D movie with a moving seat.  The idea is to thrust the viewer into the experience.  We went and sampled the goods with a screening of Tron Legacy.  For an extra ten bucks, we were rocked and rolled through The Grid.

M and L Fabrics - Originally Published 2010

Animated Meat has harped on the point that in the future, no one will read.  I hate to have a dystopian view of days that have not arrived, but let’s be real about things.  While we’re being real about things, it’s also plain to see that in the future no one will know how to make anything.  Our children will just be a bunch of non-reading lumps that don’t know how to create.

The goal was to gather up enough material to make a couple stuffed animals.  Why?  Because as this website probably indicates, we don’t all go nuts the same way.

Right at the front of the store there is the discount section.  Any fabric here goes for a dollar a yard.  That goes a long way in stuffed animal world.

There are some naysayers who would argue that crafting and sewing are not manly pursuits.  To those that say ‘nay’, I submit for your evaluation these bold prints.  If sewing were not the stomping ground of manly men, then why would they produce fabric covered in manly men?  Still say ‘nay’?  I think not.

M & L Fabrics is huge and has the mixings for any budget.  They seem to have it all so if you plan on stitching in order to save the future, it’s the place to be.

Richie the Cat before and after.  Like a sentinel, he proudly stands as humanity’s last hope.