Herculodge

Manly Restaurant Sighting: 1321 Downtown Taproom Bistro

 

My friend Adam emailed me a foodie blog notice that a gastropub would be opening in Old Torrance. So when Carrie and I celebrated our 9-Year Wedding Anniversary, we decided to check it out.

The 1321 Downtown Taproom Bistro is a manly restaurant from the decor to the food's bold flavor focus. 

Darked burled wood and antique brass fittings festoon the interior with a bar featuring microbrews. 

We started with chili-garlic roasted peanutes topped with fire red peppers, including a jalepeno that had a shimmering deep red color. I ate it whole as a way of greeting the new restaurant.  Fire in the mouth with a splash of lime always makes me happy. So far so good.

The calamari tacos with two salsas, verde and guajillo, were outstanding and I will have to order them again.

Sadly, our two entrees, though high quality, were average. Carrie ordered fish and chips and they did not come with malt vinegar, much to the dish's detriment.

And my MOD Burger, with grilled onions and bacon, was average and in fact reminded me of a Bob's Big Boy Burger from my youth. I don't think this was the chef's intent. 

My Yeti Imperial Stout was top-rate, rich, chocolatey, almost too much near the end as I eschewed the last puddle in my glass. I'd try the porter next time.

Dessert was fantastic: Two giant scoops of caramel ice cream next to an oversized chocolate brownie and covered with a butter cream sauce. 

Would I go back? Yes. I like the overall environment and believe there are some good dishes to try. I'd like to return soon to get the peanuts, the calamari tacos, and something I didn't try: smoked brisket flautas. 

While I liked dessert, next time I will skip it as I found myself as a sort of penance jogging for over an hour the next morning. 

 

 

The Dumber You Are, the More Likely Your Browser of Choice Is Microsoft Internet Explorer

My Facebook friend Tom C has apprised us of this article about intelligence and choice of browsers. 

ShobNBC Clearance on Invicta Pro Diver with MOP Dial: $59.88 Plus $9.99 Shipping

 

With a quartz movement and 47mm bezel, this Invicta Pro Diver is a lot of watch for under $70.

Mint Condition Sony ICF-5500 Bidding Today

 

Very nice looking Sony ICF-5500 bidding today. It appears in better condition than mine, which is a little scratchy in the volume. I use mine every day in the baby room. Very sensitive and good speaker sound. 

Four Books That Claim Google Is Dominating Our Lives

 

New York Review of Books has a review of 4 books, which are either spot on or alarmist. 

Dream Radio Bidding on eBay Today: Sony ICF-5800

Angelo has apprised us of apex radio alert: Sony ICF-5800 in very good condition bidding today. 

Babies Won't Let Us Wipe Their Noses with Kleenex But They Are Eager to Wipe Their Noses on Our Shirts

Getting over colds, Natalie and Julia, shown hanging with their neighbors Tori and Kate, have presented me with a conundrum. Perhaps I should wear a body-fitting Kleenex jumpsuit. 

Manly Watch for a Manly Budget: Sinn U1

 

 

Referring to high quality watches that resist scratching, flaking, etc., Dan writes:

I personally don't like stainless steel watches coated with anything. Why not consider the Sinn U1. Tegmented steel is about 5 times harder than regular stainless and it is not a coating. And the styling is incredible in a Bauhaus kind of way - no nostalgic froufrou like on a Breitling, no grandpa styling like on a Rolex. An added benefit is that there aren't any U1 replicas out there. A real "watch guy" can spot a U1 from a mile away.

Check out this video (the patterns made by the second hand passing over the hour and minute hands is fantastic)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wnBomDTXIVE

You can read more about the U1 here:

http://www.watchbuys.com/store/pc/Sinn-U1-T-Fully-Tegimented-on-Strap-6p1496.htm

For a less expensive alternative, Doug writes:

I am a big fan of Casio watches -- in particular the G-Shock series -- which are largely indestructible.

In terms of extras: DLC isn't perfect, but I haven't been able to scratch my DLC band despite more than five years of rather rough wear -- during which I took the watch everywhere and went hiking, glacier walking, kayaking, mountain climbing etc. Actually day-to-day stuff usually has done my previous watches in (gardening and cooking, for example), but my DLC/Sapphire Crystal watch looks as good as new.

For me, an absolute must is atomic timesetting and solar charging. Replacing batteries always results in loss of water-resistance, so solar charging is the way to go. I like the MRG-7100, MRG-7500, MRG-8000 series. But some of these are getting expensive. (I own the MRG-7100DJ-1AJF, which is I bought for a few hundred dollars.)

But in fact, the entire G-SHOCK series are super-robust military quality timepieces. For example, here is a Solar atomic analogue G-Shock for $80:http://www.amazon.com/Casio-AWG100-1A-G-Shock-Multi-Band-Atomic/dp/B001A5HWH8

I simply do not know of any brand of watches that are more robust than G-Shocks.

And there is also the less expensive Timex Camper. As Tom writes:

I like Timex Camper watches. These watches have been used by our American soldiers overseas for many years > http://www.amazon.com/Timex-T41711-Expedition-Analog-Camper/dp/B000B55AFE/ref=wl_it_dp_o?ie=UTF8&coliid=I2KUYXYI2U9PEC&colid=24ZEBE8SUASXY

And if the camper watch breaks, get another one, they're cheap!

 

 

User-Friendly Sonos Play: 3 May be the All-In-One Streamer We've Been Looking For

Thanks, Vimal:

Review: Sonos Play:3
Is this all-in-one streamer the music system of the future?
http://www.soundandvisionmag.com/blog/2011/07/25/review-sonos-play3?cmpid=enews072911

Neighbor's Friend Let Me Drive His BMW 550: Rides Like a Dream And 29 MPG?

 

My neighbor's friend saw me espy his new white BMW 550 with M5 wheels and steering package. He told me it cost 75K and offered me the keys. Why not? 

First I should say I like the 2011 body style with its cleaner, simpler lines. I hated the bubble butt on the previous incarnation. 

The low-end torque was phenomenal as was the steering. I was shocked to hear his claim that he's getting 29 miles per gallon with this Beamer's V-8. 

I told him the truth: This kind of car is my favorite: sleek sport sedan that isn't too dressed up to the point of being stealthy. 

I did not however talk about long-term repair costs.