Friday Fun Five-Plus-One — 7-25-10

Here in Santa Monica, Summer still hasn't graced us with its presence. The temps have been around 70F every day, which though pleasant, is unusual for late July. The mild temps make for some pleasant bike riding, but it would be nice to have a little hot weather.

Now for this weekend's list:

1. No Squirrel, Just Moose

After featuring just squirrel some time back, it is time to turn the spotlight on moose:

2. You'll Come Quaffing Matilda With Me

I owed this beer another try, seeing as how my first taste on tap at The Daily Pint seemed a bit infused with soap. My steadfast search for the truth led me to pick up a four-pack of this at Whole Foods.

I really need to purchase a more appropriate glass for belgian-style ales, but , but today a pilsner glass will need to suffice.

It pours a semi-cloudy dark amber with a small head. Aromas of spice and flowers fill the nose.

Typical flavors of a classic Belgian hit the tastebuds. Cloves, a little citrus (orange, just a hint of lemon), maybe slightly less sweet than some similar Belgian style ales. And best of all, no soap!

I am guessing that the on-tap beer I had at The Daily Pint had soap either in the glass, or perhaps they had just cleaned the beer lines.

I wanted to like this better, but the truth is, there are quite a few belgian ales that I prefer. But this is worth a try. You may like it more than I do.

3. And You Get A Choice Of Vegetable (To Be)

Some evenings, the ride home makes me believe that most drivers have taken advantage of the Two-For-One Early-Bird Special at Lobotomy Barn.

4. More Beer Reviews To Come...

I wandered down the street to the new BevMo that just opened last week, and kid-in-a-candy-store-like came back with this collection, which I will work my way through (not all tonight, though).

5. Burger Of The Week — White Castle (From Frozen)

Yeah, I know it is not the same as straight from the source, but it is my only choice out here. I have noticed that most midwest transplants out here will not admit a fondness for White Castle. Personally, I think it is just an act. The frozen White Castles are one of my go-to comfort foods. If as many Midwesterners hated White Castle as say they do, there would be no way all of those locations could stay open.

Back in high school, it was a common thing to blow off school and take a trip to downtown Detroit, to the only White Castle in the area. By the late seventies to early eighties, there were locations all over the Metro Detroit area. I still can't get the onion chips to accompany them, so I usually just have potato chips or Tater Tots. Today, I am serving them with Kettle Chips.

Since we recently got a new microwave, it is somewhat easier to cook them without having them still frozen in the middle or overcooked to the point that the bun is all dried out.

Though not quite as good as ones fresh off the onion-covered grill, they are still good enough to take me back to a simpler time when we would munch on ten or fifteen each on the way home from the bar after a gig, having made just about enough to cover our tab.

6. I Almost Ordered This...

But I could feel my arteries hardening just by reading the menu, so I passed. The sports bar down the street from home actually has this on the menu. I don't think I have ever seen anybody eating it, but I'm sure they must sell some. A lot of UCLA students come to this place, so it is probably a favorite meal among some. I came close to ordering it just to get a photo, but I decided to do the old ticker a solid and just take a picture of the description.