On vacation

Lot's to catch up, stay tuned.

The Auld Dubliner

The Auld Dubliner was imported from Ireland to recreate that small village pub feel. Each piece was hand crafted by local artisans in Ireland and reassembled in Long Beach. David and Eric, the owners of this pub, have really captured that ambience of a true pub.

Not only will you find the best Guinness in town but they make the most fantastic burger. You can find anything from Traditional Irish Fayer to Boxty's, Sandwiches, and Filet Mignon. The BBQ Burger by far is the best hamburger I've had. 1/3 USDA choice topped with Cheddar cheese, bacon, lettuce, tomato, and homemade stout BBQ sauce served with a side of fries. I think I'll stop by there for lunch today.

The best days to visit The Auld Dubliner are on Wednesday, Sundays or any day for lunch. The crowd can get a little rowdy on Thursday-Saturday nights. If you really want to enjoy a Guinness, burger and some live Irish music then stop by on a Sunday for a late lunch or early dinner.

Phone: 562-437-8300

Location: 71 S. Pine Ave., Long Beach, CA 90802

The Auld Dubliner

Josh Ritter

Posted on Indierecordshop.com

JOSH RITTER – Sunday, June 11th – 2:00pm
Wow. I know I’ve said it before, but that moment when you’re in the throes of “can’t get enough” with an artist right as their tour comes to town, it is truly magical. For us to have the final stop on the tour be at our humble little home away is completely over the top. Josh Ritter has been in heavy rotation since his debut album, the Golden Age of Radio came out, at the time, I think I called it a small history of everything good in alt-county. Then came Hello Starling and Josh found his voice and made one of the best records of 2003. Now with The Animal Years, Josh has again taken a step forward. While the songs range from ballads to burn-wreckers and cover subjects from the sad state of radio, an imaginary love affair with a silent era film star, frustration with having someone you love “in the war”, and a nine minute opus on politics, religion and culture, among other much lighter topic, and most importantly, it is all done very subtly. I read somewhere that Leonard Cohen can spend years perfecting a single song, and while Josh makes it look too easy and joyful to ever give the impression that he thinks of songwriting as work, the finished product resonates with care and detail. It is this song-craft, and his ability to make it look like the most natural thing in the world, that has garnered Josh comparisons with the greats of songwriting, Dylan, Springsteen, Cash, and the above mentioned Cohen.

Some Recent Press:

"An album that could very well be the best of 2006...."
- Paste Magazine

"Melodic, understated, yet with much natural warmth too, Ritter's time has surely come." - Q Magazine (****)

Check out a few tracks at his myspace page.

Or peep Josh’s video for the song "Lillian Egypt" (Quicktime file)

Restaurant Christine

Have you ever dined in Torrance? Not many people are familiar with the city of Torrance, nor that you can find quality food there. The South Bay has a little gem of a restaurant that you must seek out. This week’s restaurant recommendation I've chosen Restaurant Christine. Stepping into this quirky stylish restaurant is like entering into a friend’s house.

Christine's was voted "Top Restaurant in the South Bay" in the 2002, 2004 and 2005 by a Zagat Survey. Chef Christine has created a wonderful combination of flavors from places like Tuscany, Provence and the Pacific Rim. The sesame-glazed salmon with sticky rice, lobster ravioli, cioppino, and Maine lobster salad is as divine as the service and ambiance of this restaurant.

Not only is this one of my favorite places to dine at, but Chef Christine offers great cooking class as well. Lunch is served Monday through Friday from 11:30 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. Dinner is served seven nights a week, starting at 5 p.m. Periodic wine dinners and monthly cooking classes are also held in the restaurant's main room.

Restaurant Christine

Location: 24530 Hawthorne Blvd., Torrance CA

Phone: (310)373-1952