Southern California Steakhouses

Doing some file cleanup, and I ran across this in a text file dated June 2005.  I’m pretty sure I got it from a tv show doing local coverage; one of those “top places to” blah blah in LA.  I can’t vouch for any of them since I’ve never been – maybe that can be changed now that I’ve unearthed this list:

musso and frank – hollywood

the wherehouse – marina del rey

the smokehouse – burbank (chateau brione)

trabuco oaks steakhouse – trabuco canyon

LG’s steakhouse – palm springs/sd

la cave – costa mesa (underground) filet mignon

the palm restaurant – la (staples center) double steak

dan tana’s – west hollywood (new york steak) call ahead, reservations required

morton’s steakhouse – burbank

• musso and frank – hollywood
• the wherehouse – marina del rey
• the smokehouse – burbank (chateau brione)
• trabuco oaks steakhouse – trabuco canyon
• LG’s steakhouse – palm springs/sd
• la cave – costa mesa (underground) filet mignon
• the palm restaurant – la (staples center) double steak
• dan tana’s – west hollywood (new york steak) call ahead, reservations required
• morton’s steakhouse – burbank

If you’ve been, feel free to chime in.

TV Quote: How I Met Your Mother

Okay, it’s not really a movie quote, but I didn’t want to create an entirely new category for this.  Maybe if I find more later, then I will.

And now, HIMYM on dreams and procrastination:

The longer I put off starting my own firm, the longer it can remain a dream and not something I screwed up at.  I mean it’s like I’m giving up before I even started.

- Ted Mosby

Sony PS3 Slim

So I picked one up a few weeks back.  I’ve been wanting  Playstation 3 for the longest time, and with the $100 price drop and redesign, I just couldn’t hold out any longer.

I can’t really do a comparison review since I don’t have the previous version.  I can say, however, that I very much like the smaller size (as I’m sure everyone does).  I was originally disappointed that the piano black casing was updated with a matte finish, but it has grown on me.  Plus I don’t really see much of the console now since it’s been sitting horizontally under my tv stand.   And no HDMI cable included?  I was a little surprised by this, but just ended up getting a 6′ cable from Target (on sale).

Besides these minor items, I absolutely love this system.  As far as gaming, the release of Batman Arkham Asylum couldn’t have come at a better time.  I’ve pretty much sucked up most of my free time playing as the Dark Knight through Gotham’s criminal madhouse.  And I’ve had to play it even more after accidentally deleting my first game file, which was already 75% complete.

The BD/DVD playback is wonderful as well.  Blu-ray is simply gorgeous, and regular DVDs look significantly better on a Blu-ray player.  On my old DVD player, movies would look crisp only when they were left on that tiny size (with both horizontal and vertical black bars).  When I would resize them to fill the tv screen, the quality would noticeable get worse.  However with the PS3, DVD movies fill up the screen while keeping the quality fairly high.  Dialogue audio does seem to be a lot quieter than the rest of the movie sounds.  So I find myself upping the volume when people are talking, only to be startled and hastily trying to lower it when explosions and crashes start happening.

That’s all I have.  Pretty much just a quick recommendation of the new Sony PS3 Slim.  If you don’t own a PS3 yet and have been on the fence on getting one, I believe now’s the time to do so.

Transformers Alternity Convoy (Super Black) Unboxing

Although this is the fourth toy I’ve acquired from the new Alternity line, it is actually the first that I have opened.  I just never got around to opening the other two Primes and the one Megs (which is another post in itself, haha).

First impressions of the Alternity line:

• well, it’s definitely smaller than the Binaltechs, but everyone already knows that going in.  Fits pretty well with the Classics line in terms of size though
• the outer plastic casing is sturdier, and the flaps stay in position when opened
• the inner plastic tray wraps the entire toy and holds it in place without the use of those twisty-ties – I never really was fond of those, haha
• the car itself is very solid because of the die cast composition, having a nice strong and heavy feel to it

And kudos to Takara Tomy for using a different image in the front of the package for this repaint – a small but appreciated detail from a guy who sometimes can’t help buying the same toy in a different color

Toynami Voltron Lion Force Gift Set – Unboxing

This is actually the plastic version of the popular Toynami Voltron Masterpiece Edition.  I just couldn’t get myself to shell out for that version though, despite being an avid diecast fan.

Several key factors that convinced me to buy this instead of the Masterpiece version:

• the same mold was used in creating both versions of the toy, so they are essentially the same
• price: $55 vs. $150
• hearing from a friend that the diecast version wasn’t very posable in robot mode.  The weight of the individual pieces (mostly the arms) supposedly put a lot of strain on the joints.  I never did validate this though

The package comes with the five lions, the blazing sword and shield.  They are held in the box within a styrofoam tray, which was quite nostalgic since it reminded me of the toys I had in my childhood that were packaged in the same manner.  Most of the Transformers I’ve been purchasing recently are encased in clear plastic shells held by wire ties, so this was definitely a blast from the past.