2009 Eagle Rock Music Festival

11th Annual Eagle Rock Music Festival - Oct. 3rd

I've yet to make it to the ERMF but hopefully this year will be the year. The festival features an eclectic lineup of nearly 60 indie bands with local ties to the surrounding neighborhoods of the Eastside. If you park at Eagle Rock Plaza (near the 2 and 134...and SPITZ!), you can take a free shuttle that runs to the festival from 4-11pm.

Not sure if its the same layout as last year, but if so, you'll be able to enjoy the music while eating/drinking at BurntMac favorites The Oinkster, The Chalet [oops...i guess its CLOSED?!?], Dave's Chillin & Grillin, Taco Spot, and Brownstone Pizzeria. Of course they will also have food vendors on the street throughout the festival.

"Musicians perform at fifteen unique one-night-only venues ranging from auto shops and formal stages to coffee shops and a motel balcony along Colorado Boulevard, which will be open to pedestrians between Eagle Rock Boulevard and Argus Street. Each venue highlights a different type of independently-minded music, going beyond the traditional genre boundaries that define most festivals."

Guilty Pleasure: Buffalo Wild Wings [Burbank]

When the Burntmac isn't enjoying the unique culinary treats of local mom and pop shops....he may from time to time indulge himself at 'just another' carbon-copy franchise such as Buffalo Wild Wings. Atleast in theory. See the only time the Burntmac got to enjoy such delights as domestic beer pitchers and wild wings doused in 14 different sauces was with in a Las Vegas suburb during the Lakers championship run last June. It turns out the closest BWW locations are in Torrance and Chino Hills. Believe me, I don't like BWW THAT much. Thankfully the newest location opens up on the 21st in good ole Burbank (next to the AMC14). Beer, wings and a ridiculous amount of large screens for all-sports...I'm just sayin'

On September 21, the new Burbank Buffalo Wild Wings, the wings/sports bar franchise will launch its newest location on Palm Ave. In a bout of introductory promotions, the first 100 people in line on opening day will receive free wings for a year. [From EaterLA]

Nobody doesn't like TJ's

Outside the Rock: Mozza2go

The BurntMac's favorite pizza is now available in a more easily accesible form. Mario Battali's famous Mozza now has a to-go offshoot where you can pickup a delicious Bianca (my fav: Bianca with fontina, mozzarella, sottocenere & sage) without having to be trendy and thoughtful by booking a reservation a month ahead of time.

LAist's Roundup [LAist.com]

Mozza2go
6610 MELROSE AVE
LA, CA 90038
323 297 1130

open for Delivery and Take Out orders Tues through Sun from 12pm to 11pm

The Most Interesting Bobblehead in the World

The Burnt Mac often stops by Red Carpet Liquor to pick up a twelver of his favorite beer: Dos Equis Lager (Hey Ralph's, what's the problem? Everytime I stop by there is no XX to be found). Tastes more like champagne-beer then The Champagne of Beers itself...and I don't even like champagne. It comes as no surprise that one of my favorite ad campains (next to the spraying armpit commercial) is the Most Interesting Man in the World.

I have a feeling some of the 'isms from the MIMITW ("The police often question him just because they find him interesting," "His beard alone has experienced more than a lesser man's entire body," "His blood smells like cologne.") were inspired by the classically funny Chuck Norris'isms ("Chuck Norris counted to infinity - twice."). I threatened to go as the MIMITW for Halloween last year...I guess its time to stop shaving and make it happen this year. Slate has a great article on the ad campaign:

'I'd argue that Wes Anderson's influence extends to the realm of television commercials. ...these Dos Equis ads ape the prologue's deadpan, third-person narration...and feature Andersonian protagonists of infinite skill and superlative quirk.'

The Most Interesting Bobblehead in the World [Slate]

LA: “the wicked stepchild of the craft beer world”

Well the Burnt Mac missed the Craft Beer Fest this past weekend at the Echo in Echo Park...but we shall live vicariously through the LA Times Review. Sounds like a success...albeit a hot one. Looking forward to next year's event.

Craft Beer Fest L.A. was Hopping [LAT]

In+Out: Get it while its still Grade A

In-N-Out: Will it's 27yr Old Heiress Keep it Real? [LA Times]

Yet In-N-Out's history is anything but dull. The Snyders established a line of succession skipping over their older son, Guy, in favor of the more stable Richard. That well-laid plan dissolved with Richard's death in a 1993 plane crash. The inheritance passed to Guy, who had a history of drug abuse and died from an overdose of a prescription painkiller in 1999. With Esther's death seven years later, majority control became vested in two family trusts. It will pass after 2011 to Guy's only natural child, his daughter Lynsi Martinez, 27.

Outside the Rock: Pancake Paninis

The Egg, Sausage and Gouda Pancake Panini from

The Corner in Hollywood [2.5 stars on yelp]

...it was relatively good...very filling...but I mostly appreciate it for its creativity. Burnt Mac's buddy had the Fried Chicken version (with gravy) and liked it alot.

Burnt Links

BURNT LINKS (postings from around the local web)

Best Burrittos in LA 

[Blackbook.com]

I might add Benito's Chorizo Burrito, Pharroah's Breakfast Burrito, and King Taco/El Taurino's Carnitas Burritto

NY Style Pizza in LA 

[LA Times]

Non-shoutouts to Eagle Rock's Casa Bianca (ehh) and Echo Park's Two Boots (me gusta).

Eagle Rock Eats

[Gridskipper]

I'd skip the Auntie Em's for lunch...definitely need to go back and try breaky though. 

Local Foodie Bloggers, Kogi Chef + Aziz go Taco Touring

[Eat Drink & Be Merry]

Mmm...taco trucks.  Would be fun to do this...even without my fav comedian Aziz Ansari.  Gotta check out his standup CD when it comes out soon...he's friggin' hilarious.  Can't wait to try out some of the recommended trucks.

Two Boots Menu [Echo Park]

Two Boots is now open in Echo Park...review coming soon. Mmmm it's good.

KCET Departures: Eagle Rock

Check out KCET's Multimedia storytelling of the culture of Eagle Rock and definitley take a look at the very loooooooooong "panorama" picture.

KCET: Departures/EAGLE ROCK

Cafe Bravo: Another point of view

LosAnjealous has its own review of the 2nd location of Burnt Mac favorite Cafe Bravo in their "Under $10" section. Lets see what they have to say...

[LosAnjealous] Under $10: Cafe Bravo

Taco Tourney Time [LATaco.com]

Head over to LATaco.com to vote for your favorite LA Taco...March Madness style.  I'm putting my money on El Taurino.  Coming soon:  Burnt Mac's review of  my current favorite sit-down Mexican restaurant, Montrose's La Cabanita.

LA Taco 2009 Taco Madness

The Burnt Mac Reborn with Kogi Korean Tacos

Bernie finally had the Kogi Korean BBQ taco truck last night at its stop outside the Golden Gopher in Downtown LA.  Not worth a 2hr wait as some have claimed but 30 min last night I could handle.  In fact, they were so busy they brought in their second truck.  When the Verde truck approached its sister Roja truck, the homeless dude playing the keyboard for the line remarked, "You guys must smoke more weed than I do!  Gots the munchies REAL bad!"  They will be throughout LA every day so follow them on Twitter or check their location on their website.  For the less mobile and more alcoholic, you can get some Kogi at The Alibi Room in Culver City.  For the Burnt Mac locals...Kogi sometimes hits up Silverlake and Eagle Rock.

MUST HAVES:

-Spicy Pork Taco

-Short Rib Taco

DISAPPOINTMENTS:

-Short Rib Burrito (see innards in last pic)

-No Horchata or Orange Bang (not that I would expect them to...just saying)

The Spitz Stimulus Package w/ Hummus

Best Fish Tacos in Ensenada (is the name of the place)

Best Fish Tacos in Ensenada

1650 Hillhurst Ave

Los Angeles, CA  90027

Yelp Review

Spitz (Little Tokyo) Grand Opening Discounts

They'be been open for a bit now but I guess this makes it official.  I'll be there to get my 50% on. 

On January 15 from 7 PM – Midnight, Spitz Downtown celebrates their grand opening by offering customers 50% off all menu items, with $2 beers and $2 glasses of their signature sangria, made with cardamom and cinnamon.

For dessert, Wicklund and Rademan have introduced fruit kebabs. For example, strawberries, dark chocolate and balsamic are skewered with honey-infused Mascarpone and dusted with pistachio.

[thanks Food GPS]