Nicolette Hahn Niman "Righteous Porkchop"

I think I am going to add Nicolette Hahn Niman's book, "Righteous Porkchop" to my food reading list.  Niman is an environmental lawyer and a cattle rancher. She has no qualms whatsoever eating - or raising - animals for food, yet she makes a very impassioned plea for humane treatment of animals along with (so I'm told) clear and concise methods of achieving that goal.
Get a taste of her by reading her New York Times article entitled
"Pig Out"










She also has an interesting article in the Huffington Post with tips and straightforward information for those who are interested in avoiding products from factory farms and want to find alternative sources for meat, dairy, and eggs.

Oysters And Vegans?

In his article, Consider the Oyster, Christopher Cox makes an argument that Vegan's should and could eat oysters while still adhering to the moral code that prompted them to become vegan initially. This is because oysters can be grown sustainably, and in a way that is arguably pain free from growth to harvest.

Eating ethically is not a purity pissing contest, and the more vegans or vegetarians pretend that it is, the more their diets start to resemble mere fashion—and thus risk being dismissed as such. Emerson wrote, "A foolish consistency is the hobgoblin of little minds."

Healthy Food In Movie Theatres?

Sony Pictures chairman and CEO Michael Lynton, speaking at ShoWest this past Monday, announced his support for healthier snacks to make their way into theatres.

You can read Variety's article on it here.

I think its a smart and overdue idea. Lynton cites a recent poll of movie goers in which a majority of parents would buy healthy snacks if they were offered, with 42% of those polled saying they would visit theater concessions more often.

Um . . . duh?

 However, this is just talk, we'll see if anyone actually gets behind their words. I am glad to see that its more popular to advocate for healthy food reform.

The Cooking Channel

The Food Network is launching a new spinoff network May 31, called the Cooking Channel, in what seems an attempt to revamp their image and snag some new viewers, the kind interested in grass roots food culture.  For a long time The Food Network (which debuted in 1993) has been top dog - they invented the concept of food entertainment, and were the only sheriff in town for some time. But lately they have been outshone by the success of shows such as Bravo's Top Chef (and upcoming spin offs), Fox's Hell's Kitchen, or more recently ABC's Jamie Oliver's Food Revolution. 

Tony's Darts Away

Last week a truly remarkable bar opened up in Burbank, of all places. Its called Tony's Dart's Away. This place has something for everyone.

With over 30 local California beers on tap, no respectable beer conusour can turn this place down.  I've already been twice in their first week.

Jack In The Box Add Airs During and "Food Revolution"

Since I do not have a functioning television, I watch most tv shows online, and both in last week's episode of Jamie Oliver's Food Revolution and in the premiere the week before, the below ad aired during the short sponsorship breaks - wedged in between Oliver's preachings on poor eating habits and his rants on over-processed food. I was completely appalled by the irony the first go around when the commercial first popped up on my screen. The irony seemed too blatant, I half expected it to be a joke or at the least a careless mistake. I was completely shocked to see the exact same ad air again next week when viewing the second episode online. Apparently, this was not mistake.

The Alcove Cafe

Last weekend I struck up a new friendship over tortilla soup and lemonade at the Alcove Cafe. Nestled in the heart of Los Feliz, across the street from the Mustard Seed Cafe (another lovely spot), this venue really embraces the surrounding community vibe.

Sunday late-mornings are bustling and packed full of girl dates, bro dates, hangover dates, and family dates. Yet for all the crowd and elbow jostling, there is surprisingly a lot of room, and I quickly found a few unclaimed tables around back. The exterior is full of garden-esque colorful chairs and tables, not quite mismatched and not quite uniform. I kept thinking of the Mad Hatter's Tea Party (not Tim Burton's rendition). The interior has an antique feel, you can imagine just how small and cozy the place once was before it became a hot spot (and might still be at 6am).



The menu has typical LA pricey-ness, but it offers up an interesting array of options made from fresh, local, and hand-crafted ingredients. (The espresso and coffee is hand roasted by Fonte, a Seattle based micro-roaster, their loose leaf teas are also hand-made, and their baked goods come from local artisan bakeries). There is something for everyone, and often more than just something. As someone with an unsteady work schedule, the real winner for me is their 6am-11pm hours.

The Alcove Cafe also serves as a great spot for people watching (Los Feliz attracts both interesting and dull characters of all sorts.)

Not your quiet, unknown, hideout to retreat to for introspection and whispered conversation. But definitely and energetic and fun place to check out when you are in the mood for an interesting, sometimes bustling, vibe. Busy as it is, it doesn't intrude upon conversation, so its still a lovely spot to bring a new acquaintance, or perhaps catch up with old ones. Alcove Cafe is one of those places that makes me excited to live in LA and reminds me that there are interesting, unique places on every corner, home to many stories, a bit of history, and little landmarks of their respective communities