Tuesday, March 31, 2009
Lagos Cafe's Arrogance and Horrible Services is a Culinary Disaster
The problem with what happened to me this past Sunday afternoon, March 29, 2009, was that, I had woken up and had developed an appetite to eat some home kind of made food; the ofe olugbo, bitter leaf soup, coupled with the orishirishi, the ingredients and varieties of meats and dried fish that comes along with it.
Actually, there was no pub-crawling the previous night, quite unusual, which normally should have justified my quest to fill up my stomach from partying hard. And, precisely, not that I even went to see a show ending up hanging out where I'm not suppose to have been getting up the next day with some hangovers, headaches and things like that.
I was clean and sober. It's just that I did not feel like going to the popular Tak's Coffee House around my neck of the woods for lunch. I wanted bitter leaf soup and garri to do justice to my stomach. And here I am in my journey. And what a way to learn a lesson.
I had made up my mind to go to different Nigerian or African restaurants in the LA area, a place I am not a regular. Feeling like swallowing garri with a paste of deliciously prepared bitter leaf soup, I landed at Lagos Cafe run by Ronke Bernadette, located on the 1400 block of Crenshaw Boulevard in Gardena, California. It took me about half an hour to get there, driving through the Crenshaw thoroughfare of "Black Township", and combing on the cultural festivities of Leimert Park where a series of African American women dance and beat the drums on Sundays as if it is a spiritual revival. Crenshaw Blvd., from my destination to Gardena stretches through four different suburbs -- "The Jungle" around the Mid City area, Inglewood, Hawthorne and Gardena.
I was hungry and had anticipated a good meal, especially when breezing into a place I'm not a regular. But restaurants of the African ilk in the Los Angeles area are not just regular cuisines some few dollar can get you something to chew on. These are restaurants you have to spend at least 15 bucks for a regular meal, and 15 bucks for a regular meal in these days of belt-tightening is not a chicken change.
Anyways, here I go. I walked in to a place that looked totally deserted. The owner, Ronke and her friend who had told me she came from Togoland sat on one corner running their mouth -- without paying attention that a customer had arrived. I made my request: bitter leaf soup with mixed meat, dried fish and garri. I sat down and waited until only God knows when a waiter, apparently my home boy, popped up and told me my "food will soon be ready."
As it happened, my friend, Ardis Hamilton, whom I have known for many years dating back to the "read my lips" era called me, and I told him exactly where I was and how I got there. Immediately, he picked up interest to join me, in order to have a feel of a well-prepared African dish. In about 20-minutes, he was in. He was turned off right away because of the owner and her Togolese friend's attitude, loquaciously erring in French. Yes, they spoke French and did not care if a customer had arrived.
Meanwhile, I had waited long enough and my stomach was burning for some reason. I requested for some water to drink. Lagos Cafe had no water, absolutely no water for its customers which had me wonder why this garrulous woman and her friend are in business, in the first place. They drove down the street to buy some water after my request. In a restaurant and no water. Imagine!
At Veronica's Kitchen which sits on Manchester in Inglewood, the service is always great, the environment conducive and the waiters and waitresses well-behaved which is why the owner, Veronica Ogbeide, beats them all, hands down, and presumably from learning how to run a restaurant, effectively and efficiently.
However, they got my water while I waited for the so-called 'finest food' to arrive. Ardis, too, was looking forward to something special. To my friend's surprise, these talky women and the attendant who is also my home boy, changed their tone of language, all of a sudden, and just like that. Ngbati-ngbati, the normal Yoruba noise making kind of stuff, typical of a gabby Oshodi market women, became a trend, and it baffled my friend because they all knew he's a Yank as in "no speak English" a Hispanic would pretend to tell you.
My food finally came and I wanted my friend, Ardis, to taste the soup before ordering his own on my tab. Ardis has not recovered. His ass has been burning from the overseasoned habanero pepper and some other chili stuff that was used in cooking the soup.
In my own case, I'm the kind of guy who would eat up everything served and face the consequences later. Money is hard, these days, you know, but how could I have gotten myself into a situation where I now live in my restroom until the whole mess is flushed out from my system?
Not only that the service at Lagos Cafe was horrible, it was also ridiculously expensive. 20-something bucks and no leftover to take home? Come on, now, be real! At Veronica and 15-plus something bucks, you will have a whole lot of leftovers to take home, and you will be glad you did.
Lagos Cafe, Ronke, the talkative Togolese lady and my home boy, quote me, I will never be back because it really sucks, (excuse my language for I am pissed), and from my observation, you will be the last to earn a Michelin star.
Who Is Kim Kardashian ?
Born: Kimberly Noel Kardashian,October 21, 1980 (age 28), Los Angeles, California, U.S.
Nationality: American
Occupation: Entrepreneur, actress, model, socialite
Years active: 2007–present
Height: 5 ft 2.5 in (1.59 m)
Known for: Reality show Keeping Up with the Kardashians, Parents Robert Kardashian, Kris Jenner
Relatives: Kourtney Kardashian, Khloé Kardashian, Robert Kardashian Jr.
Kylie Jenner, Kendall Jenner, Burt Jenner (stepbrother), Casey Jenner (stepsister)
Brandon Jenner (stepbrother), Brody Jenner (stepbrother)
Website: www.kimkardashian.celebuzz.com
Kimberly Noel "Kim" Kardashian (born October 21, 1980) is an American "celebutante", socialite, model, actress, businesswoman,[1] and television personality. She is best known for her social life and her role on the E! reality show Keeping Up with the Kardashians.
Monday, March 30, 2009
Still Searching for the Perfect Pair of Jeans?
And, do you want to add "Featured in Essence Magazine" to your long list of fabulosity credits? You're in luck! Essence is hosting an open casting call in search of real women who have the denim-buying blues to appear in their annual Denim Makeover fashion feature.
WHEN: Tuesday, March 31, 2009
WHEN: Tuesday, March 31, 2009
TIME: 6 PM to 9 PM
WHERE: ESSENCE MAGAZINE
135 West 50th Street
(between 6th and 7th Avenue)
4th Floor
New York, City
WHERE: ESSENCE MAGAZINE
135 West 50th Street
(between 6th and 7th Avenue)
4th Floor
New York, City
AGES: 18 to 35
SIZES: 0 to 18
HEIGHT: 4”11 TO 6’
-
If you have all sorts of trubs finding jeans that fit your body, this casting is for you. Go on, show them what you're working with!
Sunday, March 29, 2009
The Trend, The Time and Bob Marley
Old pirates yes they rob I
sold I to the merchant ships
minutes after the took I
from the bottomless pit
but my hand was made strong
by the hand of the Almighty
we forward in this generation
triuphantly
won't you help to sing
the songs of freedom
'cuz' all I only have
redemption song...redemption song
emancipate yourself from mental slavery
none but ourselves can free our minds
have no fear for atomic energy
'cuz' none of them can stop the time
how long shall they kill our prophets
while we stand aside and look
some say it's just a part of it
\we got to fulfill the book
won't you help to sing
the songs of freedom
'cuz' all I only have
redemption song...
"Yes, the lyrics is baked in my genes from the moment the album was released. And I 'dunno' if this is becoming craziness. But, no, I am trying to figure out how it all popped up, and of what origin am beginning to sense that this is not something new or probably I may be losing it because the lyrics itself had a whole lot to do about my being,and specifically the pirates who had thought they were doing my being a favor which led to the mess that seemingly has consumed the world today, and certainly a world that continues to be troubled."
"Hey, man, what's wrong with you and what the hell are you talking about... are you alright, man!?"
"Oh, yeah, 'am alright. It's just that something is baked in my genes and it continues to give me that natural high. I really 'dunno' what it is."
"What's going on and what exactly is baked in your genes?"
"Well, I just gave you a hint and it's not rocket science. Simple and clear, but since you are too dumb like Fred Sanford would tell his son when they ran the salvage company, Sanford & Son, let's try it again. It's called 'The Trend and The Time", not Morris Day & The Time, perhaps before "Purple Rain." Did you get it?"
"Nope."
"So what do you want me to do? Stuff it?"
"What are you talking about for goodness sake?"
"Here we go again, he wants to know everything."
"Of course, I do. Have you been smoking some weed or something?"
And, what's that... you see what I mean? Each time something pops up, it's all about weed."
"Look, man, I'm through with you."
"Really?!"
"Really!"
"Ok, let's see, have you ever heard of Bob Marley?"
"Of course, who doesn't know Bob Marley, the legend."
"Here you go. You are becoming a good boy and I am proud of you. But let me ask you, though, did he ever made sense to you?"
"Yep, and now what?"
"This is the deal, and make sure you take notes when I lecture."
Funny and confusing, huh? It all depends on which way you look at it. Not much happenned for the gone week but I did chew on some few stuff. Too many books popped up about Bob Marley, though I haven't made time to check them out at the bookstores, but I read the review, "The Bob Marley Story", well-done by Joshua Jelly-Schapiro in the April 9, 2009 edition of the of The New York Review of Books. Summing it all up, to one essay, Schapiro provided a lot of information from the following: "Before the Legend: The Rise of Bob Marley", by Christopher John Farley; "Bob Marley: Herald of the Postcolonial World," by Jason Toynbee; "The Book of Exodus: The Making and Meaning of Bob Marley and the Wailers' Album of the CEntury", by Vivien Goldman; and "Soul Rebel: An Intimate Portrait of Bob Marley", by David Burnett.
Good piece and in-depth, and Schapiro writes;
"Marley is the only third world performer to be elected to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. In 1999, the BBC named his "One Love" the "Song of the Millennium", the same year Time Magazine declared his 1977 "Exodus" the "Best Album of the Twentieth Century" voted the third greates songwriter of all time in 2001 by BBC poll (behind Bob Dylan and John Lennon...)"
Bob Marley was something else. He changed everything about reggae which evolved from ska, rocksteady and prophesy after his neigborhood buddies, Winston McIntosh and Neville "Bunny" Wailer" Livingstoe would join him in forming the Wailers. McIntosh went by the name of Peter Tosh while Livingstone would be Bunny Wailer. And, the rest would be history.
"The Harder They Come" and the Venice Film Festival. Jimmy Cliff. Perry Henzell. Rita Anderson (Marley's wife). Christopher Blackwell, the brain behind Island Records. Lee "Scratch" Perry, the gem behind reggae explosion. Desmond Dekker, the first reggae artist whose album "Israelites" catapulted reggae to the top. Robert Mugabe's ZANU-PF freedom fighters and independence for Zimbabwe. And, all in all, Blackwell was the man. And reggae came to stay, and the vibe would change the world; and of course, the flow made sense.
And as it goes, so I found myself knowing more stuff about the legend. There was Aston "Family man" Barrett who claimed to have fathered 52 children; there was Bruce Dunbar in the era of the reggae explosion; there was Coxsone Dodds label that paid poorly; there was the American group, The Drifters, Marley listened to growing up in Jamaica and there was a group that admired the works of Marcus Garvey and celebrating "the 1930 coronation of Haile Selassie 1 as emperor of Ethiopia as a fulfilment of Garvey's supposed prophecy to 'look to the East for the crowning of the African King'"
Marley, the legend, you did stuff and you changed the world. Your legacy lives.
Saturday, March 28, 2009
Friday, March 27, 2009
Support our Jilly from Philly!
Wednesday, March 25, 2009
Culinary Correctness: The Korean Eatery On Vermont
My friend and I had pub-crawled until the wee hours and still wondered where we might end up for after hours. The City of Angels and its glamour coupled with all that Hollywood wannabes is what keeps this amazing metropolis jamming, and without a doubt, it is happening all around the city 24/7; and you bet, if you get trapped you are then on your own.
As it happened, I had decdided to try something else to fill up my empty stomach which I do every now and then, that is, when the ofe olugbo, bitter leaf soup, egusi soup, okra soup, and all the nkwobi and ngwongwo got to be supplemented. Whenever I am in the need to supplement all the African dishes, I go for something entirely different, and that is how I found myself at Yong Su San Restaurant on the 900 block of South Vermont Avenue in Korean Town, and right inside the hub of the Wilshire Corridor. This normally happens after the all night pub-crawling.
And landing at these restaurants not of my origin has always been an attempt to free myself from the regular isi-ewu, goat meat, nkwobi-ngwongwo ritual.
When we found parking, we walked in and the waitress offered us a table which at all times makes me feel indulge. The've seen my face before so it wasn't a problem for them to think otherwise, I mean, wondering what the heck a black guy and his friend would be doing in Korean Town at 2-something a.m., especially during unholy hours. The waitress was nice, though. She served us well and was all smiles.
When I want a damn good Korean barbacue in Los Angeles, I know the best joints and Yong Su San Restaurant is one of them. The brisket, marinated boneless ribs, tongue and baby octopus plus that burning charcoal that helps you prepare the barbecue your self is just beautiful and nothing is as good as that. In addition, we had some spinach, roasted mushroom and some other vegetables I had no idea where they came from. We topped the entire dish with steamed rice, and of course, some Korean wine imported somewhere from South Asia.
The place sits a lot of people and it's always packed, and as usual, a hangout for University of Southern California students who are known to party hard. So far, I haven't seen the hood rats there. Check it out and tell me about it!
Tuesday, March 24, 2009
Monday, March 23, 2009
Bebe Didn't F*%k it Up!
I am sending loads of lashes, lipstick and love to Bebe Zahara Benet, recently crowned winner of RuPaul's Drag Race and America's Next Drag Superstar! The 28-year-old native of the West African republic of Cameroon brought an ultra exotic and oh so sophisticated energy to the show that took her straight to the top! Not only did she serve up the most effortless fabulosity, but grace and dignity as well. I lived for this show and all of its contestants. And why did it take so long for RuPaul to get a show? Seriously, Ru did Tyra better than Tyra does Tyra. Can't wait for next season! Oh and Bebe, you better work.
Meet Sara Blakely and her Haute Contour Spanx Line at Saks NYC
SPANX, Inc.® proudly introduces the first ever Sexy, Sumptuous, Shapewear with a new brand, Haute Contour! For years, the First Lady of Shapewear, Sara Blakely and SPANX Inc, have created shaping solutions to help women look and feel great in their fashions - now they are bringing fashion to shapewear with beautiful pieces designed to slim the derrières and torsos of fashionistas everywhere. Haute Contour by Spanx is truly the dessert of shapewear – now you can have your shape and sexy too!
Sara Blakely, founder of SPANX, Inc. said, “Women and men would always ask me if I could create sexy shapewear, and now I have with Haute Contour. Each piece of this lingerie-inspired collection is shaping, sumptuous, and ready to be seen in!”
Sara Blakely, founder of SPANX, Inc. said, “Women and men would always ask me if I could create sexy shapewear, and now I have with Haute Contour. Each piece of this lingerie-inspired collection is shaping, sumptuous, and ready to be seen in!”
Thursday, March 26, 2009
5-7 pm
Saks Fifth Avenue, New York
611 5th Avenue
New York City
Intimates on Ten (10th Floor)
Meet Sara and sip champagne as you browse the new line...see you there!
5-7 pm
Saks Fifth Avenue, New York
611 5th Avenue
New York City
Intimates on Ten (10th Floor)
Meet Sara and sip champagne as you browse the new line...see you there!
Sunday, March 22, 2009
The Inaword Intern Reviews MTV's House of Style
Having just finished watching the newly revamped House Of Style on MTV, I am left feeling proud and disappointed at the same time. Proud because most of the trends they counted down, I've already totally picked up on (snaps and claps for me!). But disappointed because I found it to be cheesy and ridiculously scripted.
In case you haven't heard, MTV has partnered with Teen Vogue to bring back the classic MTV show on all things fashion. Host, Bar Refaeli and correspondent, Chanel Iman, chat about the must-have items of the moment, including celebrity lines, designer DIYs, beauty secrets and more!
I was excited to see Chanel on television because of her bubbly yet down-to-earth personality that I thought would absolutely shine. Wrong! She was so reserved and seemed to hold back. Give her time...
The good news is that the fashion countdown was fun and informational! Some of highlights were:
Other trends on the countdown included Jewels and Gems, Neons, Tribal Prints and what we've already brought to you a while back, Jumpsuits!
Another feature of the show was Fashion Stories featuring Taylor Swift (the other Jonas woman scorned) and supermodel Jessica Stam. I, personally, am not too fond of Taylor. Her style is nothing to fiend over; it's actually completely copiable. Her hair is amazing but her squint is annoying! Now, Jessica Stam on the other hand has gorgeous hair, beautiful eyes and a cool, laid back style.
Stam is also a complete recessionista. She shared her love of flannel shirts, in particular how versatile they are to keep warm in winter and as little jackets in the summer. She also talked about cutting your jeans from winter into shorts for summer which, I don't exactly agree with because well, where I'm from, winter comes back around. She recommended bag swapping parties with friends. And my favorite tip of all: White Tees! So simple and yet, as she said, they can be worn all day and all night in so many ways. A skinny skirt and heels are a good way to transform a t-shirt into evening attire.
The episode ended with a backstage interview with Justin Timberlake at his William Rast show during New York Fashion Week. He spoke about taking classic American fashions like jeans and leather and adding a modern twist. The line, a partnership with his friend Trace Ayala, is a honest statement and a new movement. It's cool, relaxed and speaks to his southern upbringing.
Tune into House of Style on MTV and check it out for yourself!
-Nastasia, Inaword Intern
In case you haven't heard, MTV has partnered with Teen Vogue to bring back the classic MTV show on all things fashion. Host, Bar Refaeli and correspondent, Chanel Iman, chat about the must-have items of the moment, including celebrity lines, designer DIYs, beauty secrets and more!
I was excited to see Chanel on television because of her bubbly yet down-to-earth personality that I thought would absolutely shine. Wrong! She was so reserved and seemed to hold back. Give her time...
The good news is that the fashion countdown was fun and informational! Some of highlights were:
Friendship Bracelets
Mary Kate Steinmiller, who designs friendship bracelets for Charlotte Ronson, showed us all how anyone can DIY! My roommates and I will definitely be making those ASAP! I have never been so excited to go to my local Wal-Mart. I'll let you know how that works out.
Mary Kate Steinmiller, who designs friendship bracelets for Charlotte Ronson, showed us all how anyone can DIY! My roommates and I will definitely be making those ASAP! I have never been so excited to go to my local Wal-Mart. I'll let you know how that works out.
Miley Cyrus is the queen of this accessory, even though it was first spotted as a trend in London courtesy of supermodel Agyness Deyn.
Jellies
They're back! My ultimate favorite summertime sandal...of course they should be more sophisticated then the little sandals from the 90's!
They're back! My ultimate favorite summertime sandal...of course they should be more sophisticated then the little sandals from the 90's!
Other trends on the countdown included Jewels and Gems, Neons, Tribal Prints and what we've already brought to you a while back, Jumpsuits!
Another feature of the show was Fashion Stories featuring Taylor Swift (the other Jonas woman scorned) and supermodel Jessica Stam. I, personally, am not too fond of Taylor. Her style is nothing to fiend over; it's actually completely copiable. Her hair is amazing but her squint is annoying! Now, Jessica Stam on the other hand has gorgeous hair, beautiful eyes and a cool, laid back style.
Stam is also a complete recessionista. She shared her love of flannel shirts, in particular how versatile they are to keep warm in winter and as little jackets in the summer. She also talked about cutting your jeans from winter into shorts for summer which, I don't exactly agree with because well, where I'm from, winter comes back around. She recommended bag swapping parties with friends. And my favorite tip of all: White Tees! So simple and yet, as she said, they can be worn all day and all night in so many ways. A skinny skirt and heels are a good way to transform a t-shirt into evening attire.
The episode ended with a backstage interview with Justin Timberlake at his William Rast show during New York Fashion Week. He spoke about taking classic American fashions like jeans and leather and adding a modern twist. The line, a partnership with his friend Trace Ayala, is a honest statement and a new movement. It's cool, relaxed and speaks to his southern upbringing.
Tune into House of Style on MTV and check it out for yourself!
-Nastasia, Inaword Intern
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