Taken By Trees - My Boys

If you like Animal Collective's My Girls, check out the cover by Swedish band Taken By Trees (and name changed to My Boys):

My Top 2009 Albums - Part Deux

Dirty Projectors - Bitte Orca

It really came down to this album versus either Animal Collective or Grizzly Bear. While all three albums are great, I gave the edge to Bitte Orca because I found it the most innovative. Animal Collective also have a unique sound but Dirty Projectors are doing things I've never heard any band do before.

Some background: The band has been around since 2002 (but they are new to me) and has had several band configurations over the years, with Dave Longstreth the only permanent member. Longstreth is a Yale musical-composition graduate and an absolute genius. Wait a minute - I've already talked about this. Here, including a couple of samples.

Grizzly Bear - Veckatimest

This is an album that improved with every listen. When I wrote about it after having had it for about a month (in June) I knew I liked it but it kept getting better throughout the year. It's hard to explain what makes the album so great - it sounds like pretty typical indie rock and probably won't immediately grab you, but keep at it and hopefully you'll get it.

Love this video (Two Weeks):

Interesting live-version of one of my favorite songs on the album (All We Ask):


Animal Collective - Merriweather Post Pavilion

This came out right at the beginning of the year and while it was my first Animal Collective album, I was familiar with the solo work of one of the founding members: Panda Bear. (Not a joke.) His Comfy In Nautica from 2007 was an uneven, but sometimes brilliant, record. So, when I heard that Merriweather was getting a lot of buzz I jumped right on it.

This is also an album that rewards repeated listening, and will not give you everything the first or second time around. For example, the best song on the album (My Girls) doesn't do much until 1:40 into the song:

Not sure what else to say, other than show you another song (Summertime Clothes):

Ok, that's all for today. Antlers, Neko Case and Heartless Bastards to follow...

My Top 2009 Albums

Last year I created a list of my Top 10 albums of 2008. This year I had a really hard time deciding who to include after the first five or so - close to fifteen contenders for the remaining spots. So, I'm only doing a Top 5 this time, and a large Honorable Mention group, all deserving of recognition.

1. Dirty Projectors - Bitte Orca

2. Grizzly Bear - Veckatimest

3. Animal Collective - Merriweather Post Pavilion

4. The Antlers - Hospice

5. (tie) Neko Case - Middle Cyclone

5. (tie) Heartless Bastards - The Mountain

Ok, so I cheated again with a tie for fifth place. Well, these six albums clearly stood out from the pack, and who does a Top 6 list? So deal with it!

Honorable Mention:

• Tori Amos - Abnormally Attracted To Sin
• Theresa Andersson - Hummingbird, Go!
• Bat For Lashes - Two Suns
• The Decemberists - The Hazards Of Love
• Doves - Kingdom Of Rust
• Fever Ray - Fever Ray
• The Fiery Furnaces - I'm Going Away
• Florence And The Machine - Lungs
• Miss Li - Dancing The Whole Way Home
• PJ Harvey & John Parish - A Woman A Man Walked By
• Röyksopp - Junior
• Regina Spektor - Far
• St. Vincent - Actor
• Yeah Yeah Yeahs - It's Blitz

I'll write up my motivation behind the Top 5 (well, six) albums another day...

New Old Town restaurants

I had lunch at two new places this week:

5th And Wine.

The people who run Humble Pie pizza took over Fine's Cellar. They removed the retail section and converted it to a pure restaurant. New furniture but otherwise the look is similar to before. I was there for lunch with people from work so didn't look at the actual wine list, but noticed that they had a fairly broad selection by the glass and that all glasses are $5 until 6 pm (otherwise ranging from $5-$11).

They serve mostly sandwiches, salads and bruschetta. I ordered a Prosciutto and Brie panini. It was ok - too much figs for my taste and I could barely taste the Brie. One of my co-workers ordered another panini and gave it "two thumbs up" and another co-worker ordered the burger and said it was good, but not extraordinary.

Touch Of Thai

This restaurant replaced Medizona (4th Ave, just east of Scottsdale Rd), which was only open for dinner and I never made it there. Anyway, this is apparently Touch of Thai's second location (the first one at 35th Ave and Bell). Pretty typical Thai fare. Lunch special for $8.95 includes soup, salad, main course, spring roll and a crab wonton.

I had the Pad Thai (my go-to dish when I try a new Thai place) and thought it was good, but not exceptional. The most impressive part of my meal may actually have been the wonton, which was filled with real crab meat. My co-workers were also happy with their food. I'll go back, but I'm a big fan of Malee's on Main St so Touch of Thai may lose out to them in the end.

Other places:

Here are a few other Old Town places that have opened within the last year or so. Daily Dose(on Scottsdale Rd, just south of Indian School, between Starbucks and Grimaldi's) has become one of my favorite brunch spots, but is also very good for lunch. Same owners as the now-defunct Fusion which was driven out of business when the W opened up. The gladiator burger is very good.

Chef James Porter, previously at Tapino, opened Petite Maison (on Shoeman Ln, just east of Scottsdale Rd, before Myst and all the night clubs). Advertised as French Country Bistro, but I think it's more fancy than that. Have only been here once so far, but enjoyed my meal. It's a tiny place with a patio in front, which would be very nice except that the location is less than inspiring: parking garage across the street and construction nearby.

The Mission (previously Union Bar & Grill, on Brown, across from the Farmer's Market, which has become quite a success on Saturday mornings) opened late last year by Chef Matt Carter (Zinc Bistro). A modern take on Latin American food; I've only made it once here too, but enjoyed both the food (fish tacos) and atmosphere.

Modern Burger is the takeout window for the new Modern Steak by Fox Restaurant Concepts in the remodeled wing of the Fashion Square Mall (near Barney's.) I haven't tried the real restaurant yet - pricy and has received mixed reviews - but have had the takeout sliders a few times now. The menu couldn't be simpler: they serve sliders (2), fries, one salad option, soda and ice cream sandwiches. The sliders are quite good - well seasoned with fried onions and thousand island dressing. If you like your In-N-Out burgers animal style, you'll like these.

Fred's is the restaurant inside Barney's. I went there for lunch opening weekend in October(?). I sat at the bar and ordered a crab cake which was over-priced ($16) but very good. The clientele is what you'd expect: I sat next to two older women whose entire conversation consisted of what plastic surgery they were planning and helping each other decide between different procedure options.

2009 Music - Albums I listened to the most

Just like last year, I've compiled a list of the which albums I listened to the most during the year. Last year, I only included albums I'd added in 2008. I had no way to determine when I'd played each song, so I simply excluded any albums that I had added prior to 2008. This year, I have last year's baseline (how many times I'd played each song a year ago) so now I can see how many additional times I've played each song in 2009.

Without further ado, my 10 most-listened-to-albums in 2009 (and the year they were released):

1. Grizzly Bear - Veckatimest (2009)
2. Ane Brun - Changing Of The Seasons (2008)
3. Animal Collective - Merriweather Post Pavilion (2009)
4. Dirty Projectors - Bitte Orca (2009)
5. Laleh - Prinsessor (2006)
6. Fleet Foxes - Fleet Foxes (2008)
7. Martha Wainwright - I Know You're Married But I've Got Feelings Too (2008)
8. Martha Wainwright - Martha Wainwright (2005)
9. Various Artists - Dark Was The Night CD 1 (2009)

10. Ida Maria - Fortress Round My Heart (2008)

Observations:

• Two repeat albums from last year: Martha at #7 (#6 last year) and Fleet Foxes at #6 (#7 last year). I got both of them mid-year 2008 - had either of them fallen more cleanly into a single year they'd been near the top.
• Similarly, Frida Hyvönen's Silence Is Wild and Emiliana Torrini's Me And Armini didn't make it this year either, even though I've listened to both of them a tremendous amount across 2008 and 2009. Just a matter of being split across two calendar years.
• 5 albums with female singers (and one mixed). Down from 8 last year.
• 4 of the artists were new to me (Grizzly Bear, Dirty Projectors, Laleh and Ida Maria). Down from 7 last year.
• If I limit the list to albums I acquired in 2009, three drop out (Fleet Foxes and the two Martha albums) and are replaced by: Röyksopp - Junior, Regina Spektor - Far, and Theresa Andersson - Hummingbird, Go!

Just like last year, this is not my list of the Top 10 Best albums. Stay tuned for that - I will be compiling that list in the upcoming days.

Thought I hated this city, but...

...Gothenburg I came back to you

Portishead: Chase The Tear

New Portishead single out! From the upcoming album, I assume. Have listened to it once so far and I like it.

Video here: http://www.amnesty.org.uk/content.asp?CategoryID=11755

Food is an important part of a balanced diet (part 5)

Ok, here comes the last part of the Vegas trip.

L'Atelier de Joël Robuchon

Since I stayed at The Signature the last night, I decided to eat at the MGM Grand. Joël Robuchon has two restaurants here; Joël Robuchon at The Mansion is one of the finest restaurants in the world, and the only restaurant in Vegas with three Michelin stars. It is most known for its 13-course tasting menu. But, I wasn't ready to spend the $385 (not including wine and tip), so I went to Chef Robuchon's place next door.

View of the kitchen at l'Atelier de Robuchon

L'Atelier has a very modern, trendy feel and is very much a concept restaurant - you sit at a horseshoe-shaped bar looking into the kitchen in the middle, seeing the food prepared right in front of you. I always worry that places like these focus more on the experience than the food (e.g. Benihana), but l'Atelier didn't disappoint in either area.

My 3-course meal

As the trip had been filled with big meals I decided to scale it back a bit (and save a few bucks) and ordered the $39 l'Unique menu: a 3-course meal served at once, designed for the pre-theater crowd to get in-and-out quickly. It consisted of a chestnut-bacon soup, veal sweetbreads and a raspberry dessert. I ordered a glass of J.L. Chave Cotes-du-Rhone to go with the first two courses, and then a 2004 Chateau Rieussec (Sauternes) for the dessert.

Dessert and a glass of Sauternes

Finally, since I had a $100-beverage credit to use in any of the MGM-owned bars or restaurants (l'Atelier is under separate ownership) I decided to try some high-end cognacs. I ordered a $25-glass of Hennessy XO and later another $25-glass of Remy Martin XO. Both very good - I preferred the Hennessy by a slight margin. Next, I planned to try a nice port (1970 Graham's) but they were out of it. So, I ordered a Johnny Walker Blue Label - have never tried that before - but after several minutes they sheepishly admitted they were out of that too! So, they gave me another glass of Remy Martin XO free of charge. They didn't know I had a beverage credit, so while it didn't really help me, I appreciated the gesture. I took it up to my room and finished it on the balcony.

A glass of Hennessy XO

Interlude: Glenlivet Trio

I bought a three-pack of Glenlivets the other day (came in a nice wooden box) and decided to try them side-by-side: 12-year old, 18-year old and 15-year old French Oak cask. I like all three of them (Glenlivet 12 is my usual house scotch) but have to give the nod to the 18-year old.

Food is an important part of a balanced diet (part 4)

Picasso

Picasso at Bellagio is my first experience at a restaurant with two Michelin stars, so I had built up a lot of anticipation beforehand.

I was early for my 8PM reservation so I was asked to have a seat in their lounge, which gave me a view into the dining room and a chance to make a few observations:

First, I was immediately struck by how formal the place was. The wait staff, which was perhaps completely male, was dressed in full suit and tie, and while a lot of other newer fine dining restaurants (especially in Vegas) go for a hip and modern style this was more on the side of classic style, subdued warm lighting and jazz at fairly low volume in the background.

Second, I was overwhelmed by the amount of original Picasso art on the walls. I had at least 10 full-size paintings within view - I don't know if I've even been to a museum that has had as many Picasso paintings in one room.

Third, I noticed that the dining room floor was fairly sparse. Even though it's not easy to see in the picture below, there was quite a lot of separation between tables allowing for the numerous wait staff to move freely and giving each table more privacy than you get in most restaurants.

Dining room, more well-lit than when I was there (image from Bellagio website)

I had walked by earlier in the day and looked at the posted menus outside, and was torn between the 4-course prix fixe and the 5-course tasting menu. For the prix fixe I would have a number of options for each course which would give me more freedom to compose my own menu, but the tasting menu looked very good as it was so I was leaning toward that.

At my table, I was also presented with a seasonal Alba white truffle tasting menu. (Quick truffles primer: the best black truffles are usually from France and are considered to be best around the beginning of the year while the premier white truffles are from Alba in northern Italy and at their peak during late fall.) But, this menu was nearly three times the price of the regular (already pricey) tasting menu, so I quickly put that to the side.

Amuse Bouche to go with the champagne

While deciding I ordered a glass of champagne (Egly-Ouriet) and spent some time looking through the wine list, which literally was as thick as a book. I decided to stick with the tasting menu and the accompanying wine pairing. The sommelier, Robert Smith (not the lead singer from The Cure!), is somewhat famous in wine/dining circles because he is a certified Master Sommelier.

This means he has passed a series of very difficult tests; both theoretical (knowledge of wine, regions and wine making) and practical (tasting and identifying wines, and wine service). There are only a hundred-and-some Master Somms in the world, and only one in Arizona (Greg Tresner at the Phoenician resort), so getting to meet one is a bit of a thrill for a wine geek like me.

Lobster salad and a glass of dry Riesling from Alsace

Robert was working the floor that night, so when I had some questions about the wine pairings (the menu didn't specify what they were) he came over and chatted for a while. They had both a regular wine pairing (about half the price of the tasting menu) and a premium wine pairing (about the same price as the tasting menu.) I went with the premium option.

Scallop on a bed of Potato Mousseline and a glass of white Hermitage

The premium wine pairing was definitely the right choice; each wine was very good and perfectly paired with its dish. Here is the menu:

• Maine Lobster Salad - 2004 Zind Humbrecht Herrenweg de Turckheim Riesling
• Pan Seared U10 Scallop, Potato Mousseline, Jus de Veau - 2004 Betts & Scholl Hermitage Blanc
• Sautéed Foie Gras, Port Figs, Brioche, Crushed Almonds - 1999 Ch. Tirecul Cuvée Madame
• Swordfish - 2004 Henri Bolliot Meursault
• Chocolate Lava Cake - 1961 Albala Pedro Ximenez Sherry

Foie Gras and a sweet wine from Southwest France

The lobster salad was quite good - I'm not big on salads, but it's hard to say no to lobster - and the accompanying Zind Humbrecht Riesling was a perfect match. It started out with a lot of fruit sweetness which was in tune with the natural sweetness of the lobster, but ended on a dry clean finish. I've had a lot of Zind Humbrecht wines and they are a personal favorite of mine. They also make some dessert wines that are to die for: so-called VTs (Vendange Tardive, meaning Late Harvest) or, even better, SGNs (Sélection Grains Nobles, meaning Selection of Noble Berries, grapes affected by Botrytis rot - "the noble rot")

Swordfish and a glass of white Burgundy

The pan seared U10 scallop was my favorite dish and perhaps the best scallop I've ever had. In my experience scallops are usually either sublime or terrible, but even at the top there are differences and this was absolutely superb. This alone made the visit worth it. (What is U10, you ask? It's a grading of the size of the scallop and stands for Under 10, meaning there are less than 10 scallops in a pound. This is the largest size.)

The scallop came with a wine that I've enjoyed several times before - Betts & Scholl's Hermitage Blanc. Richard Betts is another Master Somm, at the famous Little Nell in Aspen, and Dennis Scholl is a wealthy art collector with a strong interest in wine. For the last several years, they have made wines in the California, Australia and France. This wine is from the tiny, fabled Hermitage region in the northern Rhone in France, and is made by grapes from local legend J.L. Chave, whose family has made wine in the area for the last 600 years.

Chocolate Lava dessert, ice cream and a glass of sherry

The next dish was the sautéed foie gras. I'm a big fan of foie, and while this was very good it was not quite up there with some of the best I've had. My top three are at Bourbon Steak (Michael Mina's Arizona restaurant at the Fairmont Princess), Sea Saw (Chef Nobuo Fukuda) and by my friend Chef Rich Hinojosa who now works as the executive chef at the Maui Westin.

The foie was classically paired with a Sauternes-style wine (sweet, botrytis) from Southwest France and that worked well. I've had the Cuvée Madame before from a different vintage(1995) which is supposed to be superior, but I thought the 1999 was on par with it.

Pouring the 1961 PX sherry

The main course was a swordfish and it it was quite a disappointment. I don't know if I've had swordfish before, but it wasn't what I expected. The sauce was wonderful but the actual fish was very dense and thick - almost like a piece of meat. Fortunately the white Burgundy was light and airy which helped a bit, but overall this was the weakest course of the evening.

Then, for dessert I chose the chocolate lava cake: a round chocolate cake filled with rich chocolate sauce that poured out as soon as I cut into it. It was delicious, but very heavy which the ice cream offset nicely. The wine pairings only covered the first four courses so for dessert I was on my own, and I opted for an old sherry which was really good. As you can perhaps see in the picture above, the label on the bottle is actually a piece of the original barrel where it was aged.

All-in-all, a pretty incredible experience. It was quite expensive, but about two thirds of my bill came from the wines so you can certainly get away cheaper if you like. But, at a place like this, splurging is part of the experience. Will I come back? Well, I think I only have so many dinners of this caliber in me and I'd probably rather try a new place than return to a place I've already tried, but if I somehow end up here again I'm not going to be sorry.

Food is an important part of a balanced diet (part 3)

RM Seafood

For those of you following Top Chef, RM Seafood at Mandalay Bay is where they did the Restaurant Wars episode this season. As you may recall, the restaurant has two floors: upstairs is the more formal dining room and downstairs is more casual and where the bar is. I stopped by for lunch on day 3 (Monday), and knowing that I had plans for a big dinner in the evening I just sat down at the bar and ordered a couple of appetizers.

Clam Chowder and Chimay (iPhone picture)

I started with a bowl of clam chowder and then some quiche. The chowder was quite good but the quiche was only so-so. It didn't really inspire me to come back, but I also didn't quite have a real meal so...

Quiche at RM Seafood (iPhone picture)

Food is an important part of a balanced diet (part 2)

Jasmine

Normally, Jasmine at the Bellagio is a fine dining restaurant with a strong Chinese influence, and they are only open for dinner. On Sundays, they serve their Fountains Brunch - a decadent buffet with a great up-close view of the fountains.

The fountain show as seen from the balcony at Jasmine

My plate after my first food hunting trip

I'm normally not a fan of buffets - most of them serve mass-produced cafeteria quality food that's been sitting under heat-lamps for too long - but this was just sensational. There was a raw-bar, gravlax, cheese plates, fruit plates, pastries, eggs benedict, omelets, and on and on and on, all beautifully prepared and presented. And, to top it off there was a whole room full of chocolate desserts, including marshmallows to dip in a chocolate fondue.

Enjoying my food and champagne

Chocolate dessert plate

Stay tuned for more culinary adventures...