Adam Riff™ Clip of the Week

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44. A good time (AEW Dynamite, 10-30-19)

Honourable Mention

Stray Observations

  • Henry Louis Gates, Jr. (Watchmen, S01E02)
  • "There are so many things I'd like to occur to you." (Watchmen, S01E02)
  • Blue penis (Watchmen, S01E02)


(Watchmen, S01E02)

  • ♫: Beastie Boys – "Eggman" (Watchmen, S01E02)
  • "Okay, so you touch down at Dulles, you turn off airplane mode, and then—"
    "Well, actually, we flew through Reagan National."
    "Reagan? But you love trams." (Silicon Valley, S06E01)
  • "What is Amazon anyway? Is it a river? Is it a giant woman? It's not clear." (Silicon Valley, S06E01)
  • "You're telling me that El Pollo Loco corporate has more employees than we do?" (Silicon Valley, S06E01)
  • Jon Glaser (Mr. Robot, S04E04)
  • ♫: Theodore Shapiro – "Ecstasy" (Mr. Robot, S04E04)
  • "Where you headed?"
    "First stop: Baltimore. I got a cousin name of Nathan, lives in the Lexington Terrace
    apartments on the west side. He needs my help." (The Deuce, S03E08)
  • Game of Thrones (The Deuce, S03E08)
  • ♫: Blondie – "Sidewalks of New York" (The Deuce, S03E08)
  • The Deuce Season Grade: C
  • Cats (Black-ish, S06E06)
  • "The mummy" (South Park, S23E05)
  • Doogie Howser, M.D. (American Horror Story, S09E07)
  • "Who are you?"
    "Oh, that's Kajagoogoo, you idiot! Limahl, are you gonna play 'Too Shy'? I love that song."
    "Oh, that's the only song we're going to play. It's our biggest hit. It's the only song anyone wants to hear."
    "Wait, just one song? What about 'NeverEnding Story'?"
    "Oh, it's from my solo career. I wouldn't dream of playing it with the band." (American Horror Story, S09E07)
  • Richard Ramirez killing Kajagoogoo (American Horror Story, S09E07)
  • Sum 41 (Saturday Night Live, S45E05)

Still the AR™TV World Drama Champion: Succession
Still the AR™TV World Comedy Champion: It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia

Eater's Digest: Toronto 6

on

Previously on Adam Riff™:

September 2019
le swan / smoke bar and kitchen / short and sweet / reyna / r&d / the daily dumpling wonton co. / wvrst / guu izakaya / convenience / bang bang ice cream / sara / grand cru deli / seoul shakers / death in venice / donut monster / chen chen's hot chicken / sud forno / centrale bergham / bang bang ice cream / té / bake shoppe / the clubhouse / quetzal / wong's ice cream / holy chuck / maker pizza


★ Beer Ramen (Guu Izakaya)
cold ramen noodle, wakame, sweet corn, scallion, menma, naruto, in sapporo big mug

^ Cold ramen that looks like beer. Big mug is big. Sweet corn is odd.

(R&D): Fool me twice, shame on me. And I had to pretend the food I ordered was good because my server was the executive chef!

French Onion Spring Roll (R&D)
beef short rib, caramelized onions, swiss cheese, beef jus
—Tasted foul.


Chili Crab Okonomiyaki (R&D)
soft-shell crab, savoury japanese pancake, r&d chili sauce, yuzu aioli

^ "Where's the chili sauce?" I wondered.


Sichuan Osso Buco (R&D)
fermented chili, sichuan peppercorns, cabbage, shiitake, lo mein

^ "Where's the fermented chili and Sichuan peppercorns?" I wondered.


★ Squid Chŏn (Té)
pan-fried savoury pancake made with squid and chives, served with a vinegar-soy dip

Kimchi Falafel (Té)
kimchi-spiked falafel and hummus drizzled with housemade tahini, served with toasted naan wedges

Toasted Kimchi Ravioli (Té)
handmade jumbo ravioli squares with a kimchi-spiked ricotta, mozzarella, and parmesan filling; panko-crusted and finished with honeyed wasabi pesto


★ Fish and Taro Chips (Té)
tempura battered haddock fillet, homemade taro chips, and kimchi slaw; served with a trio of housemade tartar sauces: original, kimchi-spiked, and japanese-style barbecue

Didn't try (Té)'s kimchi deviled eggs or kimchi-spiked tomato salsa.

Roast Kimchi Chopped Cheese (Seoul Shakers)
chopped ground beef patty, roasted kimchi, pickles, sauce, lettuce, onions, yellow cheese

Among Leemo Han's Toronto dining ventures, (Oddseoul) > (Hanmoto) > (Seoul Shakers) > (Pinky's Ca Phe).

Mongo Squid Yukhoe (Seoul Shakers)
beef tartare, sliced mongo squid, korean pear, egg yolk
—The squid didn't add anything. Nori is a poor vessel for tartare.


★ Hwe Dup Bap (Seoul Shakers)
albacore tuna, yellowfin tuna, salmon, sweet shrimp, mongo squid, tobiko, ikura, scallops, fresh mixed vegetables, red chili pepper house sauce

^ Fame this bowl.

Tempura Salt Cod (Seoul Shakers)
nanban sauce, green sauce, tartar sauce, lime

(Le Swan) is boring food done well. Among Jen Agg's Toronto dining ventures, (The Black Hoof) > (Le Swan) > (Grey Gardens)


Corresponding dishes

★ Onion Rings (Le Swan)
—With a mysterious sweet liquid drizzled on top.


★ Frites (Le Swan)

^ Go through a labour-intensive two-day process involving a brine, two blanches, and freezing overnight before flash-frying to order.

★ Hand-Cut Crispy Fries (Holy Chuck)

★ Ketchup Curly Fries (Grand Cru Deli)
—Ketchup chips, but curly fries.

★ Tater Tots Bravas (Smoke Bar and Kitchen)
tater tots, manchego cheese, spicy tomato aioli
—Patatas bravas, but tater tots.

★ Sweetbread Nuggets (Grand Cru Deli)
gribiche, honey mustard
—Popcorn chicken, but thymi and pancreata.

Poutine Le Rouge (Centrale Bergham)
french fries, poutine sauce, cheese curds, and tandoori chicken

(Centrale Bergham) is a Montreal chain. The soda fountain at the one I visited didn't have an ice dispenser.


Sandwich Supreme (Centrale Bergham)
marinated chicken thigh topped with kebab spices and merguez

^ Halal sub.

Mortadella Meatball Hoagie (Grand Cru Deli)
marinara, mozzarella, peppers

Carolina Cubano (Smoke Bar and Kitchen)
hogtown pulled pork, house bacon, swiss, carolina yellow sauce, dill pickle, flatbread


"Melon" Ham and Cheese [The Meloumi] (Smoke Bar and Kitchen)
smoked watermelon "ham," grilled halloumi, avocado mayo, peppery greens, mint, potato bun

^ I don't get the pairing of watermelon and halloumi.


★ Reyna's Famous Lamb Baklava (Reyna)
kataifi, lamb shank, saffron, burnt honey aioli

Duck Sausage (Wvrst)
maple, foie gras

Jerk Turkey/Chicken Sausage (Wvrst)
scotch bonnet, all spice

(Sara)'s $55 Monday prix fixe "Journey" meal is worth seeking out.

Squash Latkes (Sara)
smoked salmon roe, chive cream, kombu maple


French Fries (Sara)
schmaltz, kewpie mayo, kimchi, bonito salt

^ Grated russet potatoes confited in duck fat.


★ Crispy Squid (Sara)
mango slaw, nuoc cham, garlic peanuts


★ Chopped Salad (Sara)
kale, fennel, celery, grapes, mint, thai basil, quinoa, poblano cashew cheese, wasabi peas, nori, tamarind vinaigrette

^ "This is on par with (Rasa)'s chopped salad," I thought, not realizing that (Sara) is from the people behind (Rasa).


★ Shaved Rib Eye (Sara)
corn, mushroom, wild greens

^ "This is on par with (OMAW)'s hanger steak," I thought, not realizing that (Sara) is from the people behind (OMAW).

Among The Food Dudes' Toronto dining ventures, (Sara) > (OMAW) > (Rasa).


★ Miso Pot de Creme (Sara)
bananas foster, butterscotch, sesame tuile


★ Frank's Best Pizza (Maker Pizza)
caramelized onions, goat cheese, mozzarella, parmesan, rosemary, sea salt, organic honey, sesame crust

^ I have been chasing this pizza since I tried it.

★ Tostada de Atún (Quetzal)
yellowfin tuna, salsa macha, mole verde, pickled shallots
—Raw fish and mole? Works!


Empanada Oaxaqueña (Quetzal)
smoked chicken, mole amarillo, cilantro, crema, salsa cruda

Prohibition Nacho (Convenience)
bourbon root beer pork, spiked habanero lemonade, sour cream, tequila salsa, avocado crema, pickled red onion, grilled pineapple
—Sweet and sour nachos. Not sure how the lemonade was used.

★ Peanut Butter and Bacon Sliders (Convenience)
beef slider, peanut butter, house pork belly, sweet chili mustard, onion
—Peanut butter and bacon burgers are sublime.

Venus My Nutty Cow Burger (Holy Chuck)
a single patty on a gluten-free bun topped with warm nutella
—Nutella on a burger doesn't work as well.

★ Nutella Bomboloni (Sud Forno)

Nutella and Cookies Gelato (Death in Venice)
Pistachio, Yogurt, and Baklava Gelato (Death in Venice)
Black Garlic Vanilla Gelato (Death in Venice)

Sour Cherry Chocolate Gelato (Death in Venice)
—Tart!

Banana Puddin' Ice Cream (Bang Bang Ice Cream)
★ Matcha-Genmaicha Tiramisu Ice Cream (Bang Bang Ice Cream)

★ Chocolate Yuzu Ice Cream (Wong's Ice Cream)
Boozy Egg Tart Ice Cream (Wong's Ice Cream)
Condensed Milk Pineapple Bun Ice Cream (Wong's Ice Cream)

Peach Earl Grey Fritter (Donut Monster)
chunks of fresh ontario peaches with an earl grey glaze

MISSED CONNECTIONS


Lobster Mountain (Fishman Lobster Clubhouse)

^ 52 pounds.


Big Slice (Lamanna's Bakery)

^ 24-inch radius.


The Unicorn Poutine (The Enchanted Poutinerie)
fresh rainbow quebec curds, multi-colour gravy

I am both Jon and not Jon

on

We Are The Wave [was] produced for Netflix by the creators and producers of the award-winning film of the same name from 2008.

Silicon Valley-based Netflix made a German television series based on a German film based on a history class experiment in Silicon Valley that went awry.

I took summer classes at the school where it happened.

That school is, to me, one of the SF Bay Area's lesser attractions, along with the haunted Toys "R" Us and the Flintstone House.

Adam Riff™ Clip of the Week

on


43. The Pod (Watchmen, S01E01)

Honourable Mention

Stray Observations

  • White supremacist listening to Future (Watchmen, S01E01)
  • ♫: Grimes – "Flesh Without Blood" (Mr. Robot, S04E03)
  • "Can one be boujee but then become hood rich?"
    "Oh… You know, there's only one person we can think of."
    "Yeah, yeah."
    "Mariah Carey." (Black-ish, S06E05)
  • "Black people wearing no-show socks? It's unnatural. If I see Madras shorts, I'm outta here." (Black-ish, S06E05)
  • "Idol only plays one way: full throttle." (American Horror Story, S09E06)


(It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia, S14E04)


"How about that with the eggplant?"
"Oh. Ooh. We're coming." (It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia, S14E04)


(It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia, S14E04)

  • ♫: "Circle of Life" (It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia, S14E04)
  • "Blake Bortles was cut by the Jaguars."
    "What? How? Why? Who's their QB now?"
    "A man named Nick Foles."
    "Nick Foles? Are you kidding me? He won a Super Bowl! We're gonna be unstoppable! Foooooooooles!" (The Good Place, S04E05)

Still the AR™TV World Drama Champion: Succession
The New AR™TV World Comedy Champion: It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia

Eater's Digest: Louisville, KY 2

on

Previously on Adam Riff™ (Aug 2014):

MISSED CONNECTIONS

Bron Bron Burger (SuperChef's Breakfast)
topped with a hot crab spread and pulled pork, served with a sweet and sour glaze on a brioche bun

Togarashi Cheesecake (Milkwood)
peanut sea salt, miso caramel, blackened pineapple

October 2019
superchefs / milkwood / ehrler's / biscuit belly / please and thank you / porch / harvest / louisville cream / biscuit belly / couvillion / please and thank you / shirley mae's / the comfy cow


Bron Bron Burger (SuperChefs)
topped with hot crab spread and pulled pork with a sweet and sour glaze, served with ★ fries

^ I could only stomach about a quarter of it. The fries were good, though.


Seafood Biscuits and Gravy (SuperChefs)
cheddar biscuits sautéed in garlic butter; shrimp, smoked salmon, crawfish meat in a seafood gravy

^ If croutons were an entrée. I couldn't discern much seafood. Very salty.


Togarashi Cheesecake (Milkwood)
peanut sea salt, miso caramel, charred pineapple

Adobo-Poached Fried Chicken (Milkwood)
hot sauce, buttermilk dill dressing, ponzu

Pajeon (Milkwood)
scallop ceviche, gochujang vinaigrette, tarragon mayo, scallion

Tasty, if unmemorable, meal at (Milkwood).


★ The G.O.A.T. (Biscuit Belly)
fried chicken, sweet pepper jelly, goat cheese

^ Eats light for a fried chicken biscuit.

Loaded Breakfast Tots (Biscuit Belly)
sausage, bacon, and cheddar-stuffed tater tots with maple aioli


The Love Shack (Biscuit Belly)
brie, smoked honey, berry jam, candied pecans

^ Vegetarian biscuit.

Brown Sugar Brie Ice Cream (Louisville Cream)
—I couldn't discern Brie.

Pistachio Honeycomb Ice Cream (Louisville Cream)
—I wanted more honeycomb.

★ Mackinac Island Fudge Ice Cream (The Comfy Cow)
—I couldn't pinpoint what this tasted like. A Nanaimo bar? Regardless, it was yummy.

Black Bottom Banana Pudding Ice Cream (Louisville Cream)
caramelized banana custard with swirls of marshmallow and an oreo cookie pie crust
—The accoutrements didn't add anything.

I read that (Please and Thank You)'s Chocolate Chip Cookie was amazing, but it was its richer ★ Derby [Pie] Bar that won my heart.

★ Mile Wide Beer Cheese (Harvest)
mcpoyle milk stout, kenny's white cheddar, pretzel hoagies


Crispy Paella Rice (Harvest)
ramp romesco, olives, local parmesan, citrus

^ Crispy rice with a bunch of olives? What?


Smoked Mushroom Spaghetti (Harvest)
frondosa mushroom, smoked bleu cheese, bacon lardons, crème fraîche

^ Smoked mushrooms with smoked bleu cheese worked better. I dug the lardons.

Smoked Hoecake (Couvillion)


★ Jambalaya with Fried Shrimp (Couvillion)
andouille and chicken-studded creole tomato rice topped with cornmeal-fried shrimp


Duck Creole (Couvillion)
shredded duck leg, ground tomatoes, trinity, garlic, ricotta dumplings

^ Southern Italian.

Guacamole Especial (Porch)
spicy seeds, nuts, freeze-dried fruit
—Not enough freeze-dried fruit sprinkled on it to be noteworthy.

★ Cheesy Monkey Bread (Porch)
tomato soup

★ Hot Water Cornbread (Shirley Mae's)

MISSED CONNECTIONS

Southern Eggrolls (SuperChefs)
mac and cheese, house-made greens, fried chicken, sweet potato sauce
—Lawd…

Pimento Cheese Curds (Whiskey Dry)
chili romesco sauce

Ghirardelli Chocolate Bread Pudding (Brendon's Catch 23)
made with sweet king's hawaiian bread, served warm with crème anglaise and strawberries