Music Mondays: Walk the Moon "Shut Up and Dance" + Movie Dance Compilation

You may or may not know this about me, but nothing makes me happier--or tear up--more than synchronized dance sequences in movies. The final Bollywood dance number in Slumdog Millionaire? Best credits in history. The line dancing scene in Footloose? I guess I like country music now! And don't even get me started on Duckie's Otis Redding-inspired breakdown in Pretty in Pink! So what might be the greatest video in the world? How about a smash-cut of nearly every memorable dance sequence in movie history, overlaid with Walk the Moon's infectious anthem, "Shut Up and Dance"?

Done and done! My friend shared this video with me last week, and I have not stopped watching it since. I may or may not have choked up a bit when little Mumble and his flipper-tapping friends were shown. And since I still can't get enough of it, I had to share it with all of you. Chances are, you've seen it already and are just as obsessed as me! How could any movie lover not fall in love with this song after seeing this compilation, with over 85 movies represented? No one, that's who. This might be my favorite Music Monday to date.

So enjoy, and I hope this puts a smile on your face on this lovely Monday morning. xx

Artist: Walk the Moon
Song: "Shut Up and Dance" | download
Album: Talking is Hard
Video Produced/Edited By: MsTabularasa

Jaws in Theaters for 40th Anniversary!

It must be kismet. Or perhaps a delightful coincidence. I'll go with both. This year happens to mark the 40th Anniversary of the release of the film Jaws, and in celebration, it is getting a special, limited time only re-release in movie theaters, hosted by Fathom Events.

And guess what? The Sunday the release falls on, June 21st, is the exact date that our AFI Top 100 movie club had scheduled to view it! The countdown, hitting Jaws at #56, lands right on the release in theaters. Insanity!

So of course, I can't resist gathering a group of friends together to experience it on the big screen. And you all should too! If it's screening near you, take this opportunity to go and celebrate with other fans one of the best horror films of all time.

Click here to get all the release information, purchase tickets, or view other upcoming events!

Thus ends this public service announcement.

(image via Matt Needle, limited edition print available now at Needle Design)

Food & Lib: The Fat Dog, NoHo

I'm always looking out for new and exciting places to open up near our apartment, and in the NoHo Arts District, that's becoming an ever-common occurrence! Most recently, a second location for The Fat Dog, which first popped up 4 years ago in Hollywood, has launched with a soft opening last week in North Hollywood - an opening 2 years in the making.

Located on Magnolia Blvd, wedged between other new eateries of varying faire (a few doors west is the delicious Bow & Truss, which I reviewed last year), this gastropub offers an expansive bar, refreshing summer cocktails, and of course, a coveted and shady outdoor space perfect for a large group or pup-friendly brunches. It is reminiscent of some of my favorite restaurants on the West Side (think Father's Office in Culver City or Plan Check on Sawtelle), but even better, because it's but a short walk from my apartment.









I got a group of friends together to scope it out, and naturally, we all ordered different things to test out their [for a short time] limited, soft opening menu. But don't let that fool you! There is something, many things, for everyone to enjoy! Eater LA may have posted gorgeous pictures of the new location (worth checking out), but for me? It was all about the food & libations!

First up? Specialty cocktails!





All of the cocktails of, you guessed it!, doggy-themed names. I went immediately for the Off the Leash (the lovely pink one): the Fat Dog's take on a Whiskey Sour, with agave and aperol thrown in for good measure. Another popular choice for the table was the Well Groomed (the gilded up one above), with bubbly ginger beer mixed with Pimm's, lemonade and cucumber. Not pictured? The Tootsie Roll Over with a cacao rum - delicious, and an easy replacement for dessert - as well as one of my favorites, a gin concoction muddled with arugula! Sounds strange, but it's such a fragrant, refreshing "green juice"-like cocktail, perfect for summer afternoons.

Of course, some of us went the hoppy route and paired beer with their pub food.

I couldn't wait any longer, I had to order from the appetizer / small bites menu! Jalapeno Mac & Cheese was a no-brainer! Within seconds, the cast-iron skillet had been cleared as we all scrambled to claim a spoonful.




A beautiful Kale Caesar Salad made an appearance too, complete with a fried egg!




For me, though, it was the Fried Pickles with Ranch yogurt dip that stood out on the menu!





I love everything about this presentation. And the pickles? The best I've ever had! These weren't your standard pickle chips - we're talking crunchy, dill spears fried to perfection! I dream about these... I'm even salivating right now thinking about them. Not surprisingly, I had a hard time sharing!

Next up came the entrees. The menu is more limited now than it will be in the coming weeks, but we certainly didn't have a problem finding something that sounded incredible. In fact, we got five different things! The star, of course, is the signature Fat Dog - a massive grilled hot dog on a poppy seed bun, with sport peppers, tomatoes, onions, and potato chips. Think of it like a Chicago Dog on steroids!






Whenever I go to a new place, my instinct is to go for their signature hamburger first. If they can't do that right, why even bother, amiright?!

And you guys? It was spectacular! The least fussy, but most satisfying Burger I've had in a long time, with a little punch from the shaved Manchego cheese.






Just... just take a second to look at that. You can almost smell it, the perfect medium rare. And the best part? You can get The Flight burger sliders as an alternative, or to share with the table!




And there's something about fries right out of a paper bag that makes them taste 100 times better, huh?

Finally, the crispiest Fish & Chips, with wedge cut fries.




This is easily my new favorite place to spend an afternoon in the Valley. The outdoor space, with long picnic tables, is a lovely place to bring your puppy, order a drink and some appetizers, and enjoy the hustle and bustle of the neighborhood. I mean, how relaxing does that look?



Definitely don't wait, it's worth hurrying to try this place out before it gets too crowded! Considering they've been open for less than a week (at the time of this posting), their service was wonderful, their atmosphere calm and quiet, and the menu expansive. They even have an Alternative Burger for their Vegetarian or Vegan customers! I have a feeling they're going to do incredibly well in this location. Every Saturday & Sunday, they serve brunch until 3 PM, featuring a half-dozen $5 cocktails to choose from. That is going to be our next mission at The Fat Dog: Weekend Brunch.

Go check it out! You won't regret it!

Place:  The Fat Dog
Neighborhood:  NoHo Arts District (North Hollywood)
Food:  Yes
Full Bar:  Yes

Music Mondays: Elle King "Ex's & Oh's"

Last week, I heard this song on the radio, and knew it had to be my next Music Monday selection. Sitting at a computer all day, at work or when I'm blogging, there's nothing I love more than a catchy song that makes me dance a little in my chair. And this is that song. Elle King (who just happens to be Rob Schneider's daughter!) has a wonderful Duffy-vibe, but with that vintage grit that really sets her apart. Her song "Ex's & Oh's" is making the rounds on US radio right now, and it caught my ear for good reason. It's ridiculously fun!

Already I'm devouring her other bluesy rock tunes. Check her out!

Artist: Elle King
Song: "Ex's & Oh's" | download
Album: Love Stuff

AFI Top 100: #60 "Duck Soup"

Zeppo, Groucho, Chico, & Harpo Marx in Duck Soup (1933)

The last of the Marx Brothers oeuvre to be featured on the AFI Top 100 list, the last film to feature "brother #4", Zeppo Marx, Duck Soup, clocks in at #60. A political satire combined with classic screwball tropes, this movie is likely the true litmus test for your love or hatred for this brand of riotous comedy. You will undoubtedly sway one way or another on the spectrum.

The film's plot centers around the bankrupt country of Freedonia, whose richest citizen, Mrs. Teasdale (Margaret Dumont), demands the government appoint Rufus T. Firefly (Groucho Marx) the new dictator-like President in exchange for a large portion of her wealth. Firefly is an inexperienced fool, and the neighboring country of Sylvania enlists private investigators, Chicolini (Chico Marx) and Pinky (Harpo Marx), to discover Firefly's plans with the hope of avoiding war. Firefly, against the wishes of his personal assistant, Bob Roland (straight-man Zeppo Marx), declares war anyways to defend what he thinks is Mrs. Teasdale's honor, and naturally, insane hilarity ensues for a surprisingly succinct 68 minutes of run time.