hollywood

Santa Ana, Santa Clara, San Francisco. http://www.thewineclub.com/

Little Johnny hears the music of the ice cream truck and like Pavlov's dog runs to the music not looking for traffic. Wham. Little Johnny gets creamed. Mama comes out and sees little Johnny bleeding to death. Voila! Big lawsuit against ice cream company. Without the music, the little Johnnys don't come to the trucks. Additionally, some communities passed ordinances against the trucks. End of ice cream trucks.

Perhaps he was being ironic?

You got it. One agnostic-humanist prayer coming up. Coincidentally, there was an interview with the manager of the Plaza on NPR about France's take on American food. He said his 11 year old "complemented" the waiter on the food at Ducasse by telling him their fries were "as good as McDonald's!"

I wonder who will be there then.

Au contraire. There may be a convention or two in town--booksellers? fashionistas?--but still, lotsa bistros will want your biz and probably some high end spots as well. Get cracking.

If you go to viamichelin.com, you can get some info. Some places are only closed part of August, sometimes into September. I believe this came up before and there was an even better site for data, but it escapes my fragile memory. Naturally, the restaurants at large hotels will be open.

I've done that. Unfortunately, it was in the South of France.

Had a lovely romantic brunch at the San Ysidro Ranch once. It was a long time ago. FWIW, it's where JFK and Jackie Kennedy honeymooned. I think that's right but somehow didn't they also honeymoon at the Hotel Hana Maui?

Word. http://www.buttsacrossamerica.com/

you should try the McNuggets and Filet O Fish. Don't you find the Whaler better than the Filet O Fish?

Not yet, Pim.

But wait, we haven't even gotten into the pork at Yai. And you didn't mention Ruen Pair.

One of the many perks of eGullet: free deja vu.

Hypothesis: one side effect of eating fast food is that you start sounding like your parents.

Thai Elvis is one of those Devil or Angel things, I guess.

Doesn't everyone do unlimited fountain sodas? Or is that a regional thing? Not creamsicle sodas and real vanilla cokes. I think he means fountain in a handmade sense.

So, what were the health problems associated with White Spot burgers?

It's that Birthday Boy aura.

Agreed. Problem is they overbook at lunch time resulting in v-e-r-y slow service in the 12:00-1:30 window.

You say some of the strangest things. I dunno, Stone. Sounds right to me. In its day, Hamburger Hamlet had good burgers, but that day is gone. And it's not even on the list. What are your faves?

Coincidentally, I drove by Patina yesterday and noticed it has one of those Relais and Chateau plaques imbedded in the wall. Not sure if this is a good thing or not.

Thanks for the specific suggestions. Have you tried the other places?

Jitlada's not bad but I think there's better Thai on Hollywood Blvd. in Ruen Pair, Kruang Tedd and Palms Thai.

Just don't ask about the Bible citations on the packaging. It's boring.