Food related, sort of...

Just got back from seeing Half Nelson, the best film of the summer. My old company, THINKFilm is distributing the film, and I hope that my friends there get big fat raises when the film is a hit. Half Nelson is the kind of film that I want to work on. It's the kind of film that I wish I helped distribute. It's about story, character, emotions. The stuff that makes you feel. It's not about the stars, the production design, or the director. Please go see it.
I couldn't help but think about the product placement situation in the film. They had very few noticable brands. When the credits rolled, there were a few clothing companies thanked. I can only think of one visible brand name, Blow Pops. Because I've only worked on studio films, I don't know how clearances are handled on smaller films that are acquired. In my daily experience on this new film, American Gangster, I've had a hell of a time trying to get name brands cleared because it's a drug related film. In fact, the only brands that I've been helpful in clearing are all smaller local companies. Luckily, they both have great products. Boylan sodas and Manhattan Special espresso sodas have signed clearance releases. Manhattan Special even gave us a free case of sodas. As a result, if I drink a soda, it's only going to be those kinds. I will never willingly pay for a Coke, Pepsi or Cadbury Schwepps product again. They suck! Pictured above are the Indian sodas I bought in Curry Hill. Thums Up is Indian Coke, so I wonder if there are pesticides in the soda.
On other films, Coke and Pepsi are used freely because they probably have a product placement deal with the studio. In fact, the crew is probably provided with free sodas and water if there's a product placement deal with the company. This helps out a lot when you've got a 300 person crew and the movie stars are taking up 20 million bucks of the budget.
On the last movie I worked on, the remake of Mostly Martha (it will be called No Reservations when it comes out), Catherine Zeta Jones starred. She is a huge mogul not because of her acting or even her marriage, but because of her advertising deals. There was a photo shoot for some prop food magazines and in every photo, her hand with her watch was noticable. She's being paid to wear that watch, folks. Ironically even though she's paid to advertise Elizabeth Arden cosmetics, we couldn't get any freebies, set dec had to buy all the make up in her bathroom. CZJ also wouldn't hold a certain store's bag in a scene where her character goes shopping because it wasn't in her deal. That kind of sucked because set dec saved a lot of money by creating a deal where items from the store were free if she held a bag.
I also heard a funny story on that last J. Lo/Marc Anthony movie. One of them is sponsored by Coke and the other one advertised Pepsi, so neither of them could be near the other's soda. Or something like that.
I'm kind of torn about product placement, sometimes I don't even notice it, other times it bugs me. What's your opinion?
One more story before I call it a night. As I was walking home, a neon "Chinese Food" sign on a silver street food cart caught my eye outside of the old Tower Video store. So I walked over there and checked out the menu. Fried chicken wings, egg rolls, teriyaki bowls, dumplings, and TACOS?!! I asked the guy, why tacos? And he said because lots of people like tacos. And I said, but that's not Chinese food. Why would I eat a taco at your cart instead of going to the Taco Bell up the street? Why not make them Chinese taco, do like a Mooshu chicken, or teriyaki in a tortilla?
He just kind of stared at me so I bought a pork bun. It was smaller than what I've gotten in Chinatown, but it did hit the spot.
And I realized that just like in Half Nelson, you really can't help others if you can't help yourself. And sleep would help me very much.
Time to hit the hay,
Liza

Westfair Fish and Chips at Camp Carol

Presidents may visit Camp David for R&R, but I go someplace much more exclusive, Camp Carol. Visiting my friend Carol in Connecticut is one of my favorite day trips. Not only does she live in the same town as Paul Newman, but she's always got some adventure in store, generally including food. I've been lucky to visit twice this summer for terrific company, swimming and seafood lunches at Westfair Fish and Chips.
Both times we went for the fried clams and the lobster roll. Now some people prefer clam strips because they are cleaner tasting, but we prefer the whole body. The bellies and whatever else they dredge in flour haven't been gritty yet and while some might consider the mushy bellies gross, we prefer to call it creamy.
The lobster roll is as fresh as can be because they're pulled from the tank right after you order it. I didn't hear any screaming from the pot or when the cook dips the warm pieces into clarified butter than stuffs it into a hotdog bun, so I'm sure they used the knife method if you're worried about my morals. Last weekend we got the steamers which I've actually never had. Let's say we were comparing clam eating to porn, fried clam strips is to Skinemax as fried whole clams is to Playboy as clam steamers is to Hustler. Eating steamers is hardcore! There's this little tube with a dark skin covering it that looks like an uncircumcised penis. I hear it's really called a siphon, but it's another reminder that you're eating a bottom feeder which is why you have to dip it in the provided clam juice in case there's any left over grit.
Then you can dip it into the butter or spritz with lemon. It's a bit of an aquired taste and feels kinda dirty but it's kinda delicious!

Westfair Fish & Chips
1781 Post Rd. E. (Rte. 1)
Westport; 203.255.3184
Check out clam love if you're enjoy New England seafood shacks.

Bing a ling

bing
Originally uploaded by i_eat_ny.

This is a picture of my new obsession. Actually, I've been obsessed with bing for an entire year. Carol introduced me to her friend Melissa who lives in Chinatown and is a fabulous designer. Long story short, Melissa told us about these awesome Chinese treats called bing. This is from an email from July 11, 2005: If you are anxious to give the Bings a try, the bakery (if one can call it that) is located downstairs in the Triple Eight Mall underneath the Manhattan bridge. As for my favorites, there are only three varieties available -- cabbage, spicy mustard greens and pork. The number of black sesame dots on the Bing indicates what's inside. There is a sister bakery in Flushing which has a couple of additional combinations like spicy chicken and spicy pork. I have yet to try either. Keep in mind that there is no English menu. The Bing, which look like sesame studded donuts, are on a tray on the counter.
Marvelous Melissa goes on to tell me the heating directions and other tips in the email, but when I tried going to the hidden restaurant in that mall under the bridge, I was confused, because all I saw was noodle soup, so maybe that place was just always out of them. Later, I read a piece in the NYTimes about the bakery in Flushing that makes them, and a new location in Manhattan that had yet to open. Well, they've opened and everyone is talking about them on the new Chowhound.com.
Last night Melissa had a tasting party, and I was lucky enough to finally eat bing! Imagine the yummy sesame bread from the Eldridge St. Dumpling House stuffed with delicious fillings of savory pork and cabbage, spicy chicken, beef, all kinds of goodness that you'll just have to try.
I'm addicted. In fact, I'm leaving the office now so I can get a bing for dinner. The store is right across from the IFC Center at West 3rd and 6th Ave and the chowhounders said that they're giving a free bing for every one you buy. See you there!

This bothers me

budlight
Originally uploaded by i_eat_ny.

Can anyone tell me what this means? I don't understand it at all. What are those rings around the bottle and the people? Does it mean that Bud Light is watery? What's worth it in New York City? In other towns is it worth it?

Just Can't Get Enough

Pies and Thighs is so damn good, I know my days are numbered before it gets so crowed or they run out of food and I won't be able to go. They opened in April, so I think by October, I'll have to find another place to go for awesome Southern food. That's why I had to visit for breakfast to get my fill. Ted and I started with a donut to stave off the hunger. Generally, I like a doughy Krispy Kreme style donut better than that cake variety, but now I'm confused. Pies and Thighs donut is so brown and crispy on the outside and the cake inside is tender and delicious, maybe I like cake donuts more now. I also love that they save the donut holes and sell them, too. Waste not, want not!

I actually wanted to get the fried fish and grits, but they were out of fish, so I got the gravy and biscuits. My order was piled high with sausage chunks. They were spicy and delicious on top of their wonderful biscuit. The gravy was just the way I like it. Thinner that the way it's served in Texas or Virginia, so it soaks into the biscuit. Now the biscuits and gravy was good, but it was a little much. I could feel my blood thickening with cholesterol and it felt good.
But I had to soldier on, and I'm glad I did. Ted ordered the hash with eggs and potatoes. Their version is the best I've ever eaten. When I think hash, I think of dog foody mystery meat with potato cubes from a can. I used to love that stuff as a kid, but I wonder if I'd still like it after the tv dinner experience.
The pork was the left over stuff of their pulled pork sandwiches. Smoky and moist, the taste is out of this world. Their potatoes are roasted and their skins are sweet and the starch is almost creamy. I can't tell you how good this place is, you just have to try it.