Live Blogging: The Bachelorette

Last week I watched the Bachelorette with a girlfriend and she was so hysterical I wished I had live blogged the 2 hour premiere to capture all of her commentary. This week, she is over again watching with me and I'm making my first attempt at live blogging! Here we go . . .

8:01pm - The boys are shooting a calendar on the beach? Here's hoping for hot bodies.

8:02pm - Oh boy, drama with weather man Jonathan at the rose ceremony coming up!

8:04pm - Crazy ADD Frank gets the first one-on-one date. This should be good. Cut to Cape Cod Chris L., jealous of the one-on-one date. Why does he look different every time we see him? From the couch, "I want the red hoodie back."

8:06pm - Hellooooooo, sweet vintage ride!

8:08pm - Sweet vintage ride breaks down. On the highway. Buzz kill.

8:10pm - Ali and Frank abandon the car on the side of the road (totally unrealistic) and Ali praises Frank's spontaneity.

8:11pm - Ali and Frank stroll on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, while random strangers asking for Ali's autograph and photos with her.

8:12pm - Craig R. and Rated R have a heated poolside argument. Craig is breaking one of the cardinal rules of the Bachelor/Bachelorette - don't focus on the other contestants! Just focus on the prize to be won!

8:13pm - Ali and Frank traverse the rocky "path" to literally stand right next to the Hollywood sign. Ali asks Frank about Paris and his screen writing. As you may recall, sometimes he says he writes his screenplays in Paris, sometimes at his parents house. Now a new gem has come to light, he also manages a retail store. Ali is turned on by this, and Frank gets the first kiss.

8:18pm - From the couch, "Oh. The car reappears." Ali tells Frank, "There is nothing normal about you." Wow, you really like him, huh?

8:20pm - Ty reads date card number two. Jonathan is already having a panic attack about spending time with Craig M. Cut to Chris L., looking like a different man. Again.

8:21pm - Ty has to remove Craig M. from the room. Roberto says "I am just focusing on Ali. Let these other guys duke it out." YES! That is how you win, buddy. Good move.

8:23pm - While Ali pours her heart out to Frank, he looses interest and sniffs the rose she just gave him.

8:26pm - Ali rocking bohemian hair for her group date. The men howl when they roll up and see Ali is wearing a black bikini top and linen pants.

8:27pm - Ali announces the boys are shooting a calendar. Hence why there are 12 of them on the date. Convenient.

8:28pm - Hunter is rocking a literal banana hammock. An actual yellow speedo. Dear lord.

8:29pm - Jonathan freaks out when they hand him a black speedo. Nothing turns a girl on like anxiety and complaining.

8:30pm - Ali poses with the men for the calendar. Love the hoola hoop shot. Cute!

8:32pm - Ty serenades Ali on the beach. And misses a note. Whoops.

8:39pm - Ty asks Ali for one-on-one time and decides to open by spilling the beans about his divorce. Oh boy. I perhaps would not have done that. From the couch, "Wow, look how wide her eyes got. Yikes."

8:40pm - Jonathan. What are you wearing? A white, Thriller jacket? Did you just call your face the "money maker"?

8:42pm - Jonathan decides to use his one-on-one time with Ali to talk about how Craig M. is not right for her. This is how people don't get chosen, by focusing on the other men. Tisk, tisk.

8:46pm - This Jonathan vs. Craig M. story line is already tired. Move along.

8:48pm - Back at the house, Jesse "Peculiar Man" gets a one-on-one date via engraved cuff links.

8:49pm - Ali snuggles right into Rated R during their one-on-one time. She is crushing on him.

8:51pm - Ali gives the date rose to Ty. Apparently the divorce baggage, not such a big deal.

8:59pm - Why does Jesse know what skinny jeans are.

9:00pm - Why would Ali want to take a tiny puddle jumper to Vegas if she is afraid of flying? And why is she clutching Jesse's forearm or thigh instead of holding his hand?

9:01pm - Off the plane and into a red Ferrari. From the couch, "Maybe this one can break down too."

9:03pm - Ali and Jesse pull up to what looks like the new Aria hotel.

9:04pm - Ali and Jesse suck back oysters at the pool. He's is beyond unrefined, but Ali seems to like him. Blinded by hotness.

9:07pm - It is the Aria hotel! I knew it.

9:09pm - Back at the house, Craig M. puts on Jonathan's white Thriller jacket and impersonates him. Did I mention I'm over this rivalry?

9:11pm - Jesse is definitely going to be "the guy who can't open up." Just like Reed before him.

9:12pm - JAMIE CULLUM! Shut up.

9:14pm - Wait wait wait! Are they kissing? I can't tell. Oh yes they are.

9:19pm - Cocktail party time! Dun dun dun.

9:20pm - Ali enters the room in a short, shapeless dress. From the couch, "Is that white? Or another shade of yellow?"

9:22pm - Chris L. and Ali have one-on-one time and bond over Massachusetts and saying "wicked." Very deep connection being formed here. Not.

9:24pm - Roberto steals Ali away and they revisit their salsa dancing spot. Roberto reveals he was drafted by the Rockies and the Twins. Can you be drafted by two teams? Roberto and Ali play catch and he teaches her how to throw a knuckle ball.

9:26pm - Kasey's turn for one-on-one time. Wait, nope. Interrupted by Frank. The men immediately started complaining since he already has a rose.

9:31pm - Jonathan and Craig M. get heated. Again. Craig puffs out his chest and starts sauntering toward Jonathan. Just then Ali enters the room and breaks the tension.

9:33pm - Jonathan uses his one-on-one time to talk about Craig M. again. Seriously dude? This is not helping Ali get to know you.

9:35pm - Ali asks Craig M. out right, "Do you like me? You always look away from me. Your legs are crossed away from me." You go girl, call him out! She goes on to ask him why someone in the house would call him "dangerous." He barely defends himself. From the couch, "Oh yeah. He's going home."

9:44pm - Craig M. decides to address all the guys at the cocktail party and ask who told Ali he is dangerous. He calls out Jonathan. And we're relocated to Awkward City.

9:46pm - Where is Ali during this awkward Craig vs. Jonathan show down?

9:52pm - Ali does the staged lifting of each suitor's photo.

9:53pm - Hi Chris Harrison! We've barely seen you!

9:54pm - Kasey!?! That's unexpected. Hunter. Roberto. Chris L.

9:55pm - Rated R. Steve (a.k.a. Kiptyn look-a-like).

9:56pm - Kirk. John C. Craig R. From the couch, "Yeah!"

9:57pm - Chris N. From the couch, "What!? Who is he?"

9:58pm - Jonathan! Gets the last rose! Ali whispers, "Thanks for having my back this week."

9:59pm - Cute Tyler gets the boot? Sad. It looks like he burned his forehead with a flat iron.

10:00pm - Next week Ali and the men shoot a video with the Bare Naked Ladies in which she makes out with each guy. Roberto and Ali tight rope walk between buildings. Everyone hates on Rated R. From the couch, "He is like this season's Vienna. Everyone hates him."

Thank you all for joining me on my first live blogging adventure! Hope you enjoyed the real time commentary!

Movie Musings: Sex and the City 2

This afternoon I went with three of my best girlfriends to see Sex and the City 2. All week I had been reading one horrible review after another saying the film had no plot line and the entire focus was on the clothing, which the critics claim is not enough substance to carry a two and a half hour movie.

I went into the film with low expectations and honestly, I was just happy to see my four favorite New York City girls back together again! I miss escaping to their world for 30 minutes every Sunday night.

My favorite scene in the entire movie was Miranda and Charlotte discussing the pains of motherhood over a round of very strong cocktails. I also loved Samantha and her personal butler wearing matching yam face masks! Classic.

I also beamed during the karaoke scene, but I wish the girls had belted out something more sassy like Beyonce's "Single Ladies", Aretha Franklin's "Respect" or Cyndi Lauper's "Girls Just Wanna Have Fun."

Extra points for all the man candy in this movie! A shirtless Smith Jerrod, a sexy, sun kissed Aidan, a magnetic Danish architect, an entire speedo wearing rugby team and of course the always classy Mr. Big.

I particularly enjoyed the final scene with Carrie and Big when he presents her with her black diamond and makes her repeat a list of customized marriage vows. It thrills me that they are finding true happiness together.

While there were many great one liners, and the most over the top Stanford/Anthony wedding, the movie was still lacking the Sex and the City signature "sparkle" (to use Carrie's word).

I did love seeing the girls reunited, but nothing can compare to the original, 30 minute, Sunday night dose of female empowerment.

Dining Out: Barlow's

Last night I joined a group of girlfriends for an intimate birthday celebration. The birthday girl chose a place I had never been to (or heard of) called Barlow's. Having not heard of the restaurant before, I had no idea what to expect.

Barlow's is located on A Street in South Boston, it turns out, just a stone's throw away from one of my favorite bars, Lucky's Lounge. Already, I liked this place. The restaurant is located in the still developing neighborhood known as Fort Point Channel. As I approached the restaurant I noticed they have a beautiful outdoor patio that feels more like a deck off a country club restaurant (only without the stuffiness).

Inside the restaurant has two main sections - the bar and the dining room. The bar side has a large bar at which you can sit around all four sides, as well as high top tables around the perimeter. The dining room is surprisingly spacious with plenty of elbow space between tables.

The restaurant has beautiful, dark decor reminiscent of Pottery Barn gone chic. The dim lighting is perfect for a romantic evening. In addition, once the sun goes down, you have an unobstructed view of the financial district.

We had a reservation and were seated a comfortable table along a wall (one side booth, one side chairs). Our very friendly waitress promptly took our drink order and brought over two carafes of sangria and two "superfruit" mojitos. Apparently a superfruit mojito is like a regular mojito only with significantly less sugar. A skinny girl drink, if you will.

For appetizers were sampled the asparagus soup (garnished with goat cheese and chives) and the fried calamari which also came with some jalapenos mixed in.

For dinner we tried a variety of entrees including the spinach and strawberry salad, the citrus glazed salmon, the flat iron steak frites, the steak tips, and the veggie burger. The salad was a generous size and loaded with goodies. The salmon was perfectly pink with a crispy glaze and served with brown rice and greens.

The flat iron steak frites came in a delicate presentation with plenty of both the steak and the frites.

The steak tips were served with sauteed spinach and the veggie burger came with the usual garnishes as well as tzatziki sauce. When you order a veggie burger there is a fifty percent chance it will taste great, and a fifty percent chance it will taste like shoe. This was leaning towards shoe, but the garnish vegetables were so fresh and delicious it almost didn't matter. Not to mention the perfect french fries, which were gobbled up before I even touched the burger.

For dessert we had the irish coffee, the mint chocolate chip ice cream (served with two sugar cookies) and the milk chocolate creme brulee. Let me say that the creme brulee was one of the best dessert I have ever had in my life. And I've eaten a lot of dessert.

It was the texture you come to expect from creme brulee, but with the taste of a melted Hershey's chocolate bar on a hot summer day. Pure nirvana.

Everything about Barlow's was exceptional (minus my former SVP and CFO sitting at the bar when we arrived). We could not have asked for a more lovely birthday celebration for the most incredible birthday girl.

I cannot wait to see Barlow again. And his milk chocolate creme brulee.

The Bachelorette: Season 20 Premieres

Last night ABC premiered the 20th (!!!) season of the Bachelor/Bachelorette franchise, this time with Ali at center stage. For those who don't recall, Ali chose her ad sales job at Facebook over a chance at true love with pilot Jake Pavelka last season.

Now Ali is back, complete with cheap hair extensions, and she is searching for the one. After the obligatory trip down memory lane with Chris Harrison, the limos full of men begin to arrive. Before I detail my favorites and automatic veto's, let me say, Ali's dress was atrocious. A floor length, back-less, black gown that was embellished with a crystal chain down the back that linked to an oversized, silver door knob on her tail bone. Or, as my friend and cubemate said, a Peter Cottontail. Epic fashion fail.

Onto the men! My early favorites are:

Roberto - What can I say, Latin men are sexy. Roberto was charming, unique, and impressed Ali with his salsa dancing. He also scored the first impression rose.

Chris L. - A Cape Cod native (have to root for the locals), and former math teacher, he now lives at home with his father after the death of his mother. A red hoodie never looked so good.

Hunter - A ukulele serenade? What's not to love?

Craig M. - Something about that full head of hair just draws you in. Let's call in the McDreamy effect. I will even forgive his multicolored striped tie.

And the men I couldn't wait to send packin':

Jonathan - There is just no way a weatherman can have sex appeal. Especially one who tries that hard.

Kyle - When did "outdoorsman" become a profession? Enough said.

Derrick a.k.a. "Shooter" - Really buddy? You thought that story would score you points?

Frank - Someone give this guy a tranquilizer! I was impressed by him jumping out of the limo, but he told the camera he lives with his parents writing screenplays and he told Ali he quit his job and moved to Paris to write his screenplays. Um. Big difference.

Jay - Also known as Lord Farquaad. Who has a forehead that big in real life? And who wears a blue suit with a blue shirt and a blue tie?

Tyler M. - You thought Ali wore cowboy boots last season? Well, she didn't and you look like an ass.

Others worth noting:

Justin - It is clear this "entertainment wrestler" is the producer's pick this season. He is handsome, but all the other guys hate him. Guaranteed drama catalyst.

Kasey - I could tell from the moment he spoke he was born hearing impaired. He has yet to share this with Ali, but I hope he opens up about this.

Ty - While he has the Southern boy, guitar playing thing going for him, the fact that he has only been divorced a few months is a major red flag.

In the previews for the season ahead, Ali and the men travel the world including trips to Iceland, Portugal, and Tahiti just to name a few. Apparently one suitor leaves the show after making it through multiple rounds, leaving Ali furious and questioning the whole process. Any early guesses on who makes a premature exit?

For side splitting laughs, read Jennifer Armstrong's recap for Entertainment Weekly and get the behind the scenes scoop from host Chris Harrison on his blog.

Dining Out: Deep Ellum

Yesterday I was scheduled to meet my cousin and her fiance for Sunday brunch. We were seeking a location with easy on/off access from the Mass Pike, as they were headed home to Manhattan after our meal. I suggested Deep Ellum, a hipster hang out I'd heard about from many friends and had been dying to try.

Deep Ellum is located on Cambridge Street in Allston a stone's throw away from Sports Depot. Although it seems unlikely from it's street-facing edifice, Deep Ellum boasts a spacious and rather beautiful outdoor patio at the rear of the bar.

Deep Ellum serves Sunday brunch from 10:00 am - 4:00 pm, which is an hour earlier than most. However, alcohol isn't served until 11:00 am. I only learned this by all the patrons around us in full on, out loud, countdown mode.

All three of us decided to order the breakfast club which reads on the menu as "2 fried eggs with pepper jack cheese, lettuce, tomato and mayo on Texas toast." Sounds good, right? Well, the sandwich arrived in a lovely presentation and accompanied by zesty home fries. While the potatoes were great, the sandwich was a little lacking. The Texas toast which should have been buttery and flavorful was dry, and the mayo would have benefited from some extra kick.

While I was disappointed by this one menu item (which we all had, so we can't compare to other choices) I would definitely go back to try something else. The patio is absolutely gorgeous, the staff was friendly, and the dinner, the beer and the cocktail menus actually look quite incredible.

I'd like to go back and order the steamed pretzel with mustard, the vegan burger, or the pasta verde.

I'm going to give Deep Ellum a second try and report back! Anyone been and have a favorite menu item?

Rental Review: Up

I had wanted to see the animated feature Up before the Oscars this year, but didn't manage to squeeze it in before the telecast. This week when I received the film from Netflix I couldn't wait to watch it.

For me, the best part of the film is the opening 15 minutes, which tells the love story of Carl and Ellie. Bonded by their love for exploration, they live a long, happy life together in their technicolor dream house.

After Ellie's death, Carl decides to up root their home (which is surrounded by construction for a new housing development) and navigate the house to Paradise Falls, their dream destination. Just before he leaves he meets Russell, a young, adorably awkward wilderness scout looking to earn his "assisting the elderly" merit badge.

Russell is positively hysterical and after the love story, is the best part of this movie. He warms that heart of Carl the curmudgeon, which is no easy task.

Although I felt the film took a turn toward strangeville mid-way through, the touching and poignant love story at the start was enough for me to forgive anything that came after.

Up is only 90 minutes and is visually stunning. Its wonderful to imagine a world where your house can float to far away places with just a few hundred helium balloons.

Let Up take you to a place where love is true and anything is possible.

Dining Out: Vee Vee

Last night I had dinner with my parents in Jamaica Plain. When they come to town, they stay at my grandmother's JP condo, yet we didn't start exploring the neighborhood until last year. After taking a stroll down Centre Street earlier in the week and checking out a few menus, my mother made a reservation at Vee Vee.

Vee Vee is an intimate restaurant that feels like it could also easily be located in either Brooklyn, NY or Savannah, GA. The salmon hued walls are adorned with brightly colored, painted portraits, and the cozy tables are surrounded by black chairs and covered with dark, stylish placemats.

Our friendly waitress brought over the menus as well as cards outlining the evening's drink and food specials. I love the idea that the manager put the time in to type out specials just for this one day (and every day). Its that extra step that makes a restaurant memorable.

We started by sampling two of the drink specials - a rose wine and a Lagunitas beer. The wine came in a small beaker and was a girly pink. It had a crisp, sweet taste. The beer, which came in a generously large bottle was a delicious dark.

To start our waitress brought some bread to the table, which is served with olive oil and salt & pepper. I've had many a memorable bread basket, and while this was not, it did give us something to munch on as all the mouth watering plates passed us on their way to other tables.

For dinner my father ordered the fish stew (a dish he frequently orders when dining out). As the waiter placed the bowl in front of him I could smell the rich flavors wafting across the table. The stew was largely monkfish and potatoes swimming in a tomato based, smokey flavored broth. Dad raved that it was one of the best fish stew's he had ever tasted. He had one small gripe though, he wished there had been a crostini with which to soak up every last drop of the broth.

My mother ordered two appetizers for her meal: the spring salad and the gravlax. The salad was fresh greens, thinly sliced radishes and pistachio nuts (her favorite). The gravlax came over a bed of greens, garnished with beets, and hard boiled egg. She also wished there had been a piece of toast with the gravlax.

I ordered one of two fantastic sounding vegetarian options. I picked the baked crepes which were stuffed with eggplant, peppers, sweet potato and chickpeas and covered with a light tomato sauce, goat cheese and almond slivers. The dish had bold flavors and was served with a side of field greens. A perfect veggie plate! Next time, I'll try the mole-crusted tofu.

While we took a look at the dessert menu, the options were a bit fussy for our taste. We are more of the brownie sundae, molten chocolate cake, chocolate mousse type of crowd. Given our dessert obsession, we couldn't just end the night, so we walked four blocks up for frozen yogurt at JP Licks (the original store location).

Before leaving Vee Vee the manager stopped by our table. She said she had heard it was our first time in and wanted to hear what we thought. We raved about our meals and she let us know they also have a great Sunday brunch menu. In fact, she brought it over for us to see and I can't wait to go and try their renditions of huevos rancheros and french toast. Not every restaurant manager makes the time to introduce themselves to new customers. I was very impressed.

Overall, Vee Vee was a superb dining experience. A beautiful and cozy restaurant, an immaculate and surprising stylish bathroom (a rarity!), outgoing staff, and unique, flavorful dishes. The best part? They take reservations for parties of three or more.

After your next victory, celebrate at Vee Vee.

Shop: Sweet Feet

While perusing one of my favorite websites, The Frisky, I discovered a delicious convergence of two of my favorite things: ice cream and shoes!

I have no idea where you could realistically wear these, but I love the concept! Perhaps its time to plan an ice cream social!

Grey's Anatomy: Shot Through The Heart

Last night’s Grey’s Anatomy season finale was nothing short of traumatizing. The two hour season ender was saturated with reckless violence and deep despair.

On Thursday morning I was discussing the much anticipated finale with my friend (and cubemate) and I suggested that I thought Mr. Clark was the shooter. How did I come to believe this? In the preview you learn there is a shooter at the hospital, and then you see Cristina holding Meredith back as she screams and tries to lurch toward something. I reasoned that the only person Meredith would be trying to reach with such urgency was Derek (since Cristina was already accounted for) and given the shooter situation, I then assumed Derek must be shot. When I thought – who would shoot Derek? I had the epiphany! So that’s why they brought Mr. Clark back for a second episode (when he sued the hospital). It was all leading up to this!

The actor playing Mr. Clark does a superb job portraying a man consumed by heart breaking grief and agony. The type of pain that makes you think you can shoot 20 plus people without consequence. I was thoroughly impressed with the scene toward the end of the episode with Mr. Clark and Chief Webber. Phenomenal acting from both men.

Back to the killing spree (sorry, is that crass?). . . I was shocked when Alex got shot, but I know he’s tough as nails and he would pull through. What I did not predict was him hallucinating Izzie! Yikes. Poor Lexie. She is probably reconsidering Mark Sloan at this point.

Another twist I did not seeing coming was the reconciliation of Callie and Arizona! I am thrilled they are reunited and planning to start a family some day. Yay for one happy kernel!

Also this episode, another incredible performance from Chandra Wilson (who plays Dr. Bailey). If this woman does not receive an Emmy, there is something wrong with the system.

In the Teddy/Owen/Cristina love triangle, there seems to be a resolution! Owen heads back into the hospital to find Cristina, while Teddy heads to the other Seattle hospital. I don’t know if anyone else noticed this, but when Sloan and Lexie arrive to check on Alex, Teddy is all of a sudden cleaned up and in red scrubs instead of the signature Seattle Grace blue. Could this be foreshadowing to her switching hospitals? The Mercy West kids used to wear different colored scrubs. Just sayin’.

Speaking of Mercy West, we lost two of their crew (Reed and Percy) but we keep skittish Dr. Kepner and smoldering Dr. Avery. Dr. Kepner pissed me off this episode more than I ever thought possible. She is essentially the reason Derek got shot. At least Dr. Avery has a hero moment when he tricks Mr. Clark into thinking Derek has flat lined. I am still hoping that Dr. Avery and Cristina will hook up at some point (Sorry, Owen fans).

Now, about our favorite couple: Mer and Der. I am not sure what was more difficult to watch, Derek getting shot after he had successfully talked down Mr. Clark, or Meredith having a miscarriage and then dismissing it all in the same moment. I was already welling, but I really lost it during that scene.

I found it interesting that the first hour of the show was narrated by Meredith and the second hour was narrated by Derek. The tone of the show is usually dictated by the opening narration, so I was surprised it shifted half way through. Did you notice?

While I don’t think any season finale could ever compare to the loss of George, this was an extremely close second on the “my heart is pounding and I feel sick” scale. While I found myself at first incredibly angry with creator and writer Shonda Rhimes for these horrifying plot twists, I also have to applaud her for creating a pulse-racing two hour television experience.

Read Matt Ausiello’s interview with Shonda Rhimes for Entertainment Weekly in which she answers the tough questions about the finale and what lies ahead in Season 7. Also check out Shonda Rhimes’ post on the Grey’s Writers Blog to find out behind-the-scenes facts like why Bailey was spared and why Dr. Avery has been nick named “Cindy Lou.”

It ok Grey’s fans, the shooting is over and you can breathe now. At least until September.

Listen: Janiva Magness

My mom is in town this week and she loves to go out. That includes everything from dining out to shopping to live entertainment. Last night we met at the Charles Hotel in Harvard Square after work. We sat in the bar at Rialto (where I went for restaurant week in March) and had a delicious dinner. We started with three small plates: beets and candied walnuts, roasted peppers with golden raisins and crisped artichokes with spicy mustard. For entrees we had the penne with peas, asparagus and parmesan and the steak salad. It was absolutely fantastic.

After dinner we met two family friends upstairs for a live blues performance at the Regattabar. The performer for the evening was Janiva Magness, a decorated blues singer. My mother had seen her perform years before at a blues festival in New Jersey and was raving about her talent. After her guitarist introduced her as the three time winner of the blues female artist of the year award, and the recipient of the B.B. King entertainer of the year award, I was quite excited to experience her show myself.

Janiva came out in a diva extraordinaire outfit! This outfit was worthy of Tina Turner or Mariah Carey. She donned a skin tight, silver, sequin mini dress with a bright purple, embellished cape. Oh, and did I mention the 4 inch heels? It was super fabulous!

The entire set she worked the stage grooving, shaking and firing off high kicks! Janiva has certainly earned her entertainer of the year award status! She rocked out to the up tempo songs like she was alone in her bedroom imagining herself playing to a sold out crowd at Madison Square Garden, but she could also play the most convincing, heart broken woman and make you feel like you were intruding on her break up. She was, in a word, magnificent.

Backing her up was a sensational keyboard player, Jimmy, who looked like every boy I ever went to Hebrew school with. While I always prefer a piano to a keyboard, he slayed it. Her drummer was also high energy and the steady beat for the band. I've never been great at being able to hear the bass through the other instruments, but since the whole sound was unified, I'm assuming her bass player heavily contributed.

Aside from Janiva, for me, her guitarist stole the show. He played melt-your-face-off solos that were incredible. He would close his eyes and just feel the music, they way only a true musician can. He made me wish I had an ounce of musical ability just so I could experience that level of joy and love for your craft.

Janiva told the crowd she is 53 years old and both a mother and a grandmother. Sister, you are out of control. I hope you keep killin' it in clubs across America until you are 103.

Check out Janiva's website and follow her on Twitter @JanivaMagness.

*Please excuse the blurry photos, there is no flash photography or video recording allowed during the performance.

Dining Out: Amrhein's

Last night I had dinner in South Boston with my college roommate at an Italian place called Amrhein's. Normally I avoid Southie due to the extreme hassle that is finding a visitor parking space, but Amrhein's has developed two solutions to this pesky problem - a large, free parking lot and a shuttle service that picks you up and drops you off after your meal! I know, seems too good to be true. It isn't.

Inside the restaurant has a large bar area as well as multiple rows of tables and cozy booths. The restaurant has a warm feeling with its dark wood, black leather banquettes, and a beautiful, ornate bar.

We sat at a high top table in the bar area and the bartender came swiftly to offer us menus and the wine list. We decided to share a bottle of Malbec, which was a fantastically reasonable price. We decided to each start with a salad and then order a small plate for dinner. Unfortunately, all four plates arrived at the same time, as did the bread basket!

Despite the poorly timed arrival, the food was outstanding. I ordered the Caesar salad which was served with cherry tomatoes, large, well seasoned croutons, and the perfect ratio of lettuce to cheese to dressing. I also ordered the vegetable risotto which was creamy, decadent and bursting with fresh, brightly colored veggies. Not only did I clear the plate, I seriously contemplated licking it clean.

My dining companion ordered the raspberry goat cheese salad which came served with fresh raspberries, walnuts, and pistachio encrusted goat cheese over a bed of field greens. For dinner she ordered the bruschetta which was served in an unusual presentation - a bowl full of olive oil soaked red and yellow tomatoes, with a large piece of grilled focaccia bread laid across the bowl, topped with scoops of goat cheese. Are you drooling?

Although we were too full for dessert, I did get a peak at the menu. I would love to go back to try the warm chocolate divine cake (served a la mode, of course).

Amrhein's gets an A+.