Monday, June 26, 2006

everybody loves a good shvitz

The community garden benefit was interesting and kinda fun. It really had the feel of something that would warrant a page in Sacramento magazine, but it was for a good cause so that was OK. Robbie Fong dressed like a total D and schmoozed the crowd. Baby Grand looked really picturesque against the high-school gym-type background. I got a free one week pass to the Capital Athletic Club, which seems pretty fancy, and I plan to take advantage of it. I wonder if the sauna is included? Nothing like a good schvitz on a hundred degree day. I ate something that didn't agree with me (I'll spare you the repulsive and shocking details), but there was so much different food it was hard to tell what the culprit was. Did anyone else feel sick? I'm sure it wasn't the gallons of wine that I drank that night.

I went to a most exciting supermarket this weekend, thanks to a tip from Natalie. It's in West Sacramento, in the same strip mall that the new Goodwill is in . It's called Europa foods (3049 west capitol, right off the freeway). It is basically a Russian (in the sense of former USSR) market. The exciting thing is it has a full service deli with all kinds of cheeses and meats and caviar and such. Me and Scott picked up many varieties of Baltika beer, dark German bread that was still warm, Bulgarian salami and pickles (delish), German bologna (spongy and gross), crazy white Moiva caviar, water from Belarus, and Russian cheese. Oh yeah, and an electric green tarragon soda that I still haven't opened. They had tons of crazy sodas, one of which contained St. John's wort and eucalyptus oil!

Batman at the Kabinet was really good last night. That movie is really funny, mostly because of the brilliance of Adam West and the ham-handed double entendres. And, contrary to previous reports, it was comfortably cool inside. J. said that he has the schedule for next month worked out so I'll post it as soon as I get it from him.

23 comments:

werenotdeep said...

Wasn't vice-mayor Fong's speech in the dark with people dropping wine glasses and shouting across the room at each other, totally not listening to him, charming? Or wait, I don't mean charming, I think I mean bizzare, uncomfortable, and hilarious all at once?

Anonymous said...

Oh man, the sauna at CAC is the best! They usually have some kind of methol or eucalyptus oil in the system, so it's great if you've got a cold or allergies.

beckler said...

I was in the back of the room, so when robbie was talking I just knew it was dark and had no idea why. Couldn't understand a thing he was saying.

Anonymous said...

Glad you enjoyed the food from Europa. I need to go back and get some stuff when I'm not full from dinner and too hat to want anything else.
-Natalie

Anonymous said...

I feel it's time again to restate my motto: West Sac is the Best Sac.

Europa has been my secret Bird's Milk candy source for years. The challah is awesome and the pickles, and the handmade butter.

Speaking of Best Sac, you should have some molé at the Reno club sometime.

gbomb

beckler said...

and here I was thinking it was new and worrying that it would close down, that's good to know it's been there for a long time.

Anonymous said...

Don't drink that Tarragon soda Beckler. It's nasty. I fell prey to it myself once and threw it away after 2 or 3 exploratory sips. Terrible stuff.

Have you tried the weird soda made with Bread? I think it's Ukranian. They have it there. Tastes like watery ice tea. And the soda made with Beer? Nope, it's not alcholic (maybe like 2%). It's no Sac Treat, that's for sure!

What would the West Sac Treat be? Wine and Sparkling Water with ice? Or is that too classy? What if it were Jug wine?

Ella

Anonymous said...

The building is new, they used to be in a smaller space across the parking lot. I think their candy selection used to be bigger too. What is it with Russians and their candy? The Russian store that is by the Kmart on Stockton is really small, but it's still half candy.

Oh and there is a store in the same strip mall that has some very interesting things and cheap prices. Many items possibly fell out of the back of a truck. Cheapest Fucchi purses in town.

I am pretty sure that the West Sacramento treat is a pickled egg at the Brick shot House, paired with a Budweiser and a Marlboro Light in the smoking den.

gbomb

Anonymous said...

Shockingly, I believe the Fucchi purse outlet has closed down.

One of my favorite highlights of West Sac is the Grocery Outlet? Ready to expire cheese anyone?

Miss B

Anonymous said...

I really need to thank Guphy for pointing out that west sac is the best sac. I have been exploring lately and really enjoying it.
And since the only house I will ever be able to afford in Sac is a lean-to behind the bowling alley I need to get a lay of the land.
-Natalie

Anonymous said...

Watch out for St. John's Wort - all it has been proven to do is make birth control pills not work.

Anonymous said...

West Sac delights:
Bowling Alley
Big Lots
Goodwill
Whitey's fresh peach shakes
Nugget
Southport Coffee
Pooja
La Cocina
The Adult Experience

Anonymous said...

> I am pretty sure that the West
> Sacramento treat is a pickled egg at
> the Brick shot House, paired with a
> Budweiser and a Marlboro Light in
> the smoking den.

Or pickled pigs feet, perhaps. In a big jar near the register of your favorite likker store. Strictly an impulse buy.

Do likker stores still have pickled pigs feet these days? I guess the feets have been edged out by pickled eggs...

--arnold ziffle

Anonymous said...

C'mon Guphy: everybody knows that the West Sac Treat is a lukewarm Orange Sparks, served in a styrofoam cup with three Cherry-Eucalyptus Halls. It gives the illusion of being cooled as you drink it!

And when can we plan another run to the Reno club? The home-made tortillas are almost as good as the mole...

-charvey

Anonymous said...

When West Sac lost it's Purple Heart Veterans' Thrift Store and it's Goodwill, a piece of my heart up and died. West Sac without thrift stores? What is going ON?
Please tell me this has changed since last year.

Ella

Anonymous said...

A Goodwill opened recently but there's still only one - total bullshit! There should be at least three!

Other West Sac delights:

-Sal's
-Vientianne
-The Pickle (this is only funny if you worked at Tower)
and I don't know if Freddie's Gourmet is still open, but I used to love that place.

miller

beckler said...

I scored at that goodwill when we went there. It's pretty good. West Sac has to lose some of its points for Vinces. GROSS. But it gains some for the mysterious, abandoned religious cult village.

Anonymous said...

I think the Graden event was a secret plot by CADA to poison all supporters of urban gardens. How else could one explain the massive amount of pepperoni at the event; an equation/ roni+taste after taste of different wines=poop city. Dirty trick CADA, dirty trick!

werenotdeep said...

Not to mention a mouth full of wine and a few slices of pepperoni are the recipe for a bouquet of ass breath.

Anonymous said...

I will go to the Reno Club at any time. I love that lady. Oh, except for tonight. There's this band playing tonight. They are nerds! In a band! Should kick ass.

gbomb

Anonymous said...

I use to get so wasted at the pickle. Id run and jump up through the loading dock so i wouldnt get caught, not that anybody cared, after drinking pitchers of beer on my morning break.

Anonymous said...

No Russian stores here in Kumamoto just the Russian Mob.But since the russians r` here the japanese do make a killer pershozki which are sold in the western bread stores.Me and Smith saw the mobsters hostess girls unloading at fukuoka airport once-Dave tried to say hi but to no avail.In Pusan in Russian Town ya can see Vodka Carts like mobile coffee carts with big scary fellows poundin` vodka at 10 am.Sunday i had a Sri Lankan stout that was 8 percent,i dunno the name--anybody help here?
Yesterday i got in a talk with some student about japan versus american fruit and veggies.The japanese win handsdown.I had a peach that was crazy juicy sweet that i had to put a cup under it and drank the juice that dripped from the peach.I asked my student how much it was--he wouldn`t tell but it was probably a present from the yakuza cause they always give fruit this time of year..and like tottally killer fruit.Last year i had some yakuza grapes that were huge and killer..I want to open a falafel stand..take it easy..jay san

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