City Brasserie & Vinbar–decent food but disappointed by the wine bar

A few years back this place was called “Bryggeriet” I think and right before City Brasserie & vinbar took over they installed “wine machines” – a machine where the bottles are kept with nitrogen I guess to preserve it longer (I have seen similar ones in butcher shops in Tuscany – see this trip report). The result was of course that they could offer many wines by the glass every day which I really enjoyed. Anyway, City Bistro took over and turned it into City Brasserie & vinbar and I had big expectations as there isn’t really a proper wine bar in Stavanger. So I was a bit peeved when the first thing they did was to remove the machines. I asked them why and they had some sort of explanation that they wanted the wine experience to be more personal and exclusive. But I’m not sure that it has turned out the way I wanted it to at least – when I have gone there I don’t feel like they had lots of options of wine by the glass and buying a whole bottle is normally out of the question.

Today City Brasserie & vinbar is split into three sections: the lower floor is the brasserie, the mezzanine level is the champagne lounge and wine bar and the upper floor is the restaurant. I have been there a few times and I have eaten both upstairs and downstairs but this will mainly be about my latest visit in September 2011. Nikki and I went there to have a meal at the restaurant upstairs but when we came all the lights were turned off. I asked them what was going on and the head waiter said that due to personnel being off sick they had closed the restaurant and only had the brasserie open. When I have been there before there has not been many visitors to the restaurant so I speculate that they closed it off as they didn’t have any reservations but that is just my personal opinion.

We were offered to go to the brasserie instead and the menu is quite short which is not a problem – but I would like to have seen the menu on their website but I guess that is tricky if they claim that it changes daily. They had a three course meal for 499 Norwegian Kroner (about 85 USD these days) if I’m not mistaken but as we were not that hungry we decided to go for a starter and main and that was about 450 kroner. I went for the foie gras as a starter and pork as the main meal. They did have a few options of wine by the glass but I do get a bit worried when I get to a restaurant early in the evening and they bring out a bottle of red wine where there is hardly anything left in the bottle – does that mean that it was opened yesterday or even the day before? So I got to try one wine and as it seemed to be a bit on the border of going bad, I went for the other Italian red wine alternative. My starter turned out to be not quite what I hoped for – foie gras can be excellent but I got some sort of bloc de foie gras which was more of a pate – still good but not quite the same as the real deal. It was served with shredded lemon and with a lemon sorbet type ice cream which was actually a good combination. Nikki went for a seafood risotto as a starter and it seemed like she enjoyed it and the was a good lobster taste as far as I can remember – the only problem was that it was not warm enough when it was served.

My pork main was one piece of pork belly and one piece of tenderloin I guess served with a block on potatoes and some sort of “cabbage package“ and sauce came on the side. The meat was quite good but the tenderloin was a bit on the dry side but the portion size was quite good.

All in all the service is quite good and the atmosphere is nice in this small restaurant located on the Skagen side of the Stavanger harbor. But it seems like it is quite empty on most days when I have been there and I’m not sure there everyone gets the “three sections” concept as I described earlier on. I’m a bit disappointed that a champagne and wine bar does not have more varieties by the glass on offer but it is nice to have a glass of Mumm champagne while sitting by the fire place in the lounge. So if you are looking for a place to go for a decent snack before going to e.g. the movies, City Brasserie & vinbar might be a good option – but don’t expect to be blown away by the vast variety of wine by the glass or food. You can read more about the place and book a table on their homepage http://www.citybrasserie.no/

Regards
Gard
gardkarlsen.com – trip reports and pictures

Amber Heard

A couple days ago, I got caught up in a new television show, The Playboy Club.

I'm a huge fan of the 1960s and Mad Men, so I thought I would give the show a shot. I was pleasantly surprised that The Playboy Club focused less on sleaze and more on an exciting plot. So much happened in one hour!

I was instantly smitten with the main actress, Amber Heard, who is absolutely adorable.



I had seen her in a few films beforehand, and I knew she is starring with Johnny "spank me" Depp in the upcoming The Rum Diary (which I'm dying to see).

Well, after seeing her lovely debut as a Playboy Bunny in the new NBC show, I decided I simply had to know lore about her!



The 25-year-old has a pretty interesting story.



Amber comes from a middle-class Catholic family in Austin, Texas.

In high school, she was active in her school's drama department and also did local modeling and television commercials.



When she was 16, however, her life changed forever.



Amber's best friend died in a car accident. The incident haunted Amber, who began reading depressing novels by Ayn Rand and George Orwell. She then proclaimed herself an athiest.



At 17, she eventually dropped out of high school and moved to New York City to become a model.



A very short time later, she found herself doing small parts in television and movies in Los Angeles.

As her career began to pick up speed, so did the public's interest in her.



Last year, Amber came out at GLAAD's 25th anniversary event. She is currently dating the famous Hawaiian artist and photographer, Tasya van Ree, who is ten years her senior.



When she's not busy working, Amber enjoys spending time with her girlfriend, traveling, line-dancing in Texas bars, cooking, doing her own laundry, and playing with her Golden teacup Yorkie named Pistol.

She is an avid gun enthusiast (you can take the girl out of Texas, but...) and she proudly owns a .357 Magnum.

She is also a huge fan of muscle cars and like a bad ass, drives a 1968 Ford Mustang.

Despite her climb to fame, Amber just wants to keep it real.



"I would just love to work in films for the rest of my life. I don't care about famous or about being anything like that. All I care about is living my life, being able to do what I love, working project to project, city to city, in films I believe in. That's the only way to live."



What do you think of Amber?

A look at: Amberie

I'm really excited because my bloggy bff has just launched her jewelery store online!

Many of you probably know Amber from Amber's Mouthwash. She's an adorable quirky beauty with the cutest style in the world. I seriously want to own everything in her closet!

Amber recently launched Amberie, a collection of drool worthy jewelry and headbands.



I had the honor of interviewing Amber, so you all could get the head's up on her new store and learn a little about the artist herself!

Enjoy!

How long have you been designing jewelery/accessories? Why did you start?
My mother would probably want me to say that I have been designing things for a while. However, I really began focusing on designing accessories in late 2008. It was the Fall '09 DVF collection that got me started. I was in love with the pom pom like head pieces and was determined to create something similar. When her spring collection came out the following season, I nearly died. That's when I decided to create my own floral headpiece. At that time however, it was because I loved it, and simply wanted to share in the beauty.



How would you describe your collection?
Urban woodland nymph, trying to take on a more polished outlook...but keeps slipping? Kidding! I'd say an innocent 1970's is Amberie's look. Definitely girly.

Where do you find your inspiration?
My first inspiration came out of pure panic, actually. I was on a layover in Heathrow, flying from Nice, France and on my way back to San Francisco. It was September 2009. I had moved out to France just three weeks prior with big dreams. I had been saving throughout my four years of college in anticipation of moving abroad to experience the culture, food and language of another country. I had always known that I would choose France. I went over as an au pair, and the first night there, I nearly had a panic attack. It dawned on me that I had traveled thousands of miles to a sleep in a strange bed, and live with a family that I had really, never met. The first week went fine, but by the end of the second week the mother stopped speaking to me. A week later, an emergency ticket back home (not covered by the family), and one night spent in the airport, I was on my way home. To say that I was absolutely devastated would be an understatement.



I was suddenly without my dream of living abroad, without a job, broke, and had bills waiting for me. On the flight, I was determined to keep my head held high. I've always believed that dressing the way you love helps assert confidence, and I decided to wear my favorite headband. It was the floral DVF Spring 2009 inspired one that I had made nearly a year ago (at that time). I received such a positive response from people in Heathrow that I began to wonder if I had a business opportunity. It was on the flight between London and San Francisco that Amberie was born. I took out a loan of $35 from my boyfriend, and four months later I got into my first store!

Now what inspires me are the things that I find beautiful. I love flowers. I particularly love wearing flowers in my hair. Flowers, feathers and sparkles. I think those three things pretty much sum up Amberie.



What is your most popular item?
You're never going to believe this: Black lace Bunny Headband, with black lace veil. They'll be out first thing October. Lady Gaga inspired that headband!

Anything else you want people to know about Amberie?
Amberie is a play on French vocabulary. In French, where things are created, such as a bakery, they often end in "rie". So, a boulangerie is a bakery. So Amberie, is my little area of creativity.




What do you think of Amberie? Don't forget to check out Amberie on Facebook!

Emmy Red Carpet Hits & Misses

I watched the Emmys last night. I was so pleased Mad Men won for Best Drama. It is my favorite television show.

The red carpet looks were interesting. There were so many beautiful gowns waltzing around next to pure crap.

I decided to share my loves and hates with you:

LOVES

Nina Dobrev



I am kind of obsessed with The Vampire Diaries. And I'm kind of obsessed with Nina. She's an absolute doll. This lipstick red Donna Karan gown epitomizes everything I love about old-school Hollywood: glamour, beauty, and power.


Aubrey Plaza



This is another golden-era gown which caught my eye. I'm not usually attracted to white gowns, because they tend to look a bit bridal, but this Juan Carlos Obando creation is flawless. It fits the Parks & Rec actress like a liquid glove as well.


Sarah Hyland



This red carpet dress is extra special because the 20-year-old helped design it, along with Project Runway diva, Christian Siriano. How cool is that?! The Modern Family actress has very classy taste. The Grecian-inspired gown is quite sexy without being trashy. It's refreshing to see a young actress who respects that line.


Cobie Smulders



This actress is from How I Met Your Mother. I don't watch that show or know this girl. But now I want to know more about her after seeing this stunning Rene Caovilla gown. That shade of aqua takes my breath away.


Sofia Vergara



If I could have one wish, it would be to exchange bodies with this gorgeous Modern Family actress. How stunning is she in this Vera Wang beauty?!


HATES

Gwyneth Paltrow
Waiting for someone to release her...out of that Emilio Pucci gown



Poor Gwynnie chose the wrong time to dress up in an old costume she bought at Christina Aguilera's garage sale. The Genie in a Bottle look is so 1999 and probably won't be back in style until our kids are old enough to make an ironic statement out of it.


Christina Hendricks
Where did she go?



In my opinion, Christina has a rockin' hot bod built for old-school glamorous gowns. And with that fiery red hair, she would be pure sex in a bold, sassy color. So why she chose this ill-fitting silver gown which washes her out is beyond me. She told reporters that this was the only dress she tried on that looked good on her. She is either blind or has lower self-esteem than Eeyore.


Katie "I don't give a shit anymore" Cruise



Mrs. Tom Cruise no longer cares about fashion anymore. She chose a boring, casual dress from the Calvin Klein sportswear department and added a belt. The dress, while a pretty shade of blue, looks handmade. From the waist up, Katie also looks like she should be doing pilates with other suburban moms in an upscale community center.


Julianna Margulies' last minute disaster



My parents LOVE this wom`n. They are the biggest fans of her show, The Good Wife. Unfortunately, there is nothing good about this Giorgio Armani Prive gown. I want to rip off all the obnoxious plastic bubbles on top of the lampshade she's wearing around her chest. On the red carpet, Julianna said she chose the dress the night before. I guess all the somewhat decent gowns were already taken...beggars can't be choosers?


Paz De La Huerta
Winner of the Love/Hate Award



Part-time actress, full-time hot mess Paz De La Huerta scored the most points for pissing me off.
On one hand, I love everything about the dress. That breathless shade of pink is divine and the overall design is glamorously lovely. It breaks my heart that Paz chose to ruin the dress with well, herself. She looks like a disheveled corpse doused in tanning spray. I seriously believe Pazzy must have woken up after a night of hard-core partying, threw on the dress and walked straight to the Kodak Theatre. The only thing missing was her family-sized bottle of Jack Daniels.


Which looks did you love and hate on the red carpet last night?

Update & Pinterest

It is a blistery fall morning here in my sprawling midwestern metropolis.

There is a harsh wind roaring outside my kitchen window and the sky is a whitish gray.

I'm bundled up in a wool blanket, sipping steaming chai, surrounded by kleenex.

My allergies have been severe all summer and now that fall is here, they're even worse. I'm completely miserable.

I haven't really updated you on my life recently, so here I am.

These days I have been freelancing for a smaller newspaper, filling in for a reporter who is on maternity leave. I'm back to covering city council meetings and writing feature stories, which is fun. The town I'm covering is about an hour away from here, so it is a little bit of a drive, but totally worth it. I love being back in the game.

This weekend, I'm actually covering a couple events, so I'll be kind of busy.

I have also been spending a lot of my free time pinning.

I've been on pinterest for a while now, but I just added a button to my sidebar in case you want to follow my boards.

Anyway, that's really all I have to say for now...

I hope you all have a lovely weekend!

7x7 Award (pimptastic edition)

My best friend and possible soulmate, David, over at Brits in the USA, recently tagged me in the 7x7 Award.

Participating in this award has forced me to go back and look at my old posts from the past two and a half years. In other words, it makes me see what a fucking dork I am.

Anyway, here’s how it works – list your top posts under these categories and then pass the award on to seven others.



Most Beautiful: I'm not sure if this is the most beautiful post I've ever written but I put my heart and soul into Lilies and Roses, an essay about my grandmother's passing.




Most Helpful: Last year, I wrote a post about my generation, the Millennials. I did actual research and shit. The post ended up inspiring a college research paper for one of my readers, and for the next two weeks I was bombarded with authors/publishing companies who wanted to send me books about the topic, so I could review them. Check it out if you're bored: I'm a Millennial, hear me...meow?




Most Popular: In February 2010 I was miserable. I had just been let go from my reporting job at the newspaper and I was feeling severely unattractive. My post Everything Looks Perfect from Far Away marked the first time I ever received more than 100 comments. It was obvious a lot of girls could relate to it. Another post I ♥ Barbie drew the most comments I ever received for a single post (excluding giveaways).




Most Controversial: Fortunately, I have never had a post which sparked negativity from my readers (at least not that I'm aware of). But I have posted about controversial topics before, such as religion and racism. My post Why Do You Hate Me? addresses a racist attack I faced. My post Sinned Much? exposes people who use religion as a weapon.




Most Surprisingly Successful: I'm not gonna lie, I was a little nervous to post Parody of a Fashion Blogger. After all, the majority of my followers are fashionistas. It ended up receiving more than 1,000 hits in one day! My most recent post Fast Times at Wikipedia High came in at a close second.




Most Underrated: Crazy shit always happens to me. In April of 2009, one of my best stories only got SEVEN comments. Of course, I only had like 10 followers at the time, but still. Please read I am a mother!. It would just make my day.




Most Prideworthy: I went through a small phase where I started posting my (lame) poetry. This is a side of me I had always kept private. Like, very private. So I'm proud I had the guts to do it. The post cleverly titled My Poem regards the negatively charged political climate at the time. Friendship Suicide is way more personal.


I'm going to bestow this award upon seven other bloggers who I know get as much orgasmic pleasure in talking about themselves as I do:

Life in Quotations

Glam Kitten's Litterbox

Amber's Mouthwash

The real mean girl

Love Life Project

Melanie's Randomness

Stumbling Towards Nirvana


I hope you're having a great week, kiddos.

Café Sting – now you can dine with a view

We have gone to Sting many times over the years as it is a great informal place for a snack before going to e.g. the movies. One of the highlights at this place is the annual garlic festival in March/April where they have a special focus on…you guess it, garlic. The place is located at the top of the hill right next to Valbergstårnet so the location is pretty unique as most other restaurants and bars are located closer to the waterfront. And this location is also what makes their new feature so spectacular: they have opened a new rooftop terrace! I saw the sign for this new rooftop terrace a few months back but I could not really see how this could happen – but the other day when I stopped by they had just installed a sliding door in the middle of the main seating area leading out this new terrace and with a staircase leading up to the rooftop terrace.

We came there at about 5 pm on a Saturday to have a snack before going to the movies. The weather was beautiful as the sun was shining from a cloud free sky but it was also a bit of a chill in the air. But we went to the rooftop terrace and we were happy to see that there were a few tables available. I think this will soon change when the word gets spread that this terrace is now open. The rooftop terrace is placed in such a way that most of the tables did get sunlight and that is always a plus in a cold place like Norway.  The rooftop terrace still needs the last finishing touches but nothing that prevents it from being a nice hangout spot already.

As always I had to go to the cashier to place the order and we decided to go for the burger (as we have tried that at various places lately). Sting is also the only(?) place in Stavanger were you get wine by the glass by the weight. They just place the glass on a scale and they ask you to “say when” as they pour the wine in. They have a few bottles to choose from when it comes to wine but with the new rooftop terrace I think it can turn into an even more popular spot for a cold beer as long as the weather cooperates.

It was great to sit in the sun and enjoy the view of Stavanger while waiting for the burger – and the burger was served sooner than expected. We talked a bit to the girl who served us the burger and she said that it had been a bit chaotic earlier on and people had been waiting for quite some time to get their food served. I guess that is something that the management has to deal with – they have just more or less double the seating capacity but it seems like they have the same kitchen and staff. That could spell disaster if they don’t plan for it. The burger was served with small, fried potatoes on the side and a garlic dip. But where was the tomato sauce or ketchup? The burger itself was good but I would have enjoyed pickles on mine instead of just cucumber. We were never asked how we wanted our burger done but it seemed like medium was the default setting so Nikki found her burger to be a bit too rare. The garlic dip really had lots of garlic in it by the way – I could feel my garlic breath myself the rest of the evening. Not that it is a negative thing but just be aware of it ;-) So I think the burger at Matbaren is still the best burger in town so far (you can read the Matbaren review here). The burger at Sting is 169 Kroner – with the current currency value that spells about 32 US dollars or 22 €.

But all in all – Café Sting is still a great place to go for a bit of snack. Even if their menu is limited you should be able to find something that you like. And it looks like there are lots of new things happening at this place and I’m sure they will stay in business for many years to come. With their new rooftop terrace I’m sure they will attract new crowds when the sun hits Stavanger in the summer months. You can read more about Sting on their homepage http://www.cafe-sting.no/ . It does not seem like their homepage is in English but click on Mat (meaning food) to see the menu, it is both in Norwegian and English.

Regards
Gard
gardkarlsen.com – trip reports and pictures