Home > The M.O. > Archives > 2008 > February
February 2008
Your A-List: Place to Spend a Lazy Sunday
Austin’s signature park hosts a slew of events and activities that run the gamut, from friendly soccer games to gigantic concerts.
From the City of Austin’s Web site:
In 1918, A.J. Zilker deeded the 35 acres surrounding Barton Springs to the City of Austin. In 1932, Zilker agreed to give the military school established during the First World War an additional 330 acres, joining the 35 acres on the north side of the original tract if the city would buy the acreage from the school for $200,000. This action was approved in a bond election and despite the economic depression of the 1930’s, the land was developed into Zilker Park.
Others receiving votes
- Barton Springs, 27 percent
- Alamo Drafthouse, 11 percent
- Hippie Hollow, 5 percent
- Mozart’s, 5 percent
- Pease Park, 3 percent
- Half-Price Books, 3 percent
- BookPeople, 2 percent
- Deep Eddy, 2 percent
- Jo’s, 2 percent
- Spiderhouse, 2 percent
- Ruta Maya, < 1 percent
- Flipnotics, < 1 percent
- Clementine, < 1 percent
Write-ins: Pace Bend Park, sailing on Lake Travis and Shady Grove.
Permalink | | Categories: Your A-List
Your A-List: Best Recreation Center
In a very evenly contested battle for the title of Best Recreation Center, however, there can only be one winner. Make that two. With 15 percent of the vote, the South Austin and Northwest recreation centers ended up tied for the title in the Your A-List poll.
Located at 1100 Cumberland Road, the South Austin Recreation Center has been around for longer than most South Austinites. Built in 1974, the center sits on 10 acres of land in South Austin and offers an indoor gym, stage, club room, kitchen and an outdoor basketball court, two tennis courts, picnic area, playscape and ballfields.
Heading up north toward Mopac and RM 2222 you’ll find the Northwest Recreation Center at 2913 Northland Drive. The center, which is slightly newer than the South Austin center, but certainly no spring chicken, was built in 1979 and offers a gymnasium, multi-purpose room, arts and crafts room, kitchen and weight room. Check out the center’s brochure here.
Others receiving votes
- Clay Madsen, 12 percent
- Austin, 11 percent
- Hancock, 10 percent
- Dittmar, 9 percent
- A.B. Cantu/Pan American, 5 percent
- Alamo, 3 percent
- Dottie Jordan, 3 percent
- Landa Recreation Center (New Braunfels), 3 percent
- Parque Zaragoza, 3 percent
- Rosewood, 3 percent
- Dove Springs, 3 percent
- Camacho, 1 percent
- Givens, < 1 percent
- Lockhart Community, < 1 percent
Write-in: Austin Nature and Science Center at Zilker Park.
Photo of South Austin Recreation Center by Kelly West AMERICAN-STATESMAN
Permalink | Comments (1) | Categories: Your A-List
NPR to broadcast/webcast R.E.M. showcase at SXSW
Can’t afford a badge or don’t think your wristband will get you in to some of the big names at SXSW this year? Fret not. NPR will broadcast and webcast R.E.M.’s showcase at Stubb’s on March 12, along with performances from My Morning Jacket, Yo La Tengo and the Whigs, Shout Out Louds, Yeasayer, Vampire Weekend and more.
From NPR’s Web site:
NPR Music will webcast and broadcast three concert line-ups from the 2008 South by Southwest music festival on March 12 and 13. The concerts, featuring 15 bands, will be webcast live on npr.org/music and broadcast live on KUT, KEXP, The Current, WFUV, and WXPN. All concerts will be recorded and archived.
Check out the full line-up here.
Permalink | | Categories: SXSW
Your A-List: Best Neighborhood Hangout
With 12 percent of the vote, the Mean Eyed Cat narrowly edged out a slew of others, including Pluckers, Spiderhouse, and Crown and Anchor. Even the write-ins made some noise in this category, with eastside lounging spot Rio Rita placing in the top 10 thanks to a write-in campaign.
The rustic shack situated on West Fifth Street was the dream of Chris Marsh, a seasoned veteran of the Austin restaurant scene, having worked at Maudie’s for a decade. As any Johnny Cash devotee worth his or her salt could tell you, the bar’s name is a reference to one of the Man in Black’s early Sun Records recordings. Marsh was introduced to the rebel musings of the American legend by his beloved father, and the bar is not just a shrine to Cash but a tribute to the man who initiated Nash into the life and music of the outlaw artist.
With a backyard built for hanging out on hot summer days and starry evenings with a cold (and relatively cheap) bottle (or can) of beer, a cozy inside bar with an excellent jukebox — which features not just music by Cash — and live music almost every night of the week, the Mean Eyed Cat may have been born in 2004, but it has a soul that dates back to the 50s.
Even amid all the development occurring downtown and just west of downtown, the Mean Eyed Cat has found a way to survive. Last year, Dallas-based Direct Development announced they would be building condos on the adjacent lot, but instead of running the Cat off the porch, the plan has been to allow the Mean Eyed Cat to stay where it is, a built-in drinking hole for residents, it seems. Looks like those hanging out at the Cat just got a little more company. And that’s probably just fine by the friendly Marsh, who is known for being a welcoming host to all comers.
Mean Eyed Cat [site]
1621 W. Fifth St.
472.6326
Others receiving votes
- Pluckers, 10 percent
- Spiderhouse, 9 percent
- Crown and Anchor, 8 percent
- Hotel San Jose, 8 percent
- Doc’s, 8 percent
- Deep Eddy Cabaret, 7 percent
- Rio Rita (write-in), 6 percent
- Billy’s on Burnet, 6 percent
- Horseshoe Lounge, 5 percent
- Jo’s, 4 percent
- Bouldin Creek Coffeehouse, 3 percent
- Posse East, 3 percent
- Cain and Abel’s, 2 percent
- Longbranch Inn, 2 percent
- Flipnotics, 2percent
- Quack’s, 1 percent
- Progress Coffee, 1 percent
- Joe’s Bar and Grill, < 1 percent
- Peacock, < 1 percent
- Red’s Scoot Inn, < 1 percent
Write-ins: Barfly’s, Buster’s Barbecue, Dry Creek Cafe, Draught House, Flight Path, Hot Mama’s, Nau’s Pharmacy, Parmer Lane Tavern, Poodie’s, Sao Paulo and Upper Crust
Photo of Mean Eyed Cat by Jay Janner/AMERICAN-STATESMAN
Permalink | Comments (2) | Categories: Your A-List
Your A-List: Best Place You’ve Ever Been Kicked Out Of
Bravo to those of you who had the temerity to admit to some of the places you’ve been kicked out of. Unfortunately for those of us who got to read the e-mail submissions, there was no more than one instance for each of the locations, leaving us with a 10-way tie for Best Place You’ve Been Kicked Out Of.
For those places that were named, most were bars, which makes pretty good sense, what with the booze and all. And we can understand how someone might get kicked out of the Capitol for one reason or another. But, Toy Joy? Really? Put down the barrel of monkeys and back away from the display case, sir.
The entires:
- Carlos ‘n’ Charlie’s
- Ego’s
- Eric’s Billiards
- Fado
- G&S
- Room 710
- Saxon Pub
- Texas Capitol
- Toy Joy
- Trophy’s
Permalink | | Categories: Your A-List
Alamo Drafthouse to simulcast debate
However, you can still watch the debate at one of many candidate-related events or head over to the Alamo Drafthouse South to watch the simulcast with a couple hundred cheering and jeering friends (and frenemies).
“Lately, the gloves have been coming off between the neck-and-neck democratic hopefuls, and we expect this debate on the eve of the Texas primary to be a democratic bare-knuckle brawl,” Alamo owner Tim League said.
For a little added drama, the Drafthouse will be dividing the audience in half, with Clinton supporters on one side and Obama supporters on the other. And, since it is the Alamo, there will be beer, so expect a lively (and potentially slurry) debate of policy.
According to the Alamo: “We’ve held parties for the Superbowl, the NCAA championship, the Final Four and the World Cup. Believe it or not, the most spirited crowds and energized fans are those of the sport d’jour: presidential politics. This is one show you do not want to miss!”
The show is free, but seats can reserved in advance by pre-purchasing a $10 food and drink voucher here. You can indicate your candidate preference when choosing the voucher: Undecided, Clinton or Obama.
Democratic Presidential Debate
Thursday, Feburary 21
Alamo Drafthouse South
7 PM
Permalink | | Categories: Misc.
Mini KISS, Big Disappointment
Check out my campy and affected video recap by clicking here.
The band did not play any of their own instruments, excepting an aborted guitar solo on “Sweet Child of Mine” (which KISS album is that on, anyway?). I knew this going in, but seeing it actually transpire made it feel like karaoke with makeup. The backing music wasn’t even the actual KISS but some awful, bass-heavy programmed Casio KISS. I figured that if they weren’t going to play instruments, they could at least blow people away with strong vocals, good stage presence and flamboyance. Instead they had voices that cracked, the lead singer fell down repeatedly and even dubbed himself (along with his guitarist) Ace, even though he was supposed to be the Paul Stanley character. I will give it to the guys (and female drummer), they were affable and good sports. They just lacked any discernible talent.
The group butchered a handful of KISS tunes, including the Valentine’s-related “Hard Luck Woman,” as well as “God Gave Rock and Roll to You” and “I Was Made for Loving You.” The crowd seemed stunned by the lack of any original instrumentation and seemed dumbfounded for much of the show, but did seem to gather some steam with the crowd favorite “Rock and Roll All Nite.” Check out these pics of Mini KISS from Statesman film critic Chris Garcia, a true KISS fan who left truly outraged.
Here is Mini Kiss playing “Hard Luck Woman”
And a brutal dance clubish version of “I Was Made for Loving You”…
Permalink | Comments (3) | Categories: Music
Wink and a smile
Arriving at the small space on Lamar Boulevard, we were greeted with warmth and familiarity by mâitre d’ Mark St. Clair, who showed us to our table. We perused the menu’s offerings, but this was generally a formality, as we were prepared to leave the culinary road to those who know best, the chefs. On this night, we wanted only to experiment with pleasure, not decision-making, so we ordered the chef’s five course tasting menu with wine pairing ($100/person).
Following an amuse-bouche of carrot and cardamom soup, the meal began with a light and delicious (it will be hard to find synonyms for which to replicate this word throughout my post) smoked salmon crespelle with crème frâiche. The divine salmon was topped with a bit of Rio Star grapefruit, the flavor of which was perfectly complemented by the 2006 Martin Codax Albarino, a crisp but gentle white wine that had its own distinctive hints of grapefruit.
After the plates were removed by our gregarious yet professional waiter Dickie, we had five to ten minutes to savor the lingering flavor of the salmon and enjoy the end of our wine (a timing that was repeated with consistency and perfection by the front and back of house staff), before being confronted with a succulent U10 scallop topped with a tender grilled gulf shrimp served in a savory lemon brown butter sauce. This dish represented what is unique about Wink. Although, some asperse the restaurant for its small portion sizes, the staff’s expert culinary skills left us no doubt that, while we may have been curious as to why the shrimp was sliced in half, we knew we were in good hands. Furthermore, once we had devoured the seafood (the richness of which was a perfect next step up from the light salmon dish), and admittedly passed over the plate once with the rustic ciabatta rolls offered us, there was not a drop of sauce to be found on the plate. As it should be. Too often a chef, or line cook, will leave your dish swimming in sauce, not only drowning out the flavor of the course, but leaving an aesthetical offense on your plate. Not so at Wink. The scallop and shrimp came with an earthy 2005 Chateau de Campuget Blanc that matched the intense but not overwhelming flavor of the brown butter and seafood.
Next up, duck leg confit with salsify, winter greens, crimini mushrooms and a fig balsamic. Here is the only part of the meal with which we took the slightest of exceptions. While perfectly cooked and wonderfully tender, the duck was quite salty, even for a confit. And we’re two unabashed lovers of salt. Despite the saltiness, the perfection of the cooking, subtle sweetness of the fig, balancing elements of the vegetables and earthiness of the 2005 Argiolas Perdera kept us from feeling the least bit slighted.
Fortunately we had another 10 minutes to rest before the grilled hanger steak arrived, accompanied by wilted spinach and hedgehog mushrooms. Once again, a perfectly grilled and succulent offering from the kitchen, paired with a 2006 Lioco Carignan-Petite Sirah blend from Mendocino County. Despite having satiated our appetites, we could have eaten portions of the steak until the restaurant closed.
The prix fixe concluded with a cheese plate paired with the Lucien Albrecht Rose, a sparkler from France that had a dry finish with crisp notes of berries. Much as the entirety of the meal to this point, the cheese plate proceeded from light to rich and savory, starting with a l’edel de celeron and finishing with a pungent St. Agur bleu topped with candied nuts.
While the cheese plate wonderfully rounded out the tasting menu, our craving for dessert could not be stopped, and without regard we bashed on to the Wink trio ($12). The dessert plate consisted of lemon meringue pot de creme, crème brulée, and el rey chocolate cake, all executed to perfection, and when eaten in order, a perfect succession from the tart and crispness of the meringue to the unbelievably decadent richness of the flourless chocolate cake with zinfandel-infused cherries.
Following our meal, Executive Chef and co-owner Mark Paul appeared from the kitchen and visited our table to discuss our dining experience, a personal touch that completed an exceptional night that bordered on culinary (and service) perfection.
As an aside, I have heard complaints about the portion sizes at Wink, to which I can only say that if you want to leave stuffed beyond belief as opposed to amazed and satisfied, there are plenty of fantastic steak houses sprinkled around town. It is true the portion sizes do not approach those of other restaurants around town, but the execution and flavor components of the dishes are beyond reproach. If you have a large appetite, I would not suggest avoiding the restaurant, but you may want to experiment with multiple appetizers, or just sit back and turn the controls over to the professionals at Wink and go with the chef’s tasting menu.
Permalink | | Categories: Food
Your A-List: Best Open-Mic Night
Besides being a home to some of the best stand-ups in town, the Velveeta Room on 6th Street opens its doors each Thursday to pros and amateurs alike, who have the opportunity to try and squeeze as many laughs from the audience in their alotted three minutes. Sometimes it is painful, sometimes it is brilliant, but it is almost always entertaining to see people experiment with the idea of what makes people laugh.
The Velveeta Room itself has a long and sordid history dating back to the slightly more sketchy days of Sixth Street in the 70s. For a somewhat complete (if not hazy) retelling of the history of the Velveeta Room, Esther’s Follies and Sixth Street of old, check out the history section of the Velveeta Room’s Web site.
The Velveeta Room [site]
521 E. 6th St
469.9116
Others receiving votes
- Ruta Maya, 21 percent
- Poodie’s Hilltop Cafe, 18 percent
- Cactus Cafe, 5 percent
- Hill’s Cafe, 5 percent
- Ego’s, 3 percent
- Cheatham Street Warehouse, 3 percent
- Trophy’s, 3 percent
- Artz Rib House, 2 percent
- Flipnotics, 2 percent
- Neo-Soul Lounge at Club Illusion, 2 percent
Write-ins: Punchline at ColdTowne Theater and Sam’s Town Point
Permalink | Comments (3) | Categories: Your A-List
Your A-List: Best Place Where You Can Still Smoke
There are many a bar where you can light up without worrying about being tossed out and run that legal risk on your own, and even more where you can enjoy a smoke on the outdoor patio (Trudy’s Central), but rare is the place where smokers can have a ventilated room all to themselves. Such is the case at Trudy’s North, where smokers are not left to smoke quasi-legally or brave the (hot or cold) weather outside.
Trudy’s [site] Multiple locations
Others receiving votes:
- Shoal Creek Saloon, 12 percent
- Opal Divine’s, 9 percent
- Cedar Street Courtyard, 8 percent
- Crown and Anchor, 8 percent
- Flamingo Cantina, 8 percent
- Lovejoy’s, 8 percent
- Ruta Maya, 7 percent
- G&S Lounge, 6 percent
- Ego’s, 5 percent
- Star Bar, 5 percent
Write-ins: Little Woodrow’s and Texas Bar & Grill.
Permalink | | Categories: Your A-List
Your A-List: Best TV Newscast
The ABC-affiliate in Austin has long been the top-rated newscast in Central Texas. Among Austin anchor duos, Christine Haas and Tyler Sieswerda aren’t the longest-running team, but they’ve certainly caught on with viewers. Add to that station owner Belo’s reputation for top-notch news, popular music-loving meteorologist Mark Murray and veteran sportscaster Mike Barnes, and you’ve got a winner.
Others receiving votes
- KEYE (CBS), 21 percent
- KTBC (Fox), 18 percent
- KXAN (NBC), 16 percent
- News 8 Austin, 5 percent
- KAKW (Univision), <1 percent
The Statesman’s Diane Holloway contributed to this post.
Image from KVUE.com
Permalink | | Categories: Your A-List
Your A-List: Best Restaurant for a Romantic Meal
Carmelo’s received 14 percent of the vote, narrowly edging out Austin landmarks (and landmarks-to-be) Jeffrey’s, The Oasis and Vespaio, along with a litany of other fine choices. The Italian eatery situated in an old warehouse building in downtown Austin on East Fifth Street is famous for its subdued, romantic lighting, stone walls and live music that softly fills the restaurant, all of which make the restaurant a hot spot for lovers and would-be lovers.
Carmelo’s Ristorante [site]
504 East Fifth Street
512-477-7497
Others receiving votes
- Jeffrey’s, 12 percent
- The Oasis, 12 percent
- Vespaio, 11 percent
- Uchi, 8 percent
- Hudson’s on the Bend, 8 percent
- Wink, 7 percent
- La Traviata, 6 percent
- Roaring Fork, 5 percent
- Vivo, 5 percent
- Starlight, 4 percent
- Zoot, 4 percent
- Aquarelle, 4 percent
Write-ins: Driskill Grill and Fonda San Miguel
Permalink | | Categories: Your A-List
Total Beating of the Week: George Lopez
Thanks to the Cobra for the tip and the River Front Times for the quote on its blog.
Permalink | Comments (1) | Categories: Comedy
A debate over the self-discovery novel ‘Eat, Pray, Love’
Today I came across the compelling Slate Audio Club discussion of the best-selling memoir by Elizabeth Gilbert titled ‘Eat, Pray, Love.’ Ostensibly, the book tells the story of the author’s devastating divorce and her search to reconcile her faith and belief in self with her soul-crushing life experience through indulging in the physical and metaphysical senses described in the title. I was given the book by my mother as a Christmas gift and was expecting it to be typical Oprah-centric self-help blather from Gilbert, along the lines of myriad books of pappy self-discovery nonsense that fills so many bookstores’ shelves. What I found was an author with an original, at times self-effacing voice, who nevertheless falls prey to the trappings of books that suffer from formulaic, self-indulgent structure and storytelling.
The conversation here is described thusly on Slate:
‘Dilettante’ columnist Stephen Metcalf, NYU professor Roiphe, and Slate culture editor Julia Turner argued about the book’s artistic merits, its structure, and whether it’s possible to even imagine a man enjoying the book. Is Gilbert merely a “high-level hack”? Are negative responses to the book evidence of the tendency to dismiss women who write memoirs as “self-indulgent”?
I found myself generally siding with Turner, although Metcalf’s arguments resonated with some of my feelings about the novel, although his cynicism and sarcasm eerily reminded me of my voice when deriding “Juno.”
Whether you have read the book or not (and apparently the Audio Club writers here believe only a handful of men have read it), I think you may find the literary debate engaging and telling. So, next time you have an hour to listen to a debate between three obviously thoughtful and intelligent folks, have a listen.
Permalink | Comments (1) | Categories: Misc.
Your A-List: Best Vietnamese Food
The small family-run eatery, which features traditional Vietnamese cuisine, is in a nondescript strip mall off North Lamar Boulevard. The café features delicious sandwiches, including the char-grilled pork sandwich and shredded pork sandwich. All of the Vietnamese sandwiches ($4-$6) come with mayonnaise, pickled carrots, cucumber, cilantro and jalapeños. But those fearful of mayo or jalapeños need not fret. The mayo simply adds moisture to the wonderfully crisp French rolls, while the fresh jalapeños offer just a bit of spice to kick things up ever so slightly.
But this is not your typical sandwich spot. In addition to the standard sandwich fare, Tâm offers such delights as Vietnamese green papaya salad with beef jerky, the Bánh Xèo — a crepe filled with shrimp, pork and bean sprouts — and some of the best Vietnamese buns in town.
Whether you want a quick bite or choose to wade into more traditional Vietnamese culinary waters, you can’t go wrong at Tâm.
Tâm Deli & Café
8222 North Lamar Blvd.
512-834-6458
10 a.m. - 8 p.m.
Closed Tuesdays
Others receiving votes:
- Kim Phung, 17 percent
- Hai Ky, 12 percent
- Sunflower, 11 percent
- Pho Van, 7 percent
- 888, 7 percent
- Triumph Cafe, 6 percent
- Mekong River, 6 percent
- Le Soleil, 5 percent
- Thanh Nhi, < 1 percent
Write-ins: Pho Hoang, Pho Saigon, Rosie Pho’s, Saigon Kitchen and Tan Mi
Permalink | | Categories: Your A-List
Your A-List: Best Newcomer to Austin’s Music Scene
The five-member punk outfit plays gnarly tunes that resemble the ferocity of their equally vicious namesake. (And you thought pandas were cute and cuddly. Think again.) The band has become a stalwart in the Red River scene and has played gigs at Music Monday at the Alamo Drafthouse as well as the Ground Zero Texas fest, a testament to the band’s growing popularity in Austin’s punk scene.
Others receiving votes:
- Broken Gold, 16 percent
- Comanche Abortion, 8 percent
- New Dude, 5 percent
- Terror Management Theory, 3 percent
- Viet Minh, 3 percent
- Crew 54, 2 percent
- Big Black Smoke, 2 percent
- Nakia, 2 percent
- Shotgun Party, 2 percent
- Kanko, 1 percent
- {{{Sunset}}}, 1 percent
- Gerald G, 1 percent
- Sacred Shock, < 1 percent
Write-ins: Belleville Outfit, Carolyn Wonderland, Fire Horse, Goodness Goddess, The Johns, LaVonne, Monsta Big Band, Tungsten Coil, Super Crash and White Denim
Image from Bob Kinney on Black Panda’s MySpace
Permalink | Comments (3) | Categories: Your A-List
Lance Armstrong loses his cool (Band of Horses does not)
After watching the Super Bowl at an incredible party (thank you, John and Mandy), I was fortunate enough to grab a ticket (thank you, Sarah) and a ride (thank you, Blake and Peter) to the sold-out Band of Horses show at La Zona Rosa. I was not planning to write up the show, but after a strong performance, and an even more interesting post-show experience, I felt compelled.
I, like many of my friends, have been underwhelmed by the poor and inconsistent sound at La Zona Rosa, but last night’s show may have been one of the best shows I have seen there in terms of the sound design. On the heels of their 2006 debut, ‘Everything All the Time,’ received top 10 mentions across the country, Band of Horses released their second album last year, ‘Cease to Begin,’ a strong showing but one that lacks the emotional force and hooks of the debut. The band, however, leaned heavily on ‘Everything All the Time’ early Sunday night, opening with three songs from the first album, before playing some new tunes and covering J.J. Cale’s ‘Thirteen Days.’ The overwhelmingly enthusiastic response to the set’s opening tunes prompted Horses frontman Ben Bridwell to proclaim that the Austin audience was the best of their tour.
Although many of the band members have come to play with Bridwell in just the past year, the band had a chemistry and tightness that belied their nascent formation. Beyond being astounded that I could hear each of the (at times) four guitars, as well as the keyboard player — who looked like Bridwell plucked him from the Charlie Daniels Band — I was most impressed with Bridwell’s vocal range. Going into the show I was curious as to whether his delicate yet powerful melodies would translate out of the studio to the stage. The answer quite simply was the realization that the singer from South Carolina has one of the best voices in the business.
OK, now back to the headline. (Talk about burying the lede. And now, excuse me, as I go minor-celebrity-reporter on you for a second.) After the show, people were gathered at the adjacent Backstage Bar, drinking beers, talking about the show, and catching glimpses of and brief words with the band. Seven-time Tour de France winner Lance Armstrong, who had been at the concert with a couple of buddies, took leave of the bar around 1 a.m. and apparently forgot that it is illegal to take drinks from the club out to the streets. Backstage door man Sean Higgins, obviously not concerned with the celebrity of the person who was breaking the law, quickly ran over to Armstrong and his pal and rather forcefully made it clear that the guys could not walk off with drinks. Armstrong at first seemed surprised and briefly cordial, but that soon gave way to fierce indignation. Having taken the drinks from Armstrong and friend, Higgins returned to his post at the door. But, possibly due to being called out in front of a few dozen people, Armstrong, apparently having taken exception to the manner in which Higgins was performing his job, would not go quietly into that good night.
He returned to the door, full of sound and fury. Higgins, who has worked at the Backstage Bar for four-and-a-half years, made it quite clear that he had no interest in Armstrong’s celebrity or defense of his actions. Armstrong, not willing to drop the issue, flailingly tried to retake whatever sense of pride he apparently felt was taken from him, by berating Higgins while his friends stood at his side. With a finger that came inches from Higgins’ face, Armstrong, according to Higgins, let loose a series of threats that concluded with the time-worn threat of “You’ll never work at this bar again.” Higgins, who apparently didn’t get the memo that nobody puts Lance in the corner, scoffed at the irate Armstrong, who then left to a series of under-breath cat calls and one patron labeling Armstrong as overrated (the cleanest of the insults softly launched his way.) Bizarre end to an excellent night. I’m sure Higgins is on Career Builder as I type. (Not really.)
UPDATE - Lance Armstrong responds
I recently got off the phone with a friendly and apologetic Armstrong, who called to discuss the events of last night. Armstrong says that he was mostly shocked by the way in which Higgins originally approached him, but was contrite in admitting that he was in the wrong for the way in which he overreacted.
“Listen, I was totally out of line,” Armstrong said.
Although Armstrong says he was in the wrong, he felt that the door man in question could have handled the situation better, as well. “You know, give us a warning. He walked over and nearly tackled us as if he had warned us four or five times. He was so aggressive without any warning. Believe me, man, if somebody says, ‘You can not take these beers out of here,’ I’ll just throw them away or go back inside. I’ve got no problem with that. I wasn’t looking for any special rules or treatment.”
Armstrong confessed that despite feeling he wasn’t given any warning before being confronted, he should have responded differently. “I don’t need to do that (respond the way he did), though. Two wrongs don’t make a right.”
Permalink | Comments (82) | Categories: Misc.
