Cafe Morocco

Cafe Morocco
1221 Alhambra Blvd # 107

Sacramento, CA 95816

(916) 731-4637

We had an uber-small contingent this week - apparently many were "on vacation". It was me (Jarla), my better half, his friend and Nairb.

The strip-mall exterior and random Wishing Well decor belied the tasty delights in store. The food was excellent: super-garlicky hummus, fresh warm pita, spicy pickled vegetables & kabobs galore.

I tried a Moroccan wine something like a Merlot - it was "meh". The boys had beer: A lager-style called Casa Blanca (I think) and a Lebanese Pilsner called Almaza - they said both were decent.

Our waitress was a bit ditsy but nice. She was pouring my second glass of wine (to the top) and said "I can never stop... 'cause I'm a big wino" to which I replied "I like you".

Journal (on a spare business card) was sparse, but included the following quotes:
"I really, really HATE goat cheese." - Nairb

"Night Rider is my default ringer." - TheRiddler

Bonn Lair

Bonn Lair
3651 J St
Sacramento, CA 95816
(916) 455-7155

This Thursday took us to East Sac, and one of our very favorite places. Since we hover around 10 people a week, Bonn Lair is tough when the whole gang comes out. But we were down three world travellers, Croatian Jarla, Kiwi TheJenny & NakedBob, so we had a better chance of fitting.

This is a gem of a neighborhood pub, and each time we are here I lament the fact that we don't live within walking distance. The folks who run it have a great formula and don't screw with it. Small cozy pub, fabulous beers and wine, delicious pub grub, tons of regulars and actual British music, (what, no Jeff Foxworthy like some other unnammed 'British' pub?).

We always camp out in the cozy little snug with some comfy chairs, barrel table and mismatched chairs. All in all, we had a whopping 6 people, but it nice a roomy for once.

Since I am a girl, I love their Strongbow on tap, and Lambic in bottles. Yummy. Dinner was all over the place with the group. Pasties, Shepherd's Pie, Fish & Mash and Bangers and Beans. I still can't believe they make all of it in a super tiny kitchen. It was all delicious.

The crappy thing for the evening was a guy turns around, knocks right into one of the three people who work there, hit the tray full of food he was carrying which fell everywhere. His response? Shoulder shrug, "sorry", and walked away. Yeah, a little more apologetic, oh and maybe helpful in some way would have suited the situation a bit better. Jerk.

Most of the conversation centered around politics (man, we need to stop paying attention so much!). Even talked to the people next to us.

Over all, a nice relaxed, chill evening out at a pub. Just what is supposed to happen.

Casa Ramos - Rancho Cordova

Casa Ramos
2180 Golden Centre Ln # 10
Rancho Cordova, CA 95670
(916) 631-9690

We ventured out to the Gold River area aka Rancho Cordova for some casual Mexican food close to the Nairb's house. I showed up late so am probably not the best person to write about it, but guess what? I'm the willing.

The best part of the evening was a mariachi band that was walking around and playing for different tables. When they approached us the said, "Would you like traditional, romantic or happy?". They said romantic and he said, "Romantic? Like La Bamba?". We are pretty sure traditional and happy would have also been La Bamba. But they were good and very nice.

When I showed up, close to the end of the meal, I ordered a margarita and they were all served in gigantic glasses, yum. Everyone fed me their leftovers, and even cold, the food was pretty tasty, and their salsa was good and spicy.

Most of the night was spent bitching about the election and the California no-budget. As well as why Idiocracy is one of the scariest and funniest movies around. It's so true it's frightening. We were down one Jarla, who is in Croatia.

Journal Tidbit:
"We'll bulldog that hobby horse" - NakedBob to Captain Crabby Pants

Lebowski Fest - San Francisco

A small contingent of the Thursday Drunks packed up the Volvo and headed into San Francisco for Lebowski Fest. This is the first time they had it in SF, and we wouldn't have missed it for the world!

What is Lebowski Fest? You should be ashamed to ask.

The Big Lebowski is one of the funniest movies out there with an extreme cult following. Based on Jeff Dowd, a real life guy, it is just hysterical. There is bowling, nihilists, a severed toe, oat soda, carpet peeing, crazy ex-Nam psychos and so much more. Do yourself a favor and get yourself some. It's a mainstay of Thursday Drunks culture.

The opening night of Lebowski Fest (which is what we went to), was at the Mezzanine. The club is quite large, nicely arranged with a upstairs lounge, 4 bars and the largest, cleanest girls bathroom I have ever seen in a club!

The fun started as soon as we got in line. Lebowski quotes were flying, everyone was talking to everyone else, a guy walked by with a rug - it was awesome. As one lady put it, "It's about as dorky as a Star Wars event, but with more booze". Once we got in we ordered ourselves a couple of Caucasian and an oat soda and scored a nice spot in the lounge. Patti our bartender rocked.

First band: Meshugga Beach Party - Jewish surf rock. They were awesome!

Second band: The Dead Hensons - Muppet and Sesame Street cover band. Opened with 1,2,3,4,5..6,7,8,9,10....11,12.

Third band: Extra-Action Marching Band - Most kick-ass marching band you will ever see with hot girls. Check out the video for a small taste.

Seriously, each band was fantastic, and I didn't think the next one could be better, but they just kept rocking more!

The highlight of the evening was when Shooter & RobotGoBen met Jeff Dowd. He was just what you would expect...having a great time, talking to everyone. Awesome!

And, if that it's good enough - we won the damn raffle!!! With tickets that some other loser, who left early, left on the table. That's right! The last raffle item of the night and we won it with someone elses tickets. Rock on! We are now proud co-owners of the 10th anniversary DVD that is in a bowling ball!

Once the movie started the place was on fire! Hundreds of people screaming out the lines as the movie played. We watched some of it, but it just couldn't top what we had already done that evening. "It's like Rocky Horror with less transvestites".

The swag table was fantastic as well. Every quote you can imagine on a bumper sticker. We bought plenty. The weekend went on without us, but if they ever do this again in SF, we are there, and we are dragging everyone with us!

Mark it 8 Dude!

Straw Hat Pizza

Straw Hat Pizza
4441 East Commerce Way
Natomas, CA 95834
(916) 515-1515

This week we gathered at the Straw Hat Pizza in Natomas. It's a kind of weird location across from Arco Arean, in a fancy modern building, but that damn cracker crust is just how we remember it.

The fact that they call the huge pizza the "Ridiculous" is fantastic. It didn't hurt that the guy gave me a free glass of wine. What can I say, I'm easy. The place is always a little short staffed, but the people who are there are nice and helpful. The pizza comes out freaking hot and pretty fast. Can't complain. They were out of the Merlot, but had Cab instead - so all was right with the world.

We had a full house except for Nairby who was at the vet with his cat. He called in and told us she was okay, and that he knew what cat did it, then exclaimed that he would 'take care' of him. Hmm, wonder what that means.

The Republican National Convention was on the gigantic TV next to us, so we had our topic for the evening. Most of which is more than R rated, so won't make it on this blog. Here are some of the slogans/comments that we made or had heard lately.

Bowties for McCain
The Maverick & the MILF
Game: Spot the Minority, that took awhile
Tits for America

Other than that, it was a standard night of a lot of beer/wine and delicious pizza! Shooter got the leftovers to take home.

Journal Tidbits:
"Oh, I found your testicles! I was in a restaurant with RobotGoBen" - Scribby to Crabbypants.

"Bump has a man crush on Will Weaton" - TheJenny

Awesome award goes to Jarla for fixing our 3/2 candles for birthdays! Yay Jarla!


Devil Baby rides the Captain.


Sad stamp added to the lunch box for places we hate!