Top Eats 2007

1. BLT Prime, New York - As much as it pains me to list not one but two NYC restaurants as my top picks for 2007 Eats, I have to hand it to Chef Laurent Tourondel. That guy really knows how to seduce your palate - and it does it in a way that is at once elegant and casual, keeping in mind the sophistication of today's modern diner, but also paying homage to familiar favorites. My experience at BLT Prime was perfect from start to finish. The bartender knew just what to make me (how I adore a psychic bartender) and the hostess and wait staff were on point the entire evening. But, that's New York, always a notch above San Francisco in their expertise in the service industry. What stood out for me most of all? My steak. A bone-in rib eye that had just the right amount of seasoning, char, and was cooked perfectly. It was the best piece of meat I have had in years, even beating out the butter-soft Wagyu steak I had at Craftsteak in 2006. All of the sides were perfect, too, washed down with a very, very special bottle of wine. BLT Prime, you are the Chrysler Building of restaurants for me.
   
2. BLT Fish, New York - BLT Fish was actually my first introduction to the BLT world. I went there with Denise, who is a very discerning foodie and a pleasure to dine with. We were both blown away - from the presentation, to the taste, to the little touches like giving us a bag of home-made cotton candy to take home after our meal. What's really cool about BLT Fish is that you can go casual and stay on the first floor, which is "shack"-style, or go up to the more upscale 3rd floor, which is very elegant. Either way, you will be sure to have a great experience there.
   
3. Mission Beach Cafe, San Francisco - Other than Garcon, I have probably dined at MBC more times than at any other restaurant in San Francisco this year. It is my go-to place for lunch, and I have taken no fewer than 5 people there to introduce them to the fine food of this lovely neighborhood space. They do things the way I would do them in my fantasy restaurant - using Heath Ceramics dinnerware, serving Blue Bottle Coffee, and having a pastry chef as a partner. The cannele's are to die for - a perfectly caramelized dome of goodness housing a soft custard center. The owner, Bill, is a doll, and we have a nice chat every time I am there - he remembered me from my Yelp review the first time I went there - soooo nice! What won me over was the Turkey Sandwich - now, I am not someone who craves turkey or sandwiches for that matter, but this one is superb. It's the combination of turkey, aoili, and slow-cooked bacon that makes every bite a joy. I get it every single time I am there. Dylan is almost always my waiter and he is so cute I could take a bite out of him like a cannele. One time, Jill and I did ask if we could adopt him, and he didn't say no.
   
4. Bushi Tei, San Francisco - another discovery made with Denise on one of our monthly dinner nights. Bushi Tei has Japanese food like I have never had it before - the cooking style borrows from French cuisine, but there is something wholly Japanese in the experience. Every dish is artfully presented with a delicate marriage of flavors and textures that you have to concentrate in order to fully savor every bite. I had my birthday dinner here, and they could not have been nicer or more accomodating. All of the dishes are delicious, but the standout one for me is definitely the foie gras/pumpkin custard. Heavenly. Everyone always gets a kick out of the suped-up toilet in the bathroom - it puts other toilets to shame with its many features, including a self-raising lighted seat that is triggered when you walk into the room. Like the entire experince at Bushi-Tei, it's far from the ordinary.
   
5. Cyrus, Healdsburg - I am usually very critical of restaurants that get so many accolades, because more often than not the hype far exceeds the food, and the atmosphere is too serious and self-conscious. Not so at Cyrus. I was treated to dinner here by my friend Shelley, and when I say treated, I mean treated. Dining there is a masterpiece in orchestration, matched by inventive, forward cuisine that is both sophisticated and playful. Like seeing a superb art collection, it's almost overwhelming to have course after course of so many amazing things (we did the Chef's Tasting Menu which I would highly recommend). The cheese course alone was portioned enough for a party of 6 and was incredibly rich and flavorful. After dining here, an appropriate follow-up would be a marriage proposal. It's that special.
   
6. Two, San Francisco - best restaurant in San Francisco? Nope, not even close. But I have had so many fun experiences at Two this past year, that it brings a smile to my face just thinking of it. Two used to be the stuffy Hawthorne Lane, and chef David Gingrass and his wife decided to give it a huge makeover. Now, it's a semi-casual, small-plates oriented establishment, with an impressive bar menu and modern decor. Communal dining is encouraged, and Two is best for a group rather than for an intimate dinner. I think just sitting at the bar with a Grapefruit Martini and one of their amazing Raviolo's would do it for me. I had the pleasure of meeting David on my first visit there, and he is a really nice guy. Next year I am determined to take one of the cooking classes offered at Two and sharpen my culinary skills under their direction.
   
7. Aziza, San Francisco - another sleeper in our midst, Aziza remained hidden to me until just this year. Moroccan food in the Richmond, using sustainable resources and with a drink menu to knock your socks off? Who knew? Well, I know now. Beautiful flavors, bursting with seasonal freshness, and artfully presented, at prices that won't break the bank. There are so many dishes still to try - I can't wait to go there again. And again, and again, and again...
   
8. 900 Grayson, Berkeley - I was introduced to 900 Grayson when I was in Berkeley picking up a gift for Kirsten. The jewelry designer that I had gone to visit recommended it. It's in a converted house, which I love, and my server was so nice that I immediately felt at home. This is so important when you are dining alone - and I think that your senses are super-heightened because all you have to focus on is your meal. Well, my meal was darned near perfect. I was so excited that I could barely contain myself - I went right home and wrote a glowing review on Yelp, and then told everyone about it as well. I went there again with my friend Sean on a very busy lunch hour, and while the wait was excruciatingly long, the food was excellent. The chicken and waffles (a California legend of a dish) is worth a special trip.
   
9. Chez Spencer, San Francisco - I got to pick the restaurant for our anniversary dinner, so I was certainly not going to miss the opportunity to dine at Chez Spencer, which had long been on my list of must-try spots. It was not at all what I was expecting, and at the same time totally satisfying. Everything is just a little bit odd, in a good way. The location is remote, the decor is neither fancy nor casual, and each dish has about one twist that makes it not run-of-the-mill. Unfortunately, these twists twisted in the wrong direction for Charles, who did not enjoy his meal at all. But back to me....I loved it! It's French, and the service is disciplined (which I like), but I wouldn't be afraid to show up in jeans (which I also like). Now I just have to find someone to go with me....
   
10. Brenda's French Soul Food, San Francisco - unfortunately, Brenda's is suffering from too much press and it is a bitch to get in to (waiting in line sucks) - but the damned beignets and Creole food are too good to pass up. Ken and I went here for lunch on a weekday (hours are 8-3), and had a great time. The food is hearty, fairly-priced, and well-executed. It is really hard to find good New Orleans style grub in the city, so Brenda's definitely fills a huge void. Po' Boys, Gumbo, Croque Monsieurs, Fried Oyster Omlettes, and 4 kinds of Beignets - all ready to wash down with home-brewed Watermelon Iced Tea. Yum! I am usually still smiling even after leaving the restaurant and having to pass by the trannies and druggies that populate this lovely section of the Tenderloin.

Honorable Mentions:
- Too many to name! Just a few: Lahore Karahi, Fino, Barndiva, Weird Fish, The House, Plumpjack, Woodhouse Fish Co, Sociale, Garabaldi's....and on and on and on....

Bon appetit, everyone, and Happy New Year!

Top Reads 2007

1. "Water for Elephants", Sara Gruen - I just finished this book a few days ago and it goes to the top of my list. Wonderful, wonderful read - for anyone who likes a good story with a bit of history. The author is female, but the protagonist is male and I think men will enjoy this book as much as women. Set in the 1930's, it gives us insight into the world of the traveling circus, a world that I have a love/hate relationship with (afraid of clowns and death-defying acts, love animals, hate whips, don't like big crowds, fascinated by freaks...). Archival photos are at the start of every chapter, fueling the imagination with the details of reality. Great for a Book Club selection (coincidentally, we are discussing it with my friend Amy's group in late January). Well-developed characters, colorful and engrossing.
   
2. "Year of Wonders", Geraldine Brooks - Not for the weak-stomached! Another in the genre of historical fiction - this time, the setting is 17th century rural England, at the time of the plague. The heroine is a maid, intelligent and hard-working, with the strength and faith to survive even the most heart-wrenching atrocities and personal loss. The story moves quickly and it is a fast read, and it is well-written and never trite. Being a spectator to the horrors of the plague and all of the mis-steps they make trying to drive it from their village is like watching a train-wreck in slow motion. But the important thing is who and what survives, and what it means for their futures.
   
3. "Julie & Julia", Julie Powell - So this was my first time reading a book based on a blog, which I guess is something that we will probably be seeing in the literary world more and more. Perhaps because of that, the flow is a little bit awkward (I know that I don't write in the same way every day, and most likely Julie did not, either). However, I really enjoyed this book. Julie gives herself the seemingly overwhelming task of making every recipe in Julia Child's "Mastering the Art of French Cooking", and she does this with limited tools and resources, and a self-described crappy Long Island kitchen. It is not what she cooks that stands out (wayyyyy too many aspics and things with bones), but the journey and her ability to stick it out. In other words, it's a great metaphor for life. She is forthcoming about her mistakes and emotional breakdowns, and most of us can relate to that. It was both inspiring and validating to me, in terms of wanting to take on something new and meaningful in life, and finding the strength and stamina to see it through.
   
4. "Eat, Pray, Love", Elizabeth Gilbert - this is the book I have most recommended this year to my women friends - it seems to have struck a chord all over the nation. I bought it in an airport bookstore the week that I quit my job, thinking that it would be the perfect thing for me to read, and it turns out that it was. The book is written in 3 parts, and takes place in 3 different locations. Eat = Rome, Pray = India, and Love = Bali. Elizabeth Gilbert takes us with her on her journey, and her self-depreciating voice is like that of an old friend. She's imperfect but determined (similar to Julie Powell, above), and the lessons she sets out to learn are not always immediately evident. But again, as in life, truths reveal themselves to her along the way, and the people that she meets become vital instruments in her self-discovery. It's unusual that a non-fiction book is also a page-turner - this one is just that. It's one that when you finish it, you sigh, sad that it is over and happy for having been along for the ride.
   
5. "The Lost Art of Keeping Secrets", Eva Rice - loved loved loved loved this book! I bought it prior to going to London this summer (I like to read books set in the place where I will be traveling), after reading a staff recommendation at Books Passage in Corte Madera. And to be honest, I really liked the look of the cover. Once I started it, I couldn't put it down - I was immediately swept into the world of 1950's England and the wonderful characters in the story, especially the teenage protagonist Penelope and her effervescent friend Charlotte (who I imagined as Kate Winslet, like her character in "Heavenly Creatures") . It's hard to believe that this is a first novel - every detail is so well-developed and the prose reads beautifully. Funny, touching, poignant - I can't wait to see what Eva Rice has in store for us next - a must-read!
   
6. "On Chesil Beach", Ian McEwan - the minute this book graced the cover of the New York Times Book Review this summer, I was anxious to read it. McEwan is one of the best writers of our generation, and I am a huge fan of his work. "On Chesil Beach" is a book to be savored. As with many of his other books, it centers around a bittersweet love story, and a fateful series of events. It's not a long book, but requires concentration to fully appreciate each moment. Definitely one of the better works of fiction in the past several years
   
7. "A Man Without a Country", Kurt Vonnegut - in one of those "perfect dinner party" scenarios, Kurt Vonnegut will definitely be one of my invited guests. As a long-time fan of his fiction, I really enjoyed reading his quips on life and its many lessons. Vonnegut seems to stand for people to be firmly rooted in reality, and not to get too high and mighty lest they fall - and at age 82, he had every right to feel that way. What a loss to have this wonderful author and his dark humor no longer among us.
   
8. "The Bachelor Brothers' Bed & Breakfast", Bill Richardson - what a lovely little book, which I never would have found on my own. My friend Jessica gave it to me as a present, telling me that it was special, and she was absolutely right. The small world created by these endlessly amusing brothers, their Canadian B & B, and the odd assortment of guests, is greatly entertaining, in the same way "Lake Woebegone Days" is during a good episode. It's darker, without the Unitarian bent, so that's even better. I loved that it celebrated individuality and people who love animals and love to read. Pleasantly odd and wonderful.
   
9. "The May Queen", ed. Andrea N. Richesin - I enjoyed this collection of short stories about women in their 30's by first hearing excerpts read by the authors during a live reading. It was a great way to get introduced to the book. All of the stories are very different, but with the common theme of women dealing with life and its many joys and challenges. I was so excited when I saw that Tanya Donnelly, from the band Throwing Muses and Belly, was one of the contributors! Also, I was lucky enough to talk to and befriend Nicky Richesin, the book's editor, which has been a gift unto itself.
   
10. "This is Not the Life I Ordered", Jackie Speier, Deborah Collins Stephens, Michaelene Crisini Risley, Jan Yaneniro - You think you've had a bad day? Just read a few of the hardships that these women (and the other contributors) have had to face, and your problems will suddenly seem like a walk in the park. The point is not to diminish what you are going through, but rather to show how anything, no matter how great or overwhelming, can be overcome. There are little exercises at the end of each chapter which I didn't do, but are handy if you feel compelled to treat it like a workshop. I chose to take the general ideas and consider them in general relation to my own life. One of the important take-aways is that we are not alone in our struggle, and relying on our community of either other women or loved ones is not only advised, it is necessary.
    

Top Flicks 2007

1. "Paris, Je T'Aime" (2006) - in a year where good TV seems to have usurped movies ("Weeds", "Californication", "Project Runway"), this movie wins my vote both on the quality and quantity level. In the 20-odd movies-within-a-movie, about 10 are outstanding, 5 are very good, and the rest are fair to good. But all are entertaining, and with different points of view in the City of Lights. I went to see this movie by myself one afternoon, in the lovely Clay Theater in Pacific Heights, and it was wonderful to disappear into for a few hours. I really felt like an armchair traveler. A great DVD rental, as you can watch it over several nights and really have time to process and all of the stories. Star-and-director studded.
   
2. "Marie Antoinette" (2006) - I'm so mad that I didn't see this movie in the theater when it first came out. I watched all of the trailers with anticipation, then was put off by the negative critics' reviews. Ugh. I love this movie. Based on Antonia Fraser's biography, the film strives to give the viewer a close-up look at the life of a very young Dauphine, who later became Queen of France. Instead of portraying her as merely a vain spendthrift, you come away realizing how young she was, and how poorly equipped to rule a country. She was a teenager with a disposable income who liked to have fun, and found herself married to a dull, cold and awkward young man. But after 7 years of trying to consummate their marriage (!), the relationship matures as both young people grow out of their childhoods. The colors and attention to detail in this film are stunning! Like a beautiful Laudree confection or a pair of handmade Manolo Blahnik shoes, every piece of fabric and accessory is more beautiful than the next, showcasing director Sophia Coppola's wonderful taste. I think the modern soundtrack, much of it from the equally excessive '80's, works very well.
   
3. "300" (2006) - Graphic novel cum epic, with more washboard stomachs than at Gold's Gym in the Castro before Pride weekend. Mmmmm mmmm. The story is that of the classic hero, sacrificing himself for his principles and his people. The cinematography is beautiful, staying well within the fantasy realm but not going so far as to be confused with a video game. I appreciated the strong female characters, especially the king's wife. A great ride, will make you want to be a Spartan.
   
4. "The Golden Compass" (2007) - this was a great follow-up to "Narnia" for me - i.e. a children's fantasy done right. I have not read the books, but was immediately drawn in to the story and Lyra's journey. I watched this movie with a class of 5th graders who were so engrossed that they didn't utter a peep during the entire thing. The adult roles were well played by Daniel Craig (yummers) and Nicole Kidman (less Botox, please!), and the little girl was cast perfectly. The Armored Bear stole my heart. Looking forward to future sequels.
   
5. "Factory Girl" (2006) - again, a lot of hype and then panned by the critics, so I waited a while before seeing it, thinking that I was going to be disappointed. Wrong again! "Factory Girl" was a great movie, with Edie Sedgewick exquisitely played by Sienna Miller. They captured the time period and New York perfectly. Guy Pearce seemed such an unlikely choice for Andy Warhol, but I think that he's the best I have seen so far.
   
6. "Waitress" (2007) - I saw this on a plane, and really enjoyed it. One thing that they should really warn against, though - after seeing this movie, you must have access to a pie or a restaurant that serves pie. There was no pie on the plane and I had to resort to my imagination. Imagination does not taste like pie. Anyway, I thought that this film was cute and heartwarming, but not as overt in its quirkiness as "Little Miss Sunshine". Keri Russell and Nathan Fillion (you will always be captain to me, Nathan!) have good chemistry and are enjoyable to watch. The supporting actors are very good and add the comedic touch - it was sad watching writer/director Adrienne Shelly's wonderful performance, knowing that she was killed during the making of the movie. It's a nice legacy to her talent, which hopefully will not be soon forgotten.
   
7. "Black Snake Moan" (2007) - total sleeper of a movie, similar to "Freeway" with a character not unlike Reece Witherspoon's, played by Christina Ricci. I think that the marketing for this movie confused a lot of people, wondering if they should be going to see it for a chance sighting of Ricci's tits or some good freaky outbursts by Samuel L. Jackson. It has both, but also a good story, which is the part that they forgot to mention. I really liked the characters, and even though it was a little predictable, it was fun to watch. Justin Timberlake is good in a supporting role.
   
8. "Sherrybaby" (2006) - I have to thank Virgin Atlantic Airlines for bringing this movie to my attention - I never would have heard of it otherwise. Maggie Gyllenhal is wonderful in a very gritty role of an young ex-convict trying to put her life back together. She looks the part - strung-out, selfish and ready to manipulate anyone to get what she wants. Her growth is very realistic, with more than a few painful setbacks before she finds a reasonable path to follow. Sherry is one of those characters that you are at first hesitant to like, but in the end find yourself rooting for her. And the age-old lesson that drugs and addiction are very, very ugly is laid bare here.
   
9. "Green Street Hooligans" (2005) - Very interesting view into British football clubs and hooligans. Elijah Woods is an American who becomes reluctant recruit into the gang-like violence of the local community, through the football clubs (a modern-day Frodo in modern-day London, with no ring to help him). It's well-played, and un-sentimental, however with a good message of fighting for what you believe in. Adrenaline-pumping.
   
10. "Easy Rider" (1969) - it's true, I had never seen this movie until last week. How un-American of me! It was the perfect thing to watch on Christmas Day. I can see why it caused so much of a sensation at the time that it was made - all of those notions of freedom and such. I don't know that we've really come all that far in the almost 40 years since then (yes, we are that old) - our tolerance for appearances may have improved, but alternative lifestyles? Not so sure. Young Jack Nicholson, Dennis Hopper, and Peter Fonda fit their roles perfectly, and the fact that they didn't fully compose a screenplay makes the dialog so much more natural. Plus the fact that they were actually getting high during the campfire scenes - you can almost feel it. The restlessness of life and its journey rings true today, and the movie, while definitely a product of its generation, is meaningful to watch today. Fonda's chopper and American flag jacket are film icons for good reason - Wyatt is a worthy poster-boy for counter culture and all that it stands for.
    

Honorable Mention:

1. "The Bourne Ultimatum" (2007)
2. "I am Legend" (2007)
3. "Lady in the Water" (2006)
   

Top Tunes 2007

1. The Fratellis, "Costello Music" - this is by far my favorite album of 2007. Every single track is rock-solid. They play the shit out of their guitars while giving you enough pop hooks to keep your foot tapping and head bobbing. They are good songwriters, mixing genres like rock-abilly and punk with Brit-pop, and are not afraid to put together a pretty refrain without taking themselves too seriously. Why is it that Scottish bands, and people, are so much more fucking awesome than everyone else?
   
2. Kate Nash, "Made of Bricks" - between this album and Lily Allen's "Alright Still", I chose Kate Nash as the more appealing/promising artist. She leans a little more towards the indie genre, while still being fun and girlish. Her voice is also more mature and interesting, and I think she actually plays an instrument. Mostly, I can't resist an album with a song entitled "Dickhead" - that's just too good. [Note: US release of this album will be in 2008]
   
3. The Shins, "Wincing the Night Away" - since their incredible 2001 album "Oh, Inverted World", this band has yet to put out one disappointing album! I keep waiting for their sophomore slump, but it never comes. I don't always understand their lyrics ("New Slang" wins for most beautifully obscure song ever), but they are very nice and poetic and you can tell that James Mercer is a word-lover - he trills words like "crucible" and "repulsive" with attention to each one and its natural rhythm. Safe to say that they are my favorite band of the decade so far.
   
4. The Kooks, "Inside In/Inside Out" - this album is just really enjoyable, and their sound seems more established than their short history on the music scene would indicate. I can never get "Ooh La" out of my head: "Pretty pretty pretty petticoat..."
   
5. Amy Winehouse, "Back to Black" - it's so sad that Ms. Winehouse's social antics seem to overshadow the fact that she is an absolutely amazing artist. "Train-wreck" or not, I had the opportunity to see her in concert this Fall, and it was her performance that blew everyone away. Her songs have that underlying sensuality that reminds me of that scene in "Hairspray" when the kids just can't stop dancing to the "dirty" music. This album blurs the lines between age, sex, generation, and race in a timeless way. An instant classic.
   
6. Mark Ronson, "Version" - Mark Ronson is a genius in arrangements. I have always been a fan of good re-mixes, the cardinal rule of which is that they must be respectful to, but sound completely different than, the original. Ronson totally gets this, and in addition to successfully interpreting beloved songs such as "Stop Me" by the Smiths, he manages to add his own signature sound to each track, so that the album is completely cohesive. I like Lily Allen's version of the Kaiser Chiefs "Oh My God" equally as much as the original, and more than any of the tracks on Lily Allen's solo album. A must-have album and great for parties.
   
7. The Stanton Warriors, "Stanton Sessions Vol. 2" - apparently, I have seen the Stanton Warriors perform live twice in the last two years. The first time (the time I don't remember) was at Burning Man in '06, after a jamming performance by Freq Nasty and Bass Nectar. The second time was at Fabric in London this November. This is the first electronica album that I have really gotten into in a while, and now it stands among my favorites with Thievery Corporation and Kruder & Dorfmeister. What I like is that they incorporate different styles of music, like reggae and rap, into their beats, sort of like Thievery, but more driving. If you see me car-dancing these days, you can be sure that I am listening to the Stanton Warriors.
   
8. Jenny Lewis with the Watson Twins, "Rabbit Fur Coat" - this is not a new album, in fact it was released in January 2006, making it almost 2 years old. But I heard it for the first time late this year, and immediately fell it love with it. Jenny Lewis has a beautiful and pure voice, reminiscent of Alison Krauss, but her lyrics have a darkness, edge and campiness that is fitting with her L.A. roots. The Watson Twins are wonderfully weird as well - they have a Southern gothic quality that I find so appealing. The standout track is "Rise Up with Fists" - my favorite line being : "it was not pretty, but she was (...not your wife)" Goooooood stuff.
   
9. The Decemberists, "Picaresque" - another not new album (2005), but new to me! The Decemberists had been on my radar for a few years, but I had never gotten around to buying one of their albums. I finally did late one night, one of those late, late nights when I was searching the internet desperate for new music, and I was very happy when I finally bought it. Their sound is pure American indie, with a twist: kind of Violent Femmes meets Billy Bragg, pleasant with a slight sneer and reminiscent of traditional ballads from lands afar.
   
10. Hard Fi, "Once Upon a Time in the West" - not as good as their amazing debut album "Stars of CC TV" but still great. It was between this and the Kaiser Chiefs "Yours Truly, Angry Mob", and I probably like both albums equally, but "OUATINW" has less-silly lyrics. Oh what are you going to do, it's pop. I am kind of a sucker for their ballad-driven songs - takes me back to the '80's in a very good way (like a Housemartins way).
    

Honorable Mentions:

1. Spoon, "Ga Ga Ga Ga Ga"
2. Bloc Party, "A Weekend in the City"
3. Kaiser Chiefs, "Yours Truly, Angry Mob"

Could Be Contenders*:

1. LCD Soundsystem, "Sound of Silver"
2. Robert Plant/Alison Krauss, "Rising Sand"
3. Wilco, "Sky Blue Sky"

* (I keep seeing these albums over and over on Top 10 lists, but I have yet to buy them. However, they sound REALLY promising)

You're the Tops!

2007 is drawing to a close. So often, we are so anxious to look forward that we forget to look back. But now is the time for reflection on the year that is about to pass, and in honoring it, we can turn to that age-old tradition: the Top [5 or 10] List.

No movie/book has used this concept better than "High Fidelity", which is rife with Top 5 Lists, ranging from the general to the specific, and always followed by some kind of argument or discussion. So in preparation of the onslaught of my personal Top 10 Lists that will be coming your way over the next several days, here is a quote from that great film:


Barry: Top 5 songs about death. A Laura's Dad tribute list, okay? Okay. Leader of the Pack. The guy fuckin' beefs it on his motorcycle and dies, right? Dead Man's Curve. Jan & Dean.
Dick: Do you know that right after they recorded that song Jan himself crashed his car...
Barry: It was Dean you fuckin' idiot...
Rob: It was Jan. It was a long time after the song.
Barry: Okay, whatever. Tell Laura I Love Her. That would bring the house down - Laura's Mom could sing it. You know what I'd want? One Step Beyond by Madness. And, uh, You Can't Always Get What You Want.
Dick: No. Immediate disqualification because of its involvement with The Big Chill.
Barry: Oh God. You're right!
Dick: Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald - Gordon Lightfoot.
Barry: You bastard! That's so good - that should have been mine... The night Laura's daddy died. Sha na na na na na na na na! Brother what a night it really was. Mother what a night it really... angina's tough! Glory be!