Giant Robot Store and GR2 News
Julian’s restaurant is like a punk rock institution in Providence. Just down the street from Armageddon records which will stock every Load Records release you can get, it’s a meeting place for locals who want good food. But this isn’t a restaurant review. This was one of the many specials. Okay, so I picked a loser. This didn’t do it for me. Spaghetti squash, coconut milk, tofu scramble. It doesn’t sound right, does it? It didn’t do it for me. The potatoes were good, but that’s pretty normal no matter where you go. I don’t think I’ve ever had ruined potatoes. They’re good overcooked and mushy too. The bread was wheat and unexciting. I’m giving this place a bad rap right here, but it’s actually quite good. See how there’s art on the walls? More art on the walls towards the front window. That’s me looking at the art. Believe it or not, this where Jack Long had his first show outside of RISD, and it’s where I first saw Jack’s art. Since, he’s moved to LA, and we’ve shown his work many times. He’s one of my favorite artists and he’ll be showing with us again at GRNY in January.
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Solomon’s MarketWhen I see this place, I’m inclined to think, this is what the American dream is all about. What was once a deli, now is something totally different. It’s been there since 1935, and sits in a residential area on a corner. It’s not necessarily a busy area, but a cozy one. If you take a step inside, you realize, it’s not a Korean restaurant. From living in Los Angeles, it doesn’t surprise anyone that a Korean restaurant might pop up someplace, but this is in Rhode Island. Using a kitchen stove with a few burners, you’d see all of them with their fire’s on with home cooking going on. A few employees are behind the counter, which most definitely has to be a family business. The menu is awesome. It’s Korean food all around. You’d think maybe they’d open up in an Asian area, there is one in Providence. Maybe they’d open in an area where there’s other restaurants… no! These folks opened up in a spot that’s residential and as local as can be. The place look like Solomon’s Market, sans Solomon and whatever he / she sold. Kimpap looks right and taste right. I forgot to mention, you won’t get a table full on banchan. But you will get a bowl of oikimchee (cucumber) and onion. It’s quite good and just about makes up for the minimalism. If this were 1935, you could easily picture an old dude maybe with a beard wearing an apron. Instead you get the folks who put their heart into their work. Glass noodles – Chop Chae Soon doo boo I’ve spoken a few words to the folks at Solomon’s. Their English isn’t great, but they’re always friendly, and happy to see their customers. I’ve seen it crowded, and sometimes, it’s not, and it’s a place for people to have something a bit different than the other Asian foods – Indian, Japanese, Chinese, or Thai. It would be too perfect to talk about it being kick ass busy, successful, owner in a Gulf Stream, but no, it’s perhaps just doing enough. I’m not sure what the demographics are in Providence, but I do notice, this is where there Koreans come to eat. So back to what I said. It’s the American Dream. A man with a plan,in a small New England town.Korean food time.
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Dinosaur party is going on now. If you’re in SF bay, you should stop by. I hear it’s “off the chain.” Meanwhile get ready for Jeana Sohn coming up at GRNY next week.
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Sawtelle PeopleIf you’re out on Sawtelle Blvd, here’s some people you’ll see. This is in front of Safe and Save Market, the hub of the area – in my opinion. Christian. From what I can tell, he’s the tough one. Wait both of these kids are tough… He’s younger. I think! The brothers are a year apart, and I guess I can only be 50% right. Is he racking that bottle of Gatorade? Jalen? Almost a sci-fi ish name, maybe something like Planet of the Apes Galen… but then again, think about Jalen Rose – one of the Fab 5. I should ask about where that name came from. If it’s Jalen Rose, then shit… This kid has to be tough. After looking at the pics, I dunno which is which anymore. But what ever he has in the bag must be good. See them on their bikes cruising around. That’s Dee. Mommy dearest. She’s usually camera shy, but I caught her. She works at Mizu 212 (the high priced shabu shabu joint) sometimes, and the steam from the pots is probably good for the complexion. The oils might not be, but that’s part of the restaurant game. Big tips, stinky clothing.
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RISD grad student open studio. This happens once a year, and I hear the undergrads might even be better. But here’s some images and thoughts of what I saw. Smash up derby painting. I think this was my favorite single work. The guy who’s completely white… is this painting finished? This reminded me of Aliens. Jacob Goble paints red people and smash up derbys. Blade was good too. I thought that was a fake name, but this kid is good. I was on the fence on this. These works look good together, but alone? I’m not quite sure. This is a great collection of paint. studios can be messy but this person wasn’t. Stylish studio. This was probably the nicest studio. Maybe it’s the lamps. See the page in the upper middle? That a GR page! This looks like one of the many studios. Colorful, messy, but full of energy. Awesome mugs. King of patterns. This person’s work looked good. Overall, I didn’t see everything, but I did like the painting floors the best. Wish there was more of that.
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