Round-Up: Wednesday, Dec. 30

Listen:
[mp3] : jj – 5 minuter med jj

[mp3] : jj – baby


List: USA Today has some interesting tidbits about US cities
Top Ten Literate Cities
1. Seattle
2. Washington
3. Minneapolis
4. Pittsburgh
5. Atlanta
6. Portland, Ore.
7. St. Paul
8. Boston
9. Cincinnati
10. Denver
62. Los Angeles

"Cities where lots of people read also tend to feature a vibrant singles' scene, a study suggests. It finds that Boston, Seattle, Washington, D.C., and Atlanta boast high rankings both as "literate cities" and as places for single people to live."

Tend to offer the most active singles' scenes: Boston, Seattle, Washington, and Atlanta

•Are safer: Minneapolis, Boston, Seattle, Portland, Denver and Cincinnati

•Are more walkable: Seattle, Washington, D.C., Portland, Boston and Denver

•Are healthier: Washington, D.C., and Denver

News: Statewide Trans Fat Ban Starts Friday (CA is the first state to do so)

Get High and Lucky: Join the Mile High Club in a Hot Air Balloon in Temecula

Learn: I'm starting to listen to university lectures as I do mindless projects courtesy of itunesU. Currently listening to UCLA's Psych 176 on intimate relationships. Tidbits: year #2 of marriage is the most common year to get divorced, divorce rate is even higher w/ remarriages,

and of course, the younger you are the more likely you are to get divorced

Eat: Top New Restaurants of 2009 compiled by Eater LA

Q: Who are the top newcomers of 2009?

Jonathan Gold, LA Weekly: Tasting Kitchen, Mo-Chica, Bistro LQ, Mozza 2 Go, Church + State 2.0.

Lesley Bargar Suter, Los Angeles Magazine: Drago Centro, Mo Chica, Tavern, Bottega Louie, Wurstkuche...dare I say, the Lazy Ox?

Eric Alperin, mixologist, The Varnish: Duh, The Varnish (Totally kidding)... Copa D'Oro, Roger Room, Tarpit.

Jeff Miller, Thrillist: I think for all the excitement of Bouchon, I don't know anyone who's had a legendary meal there yet (and I was only there for the press opening night, when I was more floored by watching Larry King and Ludacris shake hands than any of the food.) The place I keep sending people back to is Mexico in West Hollywood -- I was shocked by how good and fresh the food there was, and there's no better place for some outdoor margarita drinking in LA. I'd also be remiss if I didn't mention The Golden State: not only are Jason and Jim good friends, but their burger is second to none.

Cedd Moses, restaurant/bar owner: Rivera (food and cocktails) and Mo-Chica Peruvian.

Mark Peel, chef and restaurant owner, The Tar Pit: The Tar Pit, of course. Mozza to Go. Bouchon. Church & State.

Odell: Bouchon because it's Thomas Keller, The Varnish, The Tasting Kitchen, Umami, Ado, JTYH.