Posts

Posted on

Valley Eats: Date Night at Home

Date night isn’t what it used to be. With restaurants closed throughout Southern California and residents under shelter-in-place orders, venturing out for an evening away from the kids, or simply as a couple, is impossible. So why not order in from any of the restaurants that remain open for delivery or takeout? You’ll be supporting a business in need while carving out some time for yourselves. Just call ahead as hours and menu choices are naturally subject to change. (Disclaimer: If you are not comfortable ordering take out during this time, please consider purchasing a gift card from your favorite local restaurant to support them).

Conejo Valley

The Cliffdiver

21337 Pacific Coast Highway, Malibu  | 424-235-2595

Takeout and delivery: Monday: closed; Tuesday: 3 p.m. to 10 p.m.; Wednesday: 4 p.m. to 10 p.m.; Thursday: 4 p.m. to 10 p.m.; Friday: 4 p.m. to 12 a.m.; Saturday: 11 a.m. to 12 a.m.; Sunday: 11 a.m. to 10 p.m.

You can’t carry the laid-back surf vibe home with you, so you’ll have to get by on eats alone from this Malibu restaurant: tacos, nachos, burritos and quesadillas (the vegetarian quesadilla comes especially recommended). Whatever you dine on, wash it down with a margarita or sangria to go, served in a 32-ounce container (or roughly four to five drinks). Your dining room may not be the beach, granted, but at least you won’t get sand in your shoes.

Lure Fish House

60 California Street, Ventura  |  805-567-4400

Takeout and delivery: 11:30 a.m. to 8 p.m. 

Featuring fresh, locally-sourced seafood, this family-owned restaurant offers plenty of favorites to go: from bowls like the miso-glazed swordfish with organic stir-fried seasonal vegetables and organic brown rice to market salads like the Seafood Louie with Dungeness crab, Pacific white shrimp, avocado and seven-minute egg. Other fare includes the New England clam chowder, salmon burger and grilled salmon tacos.

 

San Fernando Valley

Anajak Thai

14704 Ventura Boulevard, Sherman Oaks |  818-501-4201
Takeout and delivery: Tuesdays to Thursdays: 12 p.m. to 2:30 p.m., 5 p.m. to 9:30 p.m.; Friday: 12 p.m. to 2:30 p.m., 5 p.m. to 10 p.m.; Saturday to Sunday: 5 p.m. to 9 p.m.

This family-owned Thai spot has been a neighborhood staple for nearly 40 years. They have their full menu available for takeout and are offering 20 percent off all bottles of wine. Start off with the papaya salad with dried shrimp and lime or the spicy lemongrass shrimp with roasted chili before moving onto their dinner selection of curries, stir-fries and plates, including a whole fried branzino with apple slaw, chili, lime and jasmine rice.

Din Tai Fung

177 Caruso Avenue, Glendale  |  818-551-5561
Takeout and Delivery: Monday to Thursday: 11 a.m. to 8:30 p.m.; Friday–Saturday: 11 a.m. to 9 p.m.; Sunday: 11 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. 

The full menu of this superb dumpling restaurant in the Americana mall in Glendale is available for takeout and delivery – so enjoy. Whether you’re in the mood for potstickers or wontons in a spicy sauce or a soup dumpling (whether with added pork, truffle or crabmeat), the food here is equal parts delicate and delicious.

Santa Clarita Valley

Royal Tandoor

26532 Bouquet Canyon Road, Santa Clarita  |  661-263-7100
Takeout and delivery: 11 a.m. to 10 p.m.

If you’re looking for classic Indian cuisine, including numerous vegetarian options, this relaxed restaurant offers no shortage of samosas, pakoras and kababs as well as tandoori and tikka dishes. Whatever you choose, don’t forget to add an order of flatbread.

Teriyaki Madness

28227 Newhall Ranch Road, Santa Clarita |  661-753-3366

Takeout and delivery: Monday to Friday: 10:30 a.m. to 8 p.m.; Saturday to Sunday: 12 p.m. to 8 p.m.

The full menu from this Asian fusion restaurant is available online or by phone. After selecting from such appetizers as the potstickers, chicken egg rolls and crab rangoon, roll up your sleeves and dive (virtually) into assembling your own teriyaki bowl with chicken, steak, salmon or tofu as protein options.

Posted on

LA Eats: Date Night At Home

Date night isn’t what it used to be. With restaurants closed throughout Southern California and residents under shelter-in-place orders, venturing out for an evening away from the kids, or simply as a couple, is impossible. So why not order in from any of the restaurants that remain open for delivery or takeout? You’ll be supporting a business in need while carving out some time for yourselves. Just call ahead as hours and menu choices are naturally subject to change. (Disclaimer: If you are not comfortable ordering take out during this time, please consider purchasing a gift card from your favorite local restaurant to support them).

Barcito

403 W 12th Street, Los Angeles  | 213-415-1821
Takeout and delivery: 3 p.m. to 8 p.m.

Bring a taste of Buenos Aires home with any of the Argentinian cuisine served at this downtown restaurant – from the empanadas and Jamon serrano sandwiches to the braised short rib and endlessly delectable churros. The standout dishes, however, are the ones that you may not have expected: the seared goat cheese, for one, and the pulpo, which is octopus coiled around a fried egg. Delivery is currently free for the entire downtown area.

Lunetta

2420 Pico Boulevard, Santa Monica  | 310-581-9888
Takeout and delivery: 11:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. 

The modified menu at this Santa Monica restaurant still features plenty of crowd-pleasing fares. Starters and sandwiches range from a grass-fed beef burger with beefsteak tomato and caramelized onions to a wood-grilled salmon sandwich with pickled red onions and cilantro aioli. The main dishes include meatloaf and mashed potatoes with shiitake mushroom gravy and the barbequed salmon with marinated greens.

The Oaks Gourmet Market

1915 North Bronson Avenue, Los Angeles  | 323-871-8894
Takeout and delivery: 8 a.m. to 9 p.m.

This cafe and marketplace’s regular menu of salads, burgers, wraps, sandwiches, and pizzas are all available for takeout or delivery – in addition to grab-and-go dinners and sides which are prepared daily. And we’d be remiss if we didn’t mention their selection of craft beers, wines, and small-batch liquors – all of which are also available to be enjoyed at home.

Nerano

9960 South Santa Monica Boulevard, Beverly Hills | 310-405-0155
Takeout and delivery: 4:30 p.m. to 9 p.m.

Serving up pasta, pizzas, seafood, and antipasti, this sleek Beverly Hills restaurant also offers pre-batched cocktail jars to go since, for the moment, you can’t enjoy one in their darkly-lit bar. Aside from the Italian cuisine, the menu includes Ora King salmon, filet mignon and half jidori chicken. Special offers include 15 percent off all takeout orders, 50 percent off all wine bottles priced below $399 as well as dinner for two and a family combo that feeds four to six.

Posted on

Streaming: Five Children’s Shows Parents Will Enjoy Too

Television has always been a babysitter. But with schools shuttered and adults working remotely, it’s now more like a co-parent. Good news: in this era of Peak TV, the quality of children’s television programming has never been higher. So much so that there is an abundance of shows all members of the families can enjoy beyond such timeless fare as Sesame Street and Winnie the Pooh. Here are five of them:

Forky Asks a Question 

Streaming on: DisneyPlus

The handmade toy from Toy Story 4, Forky stars in this 10-episode series (each installment runs three or four minutes) in which he asks his toy friends for the answers to life’s simple questions. Like, what is money? And, what is time? Okay, maybe not so simple – yet the series manages to break it all down with humor and heart for Forky’s young fans. FOR AGES: 4 and up

Ask the Storybots 

Streaming on: Netflix

Have you ever wondered why you need to brush your teeth? The StoryBots – Beep, Bing, Bang, Boop and Bo – answer this and many more questions children always ask. In addition to the charming characters, the high-energy, award-winning series illuminates with music, videos and celebrities like Whoopi Goldberg, Jay Leno and Snoop Dogg. FOR AGES: 3 and up

Pinky and the Brain

Streaming on: Hulu

A rarity aimed at both grade-school-age children and their skeptical parents, this 1990s-era cartoon fuses lightning-speed slapstick with clear-eyed cultural satire. Brain, if you didn’t know, is the arrogant, scheming lab mouse out to conquer the world. Too bad he’s always being (unintentionally) foiled by his less-than-brilliant sidekick, Pinky. The result probably isn’t as ingenious as Brain would think it is, but for families, it will do just fine. FOR AGES: 6 and up

Beat Bugs

Streaming on: Netflix

Songs by the Beatles – performed by such present-day artists as Pink – embellish the adventures of five young bugs as they forge ahead through life’s problems. Adults will appreciate how Beatles’ lyrics are smartly stitched into the dialogue while their children will relate to themes of friendship, loyalty, and resilience. FOR AGES: 3 and up 

Muppet Babies

Streaming on: DisneyPlus

A reboot of the 1980s animated series, which starred young versions of such classic Muppets like Kermit, Miss Piggy and Gonzo the Great, this series follows the exploits of the titular toddlers. Granted, their misadventures may occur from the safety of their playroom, but when their wild imaginations get the best of them (and they usually do), the gang needs to rely on their problem-solving skills to save the day. FOR AGES: 3 and up 

 

Posted on

Virtually Out and About: From Mars to the Great Wall

Just because you’re self-isolating doesn’t mean you can’t leave home. With the travel industry grinding to a once-unthinkable halt, virtual tourism is booming as an alternative, promising to transport travelers around the globe from the safety of their sofas. Aside from the many museums and art galleries online, for those seeking mystery or adventure with their interactive exploration – or simply some spectacular outdoor views – here are a few virtual tours to consider.

Winchester Mystery House

Built in 1884 in San Jose, this Victorian mansion was owned by Sarah Winchester, the widow of firearm tycoon William Wirt Winchester. Having long inspired ghost stories (Harry Houdini himself is said to have believed something was wrong about the place), the house features such spine-tingling oddities as a staircase that leads nowhere. Not surprisingly, the mansion has been a fixture in popular culture for years, including the 2018 horror film, Winchester, and the 100th episode of American Horror Story. Currently closed to the public due to COVID-19, you can still creep around its strange corridors, thanks to this virtual tour and guide.

Mars

If you want to practice social distancing, how about a trip to Mars? Google and NASA have teamed up to create a 3D tour of the surface of the red planet, using footage shot by the Curiosity rover, which landed there in 2012 and continues to operate to this day – almost 2,800 days later. You can start exploring the Martian scenery here. It won’t take you nearly that long.

Stonehenge

Few landmarks have inspired as much mystery as this ancient stone monument in Wiltshire, England. Dating back to 3000 BC, the origins of the stones remain a subject of speculation. Are they supernatural? Or the remnants of an ancient alien close encounter? (Disappointingly, the area was most likely a simple burial ground.) But now you can have a look and judge for yourself, magnifying the giant relics while also learning about them via educational videos.

The Great Wall of China

Visible from space, this 2,000-year-old structure spans more than 3,000 miles across multiple provinces in northern China, making it a must-see whenever you visit the Middle Kingdom. However, since that’s impossible these days, you might want to try embarking on a virtual tour from your living room or bed. You’ll be awed no matter how small your screen is.

Yosemite National Park

It doesn’t compare to hiking the trails and paths found in the L.A. area, but if you’re languishing indoors, why not at least explore Yosemite National Park online? For one thing, you can wander around such breathtaking sights as the Half Dome. And for another, you can get lost without worrying about whether you’re going to run out of sunscreen or water.

Posted on

At Home Entertainment: Public Library Edition

What’s Online at the Public Library? Free Movies, Music and Books! 

Don’t close the book on Los Angeles area public libraries. Their doors may be shut due to the coronavirus, but online, their resources remain open. And that includes movies, audiobooks, ebooks, and music – all available for free when you sign up online. Just go to the website and click through for an ecard (at the L.A. Public Library) or 90-day digital library card (at the L.A. County Public Library). Here’s a rundown of some of the materials and apps you’ll discover:

MOVIES

With your card, you’re a member of Kanopy, an on-demand streaming video platform for public libraries and universities, boasting a catalog of more than 30,000 films. As you might expect, the selection should delight documentary-lovers, but they also have plenty of popular Hollywood fare on tap, ranging from Lady Bird and Moonlight to Memento and Donnie Darko. Members can also access Kanopy Kids, which features children’s programming. Hoopla is another service included with your card that allows you to stream entertainment content. Two things set Hoopla apart: you can temporarily download what you want and view it offline, and there are no waitlists as all their content is available 24/7. While their selection includes educational materials and documentaries, they also curate blockbusters like E.T. and Liar Liar.

AUDIOBOOKS AND EBOOKS

With the Overdrive app, you can download everything from bestsellers to graphic novels to YA fiction. One caveat: because copies are limited, you may have to place a hold on what you want and wait for your turn. But in the meantime, the app offers available alternatives to occupy you.

MUSIC

With a collection of more than 15 million songs, Freegal Music lets you download or stream music on any compatible device. They also have curated playlists to suit whatever mood you’re in. And once you download a song, it’s yours to keep and enjoy offline as you please.

HOMEWORK AND ONLINE LEARNING

Online research and homework tools for readers of all ages include searchable databases, live tutors, instructor-led courses and Lynda.com, which provides more than 3,000 courses as well as 150,000 video tutorials.

THE NEW YORK TIMES

A basic digital subscription to the Times costs about $10 a month, but with an L.A.-area library card, it’s free. Just go to the website and follow the instructions. But remember, the number of daily NYT access redemptions are limited, so it may take a little work to snag one. If the Times doesn’t appeal to you, there are dozens of other magazines and newspapers to sample as well.

Posted on

Home Tips: Beating Cabin Fever

Maintaining your health and wellness right now means more than just protecting yourself from the coronavirus. Three weeks since the first stay-at-home orders were introduced – first curtailing access to restaurants and outdoor events, then shutting down schools, non-essential businesses as well as trails, beaches and parks – it’s just as important to safeguard yourself from the anxiety and depression that can grip you in isolation. Here are five ways to help you maintain your emotional and mental wellbeing as we weather the pandemic outside our doors.

Think of the extra time as an opportunity 

Remember that book you always wanted to read but never had the time to? Remember that book you always wanted to write but never had the time to? Likewise, while FaceTime and Skype can keep you connected with your loved ones, consider using these tools to contact friends who may have fallen out of touch. (By sending love to others, you will improve your own mental health.) Besides, if you’ve ever felt the world was moving too fast, view this forced pause as an opportunity to reflect on how to improve your life once things return to normal.

Consider adopting (or fostering) a pet

From your shelter, help a dog or cat leave theirs. L.A.-area shelters and rescue groups, which have had to close their doors, are adapting by allowing potential pet owners to view their animals online. From there, a process kicks in by which you can pick up the new addition to your home. Pet adoptions have skyrocketed across the nation as isolated people seek companions who will transmit only good vibes, not COVID-19 (and the CDC is clear there is no evidence people can be infected by their pets). As well, if adopting an animal seems like a steep first step, consider fostering. That, too, can save a life while boosting your spirits.

Limit the media coverage you consume

Staying informed is important. However, given the 24/7 news cycle and the nature of social media, which amplifies the chances of misinformation, it is also easy to become overwhelmed by fear and worry. So choose a respectable news source and follow a few trustworthy health professionals, and check in two or three times a day. Previous generations made it through world wars, depressions, and pandemics on a diet of no more than a newspaper and one or two news broadcasts per day.

Stick to your diet and sleep schedule

Foregoing your street clothes to wander the house in your robe and slippers is one thing. However, remain mindful and do not let sheltering in place disrupt your daily life too drastically. Consuming too much junk food or alcohol can have long-term health consequences, for example. By keeping your bedtime the same, you create an internal consistency despite uncertain times. Of course, if you are now working remotely or home-schooling your children, you know how important adhering to a strict schedule is for both your own productivity and their education.

Seek therapy online if you need to

If you feel you need to talk to a professional but don’t know where to turn, numerous digital companies offer counseling in moments of crisis. Among them: Talkspace, which is currently providing free therapy for healthcare workers struggling in the midst of the pandemic; Brightside, which links patients to virtual psychiatrists and therapists; and MDLive, which, in addition to its other medical services, offers video sessions with its therapists. For something less intensive, you might want to investigate such stress-busting meditation apps as Headspace or Calm.

Stay safe, all!

Posted on

Valley Eats: Local Restaurants to Support

With restaurants and bars forced to close their doors throughout Southern California due to the coronavirus, businesses and diners alike are continuing to adapt to this new reality. In addition to moving to delivery and curbside pickup, many eateries are offering new specials and adjusted hours. So even if you can’t go out to eat, please consider supporting them by ordering in. Better yet, supporting them by purchasing a gift card to use for future purchases is another option.

CONEJO VALLEY

Nicolas Eatery

22333 Pacific Coast Highway, Malibu

This French-influenced, family-run restaurant is offering takeout only from a menu that includes such appetizers as salmon tartar and truffle fries, as well as salads, sandwiches and main dishes like the lobster mac n’ cheese and Scottish salmon. If you’re a fan of toast (and who isn’t?) their selection includes avocado toast and the Malibu toast, with lobster, egg and bechamel sauce. They’re open noon to 8 p.m. Monday through Saturday.

Carbon Beach Club

22878 Pacific Coast Highway, Malibu

Dining in the oceanfront terrace is obviously not an option, but the curbside menu of this restaurant still includes favorites like calamari and shrimp cocktail. Along with salads and sandwiches, large plate items range from the classic omelet to the roasted chicken breast.

SAN FERNANDO VALLEY

World Empanadas

1206 W Magnolia Boulevard, Burbank

Family owned and operated since 2012, this shop’s name says it all – just don’t expect your “average meat pie selection” as they state on their website. In fact, these might be some of the most delicious empanadas you’ll ever have. Expectedly, they’ve had to adjust to current events and no longer serve their breakfast burrito, but offer fast, efficient delivery nonetheless. Their hours are from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. daily.

Feu Pho Kitchen

11310 Ventura Boulevard, Studio City

Starters at this Vietnamese fusion spot range from garlic noodles to spring rolls to salads like the chilled papaya and mango salad. And the vermicelli noodles are not to be missed. But their specialty is unquestionably the pho (hot noodle soup), whether you’re having the ribeye beef, the oxtail or the tofu, with boiled mushroom, onion, broccoli, and bok choy. They’re open Monday through Saturday, from 11:30 a.m. to 9 p.m.

SANTA CLARITA

Sharky’s Woodfire Mexican Grill

24201 Valencia Boulevard, Valencia

Offering takeout and free delivery, Sharky’s is working with WeGo Inc., a Santa Clarita-based delivery service that is offering free food and delivery throughout the valley. The menu offers a range of Mexican fare from burritos and tacos to quesadillas and enchiladas.

Las Rocas Bar and Grill

27923 Sloan Canyon Road, Castaic, CA 91384

This authentic Mexican eatery is offering free delivery and curbside pickups under reduced hours. Specialty items include the Pollo en Mole, carnitas and Chile Verde. As you should with all restaurants during these challenging times, go to their website or call ahead to confirm.

Posted on

LA Eats: Local Restaurants to Support

With restaurants and bars forced to close their doors throughout Southern California due to the coronavirus, businesses and diners alike are continuing to adapt to this new reality. In addition to moving to delivery and curbside pickup, many eateries are offering new specials and adjusted hours. So even if you can’t go out to eat, please consider supporting them by ordering in. Better yet, supporting them by purchasing a gift card to use for future purchases is another option.

Manuela

907 E. 3rd Street, Los Angeles

New to its menu and available for curbside pickup or delivery, this seasonal eatery is offering a nightly “supper for two” that includes seasonal salad, biscuits, vegetable sides, and dessert. Nightly specials have included dry-aged ribeye, smoked beef brisket, and wine-braised meatballs. They also offer beer and wine. The hours are Monday from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m., and Tuesday through Saturday from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m.

Rappahannock Oyster Bar

777 S Alameda Street, Los Angeles

It’s not the same as dining in LA’s Warehouse District, surrounded by the restaurant’s exposed wood and concrete floors, but oysters at home are better than no oysters at all. Other items available include lobster tacos, the lobster grilled cheese, and an avocado and kale salad. The hours are from 11:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m.

Angelini Alimentari

7317 Beverly Boulevard, Los Angeles

The new takeout menu at Angelini Osteria’s sister restaurant includes pasta, antipasti, focaccia, meatballs, chicken, salmon, and pizza. Plus, for dessert, try their gluten-free chocolate Caprese soft chocolate cake or Italian bread pudding. The hours are 11 a.m. to 8 p.m.

Crustacean

468 N Bedford Drive, Beverly Hills

Famed for its Vietnamese cuisine, this Beverly Hills staple is offering a special “An The Go” pickup and delivery menu highlighted by its signature garlic noodles (served with your choice of lobster, prawns or crab) as well as such other dishes as crispy Jidori chicken rolls, filet mignon, and chicken oyster satay. To Go hours are Tuesday through Saturday from noon to 8 p.m.

 

Posted on

Out & About: Staying Safe Outdoors

Isolating yourself indoors has its limits. So while everything from non-essential businesses to children’s playgrounds to state campgrounds have been closed throughout Southern California as the world grapples with the coronavirus pandemic, some things you simply need to venture outside to do. Here are some ways to stay safe outside your own four walls. 

GROCERY STORES

With online grocers overwhelmed by demand, it’s likely at some point you will need to restock food and supplies yourself. If possible, try to avoid peak hours and maintain the recommended distance of six feet between you and others. While in the store, touch as little as you need to and when you get it home, sanitize what you have purchased. Produce, which on average is handled by at least 10 people before it reaches you, should be sprayed with either a bleach solution (a teaspoon of bleach per gallon of water), a disinfectant wipe or soap and water. Packaged items should also probably be wiped down. And don’t forget to wash your hands with soap and water. If you want to be extra-careful, wash your clothes and have a shower.

FARMERS MARKETS

Farmer’s Markets, considered essential services, remain open, albeit with new rules. These include ensuring there are more hand-washing stations, more space between stands and in general, more distance between people. Not surprisingly, the sampling of unpackaged food is not permitted. Otherwise, you should treat the market the same as anywhere else: don’t touch your face, be wary of surfaces and once you get home, wash everything with soap and water.

DOCTORS OFFICES

If possible, postpone routine procedures and regularly-scheduled appointments. (Many clinics are already cutting back nonessential services.) If you suspect you have coronavirus – either because you have symptoms like a fever and dry cough or you’ve been in contact with someone confirmed to be infected – you should first call your doctor or make a virtual appointment. If it becomes necessary for you to go into the office, it’s likely the clinic has adapted to guidelines from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC): providing soap and hand sanitizer, placing chairs apart and using barriers when possible, as well as removing any communal items (such as toys or magazines) and posting COVID-19-related signage.

WALKING THE DOG

Obviously, when your dog has to go out, so do you. Keep a radius of at least six feet around you and your four-legged friend. If a street or path seems too crowded, find another way. If you can, avoid peak times. Along with bringing your own water and supplies, remember to wash your hands after touching any handrails or door handles. As for your dog, he or she is perfectly fine. There is no evidence to suggest dogs can either transmit coronavirus or contract the illness.

Posted on

Streaming: The 5 Best TV Shows You Should Finally Binge 

The 5 Best TV Shows You Should Finally Binge 

So much content, so little time. Until now. With social distancing giving everyone a lot more downtime at home, why not use it to binge a classic TV series you may have missed when it originally aired – or always wanted to revisit but never got around to? Thanks to the vast catalogs curated by the likes of Netflix, Hulu, and others, it’s almost certainly available to be streamed. And if you don’t have a favorite already in mind, here are five picks to consider.

The Sopranos 

Streaming On: HBO GO, HBO NOW, Hulu, Amazon Prime

Like The Godfather, the time has been kind to David Chase’s mafioso drama about a New Jersey crime kingpin and his clan. Considered one of the finest television dramas in history – if not the finest – it’s powered by James Gandolfini‘s explosive performance as Tony Soprano, a mobster in crisis seeking therapy with psychiatrist Jennifer Melfi (Lorraine Bracco). What follows is a turbulent miracle of violence and recrimination punctuated by bursts of jet-black humor. FOR AGES: 18 and up

Lost 

Streaming On: Hulu

To appreciate Lost, consider how far ahead of its time it was in 2004. Here was an expensive serialized thrill ride that inspired a rabid fandom, stoked pop culture debate, raced with cinematic action and veered wildly down avenues of science fiction and theology. It looked like nothing else on the air at the time – and now resembles much of what’s new to binge. The premise: after crash landing on a mysterious island, the survivors of Oceanic Flight 815 encounter everything from polar bears and phantoms to mad scientists and time travel. For ages: 13 and up.

Futurama

Streaming On: Hulu

Just because this science-fiction spoof from Matt Groening never enjoyed the blockbuster success of his other animated creation, The Simpsons, doesn’t mean it lacks for witty, weird pleasures. Set in the year 3000, it follows the misadventures of a 20th-century slacker stranded out of time. Along the way, he encounters robots, floating heads, intelligent crustaceans and the one-eyed girl who steals his heart. FOR AGES: 12 and up

 

Curb your Enthusiasm 

Streaming On: HBO NOW, HBO GO, Amazon Prime, Hulu

Considering Curb just wrapped it’s 10th (and one of its best) seasons, what better time to revisit the entire misanthropic catalog of awkward truths and cringing laughs? As a fictionalized version of himself, Seinfeld co-creator Larry David discovers social aggravation wherever he goes in his West Los Angeles neighborhood. And for fans of Seinfeld who missed it, Curb’s seventh season is as close to a proper Seinfeld reunion as you will ever see. FOR AGES: 18 and up

 

Mad Men 

Streaming On: Netflix

Like The Sopranos, Mad Men follows an alpha male anti-hero in an existential crisis. But whereas that mob drama is as beefy and swaggering as Tony Soprano, this series set in 1960s New York is as sleek and inscrutable as its chain-smoking ad man, Don Draper (Jon Hamm). Despite its multitude of Emmys and place in pop culture, Mad Men was, relatively speaking, always a niche show, enjoying solid but unspectacular ratings. This means for many people, its immaculate style and shattering drama are yet to be discovered. FOR AGES: 14 and up

Proudly powered by WordPress