Ultra Swank - Retro Adventures

Drinkable • eatable

A Warmer, Friendlier Alternative to Christmas

A long time ago when I was a lot younger I used to feel sorry for people in the southern hemisphere who never saw snow, much less a white Christmas. I thought to myself, “how could they possibly get into the holiday spirit when it was still warm enough to wear shorts and t-shirts?” I truly felt bad for them not knowing what a “true”...

The American Luncheonette
Written by Jessie Desmond in Eatable

The American Luncheonette

“I’ll see you at the luncheonette” is not a phrase most people hear anymore in America and most people wouldn’t even recognize the term luncheonette. A luncheonette is similar to a diner, but is not a diner – the biggest differences being that a diner has a larger range of food and is a full restaurant. The main focus of a luncheonette was to serve...

Atomic Age Drinking In The Information Age
Written by Baron von Swankenstein in Drinkable

Atomic Age Drinking In The Information Age

To paraphrase our friend Koop Kooper, the Lounge Revival life isn’t historical reenactment. And that’s a good thing. Modern life has plenty of advantages and there’s no reason to eschew them just because they didn’t exist way back when. As much as we complain about how we annoy each other with our mobile devices, few of us are ready to give them up just to...

Playboy’s Host & Bar Book – For the Urban Bachelor

After collecting cookbooks for over 5 years now, I can say that, with the exception of the occasional chapter on grilling and barbecues (which were dad’s domain, after all), all of the mid-century cookbooks I own are written with the lady of the house in mind. Entire chapters are dedicated to “Meals Men Like” and “Man-pleasers” or, in the case of the Smirnoff Brunch Cookbook,...

Huddle Restaurants – Googie Symbols of California

Huddle was a chain of coffee-shops and restaurants primarily located around California. Designed around the ever so popular and playful Googie-type theme that was found all over the state in the 1950s and 1960s. Bold and colorful lettering, shapes and swirls and patterns that was meant to be a reference to space-age living. But, what happened to them? Huddle was the brainchild of entrepreneur Paul...

Retro British Puddings
Written by Featured Post in Eatable

Retro British Puddings

Remember those school dinner days, when desserts were stodgy, substantial and satisfying? Do you yearn for a bit of nosh-stalgia? Join us on a trip down memory lane as we revisit the all-time favourite retro British puddings, those classic heartwarming staples that have stood the test of time. Spotted Dick A serious pudding with a very silly name, this steamed suet sweet contains dried currants...

Kitschen Feast with Heidi & Betty Crocker

And you thought baked beans and sausage weren’t the least bit French? Betty & I have paired up to prove you wrong. Behold Betty Crocker’s Baked Bean & Sausage Casserole aka Middle Income French Cooking! This casserole is, per Betty, an “…appetizing adaptation of the French cassoulet.” Put that in your Pyrex, Julie & Julia! I did. It was savory and satisfying. And looked pretty...

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