[My Weekender] with Big E

Sometimes his rhymes just hypnotize me - Feb 05, 10

Eric Brown is the Executive Chef at Vargas Grill.

Probably the most frequently asked question I receive from friends, workmates, and acquaintances is, "What are you doing this weekend?"

Ummmmmmmmmm... HELLO! With the profession I'm in, I can't remember the last time I had a Friday or Saturday off. It's been a long time. Friday and Saturday are the two days I've got to be in the kitchen. All night. So I tell people I have to work.

"Oh yeah. What about after?"

By this time I'm usually at the forget-about-it stage. If you know me well enough, you will know where to find me. But here we go anyway:

Working all weekend has its ups and downs. When I first moved here over two years ago, I found out right away that with my circle of friend, we don't really get a weekend. A Monday or a Tuesday can be just as big a night as a Friday or Saturday. There is always something going on -- someone's birthday, someone's going away party, getting blacked out, only to find out that person is coming back in three weeks. Thanks a lot for the Wednesday hangover. My boss and I appreciate it. Ha! All the same, I guess my weekends usually start on Wednesdays.

Wednesday (10:00pm)

Closing the kitchen, making sure all the tables have food and we're not getting any more walk ins or late night reservations. Always a chef's nightly plan spoiler. Trying to sneak out the back stairs, evading the friends that are sitting at table 104 in the dining room, so they don't try to coerce me into staying for the 12th hour in the restaurant to have drinks. Don't get me wrong. Sometimes it's what you need after a hard day in the kitchen, but for the most part, GET ME OUTTA HERE!

Made it. In a taxi before people knew I was gone.

Off to I Love Shanghai. 20rmb tall boys of Budweiser and Golden Tee golf. Then after a few beers, (yeah right), and trying to keep Jeff and the Jagermeister at a dull roar, it's off to late night local street food, Fangbang Lu. For two years now I've been going to this restaurant. I know the whole family that works there, the chef, and we get treated like kings. And the spicy Chinese food is the best I've ever had. Getting ganbei'd for the 100th time by the Chinese locals, who can't believe this giant laowai is sitting next to them. Love it.

Thursday (10:14pm)

Watching a ten top come rolling in and hoping it's just for drinks. Phew... just appetizers. Gotta make the quick jump to I Love Shanghai. Again. Beer Pong. When one plays beer pong long enough and gets good at it, you tend to spend a lot of time playing and never sitting down to let others play. My good friend Ray and myself seemed to have grasped the concept. When he's not available, Chef Sean from Maya, (San Diego represent!), and I rock the house. Soon enough Brad Turley walks in to play. Then Chef Mike from Boxing Cat strolls in. Needless to say we've all become quite good. But as you fellow pongers know, when you win at beer pong, you don't really win at beer pong. It just means you play longer and chug beer longer. Ouch.

Here comes Friday.

Friday

Busy night. 80 on the books to start. Time to feed the masses. Uh oh. There is a Gaylen sighting. PANDA WATCH!! Gaylen Richardson is another Cali boy, and the Vice President of Winery Relations for Via Pacifica Selections. He gets me my California wines to pair for my food, and he brings me bottles into the kitchen to have a few glasses on him. Keeps me sane during the dinner rush. Thanks Jumbo. Leaving work finally. Usually off to see Chef Sean at Maya or another friend’s restaurant to meet up and cause as much ruckus as possible.

Saturday

Wash. Rinse. Repeat. After work you can find me behind the bar at ILS, pouring drinks for their Saturday 100rmb all-you-can drink. The huddled masses are four-deep and climbing over each other to get at the bar. Walking in at 11pm and seeing Jeff behind the bar looking at me with this Hello Kitty 'please help me' look on his face. Get me out of the weeds!!! I got you brotha.

Sunday (Off Day)

Sleep until, well... sleep until I get up. Getting out and having brunch is always a great idea, but so is keeping the curtains closed and watching Seinfeld episodes for the 100th time (always funny). Usually, though, I get out and have a bloody, or 15, with everyone rehashing and trying to put together last night's events and where they went wrong. How long they should wait to call their girlfriend to apologize to her for leaving her at a bar. We went where for food?

All in all, my weekends are really hectic. My actual weekend is Monday and Tuesday night after work when I don’t do anything and stay at home. Watch reruns of What’s Happening Do nothing. Be nothing.

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