Brunch at Whitlow's on Wilson

In an effort to expand the influence of platinumdom in our local community Kaylin and I have started what we hope to be a long standing tradition in the greater platinum community: the process by which we hold others up to metaphorical standards that they don't know about. Sounds pretentious, because it is. Look we're just keeping it... well, you know.

So we hit up brunch at Whitlow's and it was sweet.

Kaylin Wainwright's take:
Ambience: Gold. We were seated outside so that made all the difference in the world. The interior is dingy and perfect for their late night cover bands, but for brunch I was happy we had the opportunity of sunshine. In regards to the other patrons: there were hung-over, slovenly types (so Lincoln fit in) and cute yuppies (so I fit in).
Service: Platinum. The hostess did lead Lincoln astray with her assertion that the biscuits and gravy were rated a 9, but she was friendly and prompt. Likewise the server was nice without being annoying, prompt without rushing us, and attractive without being slutty.
Food: Silver. I ordered the eggs florentine which was good, but failed to rock my face off. The homefries were quite good, however. Lincoln was disappointed with his biscuits and gravy, in part because the hostess was suggestive about their platinum potential. He noted that they needed more salt and pepper. I pointed to the salt and pepper on the table. Also, the bacon was overcooked. The mimosas were not platinum, but I would be interested to try their bloody marys.
Company: Aluminum. Just kidding, Lincoln, the company was platinum.
Overall brunch at Whitlow's is not platinum, but I'd be willing to try it again (particularly because of affordability) and see if their other dishes are better.

Lincoln McLain's take:

Prologue:
After not eating much and spending most of the morning propped up in bed watching football I got the delightful ring from one do-gooder on her way back from church. "Wanna get brunch."
I respond with "affirmative" and slip into my robo-trousers before performing morning-bear-yawn-calisthenics. A morning ritual of sorts ever man does that gets seldom mentioned in today’s biased media.
We walk together to Food St. (i.e. Wilson) and begin the long menu shopping process. Being of the poor persuasion I find it easier to look like I am a snob who is discussed with the content of the menu rather than the prices presented. This doesn't ever get far though as my stomach reminds me that it is on the boarder of cannibalism, less it gets satisfied soon.
Whitlow's was the first we saw so Whitlow's was where we ate.

Durelogue: (just made that word up)
Said waitress did say the biscuits and gravy was a 9. and those biscuits and gravy were no such 9!!! With out deceptive comment I would give them a 7. They did separate out the gravy from the biscuits, so you could pour the gravy over the biscuits (G.D. I am getting pretty hungry right about now). This sounds nice but it really didn't have the greatest effect. I am more of a soaked in gravy kind of guy. That's really where I see myself in life. Deceptive comment included I give them a 6.51.
Secondarily, said bacon was too crispy. This usually isn't a problem less the fact that when it is poor quality bacon to begin with it looses all it's pizzazz after being over cooked. The bacon was a disappointment.
Needless to say I kept my composure and managed to pull a buzz out of the mimosa, as was pointed out to me by my faithful companion. Cheers!
Service was nice and I did like eating outside.

Epilogue:
All and all, I give Whitlow's a sub-platinum rating. Though, I do not appose the idea of eating there again. Platinum is big. It's not easy to get. Come on Whitlow's, wow me!

And We Have A Winner!

Long time no see, Platinum-lovers. I apologize for the hiatus, but we here at KeepinItPlatinum believe in quality over quantity, much like our friends.



Well, for the contest I posted a week ago, we didn't have a super number of entries, but there was quality in each idea. In the end, big kudos go to S-Rod for identify ESPN's actual database of songs used when players come up to bat. Of particular interest was the number of players who had either no music or a different song everytime they went to bat. Unfortunately, none of the suggestions made me get that tingley feeling that amazing players get when they know they're about to dominate. For that reason, I've come up with my own list of several songs, all of which would be mood specific. I'm definitely interested in comments. Therefore, in line with my communitarian beliefs, we are ALL winners! Enjoy!



1. Best double entrendre song for a baseball after it just got hit and something we don't need to describe



2. Best song with a chorus that you just cannot resist cheering out loud



3. Best song for after there's been a rain delay



4. Song that you will inevitably hear at any St. Louis sporting event



5. Newest best alternative to The Final Countdown





And here is my choice. It's a song that not many people would recognize, but would still be my choice. If you know me, you'll understand why this song would be my choice, despite violating several of the rules that I laid out in the contest. Sorry everyone. National political parties don't have to be consistent, why should I? (HT Scot)

The Nuances of Platinum DJing

I'm back from the midwest after a long, relaxing, and rather outmazing weekend that ended with my purchase of a rather platinum fedora hat. Before I go on, I'd like to take a moment to share my new title: Vice President to the Facilitator of Social Activity and Spontaneous Order.

I liked the direction that Raph's previous post was going, and it reminded me of a similar conversation we'd had on the nuances of platinum DJing. As any host/DJ would know, the atmosphere and ambience of a party is critical to its success. Music selection is the impetus of that achievement.

To begin, know your audience. Put your audience's tastes before your own in music, and you'll have a better time--everyone will. While having a core music playlist on hand is essential and easy to replay at future parties, it is also important to customize that list so that each event has a subtle but individual musical flavor. Also, customize it to the event you're staging--this goes hand in hand with your audience's preferences--for example, retro '80s may or may not be platinum for a wine and cheese party, but again, that depends on your audience.

Secondly, go with something everyone knows. This usually spans from classic rock to '90s, and even some intermittent recent songs (avoid those overplayed). This is the base of your music list, and it's extremely adaptable to any one individual's musical taste. People bond when they sings songs together, even if they don't care for the song. And TIP: well-known songs can break the ice for you single folks out there.

Also--it's important to pick songs that are generally "up-beat"--meaning, even if everyone knows the wishy-washy love song you're considering playing, you won't want to compile your entire music list with this particular tempo or attitude, which brings me to another finer point...

Shuffle the genres and the ages: if you just played Kanye's "Stronger," you should go with something disconnected next like Journey's "Small Town Girl." And never repeat songs unless it's strongly requested: you should have a music list long enough for the planned length of the party, with room for error. Arbitrary music lists are useful in keeping the crowd interested in the playlist instead of lulled into one music niche, no matter how up-beat it is.

Finally, if you insist on implanting your own tastes, do so with caution, and very sparsely into the list. If that song, or any that may have made the list, changes the general positive mood be sure to change that song as soon as possible. I'm sure there's something going on at a psychological level here, but parties with good vibes from great music last longer, or at least give a lasting impression that you know how to host a platinum party.