#24 hour open restaurant near me

[bizzlane15]

The Ultimate Guide to Finding the Best Indian Restaurant Near Me in Bizzlane

fast food restaurant located in the bustling area of Bizzlane, offering a delectable range of quick bites and meals. Our establishment is conveniently situated in close proximity to your location, providing easy access for those seeking a satisfying meal on-the-go. Our menu boasts a variety of mouth-watering options, including burgers, fries, sandwiches, and more, all prepared with the freshest ingredients and cooked to perfection in bizzlane A 45 Narmada Nagri Part 3, Near Aadarsh Duplex, Opp Gorwa ITI, Gorwa Vadodara 390016 mobile no .93740 30310

[snowysosturn]

Fire & Desire - Matt Sturniolo Part 7

Part 1 Part 2 Part 3 Part 4 Part 5 Part 6 Part 7 Part 8 Part 9 Part 10 Part 11 Part 12 Part 13 Part 14 Part 15 Part 16 Part 17 Part 18 Part 19 Part 20 Part 21 Part 22 Part 23 Part 24 Part 25 Part 26 Part 27 Part 28 Part 29 Finale

Pairing: Y/n x Matt Sturniolo

Summary: Y/n has always clashed with Matt. Despite working for Chris’s clothing brand and being close with Nick, her relationship with Matt has always been tense at best. While being forced to be around each other more, their animosity turns into something deeper. Can they overcome their differences, or will their fiery emotions tear them apart?

Warnings: MDNI, angst, tension, flirting, drinking, being intoxicated

The Uber pulled up to a classy restaurant in downtown LA. Nate held the door open for me, gesturing for me to step out first. “After you, princess” he teased with a grin.

I rolled my eyes, unable to suppress a smile. The place was stunning, candles lit on every table, large groups of people filling each one.

We were seated in the corner with a perfect view of the restaurant as a whole. The menu was overwhelming, filled with dishes I couldn’t even pronounce. Nate, sensing my indecision, leaned over the table. “If you’re stuck, just order the steak. You can’t go wrong with steak.”

I ended up ordering just that with mashed potatoes, while Nate opted for lamb chops. We ordered vodka to the table, how classy, but the conversation flowed effortlessly. Nate had this way of making me feel comfortable, allowing me to forget everything going wrong in my life.

We laughed about faking 7 minutes in heaven last night and swapped embarrassing stories from our teenage years. By the time dessert arrived, we were both sat back in our chairs, not too far off a food coma.

“This place is insane” I said, looking around as the lights dimmed slightly, the atmosphere beginning to change.

“It gets better trust me” Nate replied with a smirk.

As 10pm approached, the restaurant began its transformation. The tables near the center of the room were cleared away, allowing space for a dance floor and a DJ set up at the far end. 

“You ready to have a good time?” Nate asked, already standing and holding out his hand.

I laughed, taking it. “I’m always ready”

We danced in the centre of the dance floor, only ever coming off it to get a drink or take a shot. It felt nice to feel so carefree in the moment. A break away from drama was exactly what I needed.

Hours passed in an instant. We stepped onto the garden terrace for some air, the terrace was quiet, dotted with couples kissing and girl groups gossiping.

I leaned against the railing, staring out at the city lights. Nate stood beside me, his hands in his pockets.

“You like Matt, don’t you?” he said after a moment, his voice unusually serious.

I blinked, caught off guard. “I mean, he seems to be a nice person to everyone else, so-”

“No” Nate interrupted, turning to face me. “I mean, like, like him. Like, you have feelings for him.”

“What would ever make you think that?” raising an eyebrow at him, utterly shocked.

Nate’s eyes softened, almost smirking at me. “From the way you two were last night. The tension? The way you argue? There’s no way you don’t have feelings for each other. It’s written all over your faces.”

“Nate, that’s ridiculous.” I said finally, forcing a laugh. “Matt doesn’t even like me. Half the time, he can barely even tolerate me.”

“That’s not what it looked like to me” Nate countered, his tone calm but firm. “The way he was acting last night? That wasn’t someone who doesn’t care. And you? You wouldn’t have been that upset if you didn’t care either.”

I didn’t know what to say in response, so I stayed looking into the distance.

“Look..” Nate continued, his voice softer now. “I’m not trying to start anything. I just think there’s something there, whether you want to admit it or not. It’s like them.. What are they called?.. Enemies to lovers tropes!” Nate laughed.

“Hmm I’m not too sure of that Nate” I said, trying to play it off. I stared down at my hands, Nate’s words echoing in my mind. Did Matt? Care? Did I? 

Nate’s gaze softened as he studied me, and for a moment, I felt like he could see right through all the walls I’d suddenly built up. “Alright, alright..” he said with a sigh. “If that’s how you feel, I won’t push it. But you’ve got to know, you two are like.. one bad argument away from getting together. It’s obvious.”

I chuckled, trying to let the tension in my chest ease a little. “You’re just being dramatic.”

Nate leaned in, his voice dropping slightly as he added, “I know I am, but you know I’m right. And if you’re really not going to act on it, that’s fine. But if you ever change your mind, I think you should go for it with him. Matt’s a mess, sure, but I’ve seen the way he looks at you. It’s not just him being an ass. There’s more there. And trust me, he won’t be able to keep playing it cool forever.”

His words hung in the air between us, and I couldn’t help but feel my stomach flutter slightly.

“I appreciate the advice” I said, my voice quiet, unsure how to process all the things Nate had just put out there. “But I’m not sure I’m ready for that.”

Nate gave me a smile, as if he was already predicting my answer. “You don’t have to be ready. But sometimes, you just have to let things happen.” He nudged me with his elbow. “Just don’t make the mistake of waiting too long.”

The silence that followed was comfortable, but I couldn’t help the swirling thoughts in my mind. Was Nate right? Was I just afraid to admit that I had feelings for Matt? There was no way.

Nate put a hand to my back, breaking my thoughts. “Anyway, don’t worry about me. I’m just a spectator here. I’ll let you sort out your mess with Mr. Moody. But don’t wait too long to figure it out.”

I couldn’t help but chuckle at how blunt Nate could be. “Thanks for the advice” I said, a little more genuinely this time. “I’ll think about it.”

Nate gave me a wink. “You better.”

And just like that, the conversation shifted, the weight of his words lingering in the back of my mind as we both turned back to the noise and lights of the club. 

“You know what, I’m in the mood for something sweet.. Like a milkshake or something.” I say, hoping Nate sounds up for one too.

"A milkshake? At this hour?" he asked, grinning.

I shrugged, a playful smirk on my lips. "What? Do you not think that sounds nice right now?"

He shook his head, pulling out his phone to look up nearby spots. "No you’re right it does, Mel’s Diner is open 24 hours, and their milkshakes are elite."

We made our way to Mel’s and when we arrived, the place was lively with a mix of night owls and others like us who clearly have been partying all night long.

Sliding into a booth by the window, Nate and I scanned the menu. “You already know what you’re getting?” he asked, his eyes flicking to me.

“Chocolate, obviously” I said with a grin. “What about you?”

“Vanilla” he replied confidently.

I snorted. “Seriously? I never thought anything about you would be vanilla.”

He feigned offense, clutching his chest dramatically. “Hey it’s a classic! You can’t go wrong with it.”

We placed our orders, and just as the milkshakes arrived, Nate’s phone buzzed on the table. He glanced at the screen. The time just hitting 3 am.

“Chris is facetiming me”

Matts POV

The flashing lights of the casino along with the constant dinging of slot machines and chatter of hundreds of people was about to send me into sensory overload. It was the kind of place that was meant to distract you, to make you forget whatever was eating away at you. But even surrounded by all this chaos, my thoughts kept circling back to Y/n.

Christina and Rachel were waiting for us near the roulette tables, all smiles and dressed to a T. Rachel greeted Chris with a playful hug, while Christina’s attention shifted to me. “Long time no see” she said with a flirty smile, brushing her hair over her shoulder. “I got a weird text from you last night.. What was that about?”

My face went scarlet. I forgot about the message Y/n sent off my phone last night.

“Oh sorry, we were playing a drinking game.. Someone had to text something off my phone.. Thats all that was” I try to explain.

“Oh thank god! You had me worried for a sec.” She said with relief.

I gave her a nod, trying to seem engaged, but my mind was elsewhere. My jaw clenched involuntarily as Christina kept chatting, and I couldn’t help but glance at my phone. Nothing. No messages from Nick, no updates from the house. For all I knew, Y/n was out there with Ethan, getting sucked back into his ways.

“Matt?” Christina’s voice broke through my thoughts. “You good?”

I forced a smile. “Yeah, I’m fine.”

Chris, however, wasn’t buying it. He turned to me, almost pulling me to the side, his brows furrowed. “Alright, what’s up with you?”

“Nothing” I said quickly, but Chris wasn’t letting it go.

He stepped closer, lowering his voice so Rachel and Christina couldn’t hear. “You’ve been in a mood all day. What’s going on? This trip is supposed to be fun.”

I sighed, running a hand through my hair. “I’m fine, alright? Just tired.”

Chris was clearly unconvinced. “Bullshit. You’ve been acting like someone stole Trevor since we landed. Plus you had a nap. A five hour long one!”

“I’m literally fine” I muttered, shaking my head. 

“Let me guess, this is about Y/n still?” 

I glared at him, but his smirk only widened.

“Dude, if you’re jealous, just admit it” he said, leaning against the table.

“I’m not jealous.” I snapped.

Chris raised an eyebrow. “Right. So, this whole vibe you’ve got going on has nothing to do with her being on a date with someone else?”

“I don’t care what she's doing.” I muttered, avoiding his gaze.

“Yeah like I believe that” Chris waved me off. “Look, man, if you’ve got feelings for her, maybe you should actually do something about it instead of acting like you can’t stand to be near her.”

I scoffed, but his words hit closer to home than I wanted to admit. “Whatever” I muttered. “Let’s just play.” My tone of voice starting to pick up.

Chris clipped me on the back of the ear, his usual grin returning. “That’s more like it! Let’s have some fun and let loose!.”

I nodded, as Christina sidled up next to me, giggling about the game ahead.

The casino started to feel smaller as the drinks flowed and Christina’s laughter grew louder in my ear. She was leaning closer now, her hand brushing against my arm as she talked about some story I barely paid attention to. I nodded along, my focus dulled by the whiskey and whatever cocktail she’d handed me earlier.

Chris was across the table, grinning as he raked in chips at the roulette wheel. Rachel sat beside him, seemingly just as entertained by his charm. I tried to focus on the game, but Christina’s presence was impossible to ignore.

“You’re quieter than usual tonight” she said, tilting her head to meet my eyes. “Not like you.”

I shrugged, taking another sip of my drink. “Guess I’m just tired.”

Her lips curved into a smirk. “Doesn’t seem like that to me. You’ve just got something on your mind. Maybe I can help take the edge off.”

Before I could respond, Chris clapped his hands together and declared it was time to leave the tables. “Alright, let’s hit somewhere with better music. Nightclub time!”

We piled into the car waiting outside, the city lights blurring as we sped toward one of Vegas’s VIP clubs. The bouncers waved us in after Chris’s charm worked its magic again to secure us a table with bottle service.

Inside, the volume of the music made it impossible to speak to anyone on a normal level. Christina stuck close to me, her arm looping through mine as we made our way to the table. “This is more like it!” she said, pouring me a shot of tequila and handing it over.

I downed it without thinking, the burn in my throat growing. The night was about to blur into a wash of lights, music, and drinks. Christina’s laughter grew louder, her touches more lingering. At some point, she pulled me onto the dance floor. The alcohol hindered my resistance, and I let her lead. Her hands slid over my shoulders as she swayed to the music, her body grinding against mine.

“You’re finally loosening up” she said, leaning close to my ear.

I smirked, though it felt forced. “Guess so.”

The drinks kept coming, the bottles on our table never empty. Chris and Rachel were lost in their own world, and I could feel myself slipping further into the night. Christina leaned in closer, her lips brushing against my ear as she whispered something I didn’t catch over the music. I nodded anyway, letting the moment carry me because, for now, it was easier than facing what was really on my mind.

Chris stumbled up to me, a sloppy grin plastered on his face, it had been a while since I seen him this drunk. “Man, I wish Nate was here!” he slurred, throwing an arm around my shoulder. “He’d be tearing it up right now.”

Chris fumbled with his phone, squinting at the screen, 3 am showing as he pulled up Nate’s contact. “Let’s facetime him. Any bet he’s just sitting around bored as hell. He’ll wish he came when he sees this place!”

Before I could argue, Chris had already pressed the button, and we both leaned in toward the screen. It rang a couple of times before Nate’s face popped up. The background looking nothing like our house.

“What’s up, boyyys?” he greeted, loud enough to make Chris laugh.

“Dude, where are you?” Chris asked, his words tumbling over one another. “We’re out here killing it, and you’re-” He squinted. “Wait, are you at a diner? Drinking.. a milkshake?”

Nate tilted the phone slightly, and sure enough, he was sitting at one of those old school diner booths, milkshake glass in hand. 

“Yeah” Nate said casually. “Gotta get a milkshake after the club, yous should try it later!”

Chris leaned closer to the screen. “Who are you with, though? Don’t tell me you’re solo right now.”

Nate chuckled, glancing off screen before turning the phone slightly. My stomach dropped as the camera panned over to her.

Y/n.

She was sitting across from him, sipping from her own milkshake, looking relaxed and.. happy.

That’s who she’s on a date with? The thought hit me like a bus, and suddenly, everything around me blurred. My ears buzzed, drowning out the rest of the conversation as my brain zoned in on one thing. Her. With Nate.

I turned away from the phone abruptly, needing to put distance between myself and the scene unfolding on the screen. Chris called after me, but I couldn’t stay there. Not while they were laughing and chatting like that.

I didn’t even realize where I was going until Christina appeared in front of me, her hand lightly grazing my arm.

“Hey, you okay?” she asked.

I nodded, though the knot in my chest tightened.

She smiled softly, her eyes searching mine. “What do you say? We go back to your hotel room?”

I hesitated for only a second before nodding again. “Yeah.”

“Alright” she said, slipping her arm through mine. “Let’s get out of here.”

I let her lead the way, my mind still spinning as I tried to push away the image of Y/n with Nate.

Y/n’s POV

It wasn’t long before Nate answered, holding the phone up infront of his face. 

“What’s up, boyyys?” he greeted, I could hear Chris’ laugh through the phone, assuming Matt is also there since he technically just addressed them both.

“Dude, where are you?” Chris asked, his words tumbling over one another. “We’re out here killing it, and you’re.. Wait, are you at a diner? Drinking.. a milkshake?”

Nate tilted the phone slightly, to show Chris he was sitting at a diner booth, while getting the view of his milkshake in. 

“Yeah” Nate said casually. “Gotta get a milkshake after the club, yous should try it later!”

“Who are you with, though? Don’t tell me you’re solo right now.” I hear Chris question.

Nate chuckled, glancing at me. Soon after he panned the camera around to show me.

“Is this who you’re on a date with?!” Chris’s voice cut through the background noise, a hint of surprise and confusion in his tone. I couldn’t help but laugh, shaking my head slightly.

“It’s not really a date” I said quickly, trying to clear up the confusion. “We’re just friends.”

“Yeah” Nate chimed in, “just friends. Nothing crazy.”

Chris, however, didn’t seem convinced. “Yeah, but I thought you-” He paused, almost as if he was reconsidering something. “Your Instagram story?”

I bit my lip, god it really was getting a reaction, but before I could respond, Nate jumped in. “You know, I told her to use that caption. So, don’t get all worked up.

Chris laughed to himself, clearly having a great time in Vegas considering how drunk he sounds right now.

“Hey where did Matt go?” Nate asked, his tone casual, but there was an underlying curiosity there.

Chris’s voice came through the phone again, a bit distracted. “He’s with Christina” he said, like it wasn’t a big deal.

The words hit me harder than I expected. Christina? My stomach twisted in a way that felt unfamiliar, and I caught myself gripping my milkshake glass just a little too tightly. Why did it bother me? I had no reason to care. Matt was free to do whatever, or whoever, he wanted.

But the ache in my chest didn’t match the logic in my head.

Nate, always perceptive, raised an eyebrow at me. “You okay?”

I forced a shrug, trying to act like it didn’t affect me. “Yeah, why wouldn’t I be?” I said, taking another sip of my milkshake to buy myself time.

I knew Nate was wrong.

Matt Sturniolo doesn’t like me.

a/n: nate is playing matchmaker and EVERYONES jumping to conclusions

taglist : @mattybearnard @sturn-33 @ncm9696 @yourfavsturniologirl @crazy4jewel @sodakid1234 @stupendoustreewinner @lovealwayssturniolos @matthewsturniolosss @m4ttsmunch @loveexxx @ilusa @starkeyszn @wonnieeluvvr @dylnblue @valxrieq @maggot3647 @cigarettecemetary @ribread03 @chrisstvrns @bandasaruswrx @noplaceissafeanymore @amexiass @witchofthehour @mattssgf @jetaimevous @v33angel  @ivysturnss @urmom69lol @ashlishes @watercolorskyy @sturnioloshottiekay @amelia-sturniolo3 @imjusthereforthesturniolosmut @pvssychicken @alizestvrnss @chrisstxrnsaxe @sophand4n4 @vickytaa @marrykisskilled @bxtchboy69 @yourfavsturniologirl @julisturn @sydneyylainn @sophia-77n @trevorsgodmother @sturnslutz @yourmother29 @girl24cherry @astronea @pinkdyit

[jxtina-86]

The Chase - Part 3

Thanks for all the likes for part 2!

In case you missed the earlier parts:

Part 1

Part 2

Pairing: Lando x Fem!OC

Warning: Swearing. Sexual tension you can slice a knife through. Some v mild smut.

Word Count: 4.5k

Likes/Comments/Reblogs welcome! Enjoy!

“Merci,” she says to the waiter as they leave the restaurant, half distracted by Lando’s hand firmly in the small of her back as they walk out the door.

The tension between them is still thick. The rest of the lunch passed in a blur of innuendo and light touches between them, his hand finding hers again when the plates were removed. She’s not entirely sure how she managed to eat at all, the way his eyes kept meeting hers, accompanied with suggestive nods, winks and grins.

He opens the car door for her again, but this time as she passes him to get in, he slips his arm around her waist. Shielded behind the door and almost out of sight, he moves in. She lets him, her mouth already clamouring for him. He kisses her softly at first, feeling her melt into his embrace for a second before she kisses him back and the intensity builds. His fingers run through her hair, holding her to him as her own fingers dance over his upper arms. He pulls back with a soft whine of his own and she can’t help but giggle.

A giggle that soon fades when she sees him bite his lip as he stares down at her. She nudges him back with a grin.

“Down boy,” she murmurs. He pouts but lets her slip past him into the car. He closes the door behind her and she watches as he walks around the car, pulling his sunglasses back onto his face. She leans her head to the side, watching as he gets in and gets comfortable in the seat.

“What?” he gives her a grin when he spots her watching him.

“Nothing,” she murmurs as the car rumbles into life. As he clicks his seatbelt in, his hand reaches over the central console to find hers. She shifts closer to him as he drags it over to rest on his thigh as he glances in his mirrors before pulling out back onto the road. It feels way too intimate a gesture given she didn’t know him less than 24 hours ago, but she can’t bring herself to move her hand.

Then again, she thinks, maybe it isn’t as intimate as what she wants to be doing with him. She glances at the clock and sees it’s only just nearing 1.30pm. Apart from joking around, he’s not mentioned anything else for this afternoon and she feels a slight pit of dread that despite everything, he’s had enough of the game playing and will just opt to drop her back to the villa.

She feels her phone vibrate in her bag and reluctantly withdraws her hand to check it. A voice note from Ruby.

“No no,” Ruby starts. “Well, I hope he does hear it. Right, M. We are all going to the beach. So if you and Lando have managed to get through lunch unscathed and need somewhere to take a post-pizza… siesta shall we say, then you have this place all to yourselves. Enjoy!” She finishes with a trill and there’s a fit of laughter in the background before the voice note ends.

“Okay, well I’ve never regretted listening to a voice note more in my life,” Mia cringes as Lando snorts beside her.

“They’ve really got your best interests at heart,” he comments.

“That’s one way to put it.” She decides to ignore the message and puts her phone back in her bag. “So where are we going?”

“Yours, apparently,” he winks over at her.

“Absolutely not. They’ll find an excuse to come back early.”

“Don’t want them catching us in the act?”

“Oh, you are mighty sure of yourself aren’t you? You’re as bad as them.”

He chuckles. “So where do you want to go?”

“Surprise me.”

He scrapes his hand over his chin. “Okay.”

Without taking his eyes off the road, he reaches over to take her hand again, moving it back onto his leg, his fingers splaying over hers as he controls the steering wheel with one hand.

“Needy,” she says softly, watching his lips twitch into a grin.

“You have no idea,” he murmurs in reply.

**

His hands steady her hips, his chest pressed against her back. She takes a deep breath as his hands slip to hers, ghosting over her wrists before his fingers slip between hers.

His breath tickles the back of my neck as he helps her guide the golf club towards the ball towards the hole.

Mini golf was certainly an interesting choice. After the secluded lunch, it felt so open and public. And within minutes of Lando exiting the car, he was approached by a dad and son for a photo. However, she was pleasantly surprised how Lando immediately engaged with the young kid, signed his shirt and crouched down to pose for a photo. The kid looked so ecstatic, the dad too when Mia offered to take a photo of the three of them together. Lando had caught her eye with a slightly surprised look when she'd made the suggestion and when the dad and boy departed, he'd taken her hand again and given it a soft squeeze.

Her golf skills definitely lacked but that didn't seem to bother Lando. In fact, he seemed to be revelling in being able to give her some very hands on advice as they made their way around the course. At the start, she'd felt pretty self conscious about how close he stood behind her, touching her shoulders, arms, hands. She’d recalled his earlier words about photos from onlookers and was wary of how compromising it might look. But he clearly had either forgotten or didn't care anymore and after a while, Mia was caring less about what people might see and more on concentrating on breathing as Lando continued to touch her at every given opportunity.

“What’s the score?” She asked him as he bent over to pick up her ball from the hole.

“I thought you were keeping track.”

“In that case, I’m definitely winning.”

He laughs as they head to the next and final part hole of the course. He goes first, hitting it perfectly so the ball rides the full crest of the hill and down the otherside. He misses the final hole, but he’s not even paying attention, beckoning her forward so yet again, he can make a show of lining her up for the perfect shot.

They are both way too caught up in the moment to hear the faint rumble of thunder in the distance and the dark clouds that are gathering overhead.

His chin rests on her shoulder as his hands slide over hers yet again. But as she swings the club back, his lips meet the crook of her neck.

“Stop it,” she giggles, letting the club swing back without hitting the ball. “I’m trying to concentrate.”

“I’ve been wanting to do that all afternoon,” he mumbles, grinning unashamedly as she tips her head to look back at him.

“Are you going to let me take this shot? Especially as I haven’t done anything to distract your turns.”

“Yes, you have,” he counters, his hands still over hers.

“How?”

“Just being here.”

She rolls her eyes as he guides her arms back again to take the shot. Like his ball before, hers rolls over the crest of the hill too, but hers actually makes it into the hole with a satisfying clatter. 

“I win!” She says gleefully, twisting to grin at him. He grins back, his eyes flickering down before he leans forward to kiss her. His arms curl around her body, holding her close as he pulls back for a second, before his lips meet hers again.

“Congrats,” he murmurs against her mouth.

The first splatters of rain go unnoticed. It's only when it becomes a steady beat that he looks up and around. “C’mon.”

“Typical,” Mia grumbles as they make their way back towards the car park and the rain picks up in intensity.

By the time they get back to the car, they are both drenched. Lando’s white T-shirt is clinging to him like a second skin, whilst her dress is slowly turning see-through. 

Inside the car, Lando scrapes a hand through his wet curls, whilst Mia looks down at her drowned-rat state. She catches his eye and they both burst into laughter, his infectious, making her laugh more.

“Don't take this the wrong way,” he eventually gets out. “But do you want to come back to mine to dry off?”

**

The drive to his apartment building is short and she’s soon standing feeling slightly awkward in his kitchen as he fetches a towel for her. He reappears a moment later, one towel slung over his shoulder whilst unfolding a large towel for her and wrapping it around her.

“Thanks,” she murmurs, moving the towel to dry the ends of her hair. He stands opposite her, running his own towel over his head briefly, before he tosses it aside and peels his T-shirt up and over his head.

Mia feels her mouth go slightly dry. The wet T-shirt had left little to the imagination, but to suddenly see his tanned and toned chest before her is still a wonderfully unexpected surprise of the entire day. He gives her a shy smile when he catches her looking.

“Did anyone tell you it’s rude to stare?”

“Can’t help it,” she replies, vaguely wondering when the tables had turned and she was the one unable to keep her desires in check.

She looks down and realises there is water actually dripping off her dress, pooling on the floor. “Shit,” she mutters.

He doesn’t say anything, just disappears for a second time and then reappears with a pure white fluffy robe. “Here, have this. You can change in there if you want,” he points to where he’s come from.

She pads past him, feeling his eyes boring into the back of her head as she sees the open door to his bedroom. Closing the door behind her, she places the towel and robe on the bed. Glancing around his room, it’s tidier than she had imagined.

Reaching behind her, she fumbles to find the zip to the dress, grimacing as her fingers try and fail to grasp it.

Sighing, she opens the door. “Lando?”

He appears in an instant and she swallows as she realises he has stripped down completely, with just the towel wrapped around his waist. “What’s up?”

“I… I can’t reach the zip on my dress.”

“Oh.”

He approaches slowly and she turns, scooping her damp hair out of the way. His fingers brush across her back for a brief second before he finds the zip and tugs it down at what feels like a glacial pace. She looks over her shoulder as she hears his breath hitch as he realises she’s not wearing a bra. She expects him to leave the zip there, but he continues to drag it down south to where it ends as the base of her spine.

She looks back over her shoulder. “Thanks,” she whispers.

“No… No problem,” he says, clearing his throat.

She steps forward, letting the dress slip from her shoulders and pool at her feet as she reaches for the robe. Glancing over her shoulder she sees he is still standing in the doorway staring at her transfixed. He blinks and meets her gaze.

“Sorry,” he mumbles. “I'll be…”

He retreats and closes the door, leaving her to wrap the bathrobe around herself. Scooping up her dress, she heads back out to the kitchen to find him leaning against the counter scrolling through his phone. He looks up, a smile crossing his face.

“Do you want a drink?”

She shakes her head. “I'm okay, thanks.”

She has to pass him by to drop her wet dress on the chair next to where her bag and shoes sit, but he slides a hand around her waist pulling her against him. His mouth finds hers a second later as he turns them so she’s sandwiched between him and the counter.

She feels a hand slip around the back of her neck, his thumb grazing her jaw. A moan echoes through her, vibrating through her lips. His other hand grips her waist as hers slide over his firm shoulders, feeling him flex at her touch.

He breaks away, both of them catching their breath for a second. He looks at her through his thick eyelashes, his eyes dark with lust as he tips her head back gently. Pressing a chaste kiss to her mouth, he presses another to her cheek, jaw and then ducks his head to press a slow, open-mouthed kiss to the side of her neck. His tongue wets her skin, before his lips tighten over the spot and she lets out an audible gasp. Her back arches and he takes full advantage by scooping his arm around her waist and lifting her effortlessly onto the counter.

Her hands slide up the back of his impossibly thick neck and into his hair. She tugs softly and he releases his kiss on her neck with a groan. He snickers softly, his fingers rubbing over the spot and she stares down at him in disbelief.

“Did you…”

“Whoops,” he grins. “Only a small one…”

“Lando…” she groans.

He stares up at her, eyes wide, the colour of his irises barely visible with how dilated his pupils are.

Lifting his head, he cups her face gently with both hands, his eyes focused on her mouth. She can't fight the soft sigh that escapes her as he kisses her and he definitely doesn't hold back the moan as she curls a leg around his hips to draw him closer.

Against the heel of her foot she can feel his towel starting to slip. She goes to reach for it with her hand but it's too late and instead all she finds is bare waist as the towel slips out of reach. He doesn't seem to notice or even care, his mouth still on hers.

She pulls away, giggling as he whines. “Your towel,” she tells him.

“Don't care,” he mumbles, pressing soft kisses across her jaw as she giggles again. He tilts his hips back slightly and she feels the towel slip away entirely. His hands ghost down her robed body to her waist, tugging her closer to him. The robe itself is still tightly knotted around her waist but he pushes the material covering her legs aside, his fingers grazing down her thighs as he encourages her to wrap both her legs around his body.

She gasps as she feels his length nudge her inner thigh. He captures her mouth again, the kiss deepening as her hand tentatively skims up over his back, over his shoulder and down his chest between them.

Neither of them notice the knock on the door, then the key turning, not until:

“Shit, sorry!”

Mia feels herself freeze, her hand on Lando’s stomach and he groans as he pulls away from her, his head resting briefly in the crook of her neck before he raises it and looks over his shoulder.

“Max, what the fuck?” His voice is a strained rasp.

“I… I did knock,” his friend reassures and Mia recognises him from the previous evening.

“Get the hint next time,” Lando grumbles.

“I’ll go-” Max starts to back up.

“It's fine,” Mia says, retracting her hand from between them as gracefully as possible.

“No, no,” Lando practically whines, even in front of his friend. “He’s going.”

She giggles. “Yeah, even so… I should go.”

He pouts at her, his eyes pleading. “Please…”

She shakes her head. Out of the corner of her eye she can see Max backing out of the room so she tucks a finger under Lando’s chin. “Bolt the door next time.”

His eyes light up. “When?”

She laughs. “Soon.”

He groans, reluctantly releasing her as he steps back to pick up his towel.

But not before she casts a casual look down and swallows as she catches a glimpse of his dick. She tilts her head to the side as he tucks the towel back around his waist.

“Naughty,” he murmurs and she looks up, cheeks flushing red, caught in the act. “Like something you see?”

She nods without thinking and he grins, reaching out to lift her off the counter. She spots her dress on the floor, still soaked.

“Can I borrow a hoodie or something?” She asks and he takes her hand, leading her back to his bedroom. Opening the wardrobe, he pulls out a jumper and then he rifles through a drawer and pulls out a pair of jogging bottoms.

“They've got a drawstring, in case they're loose,” he says as he hands them over.

“Thanks.” She doesn't wait for him to leave. Perched on the edge of the bed, she pulls the trousers up her legs. Tightening the cord as much as she can, she stands and is relieved to find they only drop slightly.

Glancing over her shoulder, she sees he’s preoccupied in picking out his own clothes so she quickly undos the dressing gown, letting it fall away and replacing it with the jumper.

Despite it being clean, it smells like him and she quietly lifts the collar to her nose and breathes him in. The sleeves are slightly too long so she rolls them up and by the time she's finished adjusting herself, she turns to see him dressed and pulling a baseball cap over his messy hair.

Back in the kitchen, he finds a bag for her soaked dress as she slips her trainers back on. Then his hand finds hers as they head back to the car park. She naturally veers towards the Urus, but he tugs her away and instead directs her towards what she spots is a Porsche.

Opening the door for her, he takes her hand so she can steady herself as she lowers herself into the seat. He slides into the driving seat with ease, firing up the engine that echoes around the car park as they cruise back out onto the road.

She watches him out of the corner of her eye. She knows zero about cars but she has to admit there is something incredibly attractive about the way he handles the vehicle. The confidence he exudes as he navigates the traffic out of the principality and then settles back to open her up as they hit the main road. She on the other hand is fighting to remain calm as they pick up speed and it takes all her effort not to wince when he takes a corner.

“You okay?” He grins over at her.

“Yup.”

He laughs. “You've gone pale.”

“Shut up,” she grumbles, making him laugh louder.

“Blame Max. If he hadn't interrupted us-”

“Compensating are you?” She teases. “Needed to show off in another way?”

“Something like that,” he concedes.

She chews her lip for a second and then boldly moves her hand over to his thigh. He feels him tense at her touch and she looks up to see his jaw clench ever so briefly, before he exhales steadily.

She looks away and out the window nonchalantly but inside, she's secretly thrilled at how much he's fighting to keep it together.

They hit a straight in the road, but rather than hit the accelerator, he keeps the car steady. A hand drops to find hers, bringing it up to his mouth for a brief second before he places it back on his leg.

She feels giddy - the combination of their intense but interrupted kiss in his kitchen, the feel and scent of his clothes on her, the power of the car, the way the backwards baseball cap suits him to a T, the sense of neediness she gets from him, the way when she closes her eyes she can see that one second glimpse of his dick and how long and thick it looked.

He steers the car off the main road, both hands back on the wheel as they take the windy road that leads them back to the villa. She's suddenly flooded with regret that they didn't continue what they started earlier. Why did she open her mouth to say she should go home?

“When can I see you again?” He asks suddenly as if sensing her regret.

“I… I have plans tomorrow with the girls. And I've got to get some work done on Monday…”

“Monday evening?” He ventures hopefully. “Come back to mine? I can get dinner for us…”

She nods. “That sounds good.”

He grins excitedly. “I’ll pick you up.”

“You can come to the door again,” she says in a relaxed tone that surprises even her.

“Wow,” he breathes. “You've changed your tune.”

She giggles. “I know you’ll do it anyway so I’m just giving you my consent.”

He brings the car to a halt outside the villa, letting the engine idle for a bit. A bit too long. Barely a minute passes as they sit unsure of how to say goodbye but out of the corner of her eye, Mia spots the gate cracking open and Lydia looking directly at them.

“I think we need new friends,” she points at Lydia who at least has the good grace to duck away but not before Lando also spots her.

“Cockblockers,” he groans with a slight chuckle as he scrapes his hand over his face.

“Definitely,” she winks at him. “Maybe change your locks for Monday?”

“Don't tempt me.”

She pulls her hand from his leg, gathering her bag. “I should go before they all-” she looks up to see all four girls now crowded around the gate. “Too late.”

“Wait there,” he murmurs, opening his door. She watches him give the girls a brief acknowledgement as he rounds the car and opens her door. Holding his hand out, he pulls her into a hug. Slipping his finger under her chin, he tilts her face up to his and places a soft, tender kiss on her mouth.

She hears giggles of glee from the gathered group as he releases her and slips his arm casually around her shoulders as they walk towards them.

She sees Ruby raise an eyebrow as she takes in her new outfit.

“We thought it was you,” Lydia smirks. “We could hear that car a mile off.”

“Good time, was it?” Ruby winks. “Love your new jumper, M.”

“Why’s your hair all frizzy?” Lizzie frowns.

“And where's your dress?” Cass grins.

“Shoo,” Mia waves her hand at them. “Can't you give us a moment's peace?”

“No,” Ruby says bluntly but they all reluctantly move back inside the gate. 

“So,” she turns her face up to his. “I’ll see you on Monday.”

“Monday.”

“Monday?” She hears Ruby echo.

Mia looks round to see Ruby standing just inside the gate. “Go away,” she says through gritted teeth.

“Invite him tomorrow. More the merrier. In fact, Lando, bring some friends too.”

“What’s tomorrow?” Lando whispers to Mia. “I thought you had plans?”

“We do,” she tells him.

“It's my birthday,” Ruby interrupts. “And all I want for my birthday is you happy,” she points at Mia. “And you,” she points at Lando, “are clearly making her very happy. So you are more than welcome to join us.”

“Ah, I don't wanna impose,” he says.

“No imposing, I'm inviting you!” Ruby insists before she sees Mia’s face. “Fine, work it out between you but all I'm saying is that he is welcome and if you want to bring some extra friends, we will make them welcome too.” She grins with a wink, dodging out of the way of Mia’s hand and heading back up the path.

“What are the birthday plans then?”

“She’s hired a yacht for the day.”

“Nice. Just the five of you?”

“No, some other friends she knows from around here. I think there's maybe 15 in total. It's a mixed group I think…” She trails off. “You don't have to come to be polite to her.”

“Do you want me to come?”

She chews her lip. “Don't feel like you have to round up some friends for her sake.”

“Is that a yes?” His eyes light up. She nods and he grins. “Text me where and when.”

His arms wrap around her as he turns her towards him. Leaning down he kisses her once, twice, a third time before he releases her. “See you tomorrow,” he grins, backing away to the car, biting his lip and making her stomach flip for a final time.

She leans against the gate, watching him leave.

“Aw, it’s like love’s young dream,” coos Lydia from the door as Lando disappears around the corner and Mia closes the gate. “So, Mia, care to tell us why you’re wearing a jumper and joggers that are clearly not yours?”

“We got caught in the rain,” Mia explains as she heads past. “My dress went see-through.”

“This is why you should have taken him back here,” Ruby winks. “So where did he take you?”

She starts to debrief them about lunch, the golf and then the rainstorm. But she pauses when she reaches the part about going back to his apartment.

“C’mon, you’re holding back on us,” Cass says knowingly. “You clearly went back to his place!”

“You don’t need to give us all the details, but we will willingly take them,” Lizzie grins.

“There are no details. He drove us to his place, he got me a towel and a robe and I got changed.”

“Well, you’re not wearing a robe now,” Lydia points out.

“Obviously, I couldn’t wear that in the car back here, could I?”

“So what was the point of the robe-” Ruby pauses and then laughs. “What happened between you putting on the robe and getting into this get up?”

“Nothing.” Mia feels her face flushing as she runs her hand through her hair.

“Hang on,” Ruby catches her wrist. “What is that on your neck?”

“Nothing,” Mia wrestles her hand free.

“It’s a fucking love bite!”

“Now you have to spill the beans,” insists Lydia. “Although it feels pretty obvious.”

Mia groans. “You are all getting ahead of yourselves. Nothing happened. We… we got interrupted.”

“Uh-huh, a love bite is nothing. Sure. Hang on, who interrupted?” Lydia asks.

“His friend. He’s obviously a close friend, he had a key to his apartment and walked in on us.”

“Walked in on you doing what?” Cass raises her eyebrows.

“Kissing.”

“The fact that you are blushing like mad, means it was more than just a kiss,” Ruby points out. “And it clearly was, given he basically branded you.”

“Fine, but you cannot make any mention of this tomorrow.”

“Ah, he’s coming, isn't he?” Ruby grins. “I don’t know why you didn’t invite him in the first place.”

“Because it’s your birthday?” Mia frowns at her. “Not mine.”

“Whatever. Back on topic. What happened?”

Mia closes her eyes. “We were kissing, his towel ended up on the floor and that’s when his mate walked in.” She opens her eyes to see them all staring at her transfixed. “Stop it. Do not mention this to anyone. Especially him. I don’t want to be seen as gossiping about him.”

“Secret’s safe,” Ruby promises. “But just one more thing. He dropped his towel… Did you get a y’know,” she wiggles her eyebrows. “A preview?”

Mia doesn’t need to say anything. Her grin says it all.

****

Thanks for reading - back with part 4 soon...!

[qu1cks1lversb1tch]

A Deal | Vox x Gen Z Reader

A/N— Decided to turn my little drabble into a little series of one-shots based off of ideas I come up with and any requests y'all may have for it 💅🏻 ALSO a huge thank you to @writteninlunarlight-years for the idea that inspired me to kickstart the series! It's very much 'enemies to lovers' core (kinda, I guess?), but I have no idea how far this will go lol. Hope everyone enjoys this — sorry it took so long :)

Warnings: Reader is implied female, Valentino existing, mentions of souls being owned, reader is close to being an overlord

Word Count: 1,724

Summary: You were a growing threat — and what better way to keep an eye on said threat, than to have you start living under the same roof as three of the most influential overlords in Hell? This is only the beginning. . .

Since your arrival to Hell, things had been nothing short of interesting — from your offers that couldn't be refused, all the way to the demon's that warily approached or backed off when you were near.

It was quite the spectacle.

You were quickly rising within the ranks of Hell, from a mere sinner to damn near an overlord — for all the souls you claimed in a few short months. It was noticeable — your social climbing.

What you hadn't expected was two overlords reaching out in the same day, both itching for some sort of deal.

You'd heard whispers of the feared Radio Demon and practically laughed at the thought of people being scared of him — sure his smile was off-putting, but other than that, you didn't really see the hype.

So when he approached you outside of the Café you'd began to frequent, striking up casual conversation as if you were old friends, you quickly understood what was going on.

He was powerful. You were becoming more powerful. He offered guidance and you knew there was a 'but' coming.

When it dropped, you sighed, before sipping on your warm beverage.

"I can offer you guidance, and in return, I want your soul as a pledge of undying loyalty, my dear!" He made a hand motion, as if he planned on writing your name in the stars — could you even see the stars from Hell?

"I'm sorry — but other than guidance, what do I get out of it? I've done well on my own for the last six months."

Protection. Respect. Free housing. It had almost been tempting — especially the free housing, especially in that economy. . . But in the end, you had told him that you'd think about it.

In reality, you wouldn't.

Giving up your freedom for half the shit you could get on your own? He had you fucked up.

Then there was Vox; the wide open rival of Alastor. You'd actually seen him around, having been in a couple clubs he was coincidentally visiting at the same time.

When he approached you, it was three hours later and you were actively sending a message to the group chat of demons whose souls you owned, over Sinstagram. You were simply reminding them of the consequences if they took the food that CLEARLY had your name written on it.

You didn't care that you were sitting in a restaurant — if any of them touched that leftover sub quarter, you'd kill them, and not in a funny or ironic way. You'd actually kill them double dead with no return. 

When you looked up, he questioned your business with 'the fossil' and was met with a blank stare rather than words.

He clarified that he meant Alastor.

"Oh. I don't have any." You replied simply, reading the few messages that popped up on screen.

At the revelation, he was pleased and began listing off all of the things he could provide that Alastor 'would fail miserably at'.

Money. Protection. Respect. A sounding board for ideas. Anything your heart desired. All at a small cost of being under his surveillance almost 24/7.

That snatched your attention away from the two demons who began arguing in their native languages. Did you understand them? Fuck no. Would you be translating that later? Abso-fuckin-lutely.

"And what's in it for you?" You asked the TV demon. You didn't like the thought of being under surveillance and having little to no privacy, but his deal had already been sweetened by Vox not wanting your soul.

"Power all the way around. With my influence, you can be a billion times better than that staticky prick. You'll practically have demons begging on their knees."

"Tempting." You admitted.

"What do you think?"

"Eh, fuck it. Why the hell not?"

From there it was a flurry of events — you remembered eating, but then you were leaving with Vox and then quickly found yourself in a meeting room with the other Vees and shit you had to sign, stating that you wouldn't spill any details of the inner workings of any of the three companies.

Who did he take you for?

Once you read each document thoroughly, making sure it wasn't a contract for your soul, you signed your name on the tablets screen and sat back in your seat, pulling out your phone to begin translating the argument from the beginning.

"Great! Ground rules — our private spaces are off limits unless we explicitly tell you otherwise, that includes bedrooms, offices, and basically everything that isn't a —"

"Uh-huh, got it." You mumbled — snorting at the beyond creative insults that began to flood the screen in English.

"Listen—"

"It's my nap time, TV boy. If you can put this conversation in a text, do it." You sighed, stretching your limbs. They popped as you stood — who showed these fuckers how to make gifs of each other?

Oh.

You did. HA!

"You know I can kill you, right?" Vox questioned, his claws digging into the table.

"So could a really motivated duck — or a Canadian goose. Those things are straight out of Hell, Box."

"It's Vox." He growled.

Ooh spicy. "Whatever —"

"Can you be serious for five minutes?"

"Ok boomer."

His screen glitched and his claws dug further into the desk as he stared at you.

Velvette barked a laugh and looked away from her phone long enough to see Vox on the verge of malfunctioning, a smirk slipping onto her face. "Can we keep her? I like this one."

"This one's more tolerable than the last." Valentino mused, blowing his smoke into the air. He leaned forward in his seat, uncrossing his legs. "And we don't even know her name."

"The name's Y/N. Don't wear it out." You winked before turning around and exiting the door you had been ushered through, however long ago. The moment the door closed, you heard Vox angrily talking with Velvette and Valentino, who were much calmer than the TV overlord.

Oh, this will be fun. A good idea, for sure.

Thirty minutes later, when you were in the room Vox had told you was yours, both Velvette and Valentino followed you on Sinstagram before adding you to the Vees official group chat.

Your first week living with the Vees went by rather quickly — of course, you respected their privacy as requested, spending most of your time in your room or the common areas which mostly consisted of the kitchen, living room, and game room.

Still, you'd managed to piss Vox off three more times, and got Velvette and Valentino to join in without trying.

Velvette quickly picked up your terminology, calling Vox a boomer at any given opportunity. It pissed him off to no end. Valentino had only done it twice, mostly because they both spent a lot of time working and only interacted with Vox when he had the time to.

Within the first seventy-two hours, you noticed the weird obsession Vox had with Alastor and you sarcastically quoted a scene from a movie at dinner that night.

"Is this love, Agent Romanoff?"

And he had looked at you weirdly, pausing mid rant. Later you had to explain to the other two that it was from a movie — and who Agent Romanoff was.

Vox avoided you mostly, which you chalked up to him thinking you were annoying. Good.

By the end of the first month, Velvette had you chilling with her while she worked, usually with you being the sounding board for her ideas.

More often than not, you had good ideas.

That little fact prompted her to throw you a sketch book, telling you to get to work.

You were getting paid to be there, so whatever.

When you weren't with Velvette, you were declining Valentino's countless invitations to sit with him while he worked — you wanted nothing to do with that. Porn wasn't really your thing, even when you were alive, but you had a bunch of friends who were super into it.

Instead you went out alone, claiming you were getting lunch for yourself. You'd get lunch, after making a few deals with wayward demons who would thrive under your influence.

That one particular day, you hadn't noticed either presence behind you, until a fight broke out, causing you to turn around to see Alastor and Vox going at each other's throats — and not in an interesting way.

You somehow broke it up just after Alastor cracked Vox's screen.

"Why the fuck are you here?" You bit out harshly, directed at the two overlords who now stood three feet apart like scolded children, neither pleased to be there.

"You left without saying anything." Vox crossed his arms.

"You hadn't reached out, my dear." Alastor hummed, distastefully glancing over at the TV demon.

You groaned, throwing your head back. "Listen, get the fuck over yourselves! At this rate, I answer to Velvette, not the two of you boomers. Got it?"

Alastors eyes began to twitch as static filled the air, whereas Vox's cracked screen glitched as you walked away.

Later, when Vox approached you, you noticed that his screen was fixed. That was good.

"Got a minute, [Y/N]?" He questioned.

You looked up from the sketch book in hand and nodded, mumbling 'sure' as you closed it. You were tired from the long day.

So his next question caught you off guard.

"Why do you do this to me?"

"Do what?"

"Why do you purposely piss me off? You get along with everyone else, yet you call me names and disrespect my entire existence. Why?"

You sighed, not really having a real answer. "That's just the way I am, how I've always been. . . And in my defense, I call everyone names. . . Not just you. So, don't think you're special, Box—"

"— Vox —"

"I'm a bitch to everyone, just most don't realize it because their bitch scale broke a long time ago. Now, go. I have shit to do that doesn't involve stroking your fragile ego."

Vox wasn't sure what it was, but he knew he was going to keep a closer eye on you. What was so different about you?

You were close enough in biological age to Velvette, yet while there were similarities, there were so many differences. . . He wasn't sure what to think about any of it. Especially with you climbing up the power ladder.

[yannaryartside]

THE NEW 'MENU" IS GONNA BE HELL FOR SYD

I have been reading Sous Chef: 24 Hours on the Line –by Michael Gibney because I wanted to understand more about Sydney's future responsibilities. I know next to nothing about the cooking industry, and this show particularly doesn't want to waste time explaining the context to the untrained eye (which is fair, we are here for the drama).

Man, this book was so awesome. It is literally like experiencing a The Bear episode in book format. It takes you through the whole routine, explaining who does what, the expectations, skillsets, and the emotional burden of each position. The protagonist is, of course, the sous chef, and what I have read made me feel scared for Sydney next season. So, every fact I display here is because the book presented it as the expected.

THE BEAR'S CASE

Now, a clarification: As I understand, the CDC supervises the whole kitchen, which is Syd's official title. But Carmy will technically still act as CDC since most executives don't move a finger; they are supposed to be there only to ensure rules and quality standards are followed.

The CDC is the person in the kitchen that everyone answers "yes chef/Oui chef too. The one that calls the orders and keeps everyone in line. The one who has the final say about what goes out of the kitchen. Under them, there is the sous, making sure all the operations are in order.

So you will technically have two CDCs; just one of them will have the final say, and you will have Tina as the sous. But that puts Sydney in a position to act both as CDC and a Sous, so I am using the book to guide what we may expect her to endure. This as a report made last minute with only two sources (pretty good, but still only two). Now, lets begin.

A very inexperienced staff: The author created a fictional restaurant based on his experiences, merging people he has met over the years to give you an idea of the most common in the industry. But it made something very clear to me: the staff of the bear, especially the line cooks, do not possess the training to operate at the level that Carmy is requesting. They better send them to culinary school before officially opening. I don't know why (I actually blame Carmy for this), but they haven't prioritized hiring certified staff since the beginning. They should have never had an opening day without knowing their staff and, if they were as green as Syd described them, sent their asses to culinary school right away. The fact they only bothered to send Tina and Ebra is baffling. And even when training is essential, experience is what can make the difference in unprecedented scenarios, and everything that Carmy is asking is pretty unprecedented by definition.

With the menu changing every day, Sydney's job as a cook herself and as the captain of many cooks is going to be darm near impossible.

Actually, in the book, there were two sous chefs, one for opening and one for closing. Even if you delegate the administrative task normally reserved for the morning sous chef to someone like Natalie (managing schedules and callouts, checking deliveries, and inspecting the state of the food before opening), it would still leave a lot of things on Sydney's plate. I am gonna be quoting this article:

"Few are the kitchens I’ve worked or sta’aged in where the Sous Chef wasn’t doing all the work that the general public thinks the Chef is doing.  And don’t get me wrong, such is the natural progression of things and not without good reason.  But more often than not, while the Chef is the General, with his/her name on the line, the Sous Chef is the lieutenant, seeing to it that the work gets done in the trenches".

During service, the chef (CDC) plates the dishes in the pass, but before that, the sous has to check the food the line cook brings; they need to be aware of how the executive chef likes a particular dish, the consistency, temperature, and other culinary details. Again, Carmy will act as CDC here and Syd as sous. Even though I didn't see them do this in f&f, it will likely be necessary for the future. Carmy changing the recipes constantly is gonna make it virtually impossible for Sydney to keep up, with their particular preparation, and since they are gonna be the final portal after the food gets to be presented to the client, it could cause a lot of friction between them.

Not only that, the sous chef normally leads the preparation of the specials (since in most restaurants, the ordinary menu has been established, only the specials can change every day) For both sous chefs in the book, leading prep consumed most of their time before opening, since, again, the executive has already trained them in how he prefers certain parts of the recipe. Again, in the Bear's circumstances, this will probably also be Sydney's job.

Replacing staff. The book even includes a scenario when a line cook fails, and the sous has to cover that station. Sydney is kind of destined to experience this, too, considering how unreliable their staff could be. If that happens, Carmy will be alone at the pass, checking every element before plating, which will obviously cause a delay.

Tina is the sous, and it will be interesting to see how she manages that; she definitely doesn't have the experience, and these expectations are definitely no industry standard. It hurts me that Sydney may suggest hiring another sous to work next to her or another cook who actually has experience operating in the industry to level up her workload. That is where I think Luca's role will be next season, if he goes to work for them. He probably has the skill set to do it. There is no point in having two people manage desserts.

Evidently, with a menu changing every day, it also means that Carmy has to make Syd come early every day to explain this recipe to her and make sure she can lead the rest of the kitchen in making them. Most of their dynamic is gonna rely on how much Syd can actually fulfill Carmy's expectations; she came here to work for him, running away from psycho chefs, and yet Carmy's expectations are going to be the most reckless the industry has ever seen.

The closing sous has to prepare everything for the next day long after the executive and the other sous are gone, revising the mistakes that were made, and preventing the ones they could make tomorrow.

Regardless of the title and responsibilities that may go on Sydney for being the only other experienced chef in the kitchen, we are talking about a 15-hour day. And I know it can be expected in this industry, but the layout for having two sous made plenty of sense. I don't know if Carmy will take part of the workload. I hope that is the case.

But yeah, the line "so you can push me, and I can push you" is taking a new connotation in my mind. What Carmy is creating doesn't make any logistical sense, with an untrained/inexperienced staff and with a sous chef that he trusts and cares about, but he is basically asking to perform to a level that defeats reason.

It is not even the level that made him "the bear" in his years as the best CDC in the world. Because even if Carmy's past executive was abusive and cruel, their expectations had to obey certain logistic logic that Carmy was completely abandoning. Carmy is not gonna be abusive, but all of this is a whole orchestra he is creating for self-punishment because even he won't be able to keep up with it, he may push everyone away because there is nobody who can. All of this is his version of self-harming. And Sydney and everyone he loves will witness, it until he asks for help.

Edit: I had to make a correction, explaining Carmy's and Syd's will technically both do the job of CDCs. Again, please do let me know more about that or feel free to correct me.

[thistransient]

More musings on Naha:

- My Japan-visiting history includes Naha in 2018 and Tokyo in 2023 (each for 3 nights). I loved Naha the first time, but did not really have the same feeling about Tokyo (which I chalked up to insufficient planning, sprained ribs, and having gotten over the first-time-in-Japan thrill). But I also loved my second time in Naha! The factors I think are at play:

1. Public transport: there's a singular monorail, no need to navigate Tokyo's convoluted two-company labyrinth of an MRT system. It was also a brisk 12 minute ride from the station nearest my hotel to Naha International, unlike the commute from the city center to the airports servicing Tokyo. It's also only a 1 hr 30 minute flight from Taipei, can't really beat that.

2. Walkability: to get anywhere else in Okinawa one must rent a car, but it's perfectly possible to stroll around Naha center on foot. I spent quite a bit of time on the train in Tokyo (and all that that entailed) trying to explore different neighborhoods, which was tiring. I didn't feel threatened by motorised traffic in either city but I found myself jumping out of the way of bicycles in Tokyo a few times.

3. Shīsā (シーサー, 風獅爺, 獅子): "a traditional Ryukyuan cultural artifact and decoration derived from Chinese guardian lions, often seen in similar pairs, resembling a cross between a lion and a dog, from Okinawan mythology. Shisa are wards, believed to protect from some evils. People place pairs of shisa on their rooftops or flanking the gates to their houses, with the left shisa traditionally having a closed mouth, the right one an open mouth. The open mouth shisa traditionally wards off evil spirits, and the closed mouth shisa keeps good spirits in." I love these things so much, they are so fun to spot while walking around, people even dress them up in little outfits depending on the season!

(At this point I should optimally visit a third city to triangulate my experiences a bit.)

- I find if I only go somewhere for a few days, it can be really nice to not buy a SIM card, just download an offline map, save some restaurant locations, and wander around looking at stuff almost like the pre-smartphone days.

- At some point I was also thinking to myself "wow, sometimes it's nice being in a country with minimal hawkers, hustlers, and touts! No one is trying to sell me stuff unsolicited!" Then I accidentally wandered into the red light district while taking a roundabout stroll to a shrine on the edge of town. The deserted back streets of Naha sprang to life and suddenly I was very popular (I suppose it must get boring for them at noon on a Sunday, but I felt like a lone gazelle on the savanna and made a hasty escape with a lot of head shaking and staring intently at the pavement). Perhaps they intentionally put the brothels near the temple to ensnare wayward tourists, who knows.

- The silence of Naha streets compared to the incessant scooter-revving in Taipei made me wonder how much psychic damage the noise pollution is really dealing me on a daily basis. I was also operating with a Taiwanese mindset when jaywalking across a median to get to a supermarket (only because I'd seen some locals doing it), and stepped back cautiously to wait for an oncoming bus which I was sure would otherwise punch me a one-way ticket to the afterlife. Instead, it STOPPED. There wasn't even a cross-walk! I waved somewhat guiltily and scampered away full of wonderment. Frankly I did not really want to come back from pedestrian heaven where there are zero scooters on the unobstructed sidewalks and crossing the street is not a hair-raising experience.

- By sheer, strange coincidence I ran into a friend on the street (as she was getting off a bus), who definitely should not have been in Japan (she told me she was moving back, probably to Tokyo, only after Christmas)- she was in Okinawa for approximately 24 hours to look at real estate and didn't have time to hang out but it was very surreal to catch up for a couple minutes.

To be honest I had had some ambitions for trying out more Duolingo-learnt phrases, but in the moment chickened out and ended up just pointing at stuff lest I give the impression I was capable of more in-depth conversation beyond これをください³. I've had vague thoughts about language school (for the purpose of being able to communicate about print-making and/or shibari, but also to test the waters beyond the tourist experience), and I feel in theory knowing Mandarin first should help with learning kanji, but on the other hand I look at this

- I was a bit surprised when the airline queue employee in International Departures started talking to me in Japanese off the bat (something that has never happened in TPE with Mandarin, they see a westerner and have real low linguistic expectations), so I eyed her a bit blankly til she was done and then tested out my Duolingo skills with 日本語が話せませ¹ to which she responded 英語?², I said "yeah" and she told me I needed to use the kiosk first, to which I protested that I'm always prompted to go to the counter for document verification, but then for once the thing actually didn't (take note if you're doing visa runs, Peach Aviation evidently gives no shits about exit flights).

¹ I don't speak Japanese

² English?

- Last but not least, I flew back south only to find Taipei 5 degrees Celsius colder than Naha, the bidet frostier than ever. 再見琉球，等我回來 T_T

and in my mind it says "Jiùmìng dòngyī wa zuòxí no xià ni arimasu". I think I will stay in Taiwan for now. (Also apparently immigration is not super keen on people over 30 with dubious employment history rocking up for language school in Japan, but that's a bridge to cross when one comes to it).

³ Please give me this

[silverjirachi]

I know i’ve mentioned this before but dear god please let yourself not only get used to but embrace being inconvenienced. The commodification of convenience and having everything at our fingertips at all times, delivered straight to our doors, is destroying our mental health and sense of community.

During the pandemic there were a few food places near me that were now only open certain days of the week, and this actually stayed the case post-lockdown and into the current day. I know in that case it probably meant struggling business and furloughs, but the fact is slowly I saw more businesses limiting their hours and this made me ecstatic. Like. Yes girl close on Saturdays or Sundays. YES GIRL let your employees sleep!!!

Restaurants that close in the middle of the day and reopen in the evenings. Shops that ONLY do in-store pick up, no delivery. Not picking overnight delivery on Amazon. Driving to a physical store to go shop for a new computer or laptop so you can see it and leave with it already in your hands. Yes these things take more time and effort but like. When I have to take quarters to go do my laundry in my building’s laundry room because I don’t have an in-unit washer/dryer, it gets me up and moving. I see people in the elevator. Someone says hi to me while I’m loading my laundry in. We talk briefly. When the corner store next to me is closed by 6pm on Saturday I either have to plan to go there early, or walk down to the other grocery store a few blocks away. On my walk, I see the beautiful clouds and trees and all the other people going about their day. I see that I am in something, that I am a part of something. If it rains on that walk, I get the very human joy of experiencing being inconvenienced by the very real weather of this planet that we’ve been both blessed and inconvenienced by since the beginning of time. I’m not only part of a community, but an ecosystem. A living environment in conversation with the rest of us throughout history. And that means something. It helps remind me how nice it is to be here. How nice it is to see and care for the people around me, even if it’s just passing by. The ways in which I am fortunate, and the ways in which I am not.

There is of course a seperate conversation to be had about how capitalism has forced a lot of people into needing to take jobs from businesses open 24/7, some people live in remote, unwalkable locations and dont have access to these things in the same way, and of course grocery delivery and other convenient services have done a ton to help the sick and disabled, but please. I encourage you. If you have the means to be inconvenienced in any way, please do so.

[dollsonmain]

I am clean and have shower-mind clarity.

So, there's a CVS right on the corner where That Guy turns to go to work.

They are an open-24-hours store looking for part-time cashiers.

If I could get them to consistently schedule me for 5:30 or 6am to lunch time (I've found that the only way to get that to happen is to set that as your only availability...), that would add about 10-20 minutes each way to That Guy's commute depending on how stupid that intersection is at the time. It can get pretty jammed up during high traffic times.

That does mean I'd need to find somewhere to be for at least 4 hours until he got home around 4.

Now, that's not a problem because that CVS is right on the edge of downtown, and there are shops I could spend time in each day. There's a coffee place, a small handful of restaurants I could get lunch at (pricey, though). There are places I can go. Inside.

Like, I could get a different lunch every day and spend an hour or so in the restaurant, then go do the coffee place for an hour, and visit the gaming store which is a little bit of a walk but that's ok, and there's a succulents place and the kids' consignment that has a lot of AG dolls in the window right now, and there's the food bank I could maybe volunteer at for a few hours just to be indoors...

I would be in the main hub of town.

I would earn slightly less than enough to pay the premiums on an insurance policy each month after taxes.

But I realized that it wouldn't matter because I would still have to apply for the insurance myself since part-timers don't qualify for insurance through work (it wouldn't matter if I managed to find multiple part time jobs, which is another reason being downtown doesn't sound so bad because maybe I could leave CVS and walk down the street a little to another place for another shift...), That Guy still would be claiming me as a dependent, and the whole reason I can't get insurance right now as it is, is because he refuses to consent to the insurance companies verifying his identity.

So either way, again, me working would cost him more money than I'd be bringing in because we'd still be out of pocket on my medicals and I'd be having to buy restaurant food every day.

Though I would NOT need a car, only need a few pair of pants and shirts, one good pair of shoes, wouldn't have to worry about hair and makeup much, and I could take on a small bill or two. Maybe.

-

ooh a full time position popped up....

WHICH CVS in town, though. If it's the other one, then that's a lot more commute for him but it would be full time so I'd be less outside..... The other one's also near the grocery store, etc.

hmmmmmmmm

[uncloseted]

Are there any cool restaurants you'd recommend in LA? me and my boyfriend are going there for our anniversary just to hang out and do something fun.

It really depends on what area of the city you're in and what you like, but here are a few that I always enjoy:

Swinger's Diner in Beverly Grove. A pretty standard, Americana-inspired diner that's open pretty much all the time. I'm here a lot and so are a ton of kind-of famous people. Last week I saw the actress who played Sue on Veep.

Perch in Downtown LA. A bar and restaurant with really amazing views of the city.

The Pantry in Downtown LA. Also a diner. Until COVID, they had been open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week since 1924. They're still open pretty much always, and their pancakes are excellent. Supposedly Marilyn Monroe and Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. have both eaten there.

The Apple Pan in West LA. Also also a diner. If you want a burger in LA, this is my favorite.

Saffron & Rose in Westwood. I think this may be in one of my Youtube videos. It's a family owned and operated Persian ice cream shop and the owners are the nicest people ever.

Bottega Louie in Downtown LA or West Hollywood. This is probably the only restaurant on this list where you would actually want to go for an anniversary dinner. It's where I take friends who are visiting. It has a really great vibe, the food is amazing, and the patisserie is great for getting a little take-home treat.

Pho Saigon Pearl near LACMA and the La Brea Tar Pits. This is my favorite Vietnamese spot. Their pho is the best and their strawberry lychee tea is addictive. Nina Dobrev was also there the other day.

Ebaes near USC. If for some reason you happen to be in the USC area, Ebaes is my favorite. It's an asian fusion restaurant and I sometimes drive over there just to get the Ebaes ramen and then go straight home.

Honorable mention goes to In-n-Out, which is a fast food place. If you're from somewhere that doesn't have them, they're worth a visit.

I feel like this is kind of a bad list since none of these restaurants are the kind that you would travel to go to, but they're just genuinely where I eat most frequently. For a list of restaurants that are a bit trendier or upscale, try here.

[rinkrookiepod]

Rating Every NHL Arena - Crypto.com Arena, Los Angeles, CA

Team: LA Kings Location: Los Angeles, California Opened: October 17, 1999 Capacity: 18,230

The first time I'd been to the Crypto.com Arena was for Elton John's Farewell Yellow Brick Road Tour in January of 2019. Back then it was the Staples Center (and still will always be the Staples Center to me and everyone else who lives in Los Angeles) and I wasn't paying too much attention to the place. I was just happy to see Elton John.

The next time I'd made it out to the arena (by this time, I think it was being called Crypto.com Arena) was for my first hockey game and I saw the LA Kings vs the Chicago Blackhawks on March 24, 2022. I wasn't quite into hockey like I am now so I was there for vibes and because it was free. The company I work for has season tickets that they give to clients or the employees, and since my roommate and I work together and she's from Chicago and grew up supporting the Hawks, we went. The Hawks beat the Kings 4-3.

By the third time I made it out to Crypto.com Arena, it was for a hockey game that I was actually extremely excited for. The Pittsburgh Penguins vs the LA Kings aka finally getting to see Sidney Crosby.

I've now been to the Crypto.com Arena 4 times and here's what I've gathered:

Ticket prices range from $35-$1000+. The $1k+ tickets are glass seats with VIP parking and a bunch of other things that are included.

Here's what I've paid so far for what games, what seats, and with fees and such:

Kings v Penguins (11/9/23): $55.13 for Section 315, Row 6, Seat 9 Kings v Avalanche (12/3/23): $43.00 for Section 305, Row 3, Seat 1 Kings v Kraken (12/20/23): $165.25 for Section 113, Row 2, Seat 7 Kings v Blue Jackets (2/20/24): $31.85 for Section 304, Row 7, Seat 3 Kings v Kraken (4/3/24): $140.75 for Section 113, Row 2, Seat 7

Downtown LA is a nightmare- no matter the time or day. I've left my apartment with plenty of time and still ended up arriving after doors opened. I'm about 16 miles from the arena and it can take anywhere from 30 mins (no traffic) to an hour and a half (around rush hour). The area is a pain to navigate, as most downtown areas are with one-way streets and lanes that disappear and reappear as you go.

Parking is easy enough to find though once you get close to the arena and there are a few garages almost right across from the arena, but it'll cost ya around $40 or more. I know there are some surface lots around that might be cheaper but they're almost always cash only so keep that in mind. I'd recommend parking at LA Live or near the Regal at LA Live.

The area around the arena is nice though, with plenty of restaurants, sports bars, coffee shops and anything else you could think of. An ice skating rink even popped up over the holidays.

I'm a big fan of the staff at this arena. They're all very chill and easy to find and can help you with anything you might need, like directions or trying to find something, like lost and found. There is a no bag policy here though, not even clear ones. A wallet is about all you're going to be able to bring in. And their sign policy is very strict (11x17) so make sure you measure before bringing your sign asking for a puck.

This is a newer building, at least compared to the Honda Center, so there are escalators to get you from section to section. It felt like a luxury after only having stairs as an option over in Anaheim.

There are tons of food options inside the arena, with familiar places like a Blaze Pizza or a Wetzels Pretzels- even sushi. They also have those Amazon Markets where you can scan your card, walk in and grab what you want, and then leave. Prices are steep, as I've now to come to realize are standard in these arenas. $20+ for a Coke and a hot dog or a pretzel.

The main team store here felt quite small. It wasn't ever crowded when I'd made my way in there the few times that I have. A good selection of merch though and tons of jerseys. There was a smaller store in the upper level that had a small selection of things, which was nice if you missed the store on the main floor as it felt like it was kind of tucked away.

The bathrooms here were nice. The upper level bathrooms had stalls where there wasn't a gap between the door and the separator. Both Arielle and I were impressed with this on our trip.

As for seating and views, I've sat in the 100s and the 300s. I definitely enjoyed both and I think they have their time and place. I was in the 300s for the Pens game and again when I went back to November to see the Colorado Avalanche. I had a good view in both 305 (Avs) and 315 (Pens) and would sit in either again. The upper bowl is always going to give you that full view of the ice and you'll have a better capability to see full plays develop and not have to rely on the jumbotron.

I had what is almost considered a glass seat for the Seattle Kraken vs LA Kings game I went to in December. Section 113 is right across from the goal and since there's a curve, there's more leg room and the boards are spaced out just a bit further. Since it's not quite a glass seat, they don't charge as much for this ticket. I really enjoyed sitting here and since it was close to a face-off circle, I got to see a handful of face-offs right in front of me. I did find myself watching the jumbotron though when the action was happening down at the other side of the ice.

I will say, a big negative of going to this arena are the fans. I've had more bad interactions with Kings fans than good ones.

With all of that said, I do think I prefer making the trek down to Anaheim (44 miles) to see Ducks games rather than staying close to home and going to Kings games (16 miles), despite the Kings having a nicer arena- the parking and tickets are cheaper and the fans aren't quite as bad in Anaheim.

Rating: 8.5/10

By Ashley Newby, 2/5/24

[archeroryw944]

10 No-fuss Ways To Figuring Out Your Cuisine Whatsfordinner

Among the greatest obstacles you will encounter when starting a dining establishment service is the absence of certified labor. With the growth of the food solution industry there is a strong need for professional workers in an already diminished labor force.

10 Things Most People Don't Know About Whatsfordinner Butcher Restaurant Kilkenny

When starting a restaurant business, it is crucial that you develop an extensive human resource program. The first step is to compile a work summary for each and every degree of worker. This will leave no doubt of what you expect from your employees if you explain the task's obligations and duties. This should also consist of any unique skills or education and learning you need.

Before beginning a restaurant company you must likewise develop a pay range for your staff members. You may need to do a little bit of study to see what various other dining establishments in the area are paying their staff members. It would not hurt to pay a little bit much more as a reward permanently workers to remain. Establish a minimum and also optimum rate for each setting and also the price increases will certainly be given for each. When you begin your dining establishment organization you will most likely demand to pay a bit much more to combine a qualified group. Waitstaff will certainly be paid a bit less according to tipping procedures.

The Ultimate Glossary Of Terms About Vegetarian Restaurants Near Me

Everyone applying for a work will require to complete an application. An application is an authorized paper stating that all info on it holds true. Despite the fact that they have a resume you will certainly still need them to fill out the application. Below are a couple of suggestions to help you locate and also keep a terrific staff.

• Work with a good staff-- Ensure you put in the time to screen your candidates completely. Make sure they comprehend what you will get out of them, and that they have the ability to execute the needed task. You need to always do a background look at possible employees. If you locate you are as well busy to do this on your own you may want to employ a Human Resource specialist to do this for you when you need to work with.

• Have a mutual understanding of wage and hour child labor regulations-- You will need to talk to your state's Department of Labor so that you can be certain you are adhering to laws on minimum wage as well as what teens are enabled to do, and also when as well as the length of time they can function.

• Record pointers https://whatsfordinner.ie appropriately-- The Internal Revenue Service has a form on which ideas require to be reported. For any kind of details you can speak to the IRS.

• Supply appropriate training for your workers. If a staff member understands their job, they are able to execute it well. This will certainly make on your own and the staff member better, and they will be much more positive and also a lot more productive. An ongoing training program builds commitment and will decrease staff member turnover. The National Restaurant Organization will certainly assist you to develop training programs for your employees.

• There are points you need to know about the categories of employees when starting a dining establishment business. Supervisor, Aide Manager, Cook, Cook, Server, Busboy, Dishwashing Machine, Host, and Bartender, will certainly all have their very own classification. When your dining establishment has actually simply opened up, the classifications might cross over. You may need your manager to function as a host, or your web servers to bus tables, until you have the ability to employ a complete staff. Let employees understand initially that they may be asked to carry out these tasks if possible. Prices for your whole pay-roll ought to concern concerning 24 to 35 percent of your total sales.

• The Manager-- This setting is one of the most crucial position in your restaurant. The best selection will be somebody that has actually handled one or more dining establishments in your location and also concept. They will know with local supply resources and methods of obtaining materials. Your manager needs to have excellent management abilities and also the ability to efficiently oversee workers. They need to remain firm yet pleasant and also fair with the workers.

The Best Kept Secrets About Kilkenny Restaurants

If you want to get as well as maintain a quality manager, you will need to pay them a great wage. You can expect to pay a supervisor with valuable experience $30 to $40 thousand a year plus a perk. A supervisor that is just out of institution and also joining you in an entry level position will certainly gain $22 to $26 thousand a year. If you offer earnings sharing you will certainly discover it is a fantastic motivation for staff members to make your restaurant a success.

• Chefs as well as Chefs-- You will usually work with 2 full time and also one part-time cook. You desire the very best cooks you can discover. You may ask them to prepare a meal as a part of their interview. A Cook will regulate a higher wage than Food to go a cook, around $660 to $700 a week as apposed to Cooks with plenty of experience that will anticipate $400 to $500 a week. Part-time Chefs can be paid on a per hour basis,

• Servers-- The servers that you work with when starting a restaurant business, require to make an excellent perception and job well under pressure. They are the workers who will have the most contact with the client, as well as need to meet their needs while maintaining a pleasant mindset. Servers are typically paid somewhat more than minimum wage due to the fact that they earn a lot of their revenue from tips. Ensure your servers get along with the customer and also have the energy as well as stamina to do the work well.

N

A

P

[mourning-again-in-america]

How do I describe what I like about Chicago? It all comes to me as a mix of scenes, watching the storefronts switch from Guatemalan to Korean to Yemeni walking east to west along Lawrence, seeing the flows of crowds of college students leaving and entering the bars on Lincoln Ave, waiting for the last Metra train of the night in a 24-hour diner right next to the tracks--and these are hardly idiosyncratic experiences in any real city (author's note: I'm not sure if either SF, DC, or Seattle are real cities)

Some of it must be a matter of familiarity -- the streets of cities west of the Rockies are all too damn wide, while all the streets in cities on the East Coast are either too damn tiny or are near-freeways. Some of it comes from the comfort of the building heights -- there's not much for suburban single family housing on the north side, especially as you get near the lake; even the more suburban areas are more likely to be 3-4 story walk-ups. Even though I live a good few miles north of city center, I'm still in a mid-rise apartment building and can see several such buildings out my window.

Some of it is certainly food -- I've not had a proper gyro (where the edges of the meat are crisp and crackly and the inside is thick and wet and spiced) outside of here and it's certainly much easier to find a restaurant that'll serve a half-pound of decent meat here than in Boston, Seattle or SF (also, Chicago's meat foods, like the Polish sausage or Italian beef knock any local meat-between-bread meal out of the park, go suck on your cheesesteaks, Philly). And there feels like there's more options for different cuisines here than anywhere not-NYC -- I really like being able to have a Cuban place and a Serbian place and a Kazakh place and a Nepalese place within a few miles! This isn't even for a lack of good American food -- the burgers here are a significant notch above the Bay, the fried chicken and barbecue are the best you'll get in a Northern city, and I even found a hole-in-the-wall breakfast place that opens at 7am and serves a five egg omelette with bacon and cheese, side of potatoes and rye for under $15!

Some of it has to do with the ease of walking around, people like to make Chicago out to be a dangerous city, and it is dangerous, in the way cities are and suburbs are not, but things feel far more demarcated than they ever were in Boston or the East Bay. I know the local hotspots from just reading reddit (Hermosa, Cragin, Lawndale, largely, for a north-sider, southside is more complicated but I can round it off to "anywhere >1mi from the river and not Hyde Park" and be done with it). In Boston, none of it made any goddamn sense, even just walking up Neponset/Dorchester Ave from Quincy -- things were certainly fine in North Quincy, got sus as I crossed the river, got worse and worse as I went north until I hit the Indochinese district just a bit south of UMass -- and then somehow things get worse again as I approach Andrew, but north of Andrew is completely fine?!! What gives? At least on Chicago I know that outside of the Milwaukee Ave sitch, things generally get worse as you go west and south. Simple as. East Bay, nobody seemed to talk about it, or assumed that if there was ever a problem, the problem was with YOU. So I got some weird signals west of MLK (except for the area near Tamaleria Azteca and Al-Maida, those places are goated), couldn't pick up any new info, there wasn't anything around I was interested in seeing, so I just gave up and learned the areas on Telegraph as well as I could.

A large part of it has to do with the night-scene--there's food-places open after 10pm here, that aren't even bars! What a wild world, coming from Boston and the Bay! More than that, they're often even open after midnight in the hotter areas--what bounty being able to choose if I want pizza, tacos, or a Polish around 1am on a night-walk!

I don't know why I like it here, but I do.

[fooddy-1]

24 Hour Restaurants Close to Me – Satisfy Your Midnight Cravings!

Are you searching for 24 hour restaurants close to me? No worries! There are plenty of places nearby that offer delicious meals round the clock. Whether you're craving pizza, biryani, or a quick coffee fix, you’ll find an eatery open near you. For more visit at : https://fooddy.in/24-hours-open-restaurants-in-gurgaon/ 

[calivide]

It always infuriates me whenever I see conversation surrounding things like businesses being open on Christmas or being open 24 hours, because it always starts as “I don’t like it because I personally don’t use those services at that time/I don’t like that I have to work those days or hours.” If the conversation was left at that, okay fair, but it always turns into a “and how dare people want to use these services during this time that I want off” and that is not the flex you think it is.

Healthcare workers who had to work the holiday and just want a warm meal they don’t have to make themselves.

College students with 3 jobs who only had time to buy gifts for Christmas damn near midnight on Christmas Eve after clocking out at the bar they work at.

People who just don’t celebrate Christmas and have to plan their whole week around a holiday they don’t care about.

Yeah, there’s always that annoying, entitled person who expects you to make holiday magic at the restaurant you work at for pennies while waiting on a dozen other people, but shrugging everyone into this “obnoxious Karen” box for wanting access to services on Christmas is just annoying

[rohanmohanty]

Searching for a Modern 2 or 3 BHK Home Near Pune’s IT Hub? Check Out Rahul Aston Hinjewadi!

If you’re on the hunt for a modern 2 or 3 BHK home near Pune’s IT hub, let me introduce you to Rahul Aston Hinjewadi—a project I’ve had the pleasure of exploring. Nestled in the heart of Hinjewadi, one of Pune’s most sought-after locations, Rahul Aston offers an ideal blend of luxury, convenience, and connectivity. Let me walk you through why this place has become one of the most talked-about residential projects in the area and why it might be the perfect place for your next home.

Location That Works for You

One of the standout features of Rahul Aston is its unbeatable location. Hinjewadi has long been a major hub for Pune’s IT sector, housing numerous IT parks, business centers, and corporate offices. What does that mean for you? Well, if you work in IT or any of the nearby business centers, your daily commute will be a breeze. No more endless hours spent stuck in traffic! Plus, the proximity to the Mumbai-Pune Expressway ensures easy travel to and from other parts of the city or even Mumbai.

But it’s not just about work. Hinjewadi also offers a vibrant lifestyle with easy access to malls, entertainment centers, restaurants, and healthcare facilities. The convenience of having Phoenix Mall of the Millennium, Life Point Hospital, and a variety of dining options nearby makes day-to-day life much easier.

Spacious and Modern Homes

When I visited the Rahul Aston project, I was immediately impressed by the thoughtfully designed homes. Whether you're looking for a 2 or 3 BHK apartment, the layouts are spacious and full of natural light. Rahul Aston Hinjewadi has made sure that these homes aren’t just about space—they’re about modern living. The interiors feel sleek and contemporary, with stylish fittings and smart features like video door phones and CCTV security.

Each home is designed to make the most of the available space, giving you that open and airy feel. You don’t feel boxed in, which is a big plus in city living. Whether you’re a young couple, a family, or even someone looking to downsize, you’ll find that these homes cater to your needs.

Amenities to Elevate Your Lifestyle

What sets Rahul Aston apart from many other residential projects are its fantastic amenities. Honestly, it’s not just a place to live—it’s a place to thrive. The project offers a swimming pool for those hot Pune summers, a gym for your fitness needs, and even a sky lounge where you can unwind and take in the city views.

But it doesn’t stop there. For families, the kids’ play area and landscaped gardens are great for letting the little ones run around safely. There’s also a co-working space—something that really caught my attention given how many of us are working from home these days. Imagine having a dedicated, modern workspace just steps away from your home. It’s perfect for remote workers or even small business owners.

Community and Security

A home is more than just four walls; it’s also about the community you’re part of. Rahul Aston Hinjewadi feels like a place where you can build that sense of belonging. The grand entrance lobby welcomes you with style, giving the entire place a luxurious vibe. And let’s not forget about security. With 24/7 CCTV surveillance and smart door systems, you can rest easy knowing your family is safe.

Why I Recommend Rahul Aston Hinjewadi

After spending time exploring Rahul Aston, it’s easy to see why it’s one of the best options for those looking to buy a home near Pune’s IT hub. The location makes it perfect for professionals working in Hinjewadi, but it also offers the kind of amenities and modern design that will appeal to families and individuals alike.

And here’s the best part: with prices starting from ₹97.77L for a 2 BHK and ₹1.15Cr for a 3 BHK, you’re getting excellent value for your investment. For homes that offer this level of luxury, space, and convenience, it’s worth every penny.

Final Thoughts

If you’re looking for a home that offers a mix of comfort, modern amenities, and unbeatable connectivity, Rahul Aston Hinjewadi should definitely be on your radar. It’s a project that’s not just about offering a place to live, but a place where you can truly enjoy life. Whether it’s relaxing by the pool, working in the co-working lounge, or just coming home to a beautifully designed space, Rahul Aston delivers on all fronts.

So, what are you waiting for? If you’re in the market for a 2 or 3 BHK in Pune, give Rahul Aston Hinjewadi a serious look. I’m pretty sure you’ll be as impressed as I was! Visit: www.rahulaston-hinjewadi.com