Latest news with #California-style
Fox News
08-08-2025
- Politics
- Fox News
Don't California my Ohio: Cincinnati mob attack shows state is heading in a dangerous direction
As an Ohioan, I've watched with horror as my home state, the heart of the heartland faces a crisis ripped straight from California's playbook. On July 26, 2025, a mob in downtown Cincinnati brutally attacked four people including Holly, a single mom now suffering from severe brain trauma. Violent crimes like these are a wakeup call to our national conscience. "Don't California My State" has become a national warning, but even in Republican strongholds like Ohio, weak local leadership has invited in California-style chaos fostering victim-shaming and mob rule. It's time to reject this betrayal and restore law and order. The viral footage from Cincinnati's Fourth and Elm is chilling as four victims attacked by a mob while 100 bystanders watched, some filming, and only one calling 911. Holly, celebrating a friend's birthday stepped in to help someone being assaulted and was knocked unconscious. Her life has changed forever. And instead of leadership, Councilwoman Victoria Parks shamelessly claimed online that the victims "begged for that beat down." This kind of victim-shaming is pulled straight from California's soft-on-crime script where leaders deflect blame instead of jailing violent offenders. Parks' words aren't only heartless but represent a complete collapse of moral and civic responsibility. The Cincinnati crisis is a direct result of the Democrat-led policy failures that began in 2020. Soft on crime policies emboldened criminals and endangered communities. Cities like Los Angeles, Minneapolis and now Cincinnati are paying the price. And even in Republican-led states like Ohio, Texas and Florida, we're not immune when local leaders import this failed ideology. Cincinnati's police force has been gutted by nearly 200 officers due to the "defund the police" movement. Democrat Mayor Aftab Pureval was vacationing in Canada as the attack went viral, issuing a weak response only after immense public pressure and outrage days later. His inaction mirrors California's Proposition 47, which downgraded retail thefts to misdemeanors and fueled a wave of retail crime. Now Ohio is experiencing the same pattern of complacency from weak budgets, and understaffed police departments to a justice system that coddles criminals. As Republican Ohio Senator Bernie Moreno and Republican Ohio gubernatorial candidate Vivek Ramaswamy recently warned, Democrat policies are turning our cities into war zones. Beyond the leadership failures, the silence of nearly 100 bystanders with only one calling 911 reveals a total breakdown of public trust. Weak leadership has left citizens feeling powerless. In California, lax enforcement normalized shoplifting; in Cincinnati, it's normalized mob violence. Mayor Pureval's delayed response and Parks' shameful victim-blaming send a dangerous message: criminals won't face consequences. Even in a red state like Ohio, local Democrat leaders are importing this "Californication" and abandoning the safety and justice we once took for granted. This isn't just about pointing fingers, it's a call to action. Cities like Philadelphia, Minneapolis, Denver and New York saw homicides decline in 2025 after local lawmakers voted to increase police budgets despite pressure from local activists. Ohio must follow suit by fully funding law enforcement, empowering prosecutors to lock up violent offenders, and rejecting leaders who excuse crime. The six suspects in the Cincinnati attack facing charges of felonious assault and aggravated rioting must face real justice and not leniency. And Parks' disgraceful remarks demand accountability; she should either resign or be removed. Any elected official who mocks and shames victims of violent crime has failed the very people they were elected to serve and does not belong in public office. As an attorney and proud Ohioan, I'm done with the excuses. Holly's brain trauma is a direct result of failed leadership. We deserve safe streets, where moms can celebrate and businesses don't fear the next mob. We're not California yet but without action, Cincinnati's chaos will become America's new norm. Holly's story and the silence of 99 bystanders should serve as America's wake-up call.
Eater
06-08-2025
- Entertainment
- Eater
Hennessy and Anti-Smash Burgers Reign Supreme at After Ours
Portland's first chef-driven vinyl bar is set to open Thursday, August 7. It's called After Ours and it comes courtesy of a Portland culture-making hat trick: chef Richard Le of Mémoire Cà Phê, Kim Dam also of Mémoire and her coffee business Portland Cà Phê, and Mikey Nguyen of consignment store wunderkind Index. The intention was to create a space where they and other chillers in their 30s could hang out, listen to music, and eat. Rather than gaming-centric bars or places designed for social media engagement, Le says the idea is to put your feet up and relax. It's a moody space, low-lit and dim. The deep love of music is apparent — Madlib's Lord Quas posts up in all his yellow glory across the wall of records from Lauryn Hill's Unplugged singing visage. Of course, the menu alone will be the main draw for many. There's an all-day menu with hits from Le's food cart Matta, plus a dinner menu to pair with inventive drinks, courtesy of Ketsuda 'Nan' Chaison of Norah and Libre. Salt and pepper squid, garlic noodles, and fried rice rule the day. Chicken and catfish sandwiches, burgers topped with egg, add to the menu, too, all dishes Le served at his cart in the past. He says the main demographic he and his co-owners serve remains white people, so they focused on playful renditions of hegemonic American food that serve as conversation starters. Christine Dong Christine Dong There'll be brunch, too, Portland Monthly waxing on California-style breakfast burritos and avocado toast done up like a bahn mi. The sharing-style dishes at After Ours reflect Le, Dam, and Nguyen's households growing up, where drinking and snacking were a nightly affair. Friends and family sat on bamboo mats and ate plate after plate of duck liver, fried and grilled meats, all of it chased with bottles of Heineken and glugs of Hennessy. 'We want to have that same kind of energy,' Le says. 'We won't have people sit on the floor. But the menu is built around that.' Here are a few of the standout dishes to fire. Tavern burger Le was raised in the Bay Area, and he says his love of burgers is a powerful love. In-N-Out is his heart song. So he says coming into After Ours, he's ready to ditch the smash burger and get back to the basics. Four-and-a-half ounce patties get pressed on the grill, but not flattened, to maintain a nice crust from the pressure while retaining the juice — in this case, a fish sauce the beef marinates in for hours. It arrives stacked with American cheese (the 'king of cheese' according to Le) and a house-made aioli the team is calling seksy sauce (pronounced 'sexy'), a riff on Vietnamese sauces. This signature sauce is a medley of scallions, lime juice, herbs, garlic, and more. 'Everyone and their mom is doing a smash burger,' Le says. 'I don't want a crispy piece of paper.' Pho Christine Dong Le reminds guests that, at the end of the day, this is a bar. That means late-night hours and late-night fare. Enter the Hanoi-style pho. Le says that it looks like thicker rice noodles with a heartier broth, on the fattier side. Once people get Portland drunk — that means by 11 p.m. — this dish is meant to make landing the sober plane a bit more doable, as many will be in bed by 12:30 a.m. There's both a chicken and beef version, but Le stresses there are no bean sprouts or chefed-up herbs on top. 'Just the pho, maybe scallions and cilantro, charred lime wedge, and fish sauces and chiles,' he says. 'Really simple, and really high flavor and impact.' Saigon Old Fashioned Little would some know, but Nguyen is an unofficial Hennesy ambassador. According to Le, he drinks Hennesy exclusively, going so far as to chase other drinks with the famously luxe ambrosia. After Our's Saigon Old Fashioned is a nod to that devotion. Served with a big ice cube, the otherwise straight-up Old Fashioned relies on the cognac rather than rye or bourbon. Portland Monthly also noted salted lime gin and tonics and lychee martinis are on deck here, too. After Ours (2226 NE Broadway) is open 9 a.m. to 10 p.m. Sunday through Wednesday and 9 a.m. to 2 a.m. Thursday through Saturday. Kim Dam, Mikey Nguyen, and Richard Le are making the chill bar they wanted in Portland at After Ours. Christine Dong Eater Portland All your essential food and restaurant intel delivered to you Email (required) Sign Up By submitting your email, you agree to our Terms and Privacy Notice . This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
Pink Villa
31-07-2025
- Business
- Pink Villa
Meet Bert Mueller who left California at the age of 22 for India, his friends chose Spain, and now earns USD 23 million in Bengaluru
Bert Mueller, who is the founder of California Burrito, has become a successful entrepreneur in India. Born in America, he has been running his company in Bengaluru for more than a decade. His journey is a testament to identifying opportunity in unexpected places. The fast-casual restaurant chain owned by him introduced California-style Mexican cuisine to India. Here's all you need to know about Bert Meuller. Bert Meuller left California at the age of 22 to establish a business in India Reportedly, Bert Meuller's idea for California Burrito sparked during his experience in Jaipur in 2010. One of his classmates of Mexican origin brought his native food to a family host in India, and they loved it. Despite his academic background in music and public policy, he recognized a significant business opportunity in bringing Mexican cuisine to India. A year later, Meuller, who was living in California, returned to India in 2011 after completing his education. He was 22 back then. While his friends chose Spain and Europe for opportunities, his unique path led him to build this thriving enterprise in Bengaluru. Bert Meuller's California Burrito has a revenue of USD 23 million Bert Meuller opened his first restaurant at Embassy Golf Links, Bengaluru, in 2012. He raised USD 250,000 from friends and family for the first location. The success of the Bengaluru restaurant fueled expansion into other major Indian cities like Chennai, Hyderabad, Delhi, Noida, and Gurugram. California Burrito grew steadily and now boasts over 100 outlets across India. According to CNBC Make It, his company has a revenue of USD 23 million as of 2024. For the 100th location, the Bangalore-based burrito chain restaurant kept the price of every dish on the menu at Rs 100. Bert Mueller likes Karnataka's Jolada Rotti thali with eggplant curry and buttermilk Bert Meuller believes in enjoying cross-cultural cuisine. While he brought Mexican food to Bengaluru, he is a fan of Northern Karnataka cuisine. Recently, Mueller visited a popular restaurant in Karnataka to relish Jolada Rotti thali. He had it with eggplant curry and buttermilk. The dish is typically served with jowar roti, pulses, sambhar, salads, and chutneys. Stay tuned to Pinkvilla for more updates.
Edmonton Journal
24-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Edmonton Journal
Wandering through The Works' wonderful, natural selection
Article content With all the usual 'human problems' in the unending churn of doomy news, wandering through this year's nature-focused The Works Art & Design Festival is an honestly chill and meditative experience — and occasionally hilarious, too. Starting with one that made me laugh out loud on Churchill Square, Hilary Mussel's little sculpture on the ground amid all the big works is called The Passenger Motel, a tiny, California-style double-decker with an attached pool built to pigeon scale.
Miami Herald
14-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Miami Herald
Iconic Los Angeles-based Chinese restaurant and celebrity hangout closing after 42 years
If you've ever visited Los Angeles, chances are good that you spent some time on Sunset Boulevard, the historic Los Angeles street that spans practically the entire length of the city, from the Pacific Ocean to downtown. If you haven't visited L.A., you'll still recognize a particular section of Sunset Boulevard in West Hollywood, called the Sunset Strip. It's been a scene-stealer in probably 100 movies and is known for its massive billboards. The Strip has always been one of Los Angeles's most dynamic neighborhoods. A blend of luxury hotels, boutique shopping, nightlife, and celebrity appeal, the Sunset Strip has long been a cultural bellwether. What's hot here often sets the tone for greater L.A. For decades, restaurants and bars along this glitzy corridor have attracted tourists and locals alike. But lately, the Sunset Strip has become a cautionary tale about the challenges facing the hospitality industry, especially for independent and legacy restaurants. Changing tastes, rising rents, and post-pandemic behavior shifts have forced many once-thriving spots to close. And one of the Strip's most recognizable dining landmarks is the latest to join the list. Image source: TheChin Chin is closing on Sunset Blvd. after more than 40 years Chin Chin, the upscale Chinese fusion restaurant chain that helped define casual fine dining in L.A. during the 1980s and 1990s, will permanently close its flagship West Hollywood location on July 27, 2025. The announcement came via the restaurant's Instagram on May 31 and caught longtime fans by surprise, as reported in Eater. "After 45 unforgettable years in West Hollywood, we are heartbroken to announce that Chin Chin will be unexpectedly closing its doors at our Sunset Plaza location…" the post read. Related: One of Texas's oldest BBQ joints is closing permanently after 34 years Known for its Chinese chicken salad, potstickers, and California-style dim sum, Chin Chin opened in 1983 and quickly became a favorite among locals, UCLA students and A-list celebrities. Regulars over the years included Lindsay Lohan, Britney Spears, Megan Fox, and Sean Hayes, helping to elevate the brand beyond its menu and into L.A. lore. More Food: Applebee's brings back all-you-can-eat deal to take down Chili'sPopular Mexican chain reveals surprising growth plansStarbucks CEO shares plan for a whole new menu The Sunset Strip neighborhood has seen a surprising amount of turnover in the past year. Earlier in 2025, restaurants including the Den, Hudson House, Le Petit Four, and Rock & Reilly's abruptly shut down. French bistro Tesse closed in late 2024 after a six-year run, adding to the growing list of local casualties. A trend that's hitting legacy L.A. restaurants hard Chin Chin's closure may be the latest, but the closures on Sunset Blvd. collectively speak to larger industry trends. Independent restaurants, particularly those in high-rent, high-profile areas like the Sunset Strip, have been hit hard by rising labor costs, inflation, and shifting consumer preferences. Diners are increasingly looking for experiential, often tech-enabled dining or lower-cost convenience, putting pressure on traditional full-service spots. At the same time, landlords in trendy neighborhoods often favor new concepts that bring media buzz and high-volume traffic. That churn can push out older businesses, even those with strong customer loyalty and decades of history. Related: Beloved local family diner closing after nearly 40 years Still, it's not as if the Strip is dying. A major new food hall, Round 1 Delicious, is set to open with eight high-end Japanese restaurants under one roof. Michelin-starred chef Aitor Zabala also plans to reopen his acclaimed tasting-menu restaurant, Somni, just a few blocks away. These moves signal that while some businesses are being priced out or aged out, the area continues to attract bold new investment. As for Chin Chin, the outpouring of support online suggests the brand still has cultural cachet and plenty of customer demand. The restaurant launched a GoFundMe campaign to support staff and perhaps fund a future relocation. Chin Chin's other locations in Brentwood, Studio City, and Las Vegas will remain open, so you can still get your hands on the best Chinese chicken salad around. Related: Iconic Las Vegas Strip eatery permanently closes after long run The Arena Media Brands, LLC THESTREET is a registered trademark of TheStreet, Inc.
