Iron Man 2 Nerves Keep Robert Downey Jr. Up at Night

What do you get when you take a relatively inexperienced director, a recovering train wreck of an actor and an under-the-radar superhero?

$585 million at the box office, glowing reviews, a career renaissance and a highly-anticipated sequel, that’s what.

In 2008, when the first "Iron Man" film headed into theaters, few expected it to create such a tidal wave of success. After all, it wasn’t Superman or Spiderman or even The Hulk, and it was directed by a guy best known for the indie cred of writing and starring in Swingers. Two years later, after the stellar performance of the first film, hottest commodity on the block, Robert Downey Jr., who plays Tony Stark/Iron Man, and director Jon Favreau are decidedly anxious about the expectations of "Iron Man 2," arriving in theaters May 7th.

At the press conference promoting the film, Downey Jr. scoffs when asked if he feels pressure about the release of the sequel. “You mean ‘feel,’ like its past tense? I didn’t sleep last night. I didn’t sleep last night! Jon?” he quips, shucking the question off to the director.

“I’ve never done a sequel before,” Favreau replies earnestly, “unless you count me [having less than five lines] on 'Batman Forever.' For me, there wasn’t the same pressure that you’re used to feeling, especially coming up with smaller movies where you’re throwing a party and you don’t know if people are going to show up. Here, we knew people were going to show up, we just wanted to make sure everybody had a good time and this was going to be as fun, or more fun, than the last party.”

More "Iron Man 2" coverage to come soon...

The 2nd Annual Grilled Cheese Social

This weekend, LA hosted their annual Grilled Cheese Invitational. And I wasn't invited.

But I did get the nod to attend Amy Jo and Jason's second annual Grilled Cheese Social which was a rollicking good time.

Even though my offering, The Fungus Amongus (Havarti cheese and sauteed mushrooms with truffle oil), lost first place by one measly vote to Cardiac Arrest (cheese and bacon on a glazed donut), it was still a hootenanny that left me drunk on cheese and butter.

Crimini mushrooms, tossed with Italian parsley, pink Himalayan salt and fresh ground pepper, were layered between two slices of cheese.

Then the bread was buttered (heavily) and laid in a skillet over medium heat to get that slow, golden brown.

Just before serving, The Fungus Amongus was drizzled with truffle oil. You should never heat truffle oil because it burns off the flavor. When it's off the heat and on a plate, dash your dish with the oil to permeate it with that delicious, earthy taste and smell. And remember, a little goes a long way.

Amy Jo and Lizzie make me a cowgirl sandwich.

One of the fifteen or twenty competitors, second place finisher: Trailer Park Power Bar, grilled mac and cheese. Holla!

The winner, which snatched victory from my clutches by a single vote. Now I know how Al Gore felt in Florida. Next year, I'll be gunning for the number one spot.

The fixin's for The Great State of Hockey, an homage to Minnesota. Way to keep it classic.

Lizzie and Jason in his magical tiki lounge.

Everyone's a winner at Amy Jo and Jason's!

After my crushing loss at the Social, I headed to Benno and Amy's for my second gathering of the day. Even though my arteries were screaming at me (TOO MUCH BUTTER), I couldn't resist Amy's spread (that's what he said). Her guilt-free quinoa salad, grilled artichokes, roasted fruit salad and a kale salad tossed with pomegrate seeds, dried apricots and parmesan cheese in a bright, lemon dressing, were just what I needed to Ajax my body

Kale is slowly but surely becoming my favorite vegetable.

Hmm, maybe next year, a kale grilled cheese? Who could resist?

The Best Thing I Ate Today 4.24.10: Chan Dara's Pad Thai and Cucumber Salad

Last night, after hitting Space 15 Twenty with Erin, Caroline and Rachel for some less than mindblowing art and a whole boatload of hipsters, I met up with my old friend Adam for dinner.

It's been years since we've had a chance to catch up, so we set off in search of an easy, quiet place within walking distance to grab a bite for me and some coffee for him. Not as easy as one might think on Saturday night along Cahuenga Blvd. We went from Stout (I love their 3am Chicken Burger) to Caffe Etc., to Kitchen 24, to Groundworks, before finally coming to rest at Chan Dara.

Starving, but more interested in conversation that perusing a menu, I went with the oldest Thai Food Stand-By in the book: Pad Thai. And it was surprisingly good.

I began my meal with cucumber salad, which is totally crack-a-licious to me. I could eat an entire barrel of the stuff and then take a bath in the leftover vinegar, I find it that irresistible. This one was spicy and sweet thanks to chili and rice wine vinegar. I ate half and spooned the rest over my main course, letting the sugary, fiery tang infiltrate my noodles.
A heaping plate of Vegetarian Pad Thai. Chan Dara's includes raw vegetables like red cabbage and carrots, giving the dish a fresh, lightness it often lacks.

Adam and his coffee. He's watching his girlish figure.

What better way to spend your Saturday than with an adorable, charming, wonderful man and a big ol' plate of noodles? Surely there's a dirty pun there, but let's keep it classy, people.