scene

The observer | MONDAY, NOVEMBER 2, 2020 | ndsmcobserver.com

By NIA SYLVA

scene Writer

over the past few years, we’ve seen some eddy street restaurants come and go. We’ve said sad goodbyes to places like Yats and barbici while big-name fast food chains have stood the test of time (chipotle and Five Guys, I’m looking at you). so when I heard that a new restaurant would be opening this year — and one with an unfamiliar name — my first thought was one of skepticism. could a smaller chain like bru burger survive on eddy street?

Well, that’s not quite the truth. my actual instinct upon learning the news was to ask myself the following: another burger place? really? It’s true; there’s smashburger on campus, and Five Guys, brothers and o’rourke’s on eddy street, all of which have burgers — and pretty good ones, at that — on their menus. so not only was I unsure whether this new restaurant would be able to stay open, I also doubted that it was even necessary in the first place. but bru burger won me over. The decor is sleek and modern but cozy, with outdoor seating for warmer days. The waitstaff are friendly, and the menu items, while not as inexpensive as, say, a chipotle quesadilla, are perfectly reasonable for a sit-down place. The real highlight, though, is the meals themselves. The appetizer options may not be particularly groundbreaking, but they still

By DASHA KUDRIAVTSEVA

scene Writer

When you see the pink-colored poster for the Italian seage prostitution inspired by real events, but the third season lives of a pair teenagers. is dissatisfied with her privileged life as a teenager living in fect girl with good grades, friends and sports creates the retank, longing for the sea. That’s why, even though everylems were falling for bad guys and having a secret relationship with her best friend’s brother; however, this time, she goes a little further.

After making a new friend in reckless classmate Ludovica is sick of her old perfect friends and life, while Ludovica is a black sheep among her peers who unconsciously seek comes into a completely different lifestyle filled with nightclubs, alcohol and older men. “the cocktail guy.” At first, everything seems harmless and fun — loud music, disco lights, free cocktails — except for

amount to a (tasty) variety of upscale pub mainstays. The soft pretzels, for instance, are a good alternative for anyone who’s missing ben’s gameday pretzels; the charcuterie platter or “bru board”— which includes cheeses like white cheddar and habanero jack, cured meats such as soppressata and crostini — is quite a step up from dining hall cold cuts. other appetizer options like the chicken tenders and chili make good main courses. speaking of main courses, let’s just say bru burger knows what it’s good at. While the restaurant does offer a small selection of salads, its specialty is clearly not piling vegetables on top of lettuce. bru burger does sandwiches, and it does them really well. The menu’s burger section ranges from “The beginning” — a simple cheeseburger — to “The end” — an elaborate treat topped with horseradish havarti, an over easy egg, tomato, caramelized onion, lettuce and truffle aioli — and makes stops along the way. The bru burger, for instance, reflects well on its namesake with Taleggio cheese and caramelized onions piled high atop a juicy beef patty. And if one is in the mood for more of an exotic main course, the Provencal burger and its herbed goat cheese, marinated red onions, sauteed mushrooms and basil aioli are always an option. but if we’re talking about sandwiches, bru burger has far more to offer than your usual beef burger. For those of us who are vegetarian or vegan, the black bean ence during one of the first conversations with Ludovica. with charming compliments and slowly getting into their minds, persuading them to make a bad decision. Little do weapons that can bring more money to his pocket.

“The best thing about living a secret life is that you never know what’s coming next” becomes the backbone of the series. ny older gentlemen under the pretext of her needing money somely to spend an evening with a girl like you without any joins Ludovica in her undertakings. Their relationships presents to sexual satisfaction for a higher price. You could say that they sell themselves, but it seems that they sell their feelings more than anything, not bodies. “Feelings,

What I like about this series is that it covers a real story involving multiple complex characters and revealing all the ailments of human society — family and romantic relationsecret lives are not about prostitution itself, but rather the burger, the impossible burger and the grilled portabello mushroom are available, as are an ahi tuna burger and a salmon burger (which is really just a salmon fillet laid atop a layer of guacamole and placed on a bun.) both fish offerings are fresh-tasting and flavorful — perfect for anyone who’s craving some high-quality fish. so the entrees are varied and delicious. but what about the fries? The desserts? For their part, bru burger’s fries are thick and hearty but still crispy. They are wide enough to be good carriers for the restaurant’s specialty ketchup (it’s homemade) and, while they may not be as greasy or salty as your typical fast food fries, they are definitely worth the extra few dollars. meanwhile, bru burger’s dessert options may be some of the best things on their menu. I haven’t yet had the chance to sample all of the restaurant’s offerings, but the whisky brownie is incredibly moist — almost like a molten lava cake — and comes with ice cream and contains a hint of whisky flavor that is not overpowering. To put it simply, bru burger’s bread pudding is an absolutely delicious swirl of rich butter and cinnamon goodness.

The food is tasty, the menu is big but not too big and the prices are reasonable. so if you go to bru burger — which you definitely should — just make sure to save room for dessert!

ries “baby,” the last thing you’d imagine is a story of underof the netflix show continues to unravel the dark, hidden

The main character ‘baby,’ chiara (benedetta Porcaroli), rome’s most beautiful neighborhood. An image of the perality chiara wants to escape. “Like exotic fish in a pristine thing looks perfect, to survive, we need a secret life,” chiara says in the opening lines of the series. so far, her only prob-

(Alice Pagani), chiara’s life turns 180 degrees. They perfectly complement each other like black and white. chiara support and love. As chiara gets closer with Ludovica, she chiara and Ludovica go to a party at Ludovica’s friend’s place, saverio (Paolo calabresi) or, as Ludovica calls him,

the teenage girls. however, saverio intimidates the audihis advice, “sometimes they work out… those bad decisions,” indicates right away that something is off. he does a good job of simultaneously spoiling chiara and Ludovica the girls know saverio thinks of them as objects, the secret

during the dinner with saverio and his assistant Fiore (Giuseppe maggio), Ludovica receives an offer to accompato pay her high school. “many of them would pay handobligations,” saverio temptingly persuades. chiara embraces the new self with her own free will and with saverio’s clients evolve from friendly dinners with cute I mean… They’re really just illusions. but then, money’s real,” chiara offers as an explanation for behavior.

ships, affairs, adultery and betrayals. chiara and Ludovica’s

Contact Nia Sylva at asylva@nd.edu

struggles of adolescence, the desire, sometimes out of control, to behave contrary to the expectations of parents waiting for you to know what you want to do and who you want to be in the future.

Teenagers are as fragile as Play-doh. You can play around with them as much as you want, with or without knowing what you are doing, and it will have an impact on them, even if you press very slightly. They can be lost, not knowing who they are and just seeking an answers as to how to be a grownup. oftentimes they find a way to feel powerful and fight the apathy gnawing from the inside by doing things that might harm them. In the end, as one of the screenwriters of the series, romolo re salvador, says, “It’s still a story about love, not prostitution.” maybe love is what most of these young adults are missing, starting with love for themselves.

Contact Dasha Kudriavsteva at dkudriav@nd.edu

“Baby”

Season 3

Starring: Andrea De Sica, Anna Negri

Favorite episodes: “No More Secrets,” “Beyond the Aquarium”

If you like: “Elite,” “Euphoria”