Albuquerque Elegance and the American Dream

The Elephant Bar

Rating: 4 out of 5

Location/Phone: 2240 Louisiana Blvd. NE (505) 884-2355
Hours of Operation: Sun-Thr 11:00am–10:00pm, Fri-Sat 11:00am-11:00pm

Review:

Here at UNM students really get used to the college lifestyle. We enjoy late nights, serious procrastination, cheap food, and more than anything cheap pints. As we progress though maybe it is time to explore ways outside of cheapness. I understand that money is always an issue among people our age, however sometimes it is necessary to spend that money, or perhaps have it spent on you.

There is a plethora of good places to eat for a cheap buck, but what else is out there? How about when your parents come to town and want to take you out…will really want to recommend the same pizza joint across
the street that you ate at four times this week already? Or how would like to impress that new significant other that you met in your English class last week? Do you really think he/she wants another burrito from the two dollar burrito stand? Sometimes class is necessary. So where is the best place to go?

While Albuquerque has a number of fine dining and ethnic restaurants to choose from I find that the Elephant Bar gives the perfect impression.

The Elephant Bar is on Louisiana just past Indian School. It is mere hop onto the freeway from UNM, and in a few minutes you will find yourself in the beautiful new Albuquerque Uptown. If you find yourself waiting for a table at the Elephant Bar you have a number of different ways to spend your time. Enjoy an exotic drink at the bar while you wait, sit out in the patio and watch the shoppers go by in the crisp Albuquerque spring time weather, or perhaps you might even explore the new shops in the complex yourself.

Once you find your way to a table just sit back and enjoy the safari like décor, and some of the best trained servers in Albuquerque. You might find yourself full after the incredibly tasty appetizers, a number of which you’ll have to choose from, but don’t stop yet, the meals and the desserts are even better.

So when you are looking for more than just the local pizzeria, or have a certain someone you want to impress, come check out the new Elephant Bar, it’s great food, class, and an intriguing atmosphere. It beats the
serve yourself joints we college students tend to flock to, without that High Finance price.

Good luck fellow diners!

Review Author: Lauren Klose

The Pursuit of Happyness

Rating: 4.5 out of 5

Director: Gabriele Muccino

Release Date: March 27 (DVD)

Genre: Biography/Drama

Review:

Based on true events, The Pursuit of Happyness follows Chris Gardner (Will Smith) as he struggles to achieve the American dream.

Chris has everything going against him. His wife (Thandie Newton) left him and he's raising his 5-year-old son alone, without much if any income. Driven by being able to provide for his son Christopher (Jaden Smith) no matter what, Chris enters an unpaid internship program at a brokerage firm in hopes of landing the one paid position available at the end of the training program.

Sleeping in bathrooms, homeless shelters, and shabby hotels when he's got the money to afford a room, Chris never gives up on the idea he can land a job and provide his son with a better life.

This all in all was an extremely moving film that could very well have you in tears all throughout. Will Smith did an awesome job in the movie, as evidenced by his nomination for an Academy Award, but his son Jaden may have stolen the show.

If you’re looking for a movie to enjoy, be sure to check out the Pursuit of Happyness when it hits the shelves on March 27^th. Fair warning, if you think your life is tough before this movie – you might rethink a few things after this movie is over.

Review Author: Brent Booher