Celeb Watching and Tasty Vittles at Bowlmor Lanes

By Brandon Ferguson Fri., Nov. 5 2010 at 4:54 PM

Categories: We Sell Out

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For heterosexual guys who think watching a show like Dancing With the Stars is only for those who are light in the loafers, it's time to wake up. Yes, the ABC dance contest features lots of muscular and semi-shirtless male dancers, but the females are beyond compare: Edyta Slwinska, Kym Johnson and the diminutive, voluptuous and lovely Cheryl Burke.

Last night, Bowlmorl, formerly known as Strike, located at the District in Tustin, featured an evening of food samples in addition to some luminous celebrities including two Dancing With the Stars alums: Cheryl Burke and partner, former Los Angeles Lakers player Rick Fox, who were eliminated from the ABC competition this week.

Outside the 30-lane bowling alley, Burke and Fox answered questions for the likes of Access Hollywood and the Orange County Register. While speaking to the Weekly, Fox explained that his skills on the basketball court only took him so far on the dance floor.

"You know, I started off professing my professional background as an athlete," he said. "I wouldn't negate the need for stamina. But the show itself is an expression. It took a while to get used to that...I learned you can be competitive, but you can't let it negate your expression."

Two time DWTS champion Cheryl Burke, a dancer whose style on the ballroom floor comes across with an added helping of conviction mixed with a fiercely competetive vibe, remained diplomatic about her strategy for success on the show. "As far as I know all the dancers on the show are competitive," she said. "But I have so much passion for what I do and that's what you notice."

Inside the bowling center, people drank cocktails from the full bar and threw polymer rocks down 30 lanes. Neon colored mid-century spherical lights adorned the walls and each lane sported a flat-screen televisions above it.

Drinks such as the Maker's and Seven were served in pint glasses and packed a sizable punch. A series of food stations featuring items from Bowlmor's menu, revamped by Iron Chef competitor David Burke.

Omnipresent cocktail waitresses carried trays of sliders and other finger foods. Meanwhile, chefs cut slices of roast beef and a chocolate fountain gurgled nearby. I tried the Virginia Glazed Ham sandwiches and found them disappointing with loads of grizzle to get stuck between the teeth, but the sliders were tasty. (Though let's face it, it's hard to fuck up sliders.) The vegetable platters sported a delectable blue cheese dressing with the asparagus offering a surprising snap even after sitting for an hour. Actress Eliza Dushku was also in attendance, making an unpaid appearance and bowling with Fox and Burke. All in all a fun evening bowling with the stars.

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