Out With The Wifey

Last night was one of few times I get to have a night off during the week. Usually I get only one night, but this week I have three(CELEBRATION!!!). With this night off from work, I decided that Whitney and I should have a date night. We hardly go out, so why not do it this time.

I wanted her to choose where we would go, but she didn't want to choose(this is how our relationship works). I gave a list of places we could go. They included J Clyde, Paramount, Jack Brown's, and The Southern Kitchen. Since we never been there before, she wanted to go to The Southern Kitchen. We have heard mixed reviews, so we wanted to see which side we would be on.

I got home first and changed into some more comfortable clothes(this just means changing shirts and shoes). She got home and completely changed clothes, and then we were off to Uptown.

Once we got into the restaurant, we had to walk to the front of place to the host stand(we entered from the back). He asked if we wanted to go to the bar because it would be quick service. We thought that would be a okay with us. We sat down at the bar and waited. And waited. It was about three to five minutes before the bartender came around. It looked like she didn't want to be there. :(

We looked around on the menu to see what we wanted. It broke my heart to see that they didn't have any beers on draft. Come on now!! This place is still fairly new, and there were no beers on draft. Anyway, I got me a Good People Brown and Whitney got some kind of strawberry cocktail(I forgot the name of it).

Once we looked around the food menu, we decided to get some of the Cajun Angels. It was an app with blackened shrimp that was wrapped in bacon with a BBQ sauce underneath. For what it was worth, I thought we would get more than what we got.

In my opinion, it was good but felt like something missing from the sauce. I know it was under Small Plates, but it was smaller than what I thought it would be.

Well our entrees should better, right? Ehhh. I got The Jackson, which was blackened shrimp with gouda grits topped with a cajun hot sauce and greens. Whitney got the Pimento Cheese Sandwich that had jalapeño honey fries.

 Just liked the appetizer, we felt like something was just missing from both of our meals. Now let it be clear that I am not saying that we did not like the food. We enjoyed it, but it felt like there was something missing from the whole experience.

Once we left there, Whitney had the idea of going to J Clyde for some dessert. YES!!! After a not so exciting dining, we know we could get some awesome beers and desserts from our favorite pub in the city.

We walked in and saw Amanda was working behind the bar. We sat in the back bar and started off with some beer. I got the Merry Widow from Fairhope, and the wifey got a tripel from Straffe Hendrik. Made both of our souls happy.

Then our dessert came around. We got the Young's Double Chocolate Stout Brownie that came with a scoop of Vanilla Bean Ice Cream. Dear God!! It was soo amazing!! What did I decided to wash it down with? I got a Cappuccino Stout from Lagunitas. This was good as well.

I can say that we might not have started the night on a good foot, but it definitely ended the way it should. Will I go back to The Southern. We shall see, but it will be a while before I go back. J Clyde, on the other hand, I will see you later this week.

Light Up The Night

You know what today is. IT'S FRIDAY, but before we get to enjoy the weekend(or as much as we can with the rain coming in) I want to tell you about what my fiance and me did last night. Let's say we was able to bring some light into the dark night.

First off, we went to the Piggly Wiggly in Homewood to do our usual beer tasting. This time they had some different kind of ciders. Now if you know me, I am not the biggest fan of these at all. They are usually too sweet for me and taste like spiked apple juice. Well these were different. They had Traveler Beer Company(we got a six pack of the Curious Shandy) and Angry Orchard for the taste, and I have to say that they were good to drink. Now would it be a first choice for me? Probably not, but if it's there at a party I would actually get it.

After the beer tasting, we went to Avondale for some food. We decided to try Post Office Pies for the first time. It's right between Avondale Brewery and Saw's Soul Kitchen. It was very busy there but the service was fast. We both good drinks to go with our food. I got Avondale Missy Fancy Tripel, one of my favorite. Whitney got their version of an Arnold Palmer. It had sweet tea, lemonade, and Missy Fancy in it. That's right!! Beer inside an Arnold Palmer. Then we got one of their popular pizza pies called the "Swine Pie". It had pepperoni, sausage, and bacon. It was a little greasy but I like it that way. It is a BIG thumbs up for me, and we will be back.

 Missy Fancy is a lovely lady.

 The Arnold Palmer

 Me failing at trying to look distinguished

 Whitney loves her drink!!

 Always staying hydrated

The Swine Pie

After enjoying good food and drinks, we headed to the Alys Stephens Center for the Dream Lights event. It's a free event that showcased different kind of art pieces that some kind of light involved with it. This year's theme was about being 3D. They even had the old school 3D glasses available. There was so much there, including food trucks(shoutout to NOLA Ice). If you have nothing to do this weekend, you should go out either tonight or tomorrow(hoping it doesn't rain) and see what I saw last night.

The Parade of Lights

 Red Velvet Cake from NOLA Ice

 FIRE!!!!!

 EVEN MORE FIRE!!

 Yes! I do love UAB.

 Pacman(Yes, you can play it!!)

 Having a good time together!!

Our friends of Iron Giants performing

Well hoping that you get through your work day and get to enjoy your weekend with lots of fun and relaxing things!!

Taking A Chance

During the week, nines times out of ten, I'm usually working throughout the whole "lunch time" period. I work as a server at John's City Diner on the north side of Birmingham, so I am usually working during lunch. Thursday was a little different though. Why do you ask? Well business was slow, and I was able to leave work early. This a a rare occasion for me, and I was going to make the best of it. 

I decided to go to some places I usually don't have the chance to go or do stuff I usually don't do because of the time I get off from work. First place I went to was Black Market Grill for lunch. Everything was looking great since I wanted to get a burger and have a nice beer. There was one problem with this. I left work at 1p, and they didn't open until 3pm. I didn't know that until I got to the door, so that was a fail!! 

Instead of eating lunch, I decide to get myself a little treat. Where did I go for this? Pastry Arts, of course!!! Their baby bites are some of the best things ever created, and I could eat a whole dozen in one seating(And I have done that before). This time I decided to get six red velvet baby bites and six more for my fiancé(2 turtles, 2 caramel, and 2 strawberry margaritas). If you haven't been there before, you should try it one day.

With these wonderful creations from God in my possession, I need to have a nice drink. There is only place I could that I love to drink at. J Clyde, here I come!!! I have been going to J Clyde since I was 22yrs old. Every time I go in, I feel like I'm walking into Cheers(everyone knows my name). I tried out two new beers(all thanks to Amanda). I tried New Belgium's Gruet and Founder's Rubaeus(I would recommend both).

Usually on Thursday evenings(if I'm not working that is) Whitney and I go to the Piggly Wiggly in Homewood for their beer tasting. This night was no different except for one thing. Whitney had a great idea of going out to Genghis Grill for dinner. I love this place, so of course I was okay that idea.

If you haven't been there yet, you can go up to their "Build Your Own Bowl" bar and add as much stuff as your heart will enjoy. I usually do chicken, steak, sausage, and fried rice in my bowl. It was so delicious.

I must say that I am so happy that I was able to do some fun stuff. Friday will be just about the same way. Can't wait!!