M and his friend R went to Badass Burrito last night for some dollar taco action. M doesn't feel like writing about it, so I'm stuck writing about something I wasn't there for.
The joint was pretty empty. But that could be due to a number of reasons. I'm going to say because it's effin cold. I wasn't in attendance because it was league night. I hate missing league night.
They got tacos, so I was told. According to M, they looked awesome, but only tasted alright.
They also bought beer, and drank happily, so I was told. Ten bucks between the two of them, and a nice tip for the server... because M was in a good mood. I think he wants to be a regular (who wouldn't with dollar tacos and PBR?)
M talked to one of the owners, Howie, so I was told. For an hour. M actually held a conversation with a complete stranger for an hour. Historic times.
Howie is from Brooklyn, and from the sounds of it, is the epitome of someone from Brooklyn. He did some cool things when he was younger, and now is all about the Mexican food. His actual words I won't say because I don't know if he's cool with someone writing it. Apparently they have a blog and they frequently check the web to hear what people have to say. If that's the case, they would have seen the post about Baby Badass, and my very meh feelings about it.
And speaking of their Troy location, it turns out they own more than just the store front. From what I was told, the Badass owners want to turn it into something other than just a eatery. Once again I won't say what I was told, but it is something that Troy doesn't have and would be an excellent addition to the area.
M was stuck working on Christmas, so his family decided to hold off on celebrating until we were able to get out there for New Years. The theme for the night was beer and electronics. The electronics came mostly from M, and the beer was pretty much a family thing (all three siblings got some each other). This Golden Cap Saison was from Bro. Not bad, and the winged monkeys add that special touch you just don't see nowadays. I doubt we'll find New Holland brews here in New York.
EDIT: Since it was asked, a Saison is a Belgian style pale ale. Alcohol content hovers around 5-8%, and color ranges from gold to orange, but it can also some that run brown or really pale (wiki). I could be reading this all wrong, but it looks like the best known of the Saisons is the Saison Dupont, which comes from Brasserie Dupont. And according to this website, not only is it a brewery... it's also a working farm! Niiiiice.
Spinach dip! Since both his Bro and Sis were making something for dinner, I figured we should pitch in as well. Being that it was New Years Day, we weren't too sure if the store in town would be open (holidays, small town... who knows?), but we lucked out and grabbed the things we needed. And speaking of luck (I guess), SIL kicked us out of the kitchen and made our contribution to the dinner. I felt bad that she ended up making the dip, but I understand her feelings about other people cooking in her kitchen.
I didn't take pictures of the rest of dinner, but M's dad made a chicken noodle dish, SIL baked layered cheese ravioli for M, Bro roasted potatoes, and both Bro and Sis made roasts. Unfortunately, Sis's roast was a little too overcooked... and I'll leave it at that.
After dinner presents were given out, and even though I wasn't expecting anything (M and I agreed on no presents) I think I got the most out of the group. I got a Wii Fit! And a tripod for my camera. And a hard drive for my Wii. And a ukulele. I'm such a lucky gal. There was a lot of rock and roll going on, but I don't think I'm allowed to show everyone just how rock and roll it was. All I can say is, M is hilarious when he drinks. Me? I'm just pukey.
EDIT:M said it was okay to put up the video! It's a bit on the dark side, so there's stuff you don't see... but audio is wonderful. And maybe a bit too loud.
Ah, CJ's. No trip is complete without a stop there for breakfast. For the four days we were in Michigan, (we were gone for six, but two were driving days) we ate there twice. It would have been three times, had we not taken our time on NYE (they closed at 2:00... wtf). But if it wasn't for that time, I wouldn't have overheard a server tell her customers the rundown on New York City. I don't know who her sources are, but she needs to get new ones.
M's cheese omelet and my double order of hash browns and biscuits & gravy. And lots of coffee.
I don't think I'm a mallrat, but I always seem to end up at the mall. We met up with two of M's friends and went to a restaurant called Garfield's in Port Huron. The big seller there is the fact that happy hour is "all day, every day." 22 oz. domestics were 3.50 and large margaritas were 3.00.The only food item on their happy hour menu was chips and salsa, which was horrible. The chips were super greasy, and the salsa... I can't even describe it other than yeeeech. But we were drinking, so I did my best to eat through it.
The next day we met up with MB and once again went to Badawest. It had been on my mind the whole trip, especially the stuffed grape leaves.
These were amazing. I wanted to try the version with meat, but M talked me out of it. The picture is after we ate half of it and I remembered I should take a picture. I should have taken a picture of the inside... I keep finding recipes online, but I want the one that's closest to it. Was it rice? Bulgur? Ack! Perhaps I should ask MB to find out for me... or better yet, get the recipe.
It was a fun night, and maybe a little too much fun for M. I ended up driving back, which royally sucked since it was snowing and I had no clue where I was going. But we made it back in one piece and slept most of our last day in Michigan sleeping.
All in all, a good time once again. I don't know when we'll be back there, but hopefully soon.
to my friend K... who I haven't seen since I graduated from college.
To make it up to him, I of course drove into the city to have a few drinks. Well, just the one, because in my awesomeness I decided to show up fashionably late... and what do you know, they left the bar.
Not to fear, because they were just a few blocks away and we did the frustrating walk all over the East Village to find a hookah bar. We did find one. Can't remember the name, but it was fun. and K and I did have the obligatory brithday drink - Irish carbomb. I really like those... I can put away a bunch before it comes back to haunt me (I was good and just had the one).
Anyways, happy birthday dude... and no, I am no bully!
