Really Happy at the Happy Gnome

Last night I ventured over to the Happy Gnome with a few friends for dinner. I knew it featured an extensive list of beers on tap but I've never seen that many before that were worth drinking, Old Chicago's list does not count as a fair rival.

We were led upstairs by our hostess into the Firehouse room and seated directly under one of the building's features, an old shaft that has been converted into a tower that held an animated neon sign. While the historical feature was interesting to ponder its once-significant functional contribution to the building, the cobwebs strewn about inside did not have the same allure as we dined underneath.

I ordered a beer from the extensive list of offerings. I think they have around 40-50 on tap - and "bud" is not on the menu. Each beer is a unique, hard-to-find sampling from around the word. Several had very high A.B.V., mine was 9% so I drank it slowly, verrrry slowly just to be sure I wasn't caught off guard by my last sip. It was a New Holland Dragon's Milk (yum?) from Michigan. From their menu, "A complex ale with a soft, rich caramel malt character intermingled with deep vanilla tones; all dancing in an oak bath." Yeah, and it was very good, sweet but not too sugary.

We started with Baba Ghanoush as the appetizer. It was served with candied chick peas and delicately spiced with a small amount of heat. The warmed pita bread was my favorite - fluffy with a bit of crisp on the edges and a small dusting of flour. It was really tasty and the light ghanoush mixture did not fill us up too much before the main entrees arrived.

My main dish was a butternut squash risotto with pancetta. Other risottos I've had with that featured butternut squash had a rich, creamy sauce but this sauce was not based with cream and instead had several accompanying steamed vegetables that added to the cozy, spiced dish. Asparagus and brussel sprouts studded the dish throughout so each fork full remained hot and each new bite was the perfect temperature as if it was my first. The honey and pepitas were not overly invasive in flavor and added another unique element. I thought all of the flavors balanced nicely and it was welcome change to the traditionally heavy version. If risotto is at all "traditional".

The other dishes my companions ordered looked just as mouth watering and everyone enjoyed their meal. The drinks were priced fairly and overall we had a really good time.

Mexico - Revisited

Sooo, turns out that Azul Fives wasn't open and won't be until November of this year!! Severe construction issues...luckily we discovered that 2.5 months in advance and we were able to book at a new resort thanks to our travel agent, Colleen. I highly recommend that you use a travel agent when you are going to a new destination for the first time, especially out of the country. She basically saved our vacation.

We stayed at Secrets Capri just north of Playa Del Carmen, which was a seriously decadent and wonderful all-inclusive resort. The size was just right for us (290 rooms) and there were plenty of restaurants and bars to keep our taste buds singing and waistlines expanding for the short five days we were in Mexico.

By the time we left, we had taken over 600 photos. My sister is an "amateur" photographer and takes great photos. She always has a camera with her wherever we go to capture the moment and create the memories we can look upon later.

See our trip here.

Hola Mexico!

Soon I will be planted on a beach in Mexico, specifically Playa Del Carmen. I'm traveling in celebration of my big 3-0 in 2009. I'm excited to celebrate my birthday nine months early in Mexico.

We're traveling to a new, all-inclusive resort called Azul Fives Hotel. It is the first time we're not embedded in local culture and seeing as many sights as we can crammed into one day.

We're going to sit on our butts, soak up the sun and not worry about a schedule. While drinking. I'm so excited.

It's my first time visiting Mexico. Right now in the ultimate doldrums of winter in Minnesota, it's a bright beacon of hope to survive another winter here.