Check some more off the list!!

To say that I had an amazing weekend would be and understatement.  Saturday I took my girlfriend to see Blue Man Group (something on her bucket list) and even though I had seen the show a long time ago, they have changed so much of it that it was basically a new show for me as well.  If you haven't seen Blue Man Group it is something that cannot be described and must be seen to fully appreciate.  Part rock concert, part comedy show, part God knows what, but it is a great time.

Once Sunday rolled around we seemed to be at a loss for things to do, as it was a pretty nice day and we wanted to take advantage of it.  So we began pouring over our respective bucket lists to find something we could do.  I quickly realized that my list needs some work.  It seems my list is made up of some pretty big adventures or revolve around eating and drinking.  I think I need to add some smaller things that can be done spontaneously and fairly easily.

Anyway, Jessi and I started thinking that we both have "try absinthe" on our bucket lists.  Ironically Jessi has an unopened bottle, that we have been meaning to try for some time (we even dragged it with us when we stayed at the Hard Rock downtown Chicago, but never opened it.)  For those who don't know absinthe is an anise flavored alcohol that was popular in the late 19th century.  At the time it was believe to have psychoactive properties and was eventually banned in the United States and much of Europe by 1915.  By the late 1990's the rumors of any psychoactive effects from absinthe were proved false and it was once again made legal.  So anyway, we decide that it was time for a little day drinking and we should finally try the absinthe.  Now absinthe is not simply drank straight from a bottle, as there is preparation ritual that needs to be done, as straight absinthe is very strong.  The ritual consists of setting a sugar cube on a slotted spoon over a glass and soaking it the absinthe, lighting it on fire then slowly pouring ice water over the sugar, effectively mixing the absinthe, sugar and water.

  So after following the directions to the letter we finally had a drink ready to go and Jessi and I were finally able to try absinthe.  As I took a sip the first thing I noticed was the smell of black licorice (duhh anise flavored) but for those who associate black licorice with Jagermeister, this is much better as the flavor, while strong is also strangely subtle.  All in all pretty damn good, but you could tell it has a high alcohol content.

#13 Try Absinthe

After trying the basic, traditional absinthe it was time to make a mixed drink with it, and thanks to the website we found a drink called the AWOL which had melon liquor, sour mix, lemonaid and absinthe, and hot damn was that good!  And with that, we both checked something off our lists.

But we weren't done checking things off our bucket lists just yet.  Jessi was aware that I had listed eat at someplace I saw on the Food Network on my list so she brought up a place near us had been featured on Diner's Drive-In's and Dives.  Unfortunately I missed that particular episode, but thank goodness for YouTube!  So after watching a quick clip, off we were to The Shanty in Wadsworth.  Now after watching the clip from the Food Network I knew that despite outward appearances this was not some crappy  burger joint and they were actually making some amazing and surprising food.  One of the things featured on the show was a dish called Whiskey Shrimp.  Basically it's saute'd shrimp in this garlic cream sauce with Jack Daniel's thrown in for good measure.  This was a must try for me (just throw some whiskey in it and I will eat it!)  Also on the menu was deep fried alligator tail, which although I've already tried gator in the past, it was so long ago I had to try it, not to mention it was on Jessi's bucket list.

After looking over the menu and already deciding to return, as there were numerous dishes that we wanted to try, Jessi and I settled on the Whiskey Shrimp appetizer and the alligator tail appetizer.  Oh, yeah we also tried the soup of the day...Macaroni and Cheese w/ peas.  Sounds strange right...maybe so, but it was fantastic! 

 

Mac & Cheese Soup

Shortly thereafter we received our dishes and the Whiskey Shrimp was everything I hoped it would be! The sauce was garlicky, but not overpowering and whatever else they through in it was perfect.  Now on to the alligator.  First of all the portion size was quite large for an appetizer and is more than enough for two.  The actual alligator was also quite good and came in a fantastic light breading.  What does alligator taste like you might ask...good question.  It is tough to describe, not fishy or anything like that, and unlike a lot of strange foods it did not taste like chicken.  It actually has a very light and delicate flavor, so if you get the opportunity...go for it!  

Whiskey Shrimp

Deep Fried Alligator

So with that I crossed another item off my list.  All in all between the two of us, we crossed a total of five things of our lists.  Not bad for a weekend.  Not to mention that I spent the whole weekend with my girlfriend which always puts a smile on my face.

#15 Eat at someplace I saw on the Food network, preferably Diners / Drive in’s and Dives