Friday Night Projects

3 Floyd's Brewpub

I'm almost done with my Christmas shopping but almost isn't good enough. So I went out with Mrs. 04 to get a gift tonight. Our gift getting ways led us to 3 Floyd's Brewpub. We got the gift and got a quick bite to eat. I was surprised by how much I liked the food. I knew I'd like the beer but the food was really good.

We got seated right away and got some beer. I had Robert the Bruce - A bold Scottish ale with a complex malty body derived from roasted and crystal malts balanced with just the right combination of hops. This ale pours a deep ruby color, has a sweet malty nose with layered caramel and roasted notes and a full body. Robust yet smooth, Robert The Bruce is a malt lover’s delight. Yes, this description was from the menu, I did not create those words myself. 

Karen had Dreadnaught - A hophead’s dream beer. This Imperial India Pale Ale has an opening salvo of mango, peach and citrus hop aromas that sit atop a pronounced caramel malt backbone. Although Dreadnaught is a strong and intensely hoppy ale, its complex flavor is both smooth and memorable.

Robert the Bruce is the darker one.

For dinner I ordered wood grilled shrimp and cheddar grits with red eye gravy. This was so damn good. Very tasty. Can I lick the bowl? 

It was dark, sorry the picture isn't so good.

Karen went with a burger but no ordinary burger. She got Blood Lust. What is Blood Lust? Let me tell you. Blood lust is a patty of ground shortrib topped with bacon, caramelized onions, sun-dried tomato ketchup and sharp cheddar. Yes, you are allowed to drool. Side of fries? Nope, not at this place. Karen got a side of poutine with bone marrow, gravy and fried capers.

I really liked the atmosphere. I wanted to kick back and have a few more tasty beers. The only complaint I had was the noise at times. The music was a bit loud and sometimes instead of music there was a loud screeching noise. It went away pretty quickly so it wasn't so bad.

I couldn't resist bringing back a 6 pack of Zombie Dust. 

I spill the water, I spill the water, I help

Just cancel it already

I'm an optimist when it comes to hockey. I really am. When the Hawks are struggling, I'm the first to say they are about to break out. Down 3-0 in a playoff series? The Blackhawks can come back! When the Hawks sign a bunch of lower tier players, I see potential. It's just in my nature to be positive about hockey. Even now I'm still an optimist about hockey, just not the NHL.

So the NHL and NHLPA, the players, are meeting with an arbitrator tomorrow. Great, whatever. I'm tired of this lockout. It really pissed me off. There is no reason for it. Both sides sat around when they should have been working it out. Now we are left without the NHL heading into December. The problem is I don't care anymore. Me saying I don't care about hockey should terrify the NHL and NHLPA. I was pissed off, I've moved on. I don't want a season this year. I want them to cancel it. I think that's whats going to happen anyway so might as well get it over with. Put all the fans out of their misery. Even if they worked it out, I don't want a season starting in January or February. The season would be a joke. Cramming in 4 games a week just to get the fans money.

Like I said, I'm a hockey optimist. So even if the NHL and the NHLPA are determined to permanently damage their relationship with their fan base, there is other hockey to support. I think I'm going to take my girls to a Wolves game soon. It's gonna be cool digging out my Chris Marinucci IHL jersey and heading over to the Allstate Arena.

I won't lie. When the NHL comes back, I'll be there at the UC cheering on the Hawks but it won't be the same for a long time. I doubt I'll want to get that shirt or jersey or whatever crap I bought because it had the Hawks logo on it. The Blackhawks meant more to me than they probably should have. That's changed now but I guess that's what two lockouts can do. It hurts the NHL's core, the die hard fans. Time will tell if the NHL can recover from this. I hope so.

Hey Totoro

Pretty Lights

And the tree is up

First ornament on the tree.

A Very Mothra04 Thanksgiving

Happy Thanksgiving!

Poke Battle!

Nothing like getting ready for Thanksgiving by having some good old fashioned Poke Battles.

I WIN!

It's Freaking Foggy

Parent Teacher Conferences

So today we went to school to see how the kiddos are doing this year. So how are they doing? Great! All of them are doing really well. I'm a happy and proud dad.

Sunday Morning Puppy Pancakes

Koda Bistro

I went out with my sister tonight for a bit of dinner and a bit of the chitting and chatting. We went to Koda Bistro on the South side of Chicago. It was a nice place and I was pretty happy with my meal. I'd definitely go back.

I started with some Kentucky Bourbon Barrel Ale. You could really taste the Bourbon.

My first course was Pumpkin Soup with Brioche Croutons and Jarlsburg Cheese. The soup was very light, not an overwhelming, punch you in the face pumpkin taste. My sister had Roasted Red & Golden Beet Salad with blue cheese, mache, walnuts and shallot vinaigrette. She said this was her favorite part of dinner. 

For my entree I had Sauteed Sea Scallops with butternut squash risotto an baby spinach. My sister had Maryland Crab Cakes. Both were very good. I love risotto so I was very happy to stuff my face.