DRUNK ON AY CHIWOWA!

So when a place like Ay Chiwowa contacts you and asks you if you would like to come in and taste their new tacos and tequila cocktails for their 5 day Cinco de Mayo celebration, you only say one thing.  Si!  Actually... HELL SI!  I got off work, went home, put on my stretchiest skinnies and my dog snarl tee and was zooming out the door.  Absolutely love this tee.  It says, feed me or I will rip out your carotid artery.  RAWR!  Bring on the nyummies!  If you  have no plans this weekend.  Definitely hit up Ay Chiwowa for their Cinco days of Cinco de Mayo Celebration!

These stole the show for me.  I absolutely loooooooooooooooooove the guacamole at Ay Chiwowa.  They have a mango guac that is out of this world!  I could eat guac all day errrrrrday.  This was also the first time I had their corn salsa and it was soooooooo good.  These two are a must have!

The steak taco was yuuuuuum!  I topped it with some guac and it was even better.  I think if I added some hot sauce it would have been even even even more better!  For some reason I love drenching mexican food in hot sauce.  

Thanks to Tanteo for the yummy tequila drinks and trying to educate me on all things tequila-ish.  My favorite was the Blood Orange Paloma.  I can't really handle tequila that well.  I think college ruined that for me.  But this Blood Orange Paloma was perfect!  I could still taste the good parts of tequila without reliving the memories of being hunched over a dumpster outside of The Canopy from one too many cheap tequila shots.  (Only my U of I peeps will get that one)  But I thoroughly enjoyed this cocktail.  Actually I had about three.  Yummy!

The Shrimp taco was only okay.  Maybe because I just got back from Dallas where I had some bomb ass shrimp tacos so I was super biased.  It's worth a shot if you are curious.  =)

My fave taco of the night.  The pork taco.  Nom Nom Nom!

So what's my conclusion on Ay Chiwowa?  Go for the guacamole and corn salsa!  You will need something to soak up all that yummy tequila.  Their drinks are super tasty and packs a punch.  Don't just get one glass of margarita like a pansy.  Get a whole pitcher.  I was a pansy last night and it is not sitting well with me.  Disappointed in myself.  Also, because Underground has been under construction for what seems like FOREVER (man I miss it so much), the music at Ay Chiwowa is on point.  I wanna say it's the same DJs?  So that's really what makes it a win for me.  Good drinks, guacamole for days, and bumpin' music.  Woot!  So go celebrate cinco de mayo with the great staff at Ay Chiwowa.  You will NOT be disappointed.  They know how to have a good time.  Maybe I'll run into ya and eat your corn salsa.  =)

** STARTING MAY 1 ** 

¡AY CHIWOWA! PRESENTS CINCO DAYS OF CINCO: 

THE ULTIMATE FIESTA IN RIVER NORTH 

CHICAGO – March 26, 2013 – With 80+ tequilas, kegged margaritas, tacos, DJs and a mariachi band why not celebrate Cinco de Mayo all week long?! ¡AY CHIWOWA! (311 W. Chicago) is paying tribute to America’s favorite Mexican holiday with Cinco days of Cinco, a five-day non-stop party, beginning Wednesday, May 1 and running through Sunday, May 5. 

A new spring-inspired margarita infused with exotic fruits and unique extracts will be highlighted each day, including: the Black Cherry Basil Margarita, black cherry shrub, basil simple syrup, lime juice, anejo; Pineapple Ginger Margarita, ginger liqueur, pineapple ginger syrup, lime juice, reposado; and Acai Berry Jalapeno Margarita, acai liqueur, jalapeno simple syrup, lime juice, orange, reposado. Celebratory Bandera shots will also be featured–a blend of blanco tequila, housemade sangrita and fresh squeezed lime juice. 

Chef Julio Galicia even created a special Cinco days of Cinco menu, featuring authentic Mexican food favorites like Chicken Tortilla Soup, crispy corn tortilla strips, lime wedge; Jicama Cucumber Salad, orange segments,pickled onion, lemon juice, chile piquin; Chile Relleno, chihuahua cheese, refried beans, red rice, sour cream;Molletes, bolillo, chorizo beans, chihuahua cheese, guacamole, pico de gallo; and a classic silky Flan garnished with Kahlua whipped cream. 

On Saturday, May 4, Kentucky Derby fans will watch all of the horse-racing action on ¡AY CHIWOWA!’s flat screen TVs while celebrating Cinco de Mayo with a live mariachi band performance. Once the Derby wraps up, partygoers will enjoy throw-back beats mixed with popular Latin songs from resident DJ Eddie Mills. The five-day fiesta will continue late into Sunday night–or rather, early into Monday morning–with ¡AY CHIWOWA!’s infamous CIA Industry Party. 

 For more information, please call 312-643-3200 or visit www.aychiwowa.com 

 ABOUT ¡AY CHIWOWA! ¡AY CHIWOWA!, from Rockit Ranch Productions partners Billy Dec, Brad Young and Arturo Gomez, is Rockit Ranch’s sixth venue in 10 years. ¡AY CHIWOWA! offers over 80 different tequilas, kegged craft cocktails, classic Mexican street fare and a non-stop fiesta until 4 a.m. Walk-ins and private party inquiries are welcome. ¡AY CHIWOWA! is located at 311 W. Chicago Avenue and is open Thursday through Sunday, 5 p.m. to 4 a.m.; and Saturday, 5 p.m. to 5 a.m. For more information, call 312-643-3200 or visit www.aychiwowa.com.

Keep it classy guys!

  

JUST CLICK PLAY... ON BOTH AT THE SAME TIME.  ALL THE FEELS!

(If you are viewing on your iPhone, you probably are like.. wtf, I can't see this.  Stupid flash player!  Well lucky for you these are on my FB page HERE.  LIKE the page while you're at it.  I know I'm shameless.  hehe...)

Thanks to Kara, Billy and Ay Chiwowa for a fun night!

xoxo,

DOS

DRUNK ON ROCKIT BURGER BAR

In an attempt to keep my girly-ish figure, I often stray away from indulging in things like burgers and fries.  (most of the time I fail at this effort)  However, when Rockit emailed me with an opportunity to try a new LEAN burger they are releasing for a limited time, I knew I had to try it.  It truly lives up to it's name "Lean & Mean".  Everything about it seemed right up my alley because as the majority of the population does, NYE resolution #1 is "eat healthy".  Wheat bun, lean bison meat instead of beef, fresh kimchi apple slaw on top, side salad instead of fries... you had me at wheat bun yo.  Chef Amanda Downing and team figured this would be a great burger to start off 2013 with since everyone is trying to eat healthy after binge eating from the holidays.  And yes, it is a great burger.  I'm one of those people that takes any burger and lathers it with ketchup and mustard because I seem to think that's the only way it's going to be good.  One bite and yea... Lean & Mean needed none o' that shizz.

So here's my take on the whole shibang.  The burger itself is top notch.  I wasn't quite sure what kimchi ginger apple combo would taste like.  The cabbage used in this version of "kimchi" is not the traditional nappa cabbage and actually the flavors in this is not at all traditional Korean kimchi.  You can taste the hint of that flavor but it's not meant to be exactly like kimchi.  It's more sweet than the sour/spicy flavors I'm used to when eating kimchi.  It compliments the burger really well in my opinion.  The cabbage and the apples give the entire burger this crunch which I loved!  I really enjoyed the crunch and mooshy combo in this creation.  I appreciated that this burger wasn't 5 feet tall as well. I was able to mash it down with my hand so that I could cut it in half and be able to fit the bite in my mouth.  I really don't like when burgers are so tall you can't get an entire bite with everything.  The bison patty, which is what makes the burger "lean", is infused with little chunks of apple and red onion.  UH.. YUM!  So with all the apples in this bad boy, the overall flavor is sweet and tangy.  The burger is not at all messy or greasy and I didn't feel gross and gluttonous when I left.  I thoroughly appreciate that.  Hahaha.  

The side salad it came with was also really tasty.  They used a sesame vinaigrette which is lightly coated on the greens.  I really really REALLY enjoyed the salad.  However, it did somewhat clash with the burger itself.  Sesame oil, especially on top of the mixed field greens, was overall that amazing bitter flavor that I like in salads.  But it did battle with the burger.  I would definitely eat that salad on its own.  Maybe with some miso glazed salmon or shrimp on top.  Oh dang.. that sounds good.  And hot diggity, it had frisée.  Momma loooooooves her frisée!  Anyway, back on topic.  I suggest getting this burger with the curly fries like The Hubster did.  One because curly fries are God's gift to the world, two, because the burger is healthy enough so that you can justify the curly fries, and three, because Rockit Burger Bar's curly fries are dank as hell. 

And now, enjoy a feature presentation.  LOL.  Let me know if you guys enjoy this video, because that's probably the only thing that will motivate me to do another one.  If anything you'll get to hear The Hubster's smooth vocals.  You can just skip over mine.  Ugh, hate listening to myself.  Would it be weird if I just had The Hubster voice over for me?  I think that'd be kind of awesome no?

The Lean & Mean Burger will only be available until January 13th!  Go get it while it's around.  Rockit Burger Bar is only open Thursdays-Sundays so plan ahead.  Bring your lover, bring a group, bring the kids, bring a random co-worker, or hell, just bring yourself.  It's perfect for lunch and you can hop on across and ice skate at Wrigley Field!  Or skate first and feel like you've EARNED them curly fries!  If that's not a fun weekend plan, I dunno what is!  Oh, and have a whole pitcher of the white wine sangria.  Just do it.  Just do it.  Just do it.

Side note:  I know I promised my first YouTube video would be "13 for 2013", but hot damn it's hard to record yourself.  I swear that it will still come.  Just trying to get a handle on how to do this.  GAH!

xoxo,

DOS

DRUNK ON FROG N SNAIL

This past Sunday I had a very special brunch date with my darling Laurz.  She is much better than I am at finding good eats so of course I left it up to her to find our brunch spot.  And man, did she deliver!  I decided to clean out my purse before I left.  I always end up with so many balled up receipts and random junk and am usually really bad at cleaning out my bags.  Most of them have random items still sitting inside.  I left The Hubster at home to enjoy his football.  Our Sundays have been spent apart since I have zero interest in football.  I was glad to have a brunch date to get away from the sounds of penalties and touchdowns.  

Poor Wrigley.  He always knows when I'm about to leave and starts whimpering in my face.

I went and picked up Laurz and a few minutes later we arrived at...

The best part is that this place is in our hood!  

There is a frog and snail to watch over you.  Adorbs!

We spent a good 15 minutes staring at the menu.  This is on top of the hour I spent at home the night before trying to decide what to order.  The entire menu looks so amazing and everything sounds incredibly delicious.  After staring for so long, Laurz and I both admitted that we wished we brought more people with us so that we could try more dishes.  Hahaha.  I call that the "dim sum" strategy.  You never want to go to dim sum with less than 4 people.  Good thing this place is so close because I will definitely be back to try the rest of the brunch menu.  And if this brunch menu is anything like their dinner menu, I'll be back for that too!

They have this thing called Mimosa Bottle Service.  Those three words never sounded so good!  You get a bottle of champagne and three types of mixers to play with along with the classic OJ.  We went with grapefruit, blueberry, and pumpkin.  I must say, champagne with OJ and blueberry syrup is a fantastic combo.  Daytime drinking has never been so fancy and never been so gooooood.  It was a fun and playful experience.  Utterly genius.

Laurz adding some pumpkin into her mimosa.

This, my dear friends, is the Lyonnaise salad.  As soon as I read "frisee" I knew I had to try it.

The Lyonnaise has frisee, frites, lardon, radish, haricot verts, and beets tossed in a truffle vinaigrette and topped with a perfectly made poached egg.  Putting little french fries in a salad has got to be the best idea eva!  This salad is light and perfect.  The dressing wasn't too heavy so you could really taste the freshness of the greens.  I would have preferred it more drenched in dressing but that's just my inner fat kid talking.  I appreciate when restaurants actually make sure that I taste my veggies and not just the dressing.  It was a perfect starter for us to share.  Laurz allowed me the honor of poking the poached egg and letting the yolk ooze all over.  Nothing is better than watching an egg yolk ooze all over a plate.  Nam sayin'?

Hello Mr. Egg.  You were a pleasure to demolish.

Laurz did get her chance to poke her own poached egg.  Did that sound dirty?  Hmmmmmmm... no.  Okay, maybe a little.  Here is the duck hash.  There is something extremely special about this hash.  There is a surprise on the bottom.  And that surprise would be... banana bread.  It's got that perfect blend of savory and sweet on one plate.  But if that's not your kind of thing, then skip this one... also... you are weird.

This is the Shrimp N Grits.  Holy crap this one was good.  The shrimp, corn and mushrooms were soaked in what I could only describe to be a buttery pool of heaven.  Also, have you noticed a recurring theme here?  There seems to be a poached egg on everything!  I love that!  Even our server said, when you want to make a dish even more fantastic, "put an egg on it."  And I couldn't agree more.  Now I am going to try to poach an egg.  Wish me luck!  Laurz says there is some sort of tornado method that is supposed to help.  Already, I am scared.  Maybe Chef Dale Levitski will teach me how to poach an egg one day.  Chef, if you read this, that was a real request.  Can a girl get a egg poaching lesson please?!  Also, amazing job on the restaurant.  Love the decor, love the food, love the location, and love the mimosas!  Digi high five!

Always a fab time with this lady =)

Everyone go check out Frog N Snail and brunch it up!

You can make reservations via Open Table

3124 North Broadway  |  Chicago, IL 60657

www.frognsnail.com

xoxo,

DOS

FNO AND EPIC FAIL

Day one in New York!  Woot!  I felt so blessed to have been on this trip with two of my besties!  Laurz and Sungie.  Two of my absolute favorite people.  So fun to travel with, down for whatevers, and both just know how to love life and be in the moment.  I immediately took them to the first place I always go to when I go to NYC.  Cafe Habana in Soho.  I did that for two reasons.  One, Cafe Habana is amazeballs!  And two, because I wanted to trick them into shopping in Soho since it's like... right there.  Cafe Habana is seriously some good eats.  The corn is indescribable!  Rocks my socks every time it hits my lips.  I'm pretty sure Laurz and Sungie are now huge fans.  The best part is the price is so reasonable for the level of tastiness.  Ready for some #foodporn?  Here we goooooooo...

We forced down two orders because it was just too good to not finish.

Let the midday drinks begin!

Laurz and her pulled pork.

Sungie and his Cuban sandwich.

DOS and her favorite fish tacos ever!

Don't you just want to shove your face in there?

Shopping in the Piperlime store in Soho.  The store is totes adorbs.  On the hunt for faux leather shorts.

Top - Nasty Gal  |  Jeans - Sass & Bide  |  Shoes - Steve Madden (similar)  |  Tank Top - t.babaton

LOVED these ones from Free People.  But smallest size didn't fit my waist.  WAH!  =(

Shorts - Free People

My besties in Soho.

Laurz trying to get that focus right.  Not quite there yet.  Hehehe...

Striking a pose in that Y-3 steez.

Him taking a picture of me taking a picture of him.  I am so obsessed with his outfit!

My darling Laurz in full haggle mode.

Later that night we were off to experience New York's Fashion's Night Out!  It was quite an adventure.  Very difficult to shop with so many people!  I went super casual for the night in a Brandy Melville top and Elizabeth and James shorts.  We started off around Midtown because I really wanted to check out the new Schutz store before heading down to Soho.

Oh hayyyyyyy.  If this doesn't get you in the store, I dunno what will!

Just a few delicious pieces from Schutz!  Pretty please make size 4.5 and 5!

After the craziness of FNO, we went to The Standard for some drinks.  Yummy yummy!  So fun catching up with everyone and hanging out with my Anita bonita.  It was also nice to be away from all the craziness and have a place to sit away from the crowds and away from the muggy heat.  We killed that sangria like champs.

After a rousing and might I add super successful boozing sesh at The Standard, we decided to continue the party rock at a place called The Park in Meat Packing.  Here's where the epic fail started.  Even though there are multiple bouncers standing outside, there is one main bouncer.  Dressed more suave-ly than the others with his light grey three piece suit and thick leather gloves (yea it was kind of 90 degrees outside) so it was purely for the sake of being fashionable.  I can appreciate that.  What I did NOT appreciate was feeling like I was two inches tall as he proceeded to skip over us and let other (in his unspoken opinion) cooler people inside.  

Was I dressed too casual in shorts and a cut off tee I wondered?  But then he let in more casually dressed peeps and I was sure that wasn't it.  We stood there patiently because one, we are not rude, and two we do not think we are royalty and expect to just be let in right away.  Part of us wanted to leave, but the other part kept hearing the fun music playing inside.  Exactly the stuff I wanted to shake my caboose to.  So each time I would turn to leave, the music pulled me back in.  With each swing of the door I could feel my inner ghetto girl want to shimmy shake.  Especially when Missy Elliot's Get Your Freak On started playing.  (click)  I shit you not, once the beat dropped my heart started racing and my breathing got all heavy.  Let me in!  Let me in!  But there was no convincing this guy.

Standing outside feeling rejected, I just wanted to be like:

But my buzz was wearing off and did not feel like embarrassing myself in the Meat Packing District.  Had I used up all my cool points at The Standard?  Quite possibly.  In defeat, we trudged down the street, got in a cab, and went back to our friend's apartment, trying to shake off the stink of defeat.  It was still a super fun day regardless.  In hindsight, I'm glad we didn't get in or else I would have been pretty dead the next morning which was important because I was going to my very first NY Fashion show.  Stay tuned...

xoxo,
DOS