Shannon's birthday

In celebration of Shannon's birthday yesterday, I took him out to lunch. Well, "lunch" doesn't exactly cover it. It was more like "an orgasmic feast of deliciousness"... or something like that.

Thanks to Bones and D Bar for making such great food!

Crispy Brussels Sprouts

Kimchi Trio (our favorite was the cabbage)

Not pictured is the escargot pot stickers... YUM!

Steamed Buns with Suckling Pig and Pork Belly

Rice Noodles with Shrimp, Pork Belly, Snow Peas, Crimini, Chiles Lemon Miso Glaze and Spiced Peanuts

Udon Noodles with Pork Shoulder, Plum-Soy broth, Poached Egg and Scallion

Milk and Cookies at D Bar

Chocolate Molten Cake Thingy at D Bar

Bacon Apple Pie Old Fashion

Bacon Apple Pie Old Fashion. Half bacon infused bourbon half apple pie moonshine, bitters muddled with orange slices.

Steuben's

Wow! Talk about impressed. Not only was the food amazing but the service was as good as I have ever had. The GM Joey was awesome and made our evening truly special. No joke the dude is a class act. The food was perfect. The best fried chicken I have ever had. I personally can't wait to go back. You gotta try the Brussel Sprouts. There's a sentence I have never heard before. The bartenders are second to none. They even know how to make a real Sazerak which is my favorite drink. Thanks for a great evening, Shannon
                                                                          

BBQ Porn

So I'm watching No Reservations the other night and Tony is down in Austin. I'm enjoying the show as usual until BAM!!!!!!!!!!!!!! he's at Franklin's Barbeque and I see the most luscious, sexy, tender, juicy brisket I've ever seen in my life. And I've seen lots of BBQ. It took everything I had not to book a flight to Austin for the very next morning. Oh and the ribs and sausage don't look bad either. Words don't do it justice. Just watch it. (the "naughty" part starts at 1:40... good lord) -- Drew

Best meal of the year! (ever?!)

What an amazing time I had last week for my 40th birthday! It started on Wednesday with an incredible show by Mumford and Sons at Red Rocks. Then surprise skydiving with my wife on my birthday (still not quite over that one). And it finished off on Friday with the best meal I've had this year!!! In fact, it's in the top 5 of meals I've EVER had. No BS. Seriously great food by two of my favorite people, Eric Chiappetta and Jamie Gulick. They are professionally trained chefs and own Chia's Breakfast and Lunch Counter in Golden (sandwiches done right!). This was one of those meals that I couldn't stop talking about while I was eating it and haven't been able to get out of my head since I left. THANK YOU, Eric and Jamie!!!! Alright, enough talking, let's get into it...

The People...

Me and my beautiful wife, Tanette

Darcy and Shannon (the other half of Grubology)

Me with Jamie and Eric

Me and Shannon getting our fill of fresh sage and thyme from Jamie's parent's garden

(Their garden is a consistent presence in this meal. Thanks Sally and Rick!)

Love this picture!

You talkin to me?!

Jamie being all cute and stuff

Eric (Gallo Negro)!

The Food...

Wine anyone?

Antipasti

Bruschetta, Caprese, Beef Carpaccio

(The Heirloom tomatoes were from Jamie's parent's garden. Out of this world.

I've NEVER had bruschetta this good.)

Butternut Squash soup with fried sage, goat cheese and olive oil

Panzanella bread salad

Risotto with rock shrimp, preserved lemons and chili oil

(This was the shocker of the meal for me. Looked like a light dish. BLEW MY HEAD OFF with flavor. Haven't stopped thinking about this since the meal.)

Sweet potato ravioli, homemade fennel sausage, sage brown butter, AND... wait for it...

chipotle honey (which brought the whole dish together)

Veal Saltimbocca, angel hair pasta, roasted spaghetti squash, Gorgonzola creme

(SERIOUSLY?!?! I've got a tear in my eye writing this. Oh man.)

Chicken Cacciatore and fettucine

(hungry yet?!)

Homemade freaking Limoncello!!!!!!

(Trust me, there wasn't much left.)

Braised beef, mushrooms, tagliatelle, rapini, garlic, chili flake,

roasted new potatoes, rosemary

(Shannon and I were the only ones who could dig into this one.)

To finish off one of the best meals I've ever had, Tanette made some of her cake balls. SOOOOO good.

Thanks to Jamie, Eric, my wife, Shannon and Darcy for this wonderful celebration! I'm truly blessed.

Thanks to Drew's phone and auto correct we now have a new term.

Beef Racist; Also know as a vegitarian or vegan.

It was supposed to be "beef tacos".

Don't be a Beef Racist.

SW

Not sure how I'd feel about eating one of these.

Where do people come up with this stuff? I'm thinking about making a corndog pizzaburger armadillo. SW

Orange Miso Glazed Mahi Mahi

Now I'm getting creative with my surplus of Mahi Mahi. I'm serving it on a bed of Thai Peanut Soba Noodles. It's getting all glazy goodness.

My New Favorite Snack

Blue Diamond Almonds just got more awesomer.

Smokin' 4th of July

I found some beef ribs and some pork spare ribs which was pretty cool because all we can ever get here in Colorado is boring ol' baby backs. Don't get me wrong I do love baby backs but it's nice to change it up. The pork ribs were rubbed with a home made rub that was heavy on Chinese 5 spice and dry mustard. They turned out awesome. The beef were I little more simple with sea salt and cracked pepper. Both were served sauced and by the time they were done so was I. I decided to smoke the beans with the meat that's them on the top rack. All in all it was a perfect BBQ session if I do say so myself.