Armitage Awesomeness

I wanted to try Table, Donkey & Stick for a long time. I love crusty bread and fire, and a little brandy certainly can't hurt. So when I heard that Penrose and Solemn Oath were doing "Armitage Awesomeness" - a Humboldt neighborhood party - I figured there was no better time to get my butt down there and check it out. Going into Armitage Awesomeness I had not yet made the connection between Table, Donkey & Stick's story and the story of our theatre company. Table, Donkey & Stick refers to the Brothers Grimm tale in which three brothers leave home to apprentice for a carpenter, a miller and a turner. Our theatre company, The Billy Goat Experiment, is named after 'playtime' improv games we devised centered on storytelling and folklore. Had I made the connection sooner I would have made this an outing for our entire company. Well, I guess I already have a great reason to go back for more! 

Some of my favorite moments of awesomeness involve our theatre company's retreats, 'The Goats' all standing around a bonfire after a good solid dinner, some drinking and a whole-lotta-smack-talk. That feeling of 'nothin' else to worry about'. The warmth from the fire frontin' you, fending off the cooler air of the night wafting around. The comfort in seeing your friends' smiles through flicking embers. The laughter. The tomfoolery. The lingering smoke smell days after still residing on that hoodie. The bandages, the stitches. But back to Armitage...

Table, Donkey & Stick absolutely rocked out three awesome courses paired perfectly with some of the best beers.

Table, Donkey & Stick - Armitage Awesomeness.
Welcome Beer: Solemn Oath Brewery, Butterfly Flashmob, Belgian IPA.

The 'welcome beer' - hands down one of my favorite beers ever - was a Belgian IPA from Solemn Oath, Butterfly Flashmob. A great way to get things rolling. 

The first course delivered on that crusty bread (which was awesome) and some great meat. The caraway salame was just amazing. I know, I wish I was more articulate, too. There was also this incredible kale stem sauerkraut that went along with it. That's the stuff right there.

Table, Donkey & Stick - Armitage Awesomeness.
Pork Rillettes, Caraway Salame, Schweinkopf, House Baguette.

Table, Donkey & Stick - Armitage Awesomeness.
Papa Goat. aka Todd.

With the first couple of courses we got to enjoy Penrose's Proto Gradus, a Belgian-inspired single ale. Crisp. Clean. Another favorite and a perfect compliment to some delicious fattiness. (ps: they've recently begun bottling this so look for it, ask for it.)

Solemn Oath's Snaggletooth Bandana, American IPA, was in there too. Citrusy Fun is RIGHT!

Table, Donkey & Stick - Armitage Awesomeness.
Shaved Vegetable Salad, Cold Fried Chicken Livers, Pea Dressing.

Took us a minute to wrap our collective heads around Cold Fried Chicken Livers. How do you cold fry something. No. It's cold. Having been previously fried. Right? I don't know. Delicious. That I DO know. 

Followed by this roasted duck and crispy risotto that just had us shaking our heads like, "Really? How is this even possible?" Exquisite. Take me back to that fire. Man. And in this simple beautiful setting of a large naturally lit, glass enclosed room which somehow just cracks open so you have fresh air wafting around, this table focus... for a moment you're transported to that bonfire. The comfort.

The duck paired beautifully with Penrose's P-2, another favorite. Belgian-inspired pale ale. Clove. So good.

Table, Donkey & Stick - Armitage Awesomeness.
Roasted Duck Leg, Crispy Risotto, Chamomile, Peas.

It was great to sit and talk with Rob and Eric from Penrose. It was also really exciting to me to learn about Table, Donkey & Stick's story. And to discover what it is we have in common.

A love for storytelling. Fellowship.

From there we moved on to Parson's. Yeah, you know you love you some Parson's. I love those umbrellas! Red and white. That patio is so laid back. Those shipping containers. That El Camino! No Todd, you cannot steal the logo of their car. Hands off.

Parson's - Armitage Awesomeness.

Parson's - Armitage Awesomeness.
Folks just chillin'

Parson's - Armitage Awesomeness.
A cool evening, a cooler patio.

Parson's - Armitage Awesomeness.
I saw Ryan back there chilling, too. Cool.

While at Parson's, too full to order any chicken (daig-nab-it! Next time!) we ordered Solemn Oath's Whisper Kisses because who doesn't want to experience Whisper Kisses, French Saison. I love the names these guys come up with. Whisper Kisses, honey, whisper them. Just don't steal them. Actually, you can steal a couple...

Parson's - Armitage Awesomeness.
No, Todd. Just leave it.

The final stop for us was Scofflaw, another place I've been chompin' at the bit to try. Walked in. Felt right. Nice vibe. Next up and our final taste for the night: Penrose Brewing's Devoir. I really like the subtle tartness and the dry finish. They describe it as effervescent and airy, that is absolutely right!

Scofflaw - Armitage Awesomeness.

Armitage Awesomeness indeed.

Storytelling. Fellowship.

Major Plus Awards 2013

The Inaugural Major Plus Awards --- 2013

Let's just get right to it…

+ Major Plus Awards +

1. Yusho 

2. Union Sushi + Barbecue Bar

3. Pleasant House Bakery

4. Mott St.

5. Kai Zan

6. Ruxbin

7. TWO

8. Yuzu Sushi & Robata Grill 

Best Dishes Tasted in 2013

So hands down, Yusho gets the Best Dish Trifecta! Actually, that's me restraining myself, too. The first time I ate at Yusho my initial response was "when everything is so perfect I need someone to punch me!" Thankfully, no one did. But seriously, I swear, there is nothing better than tasting something amazing that you have never tried before… that also comforts you in that way that only mom's familiar cooking could! The comfort factor is a ten! Yusho, the menu is so much fun to explore… ask questions, learn what things are… and several tastes, like 3 or 4 different dishes will give you an exceptional feel for what they've got going on. Always magical! Given the superiority of skill, quality ingredients, creativity and exquisite everything Yusho and anything by Matthias Merges and team is on the top of my list! Kudos!

• Yusho - Takoyaki, The ingredients of this incredibly satisfying dish change seasonally but the deliciousness is not a matter of question. Often adorned with a flavorful, fresh and perfectly dressed vegetable of some sort and accompanied by a flavorful complimentary paste or sauce.

Takoyaki at Yusho.

• Yusho - Cosmo Blood Sausage Steam Buns, Because OH MY GOD WHY ARE YOU STILL READING THIS… YOU SHOULD BE EATING ONE. 

• Yusho - Soft Serve, I absolutely love the soft serve at Yusho. The ingredients may vary seasonally but once more, the deliciousness is consistent. My favorite so far has been hibiscus, tamarind & sancho pepper. Because I just had no idea! So so good! Now, if the Mochi dessert is also on the menu you're probably going to need to get both. I'm just sayin'.

Soft serve at Yusho.

• Mott St. - Brussels Sprouts, Wok fried with lamb pancetta and maple brown butter. Much has been made over brussels sprouts and that's all well and good but you have not lived until you have tasted this divine perfection. The pancetta… the maple brown butter! Get thee to Mott St.! Plus Jenny, Nate and the rest of the gang make you feel right at home. This is a fun place, everything I've tasted (Gai Lan, Imperial Rolls & Steamed Dumplings, Kimchi Udon were delightful.)

• Pleasant House Bakery - Steak & Ale Pie, Speaking of COMFORTING… buttery crust, filling so warming… you'll want to take some home, AND YOU CAN! Locations in Bridgeport and in Three Oaks, MI… 

Steak & Ale Royal Pie at Pleasant House Bakery.

• Pleasant House Bakery - Seasonal Green Salad, Pleasant Farms greens with herb vinaigrette. Yes, THEIR OWN greens! I've never had a salad that was as varied and perfectly delectable as this.

Seasonal Green salad at Pleasant House Bakery.

• Union Sushi + Barbecue Bar - Prosciutto-wrapped scallop, Exquisite & Delicious. Wasabi avocado puree, sweet plum sauce, fried ginger. Also, this place is tons of fun!

Prosciutto wrapped scallop at Union Sushi.

• Union Sushi + Barbecue Bar - River North Roll, It's wrapped in Collard Greens. I'm from VA. So, you know…

River North Roll at Union Sushi.

• Billy Sunday - Asparagus salad, olive poached tuna, pumpernickel, hen egg. It's relentlessly perfect, like everything at Billy Sunday. 

Asparagus salad at Billy Sunday.

• Kai Zan - Orange Rush, Gorgeous presentation. Equally delicious. 

Kai Zan.

• Ruxbin - Sockeye salmon, brioche crust, cerleria purée. 

Best Value Wine 

• Bertrand et Guillaume Gonnet Cabernet Sauvignon
• 2011 Franco Serra Barbera d'Alba
• 2011 Azienda Agricola Cirelli Montepulciano d'Abruzzo  

Best Bottleshop

• In Fine Spirits, Andersonville

Best Cocktail

• Billy Sunday - Cocktail, Malted Rye, Spanish Brandy, Ambergris Laced Palm Sugar, Water, North Bay Bitters. Then life began. Alex is relentlessly in pursuit of all things exceptional. As is everyone at Billy Sunday.
• Yusho - Soldier of Valerius and Red Hook (Johnny Drum 101 bourbon, Vermouth di Torino, Barolo Chinato, cherry) Steve makes an exquisite cocktail.

Best Beer

• Dos Osos, or "two bears," collaboration brew between Revolution Brewing and Firestone Walker Brewing Co. - IPA, dry, crisp and clean.
• Surly Furious, Surly Brewing Company, IPA, burry me in a Furious Cask!
• Sculpin IPA - Ballast Point Brewing. Top drawer.
• High Fidelity - Gigantic Brewing Co., American Pale Ale. Pour it, drank.
• Cruisin for a Brewsin - Lake Effect Brewing Company, Belgian IPA, freaking' delicious.
• Mr. Inappropriate - Solemn Oath Brewery, Belgian Wheat.

Best Coffee

• DARK MATTER - Doing so many splendid things, all up this muthafucka! On Western Ave. at Chicago Ave. and also at Star Lounge Coffee Bar where I die for the Dolor de Oro.

Best Food Truck

• Eastman Egg Co.
• 5411 Empanadas 

Best Social Media

• Yusho
• Union Sushi + Barbecue Bar 
• Pleasant House Bakery 
• Proving that social media can be used to enhance the overall experience, expand your brand and serve as an additional extension of reach for customer relationships! A re-tweet can feel like a fist bump! A link can educate! Thanks for sharing, everyone!

+ Major Plus Awards +

One visit is not sufficient to judge a business. One visit certainly provides for a distinct first impression but for me to award a Major Plus I have to visit more than once. I know what I like and my judgements are based on my overall experience. This award goes to restaurants who blew me away on every possible front. Rated on another system they may be five stars or whatever, on mine they have by far earned that Plus! I judge based on ridiculous amounts of scrutiny to every possible detail, including but not limited to: 

• Menu (Actual Menu, the Food, the Drink, Taste & Execution, Creativity) 
• Atmosphere (Interior, Exterior, Service & Presentation and is the baseboard spotless, are the ceiling fans clean?)
• Overall Organization (Dining Stages, Operating Culture, Reservations system. Did I see an avoidable traffic jam? Is something getting missed? If so, I'll find it.)
• Overall Service (Wait Staff, All Points of Contact, Front of House. I watch how the mail carrier is treated. Honey, this is what I do.)
• Bathroom (I have a strict rule: Bathrooms, while they can not MAKE a restaurant they certainly can BREAK one.) 
• Media (Is there a presence, Relationship? Fun? Responsive? One time I tweeted that the music was too loud and the response was IMMEDIATE. I was like "Dayum!")
• Cost. While I will judge "is this worth what I payed" I will not base a review on price, you price it how you need to run your business, however; if you price me out, well then I guess I am just priced out, right?

Closure Predictions:

I predict Bull Horns Taco Bar will close in 2014.