I've been a bit behind because I'm working on a new site. Sorry, it's still under wraps. There are a few of you who know about it, but let's just keep it on the D/L until it's ready - it's morphed a bit.
Last Thursday Shawn hosted a board game night at work. We had taught ourselves El Grande a few weeks before and got to play a full game (4 Players). It's a really great zero-sum-ish majority game ripe with all kinds of tight trade off decisions. It's been out for a long time and I'm glad to finally have gotten to it. Finally one less game that I own and have never played - it's a bit embarrassing.
After games my wife and I went over to Bar 169 so hear Ronan play an acoustic set. He was really great, some fine guitar playing, a little harmonica and really heart-felt challenging lyrics. Definitely will catch his next one. Bar 169 on a Thursday night was a bit of a strange crowd that added to the fun. Prior to Ronan played some singer chick who used background music and vocal tracks through the PA. And on top of that she sang really pop-y crap. After Ronan one of the women (of a table of about 8 lesbians) who had been sitting close to the "stage" got up and played. She was better than I expected and only played 4 songs or so. We were busy congratulating Ronan and relaxing. Then as we were getting ready to leave this guy comes on and plays "new age piano" to a rhythm track. He proceeds to finish one song and state that the next one was either inspired by or dedicated to his brother. A SLIGHTLY different rhythm track comes on and he proceeds to play a different riff on the same melody he played in the first song. We left.
As we stood outside Chealsea's friend Matt (if I remember correctly) is opening a restaurant, whose name I don't know, on February 26th literally next door to Bar 169. We got a tour of the place top to bottom and it looks great. It is going to be a local produce driven menu - according to Matt, the head chef, it will be about 60% (or was it 80% vegetarian) and of that a good portion will be vegan. Sure, all the carnivores just rolled their eyes, but I'm a huge fan of the veg and I'm looking forward to giving it a try.
The interior of the restaurant is great as well. When you first enter at street level there is a large bar with 3-4 big banquettes, a great place to have a drink and/or wait for your table. Then as you move to the main dining room there are several generous banquettes on either side of the open area. The ceiling has great small bulbous fixtures hanging down through large wooden slats. At the very back of the space there are a couple archways beyond which is a large sunken area. On the back wall there is a "green wall" covered in plants. At first glance I thought I was looking out on a subterranean patio, but as it turns out there is a bar on the level below that opens up to the top. The "back bar" seemed like a swank hideaway. It got even cooler when he told us there was a separate entrance at the street you had to be buzzed through, after which you walk down a very cool wood slatted long hallway.
I'm looking forward to being in the know on this one. If his restaurant is anything like Chealsea's other friend Allan's BBQ place, Georgia's BBQ (Yes, Chealsea is quite the hook-up), then I'm sure his food and his reviews will be will be great. I'm going to have to be sure and soak it all in before the New York Times effect sets in. But that is a whole different post about how I have a love hate relationship with the New York Times reviews and recommendations. I'm perfectly willing to check out places they recommend but am pissed when they tell the rest of the city about my secret places. That being said, here is the link to Alan's / Georgia's BBQ's link in the NYT
This is fun. I had heard tell of this event from some folks. I was overjoyed to find a photo of it. You all look so young.