27 Dresses and the Melting Pot.

In the spirit of discussing restaurants (see previous post) it’s only makes sense that I share my Melting Pot experience. Normally I’m not a big proponent of chain restaurants (don’t worry…I don’t think I’m too good for a chain restaurant).  I just really like supporting the local guys.

Anyway, the Melting Pot (in all its chain glory…) made the list for a few reasons: 1. Many people have recommended it. 2. Because of that, I’ve wanted to go for a number of years…but I’ve just never gotten around to it. 3. Because it’s fondue, dinner might take a few hours. I like long dinners; they often make for good conversation.

Thanks to my friend Ryanne, this particular trip to the Melting Pot was especially, and pleasantly, unique. Once a month, the Melting Pot hosts a theme night and the proceeds benefit a local non-profit. A day or so before this unexpected dinner, Ryanne sent an email about how the Melting Pot was hosting a “27 Dresses” theme night. “27 Dresses” is a movie (with Katherine Heigl) about a girl who has been a bridesmaid 27 times.

This particular night, the Melting Pot offered anyone wearing a bridesmaid dress the opportunity to partake in a 4 course meal and an open bar for $35…not a bad deal. From what I’ve heard, the going rate is often $50…without drinks.

Not only do I appreciate the total randomness of the evening (yes, I felt like a complete “tool” walking from my car to the restaurant in a bridesmaid dress…) BUT Ryanne’s coworker Ruthie joined us so I made a new friend…and let’s be honest, how can you not bond over a Thursday evening of fondue, cocktails, and bridesmaid dresses?!?

I admit, I never anticipated my first trip to the Melting Pot would involve a bridesmaid dress (Meredith, I wore the one from your wedding…) but the unexpected, spontaneous, and random things often make for some of the most fond and vivid memories…and I think that’s fun. :)

Tony and Charlie.

I like food. And I like tradition. As a born and raised St. Louis girl it only made sense that I add a St. Louis landmark restaurant to the list. Two recommendations were made: Charlie Gittos and Tony’s. Last July, I officially added Charlie Gitto’s to the list…HOWEVER…my uncle’s birthday is in March, and as fate would have it he wanted to celebrate at Tony’s downtown. For those of you who don’t know, Charlie Gittos and Tony’s are very different. CG’s is casual Italian dining, while Tony’s has won awards (nationally and locally) for excellent food, service, and ambiance. When you think "Tony’s" think fine dining. So, in March, I made the decision to upgrade this particular list item. After all, it is my list and I can do whatever I want with it.

Here’s what I liked. 1. Since I originally planned to visit Charlie Gittos, the whole experience was unexpected; I appreciate a little surprise every now and then. 2. I went with family. I like my family. They’re fun. 3. Even though my aunt Kathy wasn’t there, she was in spirit. Why? Well, I had foie gras as an appetizer and when Kathy and I had lunch at the Museum of Modern Art in Feb. she ordered the foie gras, I tried it, and it was delish. :) The foie gras at Tony’s was equally delicious. In case you’re wondering, foie gras is liver. Normally, I don’t like liver. And I’m no foie gras expert, but foie gras is the liver of a duck or goose. I guess their livers are better than a calf’s because I could order calf liver, smothered in gravy, with a side of mashed potatoes at an old-persons cafeteria for $5, while a tiny sampling of foie gras tastes significantly better yet is also significantly more expensive. Truth be told, I think I just like to say “foie gras”.  Anyway…food, wine, service, company, etc. was great and I’m glad I felt compelled to alter my list mid year.

Interestingly enough, I did end up going to Charlie Gittos a few weeks later. My friend Dana invited me to a Cardinals game and we stopped off at Charlie Gittos for lunch before the game. Had I known we’d have lunch at CG’s…I would’ve brought my camera.

Oh, and despite the fact that “Restaurants” is a silly little category I managed to come away with a tiny little “take away”…maybe it was just a good reminder. Few things in life are set in stone, so why not be flexible and open to change? …even if it’s something as simple as changing your bucket list item at the last minute.

Stranded at the Kentucky Derby...

Oh my goodness. How is it July and I have I not yet blogged about the Kentucky Derby?!?

Truth be told,  I’ve never watched the Derby on TV. I’ve never had a mint-julep. I don’t have an affinity for large hats. Though beautiful, I find horses dangerous and unpredictable. And I’m not a betting woman. So, why did The Derby make my list? Simply stated: I’ve never been and I like to do new things. Plus, there is something to be said for an event that’s been running since the 1870’s.

Background Info: Back in “the day” (college and a little after) my friend Angie and I went on a fair number of road trips. There are two things to do while in a car for 5+ hours: talk (we always had a good conversations) and make the passenger be the DJ. There was an unspoken rule that applied to the DJ: Surprise the driver with the most random (and fun) selection of music possible. As a result, many road trips involved artists such as: Cake, Madonna, Garth Brooks, Outkast, etc.. Since Angie’s move to CA, road trips are few and far between. So…who did I call when I wanted to go to the Kentucky Derby? My gal pal Ang.

Thursday April 29th Angie arrived in STL. Angie and I lived together in STL for a number of years and for the sake of tradition we walked our old 5 mile route a few times and went to a few bars/restaurants we would often frequent when she was living in town…it was a little trip down memory lane.

Friday morning, we began our road-trip to Kentucky. After 9 hours we arrived in Louisville. Yes, Louisville is really about a 5 hour drive BUT when you drive to Lexington first…it is a much longer drive.

To make a long story short, we originally booked our hotel in Lexington, KY (about an hour east of Church Hill Downs) because neither of us were interested in paying $450+ for a one night stay at a LaQuinta. Yes, $450 for a LaQuinta! I’m sorry, but as a matter of principle I won’t pay $450 for a hotel that is supposed to be somewhere in the neighborhood of $90/night…even if it does have a microwave in each room. Literally, 10 minutes after we checked into the Lexington hotel, my uncle (who also ended up going to the Derby) called to tell me someone in their group backed out and that room (at a nicer hotel, in downtown Louisville) was ours for the taking. It takes a good friend to agree to another hour or so drive after a 5 hour road trip earlier in the day, but Angie agreed and after dinner in Lexington, we headed back West to Louisville and finally checked into our hotel around 10:00, then headed out to explore downtown Louisville.

Downtown Louisville was a mad-house…who knew?!? So. Many. People. Neither of us had any idea it would be so insane! We were on overload. Unfortunately, I waited too long to write this blog and I’m sure I’ll leave out tons of details, so just picture a big street party, loud music, dancing, bars, lots of fluorescent lights, cobblestone streets, and tons and tons of people. The Derby is “THE” event of the year for Louisville, because of that; the city is understaffed when it comes to public transportation. As a result, many of the “taxis” were basically moms driving minivans with a handwritten paper sign on the side of the card that said “Taxi”. I honestly could’ve sat down at a table and just watched people for hours. Lots to soak in.

Since my Aunt and Uncle’s friends dropped out of the trip, Angie and I were able to “drop in”. Which meant the next morning, we met everyone in the lobby and hopped in their pimped out charter bus stocked with plenty of food and drinks. On the front end, the Charter sounded like a great idea (especially considering the weather forecast was for nothing but rain and the Charter promised to drop us off right at the front gate) and for the most part it was. Until it suddenly hit us, “if you go with the charter, you leave with the charter”. We arrived at the Derby around 10:45 a.m., unfortunately, it rained 90% of the day…and our seats were not covered. The actual derby “race” isn’t until 5:00 ish…which meant the majority of the afternoon was spent hanging out in the covered area with thousands of people who were getting drunker, and wetter, and louder, and hotter by the hour… essentially, we were stranded.

Am I disappointed I went to the Derby? Nope. I’m glad I went. I’m glad I bought a new dress, wore a big hat, tried a mint julep, road tripped with Angie, hung out on 2nd Street in downtown Louisville, bet on a few horses, hung out with my Aunt and Uncle and their friends (they invited us to a really fun party after the Derby) and met some new people, and in general experienced all that is "The Kentucky Derby". 

Would I go again? Probably not. Unless…someone paid for me to sit in the covered seats -or- I was guaranteed a sunny day. And since there is no guarantee on the weather…I guess that means someone needs to treat me to Millionaires Row…any takers?  :)