Crawfish, Beer, Friends

To say I'm overdue for a blog post is an understatement. What can I say...life happens.

For the second year in a row, I spent a lot of my summer in Louisiana for work. When I found out that all my my coworkers/friends would be back in North Carolina together the weekend before my birthday I decided to take advantage of having all of us in the same state for once. What better way that to have a good ole Crawfish Boil?

 I did some searching in Louisiana for the best way to get the mudbugs up to the piedmont of North Carolina and finally settled on the good folks at Louisiana Crawfish to ship the delicacies to me. It was a pretty sweet deal actually. They not only sent me two bushels of life, purged crawfish but included all the seasoning, a koozie (of course I planned to do a lot of drinking), and I was able to order some fantastic andouille sausage from them.

I was able to specify my delivery date and before I was even fully awake on Saturday morning (I prefer not to raise before lunch) the UPS guy was knocking on my door.

He said "Just tell me where I need to be when I get off work so I can get in on some of this action!"

I swung over to Harris Teeter and grabbed all the other fixins need to pull this off (my first ever). The great thing about Crawfish, Crab, and Low Country Boils is that anything goes, really. I grabbed a dozen ears of corn (later snapped them in half), two things of button mushrooms (probably the most popular item with my crew...now I know), baby red potatoes, and whole garlic cloves (SO good).

I've seen artichokes, carrots, celery, and more thrown in the pot. Up to you.

We all live in apartments so we opted to do the boil at the most central complex, which unfortunately was not mine. I loaded up my car (thank goodness I bought an SUV last fall) and drove over.

Surprise, surprise everyone was already drinking by the pool when I showed up to set up. I enlisted the help of my buddies Sean and Nico to do a lot of the lifting and water retrieval (we had to fill the pot in the shower). I repaid them with the first crawfish from the pot, which they graciously accepted.

Now my buddy Sean has been begging for a Crawfish Boil since I met him...I found out that day that he's never had crawfish...nor had 18 of the 20 guests arriving. This would be an adventure.


 I use a 60 quart pot when I do a boil, I was able to crank my crawfish out in two batches and then the veggies is another batch. The good thing was that the crawfish could steam in the cooler while the next batch and veggies were going. Makes them a bit spicier. Don't be fooled...these were the most mild crawfish I've ever eaten...but I did them that way to make sure the amateurs could handle it. The veggies, soaking in the heavily seasoned water, however, packed so much heat it made up for it!

I made sure to create an epic Zydeco playlist to crank, had more than enough beers on ice (plus folks paid me in Bourbon) and enjoyed teaching everyone how to suck their first heads and peal shells to reveal the sweet, juicy meat.

Just remember, each step in the cooking process requires you consume a beer...if you have helpers...they need one too. Make sure you don't run out!

 

Listening to: "Oh Katrina" by the Voice of the Wetlands

Harvest 18

I'm hitting the road tomorrow for about 4 weeks. I needed to grab a few things before packing & while I was out & about decided to grab a bite somewhere with outdoor seating.

I stumbled upon Harvest 18. This restaurant changes it's menu every shift. In fact, as I write this it is 2:30 in the afternoon & they do not know what will be on the dinner menu.

I ordered a Harvest Mule (Troy & Sons Moonshine, fresh lime, & ginger beer) or 2 to wash down my Steak & Eggs. The NY Strip & scrambled eggs came w/ roasted potatoes, turnip greens, & charred green tomatoe salsa.

I looked up at one point & saw a man in a suit standing next to me. He introduced himself as Josh & asked to join me. Josh is one of the managers. He chatted with me a bit, proudly describing the company he works for as if it was his baby.

My waiter, Ryan, commented on my UNT (University of North Texas) tshirt & said he hadn't seen one in years...he grew up in San Antonio. He asked how I came about the shirt &/or why I was in NC. It was my turn to talk about the company I work for. We talked about all things Texas until he discovered I'm from Memphis. Low & behold he used to work at some bars on Beale Street. We talked about Mud Island, BBQ Fest, Beale, & all things 901. 

FINALLY! Someone who understands my distaste for NC Vinegar-based BBQ. We shared our secret BBQ places in NC that come the closest to the taste of home, I ordered another drink & tabbed out.

As a Regional Sales Manager, I couldn't help but think, "man, I wish I could have these guys come to training & talk to my sales reps about how to build rapport & make connections." Phenomenal job. This was truly one heck of an experience from the sun-soaked table, stiff drinks, life changing cuisine, & friendly staff.

Music Monday: "Happy (in Memphis)"

Moving to NC has presented me with countless opportunities to do things I never really had the opportunity to do in college (because our town was TINY). I've seen countless concerts, eaten amazing food, traveled to some fantastic places, and drank more than my liver would like to admit.

I, however, did not expect to mark "watch UT Martin basketball play" off that list but I had the opportunity yesterday to watch a near upset as the Lady Skyhawks of my alma mater took on UNC. The devastating 2 point loss still doesn't seem real (find out why, here).

But watching my school's women lose was not the only heartache yesterday. I headed over to Raleigh, NC for the men's games. My co-worker, Janelle (a Memphis alum), and I (Memphis native) arrived at PNC arena in during halftime for the Tennessee v. Mercer game. Really? I hadn't put either team on my bracket this far, so I chose to pull for Mercer (plus my grandfather would kill me if he heard me cheering for UT, GO 'DORES!).


After the realistic UT win, it was time for the big game. Memphis v. UVA. GO TIGERS GO! We were easily two of only 200 Memphis fans in the arena...the other 17,800 fans were for UVA. Makes sense considerign Charlottesville is only 3.5 hours away and Memphis is about 11 hours. If you watched any of the game, you'll now understand why it was so loud.

Another tough loss (my 3 teams: UTM, Memphis, and UNC all lost yesterday). But you know what? I'm happy! That's right. It's a beautiful day, I have a good job, a nice apartment, and I thoroughly enjoyed my Chik-fil-a breakfast this morning.

I just wish I was happy in Memphis.

Buy This: Drinkwel

As a marketer, I enjoy programs like Birch Box, Dollar Shave Club, Bespoke Post, etc. I enjoy getting exposed to a variety of products and brands that I would have otherwise never heard of. I've been subscribing to Birch Box for a few months and haven't been disappointed yet. They knew what they were doing this month when they included samples of Drinkwel, just in time for St. Patrick's Day.

Drinkwel is the multivitamin for healthy people who drink alcohol. The ingredients will help replenish nutrients, support healthy liver function, and help your body process alcohol induced toxins. Not your typical multivitamin, drinkwel contains a mix of antioxidants, essential vitamins and minerals, amino acids and our proprietary Superfruits & Botanicals Blend.

Take 3 capsules once daily with food and water. When drinking, take 3 additional capsules with water before bed. You can take one serving of drinkwel before you drink and one before you go to bed and you will feel the benefits of drinkwel. However, drinkwel was designed specifically to be a daily multivitamin with ingredients that replenish nutrients, support healthy liver function, and help your body process alcohol induced toxins.

So what better way to put this product to the test than a full day of St. Patrick's day debauchery in Raleigh, NC? We kicked our celebration off with lunch, darts, drinks, and beer pong at my buddies' house. After multiple jello shots and pulls from a bottle of Fireball...we made our way to Morris Square in Raleigh for the Tir na nOg Irish Pub festival. Drinks on drinks on drinks. Made our way up to some food trucks and endless Rumple Mintze at Coglin's before ending our day at Natty Greene's Breweing Company for some pool, shuffleboard, and cornhole.

We we arrived home after about 11 hours of heavy drinking, I made sure to pop my remaining serving of drinkwel and woke up this morning at 8:30 feeling better than I do most morning without drinking! HOLY COW! I felt fantastic and can only imagine how I'll feel after taking it more regularly!

Bull City Part 2

My job requires a lot of traveling. So I'm a big fan of exploring an trying new things. As you all saw in my post last week, I'm really enjoying my weekends spent exploring Durham, NC, my new home.

This past weekend was very similar. After work, I headed up to The Crunkleton for a Vieux Carre and to catch up with my bartender buddy. The college crowd started to make its way to Franklin Street and I decide that was my cue to leave. I headed to downtown Durham in search of some good eats.

Now, I'm sure you're all aware of just how cold it's been the past few days. Friday was a decent day, and I forgot to pack a coat. So as I wandered the streets of Durham, hugging myself for warmth, I peered into the shop windows to check my chances of getting a table.

Slim. To. None.

I tried Mateo bar de Tapas, Beyu Cafe, Dame's Chicken and Waffles, and a few others. PACKED. So I headed back over to Geer Street Garden, ordered the fried chicken plate (read my Yelp review here) and then meandered back to Main Street to enjoy a drink at Whiskey

Whiskey is an interesting place. Whiskey is a private club for members aged 23 years or over and their guests; a gathering place for grownups. Not far from Toast (next door) and Bull McCabes Irish Pub (across the street), great food is just outside the front door. Whiskey does permit smoking and we have a selection of cigars for sale on hand. Whiskey believes to have the states largest whiskey menu (at last count 337) and features a cigar bar upstairs.

I grabbed a few drinks, stumbled outside and hailed a cab.

Saturday morning I was determined. I was determined to eat at Dame's Chicken and Waffles. It has always been packed when I walk by and let's face it...who doesn't love chicken and waffles? Judging by the hangover I was nursing with a homemade Bloody Mary (Charleston Mix, homemade habanero-infused Tito's vodka, bacon, and pickled greenbeans), I needed to wait until later in day to go when there would be fewer hungover individuals craving nurishment.

Wrong.

At 2:00 in the afternoon, Dame's had an hour and forty-five minute wait.

I walked over by the old Leggett and Myers Tobacco Company warehouse in Brightleaf Square to try out a place called Parker & Otis. Talk about unique. This deli type venue features beer and wine shelves, cookwares, novelty items, and more. I ordered a Shrimp BLT that changed my life and guzzled down a Cheerwine. After lunch, I perused the store and gazed in awe at the offerings before me. I pick up some Chapel Hill Toffee that I hope will last until my mom and sister visit next week, John Currence's book "Pickles, Pigs, and Whiskey", a couple of coffee mugs and other food items, and hit the road for an afternoon nap.

On the Road: Lake Charles, Lafayette, New Orleans, & Baton Rouge

A few weeks ago all about Louisiana. Focusing on work (& w/ crappy weather) I didn't focus much on food. Naturally, the foodie in me always prevails & I managed to enjoy a couple of good meals (on top of my travel regulars like Cracker Barrel & Waffle House).

The big take away from this week was definitely Restaurant IPO in Baton Rouge. A Southern Tapas bar, this is hands down the most unique menu I've ever seen.

My dinner consisted of Bon Temp Shrimp (think Bang Bang shrimp at Bonefish), the most delectable duck poppers I've ever eaten, & Pequeno tacos. As an avid duck hunter, I found myself taking pictures of the entire menu to send to my buddies back home in West TN. I would say that easily 95% of the menu consisted of duck. So in a way...this was research.
Now, my mom and sister came to NC to visit me a few weeks ago and I took them to Mateo bar de Tapas, naturally my mom kept thinking I was taking her to a topless bar. Bold move, my friends.

Tapas means small plates (as you can see from the pictures). Know of a great tapas bar? Grab a group of friends and check it out. These plates are meant to be shared (which explains why it can be hard to get a table sometimes) over a glass of sangria or a bottle of local craft brews. You may even find yourself ordering everything off the menu!


Trying out a tapas bar solo means you can still order 4-5 plates to try but can turn into a pretty pricey meal for just one person. Many of these unique establishments offer an entree menu to choose from...check out this burger that Restaurant IPO offers. I must admit, I seriously considered it (it does come with a bottle of wine).

 The next day I was conducting some interviews on campus at LSU. After a week of crappy weather, it was a beautiful day in Baton Rouge. Clear skies and 70 degrees. WOW!

After working a half day, I packed up and headed to Acme Oyster House. Did you know that there was more than one? THERE'S SEVEN! The last time I ate at Acme was back in 2010 when I was in NOLA for a marketing conference...and that's easily the only thing I remember about the trip.

I secured a seat at the bar so I could watch the dozens and dozens of oysters being shucked in record time. I order the New Orleans Medley...a sampling of gumbo, jambalaya, red beans and rice, and grilled smoked sausage.

I passed on a drink, drove to BTR, returned the rental car and started making moves back to RDU for the wekend. This was the week of the second big snow storm (not the one that hit ATL, but the one that hit the northeast). The journey home consisted of a 2 hour delay at the Baton Rouge Regional Airport (lucky me), a flight on a prop plane to CLT, standing on the tarmac in short sleeves waiting for the gate crew to let us into the terminal, SPRINTING across 4 terminals (haven't run like that since my cross country days back in high school), getting to my connection as they were closing the door, almost requesting medical assistance (I was weezing for 3 days...I need to work out more), landing at RDU at 11:30...didn't get my luggaged until close to 1:00...finally got home around 2:00.

JEEZ! I spent the remainder of Valentines weekend watching House of Cards and then hopping another flight first thing Sunday morning for another 3 week trip.

So go out there. Explore new places. Try new things. I'm no longer strictly a meat and potatoes kind of guy. Neither should you.

Now Playing: "Oh, Katrina" by Voice of the Wetlands

Dewey Destin's

Now we are all know I love to eat. My doctor would argue that I love to eat all the wrong things. If eating the following item is wrong...I'll be damned if I'm ever right.

My brother was stationed down in Navarre, FL a few years ago and we make the occasional trips to visit him and his wife...I feel like more so now than ever before so that we can see my nephew, who happens to be the coolest 1-year old there is (and he knows how to rock a bow tie like the best of them).

My dad and I went to visit one week a couple of summers ago and the 3 of us took the boat out for the day. We ventured on over to the infamous Crab Island to check out the party scene but the long ride out and beer left us famished. We floated over to Dewey Destin's right by Crab Island for some grub.

WARNING: the following images are absolutely amazing and mouth watering

 You may be wondering, "what is it?" Well let me tell you! These colossal shrimp are stuffed with crab, wrapped in bacon, and deep fried in lard served with jalapeno hushpuppies.

Excuse me, I'm tearing up just reminiscing about it.

Now, for work I'm swamped from January until mid April and then Mid May until September (April is more of a tease). I'm looking for a possible solo vacation and Destin has my name all over it just so I can load up on some of these!