So I have been gone for a while, I had a couple life milestones come up, including a birthday. (Insert Jamaican airhorns here)
One would think, a rolling stone such as myself would have spent her b-day somewhere warm and sunny, surrounded by a different tongue, and basking in foreign culture right? If you feel so inclined, please submit a complaint on why this was not possible, to JP Morgan Chase. They’re expecting your call.
On a serious note, I always see my brit-day as a day of introspection. One where I can go over the lessons from the previous year and re-center myself in my goals for the next. I normally spend the day alone - by choice - to ensure I spend it exactly as I want to, without distraction. However, any time before or after that is ripe for a turn up. Which is exactly what happened.
I started out my b-day week stressing over brunch. It is my favorite meal and I wanted to share it with some of my favorite people. Two problems here: 1. I have a lot of favorite people 2. Do you know how crazy popular brunch is in Chicago?!
DrinkHaus
I wanted something different, and new. I heard about this place called DrinkHaus in West Loop. They had the ultimate trifecta: Unlimited premium brunch, Unlimited crab legs, Bottomless Mimosas. At the description alone, EYE was ready to propose marriage. And with good reason I soon found out. When I called around to get a reservation for my party of 12, I was pretty much laughed off as Sunday is the busiest day for brunch. DrinkHaus was different. They took and seated my party swiftly, and that is when the fun began. Set to a soundtrack of smooth 90s R & B we ate a delicious meal fit for royalty. They had a beautiful buffet of soul food, breakfast staples and crab legs. Yes, that is the 2nd time you have heard me mention that. My excitement over those crab legs was really shameful. But you know what wasn’t? Me eating ALL of them.
The only discernible downside to the restaurant is that you are on a timer. Literally. A timer is started by your waitress as soon as you are seated, and you are given about 1.5 hours to dine and drink unlimitedly. This also includes time to stand in line for the buffet and having to pay your tab prior to eating. Overall, I would go back though — if for nothing more than to dine like a queen with a side of crab legs.
While this post is not sponsored, you can find out more about DrinkHaus on their website.
““Jazz is not just music, it’s a way of life, it’s a way of being, a way of thinking.”
-Nina Simone”
Andy’s Jazz Club & Restaurant
Next up was probably one of my favorite things — jazz club. As I mentioned, always spend the actual day of my birth by myself, but the night before, one of my friends asked if we could go out for a surprise.
Skrrrt. looks into camera I HATE surprises.
I, an intellectual, am a woman of preparedness. Surprises allow me to prepare for nothing but disappointment. I am so glad I was wrong this time.
The surprise was Andy’s Jazz Club in the loop. A small, blink-and-you-miss-it place on Hubbard street, which was like an oasis in the desert. To know me is to know I love music; Especially Jazz music. (In case you missed it here is a great playlist to show you how deep that love runs.) Andy’s was a wonderful intersection of live jazz and delicious food. The menu was creole inspired, and featured an array of dishes that were both rich and filling. The true star of the meal for me though was the Sazerac; aptly named Andy’s Jazzerac. This was a creation hinged on whiskey, absente, bitters and drambuie. It was a beautiful complement to the music for the evening; After Dark: a Vonski tribute band. The experience is reason enough to visit Andy’s. I felt like that 1920’s throwback episode of Living Single the whole time. It was such a good vibe.
That is how I chose to bring in 29. This is supposed to be my fine year right? So I am living life to the fullest and with no regrets. Hopefully I can make myself proud and keep going on this wave of fearlessness I a riding right now. I mean, afterall you are reading this right? ;-)
For any questions, please feel free to reach out to me at whereyou@baboutthe.city . For a look at my everyday adventures, be sure to follow my Instagram below!
