Low Country

So you know I can’t possibly live in a city and not find the nearest seafood boil! Thanks instagram, you know exactly what I like. Recently I went to Low Country in Chicago, for happy hour, unfortunately I have a habit of being late so I almost missed the whole event! SideNote: Happy Hour damn sure is an event, forever! The happy hour menu consisted of one pound of mussels and fries for 10$. The jalapeno cornbread sounded too good to ignore, when it came out it was buttery, with a hint of spice.

The rum punch was smack your momma good. It was smooth going down, didnt really taste the alcohol but people, it was there. I also had the sangria but I like I said I was late getting to the festivites that I damn there wasnt able to get my drinks in. But at least, I was able to capture one beautiful photo.

The Mussels were seasoned so incredibly well I wanted to take some bread and just sop (is that a word?) it all up. However as for the mussels themselves, they were extra chewy. Im not sure if thats how they are supposed to be but when in New York, I’ve never had that experience. I ate about half of them but I couldnt stomach the chewiness anymore.

Tristan Jonez.

Low Country is located 3343 N. Clark St, Chicago IL 60657

Poem Reader.

A few weeks ago, I had the pleasure of attending the pop up art show at AMFM gallery, remember? Well I semi documented my time at the event, but I left out a minor detail. I met someone, and actually gave him my real number; shocking I know. Although he’s not someone I would go for, I figured why not? I’m in a new city, and my ‘type’ could be whats holding me back from finding the love of my life. Lets call him, Tyrone. Tyrone is a few years younger than me but he’s educated, passionate about his beliefs, and OD hella funny. Like have me in tears, gotta pee funny.

I warned him about me being a flight attendant, that I really have poor time management plus I’m still trying to navigate around being a flight attendant, being away from home in a new city, etc etc etc. It seems like we are still able to interact over the phone, via text and voice calls. Sidenote: The first night we actually chitchatted on the phone, before we ended the call, he read me a poem. So y’all already know I was ready to marry the kid. I just thought that was such an original, dope thing to do, very out of the ordinary, and seemed genuine. Plus for the duration we talked, he would read me a poem before hanging up.

Fast forward to now, we no longer communicate. I’m a bit sad about that but I am not going to hound someone down to be there. It went left as the day we had planned to go on an ‘official’ date he kinda just left me on read, (iPhone). Earlier in the day we were to meet, a classmate flew in, and I gave her an impromptu tour of Chicago. I got back home with enough time to nap, shower and make it to our date, but I didn’t hear anything from him for the rest of the day. I even, double texted and called a few times but no response. And before you jump to take his defense, he’s alive and thriving. So the search continues, but I wanted to let you guys know, its amazing how open you can have a female just by being original.

Happy Dating.

Tristan Jonez

Sweet Green

I’ll be quick, cuz how much can one person truly write about salad?

No, that wasn’t a challenge! Sweetgreen has some of the best combination of salad, I’m especially fond of The Mexican elote, minus the tomatoes, and tortilla! Actually I add spicy broccoli, mozzarella and Chicken. Sweet Green can be hella expensive for a salad but its oh so good! So when I’ve had an especially rough day or an extremely good day, I treat myself with a salad. I know, corny but shit, when the Salad is over 15$ thats not something I’ll be eating on the regular.

Have you tried sweet green? If so, whats your go to blend?

Tristan Jonez

Jeni’s

Artisan Ice Cream? Gourmet? Gimme It all!

Here we go again, I was watching CNN while waiting at the airport for my flight back to New York, and a feature comes on highlighting Jeni’s Ice Cream. Of course anything food, especially desserts will have my full attention. I remember, dotting it down in the note section of my phone. Fast forward to the beginning of the month, when I had the opportunity to fly to Columbus, Ohio’s North Market. I sampled a few flavors such as brown butter almond brittle, and Bangkok peanut, but I fell in love with gooey butter cake.

Tristan J

Side Note: A Jeni’s recently opened in Chicago, and I’m head over heels in love with this city even more! Don’t worry I will practice self control! Well I’ll try!

Louisville SeafoodLady

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For the longest time I was wanting to visit Louisville so I would be able to visit the Seafood lady. I just so happened to catch an episode of Diners, Drive-ins and Dives with host Guy Fieri, and he was eating what looked like the best lobster and waffle I had ever seen. For what seems like a year, I had pinned the Seafood Lady’s website to my browser so whenever I had the opportunity to visit Louisville she would be my first stop.

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I recently was able to fly to Louisville, and although she wasn’t my first stop, I do feel extremely disappointed! I ordered the fried lobster, with creole (steamed) shrimp, potato, and seafood Mac & Cheese. The lobster was fried really well, golden brown to perfection and seasoned well enough. I could’ve definitely saved myself the trouble of the seafood Mac and cheese, especially since there was only two shrimp atop of the Mac and Cheese. Honestly I believed seafood Mac and Cheese would include shrimp and/or crab being baked into the mixture. I am a true lover of Old Bay seasoning, I enjoy sprinkling it on everything! However the old bay was on a billion! Super super heavy, leaving the creole shrimp and the Mac and cheese tasting only as if old bay was the only seasoning in the back of house that was used.

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If you get the chance to visit The Seafood Lady, please let me know how your visit goes, and what on the menu you order.

Tristan Jonez.

SideNote: Although I wasn’t exactly happy with my meal, I think I am willing to try something else the next time I am in Louisville.

Ebony G Patterson

Since I caught the Nick Cave exhibit in Nashville, I’ve been slightly obsessed with him but more importantly, artist that bring to light racial injustices and social culture using sequins. Introducing Ebony G Patterson, her style, to me, was so similar to Nick Cave, I almost confused her work for his. As a Jamaican born artist, her work “explores the constructions of the masculine within popular culture, using dance hall culture as a platform for this discourse.” Although I’ve been to countless dancehall parties in the Bronx and Brooklyn, it’s really easy to understand the comparison between the sometimes flamboyant lifestyle of gay male and a heterosexual Jamaican man.

IF you knew nothing of the story of the artist, what message she was trying to convey, honestly what would you think the story of the art piece would be? For me, it’s very easy to see what it could possibly represent. If you look closely at the shoes/sneakers that are bedazzled, couldn’t it be mistaken for drag apparel? Could you identify the subects sexual orientation, and if you say yes, how? I’ve very interested in your answer.

Tristan J.

SPiN Chicago

Pig Pong Anyone?

So what does one do on a Friday Night when your flight has been cancelled? Ping Pong of course. After spending twenty minutes trying to find something to jump at me, I come across, an event at SPiN, announcing “On Friday Nights, We Play” I’m sure at some point in my life, I’ve played ping pong but playing successfully and winning games? Nah.

SPiN is definitely a feel good place with Instagram worthy decor to surely ensure your photos are poppin’, even each stall in the restroom guarantees you’ll be ‘transported’ to that place and space. Photo shoot in the future? Possibly. Mos definitely. In addition to ping pong tables, try your luck at Giant Jenga, and Connect Four.

While SPiN, May look like the perfect date night spot (It is) it’s fully interactive that solo dates, blind dates or friends meeting up, will find something that appeals to their senses. And if not, there’s ALWAYS the full service bar which boast a full menu. I recommend the seasonal mule!

Tristan Jonez

SPiN Chicago, 344 N State Str Chicago 60654