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

Louisville SeafoodLady

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.

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.

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.

Pink Taco Chicago

Are you looking for delicious food, a fire playlist, and an even better drink menu? Well make sure Pink Taco, is on this short list. A visually pleasing looking drink will always rope me in, so I definitely blame Instagram. FYI, I didn’t even order the drink that brought me in. Pink Taco fueled my obsession with Dia la muerta, but it IS a Mexican restaurant which would be expected but when restaurants come into the ‘trendy’ (Read:White) areas of a neighborhood they sometimes change their aesthetic, I’m delighted to report they haven’t.

The happy hour menu is a good blend of what to expect with the full menu. I opted for the frozen mango margarita and the pink tacos. Original and Frozen Strawberry margarita were options but no to both. Seating for about twenty at the bar, with combined Mexican and Chicago memorabilia including Jordan and Pippin’s basketball cards. The frozen mango margarita has just enough alcohol to get you going but it doesn’t over power the delicious taste of mango. Not going to lie, when the tacos first came out, I rolled my eyes at such small tacos (2) but they were actually filling without feeling like I over ate.

So is Pink Taco a yay or nay, of course it’s a YAY. You’ll come for the drinks and stay for the dope af playlist, or possibly it’s the other way around. Either way, be sure to don your best duds, with the decor of Pink Tacos, it’ll be a photo shoot for sure!

Tristan Jonez

Gimme The Goods.

I think I had the best Mexican food of life. Well my life, in my thirty two years of living, I believe I’ve found the holy grail of Mexican cuisine. Although, I have yet to visit Mexico, so I could be speaking prematurely.

Recently I had a layover (time between flights) in Austin Texas, and after working three long flights, I was due for a food break. I probably could’ve used a few cocktails too but I only opted for food. I had fish tacos, in both a corn and flour shell, a chicken quesadilla, and a chicharron taco. LISTEN! The food was beyond! And trust me, I’ve sampled what I thought was the best. From Los Angeles to New York and these restaurants had absolutely nothing!

Now I will say this, Unfortunately I can no longer eat avocados, so I wasn’t able to taste the guacamole but it looked so perfect, so fresh and delicious, I almost shed a tear.

Do you guys have a go-to Mexican Shop when your taste buds are in a Frenzy? Let me know!

Tristan J

Venice, My Venice.

I can’t begin to tell you guys why I miss Venice, Italy so much but I miss it with such fierceness, that words do not adequately explain how I feel. Since I will not be able to visit my beloved country, drooling over these photos will have to do.

Tristan J.

We Wish You.

Hopefully your Christmas was merry, and Santa brought you everything you wrote on your list. Surprisingly this year, I asked for nothing but I received a super abundance of Love!

Every single year, my family throws a Christmas Eve dinner/party in Peekskill, NY. This year I was actually in jeopardy of missing it as my job was attempting to hold me hostage but by the heavens I broke free, took metro-north then a cab and arrived fashionably late. I must say, I had an amazingly fun time this year. Literally you could feel the love, bursting thru the damn walls. Lord knows my family has its ups and downs, hell my favorite uncle just passed away but his presence was felt. The house felt full.

Although I don’t always appreciate them, I’m lucky to have the family that I have. Even the folks whom I choose not to communicate with, they’ve helped to create who I am and I implore you to find things that you love about your own families.

Happy Holidays!

Tristan J

Lets Eat.

Do you have a certain meal, or food, you ALWAYS order when you go out?

Well I do, and its always seafood, specifically salmon. I want to believe I am adventurous when it comes to meals and what I am willing to try. However I can admit, Salmon is just that ‘thing’ my eye always look for when out. One of my favorite restaurants in New York is Clyde Frazier’s Wine & Dine. Not only is it a semi upscale sport bar, but there is a half basketball court, where you can perfect your jump shot. The food is absolutely divine! My go to meal is the blackened Scottish salmon with bourbon butter spinach and garlic mashed potatoes, with a glass of white wine. The salmon is so delish, that it melts in your mouth! I usually can’t squeeze in dessert but when YOU go please make room for the ricotta donuts!

For me, this is the perfect date night spot, whether its a first date or you’re a couple that’s looking to try a new place. If you are single, fret not for the bar area, is incredible! AND Clyde Frazier’s has a nice line up for happy hour. Hopefully I will catch you there one of these days, don’t ever be too shy to say hey!

Tristan Jonez.

SideNote: I’m horrible at taking photos at restaurants, so use your imagination! I promise I’ll do better.

#TheMeadowsNYC

So I went to my first Music and Arts Festival, and I loved every minute!!

SideNote: I wonder how they decide who’ll perform, the order and the length of their set. It was a good flow to the schedule.

At first my only reason for attending was to sample and eat as much food as I could get my hands on. Of the three day festival, I could only get Saturday off from work, but getting to see Tory Lanez in person was the icing. So much energy! I’ll forever respect him. LL Cool J has had hits that I definitely rock with but not enough for me to see him in person, well he brought out Q-Tip, and I nearly lost my mind!! I opted not to see Future, and saw Big Gigantic. Didn’t know them before but I throughly enjoyed their set. They did a EDM collab with Biggie Smalls, so how could I not love them?

However I’m highly upset I missed Big Boi’s set. I had a killer migraine that morning, and just couldn’t get it to settle down quickly enough. I experienced Erykah Badu, but felt she was too regal to record. The food and drink option was plentiful, and I left feeling full and fulfilled.

This was the second year of The Meadows and I will surely be attending next year, all three days! Have you guys ever been?

Tristan J

Clawdaddy’s

One of my absolute favorite seafood restaurant in New York! A fan (Me) favorite, especially amongst folks that are looking to have a romantic date night. However I must warn you, it’s VERY easy to get tipsy way before you even put your order in for dinner as the happy hour rivals most I’ve been to. I usually start off with their signature adult Capri suns, that goes pretty nicely with my grilled oysters. They’re sprinkled with butter and parmigiana cheese, Drool worthy!

I can’t come to Clawdaddy’s and not order a seafood boil of Crab Legs and shrimp, which topped off with Cajun spices, Corn and potatoes makes coming to the LES (Lower East Side) truly worth it.

Tristan J.
Clawdaddy’s

185 Orchard Str NY

Bourbon Street.

As an Obsessed lover of all things New Orleans, I’m not sure how real a restaurant can be if there are only two items on the menu that include Craw fish! Since I have yet to eat at this establishment I will try to hold all my judgement until then but I’m slightly judging. Furthermore I’m not sure that Cajun Quesadilla, and Craw fish added into the Mac & Cheese qualify as menu options. If I want to visit an authentic New Orleans restaurant, I want crawfish to be available in ALL my dishes.

SideNote: The fact that the restaurant is named “Bourbon Street” gets a side eye!

I’ll be visiting to partake soon enough, then I will update you about my visit.

Tristan Jonez

SideNote II: I just read the very mixed reviews on Yelp, definitely wasn’t that helpful.

What We Eating… Series?

Although I’ve been doing this for a while now, I think I’m going to make it a bit official. So I’m still working out the details in my own head as to what I would like it to be, for now, its “What we Eating.” By no means is that proper English, but I’m here to make words as fun as they can possibly be. So for the past few weeks, I take myself out on a date, sometimes I have friends who join me but for the most part It’s a solo date.

I have been staying in Manhattan for the past two weeks but I think It’s time I stop playing it so safe. So Today, I am heading to Queens! Can you guess what we’ll be eating? Hint Hint: This Culture takes pride in its food options, and they aren’t scared to experiment!

Tristan Jonez.

Don’t forget to follow me on Instagram, TristanJonez, keep up with all my shenanigans.

Loving on me.

Happy Valentine’s Day!

February 14th is my second favorite day, my birthday comes second to none. I love all the over-the-top displays of affection, today just feels brighter. I am single this year but that doesn’t stop my love fest, I just love a lil harder on my friends, my woes.

My Dream evening for tonight, would be seafood from Clawdaddy’s, Champagne, and HBO’S Insecure, the complete season 1, then Love Jones. I promise I will do a complete write up of Love Jones, because as a kid I didn’t understand it, but as an adult, who has love and lost, I get it now!

So please, Enjoy tonight. Whether your in love, or loving on yourself, Have an amazing Valentine’s Day.

Tristan Jonez.