A tasty tailgate for a cause

We all migrated indoors..

Tailgater is not a portmanteau to typically describe us, though we are Texans fans. Greg impulsively bought tickets to the first 'Monday Mayhem' tailgate event in the parking lot of Triniti to enjoy the Texans game action against the Pats and 'gin up' on BBQ. This was also a charity event, with proceeds benefiting St. Jude children's hospital and OKRA. Greg is a generous guy, so maybe it was the charity angle that drew him in. Or maybe it was nostalgia, since I moved here from Boston. Or, most likely, it was the promise of BBQ and beer. 

Brandon, a recent import from Trinidad and chef at Triniti

We loved the lineup of participating restaurants: Anvil, Benjy's, Branch Water Tavern, Killen's, Roost, Soma Sushi, Sparrow, Triniti and Underbelly. Plus, we had the benefit of sampling from our favorite local/regional breweries including Karbach, Southern Star, No Label and St. Arnold.

Mind you, this was a Texas tailgate. So, it was rather ... meaty. I ate more smoky goodness in a few hours than I generally eat in a few months. A lot of months. I noticed that Greg didn't complain, but finally surrendered to the gods of carnivorous carnage and said 'no more.'

What worked so well for me were the deep flavors as the parry and fresh crunchy vegetables as the riposte, and the preponderance of pickling. What didn't work well was the 40-something temperature (I'm a wimp now that I live in the south!).

Here are a few highlights:

Benjy's sandwich with picked veg and pickled egg

With Kevin Naderi, Roost's chief everything & owner

Roost's foie gras 'jell-o shot'

Monica Pope's crazy great tacos

Pork cheek, crunchy veggies and hibachi corn from Soma

If Triniti decides to do this kind of event again, I'd recommend outdoor heaters if it's cold, some kind of seating to watch the game or a way to inform attendees that they should bring their own tailgate chairs (there were like 20 seats they grabbed from the front patio), and basic handouts from the participating restaurants to describe what they're serving and maybe an incentive to get us into their restaurants (we frequent most of them anyway but this type of event is a great marketing vehicle).  

Best part of the evening: eating all that wonderful food offset the pain of losing the game. 

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Awesome food, awesome company - Beth's lingerie shower

This week has been awesome. One reason is that Corey is in visiting from Trinidad! Another reason is that Beth, Corey's bestie, just got engaged and we hosted a super fun bridal lingerie party organized by Corey.

Here are some pics (mostly of food) as the others I can't publish as it would spoil the surprise for Beth's new hubby. I must say, Corey knows how to throw a great party. This very tasty food was both healthy and colorful, and provided just the right festive setting.

Miss Bethany Wesson, the lovely bride-to-be!

Part of the spread: that's spinach dip past the pretzel chips 

Chicken sausages: cilantro lime, and apple with cinnamon

Veggies on a bed of arugula with hummus

Lime shrimp with water crackers and Parmesan crisps

Tiny caprese skewers

Guacamole with peach, pineapple salsa, black bean dip

Herbed goat cheese, prosciutto, aged Gouda, pepper jack bites

On a side note, another few reasons this week has been a great one:

--> I've learned and refined more skills in the kitchen at the Star of Hope Women and Family Emergency Shelter - always a bonus! It's an amazing place to volunteer.

--> I tried a new arm balance pose at yoga for the first time called Astavakrasana (Eight Angle Pose) - and nailed it on the first try on both sides! This is a really tricky one as you can see below, so it's pretty exciting.

--> I FINALLY did King Pigeon on one side at yoga - after nearly two years of trying. Now for the other side!

--> I'm really proud of Greg who has been working so very hard and is doing great things.

This week, I'm feeling especially blessed and very grateful. I'll end with a quote from President Kennedy that I hope inspires you too:

'As we express our gratitude, we must never forget that the highest appreciation is not to utter words, but to live by them.'

-- John F. Kennedy  

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