Only a food blogger… I swear, only a food blogger would do what I did at her bachelorette party.
There was much drinking (as was expected) and a great time was had by all… There were quite a few embarrassing pictures taken of me, mostly involving odd facial expressions and looks of shock while opening gifts. There was one photo, actually, that one Meghan said she’d give me $100 if I put it on the blog. I deleted it. I guess I can share one goofy one with you…
I should rewind a bit. My sister Leigh(my Maid of Honor) did a fantastic job planning a very “Mara” night out. Thanks to some cool chef people my sister knows, she was able to get reservations at The Bristol, a restaurant that does not take reservations. It’s a very cool restaurant with interesting food and a focus on sustainable ingredients.
Lizz and I got there early (a RARE occurrence for us) and went up to the upstairs bar while we waited for the rest of the party to arrive.
While we waited, we ordered drinks. Little did I know that the drinks we ordered would be some of the best I’ve ever had, EVER.
This was called a Dardanian Cocktail. It contained gin, muddled pear, elderflower and sour. It was un-freaking-believable. I drank oh… 4 of these.
This was called a Cu-Cui, which had pear vodka, cucumber puree, and something else I don’t remember. Lizz kept saying it was like someone took a salad and put it in a drink. It was also amazing.
Before we sat down at the table, I made it a point to get a picture with Leigh and Lizz
The rest of the party finally arrived, and we headed downstairs to the table
We perused the menus and decided to share a bunch of appetizers and each get our own entrees. Now, you all knew that I’d take pictures of my food. I actually debated blogging about the night, but then Lizz reminded me that if I didn’t, I’d probably regret it… so, here goes (some of the pics are blurry…I did my best!):
I ordered another pear cocktail, and my friend Erin proceeded to order me drinks.
Another pear cocktail as well as a cocktail with Patrón silver tequila and citrus
Then the appetizers came… duck fat fries (the BEST I’ve ever had, hands down)
These came with homemade ketchup and horseradish cream sauce… SO AMAZING!
And, there was savory monkey bread with dill butter… which luckily, Leigh remembered to take a picture of with one piece remaining while I scolded myself… bad food blogger!
There was an apple and manchengo cheese salad
And Leigh and I split fresh radishes with butter and salt. An amazing combo if you’ve never tried it!
Then the entrees came out. Not only did I take pictures of MY food, but I passed my camera around and made everyone else take pictures of THEIR food. I’m really not positive of what all this stuff was… I’ll label the ones I’m sure of.
Half chicken with mustard spaetzle and apple salad (there were about 5 of these at the table)
Goat meat ravioli type things. Thanks for the great picture Meghan!
Raviolo. A HUGE ravioli filled with fresh ricotta cheese and egg yolk. Still smacking myself for not ordering this myself!
Fresh noodles with something called mojama. It’s a Spanish delicacy of cured tuna, grated over the top
Organic grass-fed beef with sweet potatoes (they’re in the background!)
No idea… greens of some sort?
Leigh and I split this whole roasted Pompano fish. I’ve never had more buttery fish, ever!
There were also desserts that were devoured before a picture could be taken, but I assure you, they were FANTASTIC!
After dinner, the group split up and a bunch of us headed north to a quasi-improv show called Too Much Light Makes The Baby Go Blind. I say quasi-improv because while true improv isn’t rehearsed, this is… it’s 30 plays in 60 minutes, the cost of admission is $9 plus whatever is rolled on a 6-sided die, and if they sell out, they order pizza. We’ve been going to this show for the better part of the last 15 years, and it was the PERFECT thing for us to do. The doors didn’t open for another 45 minutes when we got there, so we went around the corner to a favorite bar, Hopleaf, for another drink. I got a raspberry Lambic.
We then went back, got in line, and took a final group picture.
From Left: Me, Lizz, Leigh, Leah, Mom, Anna, and Kristin
It was an amazingly fun and perfect night out! Thank you SO MUCH to Leigh,, all who came, and everyone who helped make it a night I’ll never forget! I love you all!
I spent the night at Lizz’s house, and we had the luxury of going to IHOP for brunch… there’s something about breakfast food cooked by someone else that’s just so great! Dinner has yet to be decided…


Technorati Tags: beef, Bristol, cheese, Chicago dining, dinner, dinner out, family, food, friends, fun, noodles, out, red meat, restaurant, salad, seafood, thank you, wedding
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That drink looks amazing! What a fun time!!!
Jessica @ How Sweet It Is´s last blog ..PAMA Truffle Cheesecake
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HOW FREAKING FUN!!!!! Great celebration

VeggieGirl´s last blog ..Whenever I Am Feeling… It Will All Be Okay Again
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It looks like you had an amazing time!! Those drinks and all that food sound to die for!
And I’m glad you got that shirt – isn’t that the one you asked Twitter about? I was going to respond but figured I was too late to weigh in! It’s very cute!
Kat´s last blog ..Anyone up for Secret Santa?
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a great time!
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yay for bachelorette parties!!!
and i wanna see that picture….;)
Melissa S.´s last blog ..San Antonio 1/2 Marathon Recap
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so glad you had a blasty!!

those drinks look right up my alley
have a great night <3
gina (fitnessista)´s last blog ..Macaroon in my pocket
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Wow, what an awesome night, Mara! I’m glad you had a blast.
I actually just saw the radishes, butter, and salt on an Anthony Bourdain NR episode with Eric Ripert. They were both gushing over it and were so glad the chef served it – apparently it’s a very french, homey thing.
Christina´s last blog ..Skillet Sausage
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It looks like you had an amazing time, Mara! Those drinks look fab. Glad the girls were able to bring you such a memorable evening!
Kimberly @ Poor Girl Eats Well´s last blog ..Foodbuzz Blogger Festival Recap: Day 1
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What a night! Those pear cocktails sound divine. I bet you aren’t thinking that this morning, though
All of the food looks amazing–like a five-star restaurant! Wow!
I’m so glad you had a great night, Mara! You deserve it!
Lara (Thinspired)´s last blog ..From The Manor to The Haven
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You had a great bachelorette party! I’m glad you shared it with us!
Spiceaholic´s last blog ..Raspberry-Lemon Mini-Cheesecakes with Gingersnap Crust
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I waited all day for this post to show up- eveything looks amazing. And holy cow- i’ve said it before and i’ll say it again: your mother looks like she is your sister. Amazing.
I am so sad I couldn’t go, too. Everything looks amazing!!! I’m so glad you had a good time. Now, be honest- how hungover were you, exactly?
xoxox
Jenny
Jenny´s last blog ..There’s No Place Like Home…
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I love that you had everyone take pictures of their meals! Too funny!!
Glad you had such a wonderful time! Sounds like such a fun evening!
K´s last blog ..Body Language
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how fun! all the food + drinks look (and sound) amazing!
brandi´s last blog ..Flapjack Comeback
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omG – WHAT FUN!!!!! That food looks insane…and I love the pear slices in your drinks! The countdown continues!!
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looks like a great time! the food looks amazing
on the rocks´s last blog ..Day #34 – Without The Hookers
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you are getting sooo close!!! Looks like you had fun!
I have NEVER heard of radishes with butter and salt. I’ll have to try it out sometime!
Amanda (Two Boos Who Eat)´s last blog ..Bad Romance
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So soon, omg!!! That looks like so much fun! And those drinks…swoon.
And I had some pretty killer bachelorette pictures that are NOT posted on the internet thank you very much. I post some pretty personal and weird stuff, but some of those were beyond the sharing line.

Quix´s last blog ..Sorry, Monday, I’m Just Not That Into You…
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Looks like you had an excellent bachelorette party. All the food at the restaurant looks amazing. And I love that you got your whole group photographing their meals as well. Fun!
Marianne´s last blog ..Another Week Bites The Dust
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I saw TMLMTBGB and loved it! Congratulations on getting married next week!!
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