At Hill Country with Dad and Justin... and Thao!

There is a serrano in my drink!
So, yeah, I knew I wanted to go to Hill Country this weekend and the fact that my Dad was flying up sealed the deal. I invited Thao to come along, but when I talked to her Saturday she'd already been to the city once, come home, and didn't feel like going back out. I was really disappointed, so she changed her mind, but I told her it was ok if she didn't want to go. I tried calling her a little later to tell her we were on our way, but got her voicemail. When I got off the subway in the city, I had a message from her that went something like this "Hey Vanessa, I changed my mind. I'm not going to go. Happy birthday! See you Monday." What a bummer!

Justin, Dad and I entered the vast Hill Country BBQ joint and put our names on the long (hour and a half long!) waiting list, then sauntered over to the bar, where we killed time drinking and chatting amongst ourselves and with the friendly bartendress. Eventually our names were called and we were taken to the food ordering area - there are three stations from which you order: Meats, Sides, Drinks. Pretty nifty. As we were putting our things down at our table, Justin spotted Thao! She was already getting her food and thought we just hadn't shown up yet. We'd all been waiting for well over an hour without even spotting one another! I was so glad Thao actually was there, but I felt so bad that she was waiting by herself the whole time. She even tried to reach me on my cell, but as I had my phone in my little backpack in the loud restaurant, I didn't even hear it! Maybe that'll teach her to play tricks on people!

We met up at the perfect time and got to share/try a ton of different meats and sides. I am definitely going back when I can taste things again. For whatever reason, my allergies have ridded me of my sense of taste. However, I can tell basic things, like sweet or maybe bitter. Spicy is a little lacking and I didn't notice sour at all. Justin's first drink was (accidentally because of confusion in communication) a bourbon on the rocks. I didn't taste the bourbon at all, but could definitely sense the alcohol as I felt it burn the tip of my tongue slightly and evaporate onto the roof of my mouth.

I did enjoy eating though, so no one should think it was a wasted experience! The textures/colors of the food and the vibrancy of the company were all delightful. ;) And the icing on the cake, or cupcakes, I should say, is that Thao and Justin told one or two of the members of the waitstaff that it was my birthday! I ended up with one cupcake as we sat at the table that would not stay lit because the a/c was on just above us. It had reeses pieces on top and super fluffy and sweet peanut butter flavored icing. I guessed it was peanut butter, and Thao, Dad and Justin confirmed. I even enjoyed that, and I truly do not care for peanut butter! Oh yeah, it had jelly in the middle. Too cute. As we were on our way out of the restaurant, another waiter brought a cupcake out for us. This time the candle kept reigniting itself, so I got to make a few wishes! Super cool! And Justin had a whole cupcake to himself. ;)

We walked and chatted our way over to Rodeo Bar, where we rounded out the night drinking some margaritas and chatting (except Justin drank Captain and Coke. He is not a huge fan of the sleep-inducing margarita). I don't even know how long we were there, but we moved from second floor, to bottom floor (succeeded in acquiring a basket of chips), then back up to the second floor since you can't sit on the first unless you order food. :) All in all it was a really great night/time.

I also wanted to check out Reshma's party, but my Dad was falling asleep and no one was really up for it at that point. I guess hindsight being 20/20, it is probably a good thing, as I woke up with a bad enough hangover as it is. Possibly due to the shoddy quality of tequila Rodeo Bar uses in their drinks. Hrmph!

After a cocktail this morning, of the medical variety, I am finally starting to feel better. Which is a good thing. My Dad is leaving tonight, which is a sad thing. And Justin and I will be celebrating my 27th birthday (waa!) tomorrow with Mom, Val!, David and possibly Annie and Rob. Vee shall see. We will be dining at Ninja New York. Possibly the coolest concept every materialized for a restaurant.

Then the next morning it's off to Los Angeles to see the world premiere of the Simpsons Movie... Sweet!!!