It was my birthday celebration weekend. Now aging gracefully and maturing to my ripening season, I figure I could handle my liquor a bit better. Rightfully, I'd like to "man up." This not having the ability to drink without a hangover for three days needs to cease-and-desist. This is why Mel had the Best Weekend Ever!
Let the martinis (with gin, please) commence!
Thursday night was the return to Maggiano's Little Italy in Beachwood with my family. Our experience last year (also for my big day) was wonderful, so we decided to return. The staff placed us in a separate family room, with pulled drapes for privacy. And let me tell you, even with discontent and frustrating results from my family members, the family-style dinner is the way to order. First off, the portions are HUGE -- you select two apps, two salads, two pastas, two meats, two desserts for the entire table. And, we fed seven guests, with enough take-out for another three people. With the exception of the veal parmigiana being horribly bland, over-cooked and dry, the chicken parm and spaghetti with meatballs were both great. Of course, I had to have the baked ziti with sausage, and I was nice enough to share. The bartender also makes a mean pineapple martini. Too bad the first drink had salt rimmed around the glass and not sugar; it made for an interesting drink combo.
Friday -- the official day -- started off wonderfully with my free Bou-Day white mocha at Caribou. The guys at work all got together and bought me a super-chocolate chocolate cake, which I ate until I practically puked. I really wanted to spend my birthday relaxed (and get a great night of sleep, despite all that chocolate). The boyfriend and I brought my free "Burger Day" coupon to Red Robin, where I pigged out on my regular jalapeno-and-pepper-jack classic and a drink called, I think "Shorts in the Sand." Giddily liquored up and full, we went to see "Forgetting Sarah Marshall" (and all of Jason Segal's penis!!!) at the Solon Theaters. I cannot tell you how nice it was to be in bed before midnight... and sleep in on Saturday.
Saturday, we were all set up to stay downtown. I was super excited to get a room facing towards the inside of the arcade. After checking in, we settled up to the hotel lounge at the Hyatt, where I enjoyed my first taste of Tanquerey Rangpur (set in a lemon-line martini). OK, I love Tanquerey. Why haven't I heard of this lime-flavored gin until now? Then, we walked down to the
Metropolitan Cafe, for what proves to be the BEST meal I think I have ever had in my life. I started with the tomato and mozzarella salad (I'm still trying to figure out what the green glaze stuff was in my vinaigrette) and a French 75 (of course, some lemon-y gin concoction finished with champagne). The restaurant and bar has switched to all natural juices in their cocktails and has also updated its wine list. For my main course, I chose the Metropolitan Filet -- cooked to my medium-rare preference, the steak is placed over spinach risotto, covered in goat cheese, mixed with cranberries -- and a cranberry sauce all over the plate. Needless to say, I had no room left for dessert. Our waitress (I think her name was Sonny? Crap) was awesome! It had been years since I last went to Metropolitan. I will not wait that long to return.
After dinner, and a strange, awkward shared cab ride with a stranger, we got dropped off at
Corner Alley on East 4th. Without reservations, we waited a little less than an hour for a lane (the expected wait time was even more than that). During that time, we found room for fried pickles (seriously?) and a Blue Moon Martini for me. Of course, I bowled crappier than usual. I blame the martinis. The boyfriend won the bets, but I got my prize regardless. After bowling and drinking for a couple games (and losing my balance into the slick lane), we finished up at Flannery's... with a beer. I also bummed a Misty from a random on the patio. I was, at this point, obnoxious, and carrying on loudly about inappropriate (read: sexual) topics.
On route back to the hotel, and apparently on the wrong street, I run into family members. Yes, folks, this shit seriously only happens to me. I run into my grandpa and my aunt and uncle after they left the Indians game. *sigh* I'm almost positive I told them we were heading back to the car -- instead of a hotel -- but I'm not sure it sounded any better, seeing the condition I was in... loudly. We ordered pizza, but apparently passed out before it was delivered -- and I ordered breakfast from a hangtag, but hung it on the INSIDE of the door. Gosh, I wish I took a picture of it. I circled things, crossed things out, wrote things in with asterisks and the like. That, folks, is a birthday celebrated to its best.
McDonald's breakfast sandwiches could not help my hangover Sunday morning. I stayed on the couch for majority of the gloomy day surrounded with coffee, water, cereal and grocery bags (yes, for puking)... and more America's Next Top Model. I pulled myself together for
The Swell Season at the Allen Theater. I was so excited for this concert (not-so-much for the headache), since seeing the movie "Once several months ago. I wasn't paying nearly enough attention when tickets went on sale, since upon reading concert updates some time last week, I informed the boyfriend. We were in the upper-deck area, but thankfully, not completely shut out, since most cities sold out.
I had the pleasure of being seated near a miserable twat that gave me Manson Lamps when she was ushered to her row because apparently my crossed-over foot crossed over her seating area. (Seriously, she could have said "excuse me" or even "move your damn foot," but glaring? Seriously. I am not your fucking daughter). There were also two Czech guys in front of us who were obviously drunk and uber-ecstatic to see Marketa ("She is from our country! YA, Marketa!"). The guys behind gave me the pleasure of talking like immature-young-20-somethings, smelly burps included, and singing along... horribly off-key. I came to see/hear Glen Hansard, thank you. Even more awesome, one of the Czech guys held a lighter up during one of the encores, and Miserable Twat actually smacked his arm away. How the hell could you be married to that?
Glen Hansard really lit up the stage last night. He is funny, quick-witted and without doubt, extremely talented. And the man did his own rendition of "
Near/Far" (and did you catch his "
menomona"?) from Sesame Street and a bit of Willy Wonka & The Chocolate Factory. What is not to love? There has not been an artist that has moved me with his voice, words and music so emotionally. Except maybe Babyface, in like 1995. God, I'm old now, right?
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