Cold Front Comes to the ‘Cullough, Flock to Bars for Warmth

As you may be aware, a cold front rolled on to the ‘Cullough early Wednesday morning. People were freaked. The Guidos were wearing extra layers.

Wednesday after work I planned to meet Indiana Jones for a drink. We decided to meet at Faust, a place I had only been one other time but had wanted to go back.

In a bold move, I decided to walk. I was sure to bundle up:

Sometime I still get lost in the inter-workings of the ‘Cullough streets, whoops. I walked down Mistletoe in stead of Woodlawn, forgetting that Faust was on Woodlawn, not Mistletoe  Don’t worry…they had signs out that directed me:

Who wouldn’t want to follow that sign?

I finally arrived. I was late, IJones was unimpressed:

So Faust has a great patio!! Which is a big draw for me. But it was COLD. So we sat inside. It being Wednesday around 6, we were almost the only ones there and could sit wherever we wanted.
Happy hour is from 4-9 on weekdays and the deals are pretty happy. $2 wells, etc etc etc I don’t remember/didn’t take a pic. They had $4.50 “jose cuervo margs” said a sign so that sounded good. I wanted a marg, so that’s what I got.

IJones has had a rough week so she got a long island ice tea which was $4. This. Girl. Is. On. Fire.

Friendly bar tender, good and resonably volumed music, creepy Spanish movie on the tv. We were feeling good. Naturally, it became time for round deux:

On the left, IJones’s cucumber margarita, on the right, my second marg.

Cucumber one tasted like a spa.

IJones got a slice of veggie pizza:

Really contemplated not using this horrible picture. But whatevs.

I’ll quote IJones: “It tasted better when I was drunk, but it’s still good.”

There you have it, folks.
I can’t wait to be rumbling around St. Marys at 2AM and remember that Faust serves pizza till 3AM and prance up to that window and get er done. IF I can make it past the taco truck by Hardbodies. That’s a big IF.

So go to Faust. That’s all.

What Main Street Pizza did on their summer vacation

You may have seen, you may heard. In late June, a fire ravaged the ‘Cullough’s quick, go-to pizza place, Main Street Pizza. Roy and cake found out the hard way…

Photo credit: cake. And to think they walked all that way. I’m told they were weepy

Well,

Like the phoenix, MSP has risen from the ashes.

My colleagues and I visited the re-opened restaurant Saturday night to welcome her back to the hood. Cause it had been MONTHS.

The joint was jumpin’. Lot’s of hungry neighbors. We sat outside. The rain, it was a-drizzlin’.
In the words of Tegan and Sara: “Look me in the eye and tell me you don’t find me attractive….”
I can’t do that, pizza, I just can’t. You look so attractive.
Toppings fit for a ‘Cullough dweller:

Gen. Petraeus mixed it up with a calzone:

All in all, we were reminded that when you love someone, you should tell them. You never know when you won’t be able to see them for three months because of an unexpected electrical fire.

Read more about MSP’s unexpected summer adventure here! 

Barbaro: You Should Go

Saturday night I finally made the “trek” to Barbaro.

The Revolver, it was called

 

We had to wait a little…which was inevitable. It was Saturday night, after all. So we got drinks at the bar and headed down into this cozy little maybe-waiting-isn’t-so-bad area.

My drink was a mix of bourbon, Kahlua  and orange bitters. It was fantastic. Let’s all agree to put Kahlua on everything always. I think Kahlua in oatmeal would be really good. This is a real thought.

Time to sit down! We got a pitcher of beer (pretty reasonably priced!) for the four of us to share. Normally I don’t do pizza and beer together because this town ain’t big enough for the 3 of us…but I made an exception and wasn’t sorry.

 

We got two pizzas. I took a picture of the prettier of the two (although they were both pretty). This one is all veggies: squash, eggplant….cheese! I don’t remember what else was on it but it was GREAT! And the pizza crust, as you can see, had a really solid ratio of crunchy to chewy. I love pizza, and I do get skeptical at hip places that make pizza, but the pizzas did not disappoint at Barbaro. Next time I’m going for the kale, hash browns  and honey one. Because you only live once, ya’ll.

So the four of us split a pitcher of beer, a small appetizer of roasted cauliflower and other goodies, and two pizzas. No over was over-stuffed and no one was hungry. Perfect amount.

From the very impressive looking bar, to the unexpectedly cute maybe-waiting-isn’t-so-bad area, to the super friendly and laid-back staff, to the delicious food, my expectations were met AND exceeded!

Nigel thoroughly enjoyed himself. We had to cut him off after he started pouring his Kahlua drink on his pizza slice

 

The weekend in three pics

Went to Barbaro, exceeded expectations…more on this soon

The Bharmacy…often over-looked but always a satisfying breakfast

Joeys, can’t go wrong

 

Spying on the Neighbors

OK, I probably shouldn’t have been so creepy about this, but I HAD to take look at the newly opened Barbaro. But I wasn’t ready to commit to a meal or drink there yet (after work on a Tuesday…I can’t be bothered to do much). So I did what any curious professional would do: snapped pics on my iPhone from the car.

You can sort of make out people inside. It was packed yesterday around 7PM. Parking spots were full and more people parking down Huisache and walking.

Good thing I have the Current to do my dirty work for me: here are a few pics of the inside and some of the FOOD, too.

The place even has a YELP review already! Also found there are pictures of the pizza menu…the one with hashbrowns, kale, and honey got an eyebrow raise but I’m not against it.

Here are a few more clues on Savor SA.

The internet has really revolutionized the restaurant biz. Being able to look up the menu of a place you’ve never been and decide what you’re getting before you even get there seems a little wrong…it takes the mystery and excitement out of the experience. BUT I do it all the time! I can’t help it! I even do it before going to boring places like Panera Bread. Now that the info is out there, it’s hard not to peak at what I might order.

I want to start free-balling it, just going to a new (or old) restaurant without looking at the menu ahead of time. What’s the worst that could happen?

Back to Barbaro….can’t wait to try! Probably this weekend. Although I’m sure it’ll be more crowded. Maybe for lunch? Maybe for just drinks? At least if I have to wait for a table I could wait at home.

 

P-I-Z-Z-A to the C-U-L-L-O-U-G-H

BIG NEWS, YALL. According to The Current, the place that use to be The Foundry and has been lifeless for months (a year?) is about to snap back into being! With Pizza! The same people behind The Monterey in southtown are bringing their newest venture, Barbaro, to the ‘Cullough!

According to the article: “It’s on target to open the first week of August” (!!!!!!!!!)

Now, I don’t think this place is going to be like Dominos. My spidey-senses say this place will be more like Dough and less like Gattitown.

I’m excited to see if Barbaro will be just another trendy, local-food-movement-inspired pizza place a la Stella (not hatin’ just sayin’)….or something more. Let’s keep Barbaro in our prayers.

Regardless—-CAN’T WAIT TO TRY!

Or if you prefer….