Last night (Sat Dec 17), we enjoyed our quick stop at the Tradewinds Bar in Murray Hill and upon leaving had noticed a small cafe across the street, Crazy Egg – what a great name! … so, we made a mental note to check the place out in the future.
The next morning, companion gently woke me with a suggestion we have breakfast at Crazy Egg … Bingo! … THAT'S why I keep him around! … great ideas … and designated driver!
We made our way over and was able to find a parking place right in front after a couple of circles around the building complex. The wait outside we had while seated in glorious weather was only about 5 minutes although the dining area appeared to be quite full.
I ordered the Bayou Breakfast – two eggs (I had mine scrambled), Andouille Smoked Sausage with a Buttermilk Biscuit – AND my selection of Cajun Grits for my side – all for only $7.99! … be still my Louisiana heart … it was SO good – and not everyone knows how to prepare and present Andouille Smoked Sausage – but Crazy Egg certainly does! … bless 'em! ...
The Cajun Grits were ... spellbinding – and had the perfect consistency – NOT runny … coffee was fresh and hot … OJ was sweet and cold … just perfect!
Companion ordered the scrambled eggs with sides of sausage and Madge's Hash Brown Casserole – which was “lick-the-bowl” good … thank God for southern cookin' ...
Service was outstanding – I must say we were very impressed with this establishment – a cut above the norm. They also have a special on Prime Rib on Fridays and Saturdays after 5:00 pm which we are definitely going to enjoy in the very near future. I noticed they also have some bottled brews to choose from.
If you haven't eaten here, you're missin' out! … get yourself over to the intersection of Edgewood Avenue South and Post Street in Murray Hill and treat yourself to a great breakfast at Crazy Egg!
Thank you to Crazy Egg's management and staff for providing a truly unique approach to “Chews” in Jacksonville! … we'll be back!
We stayed IN the rest of that Sunday because we knew we would be attending a meeting downtown at Northstar Substation the next evening (Dec 19) and probably sharing some of the draft beer available there.
The meeting was with George and Bobby – George of Kickbacks Gastropub and one of my Beer Buds featured on my website. It concerned their production company and we met some talented and unique individuals at the meeting. We also saw some other Kickbacks employees, including Sam, another one of our favorites.
Companion and I shared:
· Bell's Brewery Special Double Cream Stout
· Magic Hat Brewing Company No. 9 Not Quite Pale Ale
· Bold City Brewery 1901 Red Ale
Bells says the Special Double Cream Stout “derives it's name from it's smooth, creamy texture, not the ingredients. Completely dairy-free, this stout blends eight different specialty malts to yield a remarkable depth of flavor. With only a touch of burnt notes, Special Double Cream Stout focuses on the softer, cocoa & espresso-like aspects of roasted malt. - no wonder I fell in love with this brew! … unfortunately, we killed off the remnants of this heavenly nectar before the meeting ended.
I had never tried any of Magic Hat's offerings, so I had no expectations when I first tasted No. 9 Not Quite Pale Ale … WOW! … I was impressed! …
Magic Hat provides the following on their website about this brew: “A beer cloaked in secrecy. An ale whose mysterious and unusual palate will swirl across your tongue and ask more questions than it answers. A sort of dry, crisp, refreshing, not-quite pale ale. #9 is really impossible to describe because there's never been anything else quite like it.” - some particulars: Cascade and Apollo hops, pale and crystal malts, 5.1% ABV and 20 IBUs.
Of course, my old stand-by from Bold City is their 1901 Red Ale – always pleasing my brew palate!
George and Bobby had graciously provided some of Northstar's tasty pizza which can always share a table with brews – especially all 38 of those on tap at Northstar!
If you have not been there, they also have other items on their menu besides pizza! … and Mad Cowford performs their Improv Comedy Show there on Fridays at 8:00 pm!
http://www.boldcitybrewery.com/home.php
Following the meeting at Northstar Substation, we were given a tour of their production company offices located upstairs and then arranged to meet a little later at the Burro Bar. Although my last experience there had left me a little apprehensive about sharing our income with them (see earlier post), we decided to give it another chance.
Ian was behind the bar when we entered and seated ourselves in front of him while we waited on the others. I must say Ian was a welcome alternative to the staff present during my last visit. Friendly, helpful and patient while we made our selections of brews, Ian was also able to keep a wary eye on the goings-on within the bar.
A band was setting up in the stage area and loyal fans were making their way into the Burro Bar. Ian was savvy enough to single-handedly contain the band/fan mojo beginning to gel in that area and still provide prompt and friendly service to other patrons.
Once George, Sam and Sam's fiance, Kat arrived, we selected a table in the front room away from the band in an effort to find a place to carry on our conversations.
Companion and I shared:
· Lagunitas Brewing Company Lagunitas Sux Holiday Ale
· Green Room Brewing Head High IPA
· Spoetzl Brewery Shiner Cheer Seasonal
· PBR … yes, I had a PBR
Lagunitas Sucks brewed this as a replacement for their usual seasonal release, BrownShugga’ Ale – a replacement due to a lack of brewing capacity soon to be remedied. They describe it as “a ‘Cereal Medley’ of Barley, Rye, Wheat, and Oats…. Full of complexishness from the 4 grains, and weighing in at 7.85% abv, Then joyously dry-hopped for that big aroma and resinous hop flavor.” - good to the last drop, as they say ...
Green Room Brewing describes their Head High IPA as “an aggressive American style India pale ale brewed with copious amounts of Amarillo and cascade hops for massive citrus aroma.” - Scooby to the Citrus! … it is on my list of beers I know I will always enjoy.
Shiner Cheer? … can you say “YEEHAW!!!” ? … this rather “peachy” unique brew is described as “an "old world dunkelweizen" brewed with Texas peaches and pecans. Malted barley and wheat are used. Holiday Cheer replaced Shiner Dunkelweizen as the brewery's winter seasonal. “ - this is a far departure from companion's early days as a rootin-tootin' cowboy in Texas – where his exposure to brews was limited to Lone Star Longnecks (at the Dixie Chicken with a giant dill pickle), Michelob at college keg parties, Coors from Albertson's and regrettably (he says), too much Shlitz on tap while “chasin' skirt” at a dive bar in Houston. Good stuff!
Regarding the PBR … yes, the Jax Brew Bitch has a soft spot in her heart for PBR – a throwback to youthful beer drinking – and I still appreciate the flavor/memory combination. From the can as it should be, I “paired it” with a bag of chips available there at the Burro Bar ... Righteous!
Thank you to Ian for rehabilitating my opinion of the Burro Bar significantly – a place with a definite niche and particular target market in downtown Jacksonville.
The band turned out to be too loud for our group to communicate, so we decided to move our “world's problems-solving conference” over to Dos Gatos. This was my first exposure to this upscale liquor bar with a small but varied draft beer selection.
It was “Karaoke Night” - which excited me and frightened companion – he is so terrified of me draggin' him up on the stage …
I really cannot remember the brews we shared that evening – and I DO know I was tempted to order some “hard liquor” - but knew better than to mix alcohol. However, the bartender was absolutely the best. Remembered not only my name on my return trips to the bar – but exactly what I had previously selected!
Ambiance was eclectic and energized – Sam even performed a song on the stage much to the delight of the crowd - and the place was PACKED. Restrooms were very clean and well-stocked.
This was our first visit to Dos Gatos and it was very enjoyable as we sat there, listened to those brave souls who embraced the microphone and shared brews and fellowship with our friends.
Thank you to Dos Gatos for establishing and maintaining a clean, upscale venue for Brews and Chews in downtown Jax!
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