Spicy crab crusted sea bass.
If nothing else good happens to me ever over the whole rest of my life, it’s gonna be okay. Because I had the crab crusted sea bass. Seriously, I still have a bit of a food hangover from the experience.
The girls and I went to Hibiscus for dinner last night to drink hibiscus martinis with orchids floating in them, and then dialed it way down to meet the fellas across the street for pints of cider and sarcasm. It was perfect. And now that I’m 29, and there seems to be no way to stall this turning thirty business, I’ve started to make a list of things to accomplish before then. You know, before I’m a really real grown up.
1. Learn to make a really kick ass martini. I don’t even own a shaker, so I’ve got a ways to go.
2. Learn to say “No.” and stick to it. I’m not a pushover, but I don’t always… not get pushed over. Keen difference, you see.
3. Adios the credit card debt. So, you know, in the between time, gifts of cash will not be turned away.
4. Eat more crab crusted sea bass.
Whew. Goal-making really wear me out. Being an almost grown up is tough. Thanks for all the birthday wishes – it really was a lovely day.
Dallas Meet-up
Somewhere in those 200 comments below, it was suggested that we have a Dallas meet & greet. I’m very down with that. How’s next Wednesday? Great, it’s settled then.
Wednesday, July 25
8:30 PM
Ginger Man (back patio)
2718 Boll St
Dallas, TX
If you are ever in Arlington check out My Martini. Their maritinis are awesome and they serve sushi from pirana’s next door! I am also wanting to learn to make kick ass martinis, but everytime I attempt (ive gotten as far as thinking about it) I give up and go to the martini bar.
So happy to hear that your day was lovely.
And if I were closer, I’d be joining you on Wednesday however, the commute may be a bit too much. (Burbank) Ya’ll just have yourself a wonderful time. Be safe.
I so wish I was in Dallas right now! A meet and greet sounds like so much fun and I could totally use a night out with the girls! I’m so jealous.
Hmmm….might just have to skip fencing practice to meet you! Haven’t been to the Gingerman in a while!
I wish I was in Dallas too! Have fun with the M&G maybe you will meet a bunch of new fun people. Take some pictures for your flickr account!
Your to-do list is awesome!! And, I love how half the items involve food.
Still, you’ve got finance and self-improvement covered. Well-rounded and to the point. *sigh* If only I could prioritze half as well…
I am a skip and a hop away from the Gingerman! But I feel weird because I feel so not a part of this little group!
From This Fish: What little group? I’ve never met any of these people. That’s why it’s a meet and greet. Everyone is welcome.
Sorry I can’t join you at the meet and greet. Glad you had a wonderful birthday. The perfect martini is sooooooo easy. Of course depends on what kind of martini.
Fill Shaker with Ice
Pour small amount of dry vermouth in
Strain out all vermouth. thus leaving a coating on the ice
Pour in Gin. Bombay Sapphire is my preferred
Stir or Swirl, DO NOT SHAKE!!! (james bond was a fool)
Strain out into chilled martini glass garnish with Olive or twist of Lemon.
K, I’ll be there!
see ya wednesday! FUN!
A REAL martini is made with gin. Hope you can make the leap Grey Goose girl.
Perfect martini (from my days running a restaurant) – any shaker will do, but the best is a silver lined – no chance of icky metallic taste (however – maybe contradicting the whole get out of debt thing).
experiment with amounts of vermouth – popular s the very dry, but i prefer anywhere from 3:1 to 5:1 gin:vermouth ratio.
I prefer Plymouth gin in a martini – smooth and wonderfully aromatic. shake or stir, but not so much you water it down too much, pour, garnish with a twist of lime and a fantastic olive – and ….the most important part – enjoy the fruits of your labor.
Wow..you’ve had quite the journey. I just finished reading the ENTIRE blog. Yep…from July 2002 (meandering my way through the ugly J mess, to the great unveiling, kissing co-workers in the back of cabs, to heartbreak on a cold winter night *shudder*, the J make-up) up until now. At first, I didn’t want to share my city with you. How can I go on looking for you? We’ve visited the same places, taken the same 4 train, dealt with the same commuter rage on rainy days…And, I have to admit, I was a little heartbroken when you moved. I wanted to say that I’ve fallen in love with you not in the creepy lesbianic stalker way, but in the endearing..aww you’re my sister way. You rock! I wish you well.
Your new loyal reader,
Funky Afro Chick
(I’m still wading in my anonymousness –yes anonymousness is a word..sheesh!)
PS.I know a place that has strong margaritas on Mondays for $3 a pop. You musn’t resist. Its futile. When you’re in the city. We must indulge. You, me, and Ari!
Ok great, see you then!
Not to rain on your parade or anything, but sea bass, while being totally tasty, are also in big trouble of being overfished. Sad, I know, but true.
see you at ginger man fish! looking forward to it.
Neil’s recipe makes a very dry martini. I’d leave a little vermouth in there. The classic ratio is four parts gin to one part vermouth–but you can experiment to see how much vermouth you like in it.
And, because a “real” martini is stirred, you don’t need a shaker. A glass pitcher will do just fine.
Happy Birthday! My 28th is on Monday. I guess I’m de-lurking. I’ve been reading for awhile. Thanks for the laughs.
Sounds like a new episode we could write where ‘Spongebob’ in the ‘Crusty Crab’ meets James Bond (‘shaken not stirred’). Wish I could be in Dallas to greet you. You look prettier than Ms. McGuillicuty (a Little Rascal reference). Running around the Brooklyn Manhattan music scene has kept me in the 5 boros this Summer. Plus (shameless plug) I’m guest of director Charles Ahearn 25 anniversary reunion of ‘Wild Style’ groundbreaking movie at Summerstage (Central Pk) Sun. Jul. 29. If you’re in town come on down.
I’ll be there!
Sucks… a the fun to be had in Dallas and I’m stuck in Atlanta. If you ever find yourself out here, look me up, this fly needs help to find some fruits so i can really live it up in this city.
I just got insanely hungry and may have to book an impromptu trip to dallas for dinner at hibiscus.
I have a “before 30″ list too, yours is better. lol.
Glad you had a great birthday! Wish I could join in on the fun Wednesday but Cali IS a bit far…
I wish I was in Dallas for that! But let us know when you’re in California (or even Spain, I’ll be moving there this fall!) You can meet and greets all over the world!
Sounds like you had a good one. I hope the rest of your birthday month is wonderful
Wish I could be there on Wednesday also. If I was closer than SC, I’d consider a trip. I’ve always wanted to see Texas. Y’all have a GREAT time.
I agree you need to come to Atlanta! But since I am not of legal drinking age, yet, I probably wouldn’t get a chance to meet you!
this is not fair!!I have been reading your blog for one and a half year, so my heart anyways will be with you guys.Have a great time!!
Aww… I’m going to Dallas for vacation, but not until the week after meet and greet! Ah, well… sure it’ll be fun for the rest!
Oh silly, 30 isn’t grown up. You can still decide to leave the dishes until the morning and not feel bad about it. Grown up must be 40. Or maybe even 50. Definitely not 30.
Hi. My name is Ari and I am one of Heather’s closest friends. As I know that Miss Heather is not all that fond of meeting massive groups of strangers (mid-sized sure, but 80? Not so much) I would like to ask the author of this post, is Heather being tortured or pleasured in a cave somewhere and is anyone watching Sir Haly ****, That’s Bad Breath?
Thank you; Ari.
Just wanted to wish you a happy belated birthday. Best wishes for the year to come!
Okay well, I love This Fish. It’s my all time favorite blog. Two reasons for this, 1. I can sooo relate, to things said and the way they are said. 2. I was introduced to Mike “The Favorite Commenter”. I have Mike’s blog saved in my Feeds, he’s now my 2nd fave blog. But alas, I cannot meet and greet, again for 2 reasons. 1. I live in Northern Michigan. 2. My sister arrives from PA that day and I haven’t seen her in 5 years.
Happy Birthday Heather!!!!
Oh, nearly forgot. Don’t fear 30. I’ll be 40 in a little over a year and I’m lovin’ life more now that I did at 25. Omg, I’m also turning heads of all ages. Not sure what they’re looking at, all I did was lose a couple pounds and grow my hair out, but this turning 40 stuff isn’t nearly as scary as I was led to believe hehe.
your martini advisors are right. though you can skip the olive and use a small cocktail onion instead (this makes the drink a gibson).
ingredients:
noilly prat vermouth
bombay saphire or tanqueray gin (the bombay has more botanicals and is a little fruitier).
anxiously awaiting the austin meet and greet.
hope you have fun!
Heya! I’m a longtime lurking reader and would love to join the group there at Ginger Man if I can make it.
A martini and good laughs sounds like loads of fun.
chocolate martini:
hershey’s syrup
Godiva DARK chocolate
Finlandia Vodka (Best Ever!)
Bailey’s
Cherries
Chill a martini glass
Swirl in Hershey’s syrup
drop in a cherry
MIX:
3 count vodka
3 count bailey’s
2 count godiva
mix with ice and shake, strain over cherry and syrup. YUMMY. Careful these babies taste like chocolate milk. I guess a “count” is 1/2 ounce.
More martini comments:
Agree with no shaker needed. No shaking gin. You can make a martini with vodka but why, oh why, would you want to?
My favorite gin is Hendrick’s. A Hendrick’s martini, garnished with a rose petal or a thin slice of cucumber, is wonderful. Second favorite gin is Bombay Sapphire. I haven’t tried the onion but love a lemon twist or olive – preferably blue cheese stuffed (by hand, that day, because the oil soaked ones are nasty).
I’ve vented about the whatever-tinis in May 2006 on my blog.
Love your list.
wyborowa exquisite… cleanest tasting vodka. hands down wins over grey goose in a blind taste test.
I wish I was there.
Hey, after you go to the Ginger Man in Dallas, y’all should come to the Ginger Man here in Austin. Sound good?
DANG IT!!! I missed this! How did it go?