People getting punched in the face in slow motion.

(via Kottke, of course)

Instead of it being called the “Great Grilled Menu,” I believe it should have been called the “Let’s Find Any Excuse to Put Alcohol in the Food Menu” because 2/3 of the dishes contained some sort of alcohol. I am now currently wasted as I type this so forgive me if I start to not make sense.

Drink: Teo’s Punch. I do not know who Teo is, nor do I care, but I did very much like this fruity drink. Now, of course, I did not add shots of rum like the rest of them because I know my limits (which is none). This was a lovely drink, very refreshing and not sickening sweet like some punches can be. But from the way the others raved, I’m thinking it’s also fantastic with the rum.

Appetizer: Bruschetta Gorgonzola and Apples. You must love, love gorgonzola to enjoy this dish and I love gorgonzola (I love stinky cheeses) so I was good with it. When I took my first bite, the taste was very intense and I couldn’t put my finger on why it was so flavorful. With each bite of the cheese dip, I felt warmer and more flushed. It wasn’t until after my fourth helping that someone mentioned how strong the brandy was that I realized that I had consumed more than my “sippie” of alcohol. Whoops. And I had to operate light machinery later on in the evening, too! Now Monika is allergic to bleu cheese so Kim was very considerate and made the dip with feta cheese as well. News flash: gorgonzola was way better.

Entree: Hoisin and Bourbon-Glazed Pork Tenderloin with Three Fruit Salsa. Oh, look, then entree has alcohol in it! I’m sure it was cooked off, but still. I really enjoyed this entree. The colors were sooo pretty… adjfkajzkzzzzznjrkvnzzzn………..

…and now this is Bob finishing up the recap, since Jen is mumbling the lyrics to NWA’s “Boyz N Tha Hood” in a drunken, half passed out stupor. She sure is a cheap date! I had 4 or 5 glasses of the punch (with the Rum) and I can still help her with that tricky part about jockin’ the bitches and slappin’ the hos.

Anyway. My side vegetable in the menu required a Dutch Oven — and believe me, you don’t want to eat anything I put in a Dutch Oven — so I switched it to Sweet and Spicy Pepper Medley. Delicious, but damn, was it spicy. I liked it, but it could stand to be a little less spicy next time. Thankfully, it was really great when mixed with Jen’s Rosemary Roasted Mashed Potatoes, a delightful concoction and a great way to take your tubers.

Finally, we came to Katie’s Grasshopper Ice Cream Pie which we substituted Bailey’s Mint Chocolate for the Creme de Menthe and Creme de Cacao. I think it was a big success, but it was definitely what put Jen over the edge.

I gotta say, every dish was good tonight, and I’m glad we got the post up quickly, as it will probably help Jen remember just exactly what she did tonight.

41. Ride in one of the balloons in The Great Forest Park Balloon Race, held every September. Just don’t look down.

Last Friday, we attended the Forest Park Balloon Glow, which always precedes the Great Forest Park Balloon Race. Even though we did not ride in a balloon, we took pretty pictures of it and checked it off the List. I’ve never been to the Balloon Glow before and I was pretty amazed at the sheer size of the balloons. And it was incredible how much heat is produced each time the lever was pulled. I think my eyebrows were singed slightly. The photos that Bob took came out beautifully. I enjoyed it but won’t plan on going again for a while. I mean, they are hot-air balloons, and they glowed. Really nothing else was going on. And they absolutely gouged you on funnel cake, $7! But, if you have never been to the Balloon Glow, I would definitely suggest you go once.

Here are the rest of the pictures.

Yes, we did skip Supper Club last week due to the fact that 2/3 of the group went to Vampire Weekend instead (which was an AWESOME concert, but that’s for another post to be written by someone else). So, we’re back on track, except for the fact that I seem to post the dinners a bit late. Oh well, I know my limitations and I accept my faults.

Appetizer: Hot Artichoke-Cheese Dip.

Entree: Brie and Caramelized Onion-Stuffed Chicken Breasts.

Side Dishes: White rice, Cheese and Olive-Stuffed Tomatoes, and Spinach with Pine Nuts and Golden Raisins.

Dessert: Chocolate Pavlovas with Honeyed Strawberries.