Senor Wong is one of my four "regular" bars in St. Paul, and since in the past two weeks I've gone to Sweeney's, the Gnome, and the Pig, I was overdue for a visit. Jenna, Barry, Markie, Carrie, and Rachael all showed up for Wong's all-day happy hour.

I was there for an awkward half an hour before they came. It took me about ten minutes to be acknowledged by the server — actually, it was the bartender who walked over to take my drink order and then corralled my waitress for me. She was good for the most of the time after that, but it was a bad first impression.

(This wasn't the first time I've had slow service there; however, I don't associate it with poor service like I do Gabe's. Oh, Gabe's. Pro-tip: Giving me food poisoning is a good way to get on The List.)

I spent much of my night sipping a French Lemonade, a sweet and fairly tasty mixed drink that hid its alcohol well. After that I did eventually get a $3 Kirin, and later I tried a sip of artisanal sake. Sake is decent, but probably not the thing for me.

Wonton Poppers... so good. I only ate one plate this time. Combine that with the grand total of two drinks I had on this, a Project Runway night, and you get an impressive show of self-restraint.

Labels: cocktails, French Lemonade, Japanese Rice Lager, Kirin Brewery, Kirin Ichiban, Senor Wong

Let's see. So far this week I've had a Bell's Kalamazoo Stout, the roastiness of which was a great complement to the venison roast sandwiches I'll be eating lo unto the end of time, and on Monday I went out to Town Hall with Graham, Markie and special guest Barb.

Graham thoughtfully ordered me a pint of their delicious 1800 Old English IPA. Very cool to see that waiting for me when I showed up, late (as usual when I go to Minneapolis).

For my second and final drink... ooh, that would go well with a drumroll. Anyways, in hindsight I should have tried the new Solstice APA, but instead I got Mango Mama. Usually I'm a big fan of Mango Mama, but I just wasn't feeling it on Monday.

Probably because I've been stuffed up all week. I'm probably the first person to research neti pots just so beer will taste a tiny bit better.

I'm pretty excited for the new Fourth of July beers at Town Hall, by the way. I think I may actually like blueberry beer, which of course wouldn't have the disgusting appearance and texture of actual blueberries.

Yesterday I went to Senor Wong, where I downed cheap tasty Wonton Poppers and $3 pints of Kirin Ichiban until around 8:30 or so. Nora and Ben came over, joined eventually by Jenna.

Labels: 1800, American IPA, American Stout, Bell's Brewing, Japanese Rice Lager, Kalamazoo Stout, Kirin Brewery, Kirin Ichiban, Mango Mama, Senor Wong, Town Hall