Well, let's kick this entry off... where do we start?
elaine: "We went to Yard House"...
Hmmm... that doesn't really work... let' see... maybe we should kick it off with a photo????
But before that, The Yard House boasts of its wide selection of beers! Over 114 choices all in all.
That's me and sis... just snapping away on Oldtown Scottsdale... where the streets are lined with endless art galleries. And Southwestern style bric-a-brac, from Indian -American jewelleries to brass sculptors to Mexican hats! The ambience feels like you went back in time... ala-Back to The future with Dr. Brown and Marty....
Luckily it wasn't too hot, a bit cloudy so we could stroll the streets... it was pretty balmy, the sky was getting ready for some rain... a few minutes later, the scottsdale trolley passed by so we took a ride back to the mall.
As if we didn't shop enough, it was a day for kitchen and cooking stuff! We got some really good books at a bargain... at almost 75% off, it was such a good buy... we got cool tools... a cheese slicer, a silicon pastry brush, a digital thermometer, a little cookie scoop, a MICROPLANE fine grater (not only one but two, one for each of us) and a jar scraper (yes, you can see, we are so spoiled in the kitchen). If i (marianne) didn't hold off, I was so tempted to buy the air tight, humidity-controlling canister for coffee beans, it was sooo tempting. And we thought we were done shopping! Now the only other challenge is how to pack it all up and head back to LA.
TO CAP THE NIGHT OFF...
Where else, but the Yard House :)... and mind you the music was much better this time. It was a party... even for just the two of us. Elaine started a bit on the childish side with Wyder's Raspberry cider... it tasted like 7-up flavored with artificial raspberry juice. We ordered blue crab cakes (we hear it's good)... it's "well-made"... crisp, not greasy, golden brown but it doesn't tickle our fancy.
As for beer, Marianne had Old Speckled Hen. It had a bitter after taste but it was very smooth. A good drink if you wanted something with character. Elaine had Hoegaarden, a belgian white beer, that is my(Marianne) favorite... and this is what dear sister says: "the only beer that I might ever drink, and actually like it!" It is an easy favorite, really.
I(Marianne) followed mine with a Hawaiian brew -- the Kona Longboard Lager.
To pair our second round, we had Grilled Artichokes... which to me was the strangest food I've seen. Strange because, well... first you snap off the little artichoke leaf, bite from stem side and scrape the soft part of the leaf... practically nothing to eat really... just fun food, i guess.
The chips were chips... but lacks a bit of salt. The best part, like our server vanessa says is the heart of the artichoke... hmmm... I'd go back to banana hearts anytime. It was an experience... but it wasn't really for the joy or eating.
BUT...
yes, BUT!!!!
The Clincher of them all is.... (drum rolls)... because i could bet you might not have tried this if you haven't been to Yard house.
beer with ice cream.
yes...
BEER WITH ICE CREAM. BEER FLOAT
here's proof:
Now before you wince and belch, hear us out... The Lindeman's Framboise (another Belgian Beer) with vanilla ice cream could easily pass off as dessert. Sweet, syrupy, drink it like milkshake... creamy with a candy-ish raspberry aroma. It's sooo smooth, and frankly, it's too good to share!
Now the second one is a bit more challenging and not for the uninitiated... There was Young's Chocolate Stout with Vanilla Ice Cream (yes, yes, it doesn't really look appetizing any way you put it, whether with photos and with words. First off, Beer and Chocolate, just doesn't sound right together, does it?
It is, surprisingly a combination that works. The strong flavor and bitter aftertaste of the stout (which actually has a very prominent chocolate in it) blended with the creamy and sweet vanilla ice cream finishes the drink with a caramel flavor and the froth turns into a rich cream that's just really really, heaven.
yummm... that's a good night cap :)
