Lucky Cricket 1 for 2019

Sunday, February 17, 2019

Dale and I got to check out Lucky Cricket, the new restaurant and tiki lounge in town, today. It's gotten some mixed reviews but Dale and I quite liked it and became fast fans during our visit. We've made some plans to take friends in a few weeks. 

From the Lucky Cricket website: "Created by Andrew Zimmern and Michael McDermott, we focus on small plates, sharable foods, and adventurous culinary experiences utilizing natural, organic, and local ingredients, served in a contemporary atmosphere that also features a world class Tiki bar experience."

Lucky Cricket labels itself as "A unique take on the bold flavors of honest Chinese cuisine."

Lucky Cricket serves some of their drinks in tiki mugs and they offer them for sale. I bought the one pictured above. The mug is called the Easter Island Tiki Mug and the designer is Derek Yaniger.

It is described on the Lucky Cricket website as follows: "Derek's classic style shines in this Easter Island tiki mug design. The 'hat' also known as a top-knot, features a stylized, repeating glyph. The back of the mug features the Easter Island Birdman symbol. Glazed in a beautiful Jungle Green glaze, this mug measures 7 1/4 inch in height and has a 16 fluid ounce capacity."

Lucky Cricket 1 for 2019

Sunday, February 17, 2019

I ordered the Three Dots and a Dash for my first tiki cocktail. 

The menu describes it as...

Meanwhile, Dale looks over the menu.

He then takes a taste of my drink...

Thinks about it...

And takes another sip. In the end he decided he liked it but that it was a little strong for his taste. 

Lucky Cricket 1 for 2019 - Jet Pilot & Lychee Coconut Bowl

Sunday, February 17, 2019

Lunch was a whole bunch of awesome. We had the Szechuan wontons to start (not pictured). Dale had the Hunan Chicken Salad (background) and I had the Kung Pao Shrimp Bowl (foreground). All of it was delicious. 

My second drink was the classic Jet Pilot. Dessert was the Lychee Coconut Bowl. It was too divine for words and, sadly, I didn't get a photo. 

I'd never seen a lychee before. Dale and I noticed what looked like oversized peeled grapes in the dessert. We assumed those were the lychee and our server confirmed that they indeed were just that. I've encountered tiki cocktails which have lychee juice in them but have never tried the fruit itself. 

Third Psycho Suzi's Visit for 2019

Friday, February 15, 2019

Day off today and a cold yet gorgeously sunny one at that. After heading to the gym, the chiropractor, and the glasses shop to pick up my contacts, I headed to Suzi's for lunch. My favorite bartender was there and she was training someone in. I ordered a Psychotic Suzi and she talked the new gal through the making of it. It turned out to be fantastic and I told her so. She seemed tickled to hear it. 

Decided to try a pizza I hadn't had before and went with the sausage and mushroom. It was delicious. 

Bartender asked what my favorite Suzi's cocktails are. I told her that number one is the Psychotic Suzi, number two is the Crummy Scoundrel, and number three is the Coconaught. She told me her's is the Crummy Scoundrel so I went with that for my second one. When asked why I like it I told her because it has some carbonation in it and that it's like a punch. She said that's a good way to describe it. 

I also Shazamed a  song and then added it to my Psycho Suzi's Mix Vol. 1 playlist.

Hula Hula Cocktails

Thursday, January 31, 2019

This week I experienced something I've never experienced before. Four days in a row off of school due to weather. We had Monday off due to snow although it was only six inches and I don't think they really needed to call it off but I'm just not gonna complain. Tuesday thru today was due to cold and that was justified because it was really COLD AS HELL FROZEN OVER. Above shows the temperature yesterday morning. 

Anyway I've tried to go from this (see above). 

To this (see above). With the help of mixing some Hula Hula Cocktails. 

The above version is a rum Hula Hula with one part rum (El Dorado) one part orange curacao (dry curacao by Pierre Ferrand) and one part orange juice. 

I'm trying to develop a signature version of this cocktail and I've gone with lots of different variations. Pictured above is one part orange curacao (dry curacao by Pierre Ferrand), one part orange juice, and one part vodka (Three Olives).

Here's a Hula Hula with all the original ingredients of the recipe. One part OJ, one part gin (I used Beefeater), and one part orange curacao (dry curacao by Pierre Ferrand). Note the fish tiki mug which I purchased at my last visit to Psycho Suzi's. 

Finally, I think what's pictured above could be a different signature cocktail. It's got OJ, orange curacao, Cointreau, and brandy. It's probably more a variation on a Sidecar. I'll keep on working on it and maybe call it a Joey's Surfin' Sidecar. [Please note: the above cocktails were not consumed on the same day. I'm not that bad.]

Lucky Cricket

Saturday, January 26, 2019

Made a reservation for four at Lucky Cricket this coming week. Cindi and Maggie will be joining me and Dale. Can't wait!

Second Psycho Suzi's Visit for 2019 Part 4

Thursday, January 24, 2019

Oh, and I added another song to my Psycho Suzi Playlist Volume 1. I like to Shazam songs I hear there and add them to my tiki, surf, or Suzi playlists. The music was rather soft in the bar so Shazam wasn't cooperating but this one is one I already knew.