Last Night in Charlotte

So, I'm back tracking a bit but I want to post some pictures of my last night in Charlotte. Burch and I actually made it out to dinner and boy was it worth it! She took me to this place downtown called Dandelion Market and boy was it an experience.

It was our poor server's first day and it SHOWED. She couldn't open our bottle of wine, she took forever and the nervousness was written across her face. Either way, we had a great bottle of wine, yummy tapas and Burch experienced the worst glass of red she's ever had.

Shrimp and Grits - AMAZEBALLS. We also had sauteed mushrooms - also amazeballs.

Fancy bev

I can't remember what the story was but I'm happy I captured this :)

Burch, man do I wish you were in Reno! Loved spending time with you and reconnecting! You are amazing!

Summer Concert Series!

My beautiful sister made her to see me last week and I took her to the boardwalk area in Charlotte. It just so happened that they were basically having a festival at the boardwalk, complete with a Jimmy Buffett cover band! They do this every Thursday night in June and July - if you're in the area, check it ouuuut!

The cute little boardwalk area..

Boardwalk Billy's

Press PLAAAY for some [covered] Jimmy Buffett!

We went to Sushi 101 for dinner - Biggest bowl of edamame everrrr

A Pineapple Martini on Martini Monday!

This was when I came here with a coworker... we were adventurous!

Sweet seeeesters :)

Casa Burcham

I can't explain how amazing it's been to have a friend move to Charlotte while I was here for 5 weeks! I never have friends to enjoy happy hour with... I'm always that broad alone at the bar... BUT NOT IN CHARLOTTE, PEOPLE --- KATIE BURCHAM IS IN THA HOUUUSSSEE!!!

However, it should be said, when Katie and I got together we've never actually left the apartment to explore Charlotte. I am completely okay with this because in these random cities, where I know no one, I feel the need to explore and entertain myself. But with Burch here we get to catch up, talk about life, relax, enjoy very delicious (yet affordable) wine and eat yummy food whipped up by Chef Burch. I've enjoyed every second of it and I can't wait to come back and visit Burch and maybe we'll find our way to an actual restaurant or bar next time :)

In the mean time, here's a few shots of our time in together (please know that all I did was show up and occasionally bring wine and chocolate)...

Caprese Salad - YUM

I'm pretty sure that was goat cheese in there... can't remember but it was delish!

 The chef being so modest about her amazing cooking skills ;)

Not the best picture of us but I love it anyway! 

Veggie Pizza!! I have a feeling I'm going to be craving this... a lot

Sexyyy!

Perfect Summer Beer - Saranac - Lager & Lemonade

Katie introduced me and I am obsessed!

Nothing like a night cap at Casa Burcham :)

Kathryn and I have our last date tomorrow night and we're trying to make our way OUT... stay tuuuned!

Vida Cantina

As promised in my last post, I went out solo on Saturday night in crowded downtown Charlotte. While sitting between two fairly new couples at the bar would have normally sent me into a downward spiral, I was fearless last night. I sparked conversations, made a few people laugh, and got more than buzzed from one skinny girl margarita [I'm a light weight these days].

Anyway, back to the good stuff...

Vida is located in downtown Charlotte and is apart of the EpiCentre. They have a Howl at the Moon, Strike City [super fun bowling alley], Asian restaurants, Mexican, American, Italian, Steakhouses, etcetera!

I switched my normal glass of vino for a Skinny Marg. It was delicious but too stout. I think I'll stick with my wine from now on, but I'm glad I branched out. Even though one glass got me so buzzed that I slammed my own foot in the car door. Soooo yeah, sticking to my faithful wine.

Staying true to my new found vegetarianism, I ordered mushroom quesadillas and was surprised when they came out looking like enchiladas. It might have been the marg but I SWEAR it said quesadilla. Either way, it was fab and life as a vegetarian isn't looking so bad!!

Seesterly Bonding

Last night, after a long day at work, I made the trip to Gastonia to see my baby sister [whom I haven't seen in what feels like forever].

She took us to one of the many chain restaurants in Gastonia. We went to Applebee's. Now, I love to try new restaurants... perhaps a restaurant that has a cool story or interesting concept. So, I wasn't super pumped to end up at Applebee's --- HOWEVER, I found out that this Applebee's was famous! Yep, this was the EXACT Applebee's in the film "Talladega Nights"! I'm pretty sure I was sitting in Will Ferrell's seat..

After a delicious, meat-free dinner at Applebee's, Sally and I made a 20 minute drive to catch a late night showing of Something Borrowed! 

She's a sport because I really wanted to see it and I could barely describe what it was about because I didn't want to give anything away! It worked out great though because she really liked the movie and so did I! I'm pretty sure she got sick of me whispering, "Ooh, I know what happens next" or "That WASN'T in the book!" or "I love John Krasinski!" Either way, we were the only ones in the theater so we has some good old fashioned sisterly bonding time :)

Mmm :)

As for my new lifestyle as a vegetarian, I'm 4 days in and doing good! I had tomato soup and green beans for lunch and I plan to go to Vida Cantina tonight for dinner! There's plenty of fish options and even completely meat free options! Stay tuuuned :)

Comfort

After an excrutiating 4 am wake up call this morning, I finally made it to Charlotte. Like most of my Mondays in a new city, I am exhausted. I can't wait to fall asleep in about one hour and I'm sure it'll be a struggle for me to wake up in the morning. Also, it's silly to admit but I was a little down today. I miss my boyfriend, even though I just saw him this weekend and will see him in two weeks. I miss my girlfriends, even though I just finished a string of three weekends seeing a lot of them. And I miss my family, even though I know I'll be seeing them soon.

I had a fairly rough day today [not nearly as bad as some of my days in Minneapolis, that's for sure]. Either way, I was frazzled and it was 2pm and I hadn't eaten since 5:30am. Someone in the office suggested a Japanese place so I decided to check it out. I was planning on getting sushi but then I saw a plate go by... with teriyaki chicken... with a side of... wait for it...

                                                    WHITE SAUCE!!!

If you went to Western or even have a friend that went there, you know about white sauce. I ordered it on the spot and instantly felt better. It's weird how your senses can take you back... I had my chicken bowl with my white sauce and I was home. It's also sad to admit that food can make me feel so comfortable and can bring me back to neutral. A plus in this fatty situation is that I wasn't able to eat all my food like I would have in college... those were the days of chicken bowls, egg rolls, sushi, and saki... just the chicken and white sauce today ;)

Of course I took a picture so don't be too jealous! What's your comfort food? :)