Most people recognize the name of celebrity chef Tom Colicchio from his role as the bald head judge of the Bravo reality show, Top Chef. If the only place you’ve seen him, however, is sitting at the table eating food from anxious semi-pro cook hopefuls, than you’re missing out on just what a fantastic chef Colicchio is in his own right.

Tom Colicchio got his start the old fashioned way by working his way up the ladder at various restaurants on the East Coast. Eventually, his attention to great food prepared with good ingredients started earning him a reputation that put him in the kitchens of some of the nations best chefs, including Thomas Keller. After opening his first New York establishment, Gramercy Tavern, his place in the food world was secure as one of America’s best chefs. Following the success of Gramercy Tavern, Colicchio opened a restaurant simply entitled, Craft, and focused even further his belief in simply prepared dishes using the best local ingredients possible. Over the years, Craft has expanded into many different venues including a more casual sister restaurant, Craftbar, a high-end sandwich shop, ‘wichCraft and a steakhouse, Craftsteak.

I had the privilege of eating a meal at the Craftsteak in Las Vegas this past week, which can be found at the MGM Grand hotel. My wife and I had no idea what we were getting ourselves into as we celebrated our fifth anniversary with a dinner at Craftsteak and we were met with a shot of reality after looking at the prices. You won’t be getting out of here for under $100.00 per person due to the ala carte nature of the experience. However, while you might initially choke at the high Las Vegas prices (and no one can blame you), let me tell you that at the end of our meal, my wife and I felt that we had gotten more than our money’s worth. Ridiculous, I know but the food was that exceptional. It’s defiantly the kind of place you chose for a special occasion and you’ll likely eat there just once.

My wife and I decided we would leave ourselves in the chef’s capable hands and ordered a tasting menu that had as its central feature, Grade 7 Wagyu Beef. We started with four appetizers, which had as it’s standout dish the Warm Frisée Salad with Farm Egg and Bacon. Normally, I’m not a huge fan of Frisee, with it’s bitter taste making it right for only certain dressings. However, I’m sold after eating this version. With a warm buttermilk dressing mixed with bacon and a poached egg on top, it was like a bite sized version of a fantastic breakfast. A bit unreal, unexpected and yet a completely satisfying, savory start to the meal.

The Wagyu Beef came in the form of two steaks, one a 10oz Fillet Mignon and the other a 14oz Ribeye. Wagyu, I came to find out, is an amazing hybrid of the famous Japanese Kobe and the American Angus. It is, without a doubt, the greatest steak I have ever and will ever eat in my life. With the full bodied taste of the Angus steaks we know and love in the States but matched with a soft, buttery texture that make it unlike any steak I’ve ever tasted. Velvety and delicious, it was the signature moment of the meal and every bite was an amazing one. Matched with the steaks were three side dishes that included a Butternut Squash Rissotto with Hen of the Woods, Brussels Sprouts with Bacon and Yukon Gold Puree with Chives. These side dishes were all very simply prepared and were simply exceptionally delicious. All the flavors worked well together and made a fantastic counterpoint to the steaks. Of particular note was the risotto which had chunks of butternut squash in the creamy, brilliantly prepared rice topped with Hen of the Woods which gave a very earthy contrast to the rich, buttery, creamy rice.

Following that (and at the point where we were having trouble imagining eating more food) came the desert course. Consisting of variations on cheesecake, sorbet and fruit, our three plates of desert simply rounded out a once in a lifetime, unforgettable meal.

It has to be mentioned that the service at Craftsteak was unlike any experience I’ve every had at a restaurant. I have to be honest here and say that service is usually the last thing I notice in a dining experience. Unless the waiter is a complete jerk, I rarely take note and simply appreciate the staff staying out of the way and bringing out the food in a timely manner. However, at Craftsteak, I had no less than five people interested in making sure every last thing was taken care of. From explaining the various dishes to asking how if we needed anything to simply making us feel welcome and at home, the service was stunning. I have never felt more comfortable in a high end dining experience and for folks trying high end dining for the first time, no place will make you feel more at home.

Overall, if you have the time (the meal took around 2 1/2 hours all told) and are willing to spend some serious money on an artistic meal that will stick in your mind for a long, long time, give Craftsteak a try the next time you hit the casinos in Vegas.

As many of you have now guessed, Halloween is my favorite holiday; and it has been ever since I can remember.  Maybe it’s the change of seasons, the briskness in the air, or how for some short period of time it’s ok to be spooky and dress up as someone else. My friends and I would talk about what were going to be for weeks and the annual Halloween party at school was always a blast.  Of course, trick-or-treating would last a couple of hours as we scrounged the neighborhood in search of candy.

Sadly, many of those things that made Halloween so great from my youth have long since disappeared. Most schools no longer have Halloween parties (they call it a “Fall Festival” or some other crap) and a lot of neighborhoods are eeriely quiet and devoid of trick-or-treaters. But in the midst of my sadness comes an event aimed at adults like me who yearn for Halloween greatness. You can find it on select nights in October at Universal Studios in Orlando and Hollywood and it’s called Halloween Horror Nights (HHN).   The greatness of this event is one that must be experienced, but I will do my best to try and summarize my experience in hopes that other like me might make the trek down for future spooky good times. 

For those who have never been to either theme park, Universal Studios celebrates movie and television in an extremely fun way. Unlike Disney, these parks pander to a more intense experience with wilder roller coasters and more elaborate stage shows. I have visted both Disney and Universal several times and my family has always enjoyed their stay at Universal more. The one thing about both theme parks that few people realize is that they are working studios. The Hollywood park was several working movie sets and many films are shot there everyday. The Orlando location films most of the live Nickelodeon shows and is also the home for TNA wresting. Having large sets at your disposal is something important to remember as we discuss Halloween Horror Nights.

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The Minnesota State Fair is one of those annual events that I look forward to each year for many reasons. You’ve heard us talk about the “Great Minnesota Get-Together” before, so I’ll spare you all the reasons why I think it’s an event not to be missed. Instead, I’d like to talk about one of my favorite new events at the fair, Pinball on-a-Stick.

It’s no surprise to those of us who grew up in the arcades and behind the flippers of a million wooden cabinets, that things are not what they used to be. What once was a forest of local arcades sucking the quarters out of millions of teen-agers pockets has been slowly destroyed tree by tree. Even the amusement-park simulators that were all the rage in the late 90′s and early 2000 have gone the way of the dodo as once-thought stalwarts like GameWorks close their doors.

So it is that in every county or state fair I manage to attend, one of the first things I do is look for an arcade. Like an Indiana Jones with a nose for electronics, I hunt the fairgrounds for the familiar tent with the million power cables running to a giant junction box. It’s the surest sign of late 80′s coin op machines in the wild. Last year, my hunt bore some delicious fruit as the dreaded Butterfly Garden (which had threatened to kill the arcade space the past few years) gave a precious slice of it’s fairground real estate to not just an arcade, but a room dedicated to classic pinball games.

It’s called Pinball on-a-Stick and it’s the brainchild of Brian Millard, a resident of Farmington, MN. Brian is a collector of classic pinball machines and has filled a section of the arcade with a solid set of machines from his own personal collection. With the aid of friend Ryan Marincovich and a volunteer team of pinball collectors and enthusiasts from the area, a room right next to the Grandstand becomes one of the best spots for pinball for a week and a half.

From some of the classic machines such as Adam’s Family, Black Knight and Whirlwind to some of the best modern Stern machines, Pinball on-a-Stick really satisfies the old school pinball fan. Not only is the selection great but the machines are in top notch condition and play like a dream. Prices are reasonable at .50 a play and the spirit of the old school arcades is there in spades. Fairgoers young and old stop by and drop a few quarters into these classic machines. Each time I’ve walked into the room, there seems to be a machine or five in action. It’s a great time.

You can find more information on Pinball on-a-Stick over at their website, which can be found here: Pinball on-a-Stick.com.

More pictures after the break.
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I know we really should stay away from politics on this site, as it never ends well. But I consider this to be less about politics and more a “people watching” exercise.

I think Michelle Bachmann is nuts and despite your views politically, you have to admit she’s said some REALLY fucked up shit over the last few years. Give this girl a spotlight long enough and she’ll tell you the spotlight is made up of the tears of angels and children with utmost sincerity.

This gift of hers has made her the target of a lot of folks and given her Democratic rivals a whole heap of ammunition to use against her. Her latest Democratic challenger, Tarryl Clark has created the site Michelle Bachmann Said WHAT? that pokes fun at the Minnesota’s “favorite” Tea Party idol. The site’s pretty damn funny and even has a soundboard. Always good for a laugh.

What’s even more hilarious is how someone can say all this stuff and STILL manage to win every time she’s up for election. I’m betting even money she’ll be right where she is when this election is over as well. Granted, this site’s purely political in nature, but it’s humorously done and at this point, what’s left?

Make no mistake, this girl’s nuts. And what’s more amusing than that? Eh? Here’s one to tide you over:

I usually don’t post things of this nature, but it’s too damn awesome to keep to myself.

This is Dennis LeRoy Anderson. He’s a resident of Proctor, MN and at the age of 61, may have accomplished one of the most hilarious things I’ve heard of yet.

We have a fascination with small town drunks such as these. Much like the Merrill woman who always rode her horse to the bar because he knew the way home when she was toasted, Dennis LeRoy Anderson found a way to conquer adversity and get his drunk on.

You see, after hanging out at the Keyboard Lounge on August 31, an extremely drunk Anderson drove his La-Z-Boy into a parked car in the Keyboard Lounge’s lot. Here’s an excerpt from the story, posted in the Minneapolis Star and Tribune:

“Anderson admitted to police that he had been drinking at home, was leaving the bar and had drunk eight or nine beers that day before getting on the La-Z-Boy and crashing it into a Dodge Intrepid parked outside, Foucault said. Anderson was treated for minor injuries and given a field sobriety test, even though he pleaded several times with the officer to ‘give him a break,’ according to the police report.

‘He failed everything,’ Foucault said, which led to Anderson’s arrest and seizure of the chair. The officer on the scene checked Anderson’s driver’s license and determined that it had been revoked because of a previous drunken-driving conviction, according to police.”

That’s right, you read all that correctly. DROVE his La-Z-Boy. Bad. Ass. Check it out:

You’ve got to admire a man that can, after driving a motorized CHAIR into a parked car, get up and ask the cop to “give me a break”. And then proceed to “fail everything”. Classic.

Here’s a quote:

“Deputy Police Chief Troy Foucault said Thursday that the chair is “quite decked out.” Along with the stereo and cup holders, it is driven by a converted gasoline-powered lawnmower, and has a steering wheel, headlights and a power antenna.

Foucault estimated that the La-Z-Boy can top out at 15 to 20 miles per hour. A National Hot Rod Association sticker adorns the headrest.”

For those interested, as I am, it looks like the decked out Chair of Awesome is in high demand. So if you’re interested, may I advise you to get on the phone to the Proctor Police Department as soon as possible.

I’m going to have to say that if we ever institute a Drunk of the Year on this site, we can safely declare Dennis LeRoy Anderson this years WINNER!

Zombies and drinking? A match made in Drunken Gamers heaven! This place opened up near “Nordeast” Minneapolis a few months ago and we love it so much that we took Phil to check it out…twice. Donny Dirk’s Zombie Den is located just off I94 and Broadway in North Minneapolis. Not the best neighborhood. In fact, it’s located in the former building of Stand Up Frank’s, a bar notorious for crime, stabbings, and other bad shit. The story goes that the people who wanted to open it up as Donny Dirk’s (also the folks who own Psycho Suzi’s, another great Nordeast bar/restaurant), had to jump through a whole slew of hoops to get it approved by the city, simply because of the reputation built by Stand Up Frank’s. As such, the entire parking lot is fenced in, there are two outdoor security guards on duty at all times, and cameras line the building inside and out. Nevertheless, and quite miraculously, you never once feel unsafe at Donny Dirk’s. Unless, of course, you’re afraid of being eaten.

As the name indicates, the whole place has a pretty solid zombie theme. There are zombie movies playing on the televisions that overlook the bar, there’s a chainsaw behind glass, dead deer (leftover from Stand Up Frank’s) dressed up and mounted on the walls, and weapons behind glass above the urinals in the bathroom. You know, just in case you’re attacked while at your most vulnerable. On top of this, the bartenders are dressed like Shaun from Shaun of the Dead, complete with white shirt, red tie, and blood spatter, and the waitresses are dressed in black gowns, Elvira-style. The place is elegantly designed with casino-grade carpeting and plush, luxurious bar stools and booths.

The first night we went, the bar was packed to capacity, so Phil, Scotty, Moe, and I got to sit in the R.I.P. room, which is a private little cubby near the front of bar. Nevertheless, it was cozy and intimate, almost like hanging out at home.

Check out some pictures of the place…

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Years ago, when I first started watching The Iron Chef, Morimoto was always my favorite of the bunch for not only the incredible-looking dishes he served up, but also for his winning personality. He’s a guy who comes off as charming, humble, and altogether likable in whatever he’s in, whether it be the original Iron Chef program, its American remake, or the countless other Food Network shows he’s appeared in. Several months ago, I talked about my trip to Bobby Flay’s restaurant in Las Vegas, the Mesa Grill, and while it was definitely a cool experience and the food was wonderful, in my mind Mr. Flay is no Morimoto and the chance to eat at Morimoto’s restaurant in Philadelphia was far more exciting to me.

My wife and I made reservations a few days prior. Unfortunately, because we were planning on eating Saturday evening, we were only able to nab reservations for 9pm. I don’t mind eating late, but for the meal we were about to be served, dining well into the night was not ideal.

You see, friends of ours had eaten at Morimoto’s and recommended the Chef’s Choice, or “Omakase”. The idea behind the Omakase is that it’s a sampling of different items on the menu with the intent of giving you a feel for Chef Morimoto’s dishes. The Omakase ranges in price from “$80 – $120 and up”, the price apparently increasing with the quality of ingredients, according to our waitress. We decided to “cheap out” and go with the $80 option.

But first things first: the bar.

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In downtown Philadelphia, down an narrow hidden alley, sits the oldest continuously-run pub in the city, McGillan’s Old Ale House. It’s one of those places that immediately hits you with its charm the moment you walk through the doors. Dimly-lit with wooden beams lining the ceiling, McGillan’s is the quintessential old-time tavern. My wife and I walked through the doors and were immediately greeted by the bar’s owner, who told us to sit wherever we’d like. We chose one of the tables near the fireplace and took a look around.

Lining the walls were the typical bar decor: old pictures, sports news clippings, and a seemingly random collection of antique nick-nacks. But looking through the menu, we discovered that this building contained a boat-load of history.

From their website:

Shortly after the Liberty Bell cracked and long before ground was broken for City Hall, McGillin’s Olde Ale House threw open its doors. Its beer taps have been flowing since 1860 — making it the oldest continuously operating tavern in Philadelphia. McGillin’s has outlasted Strawbridge’s, the Civil War and even Prohibition.

Hit the link for a few photos.

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It was about three years ago that our good friends Savory Cade and Cap’n Rawkenschpiel introduced us to Sailor Jerry. At the time, our rum of choice was Captain Morgan and to us nothing could ever replace it. And when Savory and Cap’n first told us about the Sailor, claiming that it was far superior to our beloved pirate, we simply wrote it off as another impostor akin to Calico Jack and Admiral Nelson.

Shame on us!

One sip of the Sailor and we were sold. Not only was it stronger than Captain, it was smoother and mixed better with Coke. And as a bonus (depending on your point of view), it made us even more surly during podcasts. We never looked back and Sailor Jerry and Coke has been the favorite mixed drink of Drunken Gamers Radio ever since.

On a drunken Sunday afternoon in Philadelphia, I stumbled out of an Irish pub (more on that later), rounded the corner, and saw the sign for the Sailor Jerry store. I rubbed my bloodshot eyes and looked again. Could it be? An entire store dedicated to the greatest rum ever distilled?

Xanadu!

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Over the course of my brief existence, I’ve found that travel energizes me, makes me more aware, and – dare I say it – makes me a better human being. When I go too long without leaving my home base I become more bitter, cynical, and less appreciative of our world and the creatures that populate it. It’s easy to watch TV or read the news and throw out half-informed opinions or come to conclusions that are only partially educated. But nothing compares to getting out there in person. To put it more eloquently:

“Travel has a way of stretching the mind. The stretch comes not from travel’s immediate rewards, the inevitable myriad new sights, smells and sounds, but with experiencing firsthand how others do differently what we believed to be the right and only way” Ralph Crawshaw

Aside from travel, I’ve always wondered if I was more interested in the history of my favorite past times than the actual past times themselves. Take music, for example. Once I got to college I realized I was less interested in becoming a virtuoso than I was in the stories of the composers and the history of the art; hence my decision to take on the second most useless degree in existence: music history. And when it comes to gaming, I can guarantee I spend more time reading about games and discussing them than I do actually playing them.

I don’t have enough interest in American History to refer to myself as “buff”, so let’s just say I’m a casual fan. Yes, I’ve been known to spend entire days watching multi-part series on the History Channel detailing the presidents and the history of each individual state, but I don’t have the Declaration of Independence committed to memory, nor do I know the particulars of each major battle of the Civil War. That being said, I was excited to get the chance to spend a day in Philadelphia; to be able to see historical landmarks that I had been reading about since I was a kid, and to simply spend time in one of America’s great cities. I’ve been to many places around and outside of the United States and have always come back with valuable experiences, but I’m surprised by what I came away with during one solitary day in Philadelphia.
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