Trippin': Chicago - Wow Bao

1 West Wacker Blvd
Chicago, IL 60601

Since we had a little time between the end of the architectural tour and our 60 minute sail aboard the Tall Ship Windy, we decided to go grab a bite to eat at Wow Bao. Wow Bao specialized in 'hot asian buns'. Haha. Corny but cute. The food there is not as good as the more authentic banh bao's. The bread on the bao's here are more dense and not as fluffy. The difference here is that they have a lot more fillings to choose from (teriyaki chicken, spicy kung pao chicken, whole wheat edamame, thai curry chicken, spicy mongolian beef, bbq pork) We tried a couple them and they weren't all too bad. I would never ever choose this over the more authentic ones. The folks in our group also got some potstickers, rice bowls and noodle soups. I think my favorite thing about this place was their ginger drinks. So gingery but not in a bad way.

Restaurant: BRC Gastropub

519 Shepherd Dr
Houston, TX 77007

For Deebo's bday, big poppa and I got the usual group together for some dinner at BRC Gastropub. BRC stands for big red c*ck. Ugh. I can't help but want to roll my eyes at the name for some reason. I dunno. Trying to hard? Too gimmicky of a name? The dining area inside is small so it's prolly not a good place for big groups. The first time I called to make reservations, I was denied because the only two large tables they had were already booked. I decided to try my luck again and called the next morning. A different person answered the phone and took my reservation with my original request. I beat the system! Haha. The food was okay. It's like heavy American fare. I had eaten a bit before I came and decided to only get their mac and cheese of the day, which was blue cheese based. I normally don't mind blue cheese but OMGaud this was majorly over-powering. I couldn't really eat it. This drunk group of folks next to us seemed to really like it though and declared it the best mac and cheese ever. I ... don't think so buddy. Overall, no one in the group was overly excited about anything they had ordered. I can't really say though if it was the food or their lack of emotion in general about anything. Robots I swear. I have two complaints about the restaurant. It is just way too dark in this place. You can't see anything! I hate places that are so freaking dark inside that you can't visually appreciate all the details in your food. I'm guessing this helps to keep down complaints of finding insects and hair in the food. The second complaint is the unisex bathroom. Seriously? I'm over that whole idea. I don't like coming out of a stall and having to see some dood at the sink. It's just WEIRD!

Trippin': Chicago - Cultural Center

78 East Washington St
Chicago, IL 60602

The conclusion of our architectural tour left us right in front of the Chicago Cultural Center. Our tour guide George had to leave but suggested that we check the place out, especially to see the Tiffany dome inside. The center is free to the public and many locals come here for quiet leisure to read and/or to study. The center actually looks more like a palace with it's columns and ornate ceilings. We went up this grand looking staircase to what we thought was the Tiffany dome. Upon reading up on the Tiffany dome just right now, I now realize that what we saw was not the Tiffany but rather just a stained glass dome. Argh! This is really gonna be bother so now I have to go back to Chicago just so I can see that darn Tiffany dome!

Musik Mundi: The Band Perry

Over the weekend, I kept singing the chorus part of this song out loud and had to stop myself cos the words are kindy creepy if you really think about it. The song itself doesn't sound sinister or anything but I don't want it to be some sort of ominious message that I'm singing to myself. The music is pretty and The Band Perry's lead vocalists' voice reminds me of a country sporty spice. I've been on this country pop kick lately and have even adapted this horrible country accent. Hey y'all! Omgaud. There's this viet guy on this fasion show on bravo and he's seriously and making my kind look bad. He needs to just fermer la bouche already!

*photo courtesy of amazon.com*


The Band Perry
Album: The Band Perry (2010)
Song: If I Die Young