The following Friday was near the end of a long day, incredibly long day. I had my first accounting exam, pre-work, and had set my alarm for 1:30AM for a last minute cramming session, but work up pre-midnight and was awake ever since. I left the office with no real plans for an Meiji stop, when my co-worker Sondra texted me, asked me if I wanted a Scrabble re-match and that she was free until 6 when another co-worker would be joining her down at Meiji. I gathered my things, unfortunately could not locate my Scrabble board, so the rematch will have to wait.
Brief history, Sondra and I have had only one game of Scrabble in which I was winning through out until the very last move. At this point, I cannot remember what the winning word was, but after she laid it down and subtracting my tile, I lost by one point. So there will be a re-match, and I hope to blog about it and have photos of our board to show, but not this time.
It was a good thing, I didn't have the board, because Jenabe showed up about the same time I did and we all ordered drinks and I passed on my Rittenhouse recommendation to him that I had received from another LS&Co employ Sean (see earlier entry). Had a shitake skewer from the happy hour menu and a 4 Roses, the new bourbon of the week, with my single cube of ice. Found out they are no longer stocking the Angel's Envy -- so I will have to try this on my own somewhere else. 4 Roses seems like the perfect Kentucky bourbon to have at Izakaya Meiji Company since it is owned by the Japanense Kirin Brewing Company. Like most American whiskeys, 4 Roses was sweet, somewhat of a mix of caramel and honey, but what struck me was the subtleties of spice in the whiskey. I think, more than most, I captured a sense of cinnamon on the 4 Roses. Nice $4 pour as a the bourbon of the week.
We talked about work. The history of LS&Co in Eugene. About school. About music. Great history of concerts by Jenabe when he grew up in the bay area. Most impressed by D.R.I. Made me miss the good old hard core days. Food and then I wrapped it up with the first whiskey I am not going to recommend, sadly, a Scotch. The Balvenie gets its name from being aged in first oak then sherry barrels. It had a definite lingering sting that it left, which spoiled anything else I drank (even water) and ruined my food. I would be willing to have another go at the Balvenie Double, but it would probably need to be on the rocks, with no other food or beverage on the horizon, not even another Scotch or a bourbon. The Balvenie is meant to be drunk alone, from my best estimation, so purely, my least favorite pour of the new year.
Saturday, February 4, 2012
Fridays in January Part One
I made two Friday visits to the Izakaya Meiji company in January, both great visits, both in and of themselves unique, both in the company, the atmosphere, and the food and conversation. The first was with my younger brother, Alex. His original plan was to go to Mapleton to visit a friend, but it got rained out by the terrible weather we were having that was flooding parts of the state in mid-January. I had missed Dick Dale in Corvallis earlier that week because I was not sure I wanted to test the weather.
We showed up a bit late and the place was jumping, well, as much as a Japanese Restaurant Whiskey Bar in the middle of the Whiteaker would be jumping on a Friday night. Actually, I can only imagine how this will grow as it still seems to be one of Eugene's best kept secrets. But, when we arrived, we were looking at a 30 to 40 minute wait for a table, but we were able to sneak in and get a seat at the bar within only a couple minutes, which offered a different vantage point -- I was thrilled as this was only second time sitting at the bar & I was afraid we might have to go somewhere else to pick up a late dinner.
We both ordered the burger and fries, to get things going, and I Had the Old Charter 8 year, which was their bourbon of the week on the rocks. Not a bad offering, it did get better, once the ice began melting into it. We did the typical family catching up. Talked about our jobs, the holidays, etc. Friends, women, just the general Mejia boy chit chat while waiting for our food. I also sampled the 17 year, based on recommendation from a friend, and also a choice that made my bartender very excited as it is one of his personal favorite spirits. It is bottled by Kentucky Bourbon Distillers, Ltd. Bardstown,KY. Started off smooth. Nice hint of caramel, possibly some vanilla, then moved to a bitter leather, some burn. As I continued to sip, less subtle hints of the oak flavor from the barrel. This is a true whiskey. Not as smooth as some, definitely lingers more than most. A great sip on its own. Not sure, how I would recommend with food.
It may have been the bourbon, but my brother seconded the emotion, the burgers are amongst the best within Eugene city limits. 1/3 pound grass fed beef patty seared to medium rare and served on English muffin. Garnished with Izakaya's house-made teriyaki coleslaw (the best) lettuce and onion and side of french fries. The fries come with the Wasabi mayo, which I am not a big fan of mayo with my friends, but the Wasabi gives it just enough kick, and with the whiskey, I do not mind the mayo whatsoever. We added cheese and avocado for a little extra. Next time, I will take a picture of the tiny beast. I was too hungry and maybe a little inebriated when it came, but the presentation is as wonderful as the food. Photo promised soon, I swear.
Finished the night with my brother with a Highland Park 12 year, my first Scotch of the year. It was a nice mix of fruit with the smoked flavor of Peat. This is the youngest Highland Park has to offer, but a very nice Scotch. I think I might have to order a rusty nail with it somewhere -- as I will not allow myself mixed drinks in my whiskey Izakaya venture, but I think it definitely has nice Nail potential.
We showed up a bit late and the place was jumping, well, as much as a Japanese Restaurant Whiskey Bar in the middle of the Whiteaker would be jumping on a Friday night. Actually, I can only imagine how this will grow as it still seems to be one of Eugene's best kept secrets. But, when we arrived, we were looking at a 30 to 40 minute wait for a table, but we were able to sneak in and get a seat at the bar within only a couple minutes, which offered a different vantage point -- I was thrilled as this was only second time sitting at the bar & I was afraid we might have to go somewhere else to pick up a late dinner.
We both ordered the burger and fries, to get things going, and I Had the Old Charter 8 year, which was their bourbon of the week on the rocks. Not a bad offering, it did get better, once the ice began melting into it. We did the typical family catching up. Talked about our jobs, the holidays, etc. Friends, women, just the general Mejia boy chit chat while waiting for our food. I also sampled the 17 year, based on recommendation from a friend, and also a choice that made my bartender very excited as it is one of his personal favorite spirits. It is bottled by Kentucky Bourbon Distillers, Ltd. Bardstown,KY. Started off smooth. Nice hint of caramel, possibly some vanilla, then moved to a bitter leather, some burn. As I continued to sip, less subtle hints of the oak flavor from the barrel. This is a true whiskey. Not as smooth as some, definitely lingers more than most. A great sip on its own. Not sure, how I would recommend with food.
It may have been the bourbon, but my brother seconded the emotion, the burgers are amongst the best within Eugene city limits. 1/3 pound grass fed beef patty seared to medium rare and served on English muffin. Garnished with Izakaya's house-made teriyaki coleslaw (the best) lettuce and onion and side of french fries. The fries come with the Wasabi mayo, which I am not a big fan of mayo with my friends, but the Wasabi gives it just enough kick, and with the whiskey, I do not mind the mayo whatsoever. We added cheese and avocado for a little extra. Next time, I will take a picture of the tiny beast. I was too hungry and maybe a little inebriated when it came, but the presentation is as wonderful as the food. Photo promised soon, I swear.
Finished the night with my brother with a Highland Park 12 year, my first Scotch of the year. It was a nice mix of fruit with the smoked flavor of Peat. This is the youngest Highland Park has to offer, but a very nice Scotch. I think I might have to order a rusty nail with it somewhere -- as I will not allow myself mixed drinks in my whiskey Izakaya venture, but I think it definitely has nice Nail potential.
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