can't be arsed doing three separate smaller threads, two of the three cities are in this category
Yeah, the USA is incredibly cheap to get to and travel in these days when you're cashed up with good old Kangaroo dollars and I headed over again this year. Had my 2nd & 3rd trips to San Francisco (started and ended trip there), my 2nd Mardi Gras in Nawl'ns, first 72 hours in New York (there will be many more hours spent here quite possibly next year - I think next time I'll just use up my whole 90 days in NYC that Mr Baz Obama lets me stay in the USA at any one time), first trip to Philly and 2nd trip to Chicago.
Blind Tiger Ale House- highest rated beer bar in Manhattan on ratebeer.com and it didn't disappoint
An absolute gem of a city (and city hall!)
Highly recommend Triumph Brewing Company just down the end of this street
Cracking brewery, managed to swindle a brewery tour too
Got Shanghai?
Didn't get into Monk's Cafe, but Jose Pistola's was a great bar - sat there smashing beers before the Flyers v Thrashers game. Of which, NHL is 100 times better live than on TV. Felt a bit robbed there wasn't any biff though
Sooooooooooo pissed the fountain wasn't on - regardless I had the Married with Children intro in my head for about 5 hours after going down there.
spent most of the boozing time, ermm I mean beer sampling time, in the 'burbs this time around - Wicker Park etc etc. Small Bar, Bangers & Lace, Map Room and Local Option, every serious beer drinker in / who goes to Chicago needs to go to these places (2nd time around at Local Option and I'll be making a 3rd next time I'm in town).
Can't not go to Chicago and not take a photo of Wave
Went to the Blackhawks v San Jose game on the Monday night - higher standard of play compared to the Flyers and it was good to mingle among the bogans of Chicago and I sat next to a guy who had the most wicked Hockey Hair hahah.
Did lots of L tripping too.
Other highlights:
- flew on Continental San Francisco to Baton Rouge via Houston and the Texan air hostesses.......... loving the 1980s teased hair ladies.
- the media hysteria when I got back to San Fran and the news ticker on CNN stating "increased radiation detected in California" a week after the Japanese Earthquake/Tsunami. Ahh 'mericans, bless you.
- didn't go as hard in New Orleans this year - I learnt my lesson from last year to stay away from Pat O'brien's Hurricaines and all other ther Daiquiris youcan get on Bourbon St. STill though made it into Crescent City brewing this year - sampled their beers for breakfast the morning after the first night at Mardi Gras
- Delta is by FAR the best of the US legacy carriers
- The Ribs at Memphis airport - holy shitballs batman
- Noticed this last trip, but America just doesn't have a huge selection of cheap Asian eats the way we do in Australia (which is only natural given the general region Australia is in) but I did go to Sunda in Chicago - some of the best East Asian I've had outside of Asia (and Australia) but shit it shouldn't be that expensive!!! Although, was happy to pay for it and get a proper portion sized meal and not an American-sized meal!
- re: Yards photos above, was a big night in Philly and Philly Cheesesteaks came in handy at the end of the night - tried both Pat's and Geno's - Pat's came out on top.
Will be back within 6 months for business and having my 30th in Vegas next March
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