Wing Night

Wing night is a common phenomenon around America. I personally find it disgusting. The essence of wings, chicken bone surrounded by dark, gristly meat wrapped with skin, deep fried, tossed in butter and hot sauce does not sound like an appetizing meal. Most wings come covered in so much hot sauce that intentionally mask the revolting quality of meat that lays under the deep fried skin. My cousin once ordered hot wings with so much ammonia that sitting two seats away my nose started to burn. So I must ask, why do people flock to bars and restaurants for wing night? Why eat something that destroys your taste buds just so you cannot tell what you are eating?

Before last night, I only tried a bite here and there of a wing. Last night, Thursday in Chicago, means wing night at Birds Nest. I accompanied my boyfriend and his friends who ordered a colossal tray of wings; I ordered a salad and got shit for it. When the wings came, I decided I would give them a fair shot. The boys talked them up as the best wings, so I figured I did not have much to lose by trying just one. These wings were good. I was surprised. They had the perfect balance of sweet and spiciness. What I enjoyed the most was the amount of meat on the bone. I did not come across gristly chicken bits or felt I chewed more skin than meat. I am not quite a chicken wing convert, but I decided to no longer criticize the common bar food.

If you are ever in Chicago, especially on a Thursday or Sunday (wing night= 35 cent wings), check out Birds Nest on Southport. Make sure you get a side of fries, especially the deliciously seasoned curly fries.

Why?????

Who doesn't love food??? Food is more than just energy for our bodies. It is something that allows people to share and experience and learn without words. One bite of a friend's dish tells me a story about them: what they like, where they came from, and how their day is going.

I personally live to eat. I finish breakfast and I am already thinking of what to make for dinner. Cooking is not a chore for me but a way to relax and experiment. While I thrive as a person in the kitchen, I love to eat out. Experiencing new flavor combinations and inventive cooking techniques inspires me. Watching my friends cook and seeing how they move about the kitchen gives me ideas. I rarely refuse trying new things. I have a small list of foods I despise: olives, mushrooms (most varieties), mayo, and ketchup. The thought of a date at a local pub or dive restaurant excites me; that's where you can find real flavors.

I was inspired to start this blog after eating out last night. You will learn all about that adventure in the next posting.....