St Louis Tap Room

Today's adventure takes us to the wild, wonderful world of the "microbrewery&restaraunt"known to St Louisians as The Tap Room. (More on one of the "other" Micro/eateries later)

So, this group that I am in decides to have its new member night at the Schlafly Tap Room, for Dinner. (Menu) http://www.schlafly.com/taproom.menu.shtml

The place is decent size and is made from an old building on Locus street in downtown St Louis.

We meet up and about six of us are at the table when our server comes over. I shall call her Hilda, as in BROOM HILDA THE WITCH, since she a)never told us her name and b) was a complete witch to our party the entire night.

We sit and one of the people in my group asked what types of a certain style of beer they had (Note: I am not a beer aficionado, I just drink it) So, she is running through the list in a flat tone with no affect. At the end, I ask what type of Iced Tea they had, since I tend to have either Tea or Water when I am eating. She says is a dry, sarcastic voice, wihtout looking at me "Mango" and then immediately asks what everybody wanted to drink.

So, I order the tea, and while we are sitting, trying to decide what to eat, she comes back with drinks, and her warm charm causes her to say "Okay, now what are you guys wanting to eat?" I swear I've been treated better by policemen after getting pulled over for speeding.

I decide I would like the Pasta Premavera with grilled chicken. Others order and when she gets to one person, he asked for a cheeseburger. So, our friendly server says "what kind of cheese, American, swiss, cheddar, provelone, gouda or pepperjack?" The guy says "Hmmmmm, I think..." and before he can get out his statement, she says "CHEDDAR, You'll take cheddar" and moved along and asked the NEXT guy what he wanted.

So, the food comes and it is delicious, some of the best Pasta I have had in a while.
So, I notice after a few minutes that my Mango Tea (which was suprisingly good) is empty. Not, NEAR empty, but is now just a sad collection of Ice Cubes. It takes Hilda about another 12 minutes to drop by the table and ask if anybody needed anything. Now, I know I am sometimes a bit harsh when I dont feel I am getting the service that a SERVER should be hanging out, but I made an effort to say "Could I have some more tea?" in the nicest way I could. I didnt know a silent roll of the eyes was the new way of saying "Sure, sorry I let that run dry on you, I'll be right back with some tea". But apparently it is.

So, when the check FINALLY comes, we note a 17% automatic included gratuity on the bill. Now, I have no problem with a set amount if your table has a LARGE number of diners. However, for what ended up being nearly $20.00 everybody at our table was treated really shitty, had their drinks run out, and basically made all of us say "Damn, the food is good (except Becky who had the Pate') but the service SUCKS".


So, after dinner we went to the "other side" of the place to throw some darts. I didnt know how BAD a dart thrower I was until the two girls who had never (or so they claimed) thrown darts before were kicking my ass. Totally embarrassing. We had a good time and the night went without a hitch once we got away from Hilda.

So, in retrospect, the place is nice, the food was above average, but our service was pathetic and totally NOT worth the tip she received against our will.

The Big Bang

No, not how the universe was created, but the bar, on the landing in St Louis. That's where I ended up tonite. I was supposed to meet some friends at a bar, but the directions that I got were all jacked, so I went down to the place I used to work, and decided to see what was up. http://www.thebigbangbar.com

I show up and notice right away there is an inordinate amount of bacholorette parties occupying the bar.

Now, I don't want to give the impression that I am UNHAPPY for these people who have a pending marriage, but do I really need to hear her, and ALL her friends shriek all night about how "SHE'S GETTING MAAAAAARRRRIIIIIIEEEEEED!" for four or five fucking hours? Okay lady, you convinced somebody that YOUR vagina is the best he will EVER have, why do I have to cheer for you?

ANYHOW, the crowd was in good spirits, which is always a good thing. It lends to the show. Oh, if you havent been, or heard, the Big Bang is a bar that has "rock n roll dueling pianos", which SOUNDS a tad bit gay, but is actually a damn fine entertainment concept. Two guys playing pianos, playing requests and telling jokes, and singing to Bachelorettes, birthday boys and girls, and people on their anniversary, etc. Its a good time.

While walking from the bar with my Red Bull on the rocks, I get ambushed by a big hug from a little girl, who happens to be a girl I formerly worked with at Missouri Baptist Medical Center. She was there celebrating her birthday. It is always nice to see people you LIKE from places you DIDN'T like, and see them having fun and a good time. Luckily my bartender friend Brad (thanks for the free Red Bull Brad! ) hooked me up with some tastey drink for my friend Erin. She seemed very impressed with whatever it was, and was passing it around her table making her friends taste it.
ANYHOW, back on track, I go to the bathroom to, well, to use it, and I see a SMALL pair of boots under the stall door. A few seconds later, I notice they arent in the proper "peeing" position, and I peek down a bit and see that, yes indeed, somebody is receiving oral in the bathroom stall. Good times, good memories for two lucky people!

The band played all the usual songs, and I had a good time. Left early, since it IS a bit of a drive for me.

But, if you are ever downtown, I highly recommend it! 809N Second St, St Louis MO!

Thank you Mr Mellencamp

Oh yeah life goes on
Long after the thrill of livin is gone
John Cougar Mellencamp



Well, it seems here lately that life does indeed go on. And, rest assured, I am feeling that the thrill of life has passed me by. Going out the other day reaffirmed this for me. I had neither fun, nor excitement, the way a simple trip to the corner bar used to provide. I am not sure if its a culmination of all the stress and bullshit and heartache I have been through as of late, but whatever it is, it fucking sucks.

I cant seem to shake the feeling that, "what if I've already had the GOOD part of my life". Is that possible? I mean, at 35 soon to be 36, is it possible that the best years of my life are behind me?

I mean, if they are, I cant really complain too much. I've been around the world three times. I've met some of the most fascinating people on the planet. Sat inside the Roman Colluseum, had lunch on the steps at the Vatican, swam in the middle of the Meddeterenean Sea, Snorkled off a corla reef in San Jaun, Sand Surfed in Kuwaiit, sw the monkeys at the Rock of Gibralter, been to a real live gold souk, slept in the same hotel that Princess Di did, and so much more.

So why then does it seem as if its not enough? Am I being selfish? Childish?
Is it wrong to want to meet somebody who I can fall head over heels in love with, and have them feel the same, instead of it being one sided?

I dont know, it just seems lately, the thrill isnt there anymore. The thrill of the chase isnt even there.

Maybe this is what getting old feels like.

Getting old sucks.