so, our last dinner was freaking great! we had people from chicago, texas, and even san francisco! it was a blast to be had by all! we tried something different this time and featured cocktails by graham + joe. They are a duo here in chicago that do cocktails for art galleries around the city, and these guys are nothing short of fantastic! they created a cocktail o lychee + lemongrass + lime with cucumber infused gin topped off with a splash of soda! it was light, refreshing, and zesty all at once! last count, i think i had indulged in over 3 that night! 

we had a small snack of lotus buns with chinese 5 spice barbacoa that was set out as a light snack during the meet and greet hour. it helped everyone from getting too sloshed before we headed to the table for our first course which was sopa de ajo ( a.k.a. mexican egg drop soup). the soup was prepared with ginger, garlic and of course, chili! the addition to the soup for a texture element was fresh corn and cilantro, and instead of wonton crisps, we opted for fresh strips of corn tortillas that we tossed in roasted ground cumin and salt.

the next course kinda set off a round of jokes , and amusement for the laughs, and also for the stomach! it was a recipe we had been playing with for about a week or so, and we finally got the taste down to a "t" that night! it was papas rellenas stuffed with chinese orange chicken. we crusted the rellenas with panko, and then drizzled them with a chipotle + soy sauce that was smokey, savory and addictive! the garnishes of pickled carrots and peas were a great jolt of heat towards the end! 

the 3rd course was brian's work of geniusness in the kitchen! it was pork belly that was cured for 3 days with salt, fennel, cumin, cinnamon, star anise, coriander, white pepper, and black pepper! then it was slow cooked for 9 hours at 200 degrees. the result was the most tender, juiciest, most flavorful pork i had eaten, ever! it was served with a garlic + cilantro rice and shaved fresh greens (green beans, asparagus, field greens, radishes, carrots) with lemon zest! it bordered on insanity! 

the last course was a deconstructed pineapple + chinese basil raspa! the base was panna cota to add some creaminess and sweet and sour notes to the so cloud-like shaved ice atop it! the dessert was followed by a sipping tequila (Corralejo Reposado) brought to the party by vince perez (we love you for that!).

it was perfect timing for sipping tequila because right after dessert, we all moved to the living room to hear the amazing voice of yolanda davis! she has a voice that is just romantic enough to make you want to grab the person next to you and do what comes natural! hahaa! i joke! i joke! it's a sweet melody that she carries, though, i have to let you know! or, come find out for yourselves at our next dinner!

lastly, the night was to be concluded by the signature game of yo soy, which is loteria (a.k.a. mexican bingo)!! it was the perfect way to end the evening, sipping tequila and playing loteria, what more could you ask for?!