Felix Birthday Night Out: Drinks at Kumiko, Dinner at Girl and the Goat

A relaxing, laid back night out to celebrate my birthday tonight. First up – stopping in for drinks at Kumiko.

Note: this photo looks incredibly bright, but the lighting and overall ambiance was darker, more subdued.

Two lovely cocktails to start off the evening.

Liz got the Umé Old Fashioned: Nikka Whisky Miyagikyo Single Malt, Eigashima Shuzo Akashi Umé Whisky, Kamoizumi Uméshu, Syrah, Honey, and Peychaud’s Bitters.

I got the Umé Boulevardier: Mars Whisky ‘Iwai 45,’ Campari Bitter, Mito no Kairakuen 5yr Uméshu, and Cocchi Americano Rosa.

I’m not a fan of old fashioned, mostly because I’ve grown averse to bourbon. But I really liked Liz‘s drink (which was based off Japanese whisky, instead of bourbon).

For mine – it’s not something I’d say I really liked, but I’m glad I ordered it. Our server said this was her favorite, and it was a very interesting experience. There was a noticeable movement to the taste and flavors, and I had more of a reaction beyond “Oh, this tastes good.” There was movement and motion, a shifting that happened. Very different.

Our next stop: dinner at Girl and the Goat. We had a bit of a walk, but it felt nice to be out and about a little, downtown.

Pausing to take a few photos. I always drive by here, but haven’t been by here on foot in a long, long while.

With our backs to the city, looking North.

At dinner, I opened up my birthday card to find… this little gem.

For anyone who’s a long-time reader of this blog, you might remember that a long, long time ago… Liz got me this sassy little gift.

And tonight, part two – perfectly executed more than a decade later.

I have to say – I laughed for a long, long while. And after I recovered, I looked up to find Liz so pleased with herself.

I’m in awe of this woman. She threw down for the long game, and pulled off a hilarious joke that was more than ten years in the making. I”m a lucky, lucky man.

Because we were close by, we opted to walk after dinner to the recently opened Milk Bar location in Chicago. We stocked up on some desserts, before making our way home.

Related:
Marine Corps Marathon 2024, Day 2: Milk Bar, Jack Rose Dining Saloon
Felix’s 50th Birtday: A Day of Meals, Dim Sum + Alinea
Birthday Outing: Secret Stash, Museum of Illusions, Drinks at Cherry Circle Room, Dinner at Chicago Firehouse
Here, I Got You A Little Something