What exactly is a party bus?
Generally, it’s a bus that’s been converted to accommodate a more social, fun atmosphere. The rows of seats are removed and new seating is installed along the edges of the bus, leaving room for walking and dancing. The sound and lighting are upgraded, and handles and poles are installed to increase your chance of successfully walking and dancing while the bus is moving. Bottom line: The purpose is to get all of your friends in one vehicle with a designated driver, hit the locations of your choice, and have a good time.

What do I need to consider if I’m a passenger on a bus?
First and foremost, you’ll need to bring your own beverages, adult or otherwise. An experienced passenger (and drinker) knows cold beverages don’t stay cold on their own. So pack a cooler. If you plan to walk around or dance, you need to plan to spill, especially if you’re drinking out of an open cup. In fact, it’s best to make peace with getting spilled on before you board the bus. And due to all the aforementioned spilling, expect a somewhat slippery floor. And finally, a disclaimer: I’ve been in situations where passengers (including myself, ahem) aren’t back on the bus at the designated time. In these cases, the person renting the bus will have to choose between you and paying another hour for the bus. In most cases, you’ll be hitching a ride home.

Where and how often will the bus stop?
This is up to the person who pays for the bus. The bus will take you wherever you want to go. You can stop 10 times, you can stop twice. I personally like a lot of time on the bus for three reasons: First, drinks are cheaper on the bus than in bars, and you don’t have to wait for them. Second, my friends are in close proximity, listening to music we choose. Third, if you have a lot of people on the bus, sometimes loading your friends back on the bus isn’t the timeliest transaction. So it’s easier to pick two or three choice destinations.

How is it legal to drink on a bus but not in a car?
Buses are similar to limos in this aspect. And from what I understand, the companies have a liquor license. Much like a school bus, passengers stay away from the driver. And because you’re not allowed to have an open container in public, open containers aren’t allowed off the bus.

What should I consider if I’m going to rent a bus?
First, determine the date of your party and how many people will be attending. Buses come in different sizes and have varying amenities (such as air conditioning) you may want to consider. Second, determine your pickup and dropoff point(s). I’ve found it’s generally easiest to have one pickup and dropoff point for all passengers. But if the final destination isn’t a home, the third thing you need to consider are alternative driving plans. For example: Safe Riders. Those of us who plan to drink with reckless abandon will appreciate a reminder to call and reserve our ride before we’re standing in a parking lot at 2:30AM. And finally, a good driver might be something you wouldn’t initially think of but is the key to the best night. If you’ve never rented a bus, ask around. I’ve only had one bad experience with a driver, but it was one too many. But when you get a good driver, as most are, encourage your passengers to throw in a tip at the end of the night.

How much does it cost?
The cost depends on the company you pick, the specific bus type, the time of day, the day of week, the number of hours, etc. The two bigger companies in Wichita are Unified Party Bus and Party Express. I believe there are other companies in town, but I’ve never been on them and my attempts at research didn’t return much. So if you know other companies, feel free to put their information in the comments section.

Otherwise, what was your most memorable (or most embarrassing) party bus experience?

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Some of the best martinis in town come from Mort’s Martini and Cigar Bar (923 E. 1st St.). Aside from their wonderful 2-4-1 specials on Monday nights, they also have the largest variety of martinis in Wichita. Some of my favorites are the Mother Pucker martini and the Banana Split martini. They usually have something for everyone’s taste. Also, during the summer, Mort’s opens their patio and plays live music, which is perfect for enjoying a martini. (Read more about Mort’s.)

Oeno Wine Bar (330 N. Mead St.) has several delicious martinis as well. On Mondays, the wine bar has several select martinis on sale for $5. On Tuesdays, Oeno sells all of their martinis for $5 apiece. They also sell some amazing tapas that pair well with most martinis.

The Loft 150 (150 N. Mosley) has several delicious martinis. My favorite martini from The Loft 150 is an old-fashioned dirty martini. It’s not too dry and always seems to taste just right. This bar also has a fully stocked martini bar to meet nearly anyone’s taste. (Read about more places to get a great dirty martini.)

While I have yet to try the martinis at Mike’s Wine Dive, I’ve heard theirs are well-made. Is there any other place in Wichita that has some extraordinary martinis that I need to check out?

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But, as you and I know, it doesn’t always go like that. Sometimes your water glass stays unexplicably empty for half the meal. The food comes out, and you have a fries instead of the side salad you ordered (or worse, vice versa). You leave feeling frustrated and grumbling, “well, I’ll never try that place again.”

With so many new restaurants popping up all the time, a positive dining experience is what every establishment strives to offer their guests. But it only takes one off night to turn customers sour. Unfortunately, there is one person who usually bears the brunt of a restaurant patron’s misery – no, not the chef or the manager. It’s the server.

I’ve had several jobs waiting tables. My first was at Pizza Hut in Park City and my last was at the now defunct west side Piccadilly Grill. I think serving is a job everyone should experience because it makes you a more forgiving diner. I now know that if food is not quite right, there is no need to take it out on the server. I know that the wait staff enjoys it when diners treat them as equals and not slaves. And I know that when you find service that seems effortless, you should tip big, because waiting tables is not easy.

I think I was a decent server, but not great. However, I have friends who were great waitresses in their day, and I know good service when I see it. So here are some of the things I really appreciate in a server, and some of the things that rub me the wrong way. (I’ll name names when it comes to places with good service, but the guilty shall remain nameless.)

Dislikes:

-Asking “Would you like more water/tea/pop?” or any other kind of refill that is free. If it’s during the meal, just refill. I probably don’t want to eat my hamburger as my mouth gets completely dry. The exception is after the check has been paid.

-Not communicating when food is taking a long time to come out of the kitchen. I have had servers refuse to meet my eye, or refuse to come near my table when service is slow. It’s always better to communicate when problems are going on in the kitchen. Offer a free drink or appetizer, or, if you can’t get away with that, just be sympathetic. It goes a long way.

-I think this was a more popular tactic a few years ago, but I hate it when servers squat down to table level to take your order. Very few people can get away with this without seeming disingenuous.

-When servers rush the table through the dining experience, that’s pretty annoying too. This is tough though, because most restaurants want high turnover for tables so they can serve more people and (duh) make more money. It is a balancing act to keep service smooth and not make it feel rushed.

Likes:

-Friendliness that seems moderately sincere is always nice. It seems like an obvious thing, but it’s appreciated.

-Anticipating needs. Keeping drinks refilled, clearing excessive dirty plates, bringing another loaf of bread without asking.

-Seeming like you enjoy the food. I love it when servers tell me “good choice” when I order. It builds confidence when a waiter seems to really like the food that they’re selling. I once worked with a girl who told a table who asked for recommendations, “I don’t know. I don’t eat here. I like McDonald’s.” Yikes.

Here are some local places where I pretty much always get great service:

The Candle Club - This private club at 13th and Woodlawn is really in a league of it’s own when it comes to food, atmosphere and especially service. The servers are almost invisible, and seem to know what you need before you can say a word.

Bella Luna - All the servers at all the locations of this restaurant just seem so cool. They are quick to fix a problem with your order, which is a rare occurrence.

Playa Azul – I’ve never had a server who couldn’t answer any question I have about this Mexican restaurant’s extensive menu. Also, they are great at keeping the chips and salsa flowing, and they can carry like 10 steaming hot plates at once. Impressive!

Waiting tables is hard, y’all. It just is. And it’s a pretty thankless job. People are usually quick to criticize and slow to praise. Even when a server does one (or several) of the things I dislike, I don’t use those as an excuse not to tip. I can only think of one or two instances in my life when I have left less than 15%, and I have never stiffed a server. 20% is my norm. These people make $2 an hour, OK? Give them their $5. Oh, and a verbal tip (i.e., “You were such a great server!”) is not a substitute for a monetary one.

And on that note, check back in a couple of weeks, when I talk about the does and don’ts of being a restaurant patron.

I want to know, where have you had great service in Wichita?

(Image Credit)

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So it was a few weeks ago when some friends and I traveled to Pops 66 in Arcadia, OK. The iconic diner is a great day trip (about a 2.5-hour drive) for any Wichitan who loves soda, diners and/or ’50s nostalgia. You can’t miss Pops once you exit I-35 onto Route 66; you’ll know you’re there when you see the giant soda bottle sculpture and futuristic gas station design. The slanted glass walls are covered in shelves of real pop bottles (but don’t try to grab one – they’re glued in place).

Pops is a diner, “soda ranch” and gift shop/convenience store all in one. You can dine in, grab sodas and snacks to go, or even fill up on gas. We arrived on a crowded Saturday afternoon, but still only waited about 20 minutes for a table for five. In the meantime, we checked out the coolers and brought our soda selections to the table with us when it was ready.

There’s a drink for just about every taste at Pops: dozens of varieties of root beer, cream soda, cola, citrus soda, fruit-flavored drinks, and the list goes on. (If you can’t swing a trip to Pops in the near future, I’ve also found some of the same unique sodas at The Donut Whole in Wichita.) From a citrusy drink called Kickapoo Joy Juice to a pink Leninade featuring Communist imagery on the bottle to a crisp, bubbly Grown Up Soda, there was more than enough liquid sugar to go around. Our server was more than happy to give us extra cups and ice as we all shared tastes of each bottle.

The menu is standard diner fare and includes fountain sodas to which you can add flavor syrups, Jimmie’s Diner-style, if none of the bottled sodas attract your attention. I had the grilled PB&J, which was surprisingly savory and paired well with the sodas. My dining companions had great things to say about the grilled cheese and the Pops Burger. Pops also serves breakfast on the weekends, as well as dessert and milkshakes if you feel your teeth are not yet coated in quite enough fructose.

After our meal and with hundreds of grams of carbs coursing through our veins, we wandered through the well-maintained grounds and checked out the gift shop before heading for home and a well-deserved teeth brushing. And much like after a night at the bar, I swore off drinking soda ever again, only to be tempted by its sugary goodness again later on.

Have you been to Pops? Where do you go to get your soda fix?

(Image Credit)

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Recently, two of our writers, Dani Stone and Carly Holmes, took a trip to Kanai. Here’s what they found:

Dani:

A few weeks ago, when I told my husband I not only agreed to review the west side sushi restaurant Kanai (12111 W. Maple), but that it was, in fact, my idea, he probably thought I was huffing Play-Doh again.  He knows I’m not a fish fan and avoid it at all costs.  I barely allow it in the house and the few times I do, I wash all dishes and utensils in such hot water I lose a layer of skin.  I prefer my fish in a tank, swimming around those little fake treasure chests rather than on my plate.

However, this year on my birthday I turned 39.  I’m not so bothered by the number as I am by the number of things I haven’t experienced.  This year I decided I would be more adventurous, take risks and put myself out there.  Yes, palate, that goes for you too.

Fellow verb [ICT] writer and friend Carly Holmes agreed to be my sushi date and promised she wouldn’t laugh at me if I held my chopsticks wrong (which I did) and hold my hair if things went terribly awry (which, thankfully, they did not).

If you’re a sushi connoisseur, Carly’s review is for you.  If the sight of sashimi makes you squeamy, read on to find out if I enjoyed my first experience with this popular rolled fare.

As soon as I sat down at the table, I was immediately intimidated by all the accessories in front of me.  No knife, fork OR spoon.  Instead, I had chopsticks, chopstick rest and bowl for mixing/dipping.  Next, it was time to check out the menu.

Carly explained I could always order veggie sushi and even pointed out a few rolls made with beef, including one called the Midwest.  In the spirit of adventure, however, I said, “Bring on the fish.”  Then I quickly begged her not to order anything that might be staring back at me.  A girl has her limits.

I’m a very delicate diner.  I take small bites and nibble.  Let me tell you, there is no place in sushi eating for nibblers.  My first few attempts left me with a ribbon of unfurling sushi dangling from my mouth until I finally took Carly’s advice to just grab it and go for it.

There were a few rolls with raw fish splayed across the top that gave me pause, but I was happy to discover a few others that had me grabbing for more, including Survival (spicy hamachi), Mucho Caliente (spicy crab) and Flatland Dream (crab/scallop/shrimp/cream cheese).  As a big fan of spicy food, I think the heat kept me in my comfort zone.  It was also my first experience with wasabi, and I couldn’t get enough of the green pasty stuff.

Well, check it off the list!  I did it; I ate sushi, and it was better than I thought it would be. Like many new things, the company I was with made the experience more enjoyable. Carly encouraged me to be brave and only giggled at my sushi ignorance a few times.  I may have to take her on all my 39th year adventures.  I wonder how she feels about skydiving?

Carly:

I didn’t have a list to check off when I first ate sushi years ago, but I did have something that made me want to try it – …a boyfriend. Sushi was his favorite, and before dating him I was perfectly content with not putting raw fish anywhere near my mouth. One year for his birthday, though, I decided to take a chance and just go for it. Despite the relationship failure, I’m happy to report it was love at first bite for sushi and I. Since then I have become obsessed and would eat sushi for every meal if I could. Am I an expert? No. I’d say I’m more of a sushi lover who has yet to master the art of chopsticks, but will happily spend every day for the rest of my life trying.

When Dani suggested we get together to review Kanai, I was ecstatic. Not just because she makes for an excellent friend-date companion, but also that I had a reason to go back. I’ve been to Kanai several times since its opening and it has quickly become one of my favorite ICT places. The menu is extensive and includes many signature rolls and varieties of fish, including shrimp, squid, lobster, crab, salmon and tuna. The fish is flown in fresh daily, which makes it even more delicious.

Chef Kanai is a culinary genius who delivers an exquisite presentation with every dish. One such dish is the Invader, a combination of deep-fried jalapeno, cream cheese and spicy tuna. I also highly enjoyed the rolls Dani mentioned above, with an honorable mention to the Roppongi Roll –  a spicy tuna and shrimp roll topped with tuna, masago, scallion, mayo and tataki sauce. Basically, everything on their menu is a win. Try it and thank me later.

For this particular visit I made a list of my favorite moments with Dani, the first timer.

1. When they brought out the appetizer of green beans and tuna,  there was a moment when I’m pretty sure she was trying to decide, “How much will Carly hate me if I just grab my purse and make a run for it?” Thankfully, she stayed.
2. The moment when she first tried the appetizer and promptly gulped it down, grabbed her ice tea, turned her head and swished the tea around to make the tuna taste go away. She did so while ensuring the chef couldn’t see what she was doing so as not to offend him. She’s classy like that.
3. When the chopsticks were brought out and there was a realization that forks would not be making an appearance at the table.
4. Her decision to go for it and not just stick to the California roll. You have to admire her sense of adventure.
5. Her attempt to eat the sushi in a delicate manner. And her subsequent decision to forget that nonsense and one-bite-it instead. It must be noted that the rolls at Kanai are larger than rolls made elsewhere, so eating the roll in one bite can be challenging. She did it, though. That’s my girl!
6. The giddiness on her face when she first tried wasabi. Mama liked.
7. Our discovery of the fabulous drink menu. We tried the Akuma, which is made with red pepper, mint, lime juice and something called krogstad aquavit (a Scandinavian spirit made with star anise and caraway seed). It’s not something you can really recreate at home, but man, I wish it were. It had such an interesting flavor and it was strong.

As you can see, this trip was one we will not soon forget. Whether you are a sushi virgin or a sushi lover looking to add a new place to your list, Kanai comes highly recommended by both of us. Try it and let us know what you think.

Oh, and Dani, bring on the skydiving!

(Image Credit)

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Wichita tea: it’s in abundance, folks. And while I’m by no means an expert on this leafy beverage, I do appreciate a good brew on a warm summer evening. Or a rainy autumn morning. Or hell, any time of year. This month, I set out to investigate just where Wichitans can get that assam, oolong or darjeeling fix; to my pleasant surprise, the number of local options had me slightly overwhelmed! It would be quite an undertaking to list every choice, so instead, I picked some of the highlights and created a few categories.

Take-Home Teas

These are, in essence, the supply stores. Check out these places if you’re planning to use the majority of your purchases at home. Chelmsford Tea and The Spice Merchant fall under this category, though they are two very different establishments.

Visit the Spice Merchant if tea is only one of several items on your shopping list. Located on east Douglas, its Middle Eastern exterior is hard to miss and indicative of the wide variety of exotic goods inside. Their tea section is tucked neatly into a corner, with the bestselling selections displayed on their own rack. Not sure which one to choose? Sample a cup of their daily brew—I was fortunate enough to try Black Cherry. While you sip, explore the multitude of kitchen goodies: rows and rows of spice blends, baking mixes and utensils. I was most impressed by the waist-high barrels of coffee beans, all of which are roasted in-store. Whether you’re a straight black coffee drinker like myself or a sugar-and-flavor fanatic, they’re sure to carry something that suits your taste (Almond Amaretto coffee? Um, yum).

What Chelmsford Tea lacks in product variety, it makes up for in quality. While there are no chili powder mixes or coffee beans to be found, they carry literally hundreds of unflavored black, green, white, oolong, estate, and rooibos choices, not to mention the huge array of naturally (!) flavored options (I suggest the blueberry pie house blend). Located on east 21^st and in New Market Square, customers can make selections from an entire floor-to-ceiling wall of loose-leaf teas. Chelmsford’s prices run slightly higher than The Spice Merchant’s, but in a blind taste test, their Japanese Bancha green tea boasted a stronger flavor and less bitterness. It was worth the extra two bucks.

Victorian Tearooms

Tearooms exist for the girliest of girls. To indulge your lacy side, consider a trip to Cup N’ Saucer or Riverside Cup of Tea. And when I say girlie, I mean no frills barred. Think floral wallpaper, gold-rimmed china, and white lattice entryways. Grandma will love Frank Sinatra crooning in the background, and your little princess will delight in the Crown-N-Crumpet Tea at Cup N’ Saucer (held during July). For this special, every customer is given a tiara to wear while they sip hot chai and munch on cucumber, chicken salad, or pimento cheese sandwiches, crumpets with jam, and chocolate fondue.

Tea… Bars?

There is only one Wichita staple that fits under this category, and it does so with pride: Zoomdweebie’s Tea Bar, on Central and Hillside, brings tea drinking down from its refined Victorian level to a plebian pastime. This place is run by downright dorks; the sitting area is decorated with various ’80s mementos, such as Pez dispensers, My Little Pony figurines and Darth Vader helmets. I made my first trip to Zoomdweebie’s last Friday night for their weekly Mad Hatter Tea Party, during which time patrons can pay a $10 cover charge for a night of unlimited drinks. I walked into a room full of kids and card games, and it was clear from the staff’s familiarity with their customers that I was the newcomer in a crowd of regulars. However, I felt quickly comfortable and welcome in the dimly lit “bar” (the fluorescent lights had been turned off, the room’s main glow coming from a TV playing Monty Python & The Holy Grail). The number of choices on the menu was overwhelming, so I gratefully made use of the “How to Order” sign posted next to the door. Teas are served “naked” or as various specialty drinks. I chose Mint & Chocolate black tea, which, at Owner Frank Horbelt’s suggestion, I ordered in milkshake form. Wait, tea in a milkshake? That’s right—creamy, caffeinated and delicious.

After downing my first drink, I sampled their tea of the week (Strawberry Zabaglione) as a hot latte. According to the menu, lattes are fat free, though I can’t imagine how my body processed all that tasty sugar. I’ve been craving seconds ever since. Finally, in a rush to make full use of my cover charge (their prices are wonderfully cheap), I followed my latte with a refreshing Spritzer—Pomegranate black tea and Sprite. Warning: the drink sizes are generous, and if you try to consume three in an hour as I foolishly did, expect your fingers and eyeballs to twitch until the next morning.

My only complaint about Zoomdweebie’s is the hours of operation; they’re only open to the public on Tuesdays (11 a.m. – 11 p.m.) and Fridays (6 p.m. – 11 p.m.). The vast majority of their business is done online, with teas shipped not only to every state in the country, but also to other continents. Along with the original Zoomdweebie’s website, Horbelt also manages 52teas.com, which focuses specifically on Zoomdweebie’s teas of the week, and Manteas.com, a site that showcases “only the manliest of teas.” Here you’ll find flavors like Maple Bacon, Jalapeno and even Beer. That’s right, guys, beer-flavored black tea. A little more enticing than rosehip or ginger peach, eh?

Again, I’m a fairly new to Wichita’s tea scene, so there are several establishments that I know I’ve missed. Which is your favorite? Where do you go for your ICTea?

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Some of you might be wondering, what is a dirty martini? I know it sounds strange, but it’s simply vodka or gin, shaken with green olive juice, and garnished with two or three green olives. Some people might include vermouth, but I’m not a fan, and I always prefer vodka to gin. I’ve also heard there’s a black olive dirty martini, but I have yet to encounter it in real life.

I understand that this drink is not for everyone, but after almost eight years, it’s still one of my favorites. And I love ordering it when I’m at a bar or restaurant because, try as I might, I just can’t make it taste right at home. I’ve tried different types of olive juice, different types of vodka, different models of martini shakers and glasses, but I can’t get a satisfying result. So, I always look forward to going to one of my favorite dirty martini spots so I can indulge in one made by a professional.

That being said, be aware of your surroundings when ordering this drink. I enjoy a sports bar as much as the next gal, but I usually stick to beer when I’m there. Ordering a dirty at one of these establishments would likely get you a few strange looks from your server, the bartender and the patrons.

Here are some of my favorite spots to get a great dirty martini, listed in order from the very best to the really good. (There isn’t a lot of recipe variation in a dirty martini; all of these use the same components as I listed above):

1. Mort’s (923 E. 1st St.) – All the other places on this list have good offerings, but they are a distant second to this one. Mort’s dirty always has the perfect ratio of vodka to olive juice and is always shaken to perfection.

2. Sumo (11233 E. 13th St.)

3. Bella Luna (Bradley Fair, College Hill and New Market Square locations) – Be sure to head here an Thursdays, when martinis are only $5.

4. Hangar One (5925 W. Kellogg)

5. P.F. Chang’s (The Waterfront)

6. Bonefish (The Waterfront)

One tip I would offer to the novice dirty drinker is to order your first one “extra dirty.” Not only is it fun to say, but it will give you an idea of the olive juice ratio the bartender is using. And it’s a lot easier to dilute the olivey-ness of your dirty martini with ice than it is to order extra olive juice for a martini that’s too strong. You could also try getting your martini “on the rocks”, although my preferred serving style is “up”.

So, my fellow dirty drinkers…what are your recommendations?

(Image Credit)

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1. [drink] Wichita Martini Specials
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Because I went for lunch I was not able to partake in any wine but I did not leave disappointed – the food was downright delicious. My lunch buddies and I were greeted by a friendly hostess and helpful wait staff. For only being open a few short weeks, the staff is very knowledgeable and passionate about the menu.

So, let’s get down to the best part – the food. After perusing the menu and seeing unique starters like drunken bread and grilled vegetables and goat cheese empanadas, I knew I was going to like this place. I decided to try the salmon burger, a handmade salmon patty topped with green tartare, arugula and roma tomato and served on naan flat bread. Then I went to check out what sides came with the burger and my eyes immediately went to the French fries with a truffle oil drizzle. You had me at truffle oil. Neither choice disappointed; the salmon burger was moist and filled with flavor. The fries were nothing short of fantastic – the truffle oil added a sophisticated touch to the basic French fry.

Other dishes that were sampled at our table included the Cuban sandwich, Emily’s apple harvest salad and the roasted turkey sandwich with cranberry apricot relish. The Cuban sandwich is served on French bread with slow-cooked pork, sweet ham, swiss cheese and a spicy mustard that my friend Nicole described as awesome. She choose the sweet potato fries as her side (yes, we have another place in town with sweet potato fries!), and since she didn’t leave any on her plate I have to assume that they were awesome too.

Emily’s apple harvest salad has all the right things going on; mixed greens, apples, dried cranberries, candied pecans and the king of cheeses – bleu cheese. It is topped with a lemon poppy seed dressing. According to my friend Cari, this salad was refreshing, crisp and full of flavor.

The indication of a good meal is a “happy plate,” and the plate that the roasted turkey sandwich resided on was certainly happy. My lunchmate Kendra ordered this sandwich and described it as the perfect combination of spring and Thanksgiving. The slow-roasted turkey is served on ciabatta bread with the cranberry and apricot relish, aged Swiss cheese, arugula and scallions.

If only we had room for dessert, we would have had several sweet treats to choose from – they even have s’mores on the menu! This place is the perfect combination of sophistication and fun. I highly recommend you check it out on your next lunch outing, as it is not just a place for a fabulous dinner and glass of wine.

However, my next adventure to Mike’s Wine Dive will be for dinner, so I can partake in a glass of wine and possibly indulge in the lobster, shrimp and crab macaroni and cheese.

Stay tuned for part two – the dinner and drinks installment. I just briefly checked out the wine menu, but I can tell I will have a lot to talk about.

(Image Credit)

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Recently, however, an even occurred that put my love of margaritas to the test: The Milky Margarita Incident. You might be trying to figure out what a milky margarita is and trust me, I’m still trying to make sense of it myself. I simply ordered a margarita on the rocks at a local restaurant and then watched as the manager poured milk and tequila into a glass and then placed it in front of me. No, sir. Carly don’t play that.

After that incident I gave up margaritas for a bit and stuck to beer (something I knew couldn’t be messed up), but once the spring weather arrives, I knew it was time. Time to go back to my beloved favorite drink and once again taste the tequila, lime juice and triple sec. I am happy to report that I have enjoyed numerous margaritas to make up for my time away from them. The following is a list of places I’ve gone to get back to my margarita drinking roots:

El Rodeo- This place is home to my favorite margaritas in town because they are super strong and I don’t get any “Would you like another drink?” crap when I’m there. The waiters know to just keep them coming. See also: BOGO on Saturday nights.

Rock Island Live- Patio plus live music plus big margaritas on the cheap? Yes, please.

Felipes- Although this place is better known for their Flaming Consquelas (which I also highly recommend), the margaritas here are awesomesauce (yes, that is the technical term) and they never disappoint.

Los Cocos- Delicious cheese dip and huge margaritas; I’ll take “Keys to Carly’s Heart” for $200 Alex.

Jose Peppers- Pro tip: When ordering a pitcher to share with your two best friends, order it without the ice. You can thank me later when you realize that this means you get a whole extra glass of margarita. Just get some ice on the side and you’re good to go. And I do mean, good to go. Whoa, these are good stuff.

As you can see, margaritas and I have been reunited and it feels so good. I’m searching for more to try though, because I want to put so many margaritas between me and the “milky incident” that I forget all about it. So tell me, Wichita, where should I go next? Where are your favorite margaritas in town?

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1. [drink] What to Drink When You’re Not Drinking
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3. [drink] Signature Drink – Yogi’s

April 22, 2010 will be my seventh year in a row of attending the event, which is a fundraiser for the Guadalupe Clinic and the first of the two-day Midwest Winefest. Although I’ve heard great things about the Saturday of the fest (a wine tasting at Century II), the Walkabout will always hold a special place in my heart. Here are my top five favorite things about the event.

1. Bang for your buck – This year, tickets were $35 and although the price has increased a little over the years, the event is still an really good deal. When you check in at 5 p.m., you receive a small wine tasting glass, a map of all Old Town businesses participating in the Walkabout and 20 tickets, which get you one wine tasting a piece. At each participating location, there is usually one white and one red wine to try, as well as several appetizers to sample. So, for a bargain price, you can taste up to 20 wines and get a very satisfied belly.

2. Experiencing new spots in Old Town – When I go to Old Town on a typical Friday or Saturday night, I rarely stray from my favorite bar, Mort’s. However, the Walkabout forces me outside of my comfort zone, and over the years I’ve discovered great places that I might not have tried otherwise, like Playa Azul.

3. (Usually) gorgeous weather – Generally, the fourth Thursday in April is a beautiful day, which makes the event all the more enjoyable. It only rained one year of the past seven, but even that didn’t stop us from having a great time.

4. Live music – You can hear everything from jam bands to blues to banjos as you walk around Old Town, and it definitely adds to the spirit of the event. I’ve seen more than one Walkabout attendee break into the some spontaneous dancing in Old Town square.

5. Helps a good cause - Finally, and probably most importantly, the event benefits the Guadalupe Clinic, which is a free clinic that serves the working poor in Wichita. I don’t know about you, but if I can channel my love for vino into helping a deserving organization, I’ll gladly do it.

Unfortunately,  the Walkabout is already sold out for this year (there are only 900 tickets available and they go FAST), but you can still buy tickets for the tasting at Century II on Saturday, April 24. Also, you might try hanging around Old Town on the 22nd – you never know who might have a ticket or two to get rid of. Check back for pictures from the Walkabout, and if you missed out this year, be sure to mark your calendars for 2011. See you there!

Related posts:

1. [nest] Mr. Midwest Goes Green, Pt. 1
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