PYE Duc n Minerva’s St Patty’s Day Housewarming

First of all, even though Duke D. and I hosted this get-​together, the silliness of the crowd that has responded via reviewing us made me want to write a review as well… on them, hah.
There’s something that needs to be done and done well if you want an event to run smoothly, and that involves making sure that the right type of people are there so that there are positive vibes throughout. It’s a good thing we picked the small group we did to come because everyone seemed to jive well with one another, whoohoo!
I had been up in the morning making a quite silly amount of different food items (been wanting to host for a while!) in little tiny portions to turn this St. Patty’s Day soirée into a miniature tasting event. Everyone seemed to really enjoy what they had… which always makes me happy!
Conversation flowed throughout the group quite well no matter which stream was going, and eventually we even made it down to the floor to sit around for a game of Taboo. Good times and good wavelengths. Obviously, our team rocked. Craig F., Gina N., and Thomas O., we were a star team — especially since we kept understanding each other’s hints after just one or two words. It was a team meant to be.
Thanks to everyone who came and was super awesome as guests. Thanks also for the housewarming gifties which were totally unnecessary but gratefully received. Cheers for more gatherings like this!

Minerva T. and Duc D. sure know how to throw a partaaay for Duc’s new apartment. The St. Patty’s theme was a fantastic choice with drool-​worthy tastings of vegetarian shepard’s pie, chicken salad with carrots and celery, bangers n’ mash (although I only had the mash), chocolate Guinness cupcakes, and floats.
We started off with some ghost pepper pretzels– unexpectedly not too spicy with just the right amount of kick.
The baby pies were mighty tasty with just the right 3 bite proportions that left me wanting more. In fact, I liked the vegetarian filling so much that I made Minerva scoop me a portion on the side. It was well-​seasoned and the texture matched the traditional meatiness I would expect from well, actual meat.
I had a taste of the mash (no bangers here although I heard that they were bangin’) and I really wanted a second helping. The potatoes were perfectly seasoned although Miss Modest says that she just threw in random spices.
The cupcakes were also a fantastic way to wrap up the meal with just the right amount of sweetness and a bit o’ green for great cheer.
We ended the day with some Taboo competition, which Team Minerva, Thomas, Craig, and of course myself included won (Sorry Team Duc, Jimmy, and Jerry). Boo-​ya!
Had an ultra fantastic time with fun and funny people. Expecting more PYEs from these two in the future!

You want to know how happy I was to be asked to Duc and Minerva’s «green day» housewarming?
* Happier than Eddie Money running a travel agency.
* Happier than a witch in a broom factory.
* Happier than an antelope with nightvision goggles.
* Happier than Dikembe Mutumbo blocking a shot.
* Happier than Paul Revere with a cell phone.
* Happier than Gallagher at a farmer’s market.
That’s how happy!
Minerva’s delicacies were a tease, mere precursors to what would eventually demand our complete attention: Minerva’s Guinness & Vanilla Ice Cream Floats.
Taboo was on deck, teams were determined, and lines were drawn. I felt at ease, however. My team – Minerva, Gina N., Thomas, and myself – seemed rather confident. And I could sense the frustration brewing from Team Jerry, Jimmy, and Duc even before the timer was tipped.
Ultimately? A great time with some awesome people.

I think I may have found what is at the end of the rainbow… no, it’s not a pot of gold… No there are no leprechauns being dicks about you finding it… actually it’s not a pot at all.
At the end of this rainbow is Minerva T cooking in Duc D’s new abode. Um. How amazeballs is that? Take that in for just a second. Okay. Yeah.
A meal by Minerva is like a meal by a world renowned chef, but imagine having the prowess of cooking all the cuisines in the world. Yeah, that kind amazeballs.
This time, they decided to do it up St. Patty’s day-​style with Irish errthang. And by Irish errthang, I mean everything covered in Guinness. But imagine instead of full on meals, we did a tasting menu of a bunch of yummy things… Yet we could go back for more. It was a buffet of baby size food. So. Cute!
To start, Minerva had us nosh on some of her famous Guinness Ghost Pepper Pretzels. Oh my gah. Amazingly delicious with just the right amount of spice! I think I had sweat around my eyes, but that’s okay… I washed it down with some Koko Brown from Kona Brewing Co, which made a great pairing as noted by Duc D, my newest best friend who knows his liquide.
Next we had some bangers n mash: basically pork sausage and mashed potatoes, but these were some BANGIN bangers, Pan fried and cooked just right. They had a nice mild flavor and went well with the professionally seasoned potatoes. Tons of flavor and gone in two bites. I had like 3 of these «shots.»
Then a superb vegetarian shepherd’s pie, which we renamed as harvester’s pie. I couldn’t even taste the meatlessness of it. The mashed potato crust was super thick and very yummy. I had two of these.
Chicken. Salad. So simple, yet so delicious! Damn Duc, you are one lucky guy! I kinda wish I had someone to make this for me alldayerrday for lunch. I savored this for the whole damn day. bite after bite, i couldn’t get enough!
Dessert came in two rounds. One a Guinness chocolate cupcake. and two a Guinness chocolate float.
Hai and bai. The cupcakes were super cute and all, but i think the float stole the show. Made with dreyers chocolate you say? Real Kahlua Café Granita you say? half a bottle of Guinness Draught you say?
Shup up and give me two!
Well yeah, that the alcoholic in me. I don’t normally let him come out and play, but since it’s St. Patty’s day, i told him it was okay.
During the event we played Taboo, which is a super fun game that I had never played before. Our team was competitive, so we won by like a bazillion worthless points. Everyone had a great time, I could tell.
Glad to meet some new foodie friends! Craig! Gina! Jerry! Jimmy! you’s all some cool peeps, can’t wait to see you at the next «PYE.»
Cheers to the wonderful hosts and to many more soirees at you sick new pad!