Top Chef Mini-Reunion

Now in my time at ko, I have seen quite a few celebrities dine at our resto. But last night two very special "celebs" graced us with their presence. Top Chef cheftestant Grayson Schmitz and Top Chef Winner, uchiko's own Paul Qui had dinner with us and I for one, thought they might have been two of the biggest VIPs we have ever had join us. Every week we all tuned in and watched these two battle for the title of Top Chef Texas (I'm glad our guy won, sorry Grayson). To have them together, enjoying a good time over amazing food and drinks, was something truly special to see. Gosh, I am going to miss this place...

My Body - Young The Giant - Stubb's - Austin, Texas - 3.24.12

Young The Giant - Stubb's - Austin, Texas - 3.24.12

Chicago - March 2012 - Day 4

Day 4 in Chi-town saw LP and I just take a little stroll through the city. We hit Millennium Park and had lunch at Miller's Pub. Nothing too special but a nice way to wrap up our trip. We even got to ride the "L" which is so synonymous with the city of Chicago.The BeanThe Art Institute of Chicago

Chicago - March 2012 - Day 3

Sunday did not yield many photo opportunities since we were pretty worthless after the celebrations of the day before. Ouch! But we did manage to go up on the roof that night to grill out with some of Kevin and Mandy's friends and take in the skyline. I grabbed a few pics of the amazing view and started to wonder if Chicago was a city LP and I could handle living in. I think so...

Chicago - March 2012 - Day 2

Saturday was St. Patrick's Day. Chicago hosts one of the largest St. Patty's Day celebrations in the US. We decided to take an architecture boat tour through the city. Chicago was experiencing some of the warmest temperatures in history for this time of year and we could not have been happier. The Chicago River was dyed green for the occasion and the river was lined with St. Patty's Day revelers who cheered for us as if we were a sports team that had won a championship. It was a pretty neat scene.Corn Cobs - Marina CitySears TowerAfter the boat tour, we headed up to the lounge in the John Hancock Building. We had some drinks while taking in the breathtaking views of the city and Lake Michigan, from just over 1,000 ft. in the air. A must-see if you are ever in Chicago.A trip to Chicago is not complete without a slice of their signature deep-dish pizza. Lou Malnati's satisfied this craving quite well.Finally, no trip to Chicago is complete without hearing some Chicago Blues. Kingston Mines has been hosting some of the city's best blues artists since 1968. The party went well in to the early morning hours as we wrapped up an amazing St. Patrick's Day celebration - Chicago-style!!

Chicago - March 2012 - Day 1

This past weekend Laura and I had an amazing trip to Chicago. This was my first trip to Chicago and I think now I can finally say I have see every major city in America. We started our trip with lunch at Hot Doug's. Located in the Avondale part of town, the restaurant is the self-proclaimed "Sausage Superstore and Encased Meat Emporium". Enough said; let's eat!!!

We stood in line for almost an hour and a half for this amazing lunch. Being from Austin, I was not surprised to see an establishment with these types of guidelines.

I think we ordered the entire menu....and duck-fat fries as well; a Friday/Saturday only special!!On our way home we got to pass Wrigley Field. I still need to get back here in Spring/Summer for a game.This is an amazing view from the rooftop of Mandy and Kevin's apartment where we stayed during our visit. Breathtaking!!G.O.A.T.Bulls/TrailblazersBeam me up Scottie"I'm liable to go Michael

Take your pick.

Jackson, Tyson, Jordan.

Game 6"View from seats we weren't willing to spring for.

uchiko soul

When I went to work, a little over a year ago at ko, there was something talked about but was never clearly defined. Now, a year later, I decided to define what "uchiko soul" means to me. Behold the ko kicks, courtesy of nikeID.com.

Paranoid Android • Radiohead • Dallas, TX • 3.5.12

Radiohead - Austin - 3.7.12

Now I can't claim to be the world's biggest Radiohead-head,...er fan, or whatever the die-hards call themselves. But I do know a good concert when I see one. After Monday's show in Dallas I knew the scene here in Austin would be a lot better. This would mark the bands first gig in ATX in 17 years. Ironically they last played here when they opened for R.E.M. at the old South Park Meadows on 9.17.95 - the day after my very first Pearl Jam concert at the exact same venue. Crazy.Now not to say that the Dallas show wasn't a good one - it was!! But I have had a hard time enjoying shows for major touring acts in Dallas for many years now. I put that blame squarely on the shoulders of the fans and their "I'm here to be seen" mentality. It is because of that I also don't care much for the so-called basketball fans in that city too, but that's another discussion. Case in point: while in line for a beer I overheard a couple of 40-something guys chatting about how they were only there because "corporate had a few tickets laying around and this was a good way to impress (and hopefully lay) Kathy from accounting". I mean really? That is how you want to spend a Monday night? Listening to a band that you have zero interest in just so you can get laid? That right there sums up most Dallas concert and sports attendees, especially at the AAC.I knew Austin would be different. First, being a college town means a younger crowd who is devoted to the bands they love and that they salivate at the chance to see one of their favorite bands play in their city. It is also the Live Music Capitol of the World and that means a lively and over the top enthusiastic crowd, which was spot on Wednesday night. Don't get me wrong, there were some loud roars from the crowd at the Dallas show, but it seemed more deafening inside the Drum Wednesday night. The true fans (concerts and sports) in Dallas seem to always get stuck in the rafters. I had the luxury of being in the lower bowl so I guess that's why I was subject to all the douchery on the main concourse. But here in Austin it seemed like every single fan in the building was amped up for the show. Nobody was walking around in $700 jeans and shirts with crystals on them (I'm looking at you Dallas guys) or girls dressed to go hang out in the lobby bar at the W. No, everyone here had an old RH t-shirt on or something else unassuming, because they were here for the music, not a fashion show. Look, I know I will take flak from Dallas-ites but hey if the shoe fits, I guess you'll find a more expensive model and buy it in every color.