November Dining Adventures: From Hot Pot Feasts to a Cozy Thanksgiving

November brought us a mix of familiar favorites, fun discoveries, and indulgent meals, ending with a relaxing Thanksgiving feast. Here’s a detailed look at the restaurants we visited and the food we enjoyed.

Red 8: Chinese Comfort with a Sushi Surprise

We started the month at Red 8, a Chinese favorite we’ve grown to love. This time, we ordered kung pao chicken, orange chicken, chicken lo mein, and the Playboy sushi roll. I’d been curious to try their sushi, and since Erik isn’t a big sushi fan and the girls are still warming up to it, I planned to enjoy the roll myself. To my surprise, Madi wanted to try it, though she wasn’t quite ready to love it yet. Still, I appreciated her effort.

The orange chicken was a repeat hit with the girls, who devoured most of it, leaving Erik and me with just a few bites. Lo mein is always a favorite for them, so we couldn’t skip it, and the noodles didn’t disappoint. The kung pao chicken had a nice spice level that Jules found a bit much, but Madi enjoyed it in small bites. As for the Playboy roll, it satisfied my sushi craving perfectly and made me eager to come back for more. With plenty of leftovers, it was another successful visit to Red 8.

Bohemian: A German-Inspired Favorite

After a busy day at Uptown Jungle with Madi’s friend’s family, we all decided to have dinner at Bohemian. The dads were excited to enjoy some beers, with Erik choosing the Helles Bock. I went for a Bloody Mary, while Madi and Jules got their usual kid-friendly options. Madi had chicken fingers and fries, and Jules enjoyed her very own meal of pancakes, bacon, and potatoes—a change from their usual shared plates.

I stepped out of my comfort zone and tried the flammekuchen pizza, topped with dill sour cream, caramelized onions, bacon, and Swiss cheese. The waiter suggested dipping it in balsamic vinaigrette, which took the flavors to another level. Erik ordered the garlic burger and cleaned his plate, clearly enjoying it. The girls shared bites from each other’s plates, with the pancakes and fries being their favorites. Bohemian’s consistent quality and welcoming atmosphere never disappoint.

Mint: Tapas and Sushi with Friends

A night out with gym friends took us back to Mint, where we’ve started a bit of a tradition. I opted for red wine to accompany the variety of dishes we shared. Among the highlights were jalapeño hamachi, coconut shrimp, grilled scallops, and a special tuna sashimi dish whose name I forgot. The sushi rolls included the Milkyway, Stargazer, Aurora, Galaxy Lollipop, and Pluto.

Each dish was fresh and flavorful, and the tapas-style plates made it easy to try a little of everything. The sushi rolls were generous, and I especially loved the Milkyway and Galaxy Lollipop. It was another fun night of delicious food, great company, and lively conversations.

Papa John’s: Celebrating Juliet’s Birthday

For Juliet’s birthday, we kept things simple. Instead of throwing a big party, we focused on making her day special with extra toys, balloons, a cake, and her choice of activity. We spent the morning at Uptown Jungle and had family over for dinner at home. We ordered pizza from Papa John’s, including the Philly cheesesteak pizza, pepperoni and sausage, and six-cheese cheesesticks.

The Philly cheesesteak pizza was surprisingly good, exceeding our expectations. Madi and Jules enjoyed the pepperoni and sausage pizza, though Jules mostly picked off the sausage and nibbled on the crust. After dinner, we sang “Happy Birthday” and enjoyed her cake. It was a simple but joyful celebration.

Happy Lamb Hot Pot: A Flavorful Feast

When a coworker was in town, we decided to try Happy Lamb Hot Pot based on its great reviews. We opted for the VIP all-you-can-eat option with Original Marrow and Spicy Curry broths. For meats, we ordered aged prime lamb, marinated garlic beef, beef belly, chicken breast, and Kurobuta pork. The veggie and seafood buffet was a treasure trove of options, with bok choy, taro, and mussels standing out as my favorites.

The broths were rich and flavorful, and the variety of add-ons made every bite exciting. I finished the meal with a milk tea topped with passionfruit jellies—a unique combination that worked surprisingly well. The experience was filling and satisfying, making it a hot pot spot I’d happily return to.

Fast Food Indulgences

We don’t often eat fast food, but November had a few exceptions. At Culver’s, Erik wanted to try their cheese curd burger but found they were sold out. He settled for their signature burger, while the girls had chicken tenders, and I just had fries, feeling less than inspired.

At Shake Shack, we used a promotion for a free chicken sandwich, which the girls shared (or rather, Madi ate most of while Jules stuck to fries). Erik enjoyed his smash burger, and I once again went with fries.

One lazy day, Madi chose McDonald’s, or as she calls it, “Old McDonald’s.” I regretted my deluxe quarter pounder and fries after experiencing terrible heartburn. Finally, nostalgia drew us to Taco Bell to try the Gordita, a childhood favorite. Madi liked her quesadilla, but Jules wasn’t interested in her burrito. These fast food meals were a reminder of why we try to limit them!

Domino’s: A Surprising Upgrade

Pizza nights are frequent in our house, and this month we tried something new from Domino’s: a handmade pan pizza inspired by a social media post. It featured Philly steak, bacon, extra garlic parmesan sauce, and extra cheese. We also ordered a supreme pizza, parmesan bites, and spinach and feta stuffed cheesy bread.

The handmade pan pizzas were a pleasant surprise, with a crust that didn’t taste like typical Domino’s fare. Erik and I loved the Philly steak pizza, while Madi favored the supreme. Jules mostly enjoyed the parmesan bites. This order may become our new go-to for Domino’s nights.

Harmon’s Thanksgiving Feast

With no big plans for Thanksgiving, we decided to simplify by ordering a meal from Harmons. The 8-pound turkey was pre-marinated, and we cooked it in the oven. The sides included stuffing, cranberry sauce, mashed potatoes and gravy, sweet potatoes, rolls with cinnamon butter, and an apple crisp pie.

The meal was perfectly seasoned and not overly salty, which can sometimes be an issue with pre-made dinners. The turkey was moist, and every side was flavorful. It was a stress-free way to enjoy a traditional Thanksgiving dinner, and we appreciated the simplicity and comfort of celebrating at home.

November’s dining experiences ranged from sushi nights and hot pot feasts to casual pizza dinners and a relaxed Thanksgiving meal. Each brought something unique to the table, making the month memorable and delicious.