Three weeks ago, my good friend Danielle and I were invited to a Food Blogger’s Happy Hour in Midtown. Well, saying we were invited is quite a stretch. We Googled “how to become a famous blogger” and this event was the first thing listed. It took place at a bar called Latitudes at 7:30PM, so we decided to grab a bite to eat after work so we could catch up and not be the first ones there, waiting at the bar, desperate for someone to talk to us. (This still happened, but more on that later).

Our original plan was to meet up at Briciola in Hells Kitchen, but the entire restaurant was the size of my bedroom closet, so with her giant bag and my high anxiety level, we decided we should go somewhere a little less claustrophobic.

We looked directly across the street and there was this charming wine bar called Xai Xai, so we jaywalked across 50th street and went inside. Unlike Briciola, this place was open and empty. Perfect for two loud friends to enjoy a meal and a bottle of wine.

Upon sitting down, we had no idea that Xai Xai was a South African tapas restaurant. I had never eaten cuisine from South Africa so I was extremely excited to try it. (See also: Braii for the Brave).

Our waiter came over and explained a little bit about the menu. Before he could read the specials, we interrupted him and said, “Bottle of Sauvignon Blanc, please.” While he was getting our wine, we started talking about everything that has been going on with us the past few weeks.