Chicago Dining

Straight after the holidays were over I set out to catch up on all the Chi-town food I was missing. It's a wonder I don't weigh a ton now (because this journey began AFTER the holiday dinner and cookies).

I had certainly been craving some of the old favorites like the best Italian place ever Buona Terra and sushi at Sai Cafe, but I was also fortunate enough to try some new kids on the block like The Girl & the Goat and the Telegraph wine bar in Logan Square (P.S. Logan is blowing up with new eatty joints that I am slightly jealous about).

Of course, I also spent some quality time at the mecca Whole Foods and made some pretty spectacular plates at home myself to mix in ... eh hem.

The line up went something like this ...

• Potbelly - the Wreck sandwich, not a planned stop but oh-so-yummy Chicago post-X-mas Target shopping lunch
• Sai Cafe - best sushi ever with Mochi ice cream balls, a Monday tradition (hit it 3 times this visit)
• Cafe con Leche - Chilequiles Verdes, surprise Logan Square delight only because Lula was closed
• Buona Terra - Prosciutto/Mozzerella salad, Angel Hair with red sauce - first choice is always the red sauce.  If you haven't been there your life is just a little less happy than it should be
• Urban Belly - Udon noodle soup with shrimp, the spices are an artform - cleans the passages
• Panozzo's Italian Market - Italian beef sandwich w/ hot peppers - hadn't had one in years, but this new place was on TV as I mentioned a dip sandwich and ... SOLD!
• Buona Terra - Beet Carpaccio, Di la Nona Pasta - guilty pleasure ... only a half order!
• Casa de Jonas - that octopus, mushroom, olive thing on polenta - a favorite of ours, not sure how I originally came up with it
• Lula Cafe - The Lula Royale sandwich - not as good as other things I've had there
• Casa de Jonas - Cod ceviche, Tri-tip steak, shrimp, greens, a ripe avocado - Happy New Year!
• Casa de Jonas - Eggs Benedict - ooooh ... the "I love myself" breakfast

• Casa de Chepe - Tacos, charro beans, hominy soup - unreal NY Day feast that lasted for days of leftovers and put this journey on pause ...
• Giordano's - can't go to the Chi without a pizza stop, though I would have ordered the deep dish
• Girl & the Goat - the place to be in Chicago right now by Top Chef winner Stephanie Izard - got in the work peeps through a lucky connection - tons of wonderful small plates, worth the hype
• Mel's Vegetarian Wonderland - a beautiful friend hosted a delicious dinner party, and it was warm enough to sit outside!
• Casa de Jonas - Brazilian style streak, delicious scallops - the way we love it
• Casa de Jonas - every day Jonas makes the most delicious fruit / yoghurt / oats / honey salad for breakfast, yummy health
• Buona Terra - again, garlic, pasta, wine, again, and again ...
• Gene & Georgetti's - final evening work dinner at the oldest steak house in Chicago .... Filet Mignon. Period.

I am going to give London another fighting chance to prove itself as a foodie capital, but sorry, there simply is no touching Chicago as a culinary institute the world throughout .... and now I actually have some world experience to back that statement up.

Nothing but fish and veg for weeks!  I'm on a cleanse!!  Whew, it was worth it though.

<< Slide Show ... Don't watch if committed to a resolution!!  >>

 

First Christmas

How fun was it to open gifts with the new little nephew!?!!  Priceless.  He was so happy, and got nothing but love from the ladies!

Look at all the presents Santa brought for him!

And check out his perfect smile in our picture and this adorable outfit!

Home for the Holidays

The holiday season means a variety of different things to different people - could be about the birth of Jesus, the visit from Santa Claus, eating comfort foods guilt-free, spending time with your family and friends, or buying yourself the gift you really wanted.

This year I was most looking forward to the time with family and friends.  It had been quite some time since I visited my Mom and I was in need of hugs, relaxing and chatting.

As you can see we took to the kitchen for a baking marathon and ended up with quite an impressive spread!  Yes, all home-made - eleven varieties that would make Martha Stewart demand our job applications.

Just a week later I have eaten half my box ... and the pants are feeling a little tighter, but worth it. There is more than sugar and butter in that box ... there is a lot of love to help fuel another couple months away.

X-mas Market: Bath, England

Not making it to at least one Christmas market this time of year would simply be ridiculous.  With so much to offer - handcrafted items, local cheeses and vinegars, hot food and mulled wine - it is a great way to spend an afternoon and get into the holiday spirit!

This year the choice was Bath, England.  Just a two hour train ride away from England, and quite rich with history.

Known for its Roman bath house established off the therapeutic waters of local hot springs, it was a popular spa destination in the Georgian era and apparently still today (though this time around I did not partake in the spa experience).

Bath also serves as a location in several Jane Austin books, where she lived herself for several years, and tours around town take you to see the sites she mentions - one of the more popular is the Pump Room where one can take a sip of the healing Bath waters (pass, thanks).


Another is the Putney Bridge, quite pretty over the river Avon.  I just happened to get into the spirit of the trip by reading Sense & Sensibility the last few weeks.


The market was great, with many more local handcrafted items than others I have been to.  I was able to pick up a couple kitschy Christmas gifts while sucking away on my candy cane.

Bath is also known for having a glass blowing house, where they specialize in turquoise colored glass items - picked myself up a little vase.  "Taking its name from the city’s Latin name (Aquae Sulis) ‘Bath Aqua’ is made by adding copper oxide to molten glass. This gives the aquamarine colour reminiscent of the historic city’s hot springs." 


All in all, a nice little road trip away from the hustle and bustle of London, and helped to start the Christmas spirit.

Renewing the Vows

Oh, Borough Market ... how do I love thee ...

Your bounty heaves, your colours enchant, and your buzz exhilarates.

Your lure drew me in, and I am still here at your feet.

How fortunate I am to have you in my embrace ...


{Seriously, as if you needed a reason to visit, this is it  }

Paris Part Duex

Hello.  I am fortunate enough to have had my second trip to Paris last weekend, nearly one year exactly after the first.  This time - a girl's trip!  Seven beautiful, funny, intelligent ladies together for a weekend together to bid adieu to one, heading back to the U.S. with a one way ticket.

This now seems to be becoming a regular part of life ... saying goodbye.  It makes sense, with a group of friends comprised of expats living outside their native home that people will come and go, but what was less expected is how quickly you become so close, family, to people you have known for such a short period of time.  Sadness readily combines with hope for the future and it is impossible not to reflect on yourself and your uncertain future.

It was a weekend of comraderie, shopping splurges, croissants, drizzle, and a little jiggle in the hips.  Bittersweet defined.