City Girl Chicago

The Day I Lived My Dream Day

2012-01-26T08:11:00.002-06:00

Tre Latti cake ~ just one of the sweet spots of the day

OK, so let me preface this by saying I know right now what I'm about to describe is not everyone's dream day. I could sashay off to Paris and kiss under the Eiffel Tower and I have a feeling I'd have a lot more of your votes for what you might consider a dream day to be. But this recent day was so close to perfect in my eyes, I had to share.

You see, it started with a 10AM meat butchery class. That's right ~ my dream day includes close to 5 hours of learning how to hack meat. What, yours doesn't? I've always wanted to know how to break down a chicken with finesse, or how to fillet a fish with confidence, and when a class popped up on the Chopping Block calendar that had just these very objectives, I was sold.

Chef Ed demonstrates how to break down a chicken

Trying my hand at the skill

The finished product of the chicken I broke down

So yes, for the next five hours I listened to Chef Ed instruct the class on how to properly do these tasks, and then we each practiced on our own poultry, fish and meat. It was strangely exhausting, and ultimately exhilarating. We then sat down to enjoy the meal we'd just made, and I found a new appreciation (and pride) for finding no bones in my fish.

But oh no, the fun wasn't over yet. With just 20 minutes to spare, we hopped in a cab and bustled over to Terzo Piano at the Modern Wing for the second cooking class of the day. The environment and experience couldn't be more opposite from the first, which is exactly what made the day perfection. After 5 hours of meat hacking, it's nice to have a break. And that's what a demonstration class at Terzo Piano is, a leisurely meal with excellent drink and fare, royal treatment and fun foodie wisdom dispelled.

Chef Tony Mantuano adds color commentary to the class at Terzo Piano

This mushroom risotto was heavenly

And one of the best parts of this day? I came home with a baker's dozen of new recipes in my arsenal. Of which, the mushroom risotto will be the first to make its debut in my kitchen ~ to. die. for.

I then came home and watched Midnight in Paris. Just for all you romantics out there, to get in a dose of Paris. :)

So I ask, what does your dream day entail?

Warm Pasta Salad with Spinach, Tuna, and Capers

2012-01-24T06:26:00.000-06:00

Around the time New Year's resolutions were being established, I wanted to whip up something light, refreshing, and healthy to balance out all the decadence I had indulged in the week before. It was then that I discovered this pasta salad, and it's been in the rotation ever since.

You can eat this salad warm as an entree, or cold as a side. The lemon and garlic dressing is tangy and fresh, and honestly makes me feel a little bit more summery as I look out the window on this cold January day. I also really like the leftovers cold the next day for lunch!

To print a pdf version of this recipe, click here.

Happy Tasty Tuesday!

Monday Meditation

2012-01-23T06:26:00.000-06:00

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I am thinking of starting up a new weekly series called Monday Meditation. It stems from the fact I've been feeling a pull as of late to streamline my life a bit. I thought if I set a weekly idea I'd like to focus on, and put it out here, I would hold myself accountable to it, and would start to chip away at the lofty idea of simplifying my life.

Please join me if you'd like and take on each week's meditation and goal, or use the opportunity to reflect on it and evaluate if it's something you would want to incorporate in your life in some way. Leave me a comment here and this can become our little forum and weekly community. Deal?

Chances are if you're reading my blog, you're reading several others, and may even be a blogger yourself. Do you ever stop to think about what impact reading these blogs has on your life, your habits? Most all blogs I read are incredibly inspirational, and that's what keeps me coming back. I like to follow "tastemakers" in different areas to stay up on the trends around home interiors, fashion, food, etc. But on the flip side of all this inspiration, is the risk of letting your mind slip to a feeling of deficiency. I would be lying if I said I've never read a blog about a great shoe, purse, home accessory, and added the item to my ever-growing wish list, even though it wasn't even on my radar before. By consolidating all the wants and desires you discover from several sources, all of a sudden you can feel like your wish list is a little overwhelming. Don't get me wrong, it's fun to discover new things to aspire to do or have, it's just a matter of maintaining balance, and keeping things in perspective.

This week, I'll live out this Monday Meditation by neither posting about any consumer products nor will I buy anything discretionary. It's really for myself, to reflect on what is necessary vs. nice-to-have, and put my ever-growing wish list in perspective.

Anyone want to join me? Can anyone relate? And, do you like the idea of this being a weekly series, with a new "meditation" each Monday?

Cauliflower Pizza Crust

2012-01-20T06:30:00.000-06:00

In all my efforts to do somewhat of a life overhaul this year (or so I've coined it, though I'm sure it won't be nearly as dramatic), I promise I won't turn this into a sap story of a journal where I torment you with my trials and tribulations. Onto more fun topics. Cauliflower pizza crust.

I first heard of this wondrous recipe from Dr. Oz, then later saw it pop up in my Google reader from Beth, and as I'm known for not keeping carbs in my house (I'm still teased over this point by my foodie friend who at one point was looking through my cabinets practically screaming "WHERE ARE YOUR CARBS?!"), I thought it only apropos I make a low-carb pizza crust right?

And the results were so tasty I had to share. It's definitely different from your standard pizza crust, but it fulfilled my pizza craving just the same. And the crust itself is really flavorful, as the mozzarella and herbs really shine through. The cauliflower doesn't distract from all the other familiar flavors of pizza, and the bonus is it won't weigh you down either. I found the recipe below was perfect for two to share for dinner.

I topped ours with thinly sliced chicken sausage, caramelized onions, and spinach. YUM!

To print a pdf version of this recipe, click here.

Happy Foodie Friday!

{an honest post} Part 2 ~ Your Turn

2012-01-19T09:02:00.000-06:00

turning the tables ~ get it? ;-)

So in my fevor to overhaul my life, I thought one good place to start would be to reach out to others. Today is your turn. In addition to internally contemplating what it is I should be focusing on here, I think it'd be really helpful to hear what you think I should be focusing on. What do you like reading here? Why do you come back? Who do you think of me as? What do you wish you heard more about from me?

I think it's an interesting exercise, because who you know me as and who I think of myself as could potentially be different. In fact, I'm willing to bet they are. Point in case, I recently attended an {ever-so-fun} blogger event in which I was asked if I cook fairly often. This made me scratch my head for a moment, as I cook almost every single night! In my mind, cooking and food is such a huge important part of my life. But I realize I don't always write about what I'm cooking up in the kitchen. And maybe I should be... or maybe not.

I promise you can be honest ~ I will not take offense to any constructive criticism! I so value your readership and my end goal is to take your input and fuse it with my own. Please leave a comment, email me, tweet me, etc. with your input! I'm determined to make this year of 2012 really count!

And then after this, we can go back to the regular scheduled program {at least while I sift through it all!} :)

an honest post

2012-01-18T06:26:00.000-06:00

This seems to be my most recent mantra I find myself repeating {talking to myself has become fairly normal lately}. This new year already seems to have brought a lot of change. Changes with work {stressful}, and stewing changes with the blog. As in, I'm stewing on them. Do you ever contemplate doing a bit of an overhaul on your life? Because really, that's where I feel I stand today.

And I wanted to share just that bit of my thought process, because I recognize I have slipped a little in terms of posting more often than not here. I have a backlog of recipes I'd like to share, a restaurant crossed of my 2012 Dining Wish List, and many other posts in the works. But none of it seems quite right, because I'm not sure where my focus is, or where I want my focus to be. And I'm quite determined to go through the process to discover this, my focus. I'm just trying to recognize that it's a journey and not a sprint. And it's a bumpy journey, with twists and turns and a rough road ahead.

In the past I've been a bit of an impulsive decision-maker in a way. I decide I want to do something, so I go out and do it. I recognize action is a usually a good thing, and this is the step that can seem paralyzing for some, but for me, I want more reflection before action. I want to lay out a strategy so my actions all align to my end goal. I want to take action with intention, not action on impulse.

And I'm not telling you it is going to be easy, I'm telling you it's going to be worth it.

To be continued...

2012 Dining Wish List

2012-01-12T08:13:00.001-06:00

My list of top restaurants for the year is always paired with a second list ~ my dining wish list for the upcoming year. These are all restaurants I've yet to try, and a lot of research and careful choosing comes into play when creating this list. I look at factors such as type of cuisine, atmosphere, accolades and awards, chef biographies, and other press and public reviews. Twelve spots make the list, one for each month, which is typically feasible. I admit I didn't get to all 12 of my Dining Wish List last year, which is why some restaurants appear here again. I chalk it up to many group dinners where I wasn't able to choose the restaurant ~ need to work on that. :)

So without further adieu, in no particular order, my top 12 restaurants to dine at for 2012:

Ruxbin ~ this uber small bistro takes influence from Chef Edward Kim's Asian heritage and French techniques, and that's my favorite kind of fusion (think the retired Spring, or Bonsoiree). I'm seriously excited ~ just read the menu and you will be too.

Schwa ~ this will be the year I taste the genius of Chef Michael Carlson. With it's ever-changing menu and overlooked storefront facade, I'm anticipating some of the most artistic of meals I've ever experienced. And food as art ~ let's have it.

Next ~ I'll admit, I was initially unsure on the whole concept of Next, as the ticketing process makes one jump through a lot of hoops. But after many high marks from respected parties, I'm on the bandwagon to give it a go. Or at least try to, if I can score a seat.

Bar TOMA ~ I've been to Bar TOMA to sip incredible espresso, and am looking forward to going back to dine. Tony Mantuano's newest venture is already buzzing, and it's not just because there are caffeinated espresso aficionados inside. A mozzarella bar and gelateria? Yes please.

Longman & Eagle ~ This place has long been calling my name. My first attempt met my party with a three hour wait (so we bailed), which I think may have discouraged the husband but not me. I'm happy to see the farm-to-table, nose-to-tail aesthetic hasn't lost any ground.

Takashi ~ Yes, I know, another small French Asian fusion place makes the list? Shocker. Chef Takashi Yagihashi continues to receive praise for his noodles, and I intend to see why in this flagship restaurant. Heard of Slurping Turtle? Takashi is the mastermind there too.

Nellcôte (to open in Feb) ~ Attached to what will be called RM Champagne Salon, Nellcote boasts a "Rock 'n' roll bohemian chic" atmosphere with "obsessively hand-made European inspired fare". Enough said? I thought so.

GT Fish & Oyster ~ Seeing as though my favorite food is seafood, I am dying to check this place out. Let's see if the Lobster Roll beats out Thomas Keller's from Ad Hoc. I think it will.

Telegraph ~ The team behind Webster Wine Bar and Bluebird opened Telegraph this past summer, and seeing as though I've enjoyed many a good meal at their previous two places, I expect no less from here. A seasonal highly-organic menu with extensive wine list? Sounds like a great night out to me.

Farmhouse ~ Farm-to-table translated so literally it's refreshing. With the locally-sourced menu posted on a chalkboard, plenty of local brews to choose from, and a roasted chicken dish that's touted as "the best", how could it not make the list?

2 Sparrows ~ What is with it and me liking the smallest of places this year? Perhaps it is a sign of the times. I'm intrigued by the tiny, ever-evolving brunch menu. Maple & bacon doughnut? Don't mind if I do.

Cumin ~ I was devasted, devasted I tell you, when my local modern Indian restaurant Veerasway closed this past year. I'm hoping Cumin can be it's replacement. Just thinking about mango lassi makes my mouth water.

If I make it to all of these spots, I will be eating very well this year. And that's just the way I like it.

P.S. ~ My 2011 Dining Wish List.

Top 11 Chicago Restaurants of 2011

2012-01-09T06:36:00.000-06:00

In usual fashion, January for me is a month of reflection onthe past year. In particular the pastyear of dining. Chicago had 6 chefsrepresent the city on Top Chef, the winner of which will be announced in theupcoming weeks. The Chicago Gourmet festival was touted as more organized andfood-focused than ever before. TheMichelin Guide put out updated ratings for 2011, and I didn't read one reviewthat agreed full-heartedly in their decisions. And what does that say? People here have strong opinions about theirfood, and care about the restaurant scene. Chicago is now more than ever a culinarymecca. And I'm starting to think 2012will be even better.

So what were my favorites of 2011? Here I give you my list of Top 11 DiningFavorites of 2011. In order to make thislist I must have dined at the restaurant in 2011. Some restaurants return to this list,signaling they're standing the test of time. And others were added as new favorite discoveries.

11) Leopold (reviewed here):: I fell in love with Leopold'sclassy hipster atmosphere, but even more so, the Belgian style favorites suchas mussels, frites and a Belgian ale simply hit the spot.

10) Karyn's on Green (reviewed here):: Karyn is the magician in this mix. To take delicious dishes and turn them veganis a true form of art. I was inspired bythe crab cakes, and amazed by the gelato. I’d love to take a vegan non-believer here and turn their world upsidedown.

9) La Madia (reviewed here):: I’m a little ashamed to admit how many times Iwent to La Madia this year. Ok, I’mnot. At least six. That’s saying a lot considering I have apension for trying new restaurants. Ijust can’t help myself- the cracked egg and prosciutto pizza calls my name,along with the six-hour roasted grapes, and I just can’t refuse. I turn to La Madia for girls night, datenight, casual lunch, or group dinner.

8) The Publican:: The Publican does it again. With Chef Kahnstill behind the meat cleaver, this pig-mania isn’t going anywhere anytimesoon. A friend and I split theridiculous bacon one brunch, and I swear it popped up in one of my dreams.

7) The Purple Pig::Another pig-tastic experience! Pig ears,bone marrow, and milk braised pork shoulder all shine. With a superior wine list, great location and outdoor patio, I'm looking forward to many more meals here.

6) Vera (reviewed here):: has the best sherry in town. By far. And they’ve even nailed the often overlooked bread and butter. I’d go back to sit at the cheese andcharcuterie bar, and stay a while to enjoy the wine and sherry. I see big things for this little neighborhoodgem.

5) Maude's Liquor Bar (reviewed here):: is like your hipolder sister you strive to resemble. She’s so cool inside you expect the food to just be mediocre, to fallinto that trap of having the wrong kind of experts on the team. But then you have a drink, and you have abite, and any qualms go out the window. If only every hip Parisian parlor could be this great.

4) Terzo Piano (reviewed here):: will be one of my all-timeChicago favorites as long as the sun still shines. The chic modern décor, and gorgeous citybackdrop all become periphery to the plates Chef Meg Colleran creates. Whether a leisurely lunch, refined dinner, orfun cooking class, I’ve recommended Terzo Piano more times than any otherChicago restaurant.

3) Avec:: The quintessential restaurant for Chicago foodies to know. Even a full out fire can’t stop KorenGrieveson and team put together a remarkable menu, rustic fare, and justdownright delicious food.

2) Davanti Enoteca (reviewed here):: I still can recall thetaste of the pate as it's the closest to my grandmother’s I’ve evertasted. If I was a betting woman, I’dbet Davanti will reappear on this list next year. The laid-back atmosphere, exceptional Italiansmall plates, and friendly service transport you to the hillsides of Italy.

1) Graham Elliot:: Graham Elliot blew my socks off. Perhaps it was the fact we were celebratingtwo special occasions that night (our anniversary and a great job change forthe husband), or the fact we were invited to tour the kitchen and do a shot ofsorbet concoction with the chefs, but it was definitely the most special diningexperience I had all year. Flawlessexecution on multiple courses, including foie gras with pop rocks. To do thedrink pairings here is well worth the price tag – I never knew how much depth adrink could bring to a dish until Graham Elliot.

Coming soon, my Dining Wishlist for 2012.

P.S. ~ My Dining Favorites of 2010.

My holiday card to you

2011-12-20T06:00:00.000-06:00

Last night we put the Christmas music on, turned on the twinkling lights, lit the cinnamon-scented candles, and got to work. Writing out our Christmas cards that is. Which look something like this. Cute right? The picture is a bit grainy I know, but nothing a new camera can't fix. :) Oh I didn't tell you? This past weekend Christmas came a week early for me, as I picked out my new DSLR camera! As soon as I learn it, you can expect to see an improvement in picture quality around these parts.

But back to the Christmas card. I thought I'd "send" this little holiday card onto you as well. I love how little Tipsy is taking her job to pose here so seriously. She really is the greatest little muse. And I think she embodies the holiday spirit quite well here too. And my message from my home to yours couldn't be more true.

So thanks for a great year, a lot of fun, inspiration and learning along the way. I wouldn't still be blogging if you weren't out there reading, and if I had all your addresses, you can trust I'd spend hours writing each of you individual holiday cards. But for now, this will have to suffice. :)

A night at Vera

2011-12-15T07:00:00.000-06:00

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Friday night the hubs and I headed out to try out Vera, the new West Loop spot focused on Spanish small plates, sherry, and other worldly wines. Chef Mendez and his wife Elizabeth are the dynamic duo behind the vision, and, if I may appeal to Chicago chef trivia for just a moment, do they not remind you of the Spanish-flair version of Chef Tony and Cathy Mantuano? I love there are these pairs of culinary forces working as husband and wife teams in Chicago.

But in any case, I digress. Vera quickly grew on me, from my first step in the door. The small, intimate scene, complete with booths flanking the right, bar flanking the left, and cheese bar just behind it, evoked a sense of neighborhood right away. Destination diners and locals alike are sure to feel the hospitality, and few other places can you find the Executive Chef out in full sight the entire evening, talking with line cooks, servers, and patrons alike.

And the food. The food was made with love; rich, rich love. The bread and trio of butters delectable and sinful, the foie gras even smoother and creamier than the butter if that's possible. And the lamb chorizo? Order it. I know, I know, I must be on a lamb kick (reference here), but I don't think I could come back and pass this dish up. Next time I will also be trying the brussels sprouts with Iberico ham, and pork belly with persimmon salad. See, what did I tell you? Rich love.

Not to mention the sherry and wine selection. Both the husband and I tried a glass of Spanish sherry evoking hazelnuts that was just amazing. I then stuck with red wines, and tried both a glass of Tempranillo and Cab that were both complex in flavor and really, really good.

I see a section on their website labeled "Classes", with the byline "Coming Soon." Please, Chef Mendez, let me know when this happens. I'll be the first person signed up.

the final gift guide

2011-12-14T06:00:00.000-06:00

1: infinity scarf / 2: bronze star / 3: hand-forged bangles

a: jonathan adler salt and pepper / b: urchin box / c: small bee dish / d: horn magnifier / e: pure and good hand duo

A: spherical ice tray / B: tortoiseshell toothbrush / C: beer making kit / D: passport holder / E: leather fringe key chain / F: wood grain iPhone case

PS ~ the winner of the holiday decor give-away is Jillian {of cornflake dreams}. Please email me with your shipping address!

artist spotlight ~ Catherine Cary

2011-12-13T07:00:00.000-06:00

Do you ever find that when looking for some inspiration, you turn to one source time and time again? Perhaps it's a good book, a musician, a quiet part of your home, a favorite inspiration board, or, an artist.

Catherine Cary's art fills me with inspiration time and time again. I look to her strong strokes to find my center, to her energetic lines to find motivation. I happened to meet Catherine this past year at Chicago's Artropolis, and her persona was just as balanced and centered as her art.

So now I wonder, what do you look to for consistent inspiration?

Elegant Holiday Cooking with Terzo Piano

2011-12-12T07:00:00.000-06:00

I had the joy of attending the most recent Terzo Piano cooking demonstration, and as usual, found myself departing giddy with the knowledge I'd gained a whole new arsenal of incredible recipes and foodie wisdom. The theme "Modern Twists on Holiday Classics" included several delectable dishes ~ bacon and onion custard tart with fresh thyme, turkey stew with wild rice, roasted lamb with herbs and garlic (my favorite!), chocolate pecan tart with stout whipped cream, and more.

The Roasted Lamb with Fresh Herbs was the best lamb I've ever tasted. Succulent, delicate, and flavorful, I seriously couldn't stop commenting on how wonderful it was. All the while Chef Meg Colleran Sahs and Tony Mantuano were providing tips for the recipes, pairing each course with a drink, and quizzing the audience to test our food knowledge. I can't get enough of these events ~ they are one part cooking class, one part foodies mingling, and one part a fabulous dining experience.

The lamb would be a perfect way to celebrate the upcoming holidays with family, or make it for yourself to eat throughout the week, that way you don't have to share. :)

I've decided if the husband is still in search of a Christmas gift for me, a year's worth of Terzo Piano classes would be just splendid. :)

Holiday decor {a give-away!}

2011-12-08T17:31:00.001-06:00

This wintry pine tree is all I need to put me in the holiday spirit. I think it's such a fun piece, with so much whimsy and just the right touch of shimmer. It could easily fit in with a variety of home decor. And guess what? World Market is gifting one to a lucky reader!

To enter simply leave a comment and let me know where you'd use this little guy in your home. For an extra entry, follow me on Google Friend Connect.

Winner will be chosen Wed Dec 14. Good luck!
{and Happy Friday}

Stocking Stuffers! {gifts under $25}

2011-12-08T06:26:00.000-06:00

1 / 2 / 3 / 4 / 5 / 6

A / B / C / D / E / F / G

Yesterday's talk of stockings had me thinking about what to fill them with. I'd be happy with any of these lovely finds, and they're all under $25! I think these would also make excellent grab bag gifts, or gifts to any lady friend, yes?

Stop by next week for gift ideas at the $50 and under price point. And head over to Hunter's blog Navy & Orange today to see my guest post gift guide there. I'll give you a hint ~ none of these items are repeated!

The Holiday Spirit!

2011-12-07T06:26:00.000-06:00

1 / 2 / 3 / 4

1 / 2 / 3

The holiday spirit ~ it's finally hit me! I was beginning to worry there was something wrong with me, when the talk of Christmas trees and gifts and decor all started, I was still focused on Thanksgiving. But sometime this past weekend, my mind allowed me to make the switch, and I've been humming holiday tunes ever since.

Humming, and scouring the stores and interwebs for perfect holiday decor. This is the first Christmas in our new home, which allows me the opportunity to think new decorations! First up? Stockings. The husband and I have been waiting to get matching stockings until we had a proper mantel to decorate. I debated over the above for a while... it was even hard to pick out our pup's. I found I'm really liking felt and burlap stockings this year. They have just that little bit of modern "oomph" I like in my home.

Do you hang stockings? What look do you go for? Anyone still use theirs from childhood?

Espresso Drinking at Bar TOMA

2011-12-06T06:36:00.000-06:00

When I walked into Bar TOMA (named for Chicago favorite Chef Tony Mantuano) this past Sunday afternoon, I was excited to test out the acclaimed espresso and experience the atmosphere of the newest joint to enter Gold Coast dining. Probably most touted for the pizza, Bar TOMA also serves up awesome gelato and an espresso I can unabashedly name "best in town".

It starts with the espresso machine, which is one of four of its kind here in the city. Then enters the training the baristas need in order to use the machine (Steve was sent to Italy to learn direct from illy!), the illy beans and roast, and the experience ~ a marble stand-up espresso bar; and you have the ultimate in espresso drinking.

I learned so much about espresso, and the main take-away is to enjoy it. Head barista Steve (@StevePaluck) walked my friend and I through the four sips of a true espresso. The first, bold and bitter, moves to a more leathery finish with the second sip, until the chocolaty caramel finish becomes more predominant in the third, and the forth sip is even sweet. Try drinking an espresso in four sips and pay attention to the flavors ~ it's fun!

And don't be too worried about your espresso consumption ~ as I learned that it actually has 75% less caffeine than coffee. Yep, you heard me. It's all in the brewing time. An espresso is brewed a puny 27 seconds compared to coffee which is about 6 minutes. This allows the flavor to pull in disproportion to the caffeine ~ thus ending up with the richer and bolder cup of espresso compared with coffee. And ristretto (which is a "short" shot of espresso) is brewed a mere 21 seconds. And it was my favorite! It didn't have the same "bite" coming out of the gate, but rather was much smoother upon first sip.

Too much info for you, or are you as geeked out as I am? I should also add that I sat discussing this with the well-trained barista Steve and my friend who grew up on a dairy farm... so milk also became a big item of discussion, and by the end of this afternoon delight, my drink of choice was transformed from a coffee with skim milk and a dash of sugar to a ristretto black or a cappuccino with whole milk. Let me break it down for you ~ transformational experience.

Go to Bar TOMA in the morning, afternoon, or evening for a cup of jo, and stay longer than I to experience the food. I'll be back soon, the mozzarella bar is already calling my name.

Detox Report

2011-12-01T06:36:00.000-06:00

Several of you reached out to me the past two days asking how the detox was going, and as usual it makes my day to hear from you. I thought I'd recap my experience with the leek detox and give you the honest truth.

Tuesday morning - I had leeks for breakfast, and then leek soup a few hours later. I broke down and had a cup of coffee as well, because I felt verrry tired and wanted to stay productive at work.

Tuesday afternoon - I was feeling pretty good, so I had the allotted leeks (1/2 cup) for lunch, and then some more leek soup a couple hours later. It's surprising how leeks are such an appetite suppressant ~ at this point I was amazed I wasn't hungry!

Tuesday evening - Here is where things started to slip a little bit. I'd worked out Tuesday morning, and was planning to work out Wednesday as well. I started to fear I wouldn't have enough energy to get through my next work out if I didn't have anything to eat besides leeks, so I broke down and made dinner for both the husband and I. I kept it to a 4 oz portion of grilled fish and roasted brussel sprouts, but it still made me feel like I wasn't doing the detox justice!

Wednesday morning - I woke up, famished. I made it to the gym, but was starving afterwards. So I cheated again, and had 1/3 cup oatmeal. Ugh. At least I snacked on leek soup throughout the day... though I may have had another cup of coffee.

Wednesday afternoon flew by as I was trying to wrap up work and get packed and in the car for a training session I'm in for the next 2 days. I was hungry, but too busy to notice.

Wednesday evening - According to the "rules" the second day's dinner can be a light meal, consisting of a 4-6 oz portion of fish or meat and vegetables. But since I was going to a work event, I snacked on appetizers and had two glasses of wine instead. Oops.

So what's the verdict? Obviously I didn't follow the detox very carefully, and I blame that on my willpower and knowledge of what happens when I get famished (I turn crazy mean I tell you!) What I learned is that I truly love leeks, and that I also really like variety. And I didn't come away feeling cleansed, just hungry... but then again I didn't really stick to it to a tee. I would try it again when I know I can take it a bit more seriously... But we'll see when that happens ~ I wouldn't hold your breath. I liken a detox for me like taking candy away from a 5 year old ~ I love food too much not to throw a fit. :)

Time to Detox:: Magical Leek Soup

2011-11-29T06:46:00.000-06:00

I mentioned I was going to detox, and I wasn't kidding. Ever since I read French Women Don't Get Fat (my review here) I've been intrigued to try the French version of detoxing ~ with leek soup. I'm not one for fad crash diets, but I do buy in to the theory that every once and a while your body could use a "reset". My purpose is not to lose weight, but cleanse my system for a fresh start of healthy eating once more. Enter leek soup.

This method is meant to be done over the weekend, starting Saturday morning and concluding Sunday evening with a light meal. Since my December weekends are already brimming with social events, I decided to do mine during the week. And since there's no time like the present, I am starting today. I made the leek broth last night and have to say actually enjoyed the portion I had for breakfast.

detox method::
excerpt from the book French Women Don't Get Fat by Mireille Guiliano

The juice is to be drunk (reheated or at room temperature to taste) every 2 to 3 hours, 1 cup at a time

For meals, or whenever hungry, have som of the leeks themselves, 1/2 cup at a time. Drizzle with a few drops of extra-virgin olive oil and lemon juice. Season sparingly with salt and pepper. Sprinkle with chopped parsley if you wish.

This will be your nourishment for both days, until Sunday dinner, when you can have a small piece of meat or fish (4 to 6 ounces), with 2 vegetables, steamed with a bit of butter or olive oil, and a piece of fruit.

I'll let you know what I think of the results... fingers crossed I make it!

Have you ever tried a detox?

back to reality

2011-11-28T06:50:00.001-06:00

How were all your Thanksgivings? Mine was a complete success! May I remind you it was the first Thanksgiving I hosted, and from the feedback I heard, everyone was pleased. The turkey felt like the biggest accomplishment ~ with its crispy skin and juicy meat, it was the hit of the party. I stuck pretty close to the menu I planned (except for the salad which I changed to a classic pear and pecan salad), and have to say the cranberry sauce recipe I followed was to die for. I also used a chipotle butternut squash soup recipe that received tons of compliments and was a great melding of flavor and heat.

After Thanksgiving, the hubs and I took off for Michigan and spent the weekend with extended family. To say I'm tired this morning is an understatement. But it's back to reality! And Cyber Monday at that. I was thinking of easing into some online Christmas shopping. That, and a detox. Anyone want to join me?

unplug, recharge, and give thanks

2011-11-23T07:00:00.000-06:00

You heard me. It's time to unplug, recharge, and give thanks. I am spending the next five days with family doing what we do together best ~ laughing, relaxing, and relishing the time together. Our family traditions are centered around two Thanksgiving meals, and an evening we now lovingly call "Absinthefest". You can only imagine the hilarity that ensues over three generations enjoying absinthe together.

I'll be back next week feeling recharged and revitalized! Until then, may your holiday be filled with warm hearts and homes ~

Thankful for ~ manis and vino

2011-11-21T18:46:00.001-06:00

'Tis the season. The season of thankfulness. I think Thanksgiving may very well be my favorite holiday. Besides the obvious fact that I love a good meal, I also like to reflect on my blessings.

One of the many, many things I'm thankful for is this blog ~ the friendships I have made, the inspiration that has followed, and the pure joy you readers give. I can't tell you how much I appreciate the comments, emails, and "tweets" that allow us to chat and connect. My "real life" friends may think it odd I have "internet friends", but only because they don't know what that means. It's not creepy, it's FUN!

So speaking of fun and being thankful, a couple weeks ago I got to meet some of my "internet friends" IRL (in real life). It was a blast. Manicures and wine does a fun get-together make.

We chatted it up at Essential Nail Spa and then hit up a cute wine bar called Vintage 338. You know it's a fun night when someone checks the time and everyone is surprised how late it is!

[via Cait]

[via Johanna]

[via Johanna]
me, Cait, Mel, Ashleigh, Johanna, Kelsey, and Zoey ~ fab girls!

[via Cait]

[via Zoey]

What are you thankful for this season? It's fun to think about right? Stop by Bright, Bold, and Beautiful today to check out the three things I'm most thankful for.

plenty of tea + honey

2011-11-17T06:22:00.000-06:00

[via]

I seem to have caught the nasty cold that is spreading through the interwebs. Apologies for my lack posts this week, I'm drinking plenty of tea and honey, hoping to kick this before next week's Turkey day.

recipe:: Crock Pot Bison Stuffed Peppers

2011-11-15T06:26:00.000-06:00

Stuffed peppers are a big deal. They're good with ground turkey, beef, and now, bison! Ever had bison? It is such a good alternative to beef ~ it's lower in calories, fat, and cholesterol. We've been making bison burgers and bison steaks here for a while, but it was only recently I thought to try bison in our stuffed peppers ~ and, woah, am I glad I did!

The other benefit of this stuffed pepper recipe is its ease of being a slow-cooker meal. Who doesn't love letting your dinner cook itself?

I made this and we ate it two nights in a row. The leftovers taste great warmed back up in the oven.

How do you stuff YOUR peppers?

My Day in Food (via Instagram)

2011-11-14T07:00:00.000-06:00

oat squares with organic raisins and non-fat milk, coffee with non-fat milk

whole grain toast with egg over easy, half of small avocado, slice of bacon

Gala apple, sliced

Stuffed pepper filled with bison, rice, and onion (recipe to follow!)

I think we've all heard of keeping a food journal, but when I heard the idea of taking a picture of everything you eat I was intrigued. A visual representation of your daily intake makes sense to me ~ you can see the fruits, veggies, whole grains, and also visibly notice what is lacking. Not shown in my pictures are the two dark chocolate truffles and glass of wine I had for dessert (my phone conveniently died!)

my findings::

This makes you really think about what you eat, and it's so easy since it can be done on your phone.
I need to incorporate more vegetables earlier on in my day so I can reach my quota.
I should probably have more protein at breakfast, and switch out the raisins for fresh fruit.
I should probably choose either the truffles or the glass of wine, not both. :)

What does your day in food look like?

Blogging vs. Real Life

2011-11-11T06:26:00.000-06:00

[via]

Do you know who reads your blog? Sometimes I'm surprised (happily surprised!) by who I find out are loyal followers. Do your employers read your blog? I'm fortunate enough to have some colleagues who read my blog and are supportive of it. Sometimes though I wonder if they wonder when I'm doing all this blogging. :) The truth of the matter is, I think most bloggers have a pretty good system down for which they can maintain blogging without it interfering in their "real life" ~ whether that is a full-time job, taking care of the kiddos, etc. Most of us don't (at least no one I know of!) sit around all day blogging. Here is a sneak peak of the way I layout blogging activities for the week:

post creation::

Saturday & Sunday ~ draft posts for the upcoming week, and lay them out for the week's post schedule.
Each weeknight evening, I go through my blog post for the next day, add final relevant remarks, fine tune and polish.

correspondence::

Each early morning (see my morning routine here), I read through my favorite blogs and correspond with those who have commented or emailed the previous day.
Each day at lunch time, I use my "break" to read through blog emails and chat with fun people on Twitter.
I always try to "say hi" to anyone who is a new follower, commented on a post, emailed, etc. in between my "real life" schedule.

So I'm curious, how do you incorporate blogging into your "real life"?

Happy Friday all!

Thanksgiving Tablescape

2011-11-10T06:36:00.000-06:00

In line with planning a Thanksgiving menu, I'm also day dreaming about the tablescape. I think I've found my perfect inspiration from Williams Sonoma's blog The Blender. While it could suit for any fall gathering, I love it for a modern spin on the Thanksgiving classic. The softer color palette. The casual elegance. All signs point to effortless entertaining.

Those sea blue pumpkins. That linen runner.

These mini heirloom pumpkin candle holders.

The pear berries placed on napkins.

What do you love on a Thanksgiving table?

Thanksgiving Day Menu

2011-11-09T06:36:00.000-06:00

[via]

This year I'm hosting my first Thanksgiving. It's not huge by any standards, seven people total, but I think that still warrants a full turkey dinner, complete with all the sides and flourishes, yes?

I've started to conjure up a menu for the feast and have the goal to make everything fresh from scratch. It's not finalized, but is coming together. I've linked to recipes I currently have or have found, and will be researching recipes for other items. That means it's not too late to give me your tips and favorites (wink wink)!

~Thanksgiving Day Menu~

~To start and nibble~

mulled wine

antipasto platter

cinnamon sugar roasted pecans

~First course~

Butternut squash soup

~Second course~

pea, bacon and pecorino salad

~Main~

Whole roasted turkey, with traditional sides, including

stuffing (need mom's recipe!)

mashed potatoes and gravy

roasted sweet potatoes

cranberry sauce

brussel sprouts (need a good recipe!)

~Dessert~

pumpkin pie

homemade cinnamon clove ice cream

homemade truffles and coffee

I've also started a Thanksgiving Day {FEAST} pinboard on Pinterest ~ care to join me? Please pin to it whatever your heart desires to feast on this Thanksgiving!

Making Crepes at the Chicago French Market

2011-11-08T06:36:00.000-06:00

[almost ready to flip ~ see how the edges look done?]

[and here you have a flipped crepe ~ already looks delicious]

[add your fillings and roll em' up!]

A past recent weekend I attended a cooking class with FliP Crepes at the Chicago French Market to learn what else? How to make crêpes.

Coming from Latvian heritage, my interest was piqued to take this class as I was hoping to apply these crêpe making concepts to make my grandmother's famously delicious Latvian pancakes (which are really more similar to crêpes than pancakes). Goodness knows I needed help in this department. Every time I went to try and replicate them, something went wrong. I wouldn't be able to flip them, or the batter was the wrong consistency, or I'd burn one side. I started to think I'd just never be able to conquer the crêpe; until crêpe class.

The recipe is quite simple, and so is the technique ~ but I can't tell you how much more sense it made after attending this class. Between me and you, I promise to try again my Latvian pancakes and report back on the results! Hopefully I'm able to make both you and my grandmother proud.

Savory Crêpes
Makes approx. 12 crepes

ingredients::
1/4 cup buckwheat flour
1/4 cup whole wheat flour
1/2 cup white flour
1/3 tsp salt
1 large egg
2 tsp oil / butter
1 1/2 cup water

preparation::
Put all dry ingredients in the order they appear into a mixing bowl. Mix together with a whisk, dig a well, and add the egg and oil or butter. Slowly add in the water while whisking, until the batter is lump free. Let rest at room temperature or in the fridge for 1-2 hours.

Make your crepes.

crêpe tips::
Each crêpe should be about 3 oz of batter, which is standard ladle size.
Smear a dollop of butter once around the pan before you make each crepe.
Pour the batter into the middle of your heated pan, then swirl the pan quickly to evenly distribute.
Let the crêpe cook on the first side until the edges are done and the pan side starts to look golden brown, then flip.
Use your imagination to fill your crêpe ~ in class we used ham, mushrooms, fresh parmesan, and a French cheese which I believe was brocciu, and they were absolutely rich and delicious.

We took them home and I reheated them for dinner the next night (alongside a salad) ~ and what a decadent meal they made!

You can keep crêpe batter for up to 5 days depending on freshness of the eggs and milk used. Mix well before using and store in refrigerator in an airtight container.

Bon appetit!

"You sneaky Mom!"

2011-11-04T06:26:00.000-05:00

In honor of Halloween, I stumbled upon this adorably hilarious video from Jimmy Kimmel Live. The kids reactions are priceless. What child doesn't put that much importance on candy? And hey, what would YOU do if someone ate all your candy?

Happy End of Halloween Week! Next week's focus shifts to one of my favorite holidays of the year ~ Thanksgiving!

Top Chef Texas and an Interview with Chef Grueneberg

2011-11-03T06:26:00.000-05:00

If you follow me on Twitter (and if you don't... um, why not?) you may have noticed yesterday we had quite a 'Tweetfest' over the new season of Top Chef Texas. I thought it would be a good time to dust off the interview I did with Chef Grueneberg last year just in case you missed it. ;-)

And in case you haven't heard, there are six chefs competing from Chicago. Who are you cheering for this season?

Artist Spotlight ~ Kim Piotrowski

2011-11-02T07:29:00.000-05:00

'Forever Blue'

'Habber Dashed'

'Innocent Enough'

'Ages Spent'

'Vintage Me'

'Young Echo'

'She King'

'LUV U!!!'

'In Them Hills'

It was only this year at Artropolis that I discovered artist Kim Piotrowski, and knew I wanted to know more. A Chicago artist, Kim's work strikes me because of her use of fluid lines, movement, color and collaging.

I would hang "Vintage Me" in my home in an instant. Which is your favorite?

~*~* Headshot Giveaway Winner Announcement ~*~*

Congratulations to Lesley for winning the headshot session with 312 Elements Photography!

Please email me to claim your prize.

Lobster Cookout!

2011-11-01T06:36:00.000-05:00

[my lobster fresh out of the pot!]

This weekend, when most were getting dolled up in costumes and ready to hit the town, my foodie friend and I decided to stay in with our boys and cook live lobsters. The decision process went something like this...

Strolling the Chicago French Market together, foodie friends sees the lobster tank...

FF: "That's what we should make for dinner! It's the weekend of Halloween, it makes perfect sense because it will be kind of scary."
Me: "That's not a terrible idea..." We figure out how much it will cost per lobster (weighing in at about a pound and a half each) and decide to go for it.
Me [on phone with husband]: Will you come pick us up? We were going to walk but have had a change of plans. And can you bring the cooler with you?
Husband: Um, why?
Me: We're going to cook live lobsters!
Husband: Alright!!

Our excitement was evident. We picked up our 4 lobsters, plunked them in the cooler with ice and a little bit of water, and started in on making our feast.

We served our lobsters with a corn chowder soup and salad with roasted grape tomatoes and pomegranate vinaigrette. The sides were good, but the lobster stole the show.

[foodie friend looking terrified of her lobster. apologies for the poor quality pic, I cut this snapshot from a video taken]

[pretending to be brave as my lobster plunges into the pot. And yes, I needed that oven mitt.]

The process of actually making dinner was also a true highlight. I won't (overly) embarass foodie friend, but she went from thinking the lobster was "kind of scary" to being utterly terrified when it came time to cook it. Endearing tears and laughter at the same time, while her bf picked up her scary lobster and plunked him in the pot. It was hysterical and such a fun evening!

Have you ever cooked live lobster? Would you? It's not for the faint of heart. But it is the freshest way to eat it, that's for sure!

morning routine

2011-10-28T06:55:00.000-05:00

So I'm happy today to get the pictures of my face away from the forefront of the blog (an image of my profile is much better). Was starting to feel a little silly about that.... just large pictures of my face. (But I will continue to plug the give-away!)

Today I share with you my morning routine. Marissa of the boot shared hers this week and I thought it a dashing idea. It's fun to realize others also stumble around in the morning somehow checking items off their list. And Marissa's routine is so inspirational and productive, it made me think about my own. (Do you taste what I'm feeding you? If you haven't already gone over to Marissa's blog, do it.)

::my morning routine::

5:40am Alarm goes off and husband gets up to let the pup out, while I get up, stumble to the closet and put gym clothes on.

5:50am Pup is back inside, and I take time to greet her. We (ok I, the pup can't talk) call this our "cuddle time" ~ because every morning she crawls right into my lap and wants to stay there for as long as she can. I soak her love all in.

6:00am Hit the gym. This usually entails at least a 5 minute warm up as my body is still waking up.

7:10am Home from the gym. This is probably my favorite part of the day! I put the coffee on, and play with pup until it's ready. Then I make my breakfast, and sit down to enjoy while catching up on my favorite blogs on Google Reader with the news on TV in the background.

7:30am Get ready for the day! Even though I work from home, I like to shower and do my hair and make-up. I find it helps keep me feeling human. And this way, when someone shows up at the door at noon (delivery guy, neighbor) I'm not still in my robe...(not like that's ever happened)

8:15am Ready to start the work day. My commute is a grand zero minutes, as I sit down in my office, close the door, and work...

So I'm curious, what do you all do with your morning routine?

Help choose my headshot and WIN your own!

2011-10-26T07:20:00.000-05:00

I've narrowed it down to four final options ~ vote for your favorite and help me decide!

If you follow me on Twitter or Facebook, chances are you've heard my excited chirps around my recent experience with 312 Elements Photography. I recently went in to Michael Schacht's studio for a photo shoot for my new social media picture. I wasn't sure what to expect walking in, but Michael did such a fantastic job and I left confident he'd captured me with my best chin forward. ;) In talking to Michael I found a photographer who is interested in getting to know the person before setting you in front of the camera. He was down to earth, talented, and professional. Walking into his Chicago West Loop studio, I was not only put at ease right away, but was happy to chat Michael up about Chicago restaurants and the like.

And since I don't like to yap on about myself all the time, 312 Elements Photography is giving one lucky reader their own headshot photo session! After going through the process I'm convinced every blogger, author, dater, professional, and social media aficionado should have one! And now here's your chance.

To enter you must:

"Like" the 312 Elements Facebook page
Comment on this post (and make sure we know how to contact you!)

For extra entries you may (up to 3 additional entries!):

Follow me on Google Friend Connect
"Like" City Girl Chicago's Facebook page
Tweet this give-away (and copy me ~ @citygirlchicago)

Winner announced Wednesday, November 2nd. Good luck!

OMG Crock Pot Ribs

2011-10-25T07:37:00.001-05:00

[via]

These ribs are so good I've coined them "OMG Ribs". Because that's what I was proclaiming as I gobbled down this meal. I broke out my slow cooker recently (as there's now a chill in the Chicago air), and I'm a bit obsessed. I'm thinking a slow-cook meal once a week is a definite must. I know I'm stating the obvious to many, but if you haven't gotten on the slow cook bandwagon you absolutely must give it a try! What is not to love about throwing ingredients in the pot, letting them simmer all day while you enjoy the aromas filling your home, and then sitting down to a tasty meal that tastes like you slaved for hours?

OMG Ribs {aka Korean Ribs}
from Make it Fast, Cook it Slow
Serves 4

ingredients::
4 lbs ribs (I used beef flank ribs, but short ribs work too)
1 cup brown sugar, firmly packed
1 cup gluten-free soy sauce
1/2 cup water
5 whole jalapeno peppers

preparation::
In a 6-quart or larger slow cooker, put the ribs in the pot. Add the brown sugar, soy sauce, water, and whole jalapenos (don't cut them! leave them whole).
Cover and cook on low for 8 hours, flipping once. If you're out of the house all day, flip them when you get home so the other side of the ribs gets saturated while you change your clothes and set the table. Serve with rice and veggies.

OMG!

Nail Color of the Week

2011-10-24T07:59:00.000-05:00

This normally is not a beauty blog, as I don't consider myself an expert in the category. But after a few Friday Food for Thoughts focused on the inner-self, I figured it's about time I evened things out a bit and allowed myself a post purely on outer beauty. A girl's gotta maintain herself afterall.

This week I'm sporting Essie's Smokin' Hot. I. love. it. It's this beautiful amethyst-gray, and has set me in the perfect mood for the fall weather that's rolling in. (Side note ~ I found this post about how close this color is to Chanel's Paradoxal really interesting.)

So, I want to know ~ what are your favorite polish colors this season? I have a few business meetings coming up where I'm looking for some nail colors that are both of the moment but not too wild ~ any thoughts?

[via]

{count blessings, not sheep}

2011-10-21T05:30:00.000-05:00

{via}

It was one evening I was feeling particularly stressed out with work, when I went to make my tea and the little tab on the tea bag stared back at me with this delightful saying printed on it:

~ Don't count sheep. Count blessings, then sleep. ~

It resonated with me, particularly that evening. I reveled in the thought. Why is it that sheep are what was chosen to 'count' anyway?

I was taught as a child a simple mantra I still say today along the same lines.

~ Thanks for everything. I have no complaints. Whatsoever. ~

Just the thought of feeling thankful for each and every little moment in life makes me feel better. I repeat the mantra in my mind, then I start thinking about what I'm thankful for that day. I remember starting out with the big, obvious and tangible as a little kid. "I'm thankful for my room and toys!" But the more I repeated the mantra, the more I started to believe it in every sense of the word. The focus evolved from the material to the immaterial, "I'm thankful for the love of my grandma" to even finding I can be thankful for what could easily be seen as a negative. "I'm thankful for that stressful situation at work, it made me reflect on how I approach situations and I know I'll take that with me into my next encounter."

Some may call me an eternal optimist, and I won't disagree. But who's to say that's a bad thing? If you can turn your lowest points in life into positive reflections, then perhaps this give you the strength to conquer anything. I like to think this is how so many people turn their meager beginnings into a life they're proud of, how illness is beaten, how inspiration is formed.

So count blessings, not sheep. Even though they're downright cute.

Friday's Food for Thought ~

Eating Vegan at Karyn's

2011-10-20T05:30:00.000-05:00

How can I be writing about a vegan meal, if pictured are creamy soups, crab cakes and gelato you ask?

If you're from Chicago, chances are you've heard of the empire Karyn Calabrese has created in vegan dining. Karyn's Raw Cafe, Karyn's Cooked, Karyn's on Green. Each restaurant offers a unique twist on eating vegan (and makes it sexy). I love that in a city practically built on meat and potatoes, a chic vegan restaurant is not only not out of place, but is thriving.

The husband and I ventured over to Karyn's on Green one recent Friday evening probably out of curiousity more than anything else. To be honest, we weren't sure what to expect. Will I like eating an entire vegan meal? Is the menu honestly 100% vegan? (As you peruse it, you'll notice many menu items cite meat - or rather 'meat').

But even the husband, with his fanatical obsession with lean meat protein, was willing to give it a shot.

First things first, we sat down at a table which had a view of the entire Sears tower (no, I will never call it "Willis"). The beautiful floor to ceiling window is perfectly placed to capture one of Chicago's architectural landmarks, and sets a stunning backdrop to your dinner. The restaurant atmosphere itself is not shabby either, with a lofted open second floor of dining so indicative of West Loop living.

And to sit down and dine is an experience. We started with soups ~ the husband with raw broccoli, and me with butternut squash. I was so envious of the husband's pick, that it prompted me to look up if Karyn's holds any cooking classes (they do!), as I want that recipe! Karyn, if you're out there, you're welcome over any time; I'm just a short walk from your restaurant, and if we can cook up that broccoli soup I will forever be your friend.

Then the magic started happening. Through our entrees we discovered the creativity behind the concept. Crab cakes which weren't crab at all, but a simple recipe using corn meal. Barbeque 'pork' which when slathered with the smoky homemade BBQ sauce could have had me fooled in a taste test. The genious of vegan cooking for those who appreciate the flavors found only in meat, fish, dairy. Or apparently, I stand corrected, as I tasted those flavors at Karyn's.

And how was the gelato so rich and downright creamy? I loved it more than real gelato! I'm telling you now, I don't think this is the last time I write about Karyn. I intend to seek out her other restaurants and am now curious to attend a class. And have her over to share her secrets with me. :)

I'm so curious to know, does the idea of vegan 'meat' appeal to all vegans? And are there restaurants in your cities which follow a similar formula?

On the Pumpkin bandwagon {pumpkin bread!}

2011-10-18T05:30:00.000-05:00

If you read any number of blogs or cooking magazines, you know October is the month of the pumpkin. Pumpkin soup, pumpkin muffins, pumpkin whoopie pies. So I decided to jump on the bandwagon, and tested out a pumpkin bread recipe this weekend.

Not only is the bread a winner, if it doesn't put you in the mood for the season I don't know what will. It's the perfect way to whet the appetite for Thanksgiving's pumpkin pie, spiced just right with cinnamon and clove. Going into my bookmarks under "perfect fall hostess gift."

Pumpkin Bread with Pecans
adapted from The Culinary Works

ingredients::
1 ½ cups whole wheat flour

¼ cup all purpose flour

¼ teaspoon salt

¼ teaspoon baking soda

1 teaspoon baking powder

2 teaspoons pumpkin pie spice

1 cup canned pumpkin (not including pie spice)

½ cup honey

1 teaspoon vanilla

¼ cup plain applesauce

½ cup mashed ripe banana

1 egg

½ cup milk

¼ cup sugar

½ cup pecans to mix in, and a little extra to sprinkle on top

preparation::

Combine the first six dry ingredients in a bowl. In a separate bowl, mix the remaining ingredients without incorporating too much air into the mixture. Fold in the dry ingredients just until they are mixed.

Spray a loaf pan and bake the bread at 350 degrees for 45 mins to 1 hour. (Or try as muffins in a lined muffin tin!)

What did you all cook up and eat this weekend?

Dining Area Reveal

2011-10-17T07:37:00.000-05:00

If you remember, we moved into our condo in the city in March of this year and then almost immediately got distracted with this little nugget we brought home. So for a while, our dining area remained looking largely like this:

{via the real estate listing}

Not bad, but not quite my taste. The walls were too green for my liking, and it lacked any real personality.
I started looking for dining room furniture, and talked about how I loved the contrast of light upholstered chairs paired with a dark wood table top. I also liked the use of less traditional seating.

{a photo I kept for inspiration}

And so I looked. I found. And I convinced the husband I'd found the perfect "set" for us. Only it wasn't a set at all ~ the chairs were found at a different source from the table and bench. It was a little scary never seeing the two together until they were in our home ~ it took scouring inspirational photos and creating photoshop collages for me to be certain they would work together.

{an example of my collaging ~ went through many different options before landing here}

We opted for a table which extends to fit ten, sitting six comfortably when closed. A bench on one side saves a little bit of room, as our living space is completely open concept. And the chairs? I mean... I adore them. Not only are they aesthetically pleasing, they're also downright comfortable. And what can I say? I'm a sucker for their hammered nailhead trim.

And so we had a nice thing going, but it wasn't quite there...But with minimal accesorizing and a pop of fantastic art, I'm sold the room is undoubtedly us now. Not to mention personal. My fantastically talented brother painted this piece for us. I love the urban edge the painting gives the space...

{chairs, table, bench + sheepskin}

We will probably add in a small console table or bar cart, but I'm loving the way this area has come together thus far. And I'm ready to host {my first} Thanksgiving at the table!

{find your inner peace}

2011-10-14T07:00:00.000-05:00

Some days, the world seems to whirl circles around us, and it's hard to tell upside down from right side up. The baby is crying, or the dog is barking, or the pot is boiling, or the TV seems to be yelling, or those unanswered emails in your inbox are just staring you in the face, and life seems to be one chaotic tornado that is closing in on you. Breathe.

Does it sound all too familiar? Now think. What can you change? Can you stop the dog from barking, or the baby from crying, or the email from getting sent? No. So what do you do?

{find your inner peace}

{images}

How? However you like. Sound facetious? But it's not. Who's to tell you how to find your inner peace. Remember, the route by which you go isn't important, it's all about your destination. The point is that you try. We try. A little bit. Every day.

Friday's Food for Thought ~

Pardon me {while I tend to my little fleabag}

2011-10-13T06:49:00.000-05:00

As in my little pup. Yes, this adorable little monster has fleas. The worst part about it is, I feel bad to see her itch. Apparently the monthly pill she takes only protects against the baby fleas, so when she came in contact with the mommas and poppas, she became a fleabag.

And now I've been scurrying around scouring the house, back and forth to the vet, etc, etc. This should all be taken care of within 24 hours... phew.

When she's not itching or scratching, she's still doing adorable quirky little things like this.

Anyone else's dog go through this? How did you cope? Anyone else's dog howl with sirens? :)

Artist Spotlight ~ Susan Grossman

2011-10-12T07:00:00.000-05:00

'Walking the Dog'

I come from an artistic family. A very artistic family. Sometimes I feel quite like the "black sheep" because I didn't pursue an artistic career. My mother is an art teacher, and in her former years, did watercolors (which she still dapples in), and jewelry design. My dad works at a custom frame studio in Chicago. We grew up visiting my dad at work to see a client's Picasso or check out the Gerhard Richters which flank the showroom walls. My brother is in art school, and has crazy modern talent. Oh yeah, not to mention my uncle who is also an artist and former art teacher, and my cousin who is a successful artist. You can imagine the conversations we have around the dinner table.

But I like to think the creativity is still in my blood, and what I've learned in my life being surrounded by art has helped shape who I am today. I'm by no means an expert, but I've been surrounded by experts and the works of master artists my whole life ~ that has to have rubbed off somehow right?

So I thought perhaps I'd share some of the art I've grown up loving and new discoveries of talent in an artist spotlight series. Hopefully you'll also find some inspiration in the artists' work.

So, shall we?

While meandering the aisles of art shows there are many works that catch my eye. But when a piece keeps calling me to come back, to have another look, take a friend or relative over to see it, I know I've found something special.

'Wet Shoes'

'Pavement Reflections'

'Barrier'
{images courtesy of the Jerald Melberg Gallery}

Susan Grossman's work does this to me. Her charcoals of city streets and rainy days are moving, and her talent is immediately evident. She captures the sheen of the slick streets, the wind in the air, and the hustle of the people. She captures the reflections, the glow of lights, the aura of the day, the moment. Great photographers need a keen eye; great artists need the same keen eye, and then more. They capture the moment through the stroke of their hand. It's genious ~ and takes time, thought, and talent.

(Now tell me ~ I hope you find these artist spotlights as fun to read as they are to write?)

Insanely Easy {and tasty} Shrimp Salad

2011-10-11T08:00:00.000-05:00

When looking for a light meal to leave me satisfied and energized, but also easy, I often turn to this recipe. It's versatility is great ~ I like it as a meal itself, mixed in with pasta for a heartier carb-load, as taco filling, or as a side. It's also nice because it's almost foolproof for those that are perhaps a bit shy of the kitchen. And, did I mention it's tasty?

{image}

Shrimp and Corn with Basil
Serves 2
adapted from Gourmet

ingredients::
2 tablespoons unsalted butter
2 ears corn, kernels cut off ears
1/2 lb shelled large shrimp
4 scallions, chopped
1/4 cup fresh basil, thinly sliced
garlic, red pepper flakes, and lime juice to taste

preparation::
Melt butter in a large nonstick skillet over moderately high heat until form subsides. Saute corn, shrimp, garlic, red pepper flakes and a splash of lime juice until shrimp are cooked through, about 3-5 minutes. Stir in scallions and basil, season with salt and pepper.

Enjoy!

Living Room Paint Update!

2011-10-10T06:00:00.000-05:00

So the painters just finished (it's Friday evening as I write this), and I have to say, I looooove it. Not just "I think it will work", or "it's nice", or even "I really like it"... no, LOVE. I know it's not always the best idea to talking about loving inanimate objects, but I can't help myself on this one.

{the before, obviously}

I think it opens the room up and gives it such an airy feeling, no?

{this basket will soon be brimming with firewood}

Tipsy likes it too...

{I was so eager to share, the rest of the room is still in disarray}

We still have much to do, but I'm so happy with the first step. We left our living room windows curtainless for the summer as we loved the light streaming in, but as the leaves begin to fall we're going to need curtains for privacy. Then there's the new rug and living room chair, having the fireplace serviced as it's never been used (can you imagine, the previous owners were here for four years and never touched it!), and of course oodles of finishing touches and accents.

Please, tell me you like it too. :)

{don't let the days slip by}

2011-10-07T07:00:00.000-05:00

{image}

Is it just me, or has this week flown by? I had great plans for this week ~ to get back into my gym routine, to bake up a storm and freeze leftovers to bring to my grandparent's (Saturday), and have out at our "Marathon Viewing Fete" (Sunday). To get work into a manageable state, and to clean the house after the painters patch. All of which hasn't happened. At least not yet ~ though I technically have 2 more days in the week left right?

But such is life. Sometimes life has other plans for how you spend your day. Things come up, plans change, and life keeps happening. Before you know it, you're looking around wondering how on Earth is it the end of the day, week, year...

I've been thinking a lot about what to do about this. Everyone faces the challenge, so how do we embrace it? How do we plan for when life disarms our plans? How do we not let the days slip by?

I think it boils down to three things:

::Embrace life::

::No excuses::

::Pick your destination, not your route::

Sounds simple right, but what does it really mean?

Embrace life. If you embrace life truly, you live fully, no matter what you're doing. It's about being aware of yourself and your surroundings. When I'm able to embrace life fully, I'm happiest and healthiest. By taking nothing for granted, you become more aware of the actions you are taking and the surroundings you are in ~ and all there is to be grateful for. Apply this to everything, and it can only be beneficial. Think about it ~ do you pick up a piece of chocolate in a candy bowl, pop it in your mouth and get back to what you were doing? The chocolate is consumed, but was it enjoyed? (And would you have eaten it if you were more fully aware? If so, you owe it to yourself to enjoy it!)

No excuses. I hear a lot of excuses throughout the day, many from my own mouth. I'm infamous for "I can't work out today because I don't have the time." But think about it. You may not have the time, but isn't it because you aren't choosing to make the time? Life is about choices and prioritizing what's right for you. Do you want to be a rockstar at work and put in all the extra hours necessary, or do you want to prioritize your health? Try replacing the excuse with your choice. Instead say, "I don't want to workout today because I'd rather get ahead at work." Owning up to your choices puts them into focus, and I'm betting some excuses will disappear as you either learn to accept your choices or you do something to change them.

Pick your end destination, not your route. This simply means choose where you want to be, and accept there are various routes to get there. This thinking opens your mind to alternatives while keeping the end goal in mind. Then start taking action. This also helps eliminate excuses. For example, if your goal is to get healthy, the route doesn't have to be that you will go to the gym 4x a week. What if you start traveling a lot, making time at a gym difficult? Recognize there are other ways to accomplish your goal, by looking up healthy meal options while out of town, and finding a routine you can do outdoors or in your hotel room. Your goal is still intact, and you can be proud.

I'm by no means there yet, and this isn't science, just my most recent thoughts. I just wanted to put it out here, because well, I've found such a supportive and real community here that I'm banking will understand. And think about it too. And share their thoughts. Because that's what you wonderful fantastic people do.

Friday's Food for Thought ~

The painters come today!

2011-10-06T05:00:00.000-05:00

It took a little longer than expected (coordinating 2 sets of a contractors with your busy schedule = difficult) ~ but at last, the painters come today!

We're starting with the living room and entryway. While I basically have plans to paint almost every wall in our place, there are some rooms I think we can tackle ourselves. The living / dining room however, with all the tiny nooks and crannies around moldings and what not, would be a nightmare.

So I thought I'd share a "before" picture which shows the state of our living room walls to date. Oomph. It will make the "after" look that much better right? :)

We tried many different paint colors, in search for a very soft and subtle grey, with not too much blue, not too green, and not too beige ~ but just warm enough to tie in with the kitchen and provide contrast against the elements that will remain in the final room.

We narrowed it down to four Benjamin Moore colors, tested each and compared our notes. It's interesting to see how others perceive colors ~ there's been a long standing debate in my family over green tones in particular, as we vary on how we perceive them! The colors as they appear left to right on the wall:

Ultimately we decided on Balboa Mist for the living and dining room, and I'm so excited to see it go up! The entry way connects to the living / dining combo, but we are going with an entirely different color altogether. I'll leave that one a surprise for now. ;)

How do you choose paint colors? Do you have go-to favorites or does it depend on the room, lighting, etc?

When Your Clothes Have a Story

2011-10-05T06:00:00.000-05:00

Have you heard of the IOU Project?

It is a small little clothing company with big world ambition.

The clothes are all unique, one of a kind pieces.

And best of all (at least to me), each piece is traceable back to the hand that created it.

So your clothes have a story.

Not to mention, they are pretty cool clothes.

Neat right?

{iouproject.com}

Design and Lifestyle Inspiration ~ Stitch

2011-10-04T05:00:00.000-05:00

This past weekend was seriously delightful. I had coffee dates with friends, spontaneous lunch in the city with my parents, a dinner date with the hubs, dog park time with the pup, and plenty of downtime in between to feel prepared and caught up for the week ahead. Those are the ideal weekends to me, when fun is balanced with productivity and you actually feel refreshed come Monday.

When I can obtain balance like that, I often feel I'm living more completely and fully appreciating what is around me. Example? Saturday I wandered into a design store I've been in a handful of times but never stopped long enough to appreciate what it's accomplished under one roof.

For those in Chicago in looking for some design and lifestyle inspiration, I recommend perusing Stitch in person (on Damen just north of North Ave). And for others? Thank goodness for the internet.

They have everything from jewelry, to scarves and handbags, to beautiful furnishings and accessories.

There were more than a few items I could easily imagine fitting into my life.

I mean, hellllooo ~ how cool are these side tables?

It would be a dream to incorporate pops of Missoni into a girl's room or bathroom (and by girl, I mean child's or woman's)

Oh, and did I mention they have a Registry? Where you can register for a wedding, or just because? Don't tempt me. I've already filed this post under gift ideas.

{product images}

Risotto for Fall ~ with Butternut Squash, Leeks and Basil

2011-10-03T07:30:00.000-05:00

It was one recent fall weekend when I decided to hibernate that risotto sounded like the perfect companion. Robust, comforting, warm, and indulgent. I wanted to spend time in my kitchen, savor it, use it as a therapeutic activity. Peel vegetables, wipe down the cutting board. Chiffonade herbs, wipe down the cutting board. Stir the pot, season and taste. Stir the post, season and taste. Play light music, unwind, relax. Risotto fits well into this picture.

And with fall on the horizon, and summer in the sunset, combining the fall's butternut squash with this summer's left over basil sounded all too appetizing. And so I cooked.

Risotto with Butternut Squash, Leeks and Basil
Serves 6 as main course
adapted from Bon Appetit

ingredients::

3 tablespoons olive oil,divided

4 cups 1/2-inch cubespeeled butternut squash (from 21/4 pounds squash)

3 cups 1/2-inch-wideslices leeks (white and pale green parts only)

1 tablespoon choppedfresh thyme

2 cups arborio rice

56-ounces (ormore) chicken broth

1 cup chopped freshbasil

Salt and pepper to taste

3/4 cup freshly gratedParmesan cheese plus additional (for serving)

preparation::
Heat 2 tablespoons oilin heavy large pot over medium-high heat. Add squash and sauté until beginningto soften and brown around edges, about 5 minutes. Transfer squash to mediumbowl.

Reduce heat to medium; addremaining 1 tablespoon oil, leeks, and thyme to same pot and stir until tenderbut not brown, about 5 minutes. Add rice and stir 1 minute. Add 1 cup broth andsimmer until absorbed, stirring frequently, 3 to 4 minutes. Add remaining brothby 1/2 cupfuls, allowing each addition to be absorbed before adding next,stirring often, about 15 minutes. Return squash to pot. Continue to cook untilrice is just tender but still very creamy, stirring gently and often, about 10minutes longer (about 25 minutes total cooking time). Remove from heat. Stir inbasil and 3/4 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese. Season to taste with salt andpepper. Transfer to large bowl and serve with additional Parmesan cheese.

Friday Food for Thought

2011-09-30T08:00:00.000-05:00

Are you living "all ears"?

Friday's Food for Thought ~

P.S. ~ What do you all think of the new blogger layouts available? Mosaic? Flipcard? How does one choose? Or do you. I'm kind of partial to the blog design I've labored hours over. :)

Artist Spotlight: One Day ~ Oona Hassim

2011-09-29T05:00:00.000-05:00

One day I would like to own an original Oona Hassim painting. I first discovered Oona's work at the 2010 Artropolis, and was enraptured by the mesmerizing painting of a crowd bustling every which way, a scene which reminded me of Chicago's Union Station. I spent a good twenty minutes following the various individuals' paths, then stepping away and taking in the painting as a whole, a mass of moving objects, the effect of hustle and bustle captured so perfectly. Artropolis 2011, I literally ran up to the Woolff Gallery outpost when I spotted another one of Oona's crowd portraits. And that's when I knew, I simply love this Zambian artist.

'Urban Landscape:: Pink Reflections'

'Urban Landscape:: Fragmented Tones'

I love that she fuses figurative and abstract painting so perfectly. I love that she focuses on random crowds in large cities, dashing this way and that, trying to get to their individual destinations, yet collectively losing their individual identities. I love that when you first look at her paintings, they encapsulate this movement, and make you look deeper into them, until you are following each person giving your own story to each and where they are going.

'Urban Landscape:: Weekend Crowds'

'Wandering Crowds'

Her paintings are both modern and timeless. Her colors are both subtle and bold. The use of soft grays with flashes of colors amongst the crowd is brilliant.

'Demonstration Stampede'

'Drifting Crowds'

'Leicester Square:: Evening'

'Leicester Square:: Muted Greys'

'Leicester Square:: Saturday Night Fever'

'Urban Space:: Lingering'

I've already warned the husband, it's a life goal of mine to one day have an Oona Hassim painting for our home.

{all images}

Rainy Day Cravings

2011-09-27T10:43:00.000-05:00

On these rainy fall days, I long to light a candle, read a good book, become a homebody. Of course that's not always possible when working long hours with social events, gym time, or puppy classes filling up the evenings. So I find myself having serious cravings on these rainy days ~ to get back to simplicity, and a quiet cozy home. When it happens, it's bliss.

{images}

{I wish we could capture our pup sleeping this peacefully. She loves posing for the camera though, so as soon as she hears it she wakes up.}

{I'm thinking it's possible to create those teacups candles.. must look into that}

These are my rainy day cravings. What makes your heart flutter on a rainy day?

Oatmeal Muffins that won't leave you with a muffin top

2011-09-26T07:30:00.000-05:00

Happy Monday! This week I am feeling more rejuvenated than most, as I had a perfectly relaxing weekend, spent doing a lot of this...

{cooking all day with fresh ingredients}

and this

{sipping lattes}

and pampering our pup with romps in the park until sheer exhaustion, much like this...

{a tired puppy is a well-behaved puppy, yes?}

and was even able to complete some baking, which turned out beautiful {and really tasty}, oatmeal muffins!

I'm not much of a baker for a couple of reasons. Mainly, I love the art of cooking over the science of baking. I find myself wanting to substitute ingredients more often than not, so the outcome is often nowhere near the original recipe. This holds up fine in cooking, however it can be disastrous when baking. And secondly, I like to cook fairly healthy, and find it much harder to bake healthy, as so many staples are butter, cream, sugar... yummmm...

But when I found a recipe for these oatmeal muffins, their health factor (oats and flax? yes please) and my desire to hibernate a bit this weekend made these entirely feasible. The extras are in the freezer and will come out to thaw the evenings before busy mornings. I also plan on trying this recipe again with other ingredients in place of the raisins (the original calls for blueberries), as I think they'd hold up wonderfully.

Oatmeal Muffins ~ makes 12
recipe adapted from Bon Appetit

Nonstick vegetable oil spray
2 1/3 cups quick-cooking oats
1 cup whole wheat flour
1/2 cup (packed) light brown sugar
1/2 cup sugar
2 tablespoons natural oat bran
2 tablespoons flax seed powder
2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
1 1/2 teaspoons baking soda
3/4 teaspoon salt
1 cup buttermilk
1/2 cup canola oil
1 large egg
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/3 cup boiling water
1 1/2 cups raisins
Pecan pieces, for topping

Preparation:
Preheat oven to 375°F. Spray 12 cup muffin tin with nonstick spray or line with paper muffin cups. Whisk oats and next 9 ingredients in large bowl. Add buttermilk, oil, egg, and vanilla; whisk to blend. Stir in 1/3 cup boiling water and let stand 5 minutes. Fold in raisins. Divide batter among prepared muffin cups and sprinkle tops with pecan pieces.

Bake muffins until tester inserted into center comes out clean, about 20-24 minutes for standard muffins. Cool 10 minutes. Turn muffins out onto rack; cool. Serve warm or at room temperature.

{images via}

Friday Food for Thought

2011-09-23T07:47:00.000-05:00

via

Keep it simple.

Something we all could use a reminder around every once in a while (or every day). I hear this phrase thrown around a lot whilst at work, but that's not always where we need it. I want to keep my life simple. I want to figure out how to take all the world has to offer, the magnitude of options available, and boil it down to what makes inherent sense for me. Think about an example of this. Say you're decorating a room in your home. Do you know exactly what defines your style, making all the choices simple? Or do you hem and haw, trying to figure out what you will love living with, what will work together? I admire those that just instinctively know. How do they get there? My bet is they keep it simple. Not just the outcome, even the thought process ~ kept simple.

Maybe, if we meditate on this as a gentle reminder, we can achieve our own individual simplicity.

Friday's Food for Thought~

California Treats

2011-09-22T07:00:00.000-05:00

California. The Golden State. A place which conjures images of Schwarzenegger, vineyards, Hollywood and movie stars. When the husband and I returned from our most recent trip to Cali, I found myself reflecting on what it is that makes California special to me. The "treats" of California, the unexpected gems, the magnetic pull. Images are worth a thousand words? Consider this my 8,000 word essay on what I love about California.

You can almost see the grapes turning red before your eyes ~

and I learned the term for this on our wine tour: veraison

Standing atop Mount Vedeer at Yate's Family Vineyard,
steeped in history and one of the most beautiful places in the world

Did several hikes in the Big Sur area (Central Coast) ~ each view more spectacular than the last

See?

The foliage is something you'd imagine only in a storybook ~

and then there's the Redwoods ~ need I say more?

Sailing in Monterey ~ Bella on the Bay provided an absolute incredible experience

including dinner with the crew, and a midnight jaunt after our day trip, complete with disco ball

Oh California, the treasures, the memories. I'd like to bottle it all up as a keepsake, to remember the sun, the fog, the land. But I suppose that's what the wine is for which has started our collection. :)

Living Room Inspiration

2011-09-19T10:33:00.000-05:00

It's been a while since I've written about settling into our new home, probably because I've been busy settling in. But with a certain home project underway, I've been spending time envisioning how to complete our living space, and so I thought I'd share where I think we've landed.

Disclaimer: I'm not a graphic or interior designer, nor a pro with photo editing, so please humor me as I pieced together an illustration of inspiration that I'm somewhat happy with.

What I'm going for here is a blend of warm and cool colors, formal and informal elements, traditional and contemporary furnishings to equal a room which is hopefully undoubtedly unabashedly us.

The couch, coffee table ottoman, fireplace basket, Moroccan pouf, and pillows are pieces we already own. We'll be adding in a new rug, curtains, and additional seating (this gray velvet chair? love.) hopefully sooner rather than later.

First things first however, is paint color. Remember when I wrote with disdain of the green walls the living room currently sports? Well this week they will be getting a facelift, to a warm, taupey gray (aka greige). I think we are going with Benjamin Moore Balboa Mist (shown in background of picture above) for its subtle complexity, and to keep the room warm and homey. We tried a cool gray sample and the room started to look a little too icy winter wonderland, so warm gray it is. I've found natural lighting to be a big component of whether a room can handle a cool color, as our last place had a beautiful blue-gray on the walls that seemed to shimmer in the sun and felt more inviting than icicle.

I could go on for hours. Sometimes I wonder if I missed my calling as some kind of color theorist or image consultant, as I swear I get *obsessed* with these details. :)

What do you look for out of a paint color? Any words of wisdom?

A trio at Leopold

2011-09-16T07:00:00.003-05:00

A little while ago my husband, one of his colleagues and I dined at Leopold. I don't know why I didn't have high expectations, but I didn't, and Leopold, well, he turned that around real quick.

The ambiance has been described as "classy hipster" from other sources, which piqued the husband and my curiosity before even stepping in. We walked in to a designer's delight. Cool grays, warm exposed brick, nailhead scalloped dining chairs, lighting done just right. I was expecting a little more grit in this West Town joint, and upon arrival wondered if my jeans and blazer were a bit underdressed. Others in the crowd were dressed in such a literal depiction of "classy hipster", I had to stop and wonder which came first – the crowd or the descriptor (I’d much prefer the former). Mustaches tweaked just right, hipster plaid buttoned up primly, and I do believe I spotted a bow tie. It was quite the classy hipster scene to be seen.

And so we sat to drink and dine. With Leopold being of Belgian ancestry, the boys went with some Belgium ales while I stuck to the vino. The husband has a weak spot for a good Belgium ale, and was sold on Leopold before he’d even served us dinner. And then came the food, and we were all sold.

We started with the Smout, which is a kind of “pork butter” served with toast ~ somewhere in between bone marrow and foie gras, extremely rich in texture yet subtle in flavor. Then came one of the standouts of the night, steak tartar served with toast ~ the capers and pickle gave it bite, the mustard tang, and everyone wanted more. Out comes the salad liegoise, with its light spring onion vinaigrette, topped with a beautiful duck egg, and we were all happy our waitress had wisely mentioned we might want just two main plates over three.

Two mounds of mussels appear, with glistening frites and a choice of dipping sauces, and my mouth was literally watering. Moules and frites, oh how I adore thee. The broth was flavorful but not overpowering, and I sat back and thoroughly enjoyed each one.

I’ll certainly visit Leopold again. I can see how his charm could woo me away from the arms of other favorites if he continues to have the same charisma. I’d go for the food, stay for the scene, and save room for dessert.

An Effortlessly Chic Meal for Dining Al Fresco

2011-09-14T19:38:00.000-05:00

al fresco at its finest

As the Chicago air turns crisp and cool, I find myself wanting to hold onto the ambiance of summer. And what better way than dining al fresco, lighting candles as the sun sets, and lingering outdoors into the evening... even if you have to go grab a jacket to ward off the impending fall chill. To savor these evenings, it's nice to have an easy recipe that keeps you out of kitchen and enjoying the evening sun while you still can. Extra points go to a meal if it can be seemingly gourmet without all the hassle ~ that is, in my own terms "an effortlessly chic" meal.

This tuna steak is just that. It's elegant yet almost embarassingly simple. It puts in focus what's important ~ quality ingredients, and quality time.

The Effortlessly Chic Seared Tuna Steaks with Soy Broth
Serves 2

For broth:
3/4 cup water
2 tablespoons soy sauce
2 teaspoons sugar
1 teaspoon seasoned rice vinegar
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon sesame oil
2 slices peeled fresh giner, cut into julienne strips
1 scallion, thinly sliced
2 mushrooms, thinly sliced

2 (6 ounce) pieces tuna steak
1 teaspoon EVOO

To make broth:
Simmer broth ingredients in a small saucepan, stirring until sugar is dissolved. Keep warm.

Season tuna with salt. Heat a medium nonstick skillet over moderately high heat until hot and add oil, swirling pan to coat bottom. Sear tuna 2 minutes on each side for medium-rare and, holding 1 steak at a time with tongs, sear edges a few seconds.

Pour broth with scallions and mushrooms into 2 soup plates. Diagonally halve tuna steaks and prop one half on top of the other in middle of plates.

~Cheers to the end of summer~

The Rundown: The Aviary

2011-09-08T14:40:00.000-05:00

The whimsical peach concoction with whiskey

Imagine a place of fanciful cocktails, whimsy in the form of liquid sustenance. Crystal glasses glow on backlit shelves, high-backed booths engulf you, the low din surrounds you. Hushed voices, loud laughter. Modern chandeliers drip down mystery like fairy dust, sprinkling the crowd and allowing them to be the sophisticates they wish to be, even for just one night.

I’ve said I enjoy a good mystery, and The Aviary has me intrigued. You will not find a single establishment like it in the city; though I'm sure there will be some that try. The Aviary has us all wrapped around her pinky finger, because she’s so fantastical, so insurmountable to achieve; we can’t help but indulge and then crave for more.

And the hunt to get there is just foreplay to the feast. With the unnamed door hidden within the outdoor patio, ensconced by large manicured shrubbery, even those wanting to be privy had to ask if they were in the right place. While walk-ins aren’t declared unfit, The Aviary allures you to reserve a table via same-day email reservation request. It’s not a guarantee, just a carrot to dangle. Another carrot ~ the possible invitation to the downstairs Office, which has you hoping wishing praying (really?) that you are one of the chosen. If you’re one for exclusivity, the Achatz Empire is the place to be. And that’s not exactly an insult ~ see sidebar: If I don’t love it, I don’t write about it, simple as that.

Foodie friend and I both indulged in the 3-drink prix fixe tasting menu ($45), an easy choice for those wishing for a sampling, made even more enticing as you can’t order all of these cocktails a la carte.

My choices:

~ Margarita with spiced ice cubes, which gave the drink a crescendoing kick ~

~ A peach and whisky concoction, complete with spheres of subtly flavored peach ice ~

~ An horchata spiced just right, similar enough to your local Mexican lunch joint’s, but elevated to include a more complex cinnamon and spicy aroma ~

We also indulged in the “bites”, sampling the melt-in-your-mouth pork belly, the beautiful wagyu, the scallop, and foie gras among others. Each was impressive ~ packing a punch in each bite-sized delicacy, with obvious excruciating attention paid to taste, texture, and appearance.

The Aviary is a place you take your date as you sweep her off her feet, your foodie friends who appreciate subtly and creativity in their food and drink, even in the form of $20 cocktails. It is one part mad scientist, one part innovation, and one part intrigue.

P.S. ~ I haven’t forgotten I still owe a California "treats" post to give credit where credit is due. Stay tuned.

California eats ~ Cyrus delights

2011-08-17T17:36:00.000-05:00

I just returned from nine days of California fun in the sun, and let me tell you coming back to reality this Monday was certainly a shock to the system. You mean I can't spend entire days outside or eat whatever I want whenever I want? Or start happy hour at any time? Ugh.

Even though getting back into the swing of things is a little rough, the vacation was incredible and ran the gamut between activities like kayaking the ocean caves off the coast at the Channel Islands, to more refined excursions such as dinner at Cyrus and touring small hidden gems of vineyards. It was not a vacation you come back from feeling reenergized, because I'll admit I'm exhausted.

But what better way to enter back into blogging than having a boatload of fun activities to share? I've decided to break up our California vacation into two segments: California eats and California treats. So let's start with the "eats" for obvious reasons. :-)

Driving the Pacific Coast Highway from Malibu to wine country, we dined at many various restaurants along the way. Some are better labeled "hole in the walls" than restaurants (thank you to my husband's colleague who sent us to Pismo Beach for a quick stop in for the best pulled pork sandwich, a completely random surprise) while others, make the Michelin Guide.

Let's start with the crème de la crème ~ Cyrus in the little town of Healdsburg, CA. First of all, you just can't get a much cuter town. After picking up some gourmet sandwiches at Oakville Grocery, we meandered our way down Westside Road and easily discovered a vineyard close by which was perfectly situated to picnic. After taking in the beautiful scenery (and some more vino from nearby wineries which will be talked about later I'm sure), we moseyed back to our B&B to freshen up for dinner. Then we were off for our culinary adventure.

Cyrus, being the well-acclaimed restaurant that it is, doesn't have to provide remarkable service, they choose to. Upon entering we were offered a cocktail gratis due to our table not being quite ready. We gladly accepted, and were praising the restaurant before we even took our first bite.

And then came the first bite. And the second. And so we went, gliding happily from our aperitif to the amuse bouche, savoring and conversing and soaking it all in. As wine caves add a romance to vineyards, Cyrus adds a romance to dining. The coffered ceilings illuminated by the dancing candlelight transport you to another world where food is the focus and magic is the fun.

The magic. Let me introduce you to Chef Douglas Keane, a true master at his craft. I quickly realized that what I enjoyed so much in each dish was Keane's ability to elevate familiar flavors in a way that makes you say "WOW". Some restaurants like to print a menu of unfamiliar ingredients hard to decipher, and often hard to digest. Keane has confidence in his skill and gives you food you know you'll enjoy in a way you never thought possible.

Glazed Gulf Shrimp with Coconut Milk Froth ~ little did I know this was just the beginning

Glazed Gulf Shrimp with Banana Blossoms and Coconut Milk froth had my taste buds singing with the opening course. The way Keane mixes influences is true balance, the same way an artist looks at a composition, leading the person from one point of interest to the next. From one dish to the next, melding clear Asian influences with rich Italian flavors, the meal plots out a course that gently crescendos into full-on ecstasy.

Foie Gras Torchon with cherry, pistachio and ginger burst with flavor

Foie Gras Torchon with cherry, pistachio and ginger heightens the richness of the liver and gives just the right amount of crunch to an ingredient whose smooth creamy texture begs for just that but is often ignored. The Sweet Corn and Black Truffle Risotto with Taleggio, (and fresh shaved black truffles if you so choose), was exquisite and my absolute favorite dish of the day, month, year... and it wasn't even mine. Even though the husband wouldn't share more than a bite, I will remember that dish forever.

Is this not the prettiest risotto you've ever seen?

And that's just indicative of the kind of meal one can expect at Cyrus. It is unpretentious, yet in the top echelon of refinement; it is magical and simple at the same time. Keane and team have hit the ball out of the park, and I just hope they will have the risotto on the menu when I come back in town.

Chicago Street Art Uncloaked: ROA

2011-07-07T11:58:00.000-05:00

So just when I had given up on finding out the back story to this amazing work, I stumbled upon it. ROA. The Belgium street artist. He is the master behind this piece. Check out these pictures of the creation of these rams, and if you like what you see, click on over to the tumblr page to see his other works. Incredible.

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I have a fascination with street art - I like the grit, and I love the talent, not to mention the mystery. The mystery might get me the most. The fact these guys go incognito, hide their faces, search out the perfect location, and then proceed to create amazing works of art is very cool in my book. I also like the challenge of stumbling upon their works and recognizing the hand behind it. For any one as interested as I am, check out the movie Exit Through the Gift Shop if you haven't already. I was happy after that movie to visit Artropolis and immediately recognize Shepard Fairey's work covering the walls. And I've been a fan of Banksy for many many years. His book of collected works, Wall and Piece - brilliant.

Now ROA, will you please tell me if the fire pit was part of your installation? Or did a motley crew come and claim this as their stomping grounds because of the perfect backdrop?

A Blogger’s Lament: Fun in the City provides Blogger’s Guilt

2011-07-05T09:36:00.000-05:00

Since this is a post about nothing, I thought I'd share some pretty incredible / crazy street art we found hidden away in the back streets of Chicago this past weekend. It's quite a statement, no?

People always ask me why my writing slows down in the summer, and my response has always been that when the weather gets good, I get outside. It’s hard for me to spend any extra ounce of time in front of a computer when the sun is shining and the birds are chirping. They really need to come up with a computer screen you can read in the sun without glare, because then I’d blog from the beach! In all seriousness though, I realize that this is perhaps a bit selfish and contradictory to what “we here” at CGC are all about – sharing insights into food and lifestyle in Chicago (and beyond). Which got me thinking I should probably share what I’ve been up to lately…

Since my last post I’ve visited three restaurants on my 2011 Dining Wish List, (which deserve some well-articulated coverage, and will have some as soon as the words come to me – see below). I’ve also discovered a gem of a restaurant which wasn’t on my original wish list, but probably should have been – and have dined there twice in the past two weeks. I’ve made some key decisions about the design and furniture updates we are making to our living room and dining room, planned a vacation to California for August, and taken friends out sailing. I’ve had fun trips to the park with the puppy, discovered a new favorite recipe, and had many, many friends and family over to see our new place. I’m feeling slightly exhausted from all the activity, but at the same time invigorated by it all. And it leaves me in a writing conundrum I’m coining as “Blogger’s Guilt”.

A friend of mine who also has a blog and now a baby boutique was lamenting with me recently over this exact point. As a blogger, when life takes you for a wild ride, it’s easy to have fun until you realize you should be writing about it all, and then the twinge of guilt sets in, and then the overwhelming conundrum of feeling incredibly lost on where to begin sets in, until you feel paralyzed with writer's block – or as I call it, Blogger’s Guilt. This is my attempt to rid myself of said guilt. I set out not sure if I’d even post this, because who wants to read about my excuses, with no real content or helpful material. I decided though, that it’s better to be honest and human. So here I am. I am blogger, hear me lament.

So, where to begin? I’ll begin at the beginning, as soon as I can keep my fingers to keypad long enough. J Soon. Even if I have to go out and create that glare-free computer screen myself.

Copper River Salmon Season! And a fun weekend celebrating just that.

2011-06-05T10:46:00.000-05:00

My foodie friend Jen and I were spoiled this weekend, when I received a shipment of fresh off the boat Copper River salmon for us to cook up and indulge in. This is a fish whose season is long-awaited by aficionados, is brief, and absolutely delicious. We had fun Friday night as we cooked up a restaurant worthy meal (truly! and I don't say that often), and I learned a great deal about the fish and came to appreciate it even more.

What's to love: Copper River salmon is an Alaskan super hero of a fish, as they become mighty strong swimming up to 300 miles from the open ocean, storing up high amounts of fat for energy, which brings a rich fish high in omega-3's to your table. We had the King salmon on Friday, which grows up to 50 lbs!

Where to find it: I found the Sockeye variety in the South Loop Whole Foods this past weekend, on sale no less!

And the recipe for Salmon in Lemon Brodetto with Pea Puree (courtesy of the lovely Giada) was just spot on perfect. Easy enough for a weeknight, but special enough for company. The puree was beautifully rich, and the lemon acidity balanced so well with the fish. YUM!

I think a meal becomes extra special when you can appreciate where the food is from. When a personal relationship with the source of the food is formed, the dining experience is heightened. Your own vegetable garden, your local farmer, or knowing the life of the animal. It's all about appreciation.

The best meal I've made... perhaps ever? Well, let's not be so dramatic

2011-05-17T21:51:00.000-05:00

OK, I don't want to excite you too too much because then I fear you will come back and tell me this meal was not as prolific as I made it out to be, but I cooked up one hella meal earlier this month. I wanted to find the perfect way to write about it, to showcase it like an oyster opens to display its pearl, but it wasn't coming to me easily. And then I started having thoughts that I would keep it a secret (the horror!) so that only I would know this combination of plates that delights the palate, but I just couldn't hoard it so. I started having angst and guilt that I was doing everyone a disservice, including myself, burrowing this dinner recipe away, and so here I am. Perhaps I'm being a bit dramatic (you think?), but I really did love this meal.

Beer Steamed Mussels (Matilda beer to be exact)

Note: I learned this recipe while at one of the many Terzo Piano cooking classes I have raved over, and had waited to recreate it at home for a good year. Don't ask me why I waited so long, I really don't have a good reason!

Note 2: Matilda beer is the husband's favorite, so I knew this recipe would have his vote on this fact alone. The dish tastes perfect paired with a Matilda beer - which is good because Matilda is an "investment beer" and meant to be savored.

Note 3: Anyone know if you can find Matilda easily nationwide?

Serves 2 as an entree

Ingredients:
1 lb PEI Mussels, rinsed and cleaned
1 Tablespoon EVOO
1 clove garlic, chopped fine
1/2 jalapeno, seeded and chopped fine
1/2 orange, zest only
1 bottle (12 oz) Goose Island Matilda, or similar Belgian style beer
1 tspn coriander seed, toasted and crushed
1 tspn chopped tarragon
1 tspn unsalted butter
Sea salt and freshly ground pepper
Crusty bread for dipping, sliced

Rinse mussels in plenty of cold water. Discard out any shells which are open or cracked. Scrub the outside of the shells with a brush, taking the beards off (for a video demo of this, try here). Drain and set aside until ready to use.
Heat a saute pan over medium heat. After 1 min, add the EVOO. After second min, add the garlic, jalapeno and orange zest. Cook until the garlic begins to toast, about 1-2 min.
Remove the pan from heat and add beer slowly. Return to the heat, add the coriander seed and season with salt and pepper to taste.
Add the mussels to the mixture and cover. Let them steam just until they have opened, about 2-3 min. Uncover and add the butter. Taste for seasoning and adjust as you'd like.
Place the mussels in a warm bowl with the liquid, and serve with the bread, toasted or grilled if you prefer. Delicious with Pea, Bacon and Pecorino salad below.

Pea, Bacon, and Pecorino Salad

I discoverd this recipe when I finally (finally!) purchased the Wine Bar Food cookbook by the Mantuano dynamic duo. Again, don't ask me why I waited so long! This recipe is everything it promises and more - the perfect spring / summer salad. Did I ever mention Pecorino is my absolute favorite cheese?

Serves 4 as a side dish (I cut the ingredients down a bit)

Ingredients:
6 strips bacon, cut crosswise in 1/2" slices

1/3 cup plus 2 Tablespoons EVOO

2 slices bread, crust removed, cut into 1/4" dice (use the same crusty bread loaf from above)

1 cup fresh peas
1 cup sugar snap peas, thinly sliced

1/2 cup pea shoots, cut in half

1/2 cup pea sprouts
1 tblspn fresh lemon juice

grated or thinly sliced Pecorino Romano cheese (the book says optional, I say mandatory)

Cook the bacon in a saute pan over medium heat until crisp but still chewy, 5-6 min. Drain the bacon on paper towels. Reserve 3 teaspoons bacon fat in a large bowl.

Wipe out the saute pan and return to medium-high heat. Add 1/3 cup of the EVOO. When the pan is hot, add the bread cubes and fry until light golden brown, tossing occasionally, 4-5 min. Transfer to paper towels to drain.

Have ready a bowl of ice water. Bring a saucepan of lightly salted water to a boil over medium-high heat. Add the fresh peas and boil for 30 seconds, then scoop them out with a slotted spoon and plunge them into the ice water. Repeat the same process with the snap peas. When cooled completely, drain the peas well.
Add the peas, snap peas, pea shoots, pea sprouts, and croutons to the bowl with the bacon fat. Add the lemon juice and remaining 2 tablespoons of EVOO and toss well. Divide the salad onto plates, and top each with Pecorino Romano cheese, and the bacon.

Serve alongside the mussels and get ready to devour!

Easy Weeknight Meal ~ Thai Ground Pork Lettuce Wraps

2011-05-13T17:38:00.000-05:00

When I'm tired from working all day, eyes weary and a bit mentally exhausted, all I want is an easy, tasty, and heart-healthy meal to fix up so I can get to the better part of my day ~ relaxing over dinner and perhaps a glass of vino. I was beginning to feel stuck in a chicken rut on these type of days, and so I turned my attention to another lean(ish)* meat ~ none other than ground pork.

This meal is not only super easy, it's really delicious paired with a crisp white wine and a spring or summer evening.

*Look for extra lean ground pork to up the health factor, less than 17% is considered lean by most standards.

Thai Ground Pork Salad with Cilantro & Mint
Serves 4

1 bunch fresh cilantro
1 bunch fresh mint
1/2 small head of cabbage or butter lettuce, cut in half and core removed
1 lb lean ground pork
4 Tablespoons fressh lime juice
2-3 small shallots, thinly sliced lengthwise
2 Tablespoons dry bread crumbs
2 tablespoons Asian fish sauce
1/8-1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper

Chop the cilantro and mint leaves to measure about 3 Tablespoons each. Peel cabbage leaves apart and place on a platter.
Stir together pork and 2 Tablespoons lime juice in a saucepan with a fork and cover with cold, salted water. Bring to a simmer, stirring to break up the meat, and gently simmer until pork is just cooked through, about 2-3 min.
Drain well and toss with shallots, chopped herbs, bread crumbs, fish sauce, cayenne, and remaining lime juice to taste.

Spoon the pork salad into the cabbage wedges and serve as little wraps. Enjoy!

Chicago Artropolis 2011 Preview ~ Photo Gallery

2011-04-29T11:18:00.001-05:00

Em and I attended the Artropolis Preview Party last night and were as giddy as schoolgirls over the galleries' exhibits. Em has her BFA and was the perfect person to accompany me on this exploration. How fantastic are these pieces?

The Mart was bustling with artists, gallery owners, collectors and art enthusiasts ~ weaving in and out through the aisles of the world's largest commercial building to soak in the Art Chicago and Next shows. Artropolis officially opens today and run through Monday ~ and I can't wait to get back this weekend. Not only is the conglomeration of art seriously impressive, the people watching might be just as good. (Note to self: though quite the fashion scene, I think I'll opt for comfortable shoes when I return. My aching feet will thank me.)

For event and ticket information visit the Artropolis website.

Gift Ideas for the Modern Mama

2011-04-27T12:08:00.001-05:00

With Mother's Day right around the corner, I find myself with more "mamas" on the list than ever this year. My mom, mom-in-law, and new mommy friends, to name just a few. So I started shopping. And aren't these options just delightful?

amethyst with air plant ~ a great conversation piece
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These cashmere wraps are so soft and versatile, she'll ask for another color next year
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colorful knives for the foodie to have fun in the kitchen
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A spa kit to allow her to pamper herself
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A beautiful lucite flower brooch
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A glass bird feeder to add a bit of whimsy to her garden
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A one-of-a-kind teapot to relax and unwind (and impress her friends)
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organic silver earrings give her understated elegance
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A pre-planted window box lets her sit back and admire
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an hor-d'oeuvre set which clearly states she's the "hostess with the mostest"
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And sometimes, the best gift to give is something she can pick the details of herself ~ a Netflix subscription, a Grubhub certificate (for dinner in or breakfast in bed), or a gift card to her favorite spa.

Is it just me, or is shopping for moms more fun than ever?

Another Tally Mark for Terzo Piano

2011-04-19T15:31:00.001-05:00

Scratch another tally mark on the board for Terzo Piano – this Chicago gem has done it again.

You may have heard me toot the Terzo Piano horn before (and if not, try here and here) ~ it’s no secret I’m a fan. And last week I had the good fortune to attend their dinner event with Jonathan Waxman and Tony Mantuano, both Top Chef Masters and lauded New York City and Chicago chefs respectively. As Waxman promoted his new cookbook (which btw is pretty darn great itself), the Terzo Piano kitchen cooked up a selection of his recipes and served them family-style to guests who couldn’t stop smiling ear-to-ear. Why were we all smiling? Because Terzo Piano and team know how to do it right, and Jonathan Waxman has some mighty fine recipes.

Thanks to fun and interesting dinner guests (thank you for those I sat by for the great dinner chatter!), the superb food, and the special chef attendees, this dinner went down as one memorable meal.

Allow me to describe the dinner as we did around our table:

“This cauliflower is the best I’ve ever had! Who says that about cauliflower??”

“OMG this polenta’s texture… it has a crisp on the outside, and perfect texture on the inside… how do they do this?”

“This duck… can I have some more? This duck is sooooo good! I’m marking this page in the cookbook for this duck!”

At one point, we all raised a glass and cheered for the work that went on in the kitchen, toasting, “Here’s to the kitchen! The whisking in the kitchen!” Because for anyone who’s ever cooked polenta at home, you’ll know it takes a darn lot of whisking, stirring, and attention to get it just right.

Not only was the food fantastic, it was so cool to see Tony Mantuano and Jonathan’s brotherly love as they kicked off and concluded the evening together. Two Italian-style chefs, two very different styles. I asked them point blank how they’d compare their styles of cooking, to which Jonathan replied, “Tony is more serious, studious about his Italian cooking” and Tony sarcastically quipped, “That’s all a nice way of saying I’m snobby…” I think you get the point ~ after all, one’s last name is Waxman, the other, Mantuano.

I came away with two signed cookbooks in hand (both Mantuano’s and Waxman’s), an Italian red wine to seek out and drink at home, and a memorable meal that is going down in my book as one of the best of the year. The whisking in kitchen sums up the night ~ the attention put into each element ~ magnifico.

For more information on Terzo Piano events, visit their Event Calendar.

A tribute to Davanti Enoteca

2011-04-11T16:42:00.002-05:00

On Taylor and Loomis a new(ish) restaurant stands

And dining there last week I can say it commands

Some high praise for food and a hearty cheer for the wine

Davanti Enoteca is seriously divine

They have unique Italian small plates

A menu to be perused

Don’t miss the sweet beets

Or the pate that had me amused

Rustic fare with rich flavors

Crisp pork belly to savor

A bottle of vino and two more main plates

And I was ready to spend the day here.

A lingering meal, complete with dessert

The pudding, dates, and fresh organic yogurt

All of this together put me in a state of elation

I wanted to sing from the mountain tops of this restaurant's creation.

And if you’re reading this I hope you know me by now - -

I don’t write a post unless I have something good to say

And Davanti Enoteca, well, this is it for me today.