Archive for September, 2008

Virtu

Tuesday, September 30, 2008

After breakfast at Toast Two, we stepped into a little shop a few doors down, Virtu Virtu. They have stationary, jewelry, and gifts, but more importantly for us, they have great things for foodies. Lon and I really loved everything in this shop, including the owner, Julie, who is really helpful. She’s more of a […]

Honey Apple Bundt Cake

Tuesday, September 30, 2008

I made this cake to bring for Rosh Hashana, so the key flavors were apples and honey. I used roughly 1/4 cup bass wood honey and 1/2 cup buckwheat honey. The buckwheat is a very dark, stronger flavored honey, which will likely impact the flavor. Yes, I’m trying to say, don’t use cheap honey.

Lou Malnati’s

Monday, September 29, 2008

Lou Malnati’s Lou Malnati’s has several locations. Luckily, one is just a few blocks from our hotel. Good thing we didn’t make a long drive for this one. All four of us thought it stunk!
Starting with the Stuffed Spinach Bread, it looks so damn good, especially when you cut it open and the cheese oozes […]

Toast Two

Monday, September 29, 2008

For our last breakfast in Chicago, our plan was to go to Pasticerria Natalina, but alas, they were closed. A bakery not open before 12 noon? What’s up with that? We were starving and headed to my list of back-ups and decided on Toast Two Toast Two. We loved their signage, and the inside is […]

Moto

Monday, September 29, 2008

I expected Moto Moto to be more gadgety, maybe more scientific. The website doesn’t really reflect how comical and playful their food is. It was fun and almost childish, allowing adults to play with our food. Right from the beginning, your menu is presented on an edible butter cracker with a dollop of marscapone, a […]

Hot Doug’s

Sunday, September 28, 2008

We waited on a 40 minute (roughly) line to eat at Hot Doug’s Hot Doug’s, a kitschy place with a pretty impressive menu. Doug’s offers lots of different meats (one vegetarian dog) and several toppings and a wide range of prices. Of course we wanted to try the Chicago-style Dog with “everything” (pickle, relish, […]

Meli Cafe & Juice Bar

Saturday, September 27, 2008

This morning, we went to Meli Cafe & Juice Bar, had one of the best breakfasts ever, and I’m debating going back tomorrow. They had so many awesome things on the menu that if I lived in Chicago, I would be a loyal regular.
They make their own marmalades… I loved both the strawberry and apricot, […]

Alinea

Saturday, September 27, 2008

Alinea Alinea.Exec chef Grant Achatz calls the food “ultra modern emotional”The space is clean and modern, very Tribeca, with comfy seats and a spacious table.
We made reservations about two months in advance and this dinner was highly anticipated. Surprisingly, we came out with such differing opinions that we decided to write this post jointly.
Steelhead RoeCoconut […]

Bob Chinn’s Crabhouse

Friday, September 26, 2008

We kind of changed the schedule around a bit and ended up at Bob Chinn’s Crabhouse Bob Chinn’s Crabhouse for lunch today. We weren’t that hungry after our late and massive breakfast so seafood ended up being a nice light choice.
We started with Blue Point Oysters, large, fresh, and juicy. Some were a bit sandy […]

Walker Brothers The Original Pancake House

Friday, September 26, 2008

Several years ago my family and I attempted to share breakfast together at Walker Brothers The Original Pancake House in Wilmette, IL Walker Brothers. After a fiasco there (long story) we ended up elsewhere and I didn’t get my pancakes. During this trip, it was critical that we eat some of those famous […]