Chicago

Ben had a conference and a course in Chicago (so free hotel) and two days off in between which happened to coincide with my birthday and the willingness of my mom to babysit...again. So off I went. I packed my bags with all of the clothes that I want to wear but don't want to get smeared with the usual goo, every piece of jewelry I own, six pairs of shoes (for a four day trip), three books I've been trying to finish, four magazines, one camera, a removable hard drive and laptop so that I could catch up on my blog and catch up on others blogs.

I didn't get as much as I wanted done...or anything at all, but I had a really great time, wore all of the shoes and enjoyed every moment of it.

Although not as warm as I had hoped, the entire city was in bloom.

But who cares about flowers. I travelled all of this way for one singular reason. A date with Rick Bayless. A unilateral date, with Ben as a third wheel, but it was my birthday wish fulfilled. And Ricky did not disappoint. We skipped his more expensive establishments in favor of his new hip quick-service cafe XOCO (don't click on this link unless you want to be sad and hungry). And the quicker this food could get into my mouth the better. Fresh churros, homemade vanilla ice cream and bean-to-cup hot chocolate, tortas - delicioso!

We went back another day for breakfast and had french toast with bacon and pecan sprinkle, more churros, savory empanada and the most refreshing drink I've ever had (I'm usually a water girl, so maybe that's not saying much) coco-lime-pineapple (with a hint of basil) agua fresca.

In between trips to XOCO we were tipped off to another Rick Bayless gem...at Macy's no less. The largest Macy's in the world actually (formally Marshall Fields). I had read that the food is essentially the same there as you might find at his sit down restaurants, just take-out with nothing over $7.50. Again, disappointment was nowhere to be found. Corn poblano soup, tamales, tacos, raspberry prickly pear aqua fresca, guacamole. (I am currently experiencing similar pangs to when I think about living in Hawaii, but am not there.)

Below is Ben taking a post-Bayless nap in the home furnishings dept. He wanted to buy that recliner.

While he napped I couldn't help but go back and grab a hamburger from Frontera Fresco's neighboring take out place Marc Burger, by Marcus Samuelsson, another celebrity chef. It was very good with homemade pickles and spicky ketchup, but not cravable. But then again, I'm a one-man woman (that sure doesn't have the same ring that the reverse does).

But that's not all of the eating we did. We hit up Lou Malnati's for some classic butter crust deep dish. Butter (and pizza) is very dear to me, but I have to go with the salad at this place. It was great. We had brunch at a place that was healthy and okay but I can't remember the name of. We did dinner at Goose Island Brewpub which was not memorable. As in I am racking my brain and I can't even remember what I ordered. I think they are known more for their brews. I did have a ridiculously good birthday dinner at a restaurant with another proprietor of Top Chef fame - Stephanie Izard from a few seasons back. Restaurant: The Girl and the Goat. I tried to get reservations here or at Bayless' Topolobampo for my big day. Even a month prior they were booked. As of April 30, the next available reservation was June 22. That doesn't stop me. It didn't stop me from getting a table a few weeks back for Seattle Restaurant week*. And it wasn't about to stop me as I was celebrating another year older and wiser too. They were open until midnight, which is lucky for me since I got to spend the earlier part of my night watching one of my least favorite things on the planet - UFC (if only it weren't such a great time to get together with friends). It ended at 11:15, we hopped into a cab and got to Girl and the Goat by 11:30. who has reservations at 11:30? There was still a 20 minute wait. But alas, we could be served the full menu in the bar, so we grabbed a couch with our friends who were also attending the conference (the more the merrier at a restaurant with tasting plates I say) and we indulged in things like fried oysters, goat belly confit, really great green beans, "pig face" (just might be the best part of a tasty animal) and desserts like lemon rhubarb shortcake and buttermilk panna cotta, parsnip pot de creme with pistachio cake and bittersweet chocolate cake with shitake gelato and toffee creme fraiche. The chocolate cake was maybe the best we've ever had. But mushroom ice cream? It just tastes weird. It wasn't bad, but why not just throw some McDonalds soft serve on there and knock it out of the park. Anyway, thumbs up to Girl and the Goat (better make that a golden thumbs up b/c it's fairly pricey for the portions, but I don't think that's what you are paying for.)

So besides eating, Chicago also has a good music scene. We weren't sure where to go, so I did my best reseach and we landed at Kingston Mines and B.L.U.E.S Chicago. And it was two clubs for one cover.

It was also where we were when we got this news...

I imagine that Bin Laden's Abottabad hideout probably looked something like this place we were at anyway.

The music was groovy and we enjoyed ourselves until I got wrapped up in this embarrassing "booty call" with a few other female victims, which culminated in me doing he only dance move I really know, which is the worm. And as usually happens when the worm appears, Ben has us make a quick departure.

All in all it was fun times in the windy city. I hope I am invited back some time.

*I was going to tell a story about a Seattle restaurant we visited recently. But it deserves it's own post.