24 February 2011

XOCO TODAY!


Chicken Tinga Torta: Gunthorp chicken, black beans, chipotle-roasted
tomato sauce, pickled onions, avocado, queso anejo, arugula. $9.00

CA starts soccer and a teaching assignment tomorrow, so we decide a quick run into Chicago for lunch at Rick Bayless's Xoco was timely. We've just watched a re-run of Andrew Zimmer's Chicago show where he hangs out with Rick, so authentic Mexican cuisine is way-on our minds.
After mentioning our plan yesterday at the WW meeting, my friend LL decides to go along for lunch and further adventures.

The three of us show up early at HB to work out and then a quick visit to LL's house to admire all the lovely changes they've made. And, we get to meet their newest baby--Winston--a cream-colored standard poodle. So, so cute!

Traffic's light and since we know the ever-busy Xoco switches over to the lunch menu at 11:00am we aim to arrive before 11:30, and do so.  Parking in Chicago is mostly a challenge, so you might as well just plan on spending $14 - 21. Our lot is very convenient between Illinois and Hubbard on Clark.

The deal at Xoco is you stop at the Hostess station and then are handed a menu and directed to the counter to place your food and drink order. This is Mexico's street food so most people are here for takeout. There's limited seating and the noise level is energizing. We get a community table that seats 6 and are able to share Chicago restaurant information and experiences with our seat mates while still enjoying the dining experience as a group of 3.

The food is excellent! LL and I share the Chicken Tinga Torta (see above photo) and a XOCO Salad--pork carnitas or smoky chicken, marinated black beans, arugula, romaine, crispy tortilla threads, avocado-lime dressing. $8.50; while CA has a Pibil Torta--wood-roasted suckling pig with achiote, black beans, pickled onion, habanero salsa $12.00








After lunch we wander the streets a bit, picking up a menus at the very new Paris Club and at Naha. We're ready to dine at both spots ASAP.

We return to the car and CA drives us to Ricci's for some fresh roasted nuts. I get walnut pieces for baking, cashews and mixed nuts for entertaining, and chocolate-covered nuts for CA. YUM!

Our next stop is 1730 Outlet Company where seasonal Tag products are sold at a discount. Additionally, they sell furniture and silk flowers; tabletop dinnerware and linens. A fun stop. LL buys some sparkly Christmas pillar candles, and I make note of the dimensions of the low-slung bookshelves that might be perfect in JE's living room.

A really fun day and reminiscent of many, many adventures that LL and I have enjoyed in Chicago for many, many years. We've gone to the Apparel Center, Ricci's, Royal Industries, D'Amato's, Anna , Ida & Me, Swedish Bakery, Lutz's, Garrett's, CB Outlet, Bari Foods...

No comments: