Sibling Weekend: Chicago

Me-Nancy-Patty-Judy-Gloria; brother Paul and his wife,
Tracie in white. At Le Pain Quotidien.

Oldest sister, Judy, turned 70 years in January, so her daughter LG and son TL put together and hosted this rare sibling get-together. We DO get together, but mainly in very large groups. There's the occasional lunch, but we're scattered over 3 states (including Washington State), so having all 6 of us together for a weekend is very special.

Thursday
Lou Malnati's pizza at LG's condo, and then The Million Dollar Quartet at the Apollo Theater. We loved the musical about Elvis, Carl Perkins, Johnny Cash, and Jerry Lee Lewis. I overnighted at Hotel Lincoln (due to some nagging auto-immune issues), but EVERYONE else stayed with LG's family in their 3-bedroom condo.

Friday
LG and her husband had to work; the effervescent Sophie (9-1/2) and the indomitable Rhys (4-1/2) had school. But, LG left us homemade granola (excellent!), Greek yogurt, and fruit. And, did I mention coffee?!!
We hung around some; a few went for a walk in a nearby small enclave of very large and beautiful Chicago-style homes.

Buena Park-Lakeview neighborhoods. Specifically,
Cullom and Hutchinson Streets' lovely homes.

I did the research for a luncheon location and happened on a listing for Le Pain Quotidien. Success! Perfect menu, as there was an early dinner planned by LG for 5:30pm.

Everyone totally enjoyed Le Pain Quotidien. Some had pot pies, salads or soup. We shared a charcuterie board. JL and I had eaten in one LPQ twice in NYC a number of years ago: CA and I have eaten in the LPQ closeby the Place Vendôme in Paris; and, I've eaten in one in another European city--possibly London.??

We spent the afternoon at the shops on North Avenue, and then drove to West Randolph Street for dinner at Little Goat Diner. Excellent!

The big surprise was that JL's son flew in from Austin, TX and surprised her at Little Goat Diner. We were all surprised she was surprised as there were multiple verbal slip-ups. The end result is that TL was with us for dinner and the remainder of the weekend. His happiness was magnified when his friend managed to procur for him a last minute ticket to the Michigan State playoff game at the United Center. (They won!)

Little Goat Diner, Chicago.

LG and EG shared this monster.

My excellent gluten-free option. Moco Loco Burger
on Jasmine rice with vegetables; topped with a
Fried Egg. Havarti Cheese added.

Just a normal cheeseburger.

TL's shocking Mahi entree.

After dinner we did cake and presents at LG's condo, and talked (a lot) until late. I drove home, arriving @1:00am, not realizing I'd forgotten to tell CA that I was coming. (I'd originally reserved 2 nights at the Lincoln Hotel). Scared him when the garage door opened and woke him up.


Saturday
By 8:30am I was in my car headed back to Chicago for brunch at LG's condo. After lots more talking and laughing, some took walks, some headed to Bar on Buena to watch the broadcast of the Michigan State game (they won!). My Seattle sister and I walked a long way down Broadway to Pastoral to buy some Vermont Creamery cheeses. We each had a small bite in the cafe and a refreshing beverage, then opting for a short cab ride north to the condo.

The Peoria, IL group of 4 left a bit after 4:00pm, and the after some quiet moments we talked over dinner plans. EG secured an 8:00pm reservation at one of my favorites--Mixteco Grill, on the corner of Ashland and Montrose. Wonderful Mexican food! Great guacamole, with chips, Jicama, and cucumber slices.

Pork chops.

Pulled pork.

Rack of baby lamb in mole.

Another late night for me--arrived home just after midnight. No worries.

We had a memorable weekend, JL was well celebrated, and we got a chance to spend time with our new sister-in-law. Lovely.

The Fun Kids are Coming

The Cincinnati Fun Kids are pink dress,
and the two boys in blue shirts.

Monday is fast approaching. Yes!

When I was in Chicago today picking up JL from her appointment at Rush Presbyterian Hospital, we detoured north to Belmont so that I could pick up some beautiful Christmas cookies for the Cincinnati Fun Kids.

The pastries and baked good at Bittersweet are just beautiful, aren't they?

Busy Week

Planned an overnight in Chicago at my niece's for Tuesday, in order to attend a medical appointment with my sister JA. Always enjoy the irresistable ES and the lovable RR. LA made a quick and delicious taco salad for dinner and I squeezed in some fun conversations and Waterlogue play with the kiddos.

Wednesday meant an early morning at Rush Presbyterian St. Luke's and then some errands, and JL came home with me. CA picked up some Pad Thai and we vegged at home and watched Midsomer Murders via Netflix.

Thursday was errands and then haircuts at Mario Tricocci's Salon. My talented stylist sorted out JL's recent hair woes (Rx has frizzed and curled JL's normally straight hair). My own locks took a huge growth spurt this month leaving me somewhat bedraggled, too. We left the salon as happy campers. Reshaped and revamped.

JL, looking like JL. Finally.

 

Friday meant an early trip back to Rush, then home for me via California Pizza Kitchen in Schaumburg for my favorite Pear Gorgonzola thin crust pizze and an hour+ of downtime and regrouping.

Pear, Gorgonzola Pizza

 

 

Today is dark skies, pouring rain, and hail! I love, love love stormy weather. I plan a Pajama Day with fun food and no responsibilities.

 

Eataly

 

I love kitchen gadgets!

All chocolate from Italy!

Today we traveled to Eataly. Not the country but to Eataly, which is fairly new to Chicago. We ended here by default; happily so. Crazy mis-communication took 30 minutes of drive time, so we missed church at 4th Presbyterian.

The plan was to attend church with RvH and CA and then celebrate their birthdays (4/1 and 4/2, respectively) at brunch. Instead we checked-out Eataly, enjoyed croissants and Lavazza coffee, shopped, and bought to-go Paninis--two Figuolas (or something close to that spelling) and a Caprese. They obviously change-up the names as their on-line menu referred to the Caprese as Giulietta.

We loved our experience and brought home some treats (including brown tomatoes!) CA and I later shared the Caprese and fig-gorgonzola-prosciutto Paninis. (RvH chose the fig Panini). Delicioso!

 

 

First photo and the following are not mine. Google "Eataly Chicago Images" for attributions.

Lidia Bastianich, Joe Bastianich, Mario Batali

 

 

Shout Out

Our terrifically gifted and hard-working niece just got a well-deserved promotion. Congratulations LG, mother of the effervescent SG and the irresistable RG.

 

Guacs I Have Known

-photo from website-

The family favorite recipe is from the Two Hot Tamales: Susan Feniger and Mary Sue Milliken at Border Grill in Santa Monica. We make it all the time--no tomatoes, salsa, or cutsey ingredients. It's wonderful.

 

-photo from here-

Then, I discovered Guacamole at Hub 51 in Chicago. At one time, maybe not now as I peruse the menu, they hid grilled or roasted corn under their Guacamole. Ah-h-h... A treat, and you could make a meal of it. At home I roasted some corn and layered it beneath the Border Grill Guac. Divine.

 

-photo from here-

And, a great discovery in Scottsdale, AZ was Guacamole with Pomegranate seeds. I could find the restaurant again, but have no idea of it's name or the exact combination of ingredients. PM and I loved it. We were in Scottsdale April of 2012 for a family funeral and happened upon the restaurant by chance. The local cousins were interested in our discovery and took note for their own dining future. The recipe could be similar to this, but I don't remember mango...

This past week I enjoyed the Guacamole at Mixteco. Their version is chunky with finely-diced cucumber added and a garnish of finely julienned radish.

Ah, Guacamole, your perfection in simplicity, but you also shine in a tux.

 

Mixteco Grill

 

 

LA just got a big promotion which was announced yesterday. A well-deserved acknowledgement of her abilities and hard work--in the midst of dealing with her mom's health issues this year. And, she's a wife and mom to the irrespressible SG and irresistable RG. Since I'm in Chicago to help her mom (my sister JL), we decide to celebrate her accomplishments with a dinner out. LA knows I'll love Mixteco Grill--on the SW corner of Montrose and Ashland.

Haven't dined in Chicago since summer, because of various travels and then this winter's extreme snow and cold. And unlike years ago, we have many great restaurants closer. Tonight I realize that CA and I need to expand our horizons now that winter is passing. (Yes, it's officially Spring, but we still look out at this.)

 

The chef owner, Raul Aurreola, trained at one of our long-time favorites, Rick Bayless's Frontera Grill. He explains Mixteco on their website:

"Thank you, for taking the time to check our website. It’s a pleasure for us to share our dishes and recipes to you. In my 20 year experience in the kitchen, in particular, Mexican cuisine that is recognized by the UNESCO as a World Heritage, and my work experience in one of the best Mexican restaurants in the U.S., Frontera Grill; made me realize my passion up for food. That’s why I took the opportunity to open this restaurant and named it “Mixteco Grill.” Many of you would wonder or ask the meaning of Mixteco? To me, it was very important to find an easy meaningful name. Mixteco is a Oaxacan region and most an ethnic group. In my opinion, Oaxaca has the most delicious food of all Mexico, because it’s 100% authentic food that doesn’t have any other cuisine influences."

(directions and menu)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

We love our meal, the ambience, and artwork.

 

This guy was above our table in the second room.

 

The Guacamole is particularly good and well presented--avocado chunks with tomato, cucumber, serrano peppers, cilantro, onion, and lime juice. The fine julienne of radish garnish is a fresh touch.

 

The Fun Kids Club: Chicago Adventure

J. Seward Johnson bronze outside of the Four Seasons Chicago.

 

Two bakeries-lunch-a church-American Girl Store. A full day. The rain didn't deter us, and was never a problem. We walked, we drove, we shopped, we ate. Fun. MK loved seeing the fashionable residential near north neighborhoods. Fourth Presbyterian Church on North Michigan is a splendid and sensational example of Gothic Revival. Very European, which pleases the very European MK.

 

Bridal shower petit four samples led us first to the Swedish Bakery on North Clark, then on to Bittersweet on West Belmont for lunch--quiches, salads, sandwiches, soups. Divine sample bites of some brownie-ganache-mousse treat. YUM! Then, free cupcakes for the girls--just mention Bittersweet on Facebook. We bought a Cubbie baseball cookie for DM and an orange Goldfish cookie for NJ, at home.

 

 

After parking behind 900 North Michigan, we strolled past the Four Seasons, through the hallowed halls of Fourth Presbyterian, and across the street to the American Girl store. Both LG and KF decided that they each wanted to select a doll most closely resembling their own features, and chose one for NJ, too. We were just looking. The dolls are to be Christmas gifts. LE hadn't yet arrived from Cincinnati, so JE, LE, and grandma have a special date planned for the Fall at the American Girl Store in Columbus.

 

By the time we got home, all 12 of us had assembled, and joined together to prepare a dinner of pulled-pork and corn-on-the-cob.

 

The Fun Kids Club 2013 Summer Sleepover has begun...

 

 

 

Heat Wave

Image via: A2gov.org

While our local heatwave has given us a slight break, the whole country plus Europe can identify with our summer weather thus far.

 

 

Canicule:

French word for a heatwave. It is based on the alternate name of Sirius, the main star in the Grand Chien constellation (Great Dog or Canis Major in English), which rises and sets with the sun during the hottest days of summer. This also explains the English expression "the dog days" of summer.

Definition via: chocolateandzucchini.com

 

HEAT WAVE

-linda ronstadt-

 

Whenever I'm with him
Something inside
Starts to burning
And I'm filled with desire
Could it be the devil in me
Or is this the way love's supposed to be

It's like a heat wave
Burning in my heart
Can't keep from crying
It's tearing me apart

Whenever he calls my name
Soft, low, sweet and plain
I feel, yeah yeah
Well I feel that burning flame
Has high blood pressure got a hold on me
Or is this the way love's supposed to be

It's like a heat wave
Burning in my heart
Can't keep from crying
It's tearing me apart

Sometimes I stare into space
Tears all over my face
I can't explain it
Don't understand it
I hadn't ever felt like this before
Now that funny feeling has me amazed
I Don't know what to do
My head's in a haze

It's like a heat wave
Burning in my heart
Can't keep from crying
It's tearing me apart

Yeah yeah yeah yeah
Yeah yeah oh oh (heat wave)
Yeah yeah yeah yeah
oh (heat wave)

Don't pass up this chance
This time it's true romance
Heat wave
Heat wave
Heat wave
Oooh heat wave

 

 

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