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If you’re reading this, I’m coming back to Chicago, beetch

The non-existent rumors are true. After a brief 10-month exit from the city to soak up the fresh air and social distance-friendly suburbs, I am now returning to Chicago as a single, slightly more anxious version of myself. While I’m still trying to kick some of the anxiety and OCD that COVID-19 pushed from “lifelong tagalongs” to “all-controlling demons”, I feel 97% ready to be back where I feel most myself, and cannot wait to welcome that change. While that 3% still makes me a little uncomfy and hesitant, I’m a believer in pushing your boundaries to allow yourself to grow, and also, I am really sick of suburbs food.

Ha! I joke. I wouldn’t move downtown simply for access to more diverse & higher quality food... or would I? All I know is while there are plenty of gems in the North Shore, I’ve eaten take out from all of them ten times over, and I did not foster my dislike of cooking out of nowhere. My parents do not enjoy cooking, my sister pretends to enjoy cooking, and I will cook if it is 5 ingredients or less. My latest speciality is a toasted bagel with butter, hummus, and EBTB seasoning. Voila. So when it comes to dinner, we are living off of a carousel of suburban favorites, and are losing steam as we are still not comfortable with dining inside (or dining inside in the city, where the fun food is).

All of this to say, it’s exciting to imagine what life is going to be like in a few short weeks. While I’m still extra precautionary, I can’t wait to have my own space downtown, where I can enjoy coffee on my little balcony (!!!) and dream of the days friends can come squeeze into my studio safely while I lay out an entire table of sharable spreads and snacks from Ema (Charred Eggplant Spread is the best one, don’t fight me).

So you may ask, how did you come to this decision to move to the heart of downtown out of seemingly nowhere, you hermit?

It starts with my mom and I having a brief, simultaneous breakdown and coming to the conclusion that we would both feel comfortable doing a staycation downtown, as long as we wore masks, sanitized always, and braved the cold to eat outside. This was big for me! As a person with real OCD, not cute TV show “I have to keep my pens straight” OCD, this would be the most exposure I’d had to a lot of uncontrollable variables since the pandemic started. If you’re thinking, “you get to spend a weekend downtown in a hotel with your mom, shut up”, know that I hear you. I am unbelievably grateful that I’ve gotten this time with my parents, and that we can do a staycation. However, having anxiety comes at a cost, and that cost is blowing everything way the fuck out of proportion instead of being able to rationalize it sometimes. Let’s! Normalize! Having! This! Discussion!

So, we went downtown in early March for a two-night stay, and oh my goodness. The realization that we got to be in a different space, and do different things, and eat different food for a weekend made it feel like a legit vacation, and not like we drove 30 minutes to get there. The view from our room was of Michigan Ave, and hearing the traffic and seeing the people out and about instantly made me feel a sense of peace I wasn’t expecting. I’ve lived downtown for 6 years, but it always shocks me how much the city feels like an extension of me once I’m in it after being away. My mom and I went out for a walk (gentle yet forceful reminder to please wear a mask), then decided to grab dinner while we were out. The plan was to bring it back to the room, but there was a warm spell, and there just happened to be a table for two at Topolobampo on Clark, and suddenly we were sitting on the patio under the lights eating masa quesadillas dipped in a spicy salsa verde. It just happened!!!

Before getting downtown, I was tentatively looking at apartments for the spring. I was looking at Lincoln Park, Old Town, maybe Lakeview, and came across a listing in the Gold Cost that caught my eye. That one was swiped out from under me within days, but I couldn’t stop thinking about the area. Then I discovered another unit that was available, and couldn’t shake it from my mind. Over mushroom tacos I discussed it with my mom, and we decided to go see it. Totally not what I had been planning for in terms of location, but why not?

Once we polished off breakfast the next morning (Eggs Benedict with fried eggs, extra hollandaise) we headed out to see the place. Let me say I have never seen my mom fall in love with a single apartment I’ve lived in, and she was ALL. FOR. IT. Unreal reaction on her part. Once I saw the west-facing views and the incredible natural lighting, I was 100% in as well.

We spent the rest of the weekend wandering the downtown area, enjoying another dinner outside at The Gwen and my mom’s first visit to the Starbucks Reserve Roastery, which was 95% more empty than I’ve ever seen it given we went in a pandemic at 8:30PM. Shit on Starbucks all you want, but that Roastery is an incredible use of space (in non-pandemic times) and the coffee & Princi pastries are really, really good.

When we got back home feeling refreshed and like we had actually gone on a vacation, I jumped into apartment shark mode real fast and signed as many documents as the very kind realtor could send over. One week later, whabaam, I was a Gold Coast girl. Ahem, *lady*. What better way to celebrate than going to Somerset and having the Rapini & Roasted Garlic Flatbread and Wild Mushroom Risotto? No clue. As I sat outside, yet again with my mom, I felt a wave of excitement come over me and realized, this is it. This is the sign and feeling I’ve been waiting for, telling me it’s time to move back to the city and start over. The creamy, herbacious risotto also helped solidify that.

SO. After all of that, the news is I’m moving, and you’re probably wondering why I shared all of this on a blog about food. I meant for this post to be about everywhere I ate during my staycation, but realized quickly we ate at some very basic places - DELICIOUS, but still basic. Oops. Below are all the dishes I had and a rundown of the flavors, textures, etc., however don’t expect to find any new, revolutionary restaurants. Sorry!

1. Topolobampo

This Rick Bayless restaurant has been around forever, and unfortunately, you can tell by the interior. We’ve eaten here as a family a couple of times before, but never had a noteworthy experience. I can confirm that in a pinch, the patio covered in fun lights & mini piñatas, and the sharable, filling bites will do just fine. This was my first time going to a Mexican restaurant as a non-alcohol drinker, and instead of my typical mezcal margarita, I opted for a Fresh Limeaide which was refreshing and flavorful. We split the Guacamole and Chips, which if you’ve ever stopped at the Frontera in O’Hare, you know is good as fuck. It’s smooth, creamy, tangy, and topped with chopped onions and cilantro for a little crunch. It’s not the most life-changing, but it is consistently satisfying. Next, we got the Mushroom Tacos and Masa Quesadillas. The Masa Quesadillas were a fun surprise, as instead of a tortilla, the masa is what makes up the outside. They are almost like empanadas and stuffed with gooey, melty cheese, and come with a spicy salsa verde on the side. I would come back for these alone - they’re rich yet light, warm, and comforting, all the things you would want when dining outside when it’s still a little chilly. The Mushroom Tacos were quite frankly unreal, because whatever they seasoned the mushroom slices with and grilled them on made them taste unlike any mushroom I’ve had before. There was definitely some meat crossover on the grill, so don’t order those if you’re vegan, or ask them to prepare the mushroom separately. I however was LOSING MY MIND. Over mushrooms. The joys of being vegetarian!

2. The Gwen

On a happening Saturday night in Chicago, Upstairs at The Gwen is sure to be a packed scene. Located in River North, this hotel bar/restaurant offers a somehow cozy rooftop filled with loungey couches, fire pits, and ambient lighting, even though you’re surrounded by apartments and skyscrapers and there is nothing “cozy” about River North. Every table was filled, yet since you’re outside and it’s fairy spread apart, it still felt safe. I got my new classic, a Lemonade, and we got the Burrata to start. With sourdough, roasted beets, squash, pomegranate, pistachio, & arugula, this plate was nothing short of mouth-watering. It has textures! It has flavors! It has pomegranate seeds, the TikTok must have of the moment! The bread was 10/10, the burrata was 8/10, and all of the toppings made for a very find bite of salad on their own. For my main I got the Lobster Fettucine, a beautiful bowl of “charcoal fettuccine with saffron-tomato sauce, lobster, calabrian chili butter, and basil-brioche crumbs” as listed on their website. Take any of those ingredients and it’s going to be delicious, but all of them TOGETHER? INCREDIBLE. The chunks of lobster were huge, absolutely making the dish worth its price tag, and the sauce was flavorful, unique, and unlike any sauce I’ve tasted in the last few years. It’s typical to do a squid ink pasta with seafood and tomato sauce, but the saffron added a new element I very much appreciated.

3. The Starbucks Roastery

I KNOW. THIS IS A TOURIST DESTINATION. All I am saying is if there’s no line, go get an iced latte with two packets of sugar in the raw. That’s all. It’s really good after something like, I don’t know, Lobster Fettucine.

4. The Penninsula

You cannot go wrong with hitting up The Penninsula for breakfast or brunch, especially if you are staying there and have the option to do room service. Typically we would go to Pierrot Gourmet, the cafe in the ground floor of The Penninsula, however it has been closed temporarily. If there’s one thing to order with your breakfast, it’s the smashed fingerling potatoes. Delish.

5. Somerset

Somerset is becoming a quick go-to of mine for an impromptu dinner downtown, given it’s in the heart of Gold Coast and is cute if you’re sitting indoors or outdoors. The food is nothing too innovative, but it is done well, which is the most important part with “cuter” restaurants that may focus on the Instagram appeal over the food sometimes. Each time I’ve gone I’ve gotten the seasonal flatbread and a pasta or risotto, usually something with mushrooms, and it’s always been plate-licking good. To drink, I got -you guessed it- a Lemonade! For dinner I went with the Wild Mushroom Risotto which was everything you could hope for in a risotto, topped with olive oil, herbs, and local parmesan. We split the Rapini & Roasted Garlic Flatbread which was as it sounds, flatbread covered in rapini, garlic, and ricotta, which added a nice crunch and had enough rapini to feel like it was replacing a boring vegetable side dish or salad. The patio vibes were wonderful, the judgemental girls in the greenhouses looked like they were having a good time, and our waiter couldn’t have been sweeter. I will be going back to try the Fontina Arancini, which I just noticed on the menu. FRICK.

So there you have it, a very long-winded explanation of the last few weeks of my life and where you can find me on a staycation in Chicago. Hopefully once I move back to the city I’ll have endless new spots to try and won’t be basic anymore!

Until next time, Happy Eating!

-Natalie

AN ANXIETY-APPROVED GUIDE TO SOCIALLY-DISTANT DINING IN THE NORTH SHORE

A headline I truly thought I would never write, because I used to be the type of person to leave work, jam myself into an L train packed with people, scroll through my phone while breathing in someone’s backpack, and then get to a busy restaurant to meet friends and dive into food without washing my hands. My entire immune system was chock-full of city scum, and eating indoors with dozens of other people who likely got off an equally full train? Not even a question of a doubt in my mind. Things took a quick and dire turn in May when suddenly I became afraid of everything and grossed out by anything, and after moving home with family I was certain I would never leave the house again. I miss being the fearless gutter rat I used to be, but times are different, and staying safe is key.

Alas, while my family has been taking quarantine very seriously, we reached a point in August where we all felt “ok” with sitting at a restaurant once or twice a week to feel like we were still part of society and because we all mutually hate cooking. After not being at a restaurant once since March, we nervously ventured out to a local Italian restaurant, sat outside very far from others, and ate pasta that was still piping hot from the kitchen and that didn’t taste mediocre after sitting in a takeout container for an hour. It was refreshing as FUCK. Rose? In a real wine glass? Served chilled? What am I, a QUEEN?

Ever since we have been carefully dining, only ever sitting outdoors, and carrying packs upon packs of antibacterial wipes and hand sanitizer like actual loons. But safe loons! Being home and enjoying the local restaurants through new eyes and new level of appreciation has made me love them 10x more, even if we’ve eaten somewhere a hundred times before. I am so grateful to have the opportunity to dine with these spots, eat favorite dishes & try new ones, and be out of the house for 1-2 hours on a Friday during these wild times. So, why not share some of my favorite spots?? Maybe you’re also living back in the good ole North Shore, and looking for any excitement at all in the quiet of the suburbs. Here you go.

1. Mino’s Italian - Winnetka

This restaurant is newer to Winnetka, however it became an instant local favorite and is always, always full. They have a huge patio area with lighting, cozy wooden benches, tons of tables, heaters, and a menu packed with classic Italian dishes done so right. Their Calamari is unreal due to the seasoning and the roasted garlic aioli it comes with for dipping. Their Cacio e Pepe is magically light but still full of cheese and fresh cracked peppercorns, and the seasonal Risotto consists of warm mushroom richness. Their pizza is great to-go as well, and tastes like an NYC slice if you order the largest size.

2. Pescadero - Wilmette

Ok to be fair, Pescadero is not somewhere we’ve actually dined AT during the pandemic. We do pick it up quite often though, and it is some of the best carryout in Wilmette. The Fish & Chips is mouth-watering, with fresh fish covered in a seasoned batter that alone is delectable. Their chips (really more french fries) are thin, crispy, and topped with a parmesan and herb dust. DO NOT MISS OUT ON THE FRIES. The Mahi Mahi tacos are excellent and a lighter, fresher dish with broccoli apple slaw and avocado crema, and for fuck’s sake order a side of the Mac & Cheese just to stick a fork in. Pro Tip: You want as much extra tartar sauce as they will give you!!!

* Edit - since I wrote this post a few days ago, we ate on the Pescadero patio and it was delightful. Even though it was 55 degrees, the hot Clam Chowder and Fish & Chips warmed me up real quick. Clam Chowder served in a hot mug = a new fall dinner staple. Will only accept soup in a mug from now on. And, they do have heaters!

3. Depot Nuevo - Wilmette

I have eaten here no fewer than 3,456 times in my life and every single time I feel like I’m on vacation because the vibes, the food, and the booze are immaculate. Located in an old train station turned restaurant, Depot Nuevo is warm and inviting no matter if you’re inside (pre pandemic) or on their gigantic patio that allows for spaced out and comfy seating. They’ve added heaters for the fall, so don’t worry about being chilly- and if you are, the Pomegranate Margarita will warm you right up. It’s strong, delicious, and comes in a very pleasing traditional margarita glass. I always order the Appetizer Trio as my entree, which has queso fundido (ordered without the chorizo!), guacamole, and ceviche composed of scallops, shrimp, and calamari with vegetables and lime. Usually this comes with tortilla chips as it’s meant to be shared, but I ask for corn tortillas instead and then pile a little of everything in there for the taco of my DREAMS. Do it. Order it. I dare you.

The staff is exceptionally friendly and have taken COVID precautions seriously, so menus are disposable and everyone has gloves on. They will treat you like family, and they are family to us because we go there so often. See you on Friday, Depot!

Other good things on the menu are the Fish Tacos, Shrimp Tacos, BBQ Salmon, Chipotle Mashed Potatoes, Cheese Quesadilla (smothered in their salsa verde of course).

4. The Noodle - Wilmette

Can you tell downtown Wilmette is the place to be? It has truly popped off and the majority of restaurants aren’t serving up your typical “suburbs” food (you know- fried appetizers and burgers and weird salads and overpriced meat dishes) so I am always happy to be out in our little mini city. The Noodle is as classic Italian as you can get, with overflowing ceramic boats of buttery garlic bread, a salad OR soup included with your entree, and no bar- only wine (or beer) if you want a drinky drink. Incredible. I am partial to the house-made spinach linquine with Roasted Garlic and Sun-dried Tomatoes sauce, and the starter salad with house Creamy Garlic Parmesan dressing. Their Tomato Basil soup is also delicious, however I have some suspicion that that soup is the same as the Roasted Garlic and Sun-dried Tomatoes sauce... just served as soup... they refuse to confirm or deny whenever I ask. Either way, delicious. I tried a NEW DISH when we went last week to sit at one of the 6 large tables they have spaced out outside, and let me tell you that the bowtie pasta (not house-made) with Alfredo sauce is THE SHIT. It may be my new go-to when I just want to carbo-load the hecking out of my night. On your way out, get a Pot de Creme to go- it’s the richest, smoothest chocolate dessert on this side of town.

5. Hometown Coffee & Juice - Glencoe

Hometown deserves a round of applause for breathing life back into the stuffy grandmother of the North Shore - Glencoe. Between the gorgeous Writers Theatre and countless boutiques selling blouses and hand-blown glass jewelry, it used to only really serve a certain demographic, however Hometown said “let me give it a try” and changed weekends in Glencoe for good. This coffee shop, smoothie bar, bakery, & cafe hotspot is the perfect afternoon spot to grab a drink, enjoy avocado toast, and sit outside at one of the dozens of tables they’ve lined the corner and two streets with. They’ve moved their registers outside so you don’t even need to go inside to order, and the wait staff will bring you your order right to your table to make it as organized and safe as possible. The tables are spread out, the corner it’s located on is beautiful in the fall, and there are lots of good dogs out and about.

I will say that while Hometown is doing a great job with COVID precautions, the people of Glencoe are a little high & mighty, and seem to think they’re exempt from wearing a mask to wait in line to get their smoothie. It’s irritating that they’re putting the staff at risk and just ignoring state mandates because they feel safe in their little North Shore bubble and because it’s entirely outside, but come on. Be respectful and understand the privilege of these places even being open to serve you, and just wear mask. I hate people. ANYWAY. Love you, Hometown.

6. Coast Sushi - Evanston

Ok, so this gem is not open for dining indoors OR outdoors, however they have their carryout system down and their sushi is so, SO fresh and good. I’ve picked up from here a few times and eat time I fall more in love with the flavors and how consistently tasty it is- and with sushi, it’s always a gamble if it’s going to be really good or kinda fishy and old. The Coast in South Loop was a favorite spot for a while, however it has shut down and I am so happy to be able to get my favorite rolls up in the burbs. My go-to order is a Spicy Tuna Maki, Spicy Scallop Maki, Spicy Miso Soup, a side of Spicy Mayo, and a side of Sushi Rice. This sounds odd, but hear me out- I like to mix the spicy mayo into the sushi rice and eat it just like that. It’s. So. Good. Am I gross? I might be gross.

Anything you get from here is going to rock your socks off, so for your next night in (aka every night lol) treat yourself to some sushi, babbyyy!

I sincerely hope that we can keep dining outside for at least a few more weeks, and I am absolutely ok with wearing Uggs and a full-on coat to be able to. Just a reminder to keep your mask on when talking to wait staff, be polite, be patient, and don’t be an asshole. You don’t NEED to dine out- it’s a treat- and you should treat it as such. Don’t be a Karen, or don’t leave your house. Those are literally the only two options.

I hope you try somewhere new, whether it’s carryout or dining out, and tell me if you have any favorite North Shore spots I missed!

Until next time, Happy Eating!

- Natalie

MY CURRENT EXISTENCE: SCROLLING THROUGH DOORDASH MENUS FOR FUN

It’s true! And weirdly addicting?? I just want to know what all my favorite restaurants are still serving up amidst this pandemic and what they deem the “best sellers” that have to stay on the menu, because tooooo often, the favored plates do not make the cut for me. It could be because I’m vegetarian and people love the meats, or just because if something seems too involved and not like it’s going to taste up to the hype, I’m hesitant to try it. Hence why I read delivery apps for sheer pleasure- it feels like a little bit of normal. Before trying a new restaurant with friends, I memorize the menu and create a plan to strategically order to try what feel like the clear-cut slam-dunk dishes on the menu and it’s the most fun ever to me. Without the option to physically go to new restaurants, it’s addicting to just scroll and scroll through delivery apps and drool over all the incredible food right at my fingertips, and decide what will be the golden goose for the evening. I am by no means a picky eater, however I’m picky in the way I eat- I want every meal to be an EXPERIENCE. A FLAVOR EXPLOSION. A TASTEBUD FIESTA. And yet, now isn’t a time to be so selective over what I eat. I’ve reunited with PopTarts, and discovered I make a really great garlic & lemon pasta sauce, so we’re pretty good about cooking and dining a la pantry. However, there have been a few times in the past weeks I’ve felt really down about the world, to the point of tearing up when trying to decide what lack-luster meal I’m going to prepare for dinner because it seems so pointless to make something that’s not going to fill me up, let alone feed my soul, so in order to create some excitement, stay positive, and support local business, we’ve ordered out and had some glorious, GLORIOUS meals. I love supporting restaurants in any way I can since they are my homes away from home- here are some spots I highly suggest ordering delivery from if you find yourself on the brink of a breakdown that only comfort food can fix:

1. Velvet Taco

This was such a treat!!! My dad and I are longtime fans of Velvet Taco, however my boyfriend has never tried it (I know.) so for a Friday night feast it seemed like the perfect choice. I got two Nashville Hot Tofu tacos filled with fried hot tofu, claw, and a ranch crema on top, a Fish & Chips taco that is exactly how it sounds, and a side of elotes and their new Queso Blanco. The Nashville Hot Tofu tacos are the type of vegetarian food that I feel all vegetarian food should aspire to be- full of flavor, ACTUALLY filling, and not just vegetables stirred up with some spices. I get mad as fuck when I go to get tacos and the only vegetarian option they have is limp peppers and onions in a tortilla. Nah man. Nah.

The Chicago Velvet Taco is in Gold Coast, so if you live downtown treat yourself to tacos!!

2. The Chicago Diner

Another gold mine for comfort food. I have to admit I’ve never actually tried the entrees from here, as I know my favorite dishes and stick to them religiously, however as far as I’m concerned you can’t go wrong. They make vegan food taste sinful and naughty, and if you don’t put thought into questioning how they can make so many obviously non-vegan foods vegan it’s a dream come true (like vegan sour cream?!?). We got the Thai Chili Wings which are thick seitan slabs with a finger-licking sauce and ranch dipping sauce, Nachos with vegan chorizo, and their Poutine with vegan gravy. Yeah, we did that.

They have locations in Lakeview and Logan Square!

3. Happy Camper

This place can do not wrong. While I was pissed they did NOT have Chips N’ Guac on their delivery menu, their pizza is always a 10/10 and makes a pizza party feel a lil more gourmet than ordering Domino’s. I love you, Happy Camper.

Y’all better know where Happy Camper + it’s siblings are. If not... where have you gone every weekend during the summer?

Alright it’s a short list, but we really aren’t ordering too much and it’s a tough time to be blowing dolla dolla bills on meals every night! I hope you all are sticking in there, staying inside, and most importantly staying safe. It’s important to listen to what you need right now and if what you need is a whole bunch of food you did not make yourself, I support that wholeheartedly.

Until next time, Happy Eating!

-Natalie

WHAT’S MORE ADDICTING THAN MASHED POTATOES?

A really, really good book. Unless you don’t like mashed potatoes OR books, in which case move on to a different post and figure out what’s wrong with you. During this quarantine I’ve found myself ordering in food WAY less, cooking WAY more, and ordering groceries online - all of which are entirely new behaviors to me. I’m shook, my kitchen is shook, and there’s lot of burnt crumbs on a lot of pans. But overall, it’s been alright - minus the fact I have no new content to share on here. I’m not going to post my shitty recipes that depend mostly on frozen food and pretend I rank anywhere up with the mommy bloggers and their “only need one sheet pan!!!” dinner delights. No one needs to be making what I’m making. But I do miss the excitement of trying something new and visiting a restaurant and seeing if it’s worth the hype and then writing about it on here, so I began to think, what else have I been consuming an ungodly amount of?!

Books.

I’m not going to call what I read literature, because I don’t read anything close to what’s taught in an English class. But I am going to tout that I’ve read a ROYAL FUCKTON amount of books since quarantine started a month ago, leaving me horrified by awful books and completely hooked on some really good ones. I’m a naturally fast reader and am in two virtual book clubs with friends, which have been the greatest gifts lately, and the only interesting thing I’ve had to talk about with anyone all the time is books. So I figured, why not do a book post and suggest some reads to everyone stuck at home too? It may not be a post about eating too many carbs, but it might bring some joy nonetheless!

Without further ado, please see a list of books that have taken the edge off living off pasta & Green Giant broccoli below!

- The Woman In The Window

This is about to become a movie and I can’t wait until it does. Just yesterday I voiced my concerns to a friend since it starts off terribly slowly and features an agoraphobic woman (afraid of going outside) which feels TOO REAL in today’s climate, however at about 30% of the way in things take a major turn and shit gets REALLY REAL (but in a more thrilling, escapist way this time). If you like an ooky spooky thriller book, this one is for you.

- Such A Fun Age

Read this one for a book club and walked away loving every page, and with a lot of heavy thoughts regarding race, class, how important nannies actually are, and white male privilege. It’s a book that goes between weirdly heart-warming to icy cold on the turn of a dime, and offers dialogue that actually feels like current dialogue in today’s time (which is refreshing since a lot of authors write dialogue like their characters are from the 1800s, but still have an iPhone?). It’s a really amazing read and flies by.

- Normal People

Confusing. Honestly it get a lot of hype, and it is a lovely coming of age story about two weenies who are meant to be together but overall it didn’t blow me away. It’s elegantly written, definitely has a few shocking moments, and feels vaguely familiar at times, however it just wasn’t my cup of tea. And, there are no quotation marks around the dialogue, which is hard to read and makes the characters seem robotic.

- Lying Next To Me

This was a random Amazon Kindle find and it turned out to be a horror-movie esque, who-done-it thriller that takes place in a small, lake-side town, complete with shocks around every corner and classic small-town characters. I expected to just kind breeze through it and not walk away remembering it too much, however by the end you’re left wondering “what the fresh hell” and wanting to plan a long weekend in Michigan. Maybe that’s just me.

- The Turn Of The Key

RUTH WARE. MY GIRL. If you haven’t read In The Dark, Dark Wood, immediately do so, or read my other favorite of Ruth’s books, The Turn Of The Key, which I read for -you guessed it- book club. This thriller takes place in England and follows a new nanny’s adventures with a suspiciously perfect family in a suspiciously perfect smart house in the country, however quickly you’re thrown into a rabbit hole of surprises, questions, mystery, and spookiness. And Jammy Dodgers, which were a cheeky snack during my time abroad in London. Cheerio, read this book right the heck now.

- The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo

Ok, admittedly this one was not one of my favorites. But, if you can’t tell, I like the really wicked books that keep you on your toes, and this one is more of a beach read that feels like a Hollywood movie written out scene by scene into a book. It’s very fantastical, and will definitely pull you out of thinking about everything happening in the world right now, but only if you’re into the glitz and glam of movie stars and their secret lives. If you enjoy People Magazine or watch The Real Housewives of Wherever, you will like this one.

Well that’s all from me! I left out the real bummers because well, they sucked, and I am sad to have read them. But hopefully this gives some new excitement to the day, and provides a little escapism. Now I am going to go cook another lackluster dinner and pretend it is flavorful.

Stay safe!

- Natalie

Ramblings from the 17th floor of isolation

The world appears to be coming to a halt, but I see it differently.

The restaurant industry is coming together to support each other, push local business, and come up with new ways of feeding the communities they love. Teams are becoming more innovative with their menus, with their offerings, and with their messaging, coming off like a friend checking in to help you versus trying to get sales and sell tickets. Food, more than ever, has become a way of bonding between families, friends, on social media, and through food delivery apps- showing that even without dining out, being able to gather around a table filled with familiar food is sometimes all we need to feed connected.

People at home are re-discovering their favorite interests, from reading a book for pure pleasure to doing yoga- just those simple things that somehow always warrant the excuse of “I’m too busy to fit it in.” Now we aren’t. Now, those of us who are unemployed, furloughed, working from home, or trying to protect the rest of the world by staying inside, are getting back in touch with the simple things that make us happy, even just for a moment. We so easily don’t make time for things like working out, trying a new recipe, or even calling a friend when the day-to-day gets too overwhelming, and even though the future seems scary, we’re doing these things again.

A phone call with a friend has a new meaning, a new importance. A text from your family makes the day better. Virtual happy hours seem odd, but clinking my wine glass to the screen filled with the faces of people I love made a quiet Thursday night memorable.

People are remembering how to be human, a silver lining in the terrible, awful world we’re trudging through right now. We are reconnecting with ourselves, in whatever way we need to to get to the other side of all of this.

Shop local. Order out if you can; the restaurants need it. Call someone you love. Wash your hands. Enjoy a snack. And remember, you’re not alone in this.

- Natalie

WINE & SUPPER CLUB DINE ME

*Note: this has been sitting in my drafts for a few weeks, long before the mandated restaurant shutdown began in Chicago. Take everything I say as from a time before coronavirus, and read with the hopes that soon we can all share meals at a supper club again. Stay home, stay healthy, & support local restaurants that really need that carryout/delivery order.*

The name of the game in the West Loop is bold food in big converted factory buildings with high price tags, with each restaurant equally iconic and serving Instagrammable, gourmet meals easily identifiable to the foodie community. That was a mouth full- but so was The St. Clair Supper Club, one of the most random yet talked about spots in Fulton Market District, where I went for dinner with my foodie crew. As a crew that literally only meets up to eat together, we know each person’s favorite flavors, favorite types of food, preferred atmospheres, etc., and this place had been at the top of our list for a WHILE. After one of them spotted a photo of the electric green Frozen Grasshopper Pie online, it became a fixation that none of us could shake- was the $16 price tag worth the experience of being served a neon green dessert straight out of the 1950′s?!?

Don’t hold your breath- the answer was FUCKING ABSOLUTELY. Located in the basement of Roister, known for their fancy take on otherwise classic ingredients, The St. Clair Supper Club requires a visit to Roister’s host stand which is undoubtedly judgemental. Yes, three younger women coming in for a $$$ meal in white Vans and jeans might seem questionable, but trust that we aren’t there to order one basket of fries to share and a shot of whiskey and then leave. (Spoiler: We did share fries anyway). Once they established they could conjure up a table for us downstairs, we were brought through the swinging door into the SUPPER CLUB, which holds an open kitchen with bar seating, a handful of two-top and four-top tables, and very dim lighting. The decor is perfect, clearly inspired by gentleman’s clubs located in the woodsy Midwest. It’s clean, masculine, and incorporates fun elements like paper placemats with an easygoing drawing of the building and logo on top. The waiter greeted us with a basket of Parker House rolls & whipped butter pipped into the ramekin, which were comically casual and certainly delicious. They don’t offer wine by the glass, only by the bottle, which works out fine since the bottles are pretty decently priced. We got the $31 Grenache because #budgeting and that came to just over $10 a person, a saving compared to the $14 cocktails. The wine glasses are huge and made me feel very important, which made me want to order another bottle just to sit and enjoy holding the glass.

For a restaurant that prides itself on offering one cut of meat served one way, I encourage you to ignore the prime rib and focus on all the other good stuff hiding behind it on the menu. The waiter looked dumbstruck that we were just ordering sides and no meat, but honestly? Steakhouse sides enjoyed tapas-style are my favorite kind of dinner. We split the Caesar Salad, Steak Fries, 50-50 Mashed Potatoes, Green Beans w/ Dijon and Pecans, and two sauces, the Bernaise and Green Pepper. Overall opinion of the meal: I have craved every single item for dinner since we went. I have never wanted to re-live a meal SO MUCH after eating it for the first time, and seriously cannot wait to experience it again with knowledge to order ALLLL the sauces.

The Caesar Salad was served first in a large wooden bowl, and easily served three of us with salad to spare. It was perfectly dressed and not fishy at all, with an excellent Parmesan mixed in. The Steak Fries were fat and *almost* under cooked, but the soft potato with the punch of steak salt coated the outside created mashed-potato heaven in the mouth. Dip those fries into any of the steak sauces and you are asking for extreme satisfaction - my favorite was the Green Pepper sauce even though I am 100% certain it is not vegetarian. OOPS. The Green Beans w/ Dijon and Pecans is my hands-down favorite dish we had, with cooked-but-still-crunchy green beans, buttery & tangy Dijon sauce, and candied pecans coating the top layer. Unreal. Stupidly good. It was like Thanksgiving on butter-flavored crack.

Then, the piece de resistance: the 50-50 Mashed Potatoes. They had a texture unlike I’ve ever felt potatoes have before, with a pool of butter, salt, and pepper on top, begging to be stirred in. For those with cholesterol problems or dairy sensitivity, do not get these, as they are mostly butter and cream. Or, say fuck it and live in pure bliss for a forkful of time.

We polished off the wine and the food, and then it was time for the grand finale! A single slice of the Frozen Grasshopper Pie, the very dish we’d been waiting all night for. With an Oreo crust and Cool Whip topping, the pie itself had a texture somewhere between ice cream and toothpaste, which made the sharp mint flavor all the more alarming, but it was honestly awesome. It was the right amount of sweet, smooth, minty, and creamy, with a hint of chocolate shavings and the crunch of the Oreo crust. It’s weird, for sure, but worth getting one for the table. And, after such a rich meal, it was the ideal way to wash it all down.

Given we didn’t get any of the giant pieces of meat or larger dishes, it was a fairly reasonable bill for a bottle of wine and all that when split between three people. If you’re into cartoon food that feels like it’s straight out of a 1960′s TV show, GET IT. (Edit: When the quarantine is over, of course.)

Until next time, Happy Eating!

- Natalie

Big news, big news! Turns out there are great apples in NYC, however, they might not be the kind of organic fruit you’re thinking of. Try picturing a glossy, perfectly green, Snow White’s evil stepmother kind of apple, presented on a little gold coaster and begging you to take a bite. Inside, it’s not full of vitamins, it’s full of soft cake, apple jelly cubes, and a light frosting containing it all within the illusion. Sounds muuccchhh better to me, especially when served with an iced rose-syrup infused latte. Yum? YUM.

You can find both of those delicacies in NYC at LRoom, an entirely out of place heaven in the middle of a scummy street in the middle of nowhere between Flatiron and Soho, the last place you would expect to turn into and find bright pink chairs, beautiful mega-roses in the middle of each table, and a menu packed with delicate drinks and artistic desserts. A rose that is in fact a sugary treat, a little bao made of white chocolate, and milk tea and coffee that tasted worlds away from the gimmicky flavors I feared. The wonderful thing about NYC is that appearance means nothing, and passion means everything. This place is no Sarabeth’s, old-school and filled with the richy-rich. Sarabeth’s is subpar. LRoom is a refreshing cafe where my mom could picture editors sneaking away to to work, and where the exterior completely defies the experience once seated. LRoom was one of my favorite shocks of the weekend, however we went somewhere I found on a whim when trying to secure a post-airport dinner on a Friday night, not too far from The Edition in Flatiron that we called home for a few days. Sidebar- if you can, stay there, and you will feel like metropolitan Rapunzel tucked away in a gorgeous clocktower hovering above the park. The decor is cozy and bold, yet simplistic and full of wood, warm lighting, and delicious smelling scents.

This location led me to La Pecora Bianca NoMad, an inviting Italian restaurant that felt modern and cool, but with old-school dishes done exceptionally well. With pastel green chairs and funky wallpaper providing accent against the otherwise white space, this place was packed at 9PM on Friday and everything smelled incredible as soon as we walked in. I ordered the house rose, which the server let me know was better than any wine he had while in Spain, and while I was like “yeah ok dude” before trying it, my world was rocked once I took a sip. It was clean, dry, sweet, smooth, wet (?), literally everything you could want from a cold, crisp rose. Holy fuck. I need to order bottles as soon as I’m done writing this. If not for the incredible burrata with figs and giant hunks of scrumptious bread, and the Spaghetti with pomodoro sauce, GO FOR THE ROSE. Back to the pasta- this may be the most memorable bowl of pasta I’ve ever had. The noodles were al dente and a pleasure to chew through, and the sauce was fresh and tangy with a hint of garlic, and a lingering sweetness. I didn’t even get cheese on top because I just wanted to savor the divine combination of spaghetti + sauce, a tale as old as time, and a flavor mashup I will never grow old of. Bellisimo.

Outside of those superstars, we visited some favorite haunts and had a truly perfect weekend of eating. If you’re headed to NYC for a few days and wish to avoid midtown, here’s my guide! Go nuts! Go ham! Avoid tourist shitholes for all you are worth!

1. La Pecora Bianca - the ideal dinner spot. I will 100% be back.

2. Dough Donuts - do NOT SKIP THESE DONUTS. They are fat, chewy, perfectly glazed, and the first placed I dragged my family to the minute we checked into the hotel. The lemon poppyseed is a work of art and perfectly, perfectly sweet with a sour kick.

3. LRoom - come prepared to take photos and let your inner Instagram monster live its best life.

4. abcV - a wonderful, chic spot to try truly interesting & fantastic food. Highlights of our meal included: sticky rice, candied tempeh, spinach campanelle with saffron breadcrumbs, dosa, and green chickpea hummus. Make a reservation or arrive right at 5:30PM when they open- this place pops off.

5. Veniero’s - a family staple & perfect post-Broadway show nightcap. Show up ready to sit down in an old-school Italian bakery and enjoy coffee, cannoli (REAL cannoli), and cheesecake unlike you’ve ever had. This place owns my soul and I think about the chocolate cannoli filling every day of my life.

6. Sadelle’s - DO YOU LIKE BAGELS? DO YOU LIKE ORANGE JUICE IN A WINE GLASS? DO YOU LIKE FEELING LIKE IT’S THE 1960′S? You will love Sadelle’s, and you should make a reservation.

Time for another trip yet?!?!?!

Until next time, Happy Eating!

- Natalie

ALL THAT GLITTERS IS LITERALLY GOLD

When you’re dining at RPM Steak and cutting through their 14K Chocolate Cake like it’s room-temperature butter. Not to spoil the meal, but the chocolate cake gently dotted with flakes of gold is worth going there for alone. I have a sweet tooth unlike anyone I’ve ever met, unless you’re my boyfriend and it’s midnight and we literally just turned off the lights to go to sleep and suddenly chocolate is NECESSARY, and nothing tickles my fancy quite like this dessert. The cake is moist, the frosting is rich but not too sweet or dense, and the size of the sweet little cake loaf is generous for a “fancier” restaurant. Now let me backtrack and tell you about the other handful of dishes we had and stop salivating over cake even though it’s really bringing me joy.

On a random Monday night, Eric and I decided to go on a spontaneous date to treat ourselves because WHY NOT. So we headed to RPM Steak, where we had spent NYE 2018 and had an amazing experience, and were seated in a verrryyy cozy both in the bar area. I ordered a brut rose, and then we ordered a good amount of food for two humans to eat. We started off with the Brie Fondue, which has changed since the last time we had it. It’s now garlicky ciabatta toasts (delicious) and a silver salad dressing boat filled with melted brie and some rosemary sprinkled on top, and a side of bacon jam. I was digging the bread & brie combo, however I miss the way it used to be served- a very flavorful brie wheel just melted down in a hot dish. Still worth ordering for SURE though. Their Caesar Salad is my favorite one in the city, as the lettuce is super crisp, the dressing is creamy and full of fresh pepper, the cheese is delicious, and there’s a cute little deviled egg on the side of the plate when it arrives. Eric got a steak that looked pretty drool-worthy if you’re into that type of thing, and then we split the Mushrooms in a tasty butter sauce, Blue Cheese Whipped Potatoes, and the Onion Rings which are legitimately the best deal on the menu. While one does not go to RPM looking to save money, you pay less than $10 and get a HEAPING bowl of fresh onion rings and if you don’t order this as a side every time you go here you’re a dumb-dumb. It’s an insane about of onion rings and they are sooooo good- especially if you swipe them through some whipped potatoes. Power move, but not perfect table manners, so dip at your own risk since you may get a hairy eyeball from an upscale lady.

After we polished off as much as we could, we ordered the 14K Chocolate Cake and enjoyed every last bite of it. It’s truly the perfect chocolate cake, gold or no gold. RPM steak is one of my absolute favorite date spots in the city, and is also great for grabbing a drink before dinner by the bar, or popping in for dessert and a coffee when you feel like the night just isn’t over yet. Food is dope, atmosphere is very city-steakhouse chic, and you will not leave hungry!

Cheers to you, chocolate cake. I love you.

Until next time, Happy Eating!

- Natalie

Something wicked this way comes...

In the hands of a server just trying her damn best to impress the socks off us. Recently I had a curious dining experience with one of my good friends who was invited to try Joe’s Imports in the West Loop due to her blogger status and expertise in all things fabulous, as of course she accepted and we were amped to go. Like, AMPED. This place is blowing up on Instagram since I’m pretty sure they’ve reached out to anyone with a decent following, and the Instagram bloggers have delivered big time. It has hype- but does it deliver? I was curious. The menu looked full of promise with lots of shared plates boasting buzzwords like burrata, honeycomb, truffle, caviar, and my favorite, bread, and by the end of a long Tuesday I was ready for a fat glass of something.

Upon entering this wine bar slash small plates place, I immediately felt like I was in London. Kennsington to be exact. It’s slender and dim, with marble-topped tables and a grand bar that takes up the first half of the wall, and chandeliers dot the ceiling to provide an intimate glow. But, unlike other wine bars, this place isn’t “sexy.” It’s feminine, with fresh flowers overflowing from silver vases, but masculine at the same time, with deep navy colors and soft butter leather booths. It feels exactly how a British business man looks- elite, clad in navy, classic, and just a little metro. We settled into the back corner booth that was actually quite comfortable and made me feel like I could stay a while, and then took a deep dive into menu. Even though Joe’s Imports is a wine bar, we took it upon ourselves to try some of the cocktails since they looked beautiful. The menu was outdated, so I couldn’t order the cocktail I wanted, however I got the Jose All Day with mezcal instead of basic tequila and it was delicious. Truly one of the best cocktails I’ve ever had, and so we had two!

We ordered an abundance of food and watched the place fill up with every West Loop’s dream customer: young, well-dressed, probably just came from work and looking to blow money on a night out with friends. While the wine is priced alright, cocktails are $15 a pop, and the menu is on the higher side for small plates. For $15 a cocktail, it better come in the shape of a bottle. Trader Joe’s wine section has ruined me. Our server practically broke a sweat trying to make sure we were well taken care of, and she was easily the star of the night. Hopes were high. Drinks were good. I liked the booth.

And then, the food.

First we got the Burrata and the Ricotta. The burrata was served in a bowl, which alone is odd, and was on top of a walnut goo and seasonal pear salad. It came with bread, which is the ideal burrata mate- however, they royally messed up. This bread was so oily and toasted that it hurt to bite through, and coated my lips in a layer of stove-top grease. I do not know why they butchered this bread, and didn’t just serve it “raw” or lightly toasted, and I do not know how to convey exactly how strange this bread prep was. You know the smell your hair and clothes pick up with you go to a stir-fry or hibachi place? That smokey, sesame oil smell? That’s what the bread tasted like. So I continued to eat the burrata on its own, which was fine, but this burrata was no better than the burrata Sweetgreens was putting on top of a salad all summer for $11.95 a salad. For $15+ burrata, this was sad.

Then, the ricotta. It comes with a honeycomb and a huge dollop of ricotta... and guess what else. THE FUCKING BREAD. Same bread, same oil, nothing new. Ricotta was tasteless, the honeycomb was cute.

Onto the next course: Brussels Sprouts and the Raviolo. The brussels sprouts were served like a shaved salad and coated in cheese, which my dining partner loved but which gave the whole salad a very overwhelming flavor. The sprouts tasted spoiled and I did not continue to eat it. Brussels sprouts are delicious when toasted and caramelized, but when they’re raw and tossed in a vinegar-y salad count me out. The raviolo... I almost don’t want to write about it. It’s one very large ravioli filled with spinach, duck egg, brown butter and truffle. The makings of a lovely dish, except when it’s served cold. I don’t know about you, but biting into a cold duck egg in the center of a cold pasta (that is NOT supposed to be cold) is just off-putting. When they bring out the raviolo, there is a large to-do with a server cutting it and plating it for you. They probably count this as part of the $20+ cost, and it is not worth it. We asked for another one that was hot in case that changed the taste, but sadly, the flavors are too mild and too soft to really feel like the square of pasta you get is worth it.

The one thing I liked, because I was raised to believe potato chips were a very rare and special treat, was the Chips & Dip. It is literally a $18 plate of housemade chips, which are fine, and a dill & sour cream dip, which was also fine. Why is it $18? They put caviar on top of the dip, and it is salty and tastes like an aquarium.

So, overall, this place is a mixed bag. It’s gorgeous and a fun place to grab a few drinks for any number of occasions, and I can imagine it would be a fantastic buy-out for a party. However, for dinner? Pass. Please understand it’s exceptionally hard for me to write poorly about a place since I work in the restaurant industry, however it’s truly shocking to try somewhere that’s being raved about on social and feel like it’s really not what it’s cracked up to be. Joe’s Imports, thank you for having us in, and I will be back for another marg.

Until next time, Happy Eating!

- Natalie

AN OASIS IN THE SMOG

Is exactly how I would describe Cabra on the night we went to check the verrryyyy amped-up West Loop hot spot out. My foodie gang, Erin and Chelsea, and I decided to go to Cabra without a reservation on a Wednesday night when there was a layer of fog as thick as buttercream frosting resting over Chicago. The patio seating is a huge draw for this place, so I stupidly believed it wouldn’t be as packed as it normally is. WRONG. Stephanie Izard once again outdid herself, and there was not an empty seat in the place.

Upon arrival at The Hoxton in West Loop, where Cabra resides, I entered the most welcoming lobby bar I think I’ve ever seen. With exceptionally dim lighting and art deco details splashed about, The Hoxton immediately makes you feel like you’re in London and it’s automatically fall season outside. It’s dark, cozy, full of navy blues and burnt orange hues, and has a roaring fireplace that I will one day curl up next to and read an entire mystery novel. I walked through the lobby and found an elevator that I hoped would take me to the rooftop, and once I got past the weird framed swimsuit bottoms from the 1900′s hangings on the wall, I entered what I believe a bohemian-chic heaven would look like. With coastal colors and sprawling greenery, Cabra welcomes you with a faint smell of seaweed and an amazing view of the west side of Chicago. With the skyline hiding in the clouds on the left side of the restaurant, the walls made of windows acted as portals to the glittering city spread out below, anything a few blocks away dissolving into the smog. It was beautiful, and I threw my butt down on a stool at the adorable bar featuring many a booze settled amidst ivy, and ordered a cocktail while waiting for my friends. I got the Lima Dreamin’ without the booze because I just needed something sweet and bubbly after a questionable Uber ride, and holy. fuck. This “virgin” drink was one of the best drinks I’ve ever had. It was bright pink, and made of ginger ale, cardamom, lime, and full huckleberries. They were slinging those left and right, so they must be a top seller. After my friends finally arrived, we sat for another full hour after putting our names in to get a table, and then once an hour and some change went by they brought us to the cutest little table that felt like Alice in Wonderland’s tea party. The table was small and circular, truthfully too small for how much food we ordered, with one orange velvet armchair, a laid back green chair, and the end of a dark blue couch out of the 1920′s. By this point it was 7:30PM, quite dark outside, and a glittering oasis inside Cabra. I was sitting facing the restaurant and had a blast people watching and eyeball eating their food, and before we knew it we had ordered half the menu. So HERE. WE. GO.

Dishes in order of what I liked most to what I liked least:

1. Snapper Ceviche

This was incredible. Small dishes like ceviche typically piss me off because you get two bites and you’re done, but this ceviche was so fresh, so supple, and so flavorful that I would order it again for one more bite. There was avocado. There was trout roe. There were hunks of dragon fruit. And it was all tossed in a beautiful, light sauce. GET THIS.

2. Aji Verde & Queso Fresco Dip

To be honest, I’m still not quite sure what’s in this. It’s a light, creamy dip with lots of textural things on top, and it comes with grainy quinoa bread that I wanted to order an extra side of. It’s fucking great. Pro tip: Soak the bread in the ceviche sauce, and then put some dip on top.

3. Grilled Shishitos

If you order this, you will get a good size bowl heaping with perfectly grilled shishito peppers, warm and coated in a spicy, rich mayo. They are just soft enough to bite through effortlessly, but not at all limp, which is easy to do to shishitos if you’re lazy with them. They are the best bang for your buck, for sure.

4. Jalea Mixto

This is the perfect dish to share with a few other friends since it’s essentially a heaping pile of fried seafood. But it’s absolutely delicious. A mix of fried shrimp, calamari, clam strips, and yuca, tossed in a garlic-lime crunch and served with a crisp and refreshing “salad” of sorts on the side. The salad provides a welcome crunch, while the mix of fried goods is like a treasure chest of flavor.

5. Yuca Fritas

Ok, while I couldn’t stop eating these, they were my biggest disappointment. Yuca fries are always going to be good, especially with big ole hunks of salt on them. But if you’re going to order these, just get the Jalea Mixto, since there are yuca fries mixed in there, and the two dips that come with the Yuca Fritas are actually shit. Yeah, I said it. There’s one that’s sweet, almost like raspberry yogurt, meant to be cilantro yuzu, and there’s one that lacks any flavor at all that they dare to call “olive mayo”. As resident Dip Queen of Chicago, these suck ass. Do better with the dips!!!

Overall, I will 100% return and cannot wait to come enjoy a cozy dinner that feels like a vacation on a weeknight in the dead of winter. Cabra shocked me and dazzled me and made me a small-plates believer. If you’re looking for a girl’s night, or date night, or even somewhere to take the family for a fun dinner, try it out for the heck of it!

Just like... don’t eat the dips.

Until next time, Happy Eating!

- Natalie

BLAME IT ON THE SAUCE

The good, the bad, and the clumpiest of clumpy sauce can be found at this very special place that I will definitely be going back to, but with more informed ordering in mind. Torchio Pasta Bar in River North has become known for their house-made pasta, created by Bill, the owner, and the cozy, entirely inviting atmosphere said pasta is enjoyed in. You walk into a brick-lined hallway and go up a ramp into a true old-school Italian bar, the same size as a typical bar and with close, bar-style seating like any nicer bar in Rome offers, and see the pasta being pulled by sweet Bill and immediately smell garlic, everywhere. It’s the promise of a delicious dinner and leaving with a full belly, even before you sit down. When you do sit down, close enough to touch your neighbor but only able to make eye contact with the person next to you or across from you, you’ll be greeted by the nicest servers ever and want to order allllll the happy hour snacks (if you’re there before 6:30PM!) so get a glass of wine and settle in. Why am I typing like this is a “How To Enter A Restaurant Like An Idiot” guide?? I’ll stop that now.

We ordered the Burrata and the Shrimp Scampi to start, both of which were incredible. The burrata may be the best I’ve ever had, with the silkiest olive oil, hunks of heirloom tomatoes and chunks of sea salt adding unreal flavor and texture to an already perfect ball of cheese. The crostini were lovely, but a little too crunchy for my liking, and the house bread that was brought on request was fine, but nothing awe-inspiring. That is, until the scampi sauce was had. The fat-ass shrimp all lined up in a cast iron skillet and topped with a lemon-garlic sauce were entirely worth the high $17 ticket, especially when I discovered that the bottom of the skillet was covered in hunks of garlic, butter and herbs. Run some bread through that and you will lose your BRAIN.

For the main dishes of the evening, we decided to split the Torchio pasta and the classic Cacio e Pepe. Both arrived steaming hot and with a lot more pasta than I expected, which is always a nice surprise in River North. Let’s be clear: Cacio e Pepe is my everything. My absolute everything. It’s a simple mixture of cheese and pepper- yet truly easy to fuck up. I’m in no way saying this was a fuck up- it just wasn't “correct”. The noodles themselves were al dente and delicious, and I give Bill mad props for making such delightful pasta to bite into. The sauce was just... weird. It was thick, verryyy cheesy, and had the most intense aftertaste I’ve ever experienced from pasta. It was almost the aftertaste of very expensive brie, but there was something off about it, like it had been in the same room as something gone rotten. It was not BAD, but just not GREAT. Or, maybe that’s the realest of the real shit and I just have the tastebuds of a twelve year old. Who. Is. To. Say.

The Torchio pasta was promised to be torch-shaped pasta with a mushroom cream sauce, and out of the two this was the one I preferred, but it was still underwhelming. The noodles themselves were once again great, with perfect curls and ridges to collect what I hoped would be a rich, creamy sauce full of mushroom-y flavor. Instead, each little torch could barely collect the thin sauce that pooled at the bottom, which was still fresh and tasty but nowhere near creamy. Most of the dish was giant hunks of actual mushrooms, which made the dish look pretty but not super edible for someone who likes the taste of mushrooms, but not the meaty bite of one.

I rarely leave a noodle on the plate when that’s what’s for dinner, but this spot threw me for a loop. The appetizers were memorable and I’ll be back for a glass of the Happy Hour Chianti, however the pasta I feel I need to give another try to see if it was me or the actual dishes that were feeling freaky.

Overall? Perfect Friday night dinner spot. Maybe just order buttered noodles for the main course.

Until next time, Happy Eating!

-Natalie

Got Me Feeling Knotty

As in... garlic knotty. As you all know, I am a huge fan of “happy accidents”, especially when they have to do with food. This weekend I got to try the new Wrigleyville find Dutch and Doc’s, located within the Hotel Zachary complex right across from Wrigley Field, due to a colossal error on my part. What was this error, you may ask? Thinking that my boy and I could squeeze into Big Star an hour before the Lizzo concert right across the street to just enjoy a few easygoing tacos and maybe throw back a marg or two, like I'm the fucking queen of Chicago. NO, OF COURSE THAT WAS STUPID. When we arrived at Big Star people were literally hanging out the windows and clinging to space at the bar like lemurs, eyes darting wildly as they looked for a table to open up or get a text from the host. The wait was 23 tables ahead of us. We left.

Of course, it didn’t dawn on me until halfway through the Lizzo concert that people probably heard she would be performing in Gallagher Way and made reservations at Big Star right at that time so they could watch her perform from the comfort of taco & tequila heaven. God, were they smart, and was I a dumbass. However- this is where the “happy accident” part comes in! As we were walking towards Dimo’s to eat large, overpriced slices of OK pizza like the knuckleheads we are, we stopped at a corner waiting to cross the light and Eric looked over and suggested we look at the menu for a new restaurant neither of us had been to. Enter Dutch and Doc’s, a triangular beacon of hope featuring big ole windows, a very coastal-color theme and LOTS OF CARBS. This restaurant feels like it should be somewhere in England OR off the coat of New England, since it’s a mix of old school “shoo-bop design” and decor that could be sporty, but is mostly just classy. It’s crisp, clean and had a great menu with a ton of options for both of us to choose from, so we took a chance on a new spot and sat down immediately since only about four tables were filled.

Before we get into food, my marketing side needs to have the floor for a moment. Why, on a gorgeous Saturday, when the entire mile-radius is packed with concert-goers and every other patio is overflowing with people, was this place serving *maybe* 10 people maximum? The food is entirely overpriced. Yes, it’s in a hotel. Yes, it’s in the newly famous and fancy Wrigleyville. But these prices scream “Bring your daddy in here for an Old Fashioned because he’s grumpy and hates loud places,” not “Come try our really great food and fantastic atmosphere even though you just want cheap beer and food in your tum tum so you don’t black out.” While the food was delicious and the server was sweet as a peach, and I feel like we ate our weight for the price we paid, they need to jack the prices down to get any business from customers under 45 years of age.

THAT BEING SAID, I’d gladly return to stuff my face with their appetizer selection. We ended up ordering a feast of “smaller” dishes, since I wasn’t looking to spend $$$ on a questionable vegetarian-friendly entree, and boy did we get some... HOME RUNS! Baseball joke! Below I’ve listed out what should not be missed, and what you can skip. You’ll want to know!!! It’s a shocker!!!

1. Garlic Knots

THESE ARE EVERYTHING TO ME. Their garlic knots are perfectly soft and chewy, with a thick coating of butter, olive oil and garlic hunks brushed all over, and when you bite through them you can see the garlic soaked through on the bottom. They smell fantastic, they come with bowl of tangy pomodoro sauce to dip, and even though they’re very much filled with cholesterol they’re oddly light. I ate about 3 or 4 and didn’t feel bloated or weighted down, just euphoric and wishing there were more. They should adopt the Olive Garden breadstick mentality there if you order this dish... but that may be giving drunk people too much power.

2. French Onion Dip

I have not stopped thinking about this dip since we polished it off. While some places might give you a tiny bowl of dip (cough cough, every bougie Mexican restaurant in the city that gives you a dollop of guac and 1000 chips) this place gives you a full ceramic dish of dip, and it is GOOD. It’s creamy, packed with caramelized onion bits and is perfectly salty. The house-made salt & vinegar chips that come with it are addictive and are refilled for free upon request, so you can truly devour every single lick of dip. And we did.

3. French Fries

We got a side of fries, because why the hell not, and they were pretty tasty but overshadowed by some of the other dishes. The aioli they come with is packed with garlic and delicious, though, so maybe just ask for a side of that with whatever you get.

4. Chicken Gyro

OF course, I did not eat the gyro, but I did eat the potato salad that came with it. And it was dank AF. Juicy halves of fingerling potato, a light mayo sauce, some crunchy veg mixed in there, and voila- a delightful side that I pawned off Eric because he went from hangry to full too quickly.

Overall, definitely give this place a try and don’t be shy about ordering the sides. While the main dishes looked good, they’re not what I'll be rushing back to order any time soon. I can get $16 Mac & Cheese somewhere that isn’t in the middle of Wrigleyville.

“Spontaneous, great find of carbo-loading” - Eric, 2019

Until next time, Happy Eating!

-Natalie

GETTING FIGGY WITH IT

At Fig & Olive! I went to the popular (but not often talked about) restaurant a few weeks back and have been meaning to write about it ever since. Is there anything better than being surprised and delighted by a trendy spot that turns out to serve GREAT food?? NO!! A family friend and I selected this spot to have dinner with our moms, and at first I was hesitant because I'd been to the location in NYC and liked it, but didn’t remember the food being anything special or the atmosphere blowing me away. But I hadn’t checked out the Chicago location on Oak St., aka the most dreamy street I can't wait to live on when I'm rich and important one day, so we figured why the heck not!

Let me tell you. This place is a slice of heaven tucked away above street level, serving major 3 Arts Cafe vibes but in a less intense way. You sneak in through a door that’s easy to miss, go up an unmarked elevator, and then walk into a large, open space filled with natural lighting and bright, clean furniture. It’s cozy, but polished, and bright, yet intimate. A perfect storm for a long dinner with old friends - I was in awe. I was the first to arrive and got settled at the bar, taking in the skylight over the four-sided island bar and the floating shelves boasting glimmering bottles of booze. The bar itself had my full attention, because it was structurally gorgeous, but even once hellos were had and we sat down at a very comfortable table with deep leather chairs I couldn't stop staring at it. Now, what came out of the bar was a different story. Since Fig & Olive is located in the Gold Coast, the prices are higher than average and the drink menu boasts multiple options that sound better than they truly are. Imagine weird ingredients that any older lady who’s traveled would hear and go “Oh yes, it will taste JUST like what we had in Morocco!” and it’s on the menu. I asked for a simple aperol spritz and it was refreshing, but nothing too special, and my mom got a pear sangria that tasted like actual rubbing alcohol and had what looked like potpourri in it (???), so maybe stick to wine or a classic wells drink if you stop by.

The food, however, I’d go back for in a heartbeat. The menu is Mediterranean-inspired and revolves around olive oil, turning simple dishes such as pasta, chicken and fish into a truly delicious experience. We started with the crostini, of which there are tons of options and you can order by increments of 3. Due to being vegetarian / my mom’s list of allergies to avoid, we got the following crostini: manchego with fig & almond, burrata with tomato & pesto, goat cheese with caramelized onion, pea with asparagus & lemon, and smoked salmon with creme freche. Um, yes fuckin’ please to all of those. Served on bread that was crispy on the outside and chewy on the inside, they were the ideal way to break into conversation and split & share tons of flavor and texture.

Along with crostini we tried the Mushroom Croquettes with truffle aioli and parmesan- TRUFFLE AIOLI?! SOLD. These were, quite frankly, freaking incredible, and I would gladly pound a whole plate by myself. Probably for the best we split them between four people, but between the golden breading on the outside, the creamy filling, the truffle aioli on top and the giant hunks of freshly chunked parm I was salivating the moment it was set on the table. Definitely, definitely get these.

There was also a salad thrown in there as well but have I ever been a salad girl? Hell no. Here’s a picture of it anyway- spot the figs!

For entrees, my mom and I split the Wild Mushroom Rigatoni, with porcini truffle mascarpone, cremini mushrooms, forest Mushrooms and chives. NAME A DISH THAT SOUNDS BETTER THAN THAT. As we all know, I am a weenie for rigatoni, and nerd out when I see it on the menu. The noodles, when cooked properly, are jusssttt at al dente and the tubes capture sauce inside, so when you bite down you get a rush of flavor and a delightful mix of textures. Even though mushrooms can be too much for me sometimes, cremini mushrooms have just enough neutrality that I don’t feel overwhelmed if they’re a main component of a dish. And this pasta was BELLISSIMO. A creamy sauce bursting with truffle covered gorgeous rigatoni, and mixed in were meaty little mushrooms doused in garlic and salt, giving the dish a rich depth and incredible aroma. It was hard not to shovel it all in my mouth, but I also couldn’t wait for my mom to try it too since she’s the truffle queen. Queen Truffle and I gave the dish a major seal of approval.

We also got the Riviera Salmon with asparagus, fennel and a pea puree. The salmon was cooked through and crispy on the outside edges, giving a mouth-watering bite when combined with a little piece of fennel and some puree. We got more asparagus on the side as well, which tasted like it was coated with a steak salt or some sort of “meaty” seasoning, and geez I could have just eaten the asparagus alone. Don’t skimp on the sides- GET THE ASPARAGUS.

My friend got the Paella Del Mar, which smelled and looked to die for. A large, colorful cast-iron skillet of rice, veggies and tons of seafood mixed in, cooked with spices and saffron to give it a beautiful golden color. Overall, there was nothing on the menu I wouldn’t try- and everyone in the restaurant looked like they were having the time of their lives, and eating a wide variety of very pretty food.

Even though this place has been around for a while and doesn’t have the same “buzz” a lot of trendy restaurants in Chicago do, it’s sure to be packed on a Friday night and is a great place to stop by for a drink with girlfriends or enjoy a long, filling dinner with family or a date. Dress cute, too, because everyone is fancy as HECK. This is no Hugo’s Frog Bar on Rush, ok???

Until next time, Happy Eating!

-Natalie

BRB, GOTTA DIP...

Back into Trader Joe’s to buy EVERY single (meat-free) dip that they offer. While TJ’s has continuously upped the anti over the past few years to keep their loyal, yet growing millennial base on their toes through new, trendy products (such as the Everything Bagel Seasoning that had an alien-invasion effect on the general population), the dip section is one not talked about nearly enough. It is a treasure trove of flavors and textures, each container offering an entirely new experience for the tastebuds and inspired by a totally different cuisine. While you can go to Jewel and get some sour cream and onion dip for $3 and have a marvelous time eating it, you can also go to TJ’s and spend between $3-5 for a truly Devine dip experience and make a whole meal out of 2-3 dips. There’s chunky dips, creamy dips, tangy dips (I’m looking at you, Garlic Spread!!!) and a handful of others that all deserve a gentle kiss on the lid and a big ole’ bag of tortilla chips to accompany them.

Since the past week has been a total re-entry to American food after a week of gorgeous Italian food actually eaten in Italy, I've had a wonky appetite and haven’t figured out what still sounds good after eating handmade pasta in a crushed basil and tomato sauce in the Amalfi Coast. Does that make me sound like an asshole? Yeah, but anyone whose been to Italy gets it. Italy makes you into a little bit of an asshole once you leave because you’re eternally bitter you’re not in Italy anymore. So, turns out the only thing that peaks my eternally jet-lagged stomach is DIPS N’ CHIPS. CHIPS N’ DIPS. Any chip, any dip, I want it. Maybe it’s the extreme sodium or the combo of textures that are so easily consumed that make chips and dip such an appealing meal, or perhaps it’s the fact that I can tell myself jalapeño and artichoke dip is “healthy” since there are TWO veggies in it.

Long intro short, I've listed out some of the best dips you can find at your local TJ’s below, and included what kind of edible utensil goes best with each! Please give them all a try and let me know which combo is your favorite, or if you’ve unlocked a different mix that NEEDS TO BE DIPPED N’ DELIGHTED IN! One... two... three... DIP.

1. Jalapeno Lime Almond Dip

Now listen to me on this one. This dip is my all-time favorite at TJ’s, and this is coming from someone who feels extremely sick when they eat too many almonds. With blended almonds, a hint of lime and an oddly addictive heat of jalapeño once you’ve swallowed a bite, it’s unique for sure but really delicious. Do not eat more than half the container or you will get gnarly indigestion, but definitely indulge in it and enjoy all the secret protein sneaking in through the nuts!

Edible Utensil Suggestion: 3 Seed Beet Crackers from TJ’s

2. Caramelized Onion Dip

If you’re typically a fan of the previously mentioned sour cream and onion dip, this is the dip for you! With a creamy, tangy base and a swirl of caramelized onion bits throughout, you can easily eat the whole thing with a bag of pretzel slims and not even blink. It’s smooth, rich but not overwhelming, and the perfect picnic or BBQ companion.

Edible Utensil Suggestion: Salted Pretzel Thins from TJ’s, or carrots if you’re *a bunny*

3. Smoked Salmon Dip

For all the bagel & lox lovers out there, RUN, do not walk, to schmear this on your bagel this weekend. For a dip that could go so wrong and be so fishy and unpleasant since it’s not from a proper Skokie deli, TJ’s nailed it. The consistency is thick, but not chunky, and salty, but not overtly salmon-flavored. Somehow they got smoked fish to be creamy, but not like pate, and silky, but not without texture. It’s perfect, and delicious. Enjoy it with tortilla chips for a tartare-inspired combo, or on a toasted bialy at lunch. You just can’t go wrong.

Edible Utensil Suggestion: Organic Yellow Corn Tortilla Chip Rounds from TJ’s

4. Chunky Artichoke & Jalapeno Dip

I’ll be honest- this dip I have some mixed reviews on because it truly changes bite by bite. If you get a bite with a slender piece of artichoke in it and a good amount of jalapeño, you’ve won the jackpot. If you get a different bite, it can be a bit of a confusing experience. It’s a cream-based dip packed with artichoke hunks and the ghost of a tasty jalapeño, and it’s ten times better than any spinach and artichoke dip I've ever tasted (which is exactly 2 types)... but it’s also missing something, an extra “oomph” I haven’t figured out yet. Maybe it needs blended more? Maybe it needs more salt, maybe some garlic? I’ll keep eating it and get back to you. It’s still damn good!

Edible Utensil Suggestion: Salted Potato Chips from TJ’s

5. Pimento Cheese Dip with Extra Sharp Cheddar Cheese & Roasted Pimento Peppers

I TRICKED YOU ALL AND SAVED THE BEST FOR LAST, HAH! The TJ’s pimento cheese dip with peppers is a gift from the heavens above, sent to absolve us of all our sins as we settle in to watch the Bachelorette and emotionally eat an entire bag of crinkle-cut potato chips coated in thick, ridiculously flavorful cheese dip as we watch feminism evolve and simultaneously dissolve in front of our very eyes since Luke exists. Did that make sense? If not, you’re not watching this season of The Bachelorette or you do not appreciate a good, GOOD cheese dip. Meant to be eaten cold, the pimento cheese dip has a soft texture to it, neither whipped or as “liquid” as queso, and housing a mix of cheese pockets, peppers and a strong smoky taste. Give it a really good stir to get it all mixed together, and then just sink a chip right in and get a hearty amount. It has the deep, seasoned texture of Worcestershire sauce, but with a light aftertaste and the cheesy, melt-in-your-mouth element we all adore pimento cheese for providing. Get ten containers when it’s there because it’s constantly sold out, and eat those feelings, baby!

Edible Utensil Suggestion: Ridge Cut Potato Chips from TJ’s

And now, an unpopular opinion, because have you met me? The Garlic Spread Dip is widely known to be the best TJ’s dip, and is scoured from coast to coast due to it’s popularity with bloggers and appealing simplicity- it’s literally ground garlic in dip form. It can be eaten with chips, on veggies, put on a steak- you name it. However, it’s not for me. It’s incredibly sour, almost to a point where I have to wonder “Is this spoiled?” and has the same texture as paste. It’s grainy, acidic and pungent- sounds good, huh? The people want what the people want, and they want the Garlic Spread Dip. But this girl does not. Y’all can have it, because it’s rancid. I’M SORRY.

Any dips I've missed out on?? Other top contenders in my fridge are the Olive Tapinade, Buffalo Hummus and Pesto (because I will put pesto on ANYTHING). But please do some scouting and let me know what’s worth trying!

Until next time, Happy Eating!

-Natalie

RIVER NORTH HAS EATEN ME ALIVE

And I love being absolutely devoured by it. As of one week ago, I became a River North Rat (as I’ve dubbed anyone who chooses to live in the middle of it all-literally) and Eric and I moved into what feels like Cinderella’s castle. There might be some questionable carpeting, and the floor to ceiling windows offer literally zero privacy (which we found out after moving in four days before blinds were installed), but compared to some of the past apartments I’ve lived in across the city, this place is as good as it gets in my eyes. I feel beyond grateful every time I open my eyes and see the Hancock Center peeking out behind other buildings, and to say goodnight to it each night as I close my eyes fills my heart with as much Chicago pride as a full Wrigley Field singing “Go Cubs Go.” To live in the city, really IN IT, with the person I love... it’s unreal.

BUT ENOUGH OF THIS MUSH! Be gone, tender feelings and adult realizations! Let’s discuss the best part of living in the center of the city- THE FOOD. It’s everywhere! It’s endless! It’s overwhelming and wonderful and is no longer limited by public transit or Ubers! I have never experienced this level of accessibility while living in the city and truthfully, it’s like being on vacation every single day. You know when you wake up on vacation and roll out of the hotel in search of coffee and a pastry, and stumble into somewhere really cute and full of people even though it’s 9AM on a Saturday, and then let that surge of caffeine take your feet wherever they want to wander because why the fuck not? That’s what living in River North is like. Weekends full of breakfast at Stan’s Donuts (the location tucked away in the back half of Labriola, of course) and strolls down Michigan Ave have become the normal, and even though Eric and I mutter “I HATE PEOPLE” every three blocks because no one knows how to walk we’re too full of joy to even express it properly. Stan’s has become our #1, and boy do I love their strawberry glazed donuts and an iced americano to start the day. If you’re there this summer, they’ve introduced the Le Stan, a cronut worthy of applause and every penny each $4.99 cronut costs you. It’s the ideal amount of flakiness, chewiness and sweetness- the sugar on the outside gives it that beautiful zing pure sugar tends to give, while the orange cream on the inside is a bit more rich and just takes over your tongue. It’s delectable and I'll likely go eat one more before the weekend is over!

The first night we moved in, we went to Parlor Pizza- a Chicago favorite. With locations in the West Loop and now River North, Parlor is a patio heaven with excellent cocktails and interesting pizzas big enough share, but also thin enough to consume individually. After spending the entire day moving and putting things in trucks and taking them out of trucks and then man-handling furniture in an attempt to build it properly, we were ready for some serious carbs. We got lost on the three-block walk over to Parlor Pizza in River North and then sat down at the massive bar, already packed with the evening’s well-dressed booze hounds, ordered margaritas and then took in how fucking dope it was that this place was now our neighborhood pizza joint. Parlor is massive, boasting a rustic, yet modern interior splashed with neon signs and leather seats, and the patio has big picnic-style bar tables that are situated under perfectly strung fairy lights and vintage-looking umbrellas. Their margaritas? Fabulous. Their rose sangria? INCREDIBLE. The pizza? I think the most interesting thing about moving downtown is that you have the freedom to return to these spots on a more regular basis, which forgives the feeling of, “I don’t know when I'll be back at this restaurant so I should order the same thing I’ve ordered before because I know it’s good.” The first few times I went to Parlor I ordered the Save the Last Ranch, topped with perfectly sized bits of broccoli and truffle ranch. It’s flavorful and filling and feels like you’re eating a whole lot of veggies- but this time, I got something different, because there was the safety net of, “if it’s bad, it’s right around the corner and we can always go back!” Enter the create your own pie with sauce, ricotta cheese and truffle oil. So simple, absolutely drool-worthy.

We also admittedly tried the Wahlbugers- a restaurant I knew nothing about, but that Eric was absolutely dying to try. Turns out it’s decorated like Shake Shack but with more photos of Mark, and offers sit-down service for some very well-done bar food. The Impossible burger sounded pretty good and done up like an In-N-Out burger, with crisp lettuce, tomato and a special sauce, and even though I didn’t like the Impossible burger the first time I tried it I was really curious to try their take on it (and I was starving). My issues with the Impossible burger are long and complex and I will write a separate post about it, because I think a lot of vegetarians agree with my views. BUT, at Wahlburgers it was cooked just right and dripping some damn tasty seasoning, and had a buttery, juicy bun and crispy sweet tater tots on the side. Plus, caramelized onions on a burger FO FREE? YES, GIVE ME ALL THE ONIONS.

Additionally- big news- they have Mexican Coke on the menu!!! 10x better than regular Coke. I want to see the science behind that. Maybe it’s simply because... it uses real sugar and not a bunch of fake shit? Who knows!

Last up is The Smith. While The Smith is super tasty in DC, the Chicago one is a tad disappointing. The restaurant has the right vibe to be a money pit in the River North area- tons of seating, great bar space and feels a tiny bit like a place Hemingway would get some chicken and potatoes. It’s got that vibe that yells, “WE TRIED TO MAKE IT LOOK OLD SCHOOL IN HERE,” without doing it in a tacky way. The burrata is good, the bread is fine, the booze came from a can and was good. The mac & cheese was strange, because it looks like a gooey pot of heaven, but is actually pretty waxy and lacking flavor. I have no clue what type of cheese they butcher and burn around the edges to get all bubbly, which is yummy looking, but it’s not working taste-wise. However, the noodles were good and a dash of pepper never hurts, so I ate a good amount of it. Would I go back? Perhaps. Is it overpriced but will stay open forever due to workplace happy hours and tourist family dinners? Absolutely. May need to go back to do some further snooping.

Overall, it’s been a busy week here and my life revolves around donuts and carbs, and avoiding being hit by one million cars every day. Truly my paradise, this crazy city.

Until next time, Happy Eating!

-Natalie

AIN’T NO CHICKEN BITCH

Because when it comes to a) stretching how vegetarian I am b) eating ungodly amounts of food, I am certainly no chicken. I order as if I have three stomachs and no cholesterol, and someone that one Core Power class a week keeps me in good enough shape to feel invincible after eating enough fried food to kill a horse. Hopefully no horse has eaten a fried fish sandwich with vinegar aioli though, because that would be weird.

After working close to sixty hours last week and forgetting what sustenance outside of coffee and the occasional V8 juice tastes like, I was over the mother-freakin-moon to spend my Monday night on a picture-perfect patio in Lincoln Park, digging into what may be my perfect meal. My foodie soul mates and I met up at Parson’s Chicken and Fish to enjoy the most beautiful, seventy degrees and sunny evening that begged to be spent with a beer in hand, and oh boy, did I enjoy it. The menu at Parson’s relies heavily on chicken and chicken of the sea (or is that just in reference to tuna? idk), however the appetizers could easily be made into a meal for a true vegetarian, and not a pescatarian like me. I was already salivating over the idea of a fried fish sandwich coated in hot sauce and entirely ignored the veggie sandwich and mac & cheese, both of which I will absolutely need to go back and try as well.

Now this foodie group and I- we do not hold back. We eat big, boldly and fearlessly, leading to a LOT of Tums later. I love how predictable and yet dangerous it is to sit down at a table with them, especially in the summer when shoes are kicked off under the white picnic table on the sprawling Parson’s patio, red and white umbrellas cute as a button above us, not a care in the world. Shall we order a Parson’s house lager and then order the entire menu? Sure, why the heck not! For example, typically, bread as an appetizer is reserved for Italian restaurants and not really thought twice about. At Parson’s, Texas toast slathered in butter, garlic and seasoning is served for $4, and it feels absolutely sinful to just eat giant slices of buttery toast at dinner. I want every meal to center around that Texas toast from now on. If I should ever be asked what I would spend my last $5 on, it would be that Texas toast. Get the pimento cheese spread too- it’s the perfect creamy texture and the right about of tang/spice. Sometimes pimento cheese just tastes like salt and old cheese sticks, but WOW they nailed it and it comes with more bread and hunks of crunchy lil pickle bites. Did we also put the pimento cheese on the Texas toast? You bet your ass we did! Goodbye, arteries!

The main course centered around sandwiches because that seemed like the only right choice. I got the fried fish sandwich and it was essentially a glorified Filet-o-Fish from McDonald’s, which will always be my favorite fast food item ever. For all of you gasping and gagging, you’ve clearly never taken a moment to truly appreciate the beautiful simplicity of a Filet-o-Fish. The Parson’s take was much, MUCH better though: big, soft bun, thick fish filet deep-fried but not oily, melty American cheese, slaw and pickles, finished off with a generous amount of aioli and their hot sauce. Side of house potato chips that are just the right amount of thin and crunchy, without being like burnt crackers, as so many house potato chips are. Y’all, I had a chat with God when I bit into this sandwich, and he told me to get back to Earth and finish this sandwich. It was the right amount of everything, and the type of sandwich you have to man-handle with two hands to ensure it stays together and gets into your mouth. I loved it. Juicy, crispy and fresh- entirely worth the $12. And, do not miss out on a side order of the vinegar aioli- you WILL WANT TO DIP EVERYTHING IN IT.

It’s a really magical feeling to sit down at a restaurant for the first time with a group of longtime friends and just know it’s going to be a memory you look back on and smile, and I'm so thankful Chicago has so many little pockets of true paradise for nights like tonight. Sun shining, picnic tables covered in gorgeous food meant for digging into and people ordering beer like it’s not a Monday night, right in the middle of what used to a be a pretty shitty area of Lincoln Park. I know this because I used to live a street away from it, and all we had was the jank taco place and some questionable Thai food. Just when you think you’ve done it all, something new pops up that makes you fall in love with the city all over again. High five, Parson’s Chicken and Fish.

Until next time, Happy Eating!

-Natalie

THE GREAT OAT MILK HAPPENING OF 2019

It’s like that time the radio station played a show about an alien invasion and the world fell apart thinking aliens were actually invading, but with non-dairy milk.

Sometime in 2019, a need for yet another non-dairy milk took over every large city filled with questionably wealthy hipsters and oat milk was born. Imagine oatmeal blended to liquid form, costing upwards of $6 per 12oz latte. You might as well buy a can of Quaker Oats, fill it with water and shake it up really hard, right? WELL OATLY BEAT YOU TO IT. Such a simple invention that literally changed the cafe world, and sadly, I understand why.

As someone who isn’t vegan, I have no need for these imposter milks. Soy milk is disgusting to me, almond milk I am allergic to and therefore should not drink it and coconut milk tastes straight up like spoiled ice cream. I hate all of it. But I hate milk mouth more- that taste after you finish and latte and just feel like a cow shoved its udders into your mouth and you can’t escape. Oat milk solves all of that, while also making you feel very healthy and proud of yourself for being ~so organic~.

New York was the first city to explore this phenomenon, and there was outrage soon after oat milk exploded when every cafe’s inventory depleted and Oatly couldn’t keep supply up high enough to meet the demand. California was probably way ahead of this trend, but everyone is fancy and rich enough over there to make someone milk their own oats for their morning drank if the local coffee shop runs out of the good good, so we never heard about it. Now Chicago is getting on the trend train and adding oat milk to their menu at chains large and confident enough to invest, and I became obsessed. Not delicately, but like a cat on a hunt for the perfect mouse- oat milk has become my fat little rodent treat that evades me at every turn. Sorry, that was not appetizing at all.

Once you try oat milk, you get it. I had my first experience at Goddess and the Baker on a rare sunny day a few weeks ago, and the creamy, full texture of the milk with the sharp smack of espresso made me stop in my tracks. Here it was- the latte I always wanted, but never knew how to obtain. Not too sweet, not too “milky,” just delicious. So then my eyes were on alert every time I went to get coffee- did they have oat milk? Was anyone drinking something that looked like the chalky texture of oat milk? WHERE WAS IT? And I realized, for as much hype as it has, Chicago isn’t fully there yet. So I’ve done some research and crowd testing to find a full list of where you, too, can join in on the oat milk invasion.

1. Goddess and the Baker

As mentioned above, this is a great start. Get some avocado toast topped with whipped ricotta and chili flakes, order an oat milk latte and enjoy being the best and worst version of yourself all at the same time. Sometimes I think about how I used to do all my homework at Goddess and the Baker in college and think wow, I am such a prissy bitch. But damn they have me hooked.

2. Metropolis

Ok, so Metropolis and I have a love-hate relationship because they’re one of those cafes that serves their coffee in Dixie cups and charges you an arm and a leg. IT’S FUCKING GOOD THOUGH. If you’re a true coffee lover and value the amount of TLC put into your espresso, go get your college tuition-costing oat milk latte here.

3. La Colombe

This one is the crowd pleaser on Instagram! In my poll, a whole five people said La Colombe. I will be trying their oat milk ASAP because if you’ve never had their cold brew or draft latte, you’re missing out. La Colombe is one of those cafes that’s all minimalism and hushed tones, but so inviting at the same time, and drinking an oat milk latte with a book there sounds like the best Sunday ever.

4. Colectivo

My home sweet home! I absolutely adore Colectivo and couldn’t be happier that they’re in Chicago now. Each location is so cozy, clean and colorful but not in a tacky way, and I always feel like I could close my eyes and be in Wisconsin or some little getaway town when I go in to grab a coffee. While they also have minuscule cups, I forgive them because they are fun cups covered in fun designs and skulls. God bless the kitschy coffee world. Order the Dulce de Leche latte with oat milk and be transported to a beautiful world filled with caramel, oats and a little dash of cinnamon. Who am I? This post is terrible. HOW MANY TIMES HAVE I TYPED OAT MILK.

5. Intelligentsia

Now this is straight from Instagram, and I have no proof that Intelligentsia actually has oat milk. However I trust my boyfriend’s sister and she’s a certified health-nut foodie in my book, so I will take her word for it...

Alright friends! That’s your list of everywhere to find oat milk and how you too can become an on-trend hipster who is willing to throw your money at corporate America for some non-dairy fun. I’m currently in Colectivo sipping a $6.50 latte and about to get mimosas, so I guess I've sold my soul to the devil.

And it tastes so, so good.

Until next time, Happy Eating!

-Natalie

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