Yum yum!

Prince Charming and I, as you know, are tying the knot this Fall... we're getting ready for our tasting in just under a month and are salivating at the prospects. Today, I happened upon a blog that featured photos of dishes put together by the same team for another wedding at our venue. These photos did nothing for me, but make me very hungry and get me very excited! Accompanying commentary courtesy of blogger Fat Skinny Girl.

Deconstructed salad nicoise for the cocktail reception

Out of nine or so small bites we chose for the cocktail reception, about six or so were influenced by New Orleans-- where we first fell in love. Shown are the mini crab cakes with remoulade sauce.

My dad really wanted pigs in a blanket. That wasn't happening, so we played with the idea of open face roast beef sandwiches but with beef carpaccio on toasted brioche.

Think that's spinach? We gave a subtle nod to New Orleans by having the chef create them with mustard greens.

The menu for the dinner reception.

The first course was a duo of spring pea soup and a greens salad topped with watermelon and shaved fennel.

The tenderloin tops a bed of pureed yukon potatoes and thyme jus. Not shown is the incredible halibut with sauteed spinach and pickled pearl onions.

Our wedding cake frosted with buttercream icing.

Our wedding cake featured a mint julep ganache filling. Bravo for the pastry team at RIA. They made my dream wedding cake a reality!

Our sweet surprises table featured many of our favorite desserts: s'mores with toasted marshmellows, lemon tarts, bourbon pecan tarts and French macaroons.

The French macaroons reminded me of my teenage years. Through high school, I worked at Provence Breads and Cafe on 21st Ave. in Nashville (in Hillsboro Village).

Lemon tarts. Perfect for Memorial Day weekend!

Prince Charming's Lunch

 

 

What kind of future-husband taunts their lovely wife-to-be with tantilizing photos of lunch sammies she can't enjoy? Mine. I've chosen a winner, folks - he creates delicious foods and shares.... well, 90% of the time!

thai thai

Fairly new thai restaurant in Bucktown that is so darned good, we've enjoyed three weeks in a row! Silom 12 is located in the old Cafe Matou space on Milwaukee Avenue, just south of Oakley Avenue.

The modern take on traditional thai dishes up a plethora of delicious lunch and dinner options. From $8 pad thai (their version is paht thai) to $16 duck delight, the menu leaves nothing to be desired. Discriminating tastes will be pleased.

Bonus? Bubble tea. Yum!

Chicago's most addictive food?

What do you think it is?

...or, what is it for you?

Share your recipes, please!

In my desire to beautifully decorate our home, I purchased four pounds of cranberries to fill a very large vase that is also accompanied by squigly tree branches with silver bead tinsel... anyways... I accidently purchased four pounds of dried cranberries. What does this mean? A couple of things:

1. I purchased the wrong kind of cranberries.
2. These can not be placed in a vase for a month's time, and must get used-up quickly!
3. My family members will be enjoying many, many cranberry treats this holiday season. Get ready, folks!

Please help me come up with several unique cranberry recipes... bars, granola, drinks, anything!

Oink oink

This is what we did this weekend. What did you do?

Vegas Whirlwind

When I discovered I was without plans for Labor Day, I quickly phoned my cousin in San Antonio (let's call her 'Texas') to see if she'd enjoy a little summertime Chi... Little did I know what she'd have in store for me. As you've probably guessed, based alone by the name of this blog post, we ended up spending three nights of jammed packed fun in Vegas. Our first non-hometown visit together, this was a weekend of excitement waiting to happen.


The night before I set-off into the other world, I packed. And packed. And packed. I thought I was overpacking, but turns out I had the smallest suitcase in the entire town.


I did being four pairs of shoes though. I think that's pretty standard for Vegas, right?


Texas has planned this trip with several girlfriends, one of which has a friend that is, lucky for us, one of the most phenomenal concierges in Sin City. He set us, five unassuming girls from San Antonio, New York and Chicago, up to be pleasantly busy attending the best parties in town. (Many thanks to him, by the way, and prince charming and I will gladly return the favor should a Chicago visit be on the agenda!)

Upon landing, I met up with the girls at Fashion Show mall for some spending action. A dressing room, or four, later we're headed to the MGM Grand Hotel for showers and make-overs.

Friday night was filled with adventures of Tao. Both dinner and festivities were consumed within the walls of the home of the best hiphop I heard all weekend.

Saturday Texas and I did some last minute shopping and headed to the pool to meet up with the gang.


Here's me with Texas. We're darn cute.


Side note: the lion habitat is found at MGM. Always a good viewing opportunity.



As you could imagine, with five girls living in one room for three nights could get pretty crowded, pretty quickly. I decided the hallway would be my powder room and did my hair and make-up each night under the watchful gaze of Sammy Davis Jr. He's quite the opinionated on-looker with much advice on this lip color or that.


Saturday night we headed to Craftsteak, a spot not to be missed on your next visit. It was at this locale that we also ha our first celebrity sighting. LeAnne Rimes was dining at the table next to us in celebration o her birthday. Like any good, respectful Chicagoan, I ignore her presence. Right after i took her photo on the sly. Just kidding.

Debauchery continued at Tryst that night, a night that found me asleep at least 6 hours before the rest of the group retuned 'home.' Ah, to be young again! ;)


Tryst has an amazing ambience that is best enjoyed perhaps NOT on a holiday weekend.


Sunday I stayed true to my core and visited my favorite spa on the planet, The Bathhouse at The Hotel within the confines of Mandalay Bay. One word describes my afternoon: delightful. Oh, and I did receive a bit of a sunburn that morning at the pool. Last sun of the summer, I was willing to take it all in!


Our last evening of indulgence was enhanced by a wonderful meal at Yellow Tail at the Bellagio, overlooking the fountain. You'd like us to enjoy the awe inspiring show every 15 minutes right behind our table? Don't mind if we do!


The night inched along to Pure, where we were blessed with a table and bottle service on the roof, complete with personal body guard, of course.

A wonderful time was had by all this weekend, and I'm especially happy about being able to share this time with my cousin. I love her to pieces and this was a great time for us together!

We are truly thankful for the gracious hospitality of our favorite Las Vegas-Ian, who shall remain nameless to protect his identity. He certainly came thru for us on many counts, including but not limited to the hotel, dinner reservations and our after hour festivities. Thanks, H, for looking out for us!

The right way to get your morning started

Beans are roasting at ipsento!

Arriba! It's time for Cinco de Mayo!

Find more tequila goodness on CHOW.com

Yes, Daddy!

UrbanDaddy, that is.

One of my favorite sites for sources of food, fun and fabulousness has brought another amazing idea to the table....

...a Motorcycle Trek in the South of France.

Prince Charming often takes serious moto rides and he has several planned for the months to come. But not one ride option has peaked my interest as much as this! How do I convince him to sign us up for this adventure?

I actually think it could be quite easy. UrbanDaddy describes this adventure as:

It's Easy Rider gone Mediterranean, with a few far-flung vineyards and boîtes sprinkled in between rides. If you're already in town, they'll drop by your hotel with a bike of your choosing—a full range of Ducatis, with a Triumph and a German custom chopper in the works—before motoring off to a medieval town called Aix-en-Provence for easy access to the South's hidden gems.

Once you're there, you'll take day trips to sample freshly pressed wines, Michelin-starred lunch spots and truffle-loving bistros like La Bastide de Moustiers, Alain Ducasse's labor of love tucked away in the back roads of Provence. (If there are others, he hasn't told anyone.)

I know what you're asking yourself. Could this get ANY better? Why, yes. Yes it could. Not only will you be riding a motorcycle in one of the most beautiful parts of the world, enjoying sites many souls will never see and food many would drool over... you'll also depart on your journey only after choosing one amazing motorcycle to ride. Adventurers choose from one of six Ducati, BMW, Triumph, MV Agusta or Hollister Motorcycles. We're more of a Ducati or BMW family, but I'm sure any experienced rider would be pleased with this selection.

The trip is the brainchild of and run by Columbus International. Their motto is 'Pleasure You Can't Measure.' Brilliant.

What's salty and makes me smile?

Today is Bacon Fest, and that's where you'll find me.

CHOW DOWN: Southeast Asian Sweet Coffee

Nothing is better than a perfect cup {or glass, in this case} of delicious coffee...

INGREDIENTS

• 1/4 cup or more sweetened condensed milk
• 4 double espressos, or brewed Thai coffee

INSTRUCTIONS

1. Add 1 tablespoon of condensed milk to each of four 8-ounce cups or glasses.
2. In each pour 2 shots of espresso, and stir until the coffee and milk are well combined.
3. Add a few ice cubes to each serving, if you wish.

Variations:

Make enough sweet coffee to fill a pitcher by combining 4 parts espresso to 1 or more parts sweetened condensed milk (if too sweet, cut with whole milk). Stir to combine, and refrigerate until well chilled.

To make sweet Vietnamese or Thai tea, brew 1 teaspoon gunpowder tea for every cup of water. Let steep for no more than 5 minutes. Proceed with the recipe, using condensed milk to sweeten each tea drink.

Recipe via CHOW.com

Baked Penne with Farmhouse Cheddar, Leeks & Italian Sausage

I made this for dinner... but I added browned Italian Sausage and used campanelle noodles instead of penne. It is now covered and sitting on the stovetop waiting for Prince Charming to come home so I can pop it in the oven! Looking forward to it!

recipe & photo via epicurious

Ingredients

• 1/4 cup (1/2 stick) butter
• 5 cups chopped leeks (white and pale green parts only; about 5 large)
• 1/4 cup all purpose flour
• 3 1/2 cups whole milk
• 1 pound extra-sharp cheddar cheese, coarsely grated (about 4 cups packed)
• 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
• 1 teaspoon hot pepper sauce
• 2 large eggs
• 1 pound penne pasta

Preparation

Lightly butter 15x10x2-inch baking dish. Melt 1/4 cup butter in heavy large saucepan over medium heat. Add leeks; stir to coat. Cover saucepan and cook until leeks are tender, stirring occasionally, about 12 minutes (do not brown). Uncover saucepan; add flour. Stir 2 minutes. Add milk; bring to simmer, stirring often. Add cheese, mustard, and pepper sauce. Stir until cheese melts. Remove from heat. Season cheese sauce to taste with salt.

Whisk eggs in medium bowl. Gradually whisk in 1 cup cheese sauce. Stir egg mixture into cheese sauce in saucepan.

Meanwhile, cook pasta in large pot of boiling salted water until just tender but still firm to bite, stirring occasionally. Drain. Return to pot.

Stir cheese sauce into pasta in pot. Transfer to prepared baking dish. do ahead Can be made 2 hours ahead. Let stand at room temperature.

Preheat oven to 400°F. Bake pasta until cheese sauce is bubbling around edges and some ends of pasta are golden brown, 25 to 30 minutes.

Let stand 15 minutes. Serve hot.

i like to eat; what's for dinner? Sunda!

Tonight I'll be dining here. It's not my first time, and it won't be my last...

A funny story goes along with tonight's reservation. First and foremost, a friend of mine is in town from LA. The Design Girl and I are attending dinner at Sunda because she asked me to make reservations at the best restaurant with the most fun vibe. Of course I thought 'Sunda.' I love it there!

Alas, it's very difficult to get a reservation to the best restaurant in the city with the most fun vibe. Unless you're friends with Billy Dec. Truth be told, all I did was tweet at @billydec and ask for a reservation and he made it happen - even on the busiest of busy Saturday nights!

Word on the street is, if you follow @billydec and ever request a reservation, he'll make it happen. It's great having a fab restaurateur in Chicago that understands social media and how to work-it!

Thanks, Billy!

i like to eat; what's for dinner? Taxim!

Heading here tonight...

Bodum go boom boom

Bodum makes some amazing glassware, an even more incredible french press and a multitude of other fabulous items. In fact, this company is my all time favorite source for coffee mugs! That is, until this week when I noticed hairline cracks in two of my four Bistro Double Wall Glass Mugs. I noticed the glass was breaking around the top of the mug and was nervous that it might cut my lip, so I threw them away. Of course, this made me very disappointed. I have more to share... I'm somewhat disappointed for another reason as well! I was fairly hopeful that Bodum would help provide a solution to this challenge. I tweeted at Bodum and got no response. That's terrible customer service!

Perhaps Bodum needs to hire Love, L inc to provide them with social media consulting... right after they send me two replacement glasses.

Here's hoping...

i don't like pie

I know, I know... I'm so un-American! I don't like pie! I would, however, go for a slice of this...

Turtle Ice Cream Pie a la Bon Appétit

INGREDIENTS

Crust:

• 1 1/2 cups pecan halves or pieces (6 to 7 ounces), toasted, divided
• 3/4 cup graham cracker crumbs (about 5 whole graham crackers, finely crushed in resealable plastic bag)
• 1/4 cup sugar
• 6 tablespoons (3/4 stick) unsalted butter, melted

Sauce and filling:

• 3/4 cup (packed) dark brown sugar
• 3/4 cup heavy whipping cream
• 3 tablespoons dark corn syrup
• 3 tablespoons unsalted butter
• 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 2 pints (4 cups) premium vanilla ice cream, divided

Ganache topping:

• 5 1/2 ounces bittersweet chocolate, chopped
• 1/2 cup heavy whipping cream
• 1 1/2 tablespoons dark corn syrup
• 3/4 teaspoon vanilla extract
• Pinch of salt

PREPARATION

For crust:
Preheat oven to 350°F. Using on/off turns, finely chop 1 cup pecans in processor; transfer to medium bowl. Mix in graham cracker crumbs and sugar. Drizzle butter over; blend until evenly moistened. Press mixture firmly over bottom and up sides of 9-inch glass pie dish (not on rim).

Bake crust until golden brown, about 12 minutes (if crust puffs, press firmly back into place). Cool crust completely. Wrap in foil and freeze at least 1 hour. DO AHEAD: Can be made 2 days ahead. Keep frozen.

For sauce and filling:
Bring first 3 ingredients to boil in heavy medium saucepan over medium heat, whisking until sugar dissolves. Boil caramel 5 minutes, whisking occasionally. Turn off heat; whisk in butter, vanilla, and salt. Cool completely.

Slightly soften 1 cup vanilla ice cream in microwave on low in 10-second intervals. Spread ice cream evenly in frozen pie crust; spread 1/4 cup caramel over. Freeze pie until ice cream and caramel are firm, about 1 hour. Repeat with remaining vanilla ice cream in three 1-cup portions and caramel in two 1/4-cup portions. Freeze pie overnight. Cover and reserve remaining caramel at room temperature.

For ganache topping:
Combine chocolate, cream, and corn syrup in medium metal bowl. Place over saucepan of simmering water and whisk until melted and smooth. Remove from heat. Whisk in vanilla and salt. Cool ganache at room temperature until thick but still pourable, about 30 minutes.

Pour ganache evenly over frozen pie. Sprinkle with remaining 1/2 cup pecans. Freeze until ganache is firm, at least 45 minutes. Drizzle decoratively with 1/4 cup reserved caramel. DO AHEAD: Can be made 2 days ahead. Cover and keep frozen. Cover and chill remaining caramel.

Let pie stand 10 minutes at room temperature. Rewarm remaining caramel, stirring over low heat. Cut pie into wedges and serve with caramel.

kisses for you

Have you noticed lately that I'm in a Valentine mood? We'll continue that trend with a love-induced cocktail suggestion for this week...

Bee's Kiss as found on CHOW.com

The Bee’s Kiss originally mixed honey with dark rum, but light rum seems to be favored today. Harking back to the days of the speakeasy in the United States and the heyday of the Ritz Bar in Paris, the Bee’s Kiss is a graceful drink that is gaining in popularity along with its cousin the Bee’s Knees. Its name, derived from the poetry of Robert Browning, is a coy Victorian allusion to tickling your beloved with your eyelashes. Both drinks will tickle rather than sting.

The Bee’s Kiss is an intimate drink and should be served wherever anyone would be ready to bestow or receive a passionate kiss, or at least have a cheek tickled by someone’s eyelashes.

Use a Boston shaker to blend the ingredients fully.

INGREDIENTS

• 1 ounce heavy cream
• 1 teaspoon honey
• Freshly grated nutmeg
• 1 1/2 ounces light rum

INSTRUCTIONS

1. Shake the rum, cream, and honey well with ice; then strain into a chilled cocktail glass. Dust with nutmeg.

beanshare is brilliant

I love the city. Mark my words, I'll never leave. Everything in an urban setting is perfect.

The only thing that leaves me with a bad taste in my mouth is my squashed desire to (1) plant grass on my balcony and (2) grow a garden so I don't have to wait until Sunday to buy produce during nine months of the year. Insert a recently read blog post, red.house: beantown beanshare...

Beantown Beanshare compliments those of us in urban settings by allowing us access to fertile soil where we can cultivate & grow gardens! There are several homeowners that have land to 'give' and many urbanites with a taste for delicious produce. Both of these types of individuals sign-up for Beantown Beanshare and are then paired up!

Have a little extra outdoor space? Sign-up to participate in Beantown Beanshare!