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

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 

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 

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 

*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 

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 

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 

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