Chicago food, part deux

I must not forget to mention, of course, that there was pizza consumption: deep dish supreme with sausage patty at Gino’s East. There are so many Chicago pizza chains downtown— Giordanos, Lou Malnati’s, Pizzeria Uno, Pizzeria Due— that it’s hard to decide which one is best (for us it came down to which had the shortest waiting time). After a half hour and walking in circle, we ended up at Gino’s East on Superior— the one closest to where we were staying, and the one with the best sign, of course.

Chicago food

Per tradition, I always meal plan a week before I go home. Potbelly, Phoenix dim sum, and Portillos are regular pit stops, but I also like to try at least one new place on my list.

This trip was highlighted by a visit to Avec in the West Loop. Since Avec doesn’t take reservations, it was probably better that we had planned a late dinner after a day of being touristy. We arrived at about 10, had a glass of wine on their outside patio and were seated within 20— even though it was clearly packed. With a bar on the left and communal table seating on the right, we lucked out and were seated at the chef’s counter at the bar, where we could watch all sorts of deliciousness happening.

Unfortunately, I don’t have documentation of all our amazing food, but here was our menu for two (the description should be enough to make your stomach growl):

House Marinated Olives
Chorizo-stuffed Medjool dates with smoked bacon and piquillo pepper-tomato sauce
Farro salad with roasted peppers, rutabaga, crowder peas, fried egg and salsa verde vinaigrette
Wood-oven braised pork shoulder with garlic sausage, summer squash, tagliati pasta and basil pistou

The staff was attentive and the food was paced just right— which I always think is hard when plates are meant to be shared. Nothing was too rushed and the portions were just right for two people. The braised pork did take 45 minutes, but before we could even ask if they had forgotten our last course it was ready and served.

I was even surprised that Depeche Mode playing in the background seemed to complement the meal perfectly! Now I can finally cross Avec off my list and hope it will become one of my regular stops on my trips home from now on.

Post-birthday report

Um, what happened to July, and why does it seem like the summer is almost over? Oh, right— it’s October in Seattle today and it’s making me tired. Apologies for the lack of reporting during the month of July—internet was down for a week, it got ridiculously hot, internet was restored, and then there was a laptop incident (RIP G4 Powerbook).

But, since I just received a belated birthday present, I feel it necessary to go back and provide a post-birthday report. Since nothing could top the banana party of last year, this year was a bit more low key with happy hour cocktails at my favorite summertime bar, Zig Zag Café and feasting at Green Leaf in the International District. We ate so much food, I can’t remember what we ordered, but it was really, really good!

To end the evening right, Regenius (honky) brought Chinese birthday pastries for dessert for me (chonky)! And even though there was no banana cake this year, I did get monkeys in a banana kayak…

and an owl from Illinois… whoo whoo!

XO to all my favorites. You know who you are.

State Illustration by Frank Chimero
Banana Bros. Illustration from Alessi.com

Morning coffee

For years, I didn’t make coffee at home before heading to the office during the work week. I would always rush out the door and have my morning coffee while reading my emails. It’s not that I don’t make coffee— in fact, I seem to have collected a number of coffee brewing devices over the years: a Cuisinart 10-cup drip coffee maker, a Bodum 8-cup french press, a Bialetti Moka Express 6-cup and 3-cup (I have yet to get a Francis Francis expresso machine!).

But lately it seems I need a little kick start to my morning prep. Using my drip coffee maker seems like such a waste to use everyday, so I thought I had found the perfect coffee maker with my mini Moka Express, a simple shot of expresso to gulp down in a flash. But in my opinion, expresso is way better in the afternoon or after dinner. So now I’m really into french roast and my french press, even though my press is too big for one. To make two cups in an 8 cup press is silly, there just isn’t enough to press!

LONG story short, I started hunting this morning for a baby french press and was all smiles when I found that Bodum has released new products in fun colors for 09. I’ve already ordered the new Brazil 3-cup French press in green! Get yours here.

(Photo from Bodum 2009 Catalogue)

Crab Pot and Slots

While my parents were here, we had a “Dad’s day” and “Mom’s day”. For Dad’s day, Uncle Nick went to Tulalip Casino while mom and I outlet shopped across the way. Nick was a bit disappointed in the lack of poker slots, but I think he made enough winnings to top our day off right: chili dogs and chocolate dipped ice cream cones at DQ!

And since the weather has been so happy, Mom wanted to show off a Seattle tan back in Chicago, so we spent Saturday afternoon getting some sun at Golden Gardens State Park to celebrate Mom’s day. We then headed out for some crab dinner at the Crab Pot, a local tourist resto I had never heard of in the four years I’ve lived here. Apparently Mom had been watching Man vs. Food and had seen the Crab Pot featured in their Seattle episode. Basically they dump a bunch of seafood on the table and leave a slop bucket under the table, Mom couldn’t be happier! Dessert was upside-down rhubarb cake with ice cream for a whopping $5.95!