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.

Chicago architecture

Wilco

Modern

Bean

River

Chicago continues to impress. It’s been four years since I left Chicago and every time I go home I am comforted by it’s familiarity and excited about its newness. Take a boat tour, walk around or just look out the window and you won’t be disappointed. Promise.*

*Some other new places I didn’t get good pictures of, but you should check out:
The Spertus Institute
The Aqua
Trump International

Central time

Whoa. I’m back! Armed with a new laptop, I’m on the road and back in Chicago for a week to visit family, sightsee, celebrate a friend’s wedding, and eat as much food as possible. And, I really couldn’t be happier there aren’t below zero wind chills and blizzard like conditions!

Nope, instead of inclement weather holding me back, I have a lame foot. I was supposed to run the Super Jock n’ Jill Half Marathon this past Labor Day, but due to my rookie behavior, I seem to have broken my foot (not literally) and now have a fine limp to match my dad’s. We really make quite a pair. Word of advice for all you semi-new runners, please remember to replace your shoes. Even at 300 miles, my Mizunos kicked it and turned to mush.

So these days, I’m sporting the PNW look. I’m so sporty! Check out these new Brooks
I’ll be wearing around the Windy City with my lame foot and North Face raincoat.
(Goodbye cute flats and skirts, I’ll miss you.)

Multnomah Falls

On Friday, the family decided to take a little day trip to Portland. And of course, it was the hottest day of the week, and poor Crayola’s ac broke. Eventually we did cool off with some lemonade once we got to Multnomah Falls off the Columbia River Highway, about 30 minutes outside of Portland. The upper water falls 542 ft and the lower falls 69 ft. Multnomah Falls is the second-tallest year-round waterfall in the nation.