Chicago Chocolate Tour

(i.e. the perfect way to spend a Sunday afternoon downtown)

Last fall, Katie M. and I picked up some groupons for Chicago Chocolate Tours.  She had bought one extra and nicely offered it to Ruthie, who thought it would make a good story for her newest writing gig, food blogging for CBS Chicago.  So we spent about 3 hours on Sunday being led around the Magnificent Mile / Gold Coast area, tasting some amazing and interesting chocolates.

the piano praline chocolate was music to my taste buds

The first stop was at Teuscher Chocolates, in the 900 N. Michigan mall, where we were treated to champagne truffles which are as good as you would imagine.  After a taste at each place we were given a few minutes to make purchases, if we wished.  I couldn't help but buy a "piano praline" at Teuscher, which did please my palate, but I doubt I'd buy another one at around $4 a piece!

            We also stopped in at More Cupcakes, which has a food truck which I've seen in my neighborhood.  Next time I happen upon it I will have to stop and buy something because they were soooo good.
            My other favorite spot was Sarah's Pastries and Candies, where they let us sample two treats: the delights and the crunchy peanut butter bars.  I had to buy a few of the peanut butter bars to enjoy in the privacy of my own home.  I still have one waiting for me; perhaps when I'm done writing this . . . .
            Anyway, it was a lovely use of a Sunday afternoon, enhanced by our sundresses, I must say.

three happily chocolated ladies

Bacon-Fest Upset

Last week, Ruthie emailed me with an exciting prospect: a way to win free tickets to the upcoming BaconFest.  The person with the best poem about bacon would win 2 tickets to the beloved event.  Ruthie and I sat down and quickly scrawled off some inspired verses.  Here is what we came up with:

Ode to an unorthodox sandwich

by Ruthie

When I request my meal,

The waiter may gasp,

As my fellow diners grasp

The extent of my zeal.

Veggie burger with bacon?

I ask with a grin.

For it is no sin

To make a veggie burger non-vegetarian.

The delectable bacon grease

Seeps into the faux meat.

And the saltiness, can’t beat

That crunch as my teeth bite off a piece.

Beans and rice

Formed into a patty

Just cries out for a little fatty

Pork belly slice.

Ode to Bacon

by Wicky

I love you on a BLT

Especially if you’re a wee bit crispy.

Or simply with some runny eggs,

After a night with many kegs.

Or drizzled with a bit of syrup,

Is enough to make me chirrup.

I love you in a bowl of popcorn:

My favorite snack on a winter’s morn.

I love you in a bloody mary;

It never leaves me quite contrary.

I love you in a chocolate bar,

Even though that sounds quite bizarre.  

Hissing, spurting, on my griddle,

Adding girth to my dear middle.

I’ve dabbled with a couple sausage,

But found them all too average

Because you’re what makes my jaw start achin’

And me drool, anticipatin’

All my love:

A strip of bacon. 

I will let you, dear readers, judge for yourselves.  Here is the link to the 6 finalists.  I have not yet had the heart to read through them.  I'm sure they are all worthy in their own right.  But Ruthie and I have started planning our own alternative bacon-fest.  Whatever/whenever it is, it will surely be a sizzling good time.  

The Fabulous Life

 . . . involves lots of good food and drink, which I was treated to last night.  My friend Ruthie (I've decided to give her a label now because she is my partner in crime for so many things) discovered a social-network type site called Grub With Us, and we've now gone out to 2 meals with groups from that site.  The first one, back in January, was a dinner at Sapori Trattoria (an Italian favorite in Lakeview).  Last night we were treated to a very yummy Vietnamese dinner at Simply It, in Lincoln Park.  The meal was complimented by a few fabulous cocktails, mixed up by the girls from Through the Liquor Glass.
            Dinner itself was family-style (it always is with a Grub With Us crowd), and included Pineapple Calamari, served in a hollowed-out half of a pineapple, and Coconut and Mango Beef, served in a hollowed-out coconut.  There were other delicious dishes served on, ahem, plates, but since I am a sucker for great presentation I am singling those two out.
            Dessert was another story.  It was fried banana, alongside some different ice creams, etc.  Ruthie and I both hate bananas but since we love dessert, and that was the only option, we dug in and found it to be . . . well, fried anyway!  The strawberry ice cream was very good.  But seriously, Ruthie and I were inspired by the book we're reading for our "food lovers' book club:" Jeffrey Steingarten's The Man Who Ate Everything, and so we tried the foods that we didn't think we would like.  I still don't like bananas, but I can be an adult about it.
            In case all this doesn't seem fabulous enough, I want to show you a little of what Ruthie has to offer.  She has recently started writing a neighborhood blog for the Chicago Red Eye.  Her neighborhood is Wicker Park/Bucktown, which always seems to have chic things going on.  A few weeks ago, she put on a photo shoot featuring clothes from a nearby boutique and many of our friends.  No, I am not in the photo shoot, but at least you can see how fabulous my friends are.
           And now, lest you think my life is too fabulous . . . I will take it down a notch.  I don't get phone calls often, but this morning and yesterday morning I've had wrong numbers from random people.  I know they're not reading my blog, because they don't know me, but seriously people, thanks for reminding me how rarely my phone rings!

La Musique

My friend Ruthie and I went to a concert at Schubas last night.  She had won the tickets, so we didn't know anything about the band beforehand, we were just going where the free stuff was.  But I was so pleasantly surprised by the show.  I hate to be one of those people who hears a band live once and thinks they're the best band ever, but I might be changing my tune, when it comes to these guys.
This is a French band called Revolver.  Look them up.  Love them.  My heart is still melted, in a puddle, somewhere on the dance floor at Schubas.


you should also keep an ear out for The Belle Brigade, the opening band.  They too had amazing harmonies.  I'm a sucker for good harmonies.