I love the Oscar’s- the fanfare, the fashion, the high and mighty opinions over what is “artistic” enough to bring home a golden statue…but sometimes, it’s like c’mon, they’re just movies.
Que Don’t Call Me Oscar, a hilarious Tumblr page that follows “one child’s journey through the best picture nominees.” A bit of perspective and that baby plays the parts perfectly (War Horse killed me).
Click here for cuteness and a chuckle.
The Academy gave out their awards last night and while arrival on “Just A Chi Town Girl’s Best Of Chicago” list might not be as coveted as an Oscar, I thought it was time to give some Chi-town favorites a high five.
The drumroll, please…
Bagel: Eleaven. The raisin bagel seriously blew my mind and I thought I found some hidden gem…until I saw all of the “Voted Best Bagel in Chicago” signs plastered everywhere. But for reals, these bagels (and macarons) are amazing hunks of carb gloriousness.
Brunch: Southport Grocery. Creative spins on classics, healthy if I want it, indulgent if I don’t…and let’s not forget to take a cupcake for the road. SPG has the only vanilla cupcake I have ever tasted that was worth forgoing chocolate.
Sandwich: Panes. Put anything on their uber fresh tomato focaccia and you pretty much have the best sandwich in the world. It was a Saturday staple when we lived in Lakeview and now Panes is the driving force behind ever getting us up there. I am near obsessive about their Turkey Turkey; Ryan opts for the Popular.
Small Plates: Quartino. Small plates seem to be popping up everywhere but the price, wine, atmosphere and food quality at Quartino can’t be beat. Ryan and I pop in when we’re craving the cavatelli for a quick bite at the bar but Quartino is awesome for family, girl’s nights, you name it.
Italian: Volare and RPM Italian. One Is old school, one is the new kid on the block…please don’t make me pick favorites. Both amazing and authentic Italian eats.
Mexican: Xoco. I had apparently been living under a rock because I didn’t know what a torta was until I went to Rick Bayless’ Xoco (it’s a Mexican sub, FYI) but I do now. And I love them. The churros with a side of house roasted cocoa beans that have been turned into the richest chocolate you will ever taste isn’t too shabby either.
Whiskey Cocktail: The Gage. This is Ryan and my dad’s contribution to the list.
Happy Hour: Ra Sushi. Half off until 7pm? For sushi? In the Gold Coast? Best deal ever.
Sports Bar: Theory. Great wings, turkey burgers, lots of TVs, special cups on game days…sold.
Cupcake: More. They have nailed it when it comes to cake to frosting ratio, as well as offering creative favors in addition to the oldies but goodies. I am particularly loyal to the Black and White.
Sunday Scene: Dose Market. Once a month, this art, fashion and foodie fest descends upon our fair city. Local love, at it’s finest.
Pizza: Pequod’s. Deep dish be damned; give me Pequod’s signature burnt crusts and a pizza that’s actually good enough to have a second piece.
Special Occasion Spot: Tie- Mastro’s and MK. Fine dining as it was intended to be.
Attention bride-to-be’s: the lovely ladies over at Soirée Events are hosting a “Leap Into Wedding Season” event on Leap Day at Fleur de Lis this week. Tiffany, owner of Soirée, is a doll and I pretty much want her to plan my life so I wanted to pass along this info in case any of you are in the market for wedding gloriousness. Or cake samples (and who isn’t in the market for that?!).
Remember when I said I killed 4 basil plants last year?
Ryan brought this little guy home last night and I had high hopes since our new place has more sunlight. Unfortunately, it’s been less than 24 hours and It looks like there’s already been a suicide attempt.
A green thumb, I am not.
Ryan and I usually reserve date night for weekends but when we were invited to preview the menu at RPM Italian on Tuesday, we made the exception faster than you can say cannoli. I figured if the food was even half as good as their pre-opening party, it would be worth the 2 block shuffle around the corner in heels.
Real talk: it was worth a 20 mile sprint in heels twice as high.
RPM’s spin on authentic, old world Italian combined with a modern edge is spot on. Dishes I love and have had a million times re-created in an inventive even more delicious way absolutely blew my mind. You know what’s better than calamari? RPM’s Fritto Misto with asparagus and an incredibly light lemon dipping sauce. You know what’s better than garlic bread? Grilled bread with a side a homemade ricotta cheese.
I gave the stink eye every time someone tried to take it from the table. It was that unreal.
Other standouts include Giuliana’s salad, spicy king crab with squid ink pasta, the bucatini and for the love of sugar, the ice cream ball rolled in hazelnuts and chocolate.
I see RPM filling a whole lot of niches for River North. Dinner out, apps and drinks, getting the party started at the bar, finishing the party at the bar, heck- a full meal on the way home from the bar. Prices were reasonable as well which really puts the heart in the middle of the “I Heart RPM Italian” fest I am having right now.
A big congrats to the Rancic’s and Melman’s on an amazing new venture- it was truly the best meal I have had in years.
Flamingos. At the Lincoln Park Zoo. In February. For birds that are supposed to be at home in some grandma’s front yard in Florida, their presence in the Windy City in the middle of winter surprised me.
Paczkis. People know they’re just jelly donuts with a gazillion calories, right?
Julie from “Friday Night Lights”. No one likes her, Coach and Tami Taylor even seem to be annoyed with her whiny face, and yet even with the story line taking her to college, she still annoys me Netflix’ed episode after Netflix’ed episode.
How to dress appropriately for the weather. In my head, I understand that we have a solid 3 months of winter left. But every time I see some sunshine, I fall under the assumption that we’re flirting with Spring and decide it’s light jacket time or, better yet, zip-up sweatshirt time. So, so not true.
Let’s file this under things I don’t need but are really adorable anyways.
(image via Unabashedly Uncorked; Pretty Smitten)
RPM Italian introduced themselves to the River North neighborhood on Saturday night with an amazing pre-opening party. Handcrafted cocktails, lots of bubbly, vino floating above the crowd on trays, teeny tiny gelato cups, baby cannoli… I am sure there was “real” food but somehow, only the dessert made it my way. Tragic Awesome, I know.
The space is super sleek and sexy. One part dining room, one part huge rectangular bar, RPM is going to be fantastic for both nice dinners out and late night drinking and eating. My friend Becca and I had a blast at the party and I am looking forward to Tuesday when Ryan and I return for a preview dinner- feedback on food is something we can give and I cannot wait to see if this place is as delicious as it looks!
RPM Italian, welcome to the ‘hood. I think you’re going to make fabulous neighbors.
Last week, in a nutshell:
– Started a new role within my company.
– Woke up on my first day with an epic head cold that lasted all week; seriously the worst I have felt in years.
– Learned tons…I think that not only am I going to be able to do this job but do it well.
– Recovered from my cold in time for a quick visit from my mom.
– Attended RPM Italian’s grand opening party (more on that later)
– Was über surprised when my co-worker’s threw me a “congrats on the new job” party at Paris Club.
These last 6 days were the longest I have ever gone without blogging. The week was such a blur of learning, traveling, and celebrating and I am kind of glad I let it all happen without much introspection. It was good, exciting really.
Today, I have some time to catch my breath, reflect, and enjoy the sunshine that is currently making my apartment so warm that we have to open the windows. Not bad for a day in late February, huh?
My friend Kate and her darling baby boy Jackson came over for brunch today (savoring one more day off before starting my new job tomorrow!) and in addition to broccoli-zucchini quiche, I took inspiration from this photo and served super easy little caramelized banana toasts.
Almond butter spread on top of toast, sliced bananas, a sprinkle of cinnamon and brown sugar- pop under the broiler until things get bubbly and melty, slice in half. Protein from the almond butter, potassium from the bananas, fiber from whole wheat bread…I would like to think these were healthy because they were delicious and I want to make them often.
In non-food brunch news, is there anything funnier than babies laughing? Jackson’s new party trick is laughing so hard that he snorts and sitting with him on the floor, singing him songs, tickling his sweet little belly and lifting him in the air to make him laugh was basically the best time ever. I don’t actually like all kids, some just aren’t that cool, but this one, this little Jackson, just slays me with his awesomeness.
Brunch, laughing, good friends, calm before the work storm…it was a good, good Monday.