Chicago Roundup
I've been traveling quite a bit lately for work, which afforded me the outstanding opportunity of visiting my boyfriend in Chicago for a long weekend. With unusually warm weather that week, I thoroughly enjoyed exploring and eating my way through the city. We sampled the classic must-haves, like deep dish pizza from Lou Malnati's and a massive Chicago-style hot dog in the brisk air on Navy Pier. We also enjoyed more indulgent meals on very different sides of the foodie spectrum -- Green Zebra is a contemporary vegetarian restaurant in West Town that features wonderfully inventive dishes like Hen of The Woods Mushroom Pâté and Adzuki Bean Potstickers; whereas at Spiaggia (President Obama's favorite restaurant) on the Magnificent Mile, we indulged in Chef Tony Montuano's traditional and impeccable classic Italian fare, epitomized by their 45-day dry-aged rib eye. Of course, it all went by much too quickly, but it left me eager to further explore this city again during my next visit!
Dress: Deadly Dames Hotrod Honey Swing in Skull Print
Lips: Anastasia Beverly Hills Liquid Lipstick in Bloodline
Brows: Anastasia Beverly Hills DIPBROW® Pomade in Auburn
Lou Malnati's - The Malnati Chicago Classic™, made with Lou's lean sausage, some extra cheese and vine-ripened tomato sauce on Buttercrust.™
Simply had to stop by the Art Institute of Chicago!
Green Zebra - a fabulous experience at this vegetarian restaurant with my boyfriend and his co-workers.
Green Zebra - Hen of The Woods Mushroom Pâté with sweet potato mostarda and pickled fennel.
Green Zebra - Burrata alla Pann with,Moroccan-spiced carrot puree, golden raisins, and compressed baby sweet peppers.
Green Zebra - Toasted Sesame Gnocchi with baby bok choy, wild mushrooms, and Chinese mustard.
Green Zebra - Adzuki Bean Potstickers with Haas avocado, ponzu puree, daikon radish, and sesame seeds.
Dyeing the Chicago River green on the Saturday before St. Patrick's Day!
An outstanding Chicago-style Hotdog on Navy Pier, featuring mustard, relish, onion, sport peppers, tomato, a pickle, and celery salt.
A romantic and delicious dinner with my boyfriend at Spiaggia's Dining Room.
Spiaggia - Zuppa di Castagne with chestnut, foie gras, farro, pomegranate, and rosemary.
Spiaggia - Cervo with raw venison, smoked trout roe, pumpernickel, and horseradish.
Spiaggia - Carbonara with spaghettoro, duck egg, guanciale, pecorino, and peppercorn.
Spiaggia - Risotto with Acquerello rice, soft shell shrimp, salt cod, preserved lemon, mascarpone, and cypress wood smoke.
Spiaggia - Bistecca - a 45-day dry-aged rib eye, Lonesome Stone polenta, and morel.
