I had a great meal at Coco Pazzo Cafe which is at 676 North St. Clair. It's not nearly as big as the original Coco Pazzo, but it's cozy, bustling and very nice. I don't know if the link will show up here, but I'm pasting it below.
I tried not to think too hard about it and the first things that came to my mind were
Obama = BLT
McCain = Pot Roast
I think the recipe was a good choice. Have had to explain waffe-stick stuffing for the past two years, I am glad Carolyn just has a cookie to deal with. It's pretty straightforward and I think it's one that normal people will make when they need to provide cookies for a group.
Having said that, I've seen many versions of that recipe. Some with chocolate coating, some made with peanut butter cookie mix. I think the cleverness of combining a snickerdoodle with a filled peanut butter cookie is what the judges liked. She took an old favorite and put it in a convenient, easy to replicate recipe.
My only problem is the recipe didn't specify salted or unsalted peanuts. I made them with salt and the sweet/salty makes your forget about the refrigerated dough. I can imagine the cookies might be a little flat without the salt. But that's just my opinion. I like salt.
I also think there should have been a higher ratio of peanut butter to sugar....like 1/2 cup peanut butter, 1/3 cup powdered sugar.
Her brother changed his name to "Zee" and he's a professional poker player. Interesting family.
Rudy's on Loop 360 for lunch. The barbecue is great and they have good grilled turkey as well. Also, the farther west you go in Austin, the prettier the landscape. All that and you won't have to drive all the way to Lockhart.
That's the first good news I've heard all day. Thanks for the update and Happy Holidays to the Achatz family!
This is a great idea for feeding picky kids. Forget cutting things into cute shapes and whatnot. Just stick eyeballs on everything.
Or I don't know. Maybe it would backfire.
How did she get the eyeballs to float on the milk like that? Why didn't they sink?
Hi Ed!
As someone with a Cookie blog, I have to chime in.
In the end, I think it's calories in vs. calories out. Getting the most nutritional bang for your buck is where the challenge lies.
There are days when I overdo it or am tempted to eat too many sweets, but I usually practice moderation. The sweets always follow a high protein/low fat lunch. I like eating steamed cruciferous and/or root vegetables alongside egg white omelets with interesting salsas or flavored salts. Quesadillas made with small amounts of really good cheese are fun (again, served with a huge amount of cooked vegetables) and small paninis made with sourdough rolls or English muffins allow room for creativity.
Restaurant eating is more challenging and I generally eat a fraction of what's served. I love tapas and menus with small bites because I can order a few different things without getting full. Seems like more people are latching on to that. I sometimes wonder how many people are overweight just because they hate the idea of sending so much food back and frequently eat 4 times the calories their bodies need while dining out.
What I've noticed in my town is that the serious eaters are the healthy ones. They tend to exercise a lot, buy more fresh foods and produce and avoid fast food -- not in a snobby "Ewww, fast food" kind of way, but because it just doesn't taste that good when you've grown accustomed to better quality and fresher food. I've also noticed that a lot of my serious eater friends -- healty ones, never refuse dessert. It just goes without saying that it's something to be shared and a few bites will do.
oh, yes! flukey's or wolfie's for a chicago hot dog!
GAH! I love Streeterville food. And there is a lot to do. Definitely worth a walk to the end of the pier just to look out over the Lake. I miss it so much! And drop in the Billly Goat at the Pier and try and order fries.
My fav place to visit when I do is Copperblue. Lil pricey, but YUM.
Also digging Niu Japanese Fusion.
Dick's last Resort is always crazy loud fun at night.
Make sure you get a Chicago Daaag dragged through the garden while your there.
So jealous...
Thai Star Cafe for Thai--on State right around the bridge.
Giordano's, absolutely.
Weiner's Circle for hot dogs and abuse.
Also, Jesus hates the Cubs.
(Color me a South Sider ...)
Just a note that the Garrett's on Michigan Ave. has closed.
Bandera and Grand Lux Cafe are solid, but they're chains. I'd suggest you focus on restaurants that you won't find anywhere else in the world.
If you like Thai food, consider jumping on the Red Line to Sheridan and check out Spoon Thai...if your only exposure to Thai food has been at restaurants in the US, you'll be in for a treat. (Make sure to ask for the translated menu, which includes some gems.)
Chicago has some of the best authentic, regional Mexican food in the US, thanks in part to our large Mexican-American population, and the influence of Rick Bayless, who runs Frontera Grill and Topolobampo. Many chefs who have trained under Bayless have gone on to open great places themselves. Among the ones to consider are Mixteco Grill (http://www.lthforum.com/bb/viewtopic.php?f=14&t=19245) at 1601 W. Montrose Ave. (a cab or L ride away) and Sol de Mexico (http://www.lthforum.com/bb/viewtopic.php?t=9213) at 3018 N. Cicero (also a cab ride or L ride away). If you're looking for a Mexican place that's a bit more low-key and closer to Michigan Ave., get a gordita at Perez Restaurant at 853 W Randolph St.
Chinatown also has some standouts, and is easy to reach on the L. Phoenix (http://www.chicagoreader.com/cgi-bin/rrr/details.cgi?numb=666) is a favorite for dimsum. It's located at 2131 S. Archer Ave. Many people swear by "Little" Three Happiness (not to be confused with the bigger Three Happiness located across the street), which is a Cantonese restaurant. Dish suggestions can be found at http://www.lthforum.com/bb/viewtopic.php?t=3716 and the restaurant's located at 209 W Cermak Rd.
I'd also suggest you review the "Great Neighborhood Restaurants" awards here http://www.lthforum.com/bb/viewtopic.php?f=28&t=15149 as well as the recommendations of Check Please (http://www.checkplease.tv/) reviewers.
Don't mean to pry, but are you attending AEJMC in Chicago?
I recently spent a weekend eating all over downtown Chicago. Cafe Iberico is certainly not the best tapas around (depends where you're from I guess) but it's definitely the cheapest. Heaven on Seven is near you--I didn't make it there, but people recommended it for a Cajun breakfast.
If you want to try stuffed crust pizza, there's a Giordano's near you. But definitely go with a group so you can get a regular size pizza instead of the individual.
I second the Intelligentsia rec if you like coffee, it's really really good.
For touristy stuff, I recommend the architectural boat tour and definitely google Chicago SummerDance, they're free outdoor concerts in various locations throughout the summer, with free dance lessons (salsa, swing). You'll want to do some dancing after eating all that yummy food. Also Navy Pier has fireworks twice a week.
Sorry, missed Christine B's earlier posting about Intelligentsia.
Forgot: if you want a true old-school Chicago meal, try Carson's Ribs near Ontario and Wells.
I second the previous suggestions of Bin 36 and Cafe Iberico.
Also try The Gage, a gastropub on Michigan Ave. across from Millennium Park. Good beer selection, interesting pub food-type appetizers, and plenty of larger plates for lunch or dinner.
For coffee downtown, definitely hit up Intelligentsia Coffee on Wabash and Randolph (just one block west of Michigan Ave)--try the cold-brewed iced coffee. Many buses run up and down Michigan Avenue, so you'll have no trouble exploring from your hotel.
One of the best restaurants in the country is Tru, at Huron & St. Claire. It's VERY pricey and you might have trouble getting a table if you don't book ahead.
The Chicago Architectural Foundation boat cruise is fascinating.
If you're looking for a nicer meal, I highly recommend Naha, it's on Clark and I believe Illinois, right up the street from Bayless' places. Also, if you want to take a bit of a cab ride, May Street Market on Grand and May is amazing, and they have a $32 pre-theater three-course prix fixe this summer that goes up to 8 pm. I haven't been, but I hear amazing things about Kiki's Bistro on Franklin, which is a few blocks of a walk, but the weather's nice. Though I wouldn't eat there for dinner, the brunch at Tavern on Rush is pretty nice and affordable, and there's a lot of outside seating for people watching on the triangle. I'd also second the Lula Cafe recommendation if you find yourself up in Logan Square for any reason I would definitely check it out.
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Location: Austin, Texas
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Favorite foods: cookies, cakes, sandwiches, pizza, wine....sometimes in that order, sometimes not.
Last bite on earth: I always take this question too literally and can't answer it properly. Who knows what kind of state of mind I'd be in if it were my last moment on earth? But I guess the answer would be chocolate ice cream with chunks of fudge brownie.