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starved rock
On Sunday we escaped the city for the day. We walked and wandered for hours and hours in awe of such natural beauty. We snacked on peanut butter and jelly sandwiches and got a little lost. It was quiet and calming. I needed this day.
photo credit kate zitzer
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I wrote about a few of my favorite Chicago restaurants in this post, but there’s more! Make sure to check them out if you’re ever in the city –
Takito Kitchen – excellent and super fresh Mexican food focusing on artisanal tacos. The space is industrial and modern with an open bar and kitchen. There’s a little outside patio too. A fun spot to go with a group – try the pork belly tacos, try ’em all!
Siena Tavern – excellent small plates and really delicious mixed specialty cocktails. They also have interesting salads and a pizza bar. If you go here, you have to try the squid ink linguini with grilled lobster tail and spicy lobster cream sauce, its heavenly!
Jam ‘n Honey – I loved this tiny spot. Ranks high on my list of favorite brunch and breakfast places in Chicago. Top notch coffee and the old fashioned French toast was delicious – made with brioche bread and served with honey butter.
Old 5th – a West Loop staple, affordable and laid back. Sit at one of the sidewalk tables with your pizza and whiskey – try one of their seven whiskey flights.
Cantina Laredo – modern Mexican dishes in a sophisticated atmosphere. A great spot for dinner in the heart of River North. The chicken tacos are my thing. Order the top shelf guacamole, it’s amazing and made fresh at your table.
Piccolo Sogno – fresh, seasonal rustic Italian cuisine and an amazing atmosphere. You can’t go wrong with the antipasto as an appetizer. If it’s a nice evening, sit outside – it has the best outdoor patio in the city! It’s a pretty fantastic date spot too.
Let me know if you try out any of these spots and fill me in on any of your favorite Chicago restaurants!
photo credit kate zitzer
nashville
My first trip to Nashville was a success. We spent most of our time eating and drinking, eating and drinking. We frequented Broadway Street as much as possible, day and night, and squeezed in quick tours at the Country Music Hall of Fame and Ryman Auditorium before heading home. A few favorites – Noshville’s classic American breakfast and Hot Hattie B’s spicy fried chicken, the Redneck Comedy Bus Tour was touristy but hilarious (and BYOB), and for live music and cold beers The Stage, Tootsie’s or Honky Tonk Central. Next time I’d love to explore the 12 South and East Nashville neighborhoods.
photo credit kate zitzer
apple picking
A few photos from last weekend when Marc and I spent Saturday afternoon apple picking with four of our friends – there were endless rows of apple trees and the sweetest tasting fruit, apple spiced doughnuts and homemade pies, creamy fudge, caramel apples and freshly pressed apple cider. There was a teeny tiny glimpse of blue sky, and there was a storm that rolled in and almost caught us. We had to pack up and run, narrowly missing the downpour.
For Chicago folks who want to visit, it’s called Kuipers Family Farm and is located on 1N318 Watson Road in Maple Park. It’s about an hour outside of Chicago, a few miles west of Geneva, and it’s right off the road with a big sign so you can’t miss it.
photo credit kate zitzer
fall preview
Even though I’m going to miss the long sunny days and the hot steamy temps, the trips to the lake and the big family BBQs, I’m ready to say so long summer. Fall in the midwest is a really wonderful time of year – the morning air is cooler, the nights cozier and the leaves begin to change colors, it’s time for tea and hot soup, thick sweaters and warm scarves and an extra blanket on your bed. I was looking at our calendar and we have so much going on that I thought I’d make a list of all the things I’m looking forward to this season – my sister’s birthday this weekend, the ARTober sale, apple picking, small gatherings with friends, DIY projects and new paintings, pumpkin carving, Halloween parties and my dear friend’s baby shower! What sorts of things are you looking forward to?
And just a reminder that today is the last day to enter the giveaway (now closed)! You have a chance to win one of the 8×10 prints in my Etsy shop – all the details are here. The giveaway closes at midnight tonight, and I will announce the winner next week. Good luck!
photo credit kate zitzer
