Birthday Week, pt. I

Birthday week was so awesome that it's going to encompass several posts. I'm pretty lucky to get so much celebrating, no?


Tuesday evening, Paige took me to dinner to celebrate my birthday! She's currently on a week long adventure in North Dakota, so we celebrated early at Socca* in Lakeview.



It was a stormy evening and the lake looked particularly dreary and eerie. But it's okay, because we had wine and frites and Italian food to warm our bellies.

I got a goat cheese and roasted peppers pizzette and it was one of the most amazing things I've ever tasted. I am definitely going back!

We had a grand time, even running through the rain to get home. I'm so blessed to have a friend like Paige! 

(Paige, I miss you; come back from the frozen North!)

*Can I just say that I find it terribly annoying when websites play music? I do. Beware, this one blasts music at you.

Eat, Drink, and be Merry!

Saturday night I got to celebrate Christmas AGAIN. David, Holly, and I went together on buying a cooking class for Dave for Christmas. Lucky for me, I got to go along. Yay!

We cooked a four course meal for ourselves at the Chopping Block in the Merchandise Mart downtown. (Can you say fancy?) It was really fun, especially because everything was measured out for us (my least favorite part of cooking!) and someone else washed the dishes. Amazing! Plus the whole kitchen was fancy-shmancy and we got to use the best tools. Definitely not the kind of experience I can replicate at home... at least without a shopping spree beforehand.

First, we prepared sausage and herbed cheese stuffed mushrooms. Neither Dave nor I am a fan of mushrooms, but we went in with an open mind and these little appetizers were very good. (I'm still not sold on mushrooms, though. I mean, they're fungus. Come on.)

Then we whipped up some broccoli and cauliflower gratin - complete with roux, one of the three French sauces. I love me some broccoli casserole... err, fancy gratin. And then there were the steaks. Mmm. With homemade herbed butter on top. And finally, my favorite part, cinnamon pumpkin donuts. I was on the frying shift for these guys and it was a lot easier than I expected! Maybe it was the chef-supervision and the state of the art kitchen tools?

Our spread at meal time

Beautiful Things

Ok, how gorgeous is this cake? How does Martha do it?? (here)

I think this cover design by Darren Booth is gorgeous. (book here)

Heirloom Tomatoes

Let's be clear on something: I love tomatoes. I love, love tomatoes. I grew up on what I call "Hawaii tomatoes." These would be the ones that are barged in to the islands and don't quite measure up to their mainland peers. On moving to the North American continent, I discovered the joy of non-barged tomatoes and my love for the little buggers has swelled. My new favorites are heirloom tomatoes. Paige and I bought a gorgeous yellow one the other weekend and it was exquisitely delicious. I got even luckier this week when last night Dave brought me a little bucket of small ones from the community garden next door to his office. (He's so nice, isn't he?)

I love tomatoes!

(picture from here)

Dinkel's Bakery

So every now and then my boss brings in donuts from Dinkel's Bakery, much to everyone's delight. I have never been to the actual bakery, which is in Lakeview, but consider it officially on my list for this weekend. I have sampled some of the most delicious donuts + pastries and I just looked at their website and they have other baked goods (i.e. breads + cakes), too. Dinkel's was founded in 1922 and has been family owned for four generations. This place is awesome. Who's up for a field trip? (<-- Marissa, I'm looking at you.)

Shortcake

Mmmm... look what I made from scratch this week! I feel so domestic.

Bagels + Amos Lee

Last night was epic. First, Dave and I had dinner at Chicago Bagel Authority. IF YOU LIVE NEAR CHICAGO GO THERE. It was so, so delicious. Steamed bagel sandwiches. Mmm.

Then we went to see Amos Lee, who is probably my favorite artist, who we have been trying to see live for two years. He is really just incredible. He sounded as good, if not better, live than in his records. It was wonderful. Epic, in fact. I wish I could do it all over again tonight.

...Instead, tonight I am printing (or attempting to print) my business cards. Wish me luck. There will need to be registration of colors. Sort of scary.

[Bagel picture is not my own, but from here. I was too busy eating to take any photos. Trust me, though, DELICIOUS.]