tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-77597631208802364462024-03-19T05:15:38.936-05:00Smokin' Chokin' and Chowing with the KingChicago Chow King / Regional Eats ChampKingThttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05368411195212070782noreply@blogger.comBlogger1544125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7759763120880236446.post-60842890505090149842024-03-18T09:30:00.009-05:002024-03-18T10:59:43.490-05:00Indian Food in the Suburbs <p><span face="Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif" style="background-color: black; color: white; font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-size: 23px;">-Grubbing in Chicagoland<br /></span></span><span face="Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif" style="background-color: black; color: white; font-size: 17px; font-weight: bold;">Five of a Kind: Suburban Indian Restaurants </span></p><p>When the question of where to get the best Indian food is discussed you might assume it's Devon avenue aka Little India to some - but that's changing. While there's still a ton of Indian restaurants up and down Devon there's not that many new spots opening up and that's because they're opening in the suburbs. Chicago's Indian community has grown so large that it's spread out around Chicagoland. It's not just one suburb either. There's two large communities in both Schaumburg and Naperville and with them lots of South Asian dining options and grocery stores in immediate vicinity. Today we head to both of those areas to check out some of the newer Indian spots that have opened in Chicagoland. <br /></p><div style="text-align: center;"><span face="Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif" style="background-color: #141414; color: white; font-size: 13px;">_______________________________________<br /><br /></span></div><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbx7NFmaEMW-gUReMcGl6o5cxObI52cTcay6k-b-1BRPLRaMtqsCxCArxfAeW7e48AQXZASL1hqvXDUfeGlx64ftYpXjTBWOotRGhm2cPkgWeTn-jGvegBoDFj1r1qjOXc6Scp7d6y_Mmh0V9fHRphG9XFDu7ulW7ydtRb9A_yH7XMEx89cNxOZ8eY282w/s4032/IMG_4274.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbx7NFmaEMW-gUReMcGl6o5cxObI52cTcay6k-b-1BRPLRaMtqsCxCArxfAeW7e48AQXZASL1hqvXDUfeGlx64ftYpXjTBWOotRGhm2cPkgWeTn-jGvegBoDFj1r1qjOXc6Scp7d6y_Mmh0V9fHRphG9XFDu7ulW7ydtRb9A_yH7XMEx89cNxOZ8eY282w/w400-h300/IMG_4274.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>Turmerica (Schaumburg) </b></div><br />This fast food import comes to Chicagoland via the state of Maharashtra in India. There's not much info online but they're known for their Maharashtrian dishes like Misal Pav. Misal is a spicy curry made with tomato gravy plus moth beans and pav is an Indian type of bread roll. The exact prep varies by region but it typically comes with farsan (salty snacks), onions, cilantro and cheese if you want it. The heat level can vary from mildly spicy to really spicy as it’s a DIY process. The spicy looking dark red oil served on the side determines how spicy you want to go. The end result reminded me of chili but I don’t recall a veggie version of chili quite as spicy and delicious as this. The pink sauce is called Solkadi. A follower on instagram told me it should be thinner than it looks in the pic as it's a drinkable digestion typically used after eating spicy food, which makes sense. I also tried an order of Kothimbir Vadi - a crispy and regionally popular snack from Maharashtra made with gram flour (besan), coriander leaves, peanuts, sesame seed and spices that are molded and fried and served with a savory chutney. Good stuff. Next visit I’ll get the Vada Pav, one of Mumbai’s signature dishes.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZIp75OluvrP9BHM000_UkGNMfJNW8WVq1nDHQFVIEM9ClJi41_elUncLT7UzAEcz9O048bpXfUrWSd1DAt54tYkj-xlk-dp8eNa2LqAIKnQspSNU0OYJbGr1vQ_RWC9-IAoRyxPyrGtkgPHNtap_MfRyjzLM9Pc_6Kci0RFihhf35zKUvjY88vaZou0uQ/s4032/IMG_4257.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZIp75OluvrP9BHM000_UkGNMfJNW8WVq1nDHQFVIEM9ClJi41_elUncLT7UzAEcz9O048bpXfUrWSd1DAt54tYkj-xlk-dp8eNa2LqAIKnQspSNU0OYJbGr1vQ_RWC9-IAoRyxPyrGtkgPHNtap_MfRyjzLM9Pc_6Kci0RFihhf35zKUvjY88vaZou0uQ/w400-h300/IMG_4257.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Kothimbir Vadi</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8eevj-wgYGd96X6CIEinENwH3rsV3UQG4DMzqJc83cSb_4t0ITox3tr2JgTicdewkYvWwDtaGz410WuwKOcSVg9NGtORlsoYWPbgzd4sm9mjg2n-_MAWt0EajA2QbyRvQUw3ZEIY95ntyunJ_kzeSF4svvf4na8Rw2cn-Om4V_6kNDTK2IyMbqVktSOh3/s4032/IMG_4236.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8eevj-wgYGd96X6CIEinENwH3rsV3UQG4DMzqJc83cSb_4t0ITox3tr2JgTicdewkYvWwDtaGz410WuwKOcSVg9NGtORlsoYWPbgzd4sm9mjg2n-_MAWt0EajA2QbyRvQUw3ZEIY95ntyunJ_kzeSF4svvf4na8Rw2cn-Om4V_6kNDTK2IyMbqVktSOh3/w400-h300/IMG_4236.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Misal Pav at Turmerica<br /><span face="Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif" style="background-color: #141414; color: white; font-size: 13px;">_______________________________________<br /><br /><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikMgh25TFw6rCjzU31jC3ZUtCYPtcVuKS7nkbPihdhIkOsfHic1FBFAzuJvE5ChCCgCcIaOrglh2iEuFX5s7wbWAjxaaWvnJlTlsSjt2iQSL9fVy8mFdYBoil1oKamuXGFsUM4sqy5TQ8WyDPu_e7AdJVkdhmXkq1rG4xtgECxW5dgPibKLgT8vVnQXnE7/s4032/IMG_7368.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikMgh25TFw6rCjzU31jC3ZUtCYPtcVuKS7nkbPihdhIkOsfHic1FBFAzuJvE5ChCCgCcIaOrglh2iEuFX5s7wbWAjxaaWvnJlTlsSjt2iQSL9fVy8mFdYBoil1oKamuXGFsUM4sqy5TQ8WyDPu_e7AdJVkdhmXkq1rG4xtgECxW5dgPibKLgT8vVnQXnE7/w400-h300/IMG_7368.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>Jay Bhavani Vadapav - Indian Vegetarian Street Food (Hoffman Estates)</b></div><div><br /></div><div>Speaking of Vada Pav it's the signature dish of our next stop. Jay Bhavani is another recently arrived fast food chain from India. Bombay style burgers aka Vada Pav are their specialty (a deep fried potato fritter in a bun with chutney). JBV sits in the corner of a large strip mall where it has one of those sloppy slot stops as a neighbor. I visited in the fall when they were just getting going and I clearly wasn't the only one who knew of it as they were busy with customers. Vada Pav is one of India's most beloved street foods overall as it's loved by most everybody with ties to Maharashtra and Mumbai. I have zero ties to India but lots of love for the Vada Pav. It was a little bit of let down that the green and red chutneys come pre-packaged but at less than $5 each they make for a great snack. As much as I like Vada Pav I've never tied one in India so I don't know exactly what separates the good from the great but this one was tasty and I would warmly welcome a closer location within the city. </div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgI7NO0ry3eJL0BXoVSHQnJHxw3s1r4ZpB0DLSDKyBxtpC4bCECE1tz6fT2KHAIjxi5Gi3q4F4EArmSkBiC0ZWT1s96lE1eznPAjo6NsxtFR-R99X3vZU1P-fgfge5wDbZKvIC-t3RZZPhpeEWxnDOmG8LKprWvrzSLH04gejEFbbM2LFDcuqGKWTDrbgXL/s4032/IMG_7391.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgI7NO0ry3eJL0BXoVSHQnJHxw3s1r4ZpB0DLSDKyBxtpC4bCECE1tz6fT2KHAIjxi5Gi3q4F4EArmSkBiC0ZWT1s96lE1eznPAjo6NsxtFR-R99X3vZU1P-fgfge5wDbZKvIC-t3RZZPhpeEWxnDOmG8LKprWvrzSLH04gejEFbbM2LFDcuqGKWTDrbgXL/w400-h300/IMG_7391.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Vada Pav at Jay Bhavani <br /><span face="Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif" style="background-color: #141414; color: white; font-size: 13px;">_______________________________________<br /><br /><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMEMGMnodrzGseWs8XNKUofCMbLqV8UF_rf2PTsYKKUWkGIcS8lo_hsLBMSSMEjDV5dnt-zv7vS1d_9NAEzQ8FD6dN_C7K2UygZNjTzZtFkAn0sVwdiyF5_XGwudf16UuDhhfWnvKJN7pXM2c78nMdSxZfSAgr_SVdcw8usp5fercmSLsmtbVw-hXoyKG1/s4032/IMG_8706.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMEMGMnodrzGseWs8XNKUofCMbLqV8UF_rf2PTsYKKUWkGIcS8lo_hsLBMSSMEjDV5dnt-zv7vS1d_9NAEzQ8FD6dN_C7K2UygZNjTzZtFkAn0sVwdiyF5_XGwudf16UuDhhfWnvKJN7pXM2c78nMdSxZfSAgr_SVdcw8usp5fercmSLsmtbVw-hXoyKG1/w400-h300/IMG_8706.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>WKND PaniPuri (Naperville)</b></div><br />When the Mall of India opened in an old WalMart location its intent was to bring all the benefits of Devon to Naperville and that it has. I visited last year and perused around the ginormous grocery store for a little bit before making my way to the food court where WKND PaniPuri caught my eye. Pani Puri is an extremely popular Indian street food made up of of crispy, hollow, fried balls of dough (puri) that are poked open and stuffed with boiled potatoes, chickpeas, onion, and a spicy and tangy water (pani). The exact origins of this chaat family favorite are murky but it has many regional variations. The Pani puri at WKND PaniPuri is stuffed with a flavorful seasoned mash potato mix and served with cups of red and green water based liquid. The green one is made with herbs like mint and cilantro while the red water consists of tamarind and chiles among other things. The end result is a burst of flavors and textures and an absolutely sensational snack. They also make a variation from Mumbai called Sev puri which is similar to pani puri as far as filling but it gets topped with sev which according to wikipedia are "a popular Indian snack food consisting of small pieces of crunchy noodles made from chickpea flour paste, which are seasoned with turmeric, cayenne, and ajwain before being deep-fried in oil". There was a time when finding India street food in this former cow town would’ve been impossible but these days the suburb is an enclave for South Asians.<div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhssk8xn74c6z1_z6UU4n1XK7ivuEcNHE-QvTkAXOG0O-QfHYznImGqVeyEDjbmY-RarRkZTlwejVvWzHLKslg5ig_z_2OYSGTgKrOzJCEqd6xnkzm69Ik4fRGj-6BYHOTO0gEfu6ZyYllDVwgV6jnbLdkVoMGg1Jj708hzWYYTuQpFlYB97cOt4sHVwqRG/s4032/IMG_8719.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhssk8xn74c6z1_z6UU4n1XK7ivuEcNHE-QvTkAXOG0O-QfHYznImGqVeyEDjbmY-RarRkZTlwejVvWzHLKslg5ig_z_2OYSGTgKrOzJCEqd6xnkzm69Ik4fRGj-6BYHOTO0gEfu6ZyYllDVwgV6jnbLdkVoMGg1Jj708hzWYYTuQpFlYB97cOt4sHVwqRG/w400-h300/IMG_8719.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Sev Puri</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGSCz0iFtvA2eRwSxzL9qKFPSg-3e36GA1cAXsSqBhVHILnLleBAFquQCTK12Qc88xTPFTEnFywqzI3Cza_R0A_AOP8amrHKjvapT_GkBhQtVeafdVh3oxZ_CqKhiiSGwPMp3Dwpk_5aE2rzTtMcJpqL8YU6dU7al9tQX3htFt5c7s1-deAk54yhYYh_oh/s4032/IMG_8737.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGSCz0iFtvA2eRwSxzL9qKFPSg-3e36GA1cAXsSqBhVHILnLleBAFquQCTK12Qc88xTPFTEnFywqzI3Cza_R0A_AOP8amrHKjvapT_GkBhQtVeafdVh3oxZ_CqKhiiSGwPMp3Dwpk_5aE2rzTtMcJpqL8YU6dU7al9tQX3htFt5c7s1-deAk54yhYYh_oh/w400-h300/IMG_8737.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Pani Puri at WKND PaniPuri<br /><span face="Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif" style="background-color: #141414; color: white; font-size: 13px;">_______________________________________<br /><br /><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwIvZpKQkGm0Mqe2TKcqzob7CJMtnU3c8xW1GGEdsOs_BGcdvtLk-k2O6d-bv6NagD12A2ktoeO3Chb6HkZY0OuDrNnMl-tDmFZzwSuw2Y6KxJUwWNvNDR2xnXJ8vIPh3cy-lTB5aBpri8FPLuPV8ZLoJM7L8nfeo7CMItAD0joivJk4XAZEEDyMhP5uY5/s4032/IMG_1857.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwIvZpKQkGm0Mqe2TKcqzob7CJMtnU3c8xW1GGEdsOs_BGcdvtLk-k2O6d-bv6NagD12A2ktoeO3Chb6HkZY0OuDrNnMl-tDmFZzwSuw2Y6KxJUwWNvNDR2xnXJ8vIPh3cy-lTB5aBpri8FPLuPV8ZLoJM7L8nfeo7CMItAD0joivJk4XAZEEDyMhP5uY5/w400-h300/IMG_1857.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>A2B Indian Veg Restaurant (Warrenville) </b></div><br />Whenever I’m going to a spot that I might not know a lot about there’s a few things I like to do including checking google reviews where I like to look at the most commonly mentioned words plus the pictures. This is how I ended up with the Royal Falooda at this vegetarian franchise from Chennai. The cold dessert with noodles has its origins in the Persian dish faloodeh. Variants of this are found across West, South and Central Asia. Traditionally it’s made with vermicelli noodles, rose syrup and sweet basil seeds plus milk and it’s often served with ice cream and powdered pistachios on top. A2B also has an extensive selection of Southern Indian dishes including a well made plate of Appam or hoppers as they're called in Sri Lankan cooking. Appam is essentially fermented rice batter and coconut milk cooked in a deep pan similar in shape to a wok. A2B serves Appam with a savory vegetable curry and sweet coconut milk for dipping. Their massive cones of dosa looked really good. This is the type of spot that's great for groups and boy they do come out during peak eating hours. <div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisxMla4Hh6ACHbsem1TGunAyClohGiu1c6fics_yzLiNkj2OmF-AQijA-Gkc4NdWT_ZIixjrvOyjsH0Cvr9DzKkuv24kWTyxu8sBcgfr_qFZ0rT6HvJ2zpS9bel0GbiLZf4WUNoxgyex4YExPBHBl0q0uh9AC1v9qa18ydk4dUO3G3JutncWn_X-Mc4aJl/s4032/IMG_1878.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisxMla4Hh6ACHbsem1TGunAyClohGiu1c6fics_yzLiNkj2OmF-AQijA-Gkc4NdWT_ZIixjrvOyjsH0Cvr9DzKkuv24kWTyxu8sBcgfr_qFZ0rT6HvJ2zpS9bel0GbiLZf4WUNoxgyex4YExPBHBl0q0uh9AC1v9qa18ydk4dUO3G3JutncWn_X-Mc4aJl/w400-h300/IMG_1878.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Appam</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicYrEksHjgWjTAbHmt99nflZe5gpjvC7pjk_zacUMeca6NQxVKl7ivXVxOXBzh3_bIQOb5zBADElh7jqk3iLKObuyv_0iESay7BhpOA4lTWVW6gl2lR3ivaxad5zBIWWeKDd7ijSF4Rz6Dxn-19LHDkofwAX97gtPpWIBSd6RvZ_Ks7LSZo3p2120Vf3Nu/s4032/IMG_1910.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicYrEksHjgWjTAbHmt99nflZe5gpjvC7pjk_zacUMeca6NQxVKl7ivXVxOXBzh3_bIQOb5zBADElh7jqk3iLKObuyv_0iESay7BhpOA4lTWVW6gl2lR3ivaxad5zBIWWeKDd7ijSF4Rz6Dxn-19LHDkofwAX97gtPpWIBSd6RvZ_Ks7LSZo3p2120Vf3Nu/w400-h300/IMG_1910.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Royal Falooda at A2B Indian Veg Restaurant <br /><span face="Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif" style="background-color: #141414; color: white; font-size: 13px;">_______________________________________<br /><br /><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEowqMemuyvRVL6o2xqU6-LsstnhpqiewcAELczRKT0ah6rLFAVcidCb4OCTr9YPmZ_DEdIqUnP-lIJAH5rDvv9uThtyNS3x2e-T6uTTVjhZNhuO_Cpk8VIXsVeRbUS0of6ffhNz-TZFZjco7yX9_ctUtA_59ymCidjIJ550CbjIFyjXXBm0XZepFVCIfT/s4032/IMG_1064.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEowqMemuyvRVL6o2xqU6-LsstnhpqiewcAELczRKT0ah6rLFAVcidCb4OCTr9YPmZ_DEdIqUnP-lIJAH5rDvv9uThtyNS3x2e-T6uTTVjhZNhuO_Cpk8VIXsVeRbUS0of6ffhNz-TZFZjco7yX9_ctUtA_59ymCidjIJ550CbjIFyjXXBm0XZepFVCIfT/w400-h300/IMG_1064.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>Mughal Biryani House (Park Ridge)</b></div><br />Towards the end of last year I did some Christmas Shopping at the outlet mall in Rosemont and it came some very good Indian food courtesy of Dan aka <a href="https://www.instagram.com/polski_eater/">@polski_eater</a> who met me at this biryani specialist. It opened last summer and has had very favorable reviews which is kind of a warning sign with Indian restaurants as the best Indian spots typically have a mediocre rating due to reviewers need to compare every dish to their moms and what not. Haha. But nah most of the good reviews for here were coming from the local Indian - American community plus I was already intrigued with their rather interesting menu. Many of the online reviews mention the chili chicken which is a favorite of mine so that was an easy pick as far as what to start out with. It was very good but lacked a bit of actual heat as it was served lukewarm but they were pretty swamped with orders so we didn’t want to further the delay. Had it been served steaming hot it could’ve been as good a version as I’ve come across in these parts but still not to the level of Yueh Tung in Toronto. On the other hand their biryani was pretty much as good as I’ve come across around here though I haven’t had enough versions to make a claim on where it stands amongst the best in Chicagoland. But it was fresh and fragrant and loaded with tender bits of Chicken 65. Same goes for the masala egg omelet which was a bit of revelation to me, masala seasoning should be a standard ingredient in all omelets. I always like to try Kothu Parotta if it’s on the menu as it is here. Torn up pieces of paratha are stir fried with chicken, eggs, and savory spices among other things depending on the recipe. This one was a real mouth burner (SPICY) but tasty nonetheless. We finished off with a steaming hot bowl of Gulab Jamun, a popular dessert of deep fried balls of dough sitting in sweet rose flavored syrup.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEir17PPwYiXQh5LjO3H-sFyHVwDQlETf5eZnO1Di_AMLkPU-yWfhHegPQsffrv8TE7jDhVGa_FYVtd5C7i867tUqEW-uE1b-gSsTmZYB-Lnq1H_z1CrbLRh-1EvI5kLjlHCMmgMyDNr-yQLfiR_wNX7-LYhyphenhyphenV6mUm-ISsNx-DD6Zxt2Ahdm-64hXa6PbW2Z/s4032/IMG_0995.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEir17PPwYiXQh5LjO3H-sFyHVwDQlETf5eZnO1Di_AMLkPU-yWfhHegPQsffrv8TE7jDhVGa_FYVtd5C7i867tUqEW-uE1b-gSsTmZYB-Lnq1H_z1CrbLRh-1EvI5kLjlHCMmgMyDNr-yQLfiR_wNX7-LYhyphenhyphenV6mUm-ISsNx-DD6Zxt2Ahdm-64hXa6PbW2Z/s320/IMG_0995.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghkaD3rTbG9eaXXLdCORHlfRVZ6vLgu8JOr58HCFwOYxcBnSipDUDEbK57zogsWLqgOR7jx_iNSM_FHq6AI-cKNhkogTgFol-NJRcZ2HogQV9Q0f22Cgq_k8Pw6P9Q508Legs8tlGamHHlQNnVSOUF9fd7ZrGx2pRtbTUPCOk3H9_thtxbrSnN5DXLI_oh/s4032/IMG_1049.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghkaD3rTbG9eaXXLdCORHlfRVZ6vLgu8JOr58HCFwOYxcBnSipDUDEbK57zogsWLqgOR7jx_iNSM_FHq6AI-cKNhkogTgFol-NJRcZ2HogQV9Q0f22Cgq_k8Pw6P9Q508Legs8tlGamHHlQNnVSOUF9fd7ZrGx2pRtbTUPCOk3H9_thtxbrSnN5DXLI_oh/s320/IMG_1049.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgdt9pZ5tVQGM8TAVIasb-PYCQXH3NPjUB9CZ74JT4JXJz3ZK-LDN2oIw5qaFf3MYQiIjI6_-U2iae_vwSY4f55WLGXymjnGpr09B-iYeqWi2xwLWw9oQ-6nx5UPX4GASN-K8nb6cBPtPiOk1IT81MpyN0TwG_OkyoH0QXuKSTQ5Ux6lRAUwXtIeYB2bT5/s4032/IMG_1032.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgdt9pZ5tVQGM8TAVIasb-PYCQXH3NPjUB9CZ74JT4JXJz3ZK-LDN2oIw5qaFf3MYQiIjI6_-U2iae_vwSY4f55WLGXymjnGpr09B-iYeqWi2xwLWw9oQ-6nx5UPX4GASN-K8nb6cBPtPiOk1IT81MpyN0TwG_OkyoH0QXuKSTQ5Ux6lRAUwXtIeYB2bT5/s320/IMG_1032.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTinBQcUVYw13vw3VGrWNOrrP6fGXjMx-ijpgOQ5c7EInxf3qP6P6YQ2GsFXbWMHxTNgkefDvQ6EdjuXhAR6N7-uw5t6V62OKmZtkZntlHBsjfAJ4c-QFDzsSx4NS0lvmz53kL7jVC3VNBMYSUeRHehoz9doDs6K1m5nWvWjOsJb4KQ8J73BgsfCsQI4U0/s4032/IMG_1010.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTinBQcUVYw13vw3VGrWNOrrP6fGXjMx-ijpgOQ5c7EInxf3qP6P6YQ2GsFXbWMHxTNgkefDvQ6EdjuXhAR6N7-uw5t6V62OKmZtkZntlHBsjfAJ4c-QFDzsSx4NS0lvmz53kL7jVC3VNBMYSUeRHehoz9doDs6K1m5nWvWjOsJb4KQ8J73BgsfCsQI4U0/s320/IMG_1010.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhf-PPZwAp16qMaInJhpjzi5JQCMe9QWwcgpbb3EjcZ4FcLLjtuwTkp-kwutua0R4cheq8DEAHi7R9R-a1I5iC2BpKD4ZHytn63_PJsTe4t-6x4t9KbOdZ_auw9m2Q5IKIX-1CuhBr5RqICktzHR7PCWJVJtZDQliTn32BuIv-xLnV4ZiHuZc8f6epbP11y/s4032/IMG_1054.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhf-PPZwAp16qMaInJhpjzi5JQCMe9QWwcgpbb3EjcZ4FcLLjtuwTkp-kwutua0R4cheq8DEAHi7R9R-a1I5iC2BpKD4ZHytn63_PJsTe4t-6x4t9KbOdZ_auw9m2Q5IKIX-1CuhBr5RqICktzHR7PCWJVJtZDQliTn32BuIv-xLnV4ZiHuZc8f6epbP11y/s320/IMG_1054.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Dinner at Mughal Biryani House <br /><span face="Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif" style="background-color: #141414; color: white; font-size: 13px;">_______________________________________</span></div><p style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: medium;">See ya next time <a href="https://www.instagram.com/chibbqking/">@chibbqking</a> </span></b></p></div></div></div></div>KingThttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05368411195212070782noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7759763120880236446.post-58270595142701561512024-03-11T09:00:00.006-05:002024-03-11T10:53:31.769-05:00Hugo's Frog Bar <p><span face="Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif" style="background-color: black; color: white; font-size: 13px;"><span face=""trebuchet ms", trebuchet, verdana, sans-serif" style="font-size: 23px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 20.7969px;">-Grubbing in Chicago</span><span face=""trebuchet ms", trebuchet, verdana, sans-serif" style="line-height: 20.7969px;"> </span></span><span face="Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif" style="background-color: black; color: white; font-size: 13px;"><span face=""trebuchet ms", trebuchet, verdana, sans-serif" style="font-size: 17px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 20.7969px;"> <br /></span></span><span face="Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif" style="background-color: black; color: white; font-size: 17px; font-weight: bold;">Happy Hour and Friday Fish Fry in the Gold Coast</span><br /><br />Today we head to a lesser visited part of the city, for me anyway. For others the Gold Coast is a playground. It’s an area most tourists staying downtown likely visit during their stay. As one of the most affluent neighborhoods in the city there’s plenty of shopping with lots of food and drink options to boot. Though it’s not an area I visit too often I do find myself there from time to time and more times than not it’s due to a visit to Hugo’s Frog Bar - home to my favorite happy hour in the city.<br /></p><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicnxl1Jn2VA2sfZq3OFTVu2dz3ZHp8Ry0LNnT70k3qaurjix78oh6A9s_bWXLsSm2CSha34KNH7sISVhzj4kcoSkQXqH-IUy3DSiEuGSI1I5t16pWKQKwFOF06DjK0CultvXnh30vf9uYqix99E9rQ4V3b6ibqv2wrARJWZZpWxlG9yJng35lVGingBRnl/s4032/IMG_4763.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicnxl1Jn2VA2sfZq3OFTVu2dz3ZHp8Ry0LNnT70k3qaurjix78oh6A9s_bWXLsSm2CSha34KNH7sISVhzj4kcoSkQXqH-IUy3DSiEuGSI1I5t16pWKQKwFOF06DjK0CultvXnh30vf9uYqix99E9rQ4V3b6ibqv2wrARJWZZpWxlG9yJng35lVGingBRnl/w400-h300/IMG_4763.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Locals (and tourists) Favorite in the Gold Coast </div><br />Hugo’s sits on a prime piece of real estate along Rush street directly next door to its sister restaurant Gibson’s Bar. I’ve never been a big Gibson’s guy but the steakhouse is one of the highest grossing restaurants in town so it has more than its fair share of fans. Hugo’s is the seafood forward sibling of Gibson’s and I prefer it because of that. Specifically because of the oyster happy hour which is no doubt the best in town. It’s only available on Sunday-Thursday (3-6p) and you can only get it in the bar area which means space is limited but it’s worth going early for $1 oysters and half off almost all bottles of champagne and wine. Not only are the oysters still just a buck each which is rare in of itself but you can choose from any of the bivalves they have on offer and the choices are always really well rounded with pristinely shucked selections from both coasts. We like to add an order of their fantastic fresh cut fries to the mix and with that you got my favorite happy hour experience in all of Chicago. <br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5so-VCshSDuoeteKJ0mZJT22aUpVR0R9fV8LCfjH-I58zEWVXzHLo3ACBgZ2YIeASmLx8eRJRPjvyVw-S3_Db6WH4DdptYrT5N5k0qjzmegTgm-FD00eG5qZvCxbDKe17uxZWl3NWuXjEuVUvOn0gtNQhWUjkg4D98ZIXsDiDWG2yZWrhFwfPiaT3Usin/s4032/IMG_4755.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5so-VCshSDuoeteKJ0mZJT22aUpVR0R9fV8LCfjH-I58zEWVXzHLo3ACBgZ2YIeASmLx8eRJRPjvyVw-S3_Db6WH4DdptYrT5N5k0qjzmegTgm-FD00eG5qZvCxbDKe17uxZWl3NWuXjEuVUvOn0gtNQhWUjkg4D98ZIXsDiDWG2yZWrhFwfPiaT3Usin/s320/IMG_4755.jpg" width="320" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCcpNiv6LFRTLJW0znrS6HYL8LBIcrqY7WvO7iv0vGyrYHPS4PGvAjbm2sR8v4KFWqwG6cg5XG8QRXAOhxGhgCATAIkaBNQ65HZ4uumnzVXcXYb1WZuqSs_79_3cSFgqDna9sGuUODdcVMoIMR_CGc7Wv3AXWQpXjfl9vAWBIpJQ1GMjR8-ZpIzr973Gbz/s4032/IMG_4749.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCcpNiv6LFRTLJW0znrS6HYL8LBIcrqY7WvO7iv0vGyrYHPS4PGvAjbm2sR8v4KFWqwG6cg5XG8QRXAOhxGhgCATAIkaBNQ65HZ4uumnzVXcXYb1WZuqSs_79_3cSFgqDna9sGuUODdcVMoIMR_CGc7Wv3AXWQpXjfl9vAWBIpJQ1GMjR8-ZpIzr973Gbz/s320/IMG_4749.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Happy Hour Oysters and Fries at Hugo's Frog Bar </div><br />Another strength of Hugo’s aside from its overall charm as a nice spot for a night out is its Friday special lake perch. There's surprisingly few places where you can find lake perch on the menu in Chicago and with that there’s very few places to get a real deal Friday fish fry. There’s plenty of spots to get fish and chips but to me a real Great Lakes region Friday Fish Fry has to have some sort of lake fish on offer be it bluegill, walleye, or lake perch (my favorite of them all). Hugo’s serves a pan fried lake perch special for $32 on Fridays. It’s a bit steep as far as pricing goes compared to a fish fry in Northwest Indiana or Southeast Wisconsin but it’s much closer for those of us in the city plus lake pech isn't cheap out there either. It also comes with your choice of a soup or salad. If you go the soup route you can get a big bowl of above average clam chowder to start off your meal. After that comes six soft and tender pieces of lightly pan fried lake perch sitting in a puddle of lemon butter plus a basket of those fantastic fresh cut fries, some of the best in the city for sure. I like to dip the fries into their refreshing dill tartar sauce which comes out with coleslaw and ketchup. While they don’t call it a Friday fish fry it’s essentially that and it’s probably the best Friday fish fry in the city from a quality production standpoint and it’s also more filling than most of them. So in my opinion it’s well worth it.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0okZCu2Zp3b3n4Gqq14J_vgZWWqPY5CA10R059_iXMZ9Sx_ar_w80oL0CdRgrJtElacAi17tbKTt_xH99WR_0mpOMPFlVLP-XWnOzc_PVKcNfA-KClkKzz1HOi40blIlJ2v5P7lwWxoxIotFe2LjAMzNnsoFTeI3lpfBHSEGEGY3mYU1k-eTKv6k0Dhez/s4032/IMG_8587.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0okZCu2Zp3b3n4Gqq14J_vgZWWqPY5CA10R059_iXMZ9Sx_ar_w80oL0CdRgrJtElacAi17tbKTt_xH99WR_0mpOMPFlVLP-XWnOzc_PVKcNfA-KClkKzz1HOi40blIlJ2v5P7lwWxoxIotFe2LjAMzNnsoFTeI3lpfBHSEGEGY3mYU1k-eTKv6k0Dhez/w400-h300/IMG_8587.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Friday Special Lake Perch </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div>Hugo's Frog Bar<br />1024 N Rush St<br />Chicago, IL 60611 <br />(312) 640-0999<br /><a href="https://www.hugosfrogbar.com/locations/chicago/">Website</a>KingThttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05368411195212070782noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7759763120880236446.post-27213152083628014192024-03-04T09:30:00.015-06:002024-03-05T10:31:17.318-06:00Gaoku Izakaya <p><span face="Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif" style="background-color: black; color: white; font-size: 13px;"><span face=""trebuchet ms", trebuchet, verdana, sans-serif" style="font-size: 23px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 20.7969px;">-Grubbing in Chicago</span><span face=""trebuchet ms", trebuchet, verdana, sans-serif" style="line-height: 20.7969px;"> </span></span><span face="Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif" style="background-color: black; color: white; font-size: 13px;"><span face=""trebuchet ms", trebuchet, verdana, sans-serif" style="font-size: 17px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 20.7969px;"> <br /></span></span><span face="Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif" style="background-color: black; color: white; font-size: 17px; font-weight: bold;">Japanese-Thai Bar Food in Humboldt Park</span></p><p>There’s never a time when restaurants aren't opening. Some debut in between the food calendar years meaning they open after the years best new restaurants are chosen but also before the year is over. There’s always a handful of these in Chicago and today we head over to Humboldt Park to check one of them out. Gaoku Izakaya and Craft Drinks opened quietly in December of 2023. Its opening on a corner of California and Augusta has solidified that intersection as one of the best for food as it’s joined by Spinning J, Segnatore, and Rootstock - three very good spots. One of the people behind Gaoku runs Q Sushi and Omakase in Ravenswood which I have yet to visit but there’s people in the know who enjoy it. Gaoku focuses on izakaya style Japanese bar food with Thai influences. It’s also a cocktail bar mixing with Japanese and Thai ingredients making it a good choice for food and drinks. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2CYF-yg55sKIdYmeWE3urgHq6LHi6giyITX3elQ9mVDkG1NjpJkRpojhdQMPSvqpVFszTvTdH5QWuqMYGiU96dk_1BA6wFA4KxrwU8n92nN_P2WdkglFERN3phkytoUM-aCPrakf1qrZbV7GuURLFK_NijjqPafZrdplvinDfMUBQj81GsTzbyKhq1V4J/s4032/IMG_0776.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2CYF-yg55sKIdYmeWE3urgHq6LHi6giyITX3elQ9mVDkG1NjpJkRpojhdQMPSvqpVFszTvTdH5QWuqMYGiU96dk_1BA6wFA4KxrwU8n92nN_P2WdkglFERN3phkytoUM-aCPrakf1qrZbV7GuURLFK_NijjqPafZrdplvinDfMUBQj81GsTzbyKhq1V4J/w400-h300/IMG_0776.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Recently Opened in Humboldt Park </div><p>Gaoku very much has the feel of an updated neighborhood bar but what separates it from other similar spots is its unique menu of Japanese-Thai dishes. The dinner menu is broken down into two sections including hot and cold. We visited towards the end of the year and I really liked the potential of this place based on what we had. Service was also above average which I feel needs to be said these days. The pace at which the plates came out was on par with what it should be meaning there was minimal time in between us finishing a dish and a new one arriving. There were two of us eating but a group of four or more could easily try the entire menu. First up the Hotate Scallops are made with high quality Hokkaido Scallops and coconut dashi, lemongrass Powder, yuzu juice, Golden Kluga caviar, cilantro. It’s a cold dish that will hit the spot for those that are fans of both ceviche and southeast Asian flavors. The Hirame was just as good - Japanese Flounder marinated in Konbu seaweed, house ponzu, dry miso, Thai basil, Shichimi, grapeseed oil and topped with cilantro. Just like with with the previous dish I really enjoyed the Thai flavors paired with Japanese technique in this one. We both thought the tuna tartare was good but it wasn’t as impressive or satisfying as the first two cold dishes. I wouldn’t call it a miss but unlike the others I wouldn’t order it again. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjo2Ckb3SYHyb1-ZcL852o-7XVMOmRgxyp2UsPlyYXniYnzTLGB4wo97Sx8tJOpipiJzW238j8XOLYes4ZGwRFIWsBcgAhV7b1C_fxMoPAmKyYExGxFYjysev_-qXRZsRKIWEAW72SohOsOG8o5TLjzXFdUGQJbxA_Snjgy3XEz8T-iHpQ6roGWAymGickX/s4032/IMG_0723.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjo2Ckb3SYHyb1-ZcL852o-7XVMOmRgxyp2UsPlyYXniYnzTLGB4wo97Sx8tJOpipiJzW238j8XOLYes4ZGwRFIWsBcgAhV7b1C_fxMoPAmKyYExGxFYjysev_-qXRZsRKIWEAW72SohOsOG8o5TLjzXFdUGQJbxA_Snjgy3XEz8T-iHpQ6roGWAymGickX/s320/IMG_0723.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Hotate Scallops</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglDdvrOw6dFtg_jZjjlx964T0Io1KCFHtCxyrZxn1I9mHNZPIFPCnj0GOlGKV8HYS8mB5cBE7wVG2yeDVyG7jZ77J8dv3EWYculyn2stJTdHm-PfSf6ffkyDwV3JGDRPD1HobSFBW1C4RVZbtc9fFZFqqiLNIohaKO6c_VZAgrD46zbN9yARjuTU3O2cQA/s4032/IMG_0717.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglDdvrOw6dFtg_jZjjlx964T0Io1KCFHtCxyrZxn1I9mHNZPIFPCnj0GOlGKV8HYS8mB5cBE7wVG2yeDVyG7jZ77J8dv3EWYculyn2stJTdHm-PfSf6ffkyDwV3JGDRPD1HobSFBW1C4RVZbtc9fFZFqqiLNIohaKO6c_VZAgrD46zbN9yARjuTU3O2cQA/s320/IMG_0717.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Hirame Flounder </div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7k7D0VhwM-kKFSA57viKFBkMF48FXWhew5sNtJVMlclo5A5I0Shulo78m8Lf4BOfkYcC450oA11OlirAFPSprzqQNhKtjgMceCcNAI9eMgI7LKpiQ6v2dswf7sXiPU5y6bWN78Uh-s0i4MEaSESkJDhbQ5pAHEbr9PSee-WtesFMaJlNPLiK2qUTfu27S/s4032/IMG_0732.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7k7D0VhwM-kKFSA57viKFBkMF48FXWhew5sNtJVMlclo5A5I0Shulo78m8Lf4BOfkYcC450oA11OlirAFPSprzqQNhKtjgMceCcNAI9eMgI7LKpiQ6v2dswf7sXiPU5y6bWN78Uh-s0i4MEaSESkJDhbQ5pAHEbr9PSee-WtesFMaJlNPLiK2qUTfu27S/s320/IMG_0732.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Tuna Tartare </div><p>Moving onto the hot options it seems like their Karaage chicken served with a Thai curry aioli is one of the popular dishes early on but we opted for a few other things including a delicious charcoal grilled Hamachi Kama - miso marinated yellowtail collar served with a Thai style chimmichuri. We scarfed that down and both felt it was the best dish up until that point. An order of the Tora Ebi (Charcoal Grilled skull Island Tiger Prawn, Motoyaki Sauce, Thai Curry Powder, Chives) didn’t satisfy in the same way but you might have better luck. I didn’t feel like it matched the pricepoint ($28) as far as size goes and there wasn’t as much flavor to them as I was expecting. However the opposite can be said about the Sakura Pork - Charcoal grilled marinated Duroc pork shoulder is served with a roasted rice ponzu and pickled shallots and scallions. The meat was extremely flavorful and very texturally pleasing from a trip over the charcoal. I've already got a spot for it on my year end 'best of' list. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhW1xDdJ2NX4cfXnZ6o-9HOCRyYUUTniP-OgeqUrINQ1W7gQwQZNEzSQ_5xVyulHMDQ0kQoIQHZG7iC4cEUPhzHdXgtVkkxWvy-n0zXEagdXCuw5wcZkcMSRsKy-nuNhZgayQOCvjxinbXvcnN9_NfVOlYsrrkjhlKvZ29f13AfVGVFpfgbu2ButKJagN4T/s4032/IMG_0742.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhW1xDdJ2NX4cfXnZ6o-9HOCRyYUUTniP-OgeqUrINQ1W7gQwQZNEzSQ_5xVyulHMDQ0kQoIQHZG7iC4cEUPhzHdXgtVkkxWvy-n0zXEagdXCuw5wcZkcMSRsKy-nuNhZgayQOCvjxinbXvcnN9_NfVOlYsrrkjhlKvZ29f13AfVGVFpfgbu2ButKJagN4T/s320/IMG_0742.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Hamachi Kama<br /><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8ZAAeOxsiKbuPYvL3w78lNit9hXzZiiYjtd7UJy-j9gxmIS9nK9odFyJI9VkpBALm3-XJpM3gCLD9Ka-cBlg7fxHt8QODcL9NwekIY4UM0yheSVCLDoSDLfrQXPIltYWHhFc4GOz8qN41hSMxc5WIxwN1zxiK7n_3xEQWY2DFhWHbx-sOlUQdHft22qd_/s4032/IMG_0752.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8ZAAeOxsiKbuPYvL3w78lNit9hXzZiiYjtd7UJy-j9gxmIS9nK9odFyJI9VkpBALm3-XJpM3gCLD9Ka-cBlg7fxHt8QODcL9NwekIY4UM0yheSVCLDoSDLfrQXPIltYWHhFc4GOz8qN41hSMxc5WIxwN1zxiK7n_3xEQWY2DFhWHbx-sOlUQdHft22qd_/s320/IMG_0752.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Tora Ebi</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgizklI0HND6eUXJ76nwee9_-CNJPrg_UOmEfh8myw4Y9St3xnkX_1lgYN-BHl_zN0ZhSGJmvHG1kIqr-HL5U5Hjcyn-gc9vhkHzXzq6bCjIL48VvokvzApPMGq0olRhqdbGhPOlQRW3LSuQFxICYsEE1ULkgXzAzWFwdWPBV1nFSHA4oaFsQ89-05v5iII/s4032/IMG_0762.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgizklI0HND6eUXJ76nwee9_-CNJPrg_UOmEfh8myw4Y9St3xnkX_1lgYN-BHl_zN0ZhSGJmvHG1kIqr-HL5U5Hjcyn-gc9vhkHzXzq6bCjIL48VvokvzApPMGq0olRhqdbGhPOlQRW3LSuQFxICYsEE1ULkgXzAzWFwdWPBV1nFSHA4oaFsQ89-05v5iII/s320/IMG_0762.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Grilled Duroc Pork Shoulder </div><p>Gaoku recently introduced a weekend lunch menu - Saturday and Sunday (12p-3p) - featuring a selection of ramen and rice bowls. I would highly recommend the Aburi Engawa - torched pieces of flounder fin served atop a mound of seasoned rice with pickled daikon and green onion. It’s a simple dish which means the ingredients need to shine and that they do. Flounder fin meat is neither easily obtainable or cheap and it’s also not abundant which is why this dish has limited availability. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiWhnM62AtYxk4sljxCrLCTxsXeaMj9tZz9mAl_Y71XCSleJYTJI1hw7SHAEgN8SbiQlzTayVohDJzTpa1S55Bw75Jq17vtsA7Pbug-J00q3BTA6CUSSAukN_zIhqLB0_Cmrh4auESZJRcwrJLUskEODfuOCHnF705_TMevMeGs-sLGY-cBmgXLV3Z9OAs/s4032/IMG_8619.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiWhnM62AtYxk4sljxCrLCTxsXeaMj9tZz9mAl_Y71XCSleJYTJI1hw7SHAEgN8SbiQlzTayVohDJzTpa1S55Bw75Jq17vtsA7Pbug-J00q3BTA6CUSSAukN_zIhqLB0_Cmrh4auESZJRcwrJLUskEODfuOCHnF705_TMevMeGs-sLGY-cBmgXLV3Z9OAs/w400-h300/IMG_8619.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Aburi Engawa at Gaoku Izakaya</div><p>Each of the ramen options has some Thai flare going for it with the Khao Soi being the most obvious. It uses a Northern Thai curry style base mixed with ramen noodles and topped with Chicken Karaage, scallions, pickled mustard, and shallots. I enjoyed this genuinely spicy bowl of noodles with my only complaint being the fried chicken chunks were a bit too big to handle as far as a soup goes, they should cut them down a little bit as far as size. I thought a few other selections from the lunch menu sounded worth a try including the seafood donburi, specifically the one with charcoal grilled unagi (eel).</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrY79NuRLF9owxWFt5rn1piZaENg_rfr3RasHecTdi4M0ykPt2ud_X7gDZeSqAUZPKx_47VGqQu5ZIdDSn3k6n2S-tLWTuyF7B6yFH3NO6C-HhcjyrbC_zJtLcLb4nFMOeaiu8O33sUdXkRlnYcqrcmbmwYCVATVayQooy5EWSqsOGiFn0c-KQ-7ruey5s/s4032/IMG_8637.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrY79NuRLF9owxWFt5rn1piZaENg_rfr3RasHecTdi4M0ykPt2ud_X7gDZeSqAUZPKx_47VGqQu5ZIdDSn3k6n2S-tLWTuyF7B6yFH3NO6C-HhcjyrbC_zJtLcLb4nFMOeaiu8O33sUdXkRlnYcqrcmbmwYCVATVayQooy5EWSqsOGiFn0c-KQ-7ruey5s/s320/IMG_8637.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHd4G8V3k7hT_Owasmcz3eo5lV7ScK5F6GzFluIgQyZ40Ozduvs0kjzW8yeKSYUPMzcAZAmuceBWC7Toki2_9IvtqzpQzlS4c6SJ9rP6Lk-cm8cUMICuMzyqn0lFCN-HVxwqF1BEX7GitcFNrO4mpAA69cHTinERiZb2BAyeBVg2rJq1I95nuA9bafxgE6/s4032/IMG_8647.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHd4G8V3k7hT_Owasmcz3eo5lV7ScK5F6GzFluIgQyZ40Ozduvs0kjzW8yeKSYUPMzcAZAmuceBWC7Toki2_9IvtqzpQzlS4c6SJ9rP6Lk-cm8cUMICuMzyqn0lFCN-HVxwqF1BEX7GitcFNrO4mpAA69cHTinERiZb2BAyeBVg2rJq1I95nuA9bafxgE6/s320/IMG_8647.jpg" width="320" /></a><br />Khao Soi Ramen <br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;">Gaoku Izakaya <br />2759 W Augusta Blvd<br />Chicago, IL 60622 <br />(773) 698-6261<br /><a href="https://www.gaokuchicago.com/">Website</a></div></div></div>KingThttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05368411195212070782noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7759763120880236446.post-83170080336786223002024-02-26T10:00:00.002-06:002024-02-26T10:00:00.140-06:00Eating BIG in the Treasure Coast <p><span face="Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif" style="background-color: #141414; color: white; font-size: 23.4px; font-weight: bold;">Eating like a local:<br /></span><span face="Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif" style="background-color: #141414; color: white; font-size: 23.4px; font-weight: bold;">Regional food specialties</span><span face="Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif" style="background-color: #141414; color: white; font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-size: 13px;"> <br /></span></span><span style="background-color: #141414;"><span face="Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif" style="color: white; font-size: medium;"><b>- Exploring Southeast Florida's Less Visited Region </b></span></span></p><p>In all of my years of visiting South Florida I'd never ventured north into the Treasure Coast until just recently. The Treasure Coast being the coastal region north of South Florida. When you leave Palm Beach County going north you enter the Treasure Coast which consists of Indian River, Martin, and St. Lucie counties. Popular towns include Port St. Lucie (the largest), Fort Pierce, Hutchinson Island, Jensen Beach, Stuart and Vero Beach. I got as far north as Fort Pierce on my two visits, both of which really surprised me. I loved the laid back lifestyle and all the colorful buildings that feel like Old Florida. It's way underdeveloped compared to it's neighbor to the south. The area is home to over 96,000 acres of parks and conservation land as well as the most biodiverse lagoon ecosystem in the nation. It's an outdoor paradise that extends beyond the beautiful beaches giving way to world class biking and kayaking backdrops. Each of the towns has a bit of a different feel to them. I really took a liking to Jensen Beach which is a colorful little community with character. I could totally see myself spending more time around here whether that's visiting the area or living there. Color me impressed. <br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvbmKym2BKEhyjItcPOuehcoF4AFXYovwE4n85udyuoQRkjGk19JRlEXGOxUzSjZ1s4YXNpr5CbLHVXP_GRiG_hO9D2fJfzf3mFxFY10LZK_alan232cvzKD8TPhXKdcRVEN_2dX-bS5-9l2VIDf4TBds5Nl68Or4k1OyLTLQx7OojYEeTgkztfPVPY69V/s2048/Image-1.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="2048" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvbmKym2BKEhyjItcPOuehcoF4AFXYovwE4n85udyuoQRkjGk19JRlEXGOxUzSjZ1s4YXNpr5CbLHVXP_GRiG_hO9D2fJfzf3mFxFY10LZK_alan232cvzKD8TPhXKdcRVEN_2dX-bS5-9l2VIDf4TBds5Nl68Or4k1OyLTLQx7OojYEeTgkztfPVPY69V/w400-h400/Image-1.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Florida's Colorful Treasure Coast <br />_______________________________________</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgC89qZiWg72tIf2F8GtzcHoSW1CdMqavX5ZogWTX1f2PfHzCYcCQJ1kay9q4eGenhnsYObL1wJoYuafyZvaGlxtRXWakqsqbZXnRvQWXCigkCOjo_nUFqjQEMK-oB_NIPoixNmgrRk3zupVKxwbrvQLJbOwmoBEPGtTdinaUCzVa_heDOBitfxD9qIB7NW/s4032/IMG_3008.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgC89qZiWg72tIf2F8GtzcHoSW1CdMqavX5ZogWTX1f2PfHzCYcCQJ1kay9q4eGenhnsYObL1wJoYuafyZvaGlxtRXWakqsqbZXnRvQWXCigkCOjo_nUFqjQEMK-oB_NIPoixNmgrRk3zupVKxwbrvQLJbOwmoBEPGtTdinaUCzVa_heDOBitfxD9qIB7NW/w400-h300/IMG_3008.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>Chuck's Seafood Restaurant (Fort Pierce) </b></div><br />Our first stop is a local landmark for fried shrimp. Chuck's is a prototypical Florida seafood shack. It's got the dimly lit mahogany bar, a carpeted dining room and outdoor seating on the water. I stopped here specifically for the shrimp with a beer and some sun. There's plenty of seafood options on the menu but the fried shrimp are by far the most popular menu item and rightfully so. I got the appetizer which comes with five large pieces of fresh shrimp split down the middle giving them an usual shape. It works well as it splits into three perfect bites. I really liked these with the cocktail sauce while a couple of gratis hush puppies were better than many I've tried. I imagine I'll be back for that shrimp. <br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEBajR_n62LhCFkn_8NW_W99j9K7TJyOO7TclY-ZI0E0JCuyvfXoGjjegKZ7m16OhtYYJIBvh0Kf_JuYIdM-fkCPMjJrYAUE4UvGugFog-ccRPLmnO0nnfpVwsAoY4PvJk7MY7Y1nfcwgFrb3W51nar8LKhNxow2PqxuBgKEeGvhyphenhyphenRHuaOU98gw2l66ymf/s4032/IMG_2944.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEBajR_n62LhCFkn_8NW_W99j9K7TJyOO7TclY-ZI0E0JCuyvfXoGjjegKZ7m16OhtYYJIBvh0Kf_JuYIdM-fkCPMjJrYAUE4UvGugFog-ccRPLmnO0nnfpVwsAoY4PvJk7MY7Y1nfcwgFrb3W51nar8LKhNxow2PqxuBgKEeGvhyphenhyphenRHuaOU98gw2l66ymf/w400-h300/IMG_2944.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Fried Shrimp at Chuck's Seafood Restaurant <br />_______________________________________</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrjHUUmT2gk95AOYJjxCpBZChs4nrTVVlZlDWNhGYZhQzj6ov0CSGlBXQ76lezybrGbt5aYC6HfbAw09U0WyMHy1d46B1gqJbC2QQqzsXT_hnq2QdTBE3Al3LcWPtVy2rUqN5D2uxZIStHuxJZjHYOXZ5kCmfvYpeZTObpNowcqEThSFBF1vN_VQmQR2TN/s4032/IMG_2895.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrjHUUmT2gk95AOYJjxCpBZChs4nrTVVlZlDWNhGYZhQzj6ov0CSGlBXQ76lezybrGbt5aYC6HfbAw09U0WyMHy1d46B1gqJbC2QQqzsXT_hnq2QdTBE3Al3LcWPtVy2rUqN5D2uxZIStHuxJZjHYOXZ5kCmfvYpeZTObpNowcqEThSFBF1vN_VQmQR2TN/w400-h300/IMG_2895.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>Sonora Eats (Fort Pierce)</b></div><br />I came across a couple places in Fort Pierce that helped restore my faith with Mexican food in South Florida. Then again this isn't quite South Florida so maybe I shouldn't be hopeful. But Sonora Eats gave me reason to further explore the Mexican spots in the Treasure Coast. The name of this place caught my eye as Sonoran style Mexican food is typically found out west. The menu features quite a few intriguing options including Sonoran style hot dogs plus made on site flour tortillas. As much as I would've liked to try the hot dog I couldn't pass on the burritos which come four to an order with your choice of meat (or mashed potatoes) and refried beans. I got them with machaca which is a dried and rehydrated beef commonly consumed in Sonora and I also got a Sonoran style taco with steak and cabbage and pico on flour. The steak could've been better but everything else was awesome. <br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgz_Jxb5Fi949G5r5hzlKsswWjNh_lhSABLwb9SSUdAHcZhWV9VDq9NBeZwHU6qqJrgsNJjIahXDF4MwbKVUdCFBnt7j5qCptg5e4BkgdTqvIktnrlfGAYEkAurQ_pmtUViriB6J0e_t8lObmYcBfnovBM-56IEWBfVr26c1gTR_xoYfW3dhROVReF4M79r/s4032/IMG_2869.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgz_Jxb5Fi949G5r5hzlKsswWjNh_lhSABLwb9SSUdAHcZhWV9VDq9NBeZwHU6qqJrgsNJjIahXDF4MwbKVUdCFBnt7j5qCptg5e4BkgdTqvIktnrlfGAYEkAurQ_pmtUViriB6J0e_t8lObmYcBfnovBM-56IEWBfVr26c1gTR_xoYfW3dhROVReF4M79r/s320/IMG_2869.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEin2cgMnhjfk_jEHodqg-galEGRTvL_e65Ly4GPHYxkeoLLcGfr3c_KwyfdL_HYRdKBzpqnuI3xqWT5U2Zy6r9YGUkllfudJCtMTxgHkAMFtu0ZC7Mc2pgSs4EXknTsycLwg3qfutY-Wj8MJOmvJ0Hq7ECTSLfk75PBL8xSZPLQaBHdEMJEoBqq_01kRM8l/s4032/IMG_2865.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEin2cgMnhjfk_jEHodqg-galEGRTvL_e65Ly4GPHYxkeoLLcGfr3c_KwyfdL_HYRdKBzpqnuI3xqWT5U2Zy6r9YGUkllfudJCtMTxgHkAMFtu0ZC7Mc2pgSs4EXknTsycLwg3qfutY-Wj8MJOmvJ0Hq7ECTSLfk75PBL8xSZPLQaBHdEMJEoBqq_01kRM8l/s320/IMG_2865.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Sonoran Style Mexican Food at Sonora Eats<br />_______________________________________</div><br /> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3-rmD7ZIwPuUoWF3gbf-aTljkRy2l8TvxmbL_KQCD39M9Kaw7sT78sjPMD_82vNVQiYLiLXidWiAFz9cO79oxf_jhHYare6SSW10Ghw7W4BB7zGlBBidQL6ylijPKEblt8kW4r7URJSe9HP12su-kuHv1O_eVm-dzmmW_E4hzwlSnp8Sa1O2NUJ09Elbb/s4032/IMG_2856.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3-rmD7ZIwPuUoWF3gbf-aTljkRy2l8TvxmbL_KQCD39M9Kaw7sT78sjPMD_82vNVQiYLiLXidWiAFz9cO79oxf_jhHYare6SSW10Ghw7W4BB7zGlBBidQL6ylijPKEblt8kW4r7URJSe9HP12su-kuHv1O_eVm-dzmmW_E4hzwlSnp8Sa1O2NUJ09Elbb/w400-h300/IMG_2856.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>Super Taquerias (Fort Pierce) </b></div><br />I was intrigued with this place because ribs were commonly mentioned in the google reviews. Super Taquerias has a handful of locations scattered across the Treasure Coast and one in South Florida (Jupiter). I think this Fort Pierce location is the original and also the most popular due to the bbq they smoke on the side of the building. I watched as locals shuffled in and out of here with the majority of them there for the ribs and or chicken. I decided to try a lunch special with ribs which comes with two extra meaty well smoked ribs. They had just enough chew to them to where they weren't fall off the bone tender but they were far from tough. Ribs come served with a handful of made on site corn tortillas, rice and beans, grilled onions, salsa and lime. I wish we had a spot like this in Chicago. <br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj375Uk4fehe9U5Gn2OX6onjmd2KeqrLJ1YN8h4dYCjfnO0ZppRZt6CK6TkARFvORMN5k9vmFEfx9n37gPwqoaHIWXfhRYNyhrcABEk79FMCKRp2p-Tn7DWDyId12xIW3-V5JonYA6xZa-0cGI_8xBDA-hdOWTiDR9F2Ji4PhQvb5-eUMzyUTqXTlHHn2B6/s4032/IMG_2820.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj375Uk4fehe9U5Gn2OX6onjmd2KeqrLJ1YN8h4dYCjfnO0ZppRZt6CK6TkARFvORMN5k9vmFEfx9n37gPwqoaHIWXfhRYNyhrcABEk79FMCKRp2p-Tn7DWDyId12xIW3-V5JonYA6xZa-0cGI_8xBDA-hdOWTiDR9F2Ji4PhQvb5-eUMzyUTqXTlHHn2B6/w400-h300/IMG_2820.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Mexican Barbecue at Super Taquerias <br />_______________________________________</div><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifGA4tXZ_5ODEQRjOiWVtTNji9dQmd4AXuG1WhRhSMK593r3U9hiTIECAnkzcayvX2GSPGDzWC2WsKK3_Z0Piv0XurNQQ_S2FHcknp3c9YfIRE7Dq87JC1PnT2C74kESZb9fxSzFPJLSEePGGCnl7H7iG7XMdDLAogPcwx3I-GcZyxWdcAnxzLuCPySCcS/s4032/IMG_6399.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifGA4tXZ_5ODEQRjOiWVtTNji9dQmd4AXuG1WhRhSMK593r3U9hiTIECAnkzcayvX2GSPGDzWC2WsKK3_Z0Piv0XurNQQ_S2FHcknp3c9YfIRE7Dq87JC1PnT2C74kESZb9fxSzFPJLSEePGGCnl7H7iG7XMdDLAogPcwx3I-GcZyxWdcAnxzLuCPySCcS/w400-h300/IMG_6399.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>Shakra's Deli (Jensen Beach)</b></div><br />I always research the local sandwich scene when looking up restaurants in unfamiliar places. That's how I found Shakra's Deli. They've been slinging sandwiches to the people of Jensen Beach for more than 50 years. The Roast Beef Supreme or RBS for short is their most popular. They put thinly sliced made on site roast beef in a sub roll and top it off with a homemade Burgundy wine gravy and melted provolone cheese. This was a sandwich worthy of it's status as one of the best of the Treasure Coast.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-ze-B66IxftjKGfFwzt3dNffuQc57Pr-VdbgnbG01dNZP9bKasSD6sb7EE87Np2tWDwO1qJLakp1rXPQlsw5YFbuqY1SHnOivM76_8iY5jmICtp8DtNmOAXjOTvMWkpce5y1xePp_XXvpE_UOlh-VvEbCMcWjhlrOT2oMQf3OUgBqwk0kbdg2vC0uQoWP/s4032/IMG_6403.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-ze-B66IxftjKGfFwzt3dNffuQc57Pr-VdbgnbG01dNZP9bKasSD6sb7EE87Np2tWDwO1qJLakp1rXPQlsw5YFbuqY1SHnOivM76_8iY5jmICtp8DtNmOAXjOTvMWkpce5y1xePp_XXvpE_UOlh-VvEbCMcWjhlrOT2oMQf3OUgBqwk0kbdg2vC0uQoWP/s320/IMG_6403.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivbUfJc4ig1FdrXW2KcKaB5cOYP8bPdWsosCIRXh_SNcVylse4UxdvZTha9IET8XB9vSg6ounSe2xvxvqZ11nYgA8GolhpWJ6rroqU_msYyzDy7JxnJzyZEH0BjKuHHv1MqIQVEv3iYG2JUseL7I5sOzNfvCuiIEU8V_erYvt8xv-AglRCshqMfbAU04kG/s4032/IMG_6423.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivbUfJc4ig1FdrXW2KcKaB5cOYP8bPdWsosCIRXh_SNcVylse4UxdvZTha9IET8XB9vSg6ounSe2xvxvqZ11nYgA8GolhpWJ6rroqU_msYyzDy7JxnJzyZEH0BjKuHHv1MqIQVEv3iYG2JUseL7I5sOzNfvCuiIEU8V_erYvt8xv-AglRCshqMfbAU04kG/s320/IMG_6423.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Roast Beef Supreme at Shakra's Deli <br />_______________________________________</div><div><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjI-QH1IwiXzAWirJ6KmBcZG3aHAlcqNYyL68kyQEeKUNrWU1kUQKQx_R3fNGkANTEo8rwCgTtCdhwDf8Z8wvMtCoNMkCAyuhqryVbvBZ3awZAH6cEjFUFiml8PzI9DcMaeDZhHkeQE45VJXG2YDhOTNPd_1OqxQUbrc5S2-R4ZLfKTCMRMIl3LGxkW1-XV/s4032/IMG_6500.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjI-QH1IwiXzAWirJ6KmBcZG3aHAlcqNYyL68kyQEeKUNrWU1kUQKQx_R3fNGkANTEo8rwCgTtCdhwDf8Z8wvMtCoNMkCAyuhqryVbvBZ3awZAH6cEjFUFiml8PzI9DcMaeDZhHkeQE45VJXG2YDhOTNPd_1OqxQUbrc5S2-R4ZLfKTCMRMIl3LGxkW1-XV/w400-h300/IMG_6500.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>The Magic Oyster Bar (Jensen Beach) </b></div><br />Life took me to the Treasure Coast like Black Sam Bellamy on the hunt for silver and gold. Except I was on the prowl for a different type of treasure - the quintessential Fish Shacks of Florida. They can be found throughout the Sunshine State but mostly along the 1,350 plus miles of coastline. While some of these Florida Style Fish Shacks are found right on the water most of them are often hidden within the strip malls that line the streets. They’re real local type spots in a state flooded with tourists. The further south you go the more “Floribbean” the food gets, drawing influence from the diversity of the regions population, produce and seafood. You can most always find a signature dish made with locally caught fish. At The Magic Oyster Bar that’s a heaping plate of panko and horseradish crusted grouper with garlic smashed potatoes topped with Myers’s Rum butter sauce and frizzled leeks. Another major component of Florida Fish Shacks is Happy Hour which is served daily here. We drank locally brewed Treasure Kolsch while popping Bam Bam Shrimp and slurping buck a shuck oysters from up the ocean in Virginia - all served with sunshine. Magic Oyster is an ideal Florida fish shack. <br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhgPfkuMV6WQkssZ977ZMNMMXYxCv3h0hg11W8soACsSm94xZf2tyze5v3nx1j04354_THSa83Bchqs1k3dZ3EG33oaGGjUEqvN6PlTPAYUd6TdpR2TRlK8B9dtBzUIbZfLSJeJZB7_w9zqHdfw5qVmOJF_xuQBpQN1XFRaSM_lZ1iKXRTHalp0dqNqsLH/s4032/IMG_6511.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhgPfkuMV6WQkssZ977ZMNMMXYxCv3h0hg11W8soACsSm94xZf2tyze5v3nx1j04354_THSa83Bchqs1k3dZ3EG33oaGGjUEqvN6PlTPAYUd6TdpR2TRlK8B9dtBzUIbZfLSJeJZB7_w9zqHdfw5qVmOJF_xuQBpQN1XFRaSM_lZ1iKXRTHalp0dqNqsLH/s320/IMG_6511.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDpUHkvqueIUrigyzAA5QYyEP1OuNu3cWMV-2pawVFy7kWe_2pgQLavHnP0GSb6v6FrWnYndI5mrAAmPJVvOZwqw6YbvC97KBXxJp84lrkSqM-S3ldiUxdEmIKXc3dk2WpuJi73KdbEKdaEuK9X5O2YMrdWGOFCuxFzRe8oIBAbpEyEODhcdn93cS2IXcF/s4032/IMG_6526.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDpUHkvqueIUrigyzAA5QYyEP1OuNu3cWMV-2pawVFy7kWe_2pgQLavHnP0GSb6v6FrWnYndI5mrAAmPJVvOZwqw6YbvC97KBXxJp84lrkSqM-S3ldiUxdEmIKXc3dk2WpuJi73KdbEKdaEuK9X5O2YMrdWGOFCuxFzRe8oIBAbpEyEODhcdn93cS2IXcF/s320/IMG_6526.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg90c8j64icJ4LiK6q00s5sgdHgvAgEZtJ57CTTk0AGOBO9hqE6iN2gHLfcM6qjyLXigUpqEtJ6nRdxJho5bYckGVATaV4OBxeilUMVxN6GmAxYHIemyu87VIpiWJeAbyjRY71PU4XSLtvEpoupkdbhR1vk1uA-jlAdU-r3IllBoZSV4SbxzhLLJb6mUaMC/s4032/IMG_6544.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg90c8j64icJ4LiK6q00s5sgdHgvAgEZtJ57CTTk0AGOBO9hqE6iN2gHLfcM6qjyLXigUpqEtJ6nRdxJho5bYckGVATaV4OBxeilUMVxN6GmAxYHIemyu87VIpiWJeAbyjRY71PU4XSLtvEpoupkdbhR1vk1uA-jlAdU-r3IllBoZSV4SbxzhLLJb6mUaMC/s320/IMG_6544.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Seafood at The Magic Oyster Bar <br />_______________________________________</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZrIiLRNFplTESZCytMD7xgsO1u2JagIlGIHXhyMM6DZaiQtzfLCzHPA0JAXQzRDlCT9-p3FKqDZO4Cg7C4inIVnWDvS1pXYU60WsQZxplkli7EbWO36m5Sr27cwm9WTX9-PT035esJnPmYofQbR_Dgyfk8hm7DgbBjisDC0uhvmQWv2uR9Lqy0vbBRTZY/s4032/IMG_6647.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZrIiLRNFplTESZCytMD7xgsO1u2JagIlGIHXhyMM6DZaiQtzfLCzHPA0JAXQzRDlCT9-p3FKqDZO4Cg7C4inIVnWDvS1pXYU60WsQZxplkli7EbWO36m5Sr27cwm9WTX9-PT035esJnPmYofQbR_Dgyfk8hm7DgbBjisDC0uhvmQWv2uR9Lqy0vbBRTZY/w400-h300/IMG_6647.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>Burny Pit Stop (Jensen Beach)</b></div><br />You can spot French Canadiens throughout South Florida during the winter and apparently they flock north to the Treasure Coast too. Burny Pit Stop is a Quebec style Casse-Croute or a French Canadian style fast food joint. They make hot dogs, burgers, and poutine. I could tell from the pictures that the poutine was the real deal from the thick fresh cut potatoes that they use so I stopped in for an order. I appreciated the fact they had a few different sizes including a mini which was enough for a taste. I enjoy poutine but it's not something I want to eat a ton of when I have it so a mini was perfect. <br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjg34WG-AsdvActcQup3-zq5HWGN10YYRKZ33IJGQB8KECX7c0wbcmfsXA3_6urmF4BZ6ftUfEXOxq1_t8QbwWnChFE7hTYAxDWl15cYbwKDBqRBffrH5hkrnXs01DAv2vXWI2k4Bk1XSPH3zbmR7dz8uLaUEqaQEEwgqM-CO9gx6AIbfeVcqxblWUI1jcp/s4032/IMG_6672.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjg34WG-AsdvActcQup3-zq5HWGN10YYRKZ33IJGQB8KECX7c0wbcmfsXA3_6urmF4BZ6ftUfEXOxq1_t8QbwWnChFE7hTYAxDWl15cYbwKDBqRBffrH5hkrnXs01DAv2vXWI2k4Bk1XSPH3zbmR7dz8uLaUEqaQEEwgqM-CO9gx6AIbfeVcqxblWUI1jcp/w400-h300/IMG_6672.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Poutine at Burney Pit Stop <br />_______________________________________</div><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkdRrWEuJowumB4oaCRua74xGhl4cVotSoCxbX7qgzYeHg_xyF6OpLLwZS_-x6EG2ekmUWTT__lACZQPTrdEBpjxMT0MoGgmUuv98RuEZ2OH9Hot3EAW91A_pLHM-wsX4F7zkhQVKwbZ7SvXFvLsRlfmv93H-7D1tOUnwXn4pkTlFSt276LjDfX10e5agF/s4032/IMG_3018.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkdRrWEuJowumB4oaCRua74xGhl4cVotSoCxbX7qgzYeHg_xyF6OpLLwZS_-x6EG2ekmUWTT__lACZQPTrdEBpjxMT0MoGgmUuv98RuEZ2OH9Hot3EAW91A_pLHM-wsX4F7zkhQVKwbZ7SvXFvLsRlfmv93H-7D1tOUnwXn4pkTlFSt276LjDfX10e5agF/w400-h300/IMG_3018.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>Ian & Kye's Pizza (Jensen Beach)<br /></b><br /></div><div>Chicago style pizza is having it's moment right now. I'm not talking about deep dish but what's become known as "tavern thin" or square cut pizza. It's the preferred pizza of most Chicagoans and many parts of Florida too including Jensen Beach. That's where you'll find Ian & Kye's which opened in 2020. They make a pretty good Chicago style thin crust and there's a fun open air bar across the street with cheap drinks where you can wait while they make your pizza. It scratches the itch. </div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsQIMitJeK6KoRTrx6M1xXVfxnfB4N2M7Kn0Q6_-pJq5e3ER8wLQEW1Y_SogvAkIBCIf4GJo2nBmPG2i7ltub9nskt-QcmpmgPq9XKNZsbvHokBMLkLMrFkIS_j_G73jWAo8p50tV2CCH3K9JOoz4K2zcg0jimnghUuQIRcue3J6eIL_g5QDG3ls_BO-fW/s4032/IMG_3044.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsQIMitJeK6KoRTrx6M1xXVfxnfB4N2M7Kn0Q6_-pJq5e3ER8wLQEW1Y_SogvAkIBCIf4GJo2nBmPG2i7ltub9nskt-QcmpmgPq9XKNZsbvHokBMLkLMrFkIS_j_G73jWAo8p50tV2CCH3K9JOoz4K2zcg0jimnghUuQIRcue3J6eIL_g5QDG3ls_BO-fW/w400-h300/IMG_3044.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Sausage Pizza at Ian & Kye's<br />_______________________________________</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1bDDMHtzWpz62WX0MVHY2DcZjfrBGf4flDwlT8Sf9yJahoGyB0Y3v0TyuDE_s8my81aDyQ4YsIM7yWpZVFFmoJoA7PkYmn-iihPMqRuCWjlN1NiSCVMGDiybuTa3BskVExp-oveKQF0nAXMIYJIDWs8dgf-SwXj52u2yCXDkzkKH-mz2hm3rIlLfolb0f/s4032/IMG_5751.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1bDDMHtzWpz62WX0MVHY2DcZjfrBGf4flDwlT8Sf9yJahoGyB0Y3v0TyuDE_s8my81aDyQ4YsIM7yWpZVFFmoJoA7PkYmn-iihPMqRuCWjlN1NiSCVMGDiybuTa3BskVExp-oveKQF0nAXMIYJIDWs8dgf-SwXj52u2yCXDkzkKH-mz2hm3rIlLfolb0f/w400-h300/IMG_5751.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>Fantini's New Haven Style Apizza (Stuart)</b></div><br />If you're an East Coaster that prefers their pizza cooked in a coal fired oven and and cut into triangles you might want to check out Fantini's New Haven Style Apizza in Stuart. The owner of this place learned his craft at the legendary Frank Pepe Pizzeria Napoletana in New Haven. When he moved to South Florida he brought his New Haven pizza making skills with him and opened his own place which seems to stay busy. I got a small sausage with banana peppers and thought it was pretty good though it's similar to the previous stop in terms of it being more of a replica than the real thing. <br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBRXdfWFI3exCWfH-sgbm-YTONqrvJXvM6EwZu3VrEOu9U_pq5RGipFjScWo9CrhgfCoMFV01BMeF_kDtQCBatkmvM0JkRkjp1JeugMllRsUknrhemEmYeS22O4TqFWzWMwx58JI-NN1dMKx_d-y2B5KCUj5YpSdmsyfwHT_BFyKN57l1VVo5zUG5btG3F/s4032/IMG_5761.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBRXdfWFI3exCWfH-sgbm-YTONqrvJXvM6EwZu3VrEOu9U_pq5RGipFjScWo9CrhgfCoMFV01BMeF_kDtQCBatkmvM0JkRkjp1JeugMllRsUknrhemEmYeS22O4TqFWzWMwx58JI-NN1dMKx_d-y2B5KCUj5YpSdmsyfwHT_BFyKN57l1VVo5zUG5btG3F/w400-h300/IMG_5761.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">New Haven Apizza at Fantini's <br />_______________________________________</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhT6INKxMLyzoYHyINlXkY7k5fAfQROD56c7TlgDBvAn_INwLs4P3yFfC2Rj7upK2zsy1YcaRqttNSf7N6EfCYn9oyS2zsX-ouaqr4D5g55DjlSyH5_jJeLRdayi3J6XZTtGOEOlYAFMYahk2KhFOiDNTddMPM8XDh7jLCjM8y473kqrVwb2XHDxslt03wf/s4032/IMG_5775.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhT6INKxMLyzoYHyINlXkY7k5fAfQROD56c7TlgDBvAn_INwLs4P3yFfC2Rj7upK2zsy1YcaRqttNSf7N6EfCYn9oyS2zsX-ouaqr4D5g55DjlSyH5_jJeLRdayi3J6XZTtGOEOlYAFMYahk2KhFOiDNTddMPM8XDh7jLCjM8y473kqrVwb2XHDxslt03wf/w400-h300/IMG_5775.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>Twistee Treat (Stuart)</b></div><div><br /></div><div>If this place looks familiar that's because it's part of a franchised chain of ice cream restaurants, founded in 1983 in North Fort Myers, Florida. Twistee Treat restaurants are characterized by buildings shaped in the form of ice cream cones. The original company went into bankruptcy in the early-1990s and started selling off the buildings which soon made their way across the country (<a href="https://chibbqking.blogspot.com/2020/09/eating-big-in-peoria.html">there's one in Peoria</a>). In 1996 a new Twistee Treat company was formed and today they have more than 30 locations across Florida. This one in Stuart was a good stop on a rather hot and humid day. </div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwLicbanlUDfrplTAWTrxadkeVZm06IHVlyfDZmJPN8cvjH-BAOibODs4zcTtWWzXrIa3LqHJM6HW3RpFrjLpDxali7NyqDQEuxDEgF37hQE3tEjp08_BfclmfcnN5nmheAJFsEn9f4JeXfQ3T_7zBehHio_PbgDrtEoVm4Wi5V-RCbYLwnfMvJN4d8LEe/s4032/IMG_5791.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwLicbanlUDfrplTAWTrxadkeVZm06IHVlyfDZmJPN8cvjH-BAOibODs4zcTtWWzXrIa3LqHJM6HW3RpFrjLpDxali7NyqDQEuxDEgF37hQE3tEjp08_BfclmfcnN5nmheAJFsEn9f4JeXfQ3T_7zBehHio_PbgDrtEoVm4Wi5V-RCbYLwnfMvJN4d8LEe/w400-h300/IMG_5791.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Pineapple Dole Soft Serve at Twistee Treat <br />_______________________________________</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgwdjeGdwnpy0f-k07ucu2aG4kRIe21iBDqKSxIEa6q_p2wH5GSNsDNeqLcr1c2zTsoBqRX4p1VjaxU0j4gFV9mjPdAPzJ6dgvDp9Saub2LgC1aJxZpgL_lDKbRila8Y_6A6b847rZyONUrPUnKwykhGcTnVCkAEWZlwoCJUEH2VDFi7Cud9k-h0WuzcDw/s4032/IMG_5736.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgwdjeGdwnpy0f-k07ucu2aG4kRIe21iBDqKSxIEa6q_p2wH5GSNsDNeqLcr1c2zTsoBqRX4p1VjaxU0j4gFV9mjPdAPzJ6dgvDp9Saub2LgC1aJxZpgL_lDKbRila8Y_6A6b847rZyONUrPUnKwykhGcTnVCkAEWZlwoCJUEH2VDFi7Cud9k-h0WuzcDw/w400-h300/IMG_5736.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>Frank 'n Stein (Stuart)</b></div><br />With so many East Coasters living in Florida there's some good hot dog stands down there too. Frank 'n Stein in Stuart is an old Roadfood favorite that's been serving the area for more than 40 years. You can feel the age of the place inside. Step up to the U-Shaped counter and place your order for grilled natural casing Sabrett frankfurters served up with ice cold beer. The description of the chili dog specifically mentions no beans so that was my pick over the classic New York style red onion sauce.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjisN0Jov8D07DZEOZHm0M_LUwyaX10njuasR1S07mt_aowj9glEIqMw8JOy9UCJSY3cFAs_vsS5mw-3hzZC66DbuYtrPI4LDfcGA_V84BU-iGq7wITIG7A2pSP2pogU4qMtSpi5smRI3myGukRC23pSHU1YTKKrwMjZm-t88JqaWPBETsxUWV5wbE3oEr8/s4032/IMG_5720.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjisN0Jov8D07DZEOZHm0M_LUwyaX10njuasR1S07mt_aowj9glEIqMw8JOy9UCJSY3cFAs_vsS5mw-3hzZC66DbuYtrPI4LDfcGA_V84BU-iGq7wITIG7A2pSP2pogU4qMtSpi5smRI3myGukRC23pSHU1YTKKrwMjZm-t88JqaWPBETsxUWV5wbE3oEr8/w400-h300/IMG_5720.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Chili Cheese Dog at Frank 'n Stein <br />_______________________________________</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6xGIq7zhlDnk1a7PryFa5VJskeDaVxgEyw-iA7B-2EopA5KuDRzUNwJzIeU9AR8LwZLFM_wqwMw614tNW8_7xvxo2hVDCTUDaQlb-3kfm9Pe7N7YpAA9BGluWY4lXeL_MGK7egccbJeWAz2RXqYcUfkWpxDjmTR36kKwiKurH32IhbS4LX_AnDHTUbWVK/s4032/IMG_6736.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6xGIq7zhlDnk1a7PryFa5VJskeDaVxgEyw-iA7B-2EopA5KuDRzUNwJzIeU9AR8LwZLFM_wqwMw614tNW8_7xvxo2hVDCTUDaQlb-3kfm9Pe7N7YpAA9BGluWY4lXeL_MGK7egccbJeWAz2RXqYcUfkWpxDjmTR36kKwiKurH32IhbS4LX_AnDHTUbWVK/w400-h300/IMG_6736.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>Tausha's Seafood (Stuart)</b></div><br />There's tons of fishmongers throughout Florida and some of them sell prepared food too. Tausha's Seafood Market is a family owned place that felt like a general store with seafood being the focal point. Huge coolers labeled with the fresh catch they hold line the walls and they have a large selection of beer and wine too. You can also get fried seafood and soups and sandwiches here. The fresh fried shrimp was plump and lightly breaded with a really nice bite. It was clearly made with care. <br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSyAHMcrImka0CpJfx9cZBIvNagP-vtzdmsmimX9uuYxBXENhztOMqjCqOreAUegbO_JdsLkvlmX4RAzqeKX-rxwGTX3wx7CKzCUE7epBs5nWddAN5NBgZ0r5NzKUYuSynRa8toUIUoXU9qiJh1WvA-J373znnRe_yNT81-eOYmJ0ipEq6v2pzEGnxWdbY/s4032/IMG_6728.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSyAHMcrImka0CpJfx9cZBIvNagP-vtzdmsmimX9uuYxBXENhztOMqjCqOreAUegbO_JdsLkvlmX4RAzqeKX-rxwGTX3wx7CKzCUE7epBs5nWddAN5NBgZ0r5NzKUYuSynRa8toUIUoXU9qiJh1WvA-J373znnRe_yNT81-eOYmJ0ipEq6v2pzEGnxWdbY/w400-h300/IMG_6728.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Fried Shrimp at Tausha's Seafood Market <br />_______________________________________<br /><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhM6ZXKr2IGqnoGzpdD7StfnPtzXYxpST0Uiz4eAmwJPbXTaC45zjJaBfd80waLmDiCHxp0KSM0xcskjUn85s0wM0cpUjJBBLJRdfdXXvV2qG8q8ZPlcy2JK0Kg8DtSc5dmffmn4x_zwJX5iLR4BTP_jiePROlah-4PexAU1wymmpllV-jtpfMn73mmVrUo/s4032/IMG_5710.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhM6ZXKr2IGqnoGzpdD7StfnPtzXYxpST0Uiz4eAmwJPbXTaC45zjJaBfd80waLmDiCHxp0KSM0xcskjUn85s0wM0cpUjJBBLJRdfdXXvV2qG8q8ZPlcy2JK0Kg8DtSc5dmffmn4x_zwJX5iLR4BTP_jiePROlah-4PexAU1wymmpllV-jtpfMn73mmVrUo/w400-h300/IMG_5710.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>King Neptune Restaurant (Stuart)</b></div><br />Last up we enjoyed a very Florida forward lunch at this very Floridian seafood shack in Port Salerno. King Neptune is a small old school spot with extra fresh seafood. It has a bit of an old Florida diner feel to it with the regulars and the waitress on a first name basis. First up was a really flavorful bowl of seafood bisque followed up with a plate of the Buffalo fried shrimp and a 1/2 a pound of the cracked conch. Aside from a Cuban sandwich there's perhaps no other sandwich more associated with Florida than the Grouper Rueben. It's a spinoff that replaces corned beef with grouper and it works really well. King Neptune makes a textbook version although the fish is fried whereas I prefer it blackened. Not pictured: $4 drafts of Yuenling. Like I said in the beginning of this post - I love old school Florida style fish shacks and this was one of the best I've come across. Since 1968. That's it for this trip!<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWvFmWMkY1ZlU70hEZ7XIRO5IPMAgxh8E1ujZAj5Sb8Mrl3wCMNxHyU6SZU0rP_DzjivQfZqruuOCFYh9cO884hZWJ6gCVDX88euol7FzNgteWD_-kRsO3cy7foxbRE8P82ps3ny7rsW0ytHnwnZySCjvhZAh7xfeXz-TepQZ77Bv1rsIzIJZDQVijrlpF/s4032/IMG_5680.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWvFmWMkY1ZlU70hEZ7XIRO5IPMAgxh8E1ujZAj5Sb8Mrl3wCMNxHyU6SZU0rP_DzjivQfZqruuOCFYh9cO884hZWJ6gCVDX88euol7FzNgteWD_-kRsO3cy7foxbRE8P82ps3ny7rsW0ytHnwnZySCjvhZAh7xfeXz-TepQZ77Bv1rsIzIJZDQVijrlpF/s320/IMG_5680.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwTA83PYLeKRoKlHO-ImE1F6ASMoiqDGP38SqVoEkL1PJ2SC507XzPPlzPbJnpWAsH3jOynUPWPkTvrnojjDiYubTI6oYi-rXPYwt3a6922nExam2X05E6lN5_pc17ix8bI_DLDoB6mQGijq1mlLxtpkVvpfVCkUs6rMjRCuLNRkpCFTlw0MYMYt_oRH1o/s4032/IMG_5685.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwTA83PYLeKRoKlHO-ImE1F6ASMoiqDGP38SqVoEkL1PJ2SC507XzPPlzPbJnpWAsH3jOynUPWPkTvrnojjDiYubTI6oYi-rXPYwt3a6922nExam2X05E6lN5_pc17ix8bI_DLDoB6mQGijq1mlLxtpkVvpfVCkUs6rMjRCuLNRkpCFTlw0MYMYt_oRH1o/s320/IMG_5685.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCudPpBCGmZ_-BWxx0TSdia9fuytqTLgP4fnyYSG9ECVIW-2Hiq3DEKpcOmx7fGGXBbUr5Cxy9fN-60PPmBIyky7t44Dk_5j5SX07mLlYpYIquefl9GmtVG3HQJ-WVdORcRx_lZO-4xWsJQFlGNCbtk-p-fHWUFp8DDDOn7O1i-HT95idKlpE4Uat-tIL6/s4032/IMG_5693.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCudPpBCGmZ_-BWxx0TSdia9fuytqTLgP4fnyYSG9ECVIW-2Hiq3DEKpcOmx7fGGXBbUr5Cxy9fN-60PPmBIyky7t44Dk_5j5SX07mLlYpYIquefl9GmtVG3HQJ-WVdORcRx_lZO-4xWsJQFlGNCbtk-p-fHWUFp8DDDOn7O1i-HT95idKlpE4Uat-tIL6/s320/IMG_5693.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSc9sLrQXpgSgsDxLfZKCp6pMw0PpUS6ppTzaC6V7gzPb8NR0186mnPZ-yIKzaEMlYCZmGzZyw1PBKpJlzbawOqd1dAdEetdoC7JYOo0EPPt6R7Jj28v-42G6cxiCtcexPCHzvF-raWyTvTchsMJM59IAjua1sYWcOr726tCsjY2Lyzb4CJbrf8S__bUdv/s4032/IMG_5703.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSc9sLrQXpgSgsDxLfZKCp6pMw0PpUS6ppTzaC6V7gzPb8NR0186mnPZ-yIKzaEMlYCZmGzZyw1PBKpJlzbawOqd1dAdEetdoC7JYOo0EPPt6R7Jj28v-42G6cxiCtcexPCHzvF-raWyTvTchsMJM59IAjua1sYWcOr726tCsjY2Lyzb4CJbrf8S__bUdv/s320/IMG_5703.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Seafood at King Neptune Restaurant <br />_______________________________________</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>Also of Interest: <a href="https://chibbqking.blogspot.com/2023/02/eating-big-in-south-florida-pt-4.html">Eating BIG in South Florida</a></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: medium;">See ya next time <a href="https://www.instagram.com/chibbqking/">@chibbqking</a></span></b> </div></div>KingThttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05368411195212070782noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7759763120880236446.post-47609946213196255092024-02-19T10:00:00.002-06:002024-02-20T13:08:13.337-06:00BarTucci <p><span face="Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif" style="background-color: black; color: white; font-size: 13px;"><span face=""trebuchet ms", trebuchet, verdana, sans-serif" style="font-size: 23px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 20.7969px;">-Grubbing in Chicago</span><span face=""trebuchet ms", trebuchet, verdana, sans-serif" style="line-height: 20.7969px;"> </span></span><span face="Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif" style="background-color: black; color: white; font-size: 13px;"><span face=""trebuchet ms", trebuchet, verdana, sans-serif" style="font-size: 17px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 20.7969px;"> <br /></span></span><span face="Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif" style="background-color: black; color: white; font-size: 17px; font-weight: bold;">An Italian-American BYOB on Harlem</span></p><p>With freezing cold temps come craves for foods that will warm you up. Soup being the most obvious when it comes to a specific type of dish but what are the best cuisines for cold weather food? There’s way more than just one but Italian-American is a cuisine I crave when the first burst of cold comes upon the city. I’m on record saying I’m not a big fan of red sauce Italian but I only mean that from a commonly consumed standpoint. I don't eat it often as it’s not a cuisine I crave throughout the calendar year. But come winter I’m ready for a big bowl of pasta or massive plate of Chicken Parm to warm up with. This is how we ended up at BarTucci when that first blow of cold wind came howling. <br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNjtOp0McpUg62XGUybCzJ3E79eg7Jl8GE6FuEBRZJNMPblUWSbojoO1uxcPEoAjhKwoWawGWf4mi4Qd-9X_qh4hi7m8KqMHy0JlLw3FBYGrhsouOVezZcCxzRScAwic2V7_OJXIi8iBAqej9IajhQanYeQ7PYPrySmqHNkipcxenTJDp42BDIKi1TgBdr/s4032/IMG_4572.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNjtOp0McpUg62XGUybCzJ3E79eg7Jl8GE6FuEBRZJNMPblUWSbojoO1uxcPEoAjhKwoWawGWf4mi4Qd-9X_qh4hi7m8KqMHy0JlLw3FBYGrhsouOVezZcCxzRScAwic2V7_OJXIi8iBAqej9IajhQanYeQ7PYPrySmqHNkipcxenTJDp42BDIKi1TgBdr/w400-h300/IMG_4572.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Locals Favorite on Harlem </div><br />I’d always been meaning to try this place that sits in a strip mall on Harlem in Chicago’s other “Little Italy” neighborhood which stretches along Harlem from North to Lawrence. It's BYOB which means it gets busy on weekends with large groups out to celebrate. Like most Italian restaurants it’s popular for big portions of pasta and rightfully so as it all comes from the family’s fresh pasta shop next door called Pasta Fresh. I always like to start a hearty meal like this with a fresh salad of sorts. We opted for the Insalata Italiana which is made with romaine lettuce, cremini mushrooms, black olives, tomatoes, bell peppers, oregano, red wine vinegar, extra virgin olive oil. It’s a fairly standard offering as far as the ingredients go but each of them was crisp and fresh making it a good start to dinner. <div><br /></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaZhgJTToIl22hNBUPOUCfgY6J51LgONF3Ie2lOIc1l4WGXPmq-Ka48rCRZT6Yp7zJ-5WVmILA3Eungk17t19qqD9U4AWOCMeBJVUCcm7sL8kvbRFDtZZ8jfeAijiCdtglGhcFxfYwXuVBLc7290C63RakFWe-bo49C3ujd6dE_xI7O4RNtPqQqFo7mI_l/s4032/IMG_4606.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaZhgJTToIl22hNBUPOUCfgY6J51LgONF3Ie2lOIc1l4WGXPmq-Ka48rCRZT6Yp7zJ-5WVmILA3Eungk17t19qqD9U4AWOCMeBJVUCcm7sL8kvbRFDtZZ8jfeAijiCdtglGhcFxfYwXuVBLc7290C63RakFWe-bo49C3ujd6dE_xI7O4RNtPqQqFo7mI_l/w400-h300/IMG_4606.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Vodka Rigatoni con Salsiccia at BarTucci </div><div><br /></div><div>The pasta portion of the menu is solid in size with 12 options to choose from. Each one of them is a substantial amount of food for a reasonable price as the majority are under $20 a plate. An order of Vodka Rigatoni con Salsiccia was my pick and it hit the spot in all the right ways. I don’t think that it’s a distinctly Chicago dish but it’s one that most spots in the city do right thanks in part to the abundance of quality Italian sausage available in Chicago. This was loaded with chunks of Italian sausage mixed into a flavorful vodka cream sauce clinging to fresh al dente pasta with peas. I had plans to bring some home but none of it made it back. We also tried Linguine Nere all'Aragosta which is squid ink linguine with a tomato cream sauce, brandy, and shallots with a lobster tail on top. I'll typically avoid lobster tail but it’s what the wife wanted and it was actually pretty good but the lobster tail was a bit tough as expected. Frozen warm water lobster tail isn’t that flavorful and never as tender as the fresh stuff but it’s not bad as part of a pasta. If you’re looking for a byob further west this is your spot. From the warm service to the comforting food it's your prototypical neighborhood Italian joint.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiU23zQ7wLq6UrVICRKRHJyzWGHWtHGi_IiUlRVhpG2whx0nHrvAAfHg_fk5dZu-kGLhj6Zg2R7-_pb6Aotn-8ScHI_TuYKteOONmG9536QjXJfY5G9kveaJfes3KskUdB_ABJgOn2WoI32PxtxVGy62iBcA4Yp2FEA1FeiEXbjP1sBPL9sVfXMA6IiwEpg/s4032/IMG_4621.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiU23zQ7wLq6UrVICRKRHJyzWGHWtHGi_IiUlRVhpG2whx0nHrvAAfHg_fk5dZu-kGLhj6Zg2R7-_pb6Aotn-8ScHI_TuYKteOONmG9536QjXJfY5G9kveaJfes3KskUdB_ABJgOn2WoI32PxtxVGy62iBcA4Yp2FEA1FeiEXbjP1sBPL9sVfXMA6IiwEpg/w400-h300/IMG_4621.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Linguine Nere all'Aragosta </div><p>BarTucci <br />3426 N Harlem Ave<br />Chicago, IL 60634 <br />(773) 887-4416<br /><a href="https://bartuccichicago.com/">Website</a></p></div></div>KingThttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05368411195212070782noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7759763120880236446.post-58021902502408341092024-02-12T09:30:00.003-06:002024-02-13T10:53:08.825-06:00'atta girl <div class="separator" style="background-color: #141414; clear: both;"><span face="Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif" style="background-color: black; color: white; font-size: 13px;"><span face=""trebuchet ms", trebuchet, verdana, sans-serif" style="font-size: 23px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 20.7969px;">-Grubbing in Chicago<br /></span></span><span style="background-color: black;"><span face="trebuchet ms, trebuchet, verdana, sans-serif" style="color: white;"><span style="font-size: 17px;"><b>French-Canadian Favorites reappear in Logan Square</b></span></span></span></div><p>As some of you may remember I declared Logan Square the <a href="https://chibbqking.blogspot.com/2023/05/eatin-good-in-neighborhood.html">best food neighborhood in the city</a> last year and that remains true here today. While restaurant closings have hit the neighborhood pretty hard over the last six months there’s no sign that the openings are slowing down. When Dos Urban Cantina (RIP) closed last June, ‘atta girl was open in the same space by the beginning of December. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigW1oB6e1SGqLBAjatQYdY5vI4yNK9Th3Ny3ijPIqjzTzNbjA0PPq4QycrQPvFE1EI7a_crPS-slKK8JbPvHNP3-wUUa1EsnyiMbps_IILzSwp_OgF_fWuweZS5D1odBhfc9TgYiuFpuLSmi_5G962ohvmWG92SSXLpmNl1gJhsljXnWBnz4dx-W-p4BS5/s4032/IMG_0426.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigW1oB6e1SGqLBAjatQYdY5vI4yNK9Th3Ny3ijPIqjzTzNbjA0PPq4QycrQPvFE1EI7a_crPS-slKK8JbPvHNP3-wUUa1EsnyiMbps_IILzSwp_OgF_fWuweZS5D1odBhfc9TgYiuFpuLSmi_5G962ohvmWG92SSXLpmNl1gJhsljXnWBnz4dx-W-p4BS5/w400-h300/IMG_0426.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Recently Opened in Logan Square </div><p>At first it was a joint project between the Table, Donkey and Stick team and a chef that calls themself “Bunny.” Chef Bunny was a chef at <a href="https://chibbqking.blogspot.com/2020/07/cafe-marie-jeanne.html">Cafe Marie Jean in Humboldt Park</a> which closed in 2020 after a five year run in which they drew a cult like following for delicious French-Canadian-ish comfort food. The good news is many of the dishes on the menu at Cafe Marie Jean are now being served at ‘atta girl but the chef that calls themself Bunny has already left after an unknown dispute. According to the TDS team the kitchen is still being ran by many of the same cooks from Cafe Marie Jean who also worked under Bunny during their short collabo at 'atta girl. I’ve dined there a few times since it’s a short walk from my spot. The most recent of those visits was after they announced Chef Bunny was no longer a part of the operation and I didn’t notice a difference in anything. It was the exact same staff as when they were there as far as I could tell. I didn’t notice anything different about the beloved ham, butter and pickle sandwich that starred at Cafe Marie Jean either. It was as luscious as it’s always been with every ingredient of it coming from the top shelf of the respective food groups. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPfrf3ajtOCD5_ZfwJZxIilD9UzN70VDqJsKZzEHg7DSStO4KV-UGEB4GCUmhxvv8KYwEmqGCwEQC2XGJO5YYgR9x7vh5ixOw2iD_xv7pQrGNs7h3kis163wzOH-MTetFMymuOF-D5CT5iGRA_8_X_TgKpsL6k50Kf0sil0QFqcHkl7iBD2ci6SPyR0sP9/s4032/IMG_1105.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPfrf3ajtOCD5_ZfwJZxIilD9UzN70VDqJsKZzEHg7DSStO4KV-UGEB4GCUmhxvv8KYwEmqGCwEQC2XGJO5YYgR9x7vh5ixOw2iD_xv7pQrGNs7h3kis163wzOH-MTetFMymuOF-D5CT5iGRA_8_X_TgKpsL6k50Kf0sil0QFqcHkl7iBD2ci6SPyR0sP9/w400-h300/IMG_1105.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Ham, Butter, Pickle at 'atta girl </div><p>On my previous visit in they were out of that ham and butter sandwich due to a busy weekend but that ended up being a good thing as it forced me to try the burger. It wasn’t really on my radar but after trying one it’s become one of my favorite burgers in the city. It’s a single smashed patty with smoked tomato jam, butterkase, thin sliced onion and housemade pickle on an everything bun. The smoked tomato jam plays so well off the beef as do the onion and pickle. It’s the most surprised I’ve been with a burger in some time in that I wasn’t expecting to like it as much as I did. Chef driven burgers often fail to hit the way this one did. It was both beefy and smoky and it was greasy in a good way. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEYgHqABBMLRLZw9Pqt0hcNsnHbRraAp-5V_-VFPSVPWinDD0SCGj7zoSvLfDd4WPSPK66Pa7VaxbyLtlr-MoHG-bxj8_DsbweEgGPZEoGgxDRpaKfa0ZP_SLmvtXcCweaEpXGQGefwc5zA7dxeVvCks1fvzOVX0nSGSrYxbsjQdjL1SZfnFuSGbCXVDMO/s4032/IMG_0460.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEYgHqABBMLRLZw9Pqt0hcNsnHbRraAp-5V_-VFPSVPWinDD0SCGj7zoSvLfDd4WPSPK66Pa7VaxbyLtlr-MoHG-bxj8_DsbweEgGPZEoGgxDRpaKfa0ZP_SLmvtXcCweaEpXGQGefwc5zA7dxeVvCks1fvzOVX0nSGSrYxbsjQdjL1SZfnFuSGbCXVDMO/w400-h300/IMG_0460.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Cheeseburger Marie-Jeanne at 'atta girl </div><p>When I first heard there was a connection between ‘atta girl and Cafe Marie Jean I had my fingers crossed that the meat and frites dishes from CMJ would be included on the menu at ‘atta girl and of course they were as creations like the duck frites were one of the biggest draws to CMJ. So far I’ve had the chance to try both the smoked duck and the smoked chicken. I slightly preferred the chicken as it was a bit juicer and more substantial although the duck does come with a few pieces of foie gras pate sitting atop a plate of perfectly cooked fries. It’s all drenched in a semi sweet French style gastrique sauce which at it's core is caramelized sugar mixed with honey, wine and or vinegar. The sauce is outstanding and takes everything up a notch. It’s warm you up comfort food on the coldest of winter days so now’s the time to go. Although do be aware that the service seems to be a mixed bag, ours was fine on my three visits if not a little bit nonchalant but at the end of the day the food that I’ve had from here is reminiscent of Cafe Marie Jean and maybe the service is too. They also do brunch Sat.- Mon. and you can get the frites or more morning forward options like a breakfast sandwich. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJiGyUno-L3he1mgtEVGXUMUxJUuL_60JGmdzhMCxHCvY0w8igLQq1NJTcGVhX856sPTdMTWo0zTLY3_Fwd7r5m1PeGmXHGKBvui4UOInobh50cAxm_iDFhgGSuBtb-Mpj8i4Syp36aISFpdFXY8Byc-TNXZEd1cixxYWR-ajhQrH42MfN1_hwXalHldKq/s4032/IMG_0405.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJiGyUno-L3he1mgtEVGXUMUxJUuL_60JGmdzhMCxHCvY0w8igLQq1NJTcGVhX856sPTdMTWo0zTLY3_Fwd7r5m1PeGmXHGKBvui4UOInobh50cAxm_iDFhgGSuBtb-Mpj8i4Syp36aISFpdFXY8Byc-TNXZEd1cixxYWR-ajhQrH42MfN1_hwXalHldKq/w400-h300/IMG_0405.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Smoked Chicken and Frites </div><p>'atta girl<br />2829 W Armitage Ave<br />Chicago, IL 60647<br /><a href="https://www.attagirlchicago.com/">Website</a><br /></p>KingThttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05368411195212070782noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7759763120880236446.post-70585516973277540472024-02-02T11:30:00.041-06:002024-02-03T08:38:54.180-06:00Five of a Kind: Tacos de Cabeza <p><span style="background-color: #141414;"><b style="color: white; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: large;">- The 'Chicago Taco Tour'</b></span></p><p>Welcome back! Year number seventeen of Smokin' Chokin' & Chowing starts now and we're jumping on the Chicago Taco Tour to kick it off. I really despise the word authentic. It's overused and often times it's misused. Especially when it comes to Mexican food and tacos in particular. What's authentic to you might not be to me and more than that food is regional (especially Mexican) so it's useless to argue which Cuban sandwich is "more authentic" as that's usually going to be the one you know better. But what do you know about tacos de cabeza? You may know of them and you may even love them and if so you more than likely got introduced to them in Mexico. Tacos de Cabeza are tortillas filled with steamed beef head. The head meat can be anything from the lips to the tongue or cheeks and sometimes even the eyes. Cabeza meat is typically a mix of different parts of the head. I refuse to use the word authentic so I won't but I will say tacos de cabeza remind me of Mexico in that they taste like Mexico. Some of the best tacos I've had down there were from the cabeza carts you'll find scattered across cities and small towns. I still think about a plate of tacos de cabeza I ate while being dwarfed by a historic church at <a href="https://chibbqking.blogspot.com/2019/04/eating-big-in-guadalajara.html">Tacos Santo Goyote in Guadalajara</a>. It was a holy experience. You can find tacos de cabeza carts in Chicago but today we're going to hone in on five taquerias where you can find it in different forms. If you're unsure about trying cabeza it's basically a beefier barbacoa. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgin69SzVBN2QlJPBeA4M-3BQbRvp-nqu3LL7dTTqsMwAj_k73NSirxxxn5J1T8mAau5Ni0kSMbXtPlMT3FV-IZyKOs-Mka1aG_wWmryMMUZ1qJDG5_j6wwic3eJiRZgZAHPgBZKYbMH-76nzDdcel3xz_3Fm9Un7XuPPdBCT2HyS1u3jg9Qjsi0xwgvJAW/s4000/Taco%20Stand%20on%20the%20streets.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgin69SzVBN2QlJPBeA4M-3BQbRvp-nqu3LL7dTTqsMwAj_k73NSirxxxn5J1T8mAau5Ni0kSMbXtPlMT3FV-IZyKOs-Mka1aG_wWmryMMUZ1qJDG5_j6wwic3eJiRZgZAHPgBZKYbMH-76nzDdcel3xz_3Fm9Un7XuPPdBCT2HyS1u3jg9Qjsi0xwgvJAW/w400-h300/Taco%20Stand%20on%20the%20streets.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">A Tacos de Cabeza Stand in Chicago <br /><span face="Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif" style="background-color: #141414; color: white; font-size: 13px;">_______________________________________<br /><br /><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1CAfus8PhGLefHTXeGghFkDNq-XdDMJbLmRY5hqtMTsNhtl5ymFgPHz5WJcSxoZBtjOVRMBHg2ru8vpa2wUCVp3R3hjI_MZ9TDVgwbQJ5F751vqZL1Sf8qt_PMMZPBzsK5edJbJi1b3cQE5SHoARbROzD00WHhyphenhyphenksYNnfjMHBRzFGr5JWqBf5J3Y6aa51/s4032/IMG_7838.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1CAfus8PhGLefHTXeGghFkDNq-XdDMJbLmRY5hqtMTsNhtl5ymFgPHz5WJcSxoZBtjOVRMBHg2ru8vpa2wUCVp3R3hjI_MZ9TDVgwbQJ5F751vqZL1Sf8qt_PMMZPBzsK5edJbJi1b3cQE5SHoARbROzD00WHhyphenhyphenksYNnfjMHBRzFGr5JWqBf5J3Y6aa51/w400-h300/IMG_7838.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>Birrieria Estilo Jalisco (Logan Square)</b></div><p>Our first stop takes us to the border of Logan Square and Bucktown where Birrieria Estilo Jalisco remains a neighborhood fixture at the corner of Western and Lyndale. As the name of this place implies they make birria de chivo (goat) in the style of Jalisco. It's pretty damn good but it's the tacos de cabeza (beef) that draw me in on a weekly basis. The meat is so tender and so beefy and they really pack it in for around $5 a taco. They come served on warm El Popocatepetl tortillas. I've talked about this before but I do believe that certain Chicagoland corn tortillas work better with certain taco fillings and these two are a perfect pairing. You'll know you had a real deal taco de cabeza when your fingertips are a bit sticky like they are after eating one from here. All due respect to the popular taco spot next door but these are the best tacos on the block and my favorite taco in the neighborhood. <br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiA3r3-CcXgyXuHdVVjUrDrhIZd42tmU4RAndBjfGTW37pnAcvEmmJYS7dC2mJbXEjK_3rjbrGPUhxQ_bhqZNJX4rFegoVGwlrHUhIwEbXYzTW0j_CQF-wzeQ42ZD1APi-qEmjCOj3weKVKIS7I7tgfh2e_I-VpbztypOJagZgfaVaDR6IuF9luNzxm-Jh/s4032/IMG_7828.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiA3r3-CcXgyXuHdVVjUrDrhIZd42tmU4RAndBjfGTW37pnAcvEmmJYS7dC2mJbXEjK_3rjbrGPUhxQ_bhqZNJX4rFegoVGwlrHUhIwEbXYzTW0j_CQF-wzeQ42ZD1APi-qEmjCOj3weKVKIS7I7tgfh2e_I-VpbztypOJagZgfaVaDR6IuF9luNzxm-Jh/w400-h300/IMG_7828.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Taco de Cabeza at Birrieria Estilo Jalisco<br /><span face="Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif" style="background-color: #141414; color: white; font-size: 13px;">_______________________________________<br /><br /><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHQIF0m4p-UZlrUZPViWgFpZydIlu43lXsbqQrnqvRFeVf6mT_vaDz5XjADhYsI1fPcAP7SMRoShHN7MQ0uMANBMaD1oKmTww-8XnuOwiavhyphenhyphen7l7WrHMnZ5vrsAtM9N5LakJ5GFcYUuysZnogLtbI6a0tZx3nkw3RYIcKyZgfWwTn4OmV_zuyG85IO9t-1/s4032/IMG_5438.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHQIF0m4p-UZlrUZPViWgFpZydIlu43lXsbqQrnqvRFeVf6mT_vaDz5XjADhYsI1fPcAP7SMRoShHN7MQ0uMANBMaD1oKmTww-8XnuOwiavhyphenhyphen7l7WrHMnZ5vrsAtM9N5LakJ5GFcYUuysZnogLtbI6a0tZx3nkw3RYIcKyZgfWwTn4OmV_zuyG85IO9t-1/w400-h300/IMG_5438.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>Birriería y Taquería El Arandas (Back of the Yards)</b></div><p>This family run spot has been serving tacos on 47th street for at least a couple decades if not longer. Arandas is a municipality of the Altos Sur region of the state of Jalisco in Mexico and the area has a strong connection to tacos de cabeza and also to Chicagoland. So you can commonly find tacos de cabeza at taquerias with Arandas and or Jalisco in their name. El Arandas specializes in goat meat but I'm not sure I've ever had any and that's because they also make tacos al vapor (steamed tacos) including cabeza (beef). Specifically for tacos de cachete (cheek) and tacos de labio (lips). They have cabeza (beef head) too but I'll order the lips or cheeks if a place is making them. Pay the upcharge for the made to order corn tortilla and take note it's best to visit on the weekends.</p><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXKF1x2Px2MWjLkDciOPgEjZVJLGGrSWmcNHNh0uTtOQMgnaPoebXZQXnKHUo9Hu31ivwM-nAWgIifVYG5Bd_2gD9woK7J0epcIALomtbswVACNRVko_R11zxFW57JxdTszNbuTYECn25-I04oXl3FowN383ok1pTLSngWLQPpRVXpfP_9mGBS88piwz_Z/s4032/IMG_5429.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXKF1x2Px2MWjLkDciOPgEjZVJLGGrSWmcNHNh0uTtOQMgnaPoebXZQXnKHUo9Hu31ivwM-nAWgIifVYG5Bd_2gD9woK7J0epcIALomtbswVACNRVko_R11zxFW57JxdTszNbuTYECn25-I04oXl3FowN383ok1pTLSngWLQPpRVXpfP_9mGBS88piwz_Z/w400-h300/IMG_5429.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Taco de Labio at Birriería y Taquería El Arandas<br /><span face="Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif" style="background-color: #141414; color: white; font-size: 13px;">_______________________________________</span></div><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjs_qNETvxRBKAcZP3xiIhHfspAWBZEjocw3oKV2Eii-wnzL6_Q53k2jsRrRd0AcA7E0USSUBxZYJsRAIo3utVIf5GX_FxlXQ3x99wG3YnMWlVpL5pr4IdsGkpiWUiZcDWACwPOtLR3dWTlDwiDajwDeoWdA4IHXybhIj3WbDy4844x5h5cwGF79zoTKR-t/s4032/IMG_1763.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjs_qNETvxRBKAcZP3xiIhHfspAWBZEjocw3oKV2Eii-wnzL6_Q53k2jsRrRd0AcA7E0USSUBxZYJsRAIo3utVIf5GX_FxlXQ3x99wG3YnMWlVpL5pr4IdsGkpiWUiZcDWACwPOtLR3dWTlDwiDajwDeoWdA4IHXybhIj3WbDy4844x5h5cwGF79zoTKR-t/w400-h300/IMG_1763.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>Birrieria La Tapatia De Ocotlan (Little Village)</b></div><br />There's also quite a few taquerias that use Ocotlán in their names. It's also a city and municipality in Jalisco that has strong ties to steamed meat and Chicagoland. If you see a spot with Ocotlán in it's name you might find tacos de cabeza inside. This spot is on Cermak and they too specialize in birria de chivo (goat) but they also do barbacoa de res and have tacos de cachete (cheeks). The meat on these is almost like mush but in a good way as it's so well steamed and tender it basically turns into one big piece. The meat pairs perfectly with a warm corn tortilla and some nicely spiced salsa roja. <br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFiaGWie4Na7Wh_LoU2y92gN4_kczW-oLKv6L6N1Uu0cgDGqir1IohgDFV9klQq2ketXCXr9G7r8IzRzG2WqxRVzNwwO0skxDQeqZt5Q1VH6a0tbtMkqLVZNmFaL_K3nAjMHEkDHoUzaT0COB_WbKRIVrm1BZzkaIuY6hbbeC7v4RI0QBrp5zQkShYk1l6/s4032/IMG_1753.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFiaGWie4Na7Wh_LoU2y92gN4_kczW-oLKv6L6N1Uu0cgDGqir1IohgDFV9klQq2ketXCXr9G7r8IzRzG2WqxRVzNwwO0skxDQeqZt5Q1VH6a0tbtMkqLVZNmFaL_K3nAjMHEkDHoUzaT0COB_WbKRIVrm1BZzkaIuY6hbbeC7v4RI0QBrp5zQkShYk1l6/w400-h300/IMG_1753.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Taco de Cachete at Birrieria La Tapatia De Ocotlan<br /><span face="Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif" style="background-color: #141414; color: white; font-size: 13px;">_______________________________________</span></div></div><div><br /></div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijrP6ZuxB1yM9aD0KtOtfm4mU7XqHCo4oPL2Xf1M1Pf5voKPsTi-M7o2C2m7lgwUiizT8LbIzJBfcjazC0G9TL1olCyxFLVz-KnxzDMZj9nob_lJSAWd0PiWpNxKlzGL04-pJGS4OJ0oaz4cfRbr2IzWvW-zLh1hgA6y-q7PnpGDaxE2PZtDeUc_ZUtMXy/s4032/IMG_2509.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijrP6ZuxB1yM9aD0KtOtfm4mU7XqHCo4oPL2Xf1M1Pf5voKPsTi-M7o2C2m7lgwUiizT8LbIzJBfcjazC0G9TL1olCyxFLVz-KnxzDMZj9nob_lJSAWd0PiWpNxKlzGL04-pJGS4OJ0oaz4cfRbr2IzWvW-zLh1hgA6y-q7PnpGDaxE2PZtDeUc_ZUtMXy/w400-h300/IMG_2509.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>Taqueria Los Altos de Jalisco (Cicero)</b></div><br />I've sniffed out some good tacos in this area from time to time with this being one of the more recent ones. Taqueria Los Altos de Jalisco makes sure you know they specialize in tacos al vapor and cabeza specifically by telling you on their awning. The google reviews do too as cabeza is the most mentioned word in those reviews. I felt like I may have come here years ago and was underwhelmed but a recent visit resulted in a steamy and juicy taco de cabeza that warmed me up on a windy day. It also gave me flashbacks to Mexico which is always a major plus. Is "Jalis-go" a thing when referring to people in Chicagoland with connections to Jalisco? If not it could be. The connections run deep. <br /><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirpEk_-qKruYtTZ4KdRlz2vMw-zeEGGfQn0cOAa0YTDZ9vsC3QY41G3IK6lVbFmhVLdOQCeh-zaBRNAKG4qAAcVjq3pCnqYdiDX4eQ-Ad7TAVDJz8vOPfpV67ihiC22nl7jmXBhix6ZopEEpjHGuBd2ImZ4U14WM03rLYX2qPYqgHAk7q_OWVrIuG04khi/s4032/IMG_2514.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirpEk_-qKruYtTZ4KdRlz2vMw-zeEGGfQn0cOAa0YTDZ9vsC3QY41G3IK6lVbFmhVLdOQCeh-zaBRNAKG4qAAcVjq3pCnqYdiDX4eQ-Ad7TAVDJz8vOPfpV67ihiC22nl7jmXBhix6ZopEEpjHGuBd2ImZ4U14WM03rLYX2qPYqgHAk7q_OWVrIuG04khi/w400-h300/IMG_2514.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Taco de Cabeza Taqueria Los Altos de Jalisco<br /><span face="Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif" style="background-color: #141414; color: white; font-size: 13px;">_______________________________________</span></div><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfXGxE2veWMa0TIzkgEr-UUMMJTShKG1BeqKHkI0c2UNKi7FZebe0y9F0tVX8PBHBONLyKzkDRjCCxCoeLPz-Jmr0bjsvzNYpPzqDAkpJUWhUOuibsXGW_7UsQpcb_PlFN6EtVbL59mevXWJfuZHURAKvI7azTNEzauNvfogHtRUUZn-10DrVPICgemuj-/s4032/IMG_5176.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfXGxE2veWMa0TIzkgEr-UUMMJTShKG1BeqKHkI0c2UNKi7FZebe0y9F0tVX8PBHBONLyKzkDRjCCxCoeLPz-Jmr0bjsvzNYpPzqDAkpJUWhUOuibsXGW_7UsQpcb_PlFN6EtVbL59mevXWJfuZHURAKvI7azTNEzauNvfogHtRUUZn-10DrVPICgemuj-/w400-h300/IMG_5176.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>Birrieria y Taqueria Sebastian (Stone Park)</b></div><br /></div><div>Our final stop takes us out to Stone Park. Birrieria y Taqueria Sebastian is connected to a grocery store. They attract locals with warm bowls of birria and also some phenomenal tacos de cachete y labio (beef cheek and lips). The Birria (goat) and cabeza (mixed head) are also good but I loved the lips and cheeks as each is extra tender with deep beef flavor. Very good salsas here too. These just might be the best tacos de cabeza in the Chicagoland area if you ever find yourself out by O'Hare. </div><div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjk-HesrskHnBPzpXdF-6p0V59BZKJKMaZxTx5UAZiJ0CW1qSiu3GgnjorVXkJTdn_4cgXT6hBMPM6prSGMA-2XotQwAqITFs1nnEqfq-12IqMWLoVzeoal7757x13nc-zjmkpBzjLsphPGtoU9l4um58IneklLjtj4sq6Qzj3Cw5D5XCCFmS9F39WpeRKA/s4032/IMG_5165.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjk-HesrskHnBPzpXdF-6p0V59BZKJKMaZxTx5UAZiJ0CW1qSiu3GgnjorVXkJTdn_4cgXT6hBMPM6prSGMA-2XotQwAqITFs1nnEqfq-12IqMWLoVzeoal7757x13nc-zjmkpBzjLsphPGtoU9l4um58IneklLjtj4sq6Qzj3Cw5D5XCCFmS9F39WpeRKA/w400-h300/IMG_5165.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Tacos de Labio / Taco de Cachete at <span>Birrieria y Taqueria Sebastian <br /></span><span face="Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif" style="background-color: #141414; color: white; font-size: 13px;">_______________________________________</span></div><p style="text-align: center;"><b>See ya next time <a href="https://www.instagram.com/chibbqking/">@chibbqking</a> </b></p></div>KingThttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05368411195212070782noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7759763120880236446.post-55299691129371270422023-12-27T14:00:00.024-06:002024-01-10T07:13:13.328-06:00The Best of 2023 <p style="background-color: #141414; color: white; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><b style="font-size: large;">- Memorable Bites from the Past Calendar Year</b></p><p>We’re celebrating another year in the books at S’C’&C (16) with our annual best of the year list. As always it was a busy year that started off with a massive feature on more than 95 places to eat in sunny <a href="https://chibbqking.blogspot.com/2023/02/eating-big-in-south-florida-pt-4.html">South Florida</a>. As far as Chicagoland goes we visited 67 restaurants from the city and the suburbs, ranging from Japanese food options in the <a href="https://chibbqking.blogspot.com/2023/03/japanese-food-in-nw-suburbs.html">NW suburbs</a> to a Persian tasting menu in <a href="https://chibbqking.blogspot.com/2023/09/maman-zari.html">Albany Park</a>. We also went on roadtrips to <a href="https://chibbqking.blogspot.com/2023/05/eating-big-in-cincinnati.html">Cincinnati</a>, <a href="https://chibbqking.blogspot.com/2023/08/eating-big-in-rockford.html">Rockford</a>, <a href="https://chibbqking.blogspot.com/2023/09/eating-big-in-minneapolis-and-beyond.html">Minneapolis</a>, and <a href="https://chibbqking.blogspot.com/2023/10/eating-big-in-south-bend-and-beyond.html">South Bend</a> and checked out some old burger spots in <a href="https://chibbqking.blogspot.com/2023/07/burgers-in-central-illinois.html">Downstate Illinois</a>. A return to <a href="https://chibbqking.blogspot.com/2023/12/eating-big-in-new-orleans-pt-4.html">New Orleans</a> was also part of the fun in 2023. Lastly we visited Europe not once but twice with a winter trip to both <a href="https://chibbqking.blogspot.com/2023/03/eating-big-in-athens.html">Athens</a> and <a href="https://chibbqking.blogspot.com/2023/04/eating-big-in-paris-pt-2.html">Paris</a> plus a summer trip to Italy where we visited <a href="https://chibbqking.blogspot.com/2023/11/eating-big-in-milan.html">Milan</a>, <a href="https://chibbqking.blogspot.com/2023/11/eating-big-in-parma.html">Parma</a>, <a href="https://chibbqking.blogspot.com/2023/11/eating-big-in-piedmont.html">Piedmont</a> and <a href="https://chibbqking.blogspot.com/2023/11/eating-big-in-liguria.html">Liguria</a>. So there was lots to sort through. As regular readers know we do the best of the year list a bit differently each time. This year I’m going to name the 11 best bites from Chicagoland plus the 11 best from beyond Chicagoland within the U.S. Then I’ll also name the 11 best bites from Europe but the pasta in Italy will get its own list as I’ll name the seven best preps of the bunch (I tried more than 50 on the trip). So without further ado here are the links to the 40 best bites featured on Smokin' Chokin' & Chowing in 2023…<br /></p><div style="text-align: center;"><span face="Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif" style="background-color: #141414; color: white; font-size: 13px;">_______________________________________</span></div><p></p><p></p><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: medium;">- 11 Best Bites from Chicagoland</span></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: medium;">(click for descriptions in original post)</span></b></div><p></p><p style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgi4X1YiQxyma1lmvc2AOgFR90aXHH0JtCy92jJ-XMpnceL8Xpi29vn5zKqI6X-N_cLK0LfRvt0Wu2Uqc5glnH6ZqbKPtgYAVN3OmMGzx-mrlf8RZMLM0HtkwgB1kcM8ZSCe7D_Nrkx2ehTF4qHmPoi6lUxPJflCt2vuqKI3QwWvqBGOiSDujbtzDDWOsJz/s2048/4B0B0969-4D28-4EC3-A618-9B56A7D3D675.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="2048" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgi4X1YiQxyma1lmvc2AOgFR90aXHH0JtCy92jJ-XMpnceL8Xpi29vn5zKqI6X-N_cLK0LfRvt0Wu2Uqc5glnH6ZqbKPtgYAVN3OmMGzx-mrlf8RZMLM0HtkwgB1kcM8ZSCe7D_Nrkx2ehTF4qHmPoi6lUxPJflCt2vuqKI3QwWvqBGOiSDujbtzDDWOsJz/w400-h400/4B0B0969-4D28-4EC3-A618-9B56A7D3D675.JPG" width="400" /></a></p><p style="text-align: center;">11) <a href="http://chibbqking.blogspot.com/2023/05/eatin-good-in-neighborhood.html">Steak Burrito at Mi Tocaya Antojeria</a> (Logan Square)</p><p style="text-align: center;">10) <a href="https://chibbqking.blogspot.com/2023/06/tuk-tuk-thai-isan-street-food.html">Isan Papaya Salad at Tuk Tuk Thai Isan</a> (Lakeview)</p><p style="text-align: center;">9) <a href="https://chibbqking.blogspot.com/2023/05/virtue-restaurant.html">Shrimp and Grits at Virtue Restaurant</a> (Hyde Park)<br /></p><p style="text-align: center;">8) <a href="http://chibbqking.blogspot.com/2023/09/best-intentions.html">Cheeseburger at Best Intentions</a> (Logan Square) </p><p style="text-align: center;">7) <a href="https://chibbqking.blogspot.com/2023/08/omarcitos-latin-cafe.html">Fish Jibarito at Omarcito's Latin Cafe</a> (Logan Square)</p><p style="text-align: center;">6) <a href="http://chibbqking.blogspot.com/2023/09/maman-zari.html">Shishlik (lamb chop) at Maman Zari</a> (Albany Park)</p><p style="text-align: center;">5) <a href="http://chibbqking.blogspot.com/2023/03/danang-kitchen.html">Bang Bang Chicken (Xoi Man) at Danang Kitchen</a> (Uptown)</p><p style="text-align: center;">4) <a href="http://chibbqking.blogspot.com/2023/06/thattu.html">Pork Chop Peralan at Thattu</a> (Avondale)</p><p style="text-align: center;">3) <a href="http://chibbqking.blogspot.com/2023/04/valhalla.html">Queen Crab Arroz Caldo at Valhalla</a> (West Loop)</p><p style="text-align: center;">2) <a href="http://chibbqking.blogspot.com/2023/05/eatin-good-in-neighborhood.html">Maggi Noodle Bolognese at Superkhana International</a> (Logan Square)</p><p style="text-align: center;">1) <a href="http://chibbqking.blogspot.com/2023/04/boonies-filipino-restaurant.html">Sizzlin Sisig at Boonie's Filipino Restaurant</a> (North Center)<br /><span face="Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif" style="background-color: #141414; color: white; font-size: 13px;">_______________________________________</span></p><p></p><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: medium;">- 11 Best Bites from Beyond Chicagoland (U.S. edition)</span></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: medium;">(click for descriptions in original post) </span></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHzTD3UrrdbQX2dxW95ygjlDdzfJnipvGK4ZFvrYodbhoMA-u6Q6Xmoa2S1w1KHd2MR9QMtpoKqdof113aeviKK0mcQVHXCnrXhNhRRNaqyQSED9cuyiI0UC3TlV7iWAMFiJ0u_oXOf1pHFta6Nc7gemGYjotGrnxsJiuC1kKkgwvivkcpOSgt3hVSALSt/s2048/60787EB7-8D0A-42C3-8B00-E8638967AF49.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="2048" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHzTD3UrrdbQX2dxW95ygjlDdzfJnipvGK4ZFvrYodbhoMA-u6Q6Xmoa2S1w1KHd2MR9QMtpoKqdof113aeviKK0mcQVHXCnrXhNhRRNaqyQSED9cuyiI0UC3TlV7iWAMFiJ0u_oXOf1pHFta6Nc7gemGYjotGrnxsJiuC1kKkgwvivkcpOSgt3hVSALSt/w400-h400/60787EB7-8D0A-42C3-8B00-E8638967AF49.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><p></p><p></p><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">11) <a href="http://chibbqking.blogspot.com/2023/07/burgers-in-central-illinois.html">Double Cheeseburger at Wally’s Drive-In</a> (Breese, Illinois)</div><p></p><p style="text-align: center;">10) <a href="http://chibbqking.blogspot.com/2023/08/eating-big-in-rockford.html">Æbleskiver at The Norwegian</a> (Rockford, Illinois)</p><p style="text-align: center;">9) <a href="http://chibbqking.blogspot.com/2023/09/eating-big-in-minneapolis-and-beyond.html">Honeyberry and Raspberry Crisp Ice Cream at Pumphouse Creamery</a> (Minneapolis)</p><p style="text-align: center;">8) <a href="http://chibbqking.blogspot.com/2023/05/eating-big-in-cincinnati.html">Cincinnati Chili Ramen at Cafe Mochiko</a> (Cincinnati)</p><p style="text-align: center;">7) <a href="http://chibbqking.blogspot.com/2023/02/eating-big-in-south-florida-pt-4.html">Cuban Sandwich at Sanguich de Miami</a> (Miami)</p><p style="text-align: center;">6) <a href="http://chibbqking.blogspot.com/2023/09/eating-big-in-minneapolis-and-beyond.html">Corn Taco at Owamni by The Sioux Chef</a> (Minneapolis)</p><p style="text-align: center;">5) <a href="http://chibbqking.blogspot.com/2023/12/eating-big-in-new-orleans-pt-4.html">Snapper Collar with Peanut Jerk Sauce at Compere Lapin</a> (New Orleans)</p><p style="text-align: center;">4) <a href="http://chibbqking.blogspot.com/2023/12/eating-big-in-new-orleans-pt-4.html">Char Grilled Oysters at Casamento’s</a> (New Orleans)</p><p style="text-align: center;">3) <a href="http://chibbqking.blogspot.com/2023/12/eating-big-in-new-orleans-pt-4.html">Boudin Boy at Ayu Bakehouse</a> (New Orleans)</p><p style="text-align: center;">2) <a href="http://chibbqking.blogspot.com/2023/12/eating-big-in-new-orleans-pt-4.html">Sauteed Red Snapper at Zasu</a> (New Orleans)</p><p></p><div style="text-align: center;">1) <a href="http://chibbqking.blogspot.com/2023/02/eating-big-in-south-florida-pt-4.html">Jerk Chicken at Chef Tally’s World Famous Jerk</a> (Hollywood, Florida)</div><div style="text-align: center;"><span face="Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif" style="background-color: #141414; color: white; font-size: 13px;">_______________________________________</span></div><p></p><p></p><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: medium;">- 11 Best Bites from Europe </span></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: medium;">(click for descriptions in original post) </span></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFB-CI1XIiC-__lnPxXohDeh4sRZhkLGg6wVo091uubpjhn8HaWIY2ePYzLHDJGblNAMcm8dGY-n_U5hy1tsddkQ3M5JfoLyhtVL5WcX_5Rc7WqifASIgm3vBCLU7fTPa-_4rWS-JWPYoXwPtYs-Oxxo8QxUoDYVCGD1exv__PrqDJZ0kxPnfcx2bKEHXP/s2048/D2A70822-58FC-4BA2-9ED0-8ED904C53B31.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="2048" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFB-CI1XIiC-__lnPxXohDeh4sRZhkLGg6wVo091uubpjhn8HaWIY2ePYzLHDJGblNAMcm8dGY-n_U5hy1tsddkQ3M5JfoLyhtVL5WcX_5Rc7WqifASIgm3vBCLU7fTPa-_4rWS-JWPYoXwPtYs-Oxxo8QxUoDYVCGD1exv__PrqDJZ0kxPnfcx2bKEHXP/w400-h400/D2A70822-58FC-4BA2-9ED0-8ED904C53B31.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><p></p><p></p><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">11) <a href="https://chibbqking.blogspot.com/2023/04/eating-big-in-paris-pt-2.html">Olive Oil Ice Cream at Folderol</a> (Paris)</div><p></p><p style="text-align: center;">10) <a href="https://chibbqking.blogspot.com/2023/11/eating-big-in-parma.html">Cotechino Sandwich at Tra L'uss e L'asa</a> (Parma)</p><p style="text-align: center;">9) <a href="https://chibbqking.blogspot.com/2023/11/eating-big-in-liguria.html">Fritto Misto at Il Pescetariano</a> (Santa Margherita Ligure)</p><p style="text-align: center;">8) <a href="https://chibbqking.blogspot.com/2023/03/eating-big-in-athens.html">Pappardelle with Kavurma at Seychelles</a> (Athens) </p><p style="text-align: center;">7) <a href="https://chibbqking.blogspot.com/2023/11/eating-big-in-milan.html">LiangPi (spicy cold skin noodles) at Ristorante Xian</a> (Milan)</p><p style="text-align: center;">6) <a href="https://chibbqking.blogspot.com/2023/03/eating-big-in-athens.html">Souvlaki at Elvis Suki</a> (Athens) </p><p style="text-align: center;">5) <a href="https://chibbqking.blogspot.com/2023/11/eating-big-in-milan.html">Green Bean Salad with chicken necks at Trattoria Trippa</a> (Milan)</p><p style="text-align: center;">4) <a href="https://chibbqking.blogspot.com/2023/04/eating-big-in-paris-pt-2.html">Sardine Shoyu Ramen at Kodawari Ramen Tsukiji</a> (Paris)</p><p style="text-align: center;">3) <a href="https://chibbqking.blogspot.com/2023/11/eating-big-in-piedmont.html">Bagna Cauda at Osteria L'Archivolto</a> (Ovada)</p><p style="text-align: center;">2) <a href="https://chibbqking.blogspot.com/2023/03/eating-big-in-athens.html">Lamb Chops at Karavitas Tavern</a> (Athens)</p><p style="text-align: center;">1) <a href="https://chibbqking.blogspot.com/2023/04/eating-big-in-paris-pt-2.html">Salt Baked Guinea Fowl at Maison by Sota</a> (Paris)<br /><span face="Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif" style="background-color: #141414; color: white; font-size: 13px;">_______________________________________<br /></span><br /><b><span style="font-size: medium;">- 7 Best Pasta Preps from Italy <br /></span></b><b><span style="font-size: medium;">(click for descriptions in original post) </span></b></p><p></p><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhOW36suWlZinx4BXG4OkmwEyO3BTXiv837xyGaXO7T4GHAuJMSm-RxlLaW6PlD7y_WsZn26k9qB_tBB3byHDjMQydEufC_Y2C05pjp_hE4WOPsBLxLz_SHBWO9UcVzELuRpNKKB56-t1aGfgrFl_VVlGgfHq0XciZ6iP0IyaK8NCB30w8wvJ_0C2i7u7a/s2048/AD13203A-C338-4A1E-92B6-43699B630E94.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="2048" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhOW36suWlZinx4BXG4OkmwEyO3BTXiv837xyGaXO7T4GHAuJMSm-RxlLaW6PlD7y_WsZn26k9qB_tBB3byHDjMQydEufC_Y2C05pjp_hE4WOPsBLxLz_SHBWO9UcVzELuRpNKKB56-t1aGfgrFl_VVlGgfHq0XciZ6iP0IyaK8NCB30w8wvJ_0C2i7u7a/w400-h400/AD13203A-C338-4A1E-92B6-43699B630E94.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><p></p><p style="text-align: center;">7) <a href="https://chibbqking.blogspot.com/2023/11/eating-big-in-piedmont.html">Egg Tagolioni with Meat Ragu at Ristorante Cacciatori Massimo</a> (Cartosio)</p><p style="text-align: center;">6) <a href="https://chibbqking.blogspot.com/2023/11/eating-big-in-liguria.html">Calamarata Curry Pasta at Ristorante Padò</a> (Santa Margherita Ligure)</p><p style="text-align: center;">5) <a href="https://chibbqking.blogspot.com/2023/11/eating-big-in-liguria.html">Clams with Pesto Pasta at Ristorante Don Giorgio</a> (San Fruttuoso di Camogli)</p><p style="text-align: center;">4) <a href="https://chibbqking.blogspot.com/2023/11/eating-big-in-liguria.html">Spaghetti alla Acciughe at Ristorante La Camogliese</a> (Camogli)</p><p style="text-align: center;">3) <a href="https://chibbqking.blogspot.com/2023/11/eating-big-in-piedmont.html">Agnolotti del Plin at Osteria dell'Arco</a> (Alba)</p><p style="text-align: center;">2) <a href="https://chibbqking.blogspot.com/2023/11/eating-big-in-parma.html">Anolini en Brodo at Trattoria Ai Due Platani</a> (Coloreto)</p><p style="text-align: center;">1) <a href="https://chibbqking.blogspot.com/2023/11/eating-big-in-milan.html">Spaghetti alla Tamorro at Dongiò</a> (Milan)<br /><span face="Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif" style="background-color: #141414; color: white; font-size: 13px;">_______________________________________</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span><b style="font-size: x-large;">See ya next year </b><a href="https://www.instagram.com/chibbqking/" style="font-size: x-large; font-weight: bold;">@chibbqking</a><b style="font-size: x-large;"> </b><br /></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span>Note: As of now the plan is to come back for another year with the current structure of one post per week but there also may be a substack in the works so do stay tuned. </span></p>KingThttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05368411195212070782noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7759763120880236446.post-46696050584977184212023-12-19T11:00:00.005-06:002024-02-16T08:08:50.239-06:00Eating BIG in New Orleans Pt. 4<p><span face="Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif" style="background-color: #141414; color: white; font-size: 23.4px; font-weight: bold;">Eating like a local:<br />Regional food specialties</span><span face="Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif" style="background-color: #141414; color: white; font-size: 13px; font-weight: bold;"> </span><br style="background-color: #141414; color: white; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;" /><span face="Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif" style="background-color: #141414; color: white; font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-size: medium;">- Back to The Big Easy </span></span></p><p>There's not many places that bring you to life quite like New Orleans. I returned to the Big Easy for the first time in years this past Thanksgiving. It had been so long that I kind of forgot just how much I love this city. It's easily one of my five favorite in the U.S. and the food and fun is a big reason why but I also love the people and the culture. New Orleans is an absolute treasure and in my opinion the entire city should be a UNESCO Heritage Site. NOLA is too small to be the best food city in the country but it has the best regional food. That and a high quality of cooking from spot to spot are what make New Orleans such a great food town. But it's more than the food. There's plenty of good food to be found across the globe but there's only one New Orleans and we're gonna jump right into it. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2YEQJoxAZn11TlVjN2JYTROX0Zm84a4QrFP7AANyQSkYS7vqrDwxZETTmL47Wye5tDBFW7Qg7zz09MMuSJ4-huqDcO8B2qcwfRF6Fx5ohaHAFF92iKddhczUCe_UBRFOuMv2MKzDo3imzHJ-oTubGv0LqzksEzu6Y15zRKH_kL6Bn0Pjr3MkDb5TzY3Ej/s4032/IMG_9800.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2YEQJoxAZn11TlVjN2JYTROX0Zm84a4QrFP7AANyQSkYS7vqrDwxZETTmL47Wye5tDBFW7Qg7zz09MMuSJ4-huqDcO8B2qcwfRF6Fx5ohaHAFF92iKddhczUCe_UBRFOuMv2MKzDo3imzHJ-oTubGv0LqzksEzu6Y15zRKH_kL6Bn0Pjr3MkDb5TzY3Ej/s320/IMG_9800.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPA6WEhKVlK42lHdy7S4wk7GfBgwVmT6eaLr_Vo3lglH4QS6JoHQTzvzqI1M11feWipMiKtM3xc1D5tb9R5E9YzeKgRA_P2qQhUoaDebUId-dPhHXx0szExzpSNNxSmiCBSkV7HvWgk8ozWK82QYA3CQsXxL9Hk4lawK3mvFjJmAQb_bMyxbmnAj8Hbp8t/s4032/IMG_9815.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPA6WEhKVlK42lHdy7S4wk7GfBgwVmT6eaLr_Vo3lglH4QS6JoHQTzvzqI1M11feWipMiKtM3xc1D5tb9R5E9YzeKgRA_P2qQhUoaDebUId-dPhHXx0szExzpSNNxSmiCBSkV7HvWgk8ozWK82QYA3CQsXxL9Hk4lawK3mvFjJmAQb_bMyxbmnAj8Hbp8t/s320/IMG_9815.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjodQBCqRwmMNFVOw2xIgEQy53I_gow3mol7cxkUyo3nFtXDbaRq5KkCjPYUn8po9cP_IwNaa-buCcUsgH8XmoO7zOQXirdlPXZ-nSP2PsocGH63CD-n95Z70ugi5y_sL6exYQVCyZPhHfsMfiAA4d4gokRlSi07Vqzqygr1YY5zAKY1b-wP85DDGKiDxdy/s4032/IMG_9809.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjodQBCqRwmMNFVOw2xIgEQy53I_gow3mol7cxkUyo3nFtXDbaRq5KkCjPYUn8po9cP_IwNaa-buCcUsgH8XmoO7zOQXirdlPXZ-nSP2PsocGH63CD-n95Z70ugi5y_sL6exYQVCyZPhHfsMfiAA4d4gokRlSi07Vqzqygr1YY5zAKY1b-wP85DDGKiDxdy/s320/IMG_9809.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhthEI8JH9-0ZkZfSirjTE-8moe5Vc2lLbPDaepoKpIveHtz086V9Tan0aS8G80o62wUfq4VOWyo1raBZFhC01O6WM6-w3307EZoE0y1dnPmZNFhb1mOX6d0xY5OfV5zfTVRXZ-4iml-hxTcur94xcgHj2R92eGZZfJvNZc8A3wT1ERTaWkk-3k1_Snq-6N/s4032/IMG_8644.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhthEI8JH9-0ZkZfSirjTE-8moe5Vc2lLbPDaepoKpIveHtz086V9Tan0aS8G80o62wUfq4VOWyo1raBZFhC01O6WM6-w3307EZoE0y1dnPmZNFhb1mOX6d0xY5OfV5zfTVRXZ-4iml-hxTcur94xcgHj2R92eGZZfJvNZc8A3wT1ERTaWkk-3k1_Snq-6N/s320/IMG_8644.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Sights from New Orleans (click pics to enhance)<br /><span face="Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif" style="background-color: #141414; color: white; font-size: 13px;">_______________________________________<br /><br /><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtt6xJjyXliSDhPhfLL9e80VA-fLwK9ghQM_i2wepELIbG_MwDwPGnnJbE77LfwEFDcPOB8S3uf6o6cIF54hFD1M7tF-Y-XckvNYJa3U3PS_j9m2jdkeYb8nyZc-AkRrXT5tPD7ZriC0YkFgH-8_SXlDsQKwOlK0153cXvGpF5Chan3ZgguH_yjhdSiQCd/s4032/IMG_8094.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtt6xJjyXliSDhPhfLL9e80VA-fLwK9ghQM_i2wepELIbG_MwDwPGnnJbE77LfwEFDcPOB8S3uf6o6cIF54hFD1M7tF-Y-XckvNYJa3U3PS_j9m2jdkeYb8nyZc-AkRrXT5tPD7ZriC0YkFgH-8_SXlDsQKwOlK0153cXvGpF5Chan3ZgguH_yjhdSiQCd/w400-h300/IMG_8094.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>Mr. B's Bistro </b></div><br />After arriving early on Thanksgiving I decided to hold off on eating until lunch though I really didn't have a choice as there wasn't many spots that were open that early if at all. I was thankful that Mr. B's was not only open for Thanksgiving but they were doing their regular menu on top of turkey. After all I didn't go down there to eat like a pilgrim. I was there to eat all the wonderful local dishes and there's a bunch of them on the menu here. Mr. B's is a sibling of the legendary Brennan's but it's also a legend in it's own right with a history in the French Quarter going back to 1979. Mr. B's is beloved for it's barbecue shrimp among other things but first things first I had to get some gumbo. Their seafood version was the bronze medal winner of the trip. As for the barbecue shrimp it was really good but be prepared to get messy or at least to feel so since it's peel and eat shrimp sitting in a pool of sauce that's nothing like the barbecue sauce you get with ribs and chicken. New Orleans style bbq shrimp never sees a grill or a smoker as it's sauteed with a ton of butter, garlic, Worcestershire sauce and lemon among other things. The sauce was lip licking good but I wish the shrimp were a bit more plump. Erica had the wood grilled Redfish Meuniere and added blue crab to the mix (so good). Brennan's bread pudding rounded out the best Thanksgiving day meal I've ever had. Sorry fam. <br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhG4p-31YJ_4pLRgwB1VWvf_FaFTYMQ1O5LaC3_HPf8Esq7yVRJ2vtB97GDG9fL_Ip2EvUEyFsiHBGEsN6rGvQtqY_Li2gLKP2RVTiup4UHzsGEO8U0ZOn8LNSEX60cNaJd8f87K5sBoQCGwi0_8ij7OWTt7ZjLEifnj-Bqi0cvLQLwv1EfTLU8fvVqRpHd/s4032/IMG_8065.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhG4p-31YJ_4pLRgwB1VWvf_FaFTYMQ1O5LaC3_HPf8Esq7yVRJ2vtB97GDG9fL_Ip2EvUEyFsiHBGEsN6rGvQtqY_Li2gLKP2RVTiup4UHzsGEO8U0ZOn8LNSEX60cNaJd8f87K5sBoQCGwi0_8ij7OWTt7ZjLEifnj-Bqi0cvLQLwv1EfTLU8fvVqRpHd/s320/IMG_8065.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhicVYPemLKu9Mb6OANAXrqZNcRL8HEpEQXI6pNB8oLMcv5abtIwOXb-NvuWd4ojYkpitBFfbfpVJdX_9lBuxEdhdA4-vDrz4H9xHrD5GqvScRkmVwUM1yYVbcMyVkihkLk3gPgBa_NNXqpv68gJFrwJfm2FkgEoOMYU9gSK9NoQrCH0L0uP_BMz0RNu2DU/s4032/IMG_8073.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhicVYPemLKu9Mb6OANAXrqZNcRL8HEpEQXI6pNB8oLMcv5abtIwOXb-NvuWd4ojYkpitBFfbfpVJdX_9lBuxEdhdA4-vDrz4H9xHrD5GqvScRkmVwUM1yYVbcMyVkihkLk3gPgBa_NNXqpv68gJFrwJfm2FkgEoOMYU9gSK9NoQrCH0L0uP_BMz0RNu2DU/s320/IMG_8073.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAQZ09Ga30wN_P8V45dlX9eeKcDfXcJZNPuQZhyb6Nc2TxwmVsjZcbYZGsXaAu6glNLPKBwa5cFdBBUJqllItdjgx3xt_JUoN9MZWsRfmY4XMwp9X0qRFxF8AoaLRiKR4oIOuWjzfH9-2ltlNGDi4vh6Ncfvp5ipKX7DpYZreMehxFV8Mh8zNIzGYhq9un/s4032/IMG_8080.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAQZ09Ga30wN_P8V45dlX9eeKcDfXcJZNPuQZhyb6Nc2TxwmVsjZcbYZGsXaAu6glNLPKBwa5cFdBBUJqllItdjgx3xt_JUoN9MZWsRfmY4XMwp9X0qRFxF8AoaLRiKR4oIOuWjzfH9-2ltlNGDi4vh6Ncfvp5ipKX7DpYZreMehxFV8Mh8zNIzGYhq9un/s320/IMG_8080.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHBNT7SdHu0V4uiHH5MHpiw1VerT_Bt2ryVbmp-9DHrWOjmMat9x4FB3RawCt3ctli3xStDsQB-xE6XYagCEWCnNjWNWLuFLPrlGmdVRhtjm74Ph9DYPr0C3CCzABcyjAbqo3hpYtADcbm9ucJE67F-ARLZo6kgmt2IvG7DfSLUAmXUp7g664ZTYmmbCQe/s4032/IMG_8086.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHBNT7SdHu0V4uiHH5MHpiw1VerT_Bt2ryVbmp-9DHrWOjmMat9x4FB3RawCt3ctli3xStDsQB-xE6XYagCEWCnNjWNWLuFLPrlGmdVRhtjm74Ph9DYPr0C3CCzABcyjAbqo3hpYtADcbm9ucJE67F-ARLZo6kgmt2IvG7DfSLUAmXUp7g664ZTYmmbCQe/s320/IMG_8086.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Lunch at Mr. B's Bistro <br /><span face="Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif" style="background-color: #141414; color: white; font-size: 13px;">_______________________________________</span></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHDjkpPw1wmgmV8NDVrumeYpZOJc2lqFuqErf1M9GTAfo7i_1aaUW3cCHmi2ttRPGHXevNEKo7FQIKzINdbHGovFPr6Mg5jDjnmMsZyeaomPXVt4ycXYrxFpA72Ir1NEirA2fyiBIhLu011gnqUshGcobmtwIFK8i1kM7SxCFsvWcuLpiinlXDx5dGh3R1/s4032/IMG_8372.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHDjkpPw1wmgmV8NDVrumeYpZOJc2lqFuqErf1M9GTAfo7i_1aaUW3cCHmi2ttRPGHXevNEKo7FQIKzINdbHGovFPr6Mg5jDjnmMsZyeaomPXVt4ycXYrxFpA72Ir1NEirA2fyiBIhLu011gnqUshGcobmtwIFK8i1kM7SxCFsvWcuLpiinlXDx5dGh3R1/w400-h300/IMG_8372.jpg" width="400" /></a><br /><b>Luke</b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Luke was the winner of closest restaurant on my hit list to where we were staying downtown. It was on the list bc they have a very good happy hour as do most places in New Orleans. But Luke has good deals on food and drinks. The latter being half off most of the beverage menu and the former is $1.50 Gulf oysters and $8 baskets of fried oysters. With Luke being open on Thanksgiving day we headed over for Happy Hour as it's available from 3-6p daily. We returned the following day for more. </div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSG2TXxpSsIrdnGYcTOGHb52JekAKRw8TJL8WZvtBTc0tTJ2Xb3t9DH4Hq40iJzn1R6ChAKb-nO6srQGdR-5ScXuuWV5ZKGvyRNWAtjcMBMXgXL57qUAnRMNag9LBI2PXKIPIqGYDpq7IrfpRjhkfsXKgGHnxCg4a5wpg2Mdn_5Vfsf2IrO5CS9aUfr1Yk/s4032/IMG_8360.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSG2TXxpSsIrdnGYcTOGHb52JekAKRw8TJL8WZvtBTc0tTJ2Xb3t9DH4Hq40iJzn1R6ChAKb-nO6srQGdR-5ScXuuWV5ZKGvyRNWAtjcMBMXgXL57qUAnRMNag9LBI2PXKIPIqGYDpq7IrfpRjhkfsXKgGHnxCg4a5wpg2Mdn_5Vfsf2IrO5CS9aUfr1Yk/s320/IMG_8360.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfMp3cdufUfNiENd8rgdnlyKP2x_mdvahilDvD-njy9gJDKyMhqukPrNOHTs3SFlUCTiYjN9OIY56xDESGIvK3NGXh-3O1zkhVsZ48XPkd4TbJlTTcc618lrtNaehz3HSzqoGIzBBmI2N66Q9HxBgRNEayDn8aNurfDy0R-alOzLHK8dKk-TxT534YzA4J/s4032/IMG_8108.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfMp3cdufUfNiENd8rgdnlyKP2x_mdvahilDvD-njy9gJDKyMhqukPrNOHTs3SFlUCTiYjN9OIY56xDESGIvK3NGXh-3O1zkhVsZ48XPkd4TbJlTTcc618lrtNaehz3HSzqoGIzBBmI2N66Q9HxBgRNEayDn8aNurfDy0R-alOzLHK8dKk-TxT534YzA4J/s320/IMG_8108.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Happy Hour Oysters at Luke <br /><span face="Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif" style="background-color: #141414; color: white; font-size: 13px;">_______________________________________</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8ngTUF-qFbpZ9FFKYPeE4NGgyVQjf6D8J3Jg9VL9hmxfyJjGZQeoHfblXErlN4pk-LH_yiPJemwYEWwDNets2AMcDBgi7pCj9O9gJnyTj9g6eMlYBY35tKFx9l17b0ciLM89XRiGhSrjQ726WlM_iH3swus3pcH37zel3swMT5bMc15em4_MTvoeOb7Cm/s4032/IMG_8200.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8ngTUF-qFbpZ9FFKYPeE4NGgyVQjf6D8J3Jg9VL9hmxfyJjGZQeoHfblXErlN4pk-LH_yiPJemwYEWwDNets2AMcDBgi7pCj9O9gJnyTj9g6eMlYBY35tKFx9l17b0ciLM89XRiGhSrjQ726WlM_iH3swus3pcH37zel3swMT5bMc15em4_MTvoeOb7Cm/w400-h300/IMG_8200.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>LUFU NOLA</b></div><br />This newish Indian restaurant that started out as a pop-up was one of the only spots on my list open for dinner on Thanksgiving. On top of that they were doing their regular menu and it was a short walk from our resting spot so it all worked out nicely even though we were both pretty full from the previous spots. Because of that we only ordered a few things but each of them was awesome. For starters fried squid with curry leaf, dry masala, and carrot-coconut chutney was unlike anything I've ate on Thanksgiving while garlic naan was soft and crisp in all the right spots. Dal Makhani was a tad soupier than I'm used to but as flavorful as any I can remember. I had plans to come back alas it didn't work out but I would let these guys feed me anywhere so don't shy away just because there's no Étouffée.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihfB0PcfOsLpzNgs2p-t-ZGwJJkTgOEx78TTLXHW2hlmeZetUzMMaAXwBf3vn61W85IXgSdI16O8n5vYXOh9M_ke6x6EZFEEdJkc9EZLomlpikcNdkdVFtTmda2wxfYZZzxW_Gwtp93dfKeIcm2Ib_-zxiqeQR6UFYXdyRWeghJ2PyB0JAIOUkdrh0v2QS/s4032/IMG_8151.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihfB0PcfOsLpzNgs2p-t-ZGwJJkTgOEx78TTLXHW2hlmeZetUzMMaAXwBf3vn61W85IXgSdI16O8n5vYXOh9M_ke6x6EZFEEdJkc9EZLomlpikcNdkdVFtTmda2wxfYZZzxW_Gwtp93dfKeIcm2Ib_-zxiqeQR6UFYXdyRWeghJ2PyB0JAIOUkdrh0v2QS/s320/IMG_8151.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjD0lMg8FuY7llfCWAOcLght7UdxM9HpA2d_qViPtw7TQBmj3yAtX1qKSjrEo_CJuaOoceAumqe3RerMrOcRHPm11M-ODOIsyGdb0oRBdi2CC5k8ygOjaJeKAzC8gFvSUg7XnY3jfxj3IbF_hIQ5CwFVjwofbLazpNC9ncNiD4Hqpa1p_0cpUlRc_OrCwgs/s4032/IMG_8190.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjD0lMg8FuY7llfCWAOcLght7UdxM9HpA2d_qViPtw7TQBmj3yAtX1qKSjrEo_CJuaOoceAumqe3RerMrOcRHPm11M-ODOIsyGdb0oRBdi2CC5k8ygOjaJeKAzC8gFvSUg7XnY3jfxj3IbF_hIQ5CwFVjwofbLazpNC9ncNiD4Hqpa1p_0cpUlRc_OrCwgs/s320/IMG_8190.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Dinner at LUFU NOLA<br /><span face="Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif" style="background-color: #141414; color: white; font-size: 13px;">_______________________________________</span></div><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPDTJmwlr1zCRbU5xe89vaY3ngRH2mRKmB26kJfce_91M6r5Io6LrtxN_u_eLu20nx_69PEWyrm1GOaBhEGAehagq01tU7-6ze2CQv07FoSB7w8UktD_c5JcK10HhKLptKdjnxfskwbpDevYLXT1Ajeh8QZl-xmFgK4inX_CGPVOahK3DgWBJHMcl0noaK/s4032/IMG_8226.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPDTJmwlr1zCRbU5xe89vaY3ngRH2mRKmB26kJfce_91M6r5Io6LrtxN_u_eLu20nx_69PEWyrm1GOaBhEGAehagq01tU7-6ze2CQv07FoSB7w8UktD_c5JcK10HhKLptKdjnxfskwbpDevYLXT1Ajeh8QZl-xmFgK4inX_CGPVOahK3DgWBJHMcl0noaK/w400-h300/IMG_8226.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>Bearcat CBD</b></div><br />A best breakfast thread on the Reddit NOLA board led me to Bearcat CBD which is a popular breakfast and lunch cafe known for high quality, locally sourced and seasonal dishes. They have two locations and one of them was just down the block from our spot so I walked over for breakfast. Specifically for a biscuit with crawfish gravy. It was damn good but could've been hotter in temp. <br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgA8T35yngt0JrUjqvH9oem2UGiZzPVV5_lwfkUj4Sz1VTv1PnWRaeKQCo7AlzZoHd2euM2zLyJT7CYlzcGJB_8qZQegYzcro1ya5HTGFO6b2equ8bNDtecZww1H6TnBJk8o99_CiFIavyaiPZLwEAHH81bPmNyLaOhfl1KlCODVR9s_-QjkuQa97WzsfWr/s4032/IMG_8215.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgA8T35yngt0JrUjqvH9oem2UGiZzPVV5_lwfkUj4Sz1VTv1PnWRaeKQCo7AlzZoHd2euM2zLyJT7CYlzcGJB_8qZQegYzcro1ya5HTGFO6b2equ8bNDtecZww1H6TnBJk8o99_CiFIavyaiPZLwEAHH81bPmNyLaOhfl1KlCODVR9s_-QjkuQa97WzsfWr/w400-h300/IMG_8215.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Cajun Gravy Biscuit at Bearcat CBD<br /><span face="Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif" style="background-color: #141414; color: white; font-size: 13px;">_______________________________________</span></div><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwlXJ9fTdlppHuwP0dn0qX9SPnWhSQhBqc2zEFYxbTPEjFidxjLClP4zos_z9LkAj5tm0mhJSrSXKEwJ8VOTJ7zcx-J9uX02oPKqVPKDHNfo3NsDt8AXxdL9Qztv7_g9IcmeyzPQkviq84kdTOb7DwYJqU1bwNbh91zWaszovWLkvyvYfc7jJMyuUzioYQ/s4032/IMG_8321.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwlXJ9fTdlppHuwP0dn0qX9SPnWhSQhBqc2zEFYxbTPEjFidxjLClP4zos_z9LkAj5tm0mhJSrSXKEwJ8VOTJ7zcx-J9uX02oPKqVPKDHNfo3NsDt8AXxdL9Qztv7_g9IcmeyzPQkviq84kdTOb7DwYJqU1bwNbh91zWaszovWLkvyvYfc7jJMyuUzioYQ/w400-h300/IMG_8321.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>Guy's Po Boys</b></div><br />I had a Surf and Turf lunch in Po Boy form at Guy's Po Boys on Magazine street where I went a small shrimp and a small roast beef which made for a complete meal and then some. I kind of forgot that half sized po boys are still really f'ing big. I’m not sure which of the two fillings I prefer in a Po Boy but roast beef allows for more interpretation from spot to spot. Some places do a shredded version while others do sliced plus there's the seasoning and gravy factor too. Roast beef at Guys is thinly sliced with just a little gravy and a bit of resistance which is what helps it stay together when sliced. It's a delicious rendition while the fried shrimp was a textbook example of that style. This place is great. <br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgE92toeESLw3GM4hHz5shlyCPWanuz7bjVIqyNPtbI38zBpF0RKX8LdNjLVC9onXxOvp9rssRt8RYIChDMZ3_AD2KRxjZ1_JkfCpXo8N0Jg1OImtbNix4ZISRxaX5AlxcurbZnya80-K_5wyknXy2LZv1qMoyLeMu8SZ3Pz0H6LnNwFNCEOth8G1IMWWc/s4032/IMG_8255.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgE92toeESLw3GM4hHz5shlyCPWanuz7bjVIqyNPtbI38zBpF0RKX8LdNjLVC9onXxOvp9rssRt8RYIChDMZ3_AD2KRxjZ1_JkfCpXo8N0Jg1OImtbNix4ZISRxaX5AlxcurbZnya80-K_5wyknXy2LZv1qMoyLeMu8SZ3Pz0H6LnNwFNCEOth8G1IMWWc/w400-h300/IMG_8255.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Fried Shrimp Po Boy</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxyEp9hM4KwcrLZUHpYDw_S_PJYcnK3JFdN-dxqA7OcY1WWUt0Qd_Yi7IY5FGSwJv_ovMfj94xJ8oKCjVhAw1T6a7BSsUuJOrmF7ld1NqrOsuTE0Eq_xuVYPxoqdcX23eGkSPAf4WzfGpp2Aq0zPrIui7PTnToaMzkU3-ZRriKravCzYk8O7W7qjPnvmrF/s4032/IMG_8310.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxyEp9hM4KwcrLZUHpYDw_S_PJYcnK3JFdN-dxqA7OcY1WWUt0Qd_Yi7IY5FGSwJv_ovMfj94xJ8oKCjVhAw1T6a7BSsUuJOrmF7ld1NqrOsuTE0Eq_xuVYPxoqdcX23eGkSPAf4WzfGpp2Aq0zPrIui7PTnToaMzkU3-ZRriKravCzYk8O7W7qjPnvmrF/w400-h300/IMG_8310.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Roast Beef Po Boy at Guy's Po Boys <br /><span face="Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif" style="background-color: #141414; color: white; font-size: 13px;">_______________________________________</span></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggeHCmOe1Nrk3vDOPBoKsODrdk7oNDYjknVNQc9SR-dN16W1XcO1rDIVWZpolgVbEgu7KKfIQa91anj4uFgarlh8-6x8yVg4qpu3N_vexXo47hfzBdohpuDF1bDx0l6EmbqqwNvkwCMagv5zybcmctJk4pq2f7dQ4rykBZlk1Bs0ndsr65EbDSW9b_D1DM/s4032/IMG_8341.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggeHCmOe1Nrk3vDOPBoKsODrdk7oNDYjknVNQc9SR-dN16W1XcO1rDIVWZpolgVbEgu7KKfIQa91anj4uFgarlh8-6x8yVg4qpu3N_vexXo47hfzBdohpuDF1bDx0l6EmbqqwNvkwCMagv5zybcmctJk4pq2f7dQ4rykBZlk1Bs0ndsr65EbDSW9b_D1DM/w400-h300/IMG_8341.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>The Creole Creamery </b></div><br />The older I get the more I like ice cream. We walked past this cool looking ice cream parlor on the way to get some champagne at the wine store a few doors down. We popped in for a peek at the menu and I was impressed. I like to look for uniquely local flavors at small batch ice cream spots like this. The Creole Creamery had a few that I got to taste test. Creole Cream Cheese was the winner. <br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgl9CmtEKXZf83pOH8wKV8HiptwXzwWKa6fI5lkp1Yz0cLlFUIx6X5pE8v2Z_jFDc4cWmDiJV6QVHX72hReS6UW_Z-clpchc5xzeh8QNncZWjbUddsGPiIG79P5YFOabJx93CKq0Cb57KTOXeaE8ROySjGVW7vkZP8_tUCBZhYlqQyf34PRHCWKFO3ekZ6v/s4032/IMG_8348.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgl9CmtEKXZf83pOH8wKV8HiptwXzwWKa6fI5lkp1Yz0cLlFUIx6X5pE8v2Z_jFDc4cWmDiJV6QVHX72hReS6UW_Z-clpchc5xzeh8QNncZWjbUddsGPiIG79P5YFOabJx93CKq0Cb57KTOXeaE8ROySjGVW7vkZP8_tUCBZhYlqQyf34PRHCWKFO3ekZ6v/w400-h300/IMG_8348.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Creole Cream Cheese Ice Cream at The Creole Creamery <br /><span face="Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif" style="background-color: #141414; color: white; font-size: 13px;">_______________________________________</span></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9lR5ybMrUZemuW_b9deWt1lFCGsP09awDOIlTVtYPfp_YPUGSPeIfZbsUcN3S_QpfKvGl_JyooLkva9aEpke5BnNjjC2v6ynToDSLUCrAw1TEJ546BZSTxYEuD4zVRoZ5ukNUTeIQ3zfuvdxvocVJVaUx0yr4awp6VGiK_KH07o1flrYTOPwM76GXMqtj/s4032/IMG_8444.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9lR5ybMrUZemuW_b9deWt1lFCGsP09awDOIlTVtYPfp_YPUGSPeIfZbsUcN3S_QpfKvGl_JyooLkva9aEpke5BnNjjC2v6ynToDSLUCrAw1TEJ546BZSTxYEuD4zVRoZ5ukNUTeIQ3zfuvdxvocVJVaUx0yr4awp6VGiK_KH07o1flrYTOPwM76GXMqtj/w400-h300/IMG_8444.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>Mosquito Supper Club</b></div><br />Mosquito Supper Club is a nationally heralded Cajun restaurant that celebrates the bounty of shrimpers, oyster fishermen, crabbers, and farmers that define the local cuisine. Chef Melissa Martin and her team offer a curated tasting menu served in supper fashion. We didn't have reservations for the tasting menu but we were able to pop in and sit at the bar where they offer drinks and ala carte items like Southern Louisiana style gumbo served with a scoop of potato salad meant to go into the gumbo. It was the silver medal winner for best gumbo of the trip - dark in color and deep in flavor. We also got try their version of barbecue shrimp which gave the same vibes as the gumbo - it was dark and delicious. Best dish of the trio was a fried snapper collar served with a delicious dipping sauce plus little strips of chayote or Mirliton as it's called in NOLA. Great cocktails and service too. <br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_Uw-0-PveUzaePovzKYU3mPaU1yqSacu2os9ZBsXRotW5fN4a9iANt6-x6BsUno2CEq2cTl7CkMcqwnzoljGaVoevRl7On7RRLfM0NHtd03IW3tnie0H9Cch3SNCzcrArCGYDAtHm4yD8tC8zwafqNGFKieqlRUPxUJrOM8w9z4E0_dHuP_uGy7Gda1N6/s4032/IMG_8405.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_Uw-0-PveUzaePovzKYU3mPaU1yqSacu2os9ZBsXRotW5fN4a9iANt6-x6BsUno2CEq2cTl7CkMcqwnzoljGaVoevRl7On7RRLfM0NHtd03IW3tnie0H9Cch3SNCzcrArCGYDAtHm4yD8tC8zwafqNGFKieqlRUPxUJrOM8w9z4E0_dHuP_uGy7Gda1N6/s320/IMG_8405.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAa2sN92DfQ18PzPAVOzMmY4q1QvEDdAdemgVUpvZWOI-8l2YyaWb2s3rB5vNXXUHBKRx5QPuag6XFWRKopf8NVnp6eurCORs18fVZaTiX71ty_YGp3H_SAaMDooYC4kAivBTjJCZSYWMFgoWYLbByrjS__gW-Kjb2JtrHEtBJ260slqpBuGtsKNF582tx/s4032/IMG_8395.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAa2sN92DfQ18PzPAVOzMmY4q1QvEDdAdemgVUpvZWOI-8l2YyaWb2s3rB5vNXXUHBKRx5QPuag6XFWRKopf8NVnp6eurCORs18fVZaTiX71ty_YGp3H_SAaMDooYC4kAivBTjJCZSYWMFgoWYLbByrjS__gW-Kjb2JtrHEtBJ260slqpBuGtsKNF582tx/s320/IMG_8395.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPPUSAymTe50JZ9CPPmi-2SDqfCdbd7M_iN9r9Q1vo0Hm_QiaAwOG-TdHt13g_E2-diqc2cpLbHaAlJwDjDURl6FdKx4EY8aH23IkYxnJhzdv8IOsabdVTVofCgn3IbPRFUWwpKQnGZfBTBZtCvStcZ8rl_AbtLuXm6r0LAhhCszayBCzstmgncFdQCg9I/s4032/IMG_8436.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPPUSAymTe50JZ9CPPmi-2SDqfCdbd7M_iN9r9Q1vo0Hm_QiaAwOG-TdHt13g_E2-diqc2cpLbHaAlJwDjDURl6FdKx4EY8aH23IkYxnJhzdv8IOsabdVTVofCgn3IbPRFUWwpKQnGZfBTBZtCvStcZ8rl_AbtLuXm6r0LAhhCszayBCzstmgncFdQCg9I/s320/IMG_8436.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Bar Snacks at Mosquito Supper Club (click pics to enhance)<br /><span face="Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif" style="background-color: #141414; color: white; font-size: 13px;">_______________________________________</span></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxvHgjbFaX3acOZZBhUWbcYSjqsn4jHy1grUf-1DpHDbk994ehwdvIYTHp_o59iDv4qpaLLgE4fHAwaDIwpBX1s-Litd76sDxcGAWR5uk2yqJUQKD8_wvcigukmoyqGkl0PTIJs-AmDbtb6-xKT9_jZrBmTQsEolsNzkKIYZq-ZTtwjTyh4ChOlhyphenhyphenbYv7u/s4032/IMG_8522.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxvHgjbFaX3acOZZBhUWbcYSjqsn4jHy1grUf-1DpHDbk994ehwdvIYTHp_o59iDv4qpaLLgE4fHAwaDIwpBX1s-Litd76sDxcGAWR5uk2yqJUQKD8_wvcigukmoyqGkl0PTIJs-AmDbtb6-xKT9_jZrBmTQsEolsNzkKIYZq-ZTtwjTyh4ChOlhyphenhyphenbYv7u/w300-h400/IMG_8522.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>Jacques-Imo's</b></div><br />After snacks at Mosquito we wandered over to Jacques-Imo's to put our names down (no reservations). I last visited this Anthony Bourdain favorite more than a decade ago where we enjoyed a massive meal in honor of my sisters graduation from college. I thought it would be a good time to return in part bc this would be my aunt and uncles first dinner of the trip so I wanted to do something with a very New Orleans vibe. Jacques-Imo's delivered on the vibes part as it was a Friday and there was big crowd in town for the Bayou Classic. I started with a rum punch as that's where the Friday night vibes led me. We also got a slice of their famous alligator cheesecake which had pretty good flavor but not much texture. My uncle called it mush. Crawfish ettouffee was better than most versions outside of Louisiana but didn't seem like it was one of the better options in state. Aside from the rum punch a plate of blackened redfish sitting over crab chili hollandaise was the big winner. <br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiut6YUR8InfOG_ujEZw9n1Z9zBaq8alti4Uiq0mMz7pn3OajHMyhoqhZUuek2WbcstOiqzCBWd5BPbvMA-etjs9wBz7U9BGJAfKjDqFZCm9rJdRecVeCFa1QZLkvFO3s9NB0m_6QN7DtuE7VJZEoXieuXhlPk7bs_S-_J3pRXut1EM0Qri8DrKNyJLzB74/s4032/IMG_8490.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiut6YUR8InfOG_ujEZw9n1Z9zBaq8alti4Uiq0mMz7pn3OajHMyhoqhZUuek2WbcstOiqzCBWd5BPbvMA-etjs9wBz7U9BGJAfKjDqFZCm9rJdRecVeCFa1QZLkvFO3s9NB0m_6QN7DtuE7VJZEoXieuXhlPk7bs_S-_J3pRXut1EM0Qri8DrKNyJLzB74/s320/IMG_8490.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiC1r5J_FU6no_Rk-PGK8mCt98q0oZ4ceHTwlEl2McOqZXTgusTUrEkpwnj-2R8DXiWif2KfVJvsLIXVVV6lXUS3uAJsXEH-MeB4QeymMr0ywasNB0OvFTu9ySpxo3tY_6Q2yr6jdZ0nAaRx_F4HeyILVvU5ZJl0SHnWwdO3cBNf0TJeFBMVXtPsSNCo7rI/s4032/IMG_8481.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiC1r5J_FU6no_Rk-PGK8mCt98q0oZ4ceHTwlEl2McOqZXTgusTUrEkpwnj-2R8DXiWif2KfVJvsLIXVVV6lXUS3uAJsXEH-MeB4QeymMr0ywasNB0OvFTu9ySpxo3tY_6Q2yr6jdZ0nAaRx_F4HeyILVvU5ZJl0SHnWwdO3cBNf0TJeFBMVXtPsSNCo7rI/s320/IMG_8481.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwnFvlOdjlWL-D9_bbit2H4I_O0iJCvMFXTuGQ6YMHrM1bZg7X4sD961yWC4y10snAwafJf4WiJAavc9ed7_ypeCO6n7l9eEMN8wQGkfjsEcmkma0rNLppS8cqrUr_7izEZ-xh53-V4ZE9KYKYO8dAzpvN8pfvZiHOSIGWJPWf_rFhDeoDRRW6dFhq-A4n/s4032/IMG_8516.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwnFvlOdjlWL-D9_bbit2H4I_O0iJCvMFXTuGQ6YMHrM1bZg7X4sD961yWC4y10snAwafJf4WiJAavc9ed7_ypeCO6n7l9eEMN8wQGkfjsEcmkma0rNLppS8cqrUr_7izEZ-xh53-V4ZE9KYKYO8dAzpvN8pfvZiHOSIGWJPWf_rFhDeoDRRW6dFhq-A4n/s320/IMG_8516.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Dinner at Jacques-Imo's<br /><span face="Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif" style="background-color: #141414; color: white; font-size: 13px;">_______________________________________</span></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYkwwUY_1ISyheY8DGaCPZHneoQrCA7ID4sVRfTpBOIgGkXgzwof8-NbYDqiLnZSyDHK2Vkkhxwrox58rmUEB9txtijrO-Tvtcuqr00DAT1GMpTaMobCKoIylJH9h30Gf9A1xJoLVqul8qiPV5muiyMu9hpibkr8IF7Dg3n_z0cKkHV29n3H9qC1hLMR05/s4032/IMG_8635.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYkwwUY_1ISyheY8DGaCPZHneoQrCA7ID4sVRfTpBOIgGkXgzwof8-NbYDqiLnZSyDHK2Vkkhxwrox58rmUEB9txtijrO-Tvtcuqr00DAT1GMpTaMobCKoIylJH9h30Gf9A1xJoLVqul8qiPV5muiyMu9hpibkr8IF7Dg3n_z0cKkHV29n3H9qC1hLMR05/w400-h300/IMG_8635.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>Clover Grill </b></div><br />Friday night was a doozy as I met an old friend and roamed around a very busy Bourbon street. We had some beverages but the only place we actually went inside of was the iconic Clover Grill. It's been serving up big and greasy end of the night burgers and more since 1939. You cant expect to get the best burger at a spot like this that stays open 24/7 but you can bet you're going to get the best burger you can find at 4am when you're stumbling around Bourbon street looking for a spot to get some grub before you collapse and call it a night. They lightly smash big and fresh balls of beef on a well seasoned flattop and let it sear for a bit before covering it with an old American made hubcap. <br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOGcuZNN7DJ5rY73ev9Viisfe0bZaQZgAQMwcF31G6_JfyDhVh0pnXYEUXV8gQSoh-5z3wcZ-vzFCESZ9bFENEryFS58Dvk6q1ptSGyIhsVZn9tW3u8_B9h_bybYrpU85_XarZ4_2eFHkHwluxTtsJrWvcOe4GErjjUPpBmYnXgJseyfPhQbBi_50vAFDi/s4032/IMG_8592.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOGcuZNN7DJ5rY73ev9Viisfe0bZaQZgAQMwcF31G6_JfyDhVh0pnXYEUXV8gQSoh-5z3wcZ-vzFCESZ9bFENEryFS58Dvk6q1ptSGyIhsVZn9tW3u8_B9h_bybYrpU85_XarZ4_2eFHkHwluxTtsJrWvcOe4GErjjUPpBmYnXgJseyfPhQbBi_50vAFDi/s320/IMG_8592.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiU1_-GfwNOIViiwgrgf0kaHoUkUh4OHmZWxEBm_4lQMJ7y_bBfQh_Cgech_LLP1KTUfh1JH0dRzUlXPHU5Tigs_yGf72OYt28hsFMUXktby_fh1bsgRirwmJK0w8CoGKaTRo7UTRbHNNf-iyZgNOQagNYXMCwzeMOMzZ3m_1uUd7hsuIjjZhExEuur5dJD/s4032/IMG_8620.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiU1_-GfwNOIViiwgrgf0kaHoUkUh4OHmZWxEBm_4lQMJ7y_bBfQh_Cgech_LLP1KTUfh1JH0dRzUlXPHU5Tigs_yGf72OYt28hsFMUXktby_fh1bsgRirwmJK0w8CoGKaTRo7UTRbHNNf-iyZgNOQagNYXMCwzeMOMzZ3m_1uUd7hsuIjjZhExEuur5dJD/s320/IMG_8620.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Cheeseburger at Clover Grill <br /><span face="Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif" style="background-color: #141414; color: white; font-size: 13px;">_______________________________________</span></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheJHfNb9ZtKpthQpULTRCHvcGzWyIMBV9Pe1ZyMUnYi4JKtoqB7t-DDYngXRclh7tQAYm2tGp5y6WaQyxtRuq9_mBEmmqgpDbgiOs3RPns14NTEjbfCdTPAAuXVZ6yTkSCZMCK7Ri6jIeR1wLDyn7szpFBKFU5ANpwB6biYXZQOYgQW257BDV-rMqqBS3Y/s4032/IMG_9763.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheJHfNb9ZtKpthQpULTRCHvcGzWyIMBV9Pe1ZyMUnYi4JKtoqB7t-DDYngXRclh7tQAYm2tGp5y6WaQyxtRuq9_mBEmmqgpDbgiOs3RPns14NTEjbfCdTPAAuXVZ6yTkSCZMCK7Ri6jIeR1wLDyn7szpFBKFU5ANpwB6biYXZQOYgQW257BDV-rMqqBS3Y/w400-h300/IMG_9763.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>Ayu Bakehouse </b></div><br />I had read about the pastries at Ayu Bakehouse and specifically the Boudin Boy which is a locally made piece of boudin (pork and rice sausage) with a perfectly boiled egg wrapped up in an extra flaky croissant. So I walked over thru the French Quarter and down Bourbon street one morning and what an interesting walk that was. Seeing the neighborhood from a locals perspective is always interesting. Those locals are lucky to have the pastries from here. The Boudin Boy comes served with a chili crisp and it was possibly the best thing I ate this trip while a lemon blueberry Danish I decided to try on a whim was equally delicious. I can see this place being a regular stop in NOLA from here on in. <div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCVdcjAkjlUmYkJ5V_b3Rb4QBTKAhJEiQDT7QyCNYkBQ5k2klyL4wHlieMp1_E0txt6BD3A5qQxsFQ7fmXPt4AH8GX0UOfiOMGUOcFMiuTMHejOC2yGQlP8Ss2LPn9gxygfFDf-nhfjmGFJ0sEyH1ugMohC8TJz4bR7Rgmr7Vkh6OupNw4PfNtngjzXnzz/s4032/IMG_9777.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCVdcjAkjlUmYkJ5V_b3Rb4QBTKAhJEiQDT7QyCNYkBQ5k2klyL4wHlieMp1_E0txt6BD3A5qQxsFQ7fmXPt4AH8GX0UOfiOMGUOcFMiuTMHejOC2yGQlP8Ss2LPn9gxygfFDf-nhfjmGFJ0sEyH1ugMohC8TJz4bR7Rgmr7Vkh6OupNw4PfNtngjzXnzz/s320/IMG_9777.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3xfOflnxuTD2XenCzEIkcg3u3LrIqZm1R3Z9qB7LzR-gjQ2Ci4LFJL2CpFFVKqHaYb5eFGTZfNmLOlPJlz8JEN_n2R4kHtjbNJ-pNiYb4thvklL-MwEqyJpAC__pxho3SlwAOV9deGs6atD0N-ZQq56v4K57E79qN9HshbRshqCpsfq4ftCEkFjyWnGkS/s4032/IMG_9766.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3xfOflnxuTD2XenCzEIkcg3u3LrIqZm1R3Z9qB7LzR-gjQ2Ci4LFJL2CpFFVKqHaYb5eFGTZfNmLOlPJlz8JEN_n2R4kHtjbNJ-pNiYb4thvklL-MwEqyJpAC__pxho3SlwAOV9deGs6atD0N-ZQq56v4K57E79qN9HshbRshqCpsfq4ftCEkFjyWnGkS/s320/IMG_9766.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Pastries at Ayu Bakehouse <br /><span face="Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif" style="background-color: #141414; color: white; font-size: 13px;">_______________________________________</span></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjB1FEcLS-fKBsNaJogpuH-wzcGy1GXlABRjndEXgT76tArwIohjuxROCFHO1HBylmCvnhkZ3YnXesrRxP-RM5GVEc4LHRH8tNLJv_i2tzHr951l3GRf-LLqQOdqCx62VxFoxYNr8RCl9LcmbTGesqV5nnzaZVIGewTmCNvwjvOPZp4a-l1U5wwb2pr1Ygj/s4032/IMG_8329.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjB1FEcLS-fKBsNaJogpuH-wzcGy1GXlABRjndEXgT76tArwIohjuxROCFHO1HBylmCvnhkZ3YnXesrRxP-RM5GVEc4LHRH8tNLJv_i2tzHr951l3GRf-LLqQOdqCx62VxFoxYNr8RCl9LcmbTGesqV5nnzaZVIGewTmCNvwjvOPZp4a-l1U5wwb2pr1Ygj/w400-h300/IMG_8329.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>Casamento's</b> </div><br />NOLA has a high concentration of good eating spots on a per capita basis so even though I’ve visited the city more than a handful of times I still got lots of spots on my to eat list. I knocked one of them off at Casamento's on Magazine street where they’ve been serving up oysters and more since 1919. It’s currently on its fifth generation of the same family ownership, we were served by members of the 4th and 5th generation (mom & daughter) starting with a plate of their char grilled oysters with some fresh cut fries on the side. Gulf bivalves are layered with garlic and butter and broiled until they start oozing garlic-butter. So, so good. Next up was an Oyster Loaf with tallow fried oysters plus the usual toppings of a Po Boy except they use butter toasted pan bread instead of French bread bc as we were told - it goes bad quickly. The fried crab claws were as good as any I’ve had in these parts while seafood gumbo was like a Creole Cioppino and raw gulf oysters were as plump as I’ve experienced them. If only I had a little bit of stomach space left for some spaghetti and meatballs. It may seem like an odd menu item paired with all this Gulf seafood but Joe Casamento came to New Orleans from Italy more than 100 years ago. Will this be the 2023 'Stop of the Year'? Do stay tuned! Cash Only.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHFn6jxlBFfx4xaoKNN5SGJ-DohVra2IkfuswvWvWuSoBU1UYxLAGzbek9BqhLhu1YCLR-2EiH9eUHr8NeP2YT5QBOSczaJv-M3TDHoEsQYBxZ3wqKO59h4fG_qUyrW-viPb2LPF0FEC_dDoT-Wt-iyJsx8zzCSyqPOWKiE8Jr5__ge631SpHw9EYERciQ/s4032/IMG_8658.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHFn6jxlBFfx4xaoKNN5SGJ-DohVra2IkfuswvWvWuSoBU1UYxLAGzbek9BqhLhu1YCLR-2EiH9eUHr8NeP2YT5QBOSczaJv-M3TDHoEsQYBxZ3wqKO59h4fG_qUyrW-viPb2LPF0FEC_dDoT-Wt-iyJsx8zzCSyqPOWKiE8Jr5__ge631SpHw9EYERciQ/s320/IMG_8658.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKHDlTxSLBm5dqHf3ex2fhdlAX_0bQ7C600K1J7Tg3WO3SqN_pOQDL2o4HcxoLsRFXpa8z_3F59OHOftwyO307-t4988cR39NDeVLPdcW0U2yzvOk3FFZxwnsoCw8RhB2ugqF2G0rmB36Y9JLbiL0sjliW-t35hhvAjdVFW71KMypSU2OP2PMoU_NiVNlN/s4032/IMG_8693.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKHDlTxSLBm5dqHf3ex2fhdlAX_0bQ7C600K1J7Tg3WO3SqN_pOQDL2o4HcxoLsRFXpa8z_3F59OHOftwyO307-t4988cR39NDeVLPdcW0U2yzvOk3FFZxwnsoCw8RhB2ugqF2G0rmB36Y9JLbiL0sjliW-t35hhvAjdVFW71KMypSU2OP2PMoU_NiVNlN/s320/IMG_8693.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_S1aHAeASHuwR5UzVCx_9JCbZqS6JSR9WIV9-RCpoF-ijtasWTCfFE_3E6OYjy5sHfl_LIZiAC1WwXmKUp3XuKDNPqcmYtJ6P0EC9FQHhFzico0ct4tV_x5b8Bj-G46yMCR5vpl8Xnf7CBhJxd0uNuFzt0pQGYG0ApQhHsUFbZ5DGZKSMwJJWdC91ILUv/s4032/IMG_8712.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_S1aHAeASHuwR5UzVCx_9JCbZqS6JSR9WIV9-RCpoF-ijtasWTCfFE_3E6OYjy5sHfl_LIZiAC1WwXmKUp3XuKDNPqcmYtJ6P0EC9FQHhFzico0ct4tV_x5b8Bj-G46yMCR5vpl8Xnf7CBhJxd0uNuFzt0pQGYG0ApQhHsUFbZ5DGZKSMwJJWdC91ILUv/s320/IMG_8712.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg62RF-rZRjMktva9jy6mqAe_y46xyPYHjQXegSfXxwYBRz1icDQkxhLO3E7FWxvbYPwz973G-EsVU8AbM445KIJeEVTltBvFjn3zqRwQzEG3x5qXislOkwotT_cmbavMDmARnIlA5fLHz-tiBq6RFy4DYiioosDn5sI3i6SINlGnVEulVJD1SKyaiaTdVP/s4032/IMG_8733.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg62RF-rZRjMktva9jy6mqAe_y46xyPYHjQXegSfXxwYBRz1icDQkxhLO3E7FWxvbYPwz973G-EsVU8AbM445KIJeEVTltBvFjn3zqRwQzEG3x5qXislOkwotT_cmbavMDmARnIlA5fLHz-tiBq6RFy4DYiioosDn5sI3i6SINlGnVEulVJD1SKyaiaTdVP/s320/IMG_8733.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdeb1pe45Iz8a2on4AeVvcRBrrJyupKz1ijMU1hZWhOjrG6OlgJWUw9pMuxclMEJ7RHddZbM0a-kCNmvRwX8Fsg1oeTsx99XKi2EKZ4JE-I6y-BueT1KpV09tNkcpS1Xqc6IUB7JNRGJiu9IgujBD32m909tCFUHguSpcntTGFPJgXocxipTwgpDqOPOSb/s4032/IMG_8777.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdeb1pe45Iz8a2on4AeVvcRBrrJyupKz1ijMU1hZWhOjrG6OlgJWUw9pMuxclMEJ7RHddZbM0a-kCNmvRwX8Fsg1oeTsx99XKi2EKZ4JE-I6y-BueT1KpV09tNkcpS1Xqc6IUB7JNRGJiu9IgujBD32m909tCFUHguSpcntTGFPJgXocxipTwgpDqOPOSb/s320/IMG_8777.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Lunch at Casamento's (click pics to enhance)<br /><span face="Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif" style="background-color: #141414; color: white; font-size: 13px;">_______________________________________</span></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglpMeBiPetRewH6xrt_qLl0d8U8JbpPEiAOuNVql4nA5SmIHxqOBnSk-2qMMMWqbcsxptR-Y7mt8zte9_lXqBoh6T30kyS_l2mV4g3wH6tjcSP94NWRyXf3J8iITdESBUoq0R1hyphenhyphenIkmeNFWxslb_OcWGVpyJRGCAoD0GJKod5ivWeRBLaClJ2snQ6t1FW3/s4032/IMG_8843.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglpMeBiPetRewH6xrt_qLl0d8U8JbpPEiAOuNVql4nA5SmIHxqOBnSk-2qMMMWqbcsxptR-Y7mt8zte9_lXqBoh6T30kyS_l2mV4g3wH6tjcSP94NWRyXf3J8iITdESBUoq0R1hyphenhyphenIkmeNFWxslb_OcWGVpyJRGCAoD0GJKod5ivWeRBLaClJ2snQ6t1FW3/w400-h300/IMG_8843.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>Lily's Cafe </b></div><br />Last time I was in New Orleans before this visit was 2016 so it had been a minute. I can’t tell you exactly how many times I thought about the Spicy Shrimp Pho at Lily's Cafe between now and then but it was many times. The broth has a deep spice profile and is strong in shrimp flavor. It's the best shrimp pho I’ve ever had. It’s also the only one I’ve ever tried but trust me when I tell you it’s worth a stop if you need to take a break from all the buttered and fried food options around town. The Vietnamese have a strong connection to New Orleans via the local shrimping industry and with it there’s some good Vietnamese spots to be found in town and local gulf shrimp is common at them.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNm7yQVLRZTkqJOnsv6z3DcvnmVbGTUbwB2sPQ1EzM3qclRrJI5SjCfhX_ZMKvVVsjHKqLZI5tN28q4QO_e2LUTf4NF8Qd0VC0eHvKU0PcC1Jt-yK7OJvypWyAb7ZdIRjJenk9A52M3BCi0SdP97nHFOpcVjCVKdaKLcm8WCfJME008s4u9KfWevg9hzhq/s4032/IMG_8817.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNm7yQVLRZTkqJOnsv6z3DcvnmVbGTUbwB2sPQ1EzM3qclRrJI5SjCfhX_ZMKvVVsjHKqLZI5tN28q4QO_e2LUTf4NF8Qd0VC0eHvKU0PcC1Jt-yK7OJvypWyAb7ZdIRjJenk9A52M3BCi0SdP97nHFOpcVjCVKdaKLcm8WCfJME008s4u9KfWevg9hzhq/s320/IMG_8817.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3yjNudqrfl0XPzuF1mkFvh3A7ZVp0HW_PKE56KqhpO27mP6vWFeXWXqDqUK7PwZGokZo8JQ0HfV94ko2N09Ywl42Lm3nuQ4bdNmx4gNyaZ3qj4e3M_YfI5e1XF4KR0Srxb1BiKrfkh4XvUgbsiyA2ZBTu6qsdIbNjElep9jqKj-0oek_3A3RdQLB5tRHZ/s4032/IMG_8840.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3yjNudqrfl0XPzuF1mkFvh3A7ZVp0HW_PKE56KqhpO27mP6vWFeXWXqDqUK7PwZGokZo8JQ0HfV94ko2N09Ywl42Lm3nuQ4bdNmx4gNyaZ3qj4e3M_YfI5e1XF4KR0Srxb1BiKrfkh4XvUgbsiyA2ZBTu6qsdIbNjElep9jqKj-0oek_3A3RdQLB5tRHZ/s320/IMG_8840.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Shrimp Pho at Lily's Cafe <br /><span face="Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif" style="background-color: #141414; color: white; font-size: 13px;">_______________________________________</span></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaACUw10pyQhBcdosdqBFEuDuhFTsY4-bo4FaspEpKLpeWknVzSlmEQDy_7VXzn-R1U_o1M3KhWu9vVNcpXDrfuHTzYVJ73TkdCPgbDcqxSWJaUNkPZt2UiKOblaRaCW29GXHyS09Paf0fi-_308vipBBnOHd3bBnyRFxqR1sYPNNAjz5UQ_ltzrcVmK-v/s4032/IMG_8862.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaACUw10pyQhBcdosdqBFEuDuhFTsY4-bo4FaspEpKLpeWknVzSlmEQDy_7VXzn-R1U_o1M3KhWu9vVNcpXDrfuHTzYVJ73TkdCPgbDcqxSWJaUNkPZt2UiKOblaRaCW29GXHyS09Paf0fi-_308vipBBnOHd3bBnyRFxqR1sYPNNAjz5UQ_ltzrcVmK-v/w400-h300/IMG_8862.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>Zasu </b></div><br />As far as dinner reservations go Zasu was at the top of my to try list. The Mid- City restaurant is a dream come true for James Beard Award winning Chef Sue Zemanick. It comes highly rec'd by local food writer Ian McNulty among others that know what's up. We walked into a full house of locals that included a couple of large parties out to celebrate. It's got big time bistro vibes coming from the menu and the space itself which is a renovated New Orleans shotgun house. Food wise the menu leans on local and seasonal ingredients while there's both a local and a global influence as far as the prepared dishes go. We were able to try a nice chunk of the menu and overall dinner was a big winner. Of course some dishes were better than others. The best plate of the night was a masterfully cooked piece of red snapper sitting atop butterbeans, turnips, green beans, cherry tomatoes mixed in a spicy butter. It was probably the best dish of the trip. While it's easy to cook fish it's not easy to cook it as perfect as this. It tasted as good as it looks. The only real miss of the night was a chorizo spiced baby octopus that fell a bit flat. But the rest of the stuff we got was pretty spot on and I plan on going back. <div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMS7-qulHUIZ8OrvB5LaxyIWzdco80sjPUdeKlS6TxVLnNPBBeRKHGivR8s0nXgn69r5R0ulKi5hn2AjjHiVMK3PK_dNdqixG1sO6aHqPSvdEFzIJhjHGztgN1KNzBOEZwAuKFuyqQ6ljjcJZOKgxMzEnTEti7hvEuQ7MDhFKStyhOHlgW_KGMzKiHYB44/s4032/IMG_8875.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMS7-qulHUIZ8OrvB5LaxyIWzdco80sjPUdeKlS6TxVLnNPBBeRKHGivR8s0nXgn69r5R0ulKi5hn2AjjHiVMK3PK_dNdqixG1sO6aHqPSvdEFzIJhjHGztgN1KNzBOEZwAuKFuyqQ6ljjcJZOKgxMzEnTEti7hvEuQ7MDhFKStyhOHlgW_KGMzKiHYB44/s320/IMG_8875.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Little Gem Lettuces / goat cheese / radishes / pink peppercorn / herbed pistachio dressing <br /><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfFdP4BOHe70ZALSV7iaCG2y3bsHz0YSoa6YU02HCp-7nym7_JR2CZ6sO_7eYyk1LGjLeI2GPRLCbAQzZeDSXWwly3EsJWj6QpRY9n5Pw8TGWoNSiLBKgAibIX9Vdj7NuWmd55QtNfpc4oqobkLkYlfeEU-auIbziCd-wJCLEQuppMVy4PhwjyR7btwOFT/s4032/IMG_8881.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfFdP4BOHe70ZALSV7iaCG2y3bsHz0YSoa6YU02HCp-7nym7_JR2CZ6sO_7eYyk1LGjLeI2GPRLCbAQzZeDSXWwly3EsJWj6QpRY9n5Pw8TGWoNSiLBKgAibIX9Vdj7NuWmd55QtNfpc4oqobkLkYlfeEU-auIbziCd-wJCLEQuppMVy4PhwjyR7btwOFT/s320/IMG_8881.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Soup of the Day (roasted butternut squash) <br /><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJtMdGoVCOkNkXdKS6UDuux06LKqF2i73aWNpg2pc-eW2AVqS7IwLzc3b7tbn7QZ-kxiHgkiSXlSqj4i1wB2kaUr4R4tA4d9QG7dtQU7XohKxHRx1MyNlkdZZ4qEuMf0yHHr_i8iedDh9PXwNyU-icBlHLgEWyFXdXqkWDy4dhTGYqdc3ymbjVYXRImvgz/s4032/IMG_8892.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJtMdGoVCOkNkXdKS6UDuux06LKqF2i73aWNpg2pc-eW2AVqS7IwLzc3b7tbn7QZ-kxiHgkiSXlSqj4i1wB2kaUr4R4tA4d9QG7dtQU7XohKxHRx1MyNlkdZZ4qEuMf0yHHr_i8iedDh9PXwNyU-icBlHLgEWyFXdXqkWDy4dhTGYqdc3ymbjVYXRImvgz/s320/IMG_8892.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Crispy veal Sweetbreads / charred broccoli / sushi rice / pickled fresno / ginger soy glaze <br /><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhROHzzMF2fuhOtYBroNRQeuGRHQ0R_P0y3iwt2UA3mlIXit3-dwPO0Qo6cE2KU0STcjrYHxpltH-BlfPtioO9L-w29-7w4skCmvrqcoaLs5MMLeyGX6ZJvA2li39-WPKNbIx4nRk3dRiYnMXmb4KAghziedx_Z2DGwwKqQi-Xnc2Yq1dvaGs6PyGaBM-Tc/s4032/IMG_8911.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhROHzzMF2fuhOtYBroNRQeuGRHQ0R_P0y3iwt2UA3mlIXit3-dwPO0Qo6cE2KU0STcjrYHxpltH-BlfPtioO9L-w29-7w4skCmvrqcoaLs5MMLeyGX6ZJvA2li39-WPKNbIx4nRk3dRiYnMXmb4KAghziedx_Z2DGwwKqQi-Xnc2Yq1dvaGs6PyGaBM-Tc/s320/IMG_8911.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Fettuccine / roasted artichoke / espelette / herbed breadcrumbs / white anchovy butter <br /><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNNrsHcTFSnsUdYLLyTdJYDv4bhWMF5LPAxi-A2CzFoicBQnTedbd-_Q02OZ6ePfKphRfvXfn9axixqaByGGGTcxfwDAidc00kkZXySwbP0D08SGegkNhsmAq3Sk_Hh6uy6-P9OLJ6zzRzr0tFq738Nr6KAsOUDDEYrgj9DzsKoalpMwnOq4SilQQpgQ2d/s4032/IMG_8922.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNNrsHcTFSnsUdYLLyTdJYDv4bhWMF5LPAxi-A2CzFoicBQnTedbd-_Q02OZ6ePfKphRfvXfn9axixqaByGGGTcxfwDAidc00kkZXySwbP0D08SGegkNhsmAq3Sk_Hh6uy6-P9OLJ6zzRzr0tFq738Nr6KAsOUDDEYrgj9DzsKoalpMwnOq4SilQQpgQ2d/s320/IMG_8922.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Chorizo Spiced Baby Octopus / baby potatoes / kale / salami / red peppers / roasted garlic aioli <br /><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisVRGh90YJ7SnG39byciiBHKT_d94IllFXiq_o3wdrV_SWj_AXrMYRBxv9ic9yH2Sy5xbso8n6tXVeiBtgfWNrA5UsOalNpk8EP-N8S1zD8Xdm3Xf4Cej3LEAO663sh0tu6IFcGo05sAIk2g8Nxm8wAfQ_3DJgfWYWbFzxy_V2ySn95Ku30R6Lo6lKE-JL/s4032/IMG_8924.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisVRGh90YJ7SnG39byciiBHKT_d94IllFXiq_o3wdrV_SWj_AXrMYRBxv9ic9yH2Sy5xbso8n6tXVeiBtgfWNrA5UsOalNpk8EP-N8S1zD8Xdm3Xf4Cej3LEAO663sh0tu6IFcGo05sAIk2g8Nxm8wAfQ_3DJgfWYWbFzxy_V2ySn95Ku30R6Lo6lKE-JL/s320/IMG_8924.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Fried Sea Scallops / capers / tarragon / celery-root apple remoulade <br /><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbR35oBH7ZUkpByzXUk8qgjoUownRZ1QHqYPpgAxDM55t-HjmH82b6075tepkEXba2iXbq-A3xHmqDu-Q7Tn5STzZv3zoZ_3_9o_-DnIeTEH4VfclpxuAVEB4Mzs43Xt8EX87oUCy3QbUIhlw_4KCtL9UdBvlNnijAXBpbbu94aLO8SOLlm2HsZg3XNSqA/s4032/IMG_8941.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbR35oBH7ZUkpByzXUk8qgjoUownRZ1QHqYPpgAxDM55t-HjmH82b6075tepkEXba2iXbq-A3xHmqDu-Q7Tn5STzZv3zoZ_3_9o_-DnIeTEH4VfclpxuAVEB4Mzs43Xt8EX87oUCy3QbUIhlw_4KCtL9UdBvlNnijAXBpbbu94aLO8SOLlm2HsZg3XNSqA/s320/IMG_8941.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Korean Chile Glazed Pork Cheeks / bibb lettuce / pickled carrot, turnip, radish / cilantro / puffed rice <br /><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtyuZ02Pvgitca8CGlcpsu0LKJ8RjOyCY_MvQLQBWNDVWp1NtBr1N99uJAmCbnokA6Wkrng5-byS_CxGjGoZQGjhmmyMTBrNem5Kf7no7sQqqmXEDWWilbycL5hzH5ARmMAI_wRa9ukSCToNXsW82q2gNuXNa5zNGOZs-94QTPMQ2vkGfOcVKUhQgNXcT4/s4032/IMG_8951.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtyuZ02Pvgitca8CGlcpsu0LKJ8RjOyCY_MvQLQBWNDVWp1NtBr1N99uJAmCbnokA6Wkrng5-byS_CxGjGoZQGjhmmyMTBrNem5Kf7no7sQqqmXEDWWilbycL5hzH5ARmMAI_wRa9ukSCToNXsW82q2gNuXNa5zNGOZs-94QTPMQ2vkGfOcVKUhQgNXcT4/s320/IMG_8951.jpg" width="320" /></a><br />Fish from the Specials Board <br /><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8WD7QW44Uk7c-OJ2bAY0RP6xYWkZvzmWKN24ZgNMLne0lxTTUTp2oGWkwb-L8W7HfgdKk03aiTQruMCxOLwmbBSTBOIkijxx1pEpHy3uYGKZ19w8_2plsMzi6foOC_wZvrs-vliEEedZ4rvS3LLoUrksPgwK9Jdqbz8Hc3_3LzFM5d13PQYiLgBSptYNv/s4032/IMG_8971.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8WD7QW44Uk7c-OJ2bAY0RP6xYWkZvzmWKN24ZgNMLne0lxTTUTp2oGWkwb-L8W7HfgdKk03aiTQruMCxOLwmbBSTBOIkijxx1pEpHy3uYGKZ19w8_2plsMzi6foOC_wZvrs-vliEEedZ4rvS3LLoUrksPgwK9Jdqbz8Hc3_3LzFM5d13PQYiLgBSptYNv/s320/IMG_8971.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Sauteed Red Snapper / butterbeans / tunips / haricots verts / cherry tomato / spicy butter <br /><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjoelauwoAaqS0_v1YCPd8f2feXhypEFsfCE4L4zXD2ThRprE5nGNV3jotCSuiX8ADH3Fj25qCWP54sjT5Kr_8-7tgfliAV7sLH192DbV6c3OJqSpdJyQmWbJBfGNBgGzUG-LWSbhu9P43_9geQNw4-4le7RaCuZ25aSEy-5Rd3v9JPsDMFaRhA3uogjKQ/s4032/IMG_8986.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjoelauwoAaqS0_v1YCPd8f2feXhypEFsfCE4L4zXD2ThRprE5nGNV3jotCSuiX8ADH3Fj25qCWP54sjT5Kr_8-7tgfliAV7sLH192DbV6c3OJqSpdJyQmWbJBfGNBgGzUG-LWSbhu9P43_9geQNw4-4le7RaCuZ25aSEy-5Rd3v9JPsDMFaRhA3uogjKQ/w320-h240/IMG_8986.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Dessert at Zasu<br /><span face="Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif" style="background-color: #141414; color: white; font-size: 13px;">_______________________________________</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div></div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgq5SkmAnuVYR_TQOy6EJwbtri2HAFi1LLV5ufNIGeJBDGEG_0tZzbuJZ-d1zJIvrqBQQ44Jv8PaSTtQXtk0XcJghJASZCOJOCuXmlr18BJrZVI1h1ETU4p1Uxp9MWbW5TmT1Q0yg7WTC6Pq2zMrxALtRA_JXmTx8QkfuKPF5anomqc-AoIBDdjHf64VRoJ/s4032/IMG_9119.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgq5SkmAnuVYR_TQOy6EJwbtri2HAFi1LLV5ufNIGeJBDGEG_0tZzbuJZ-d1zJIvrqBQQ44Jv8PaSTtQXtk0XcJghJASZCOJOCuXmlr18BJrZVI1h1ETU4p1Uxp9MWbW5TmT1Q0yg7WTC6Pq2zMrxALtRA_JXmTx8QkfuKPF5anomqc-AoIBDdjHf64VRoJ/w400-h300/IMG_9119.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>Palm & Pine </b></div><br />If you're looking for an interesting breakfast option near the French Quarter you may want to check out Palm & Pine. The menu here is an ode to the American South and everything south of it. So Mexico and the Caribbean too. Their brunch menu was speaking to us with curry crab beignets among other things. We got a order of those plus the TX Barbecue Shrimp with Jalapeno Cream Cheese Grits with mesquite smoked shrimp butter and roasted oyster mushrooms. Good stuff. <br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLzYsCrMrF1YUyt4bIMeG_x9kjpFfsKhgnJV1uXGhGvHNUI0fKfcZbQViT2IkKf7jhKI7b3lS9XSt33fdye5B9r050pR9tvngeFzdgVPRKOn0a7skbINylrqJdwY1KApikiClo-BO_8F806zPf-grvHmPk22efkJnySDg1QL0Xg7GOdiopQm8v6ZvJ0XQU/s4032/IMG_9097.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLzYsCrMrF1YUyt4bIMeG_x9kjpFfsKhgnJV1uXGhGvHNUI0fKfcZbQViT2IkKf7jhKI7b3lS9XSt33fdye5B9r050pR9tvngeFzdgVPRKOn0a7skbINylrqJdwY1KApikiClo-BO_8F806zPf-grvHmPk22efkJnySDg1QL0Xg7GOdiopQm8v6ZvJ0XQU/s320/IMG_9097.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWoQgJ8G7NAT8cRFHeEofpT4mAjbmbeQWi2d7XhdLqjdht8j_cggQg6eHWakWIVWKSeuf6i0192wd8PBxrINDuvJohBa3_w2e67lcDCaKnOHf9XsXCyC5VuLUJ-ZnQPcKMJFTErNq9O-d-7yqPcv2PT0Bx_VCmc0ob67wnsJZan2odBDbOaTzMUT2cXiEQ/s4032/IMG_9109.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWoQgJ8G7NAT8cRFHeEofpT4mAjbmbeQWi2d7XhdLqjdht8j_cggQg6eHWakWIVWKSeuf6i0192wd8PBxrINDuvJohBa3_w2e67lcDCaKnOHf9XsXCyC5VuLUJ-ZnQPcKMJFTErNq9O-d-7yqPcv2PT0Bx_VCmc0ob67wnsJZan2odBDbOaTzMUT2cXiEQ/s320/IMG_9109.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Brunch at Palm & Pine <br /><span face="Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif" style="background-color: #141414; color: white; font-size: 13px;">_______________________________________</span></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhi5UPkNKwupczcNi-YrPQM9_zvE_0-5WHvyFFWq5YPMgOpjLwPnU8tOHm6k6TQp4mT-clLWNS8DhJgeqPB76IrC3m4e5lqdygqYxgRsKpDUrleTxGVmKTqg2VFxof4kMP53tS5H1YDDdrDiYMcIBP6cIgl1ISk8oqVIhSbM4Bn6SnV_H1aSS4655i7lzlw/s4032/IMG_9209.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhi5UPkNKwupczcNi-YrPQM9_zvE_0-5WHvyFFWq5YPMgOpjLwPnU8tOHm6k6TQp4mT-clLWNS8DhJgeqPB76IrC3m4e5lqdygqYxgRsKpDUrleTxGVmKTqg2VFxof4kMP53tS5H1YDDdrDiYMcIBP6cIgl1ISk8oqVIhSbM4Bn6SnV_H1aSS4655i7lzlw/w400-h300/IMG_9209.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>Napoleon House </b></div><br />This 100+ year old bar is a good stop in the French Quarter for drinks and snacks. Napoleon House has been owned by the same family since 1914. The bar is credited with creating the Pimms Cup back in the 1940's and some also say the Hurricane was concocted here though that's disputed. They brought in a Brennan family member a little while back to help fix the place up and I imagine the food is part of the upgrade. With Central Grocery currently closed for renovations I made it a point to stop here and try their muffuletta which is served warm. As someone that grew up eating Italian subs with hot peppers at the original Potbelly's this sandwich tasted like comfort food to me. Good gumbo too. <br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8-VS9JdU1MoDIDc03iNJlymPB2apkDz0_0xORzRswlbkura2xLiNCuvV33L9qctJHYjNewjQqZyobu9SsOlpmU_Kp7oC6TMNimsSEFwiF7qVDbPHucS9Ct9mohWKiQTkjoEBXb7JDV_JXTcJddXVsnU_8znR8QZixo_BWiDkwxa_3TSces4j0gkYfCA7x/s4032/IMG_9168.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8-VS9JdU1MoDIDc03iNJlymPB2apkDz0_0xORzRswlbkura2xLiNCuvV33L9qctJHYjNewjQqZyobu9SsOlpmU_Kp7oC6TMNimsSEFwiF7qVDbPHucS9Ct9mohWKiQTkjoEBXb7JDV_JXTcJddXVsnU_8znR8QZixo_BWiDkwxa_3TSces4j0gkYfCA7x/s320/IMG_9168.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwIPXZNCBExQ1F-x_3jjRysS0q8624hbnHvJtWDBOdIQy6bIet5tMyUfC6Om7iG8Dhyz7N-xvsW4eRS5wg7_me1i-taTYGZk4j7KwhpAWI_G4fGgZYORWho6d6MncDXoVYAgT3NAvZ-ZaXbsGmzUJeoWjKtWOWW-aO2Ct5xGqMdBvbi-SLePrRAZ7WUV2N/s4032/IMG_9205.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwIPXZNCBExQ1F-x_3jjRysS0q8624hbnHvJtWDBOdIQy6bIet5tMyUfC6Om7iG8Dhyz7N-xvsW4eRS5wg7_me1i-taTYGZk4j7KwhpAWI_G4fGgZYORWho6d6MncDXoVYAgT3NAvZ-ZaXbsGmzUJeoWjKtWOWW-aO2Ct5xGqMdBvbi-SLePrRAZ7WUV2N/s320/IMG_9205.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Gumbo and Muffuletta at Napoleon House<br /><span face="Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif" style="background-color: #141414; color: white; font-size: 13px;">_______________________________________</span> </div><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOi7wE9hWGcP0OUlNX7PirVteZ4uxXEmX-TVdiB9gkkpK9CGFQvq8Oevkg70qrqgaoeu3-k7dNatQUnGFUtaQRWjLTkz323DZSJNbtHKFHXhDB35RVOx1DpTSY6eYqE2jgj6vRaAaJxDBhnByZ1iz98qGd8HfV1jn2EMiOtTjw5hLzFMhFp6wx8HEF8ELG/s4032/IMG_9228.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOi7wE9hWGcP0OUlNX7PirVteZ4uxXEmX-TVdiB9gkkpK9CGFQvq8Oevkg70qrqgaoeu3-k7dNatQUnGFUtaQRWjLTkz323DZSJNbtHKFHXhDB35RVOx1DpTSY6eYqE2jgj6vRaAaJxDBhnByZ1iz98qGd8HfV1jn2EMiOtTjw5hLzFMhFp6wx8HEF8ELG/w400-h300/IMG_9228.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>Cafe Du Monde </b></div><br />Is it really a trip to New Orleans without a stop at Cafe Du Monde? The French Market coffee stand is often the first and or last stop of a large chunk of the close to 20 million people that visit the city each year. Some might call it a tourist trap but at the end of the day beignets are best fried fresh and due to demand they never stop frying them at Cafe Du Monde. It's probably the most iconic spot in town. <br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDIuQ4CErBLB2UIayJfM52b0q7_nyOfi2yr5el7xtiFUsK21dirovXUae1ioMME6r38F1aqfVW6S2MFelFonSz-VbKVxNXQTwlIzZy_orJpHp8aIQbYQBOFgP9V1YdrOY5fK0patu8Zex1pwznClbOEuzisi_Cf4wLX-qVdlV_Ql5iBXAIHHFlAHV0Oz-O/s4032/IMG_9216.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDIuQ4CErBLB2UIayJfM52b0q7_nyOfi2yr5el7xtiFUsK21dirovXUae1ioMME6r38F1aqfVW6S2MFelFonSz-VbKVxNXQTwlIzZy_orJpHp8aIQbYQBOFgP9V1YdrOY5fK0patu8Zex1pwznClbOEuzisi_Cf4wLX-qVdlV_Ql5iBXAIHHFlAHV0Oz-O/w400-h300/IMG_9216.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Beignets at Cafe Du Monde <br /><span face="Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif" style="background-color: #141414; color: white; font-size: 13px;">_______________________________________</span></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5sZB4RR06aYbXpW5Fi3MqCjrE95PX-SPGDqjgprjslvnlYe8MDxIuYsmdmKFfXP0lK9lSYbeYJOY3EDPVplRCBYQ7MWk7-W_QtR5kahnxDYNEgPiHwnZY8b3CcdOUDKbNq-JwL32v9xd_zGkMoE3zETUjP7vbNQOwiVLXE4rgZTfa17zY-yfhPNTASUhU/s4032/IMG_9256.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5sZB4RR06aYbXpW5Fi3MqCjrE95PX-SPGDqjgprjslvnlYe8MDxIuYsmdmKFfXP0lK9lSYbeYJOY3EDPVplRCBYQ7MWk7-W_QtR5kahnxDYNEgPiHwnZY8b3CcdOUDKbNq-JwL32v9xd_zGkMoE3zETUjP7vbNQOwiVLXE4rgZTfa17zY-yfhPNTASUhU/w400-h300/IMG_9256.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>Felix's Restaurant and Oyster Bar </b></div><br />Speaking of iconic spots, Felix's Oyster Bar is yet another one. We were walking by and figured we'd try a round of their grilled oysters to see how they compared to previous stops. While I didn't hate them they were the least favorite of the bunch as they had a heavy paprika taste. Just not my style. <br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEif5OCWafJywOlFplMGM8YC0B_0zxGBiKysowfmcDu46ZF92IDSgSq8bVhMSAcGJLyYgOB3Qzzyy2aHLS38qFCPBptqnIbL4gYBFRWgBURbor9HnITNFVkjqKbhGDCJjLHWodvVKBazCFc1i5m1c9T0YdoIrt3yNLF7QvpvPm9hYiUlqYCwNOPLIIq5RC7k/s4032/IMG_9260.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEif5OCWafJywOlFplMGM8YC0B_0zxGBiKysowfmcDu46ZF92IDSgSq8bVhMSAcGJLyYgOB3Qzzyy2aHLS38qFCPBptqnIbL4gYBFRWgBURbor9HnITNFVkjqKbhGDCJjLHWodvVKBazCFc1i5m1c9T0YdoIrt3yNLF7QvpvPm9hYiUlqYCwNOPLIIq5RC7k/w400-h300/IMG_9260.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Chargrilled Oysters at Felix's Oyster Bar <br /><span face="Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif" style="background-color: #141414; color: white; font-size: 13px;">_______________________________________</span></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2FNe0ox347CGWsZ29f6d28xjJbAWg0BiyUkZzxGjMQeKWDxXBTZ3uvVsAfx3lFCgF2s6TKPMnI4xJ0F6KMqFHvcaVlY4wGhBoAoqwwc7vqFoQDtUStM-wjAdFjcgSPJxCv7D8GeDeW7T6Oo1VyzbtBtY3c-N_aD5ZrYMvj-Qv1RWRR8GDBDbQ4qHVnasf/s4032/IMG_9371.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2FNe0ox347CGWsZ29f6d28xjJbAWg0BiyUkZzxGjMQeKWDxXBTZ3uvVsAfx3lFCgF2s6TKPMnI4xJ0F6KMqFHvcaVlY4wGhBoAoqwwc7vqFoQDtUStM-wjAdFjcgSPJxCv7D8GeDeW7T6Oo1VyzbtBtY3c-N_aD5ZrYMvj-Qv1RWRR8GDBDbQ4qHVnasf/w400-h300/IMG_9371.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>Compere Lapin </b></div><br />I cant remember exactly when Chef Nina Compton first appeared on Top Chef but I've been intrigued with her cooking ever since then. It had to have been at least a decade ago so quite alot has happened since then including the opening of her own restaurant. Compere Lapin has been praised by pretty much every local and every national syndicate as far as dining out goes. In 2017 Compton was named Best New Chef by Food & Wine and then the following year she won a James Beard Award for best chef in the South. She's originally from St. Lucia and her cooking reflects that and her current home. We started with an order of jalapeno and scallion hush puppies that really hit the spot. Most of the time I find hush puppies to be nothing more than a filler but these were top notch as was a piece of tender and juicy jerk pork belly with plantain crema and a tamarind jus. They commonly have a snapper collar with peanut jerk sauce on special so if that's the case when you visit do not hesitate for a second to get it. Even if you're dining solo just get it and call it a meal as it was one of the best things I ate this trip. The entrees weren't quite as good as the apps but a piece of snapper with sauce genevoise was very well done but I felt their signature curried goat dish was a bit one dimensional. Maybe it's bc I had some insanely good curried goat in Miami a few weeks before but I don't care for the meat to be shredded if it's not going to go into a tortilla. That and the sauce itself didn't wow me but overall I would happily return here with plans to get something other than the curry. Dessert was a delicious bread pudding with rum caramel, broiled banana, cashews and some rum raisin ice cream. </div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7CL4en3kXYrr2S7k-7eyzLJgkgrqEa5zTFBbLcMJrv20rsEUziLHP5K_IrV_X2y80KZqBxdMlHPwyuH5YgJZx05gNXwuZvdP74svUHeIgRKYwLEudVFSoYOTT7gi6bjvmW01APQpnxAvfDxj4Dn00T0ccENFSxs3ZJq_Adqec5M3-odWonA-lbdhh93OZ/s4032/IMG_9295.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7CL4en3kXYrr2S7k-7eyzLJgkgrqEa5zTFBbLcMJrv20rsEUziLHP5K_IrV_X2y80KZqBxdMlHPwyuH5YgJZx05gNXwuZvdP74svUHeIgRKYwLEudVFSoYOTT7gi6bjvmW01APQpnxAvfDxj4Dn00T0ccENFSxs3ZJq_Adqec5M3-odWonA-lbdhh93OZ/s320/IMG_9295.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZJvRSIZpLGuKsKmzOEdenPlcVO3BbSJROTTDTu0Mx5bxyhACgXIL8I73Pj8MnNPUsTxgv3pghswCVNGMIPqyKiej_LN9765PT8qQtMcT41Z1r_wnpL2DWzuq2KDfLaWdRL_Bq0IE15TWqDFvyD8d91qvpnrh8zU63P5gt54Ojk7y8KH95-HEAzKj8KM-K/s4032/IMG_9329.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZJvRSIZpLGuKsKmzOEdenPlcVO3BbSJROTTDTu0Mx5bxyhACgXIL8I73Pj8MnNPUsTxgv3pghswCVNGMIPqyKiej_LN9765PT8qQtMcT41Z1r_wnpL2DWzuq2KDfLaWdRL_Bq0IE15TWqDFvyD8d91qvpnrh8zU63P5gt54Ojk7y8KH95-HEAzKj8KM-K/s320/IMG_9329.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuJZ_nC23ZqwW1HWKqB7xJyKWZKpo50afRgsb7ZMH8HYZdxkdjwM5ya8ldCh-bel0sLZVXbACaJ6QXhnS5FhEvJjQaa3c_Fq5n-zf2v-APUQzEU8VvC1SyHXY-SJlLJFGfElNt2LcWUWd66Y-Uir8NN4WjVIrGNfEW4kXFmaO0Tf3nHsB06J4FIoUeXuIF/s4032/IMG_9343.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuJZ_nC23ZqwW1HWKqB7xJyKWZKpo50afRgsb7ZMH8HYZdxkdjwM5ya8ldCh-bel0sLZVXbACaJ6QXhnS5FhEvJjQaa3c_Fq5n-zf2v-APUQzEU8VvC1SyHXY-SJlLJFGfElNt2LcWUWd66Y-Uir8NN4WjVIrGNfEW4kXFmaO0Tf3nHsB06J4FIoUeXuIF/s320/IMG_9343.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6CoW8x_7sQHr_8YKO_l6WtIy6h04cJn3f9tw8wwzc9ADz3GqcmHTdS1862JBesJzjiJTyYHSc47oe70OvQ-y6TfYHH10XxXxGLnL-Z6fnRlioYTr8BvrKYGfyS_7FqaYyDb06CxmxgOWyEeQrbo1uwWlDnFX-LjW05dY8S9cGGIBPspslUip2CYkipT1o/s4032/IMG_9365.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6CoW8x_7sQHr_8YKO_l6WtIy6h04cJn3f9tw8wwzc9ADz3GqcmHTdS1862JBesJzjiJTyYHSc47oe70OvQ-y6TfYHH10XxXxGLnL-Z6fnRlioYTr8BvrKYGfyS_7FqaYyDb06CxmxgOWyEeQrbo1uwWlDnFX-LjW05dY8S9cGGIBPspslUip2CYkipT1o/s320/IMG_9365.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Dinner at Compere Lapin (click pics to enhance)<br /><span face="Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif" style="background-color: #141414; color: white; font-size: 13px;">_______________________________________</span></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigbMyJF09BFz_RFL18s3qsso-bi-uMFeY53hjGGMlzHEoDez5Uwd8IUAOpNGDKBZRK0MlKUP3fcce6D1zyZnblP1I6UmlwQY75pnIm8W9lETN8bNFHBZm6jTsVxFXiwhjrtoc2H1UA_Tkd6XSiIkKXbX8fvBRkTdhU7dFo8gYWVEgjILMNWbstmWRkr8Bc/s4032/IMG_9496.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigbMyJF09BFz_RFL18s3qsso-bi-uMFeY53hjGGMlzHEoDez5Uwd8IUAOpNGDKBZRK0MlKUP3fcce6D1zyZnblP1I6UmlwQY75pnIm8W9lETN8bNFHBZm6jTsVxFXiwhjrtoc2H1UA_Tkd6XSiIkKXbX8fvBRkTdhU7dFo8gYWVEgjILMNWbstmWRkr8Bc/w400-h300/IMG_9496.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>Liuzza's By The Track</b></div></div><div><br /></div><div>If you find yourself in New Orleans on a Monday your lunch plans should be set as it's Red Beans & Rice day at restaurants across the region. This just might be my favorite of all the wonderful Louisiana born dishes of Cajun and Creole and NOLA descent but it’s rare to find a good version outside of here. Popeyes comes close but at the end of the day it’s still mass produced fast food. So we went over to try it at an old favorite - Liuzza's by the Track. I first came here back in 2012 and have day dreamed about the food a few too many times since then. We arrived right before opening and there was already a large group of people waiting to enter. Most of them there for the Monday red beans and rice special which comes with your choice of smoked or hot sausage. We got a piece of each and while both were tasty I preferred the sliced smoked sausage which was nice and crisp. The hot is similar to breakfast sausage and imo works better as a Po Boy filling. Last time I was here we got their signature barbecue shrimp Po Boy which is a hot mess of a hallowed out French bread Pistolette loaded with local shrimp and drenched in NOLA style barbecue sauce. It was just as good this time. </div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCCWcRlqZNjpDk0KO4O4bQiw7oPFaPVhR-D7xcJia2eXUFu6VymXtYC00CckpmcqIDeICUq7T9vwNdkBPnsrim5zu2hRc93l9y4OBt-X-Q5LEA1qea1Y73PdoBLAz2afz3KDdLx-jSVDdtd5EF1XR8m5EZiGVD5Z66RLIf-FT9vxwobDxdpvE3ziS1w7Lv/s4032/IMG_9447.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCCWcRlqZNjpDk0KO4O4bQiw7oPFaPVhR-D7xcJia2eXUFu6VymXtYC00CckpmcqIDeICUq7T9vwNdkBPnsrim5zu2hRc93l9y4OBt-X-Q5LEA1qea1Y73PdoBLAz2afz3KDdLx-jSVDdtd5EF1XR8m5EZiGVD5Z66RLIf-FT9vxwobDxdpvE3ziS1w7Lv/s320/IMG_9447.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhQ01iy33G8f8DaP7pJrtvPJcMA5Y19TZWq0-SLvT9YldrFw6UMVfu8OH_uYibBWaX-u5GoNIAWasiylAAfZXR-wPFOLCxcNxnH-aaJZ72YE5Xp2sUvzakU6nuYZYCaIXnEbRZgZvSU1SV-dnnk9rjrgTjnLQRXGU9xiVM_HLzrJSvgKTegpOSnDrblg7G/s4032/IMG_9485.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhQ01iy33G8f8DaP7pJrtvPJcMA5Y19TZWq0-SLvT9YldrFw6UMVfu8OH_uYibBWaX-u5GoNIAWasiylAAfZXR-wPFOLCxcNxnH-aaJZ72YE5Xp2sUvzakU6nuYZYCaIXnEbRZgZvSU1SV-dnnk9rjrgTjnLQRXGU9xiVM_HLzrJSvgKTegpOSnDrblg7G/s320/IMG_9485.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhe26A9yod4aBX3yp4_edllKMXp8tIB2-XMiE6qJx6SAV-TUMBLypGMKN4eiU4PBNn44DROeDVpk7KRWQu9a6lP9h8QSk-IDSccFagHx6sHEuIzPHsfkbpr2o2zkE6pkCGreCUG-piOhKwlDZ3r0zwndku4w04SEs7YrDJuyseu9Q1j6WzDkTH4a1eeclw3/s4032/IMG_9451.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhe26A9yod4aBX3yp4_edllKMXp8tIB2-XMiE6qJx6SAV-TUMBLypGMKN4eiU4PBNn44DROeDVpk7KRWQu9a6lP9h8QSk-IDSccFagHx6sHEuIzPHsfkbpr2o2zkE6pkCGreCUG-piOhKwlDZ3r0zwndku4w04SEs7YrDJuyseu9Q1j6WzDkTH4a1eeclw3/s320/IMG_9451.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Lunch at Liuzza's by the Track <br /><span face="Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif" style="background-color: #141414; color: white; font-size: 13px;">_______________________________________</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrXQIb1ngxa9fnlUOSUvqm_kym6e4eIjtSWU4NHZ5uj8CPED07tvLlqsh9_HuOPUyNgvzSISb8dB8qxQN96o78mcnXLCuEAlb-shzbhAC-2Cre6xBLboLmcoMU-wkg3llSu4PNIXRmFNwR4yYPKQW53ye368DOAHE-hcT3f7dykhB3kyYllpkp56LOvY6l/s4032/IMG_9545.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrXQIb1ngxa9fnlUOSUvqm_kym6e4eIjtSWU4NHZ5uj8CPED07tvLlqsh9_HuOPUyNgvzSISb8dB8qxQN96o78mcnXLCuEAlb-shzbhAC-2Cre6xBLboLmcoMU-wkg3llSu4PNIXRmFNwR4yYPKQW53ye368DOAHE-hcT3f7dykhB3kyYllpkp56LOvY6l/w400-h300/IMG_9545.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>Lil' Dizzy's Cafe</b></div><br />If you want some top tier New Orleans cafeteria style cookin' you gotta head over to Lil' Dizzy's in the Treme. The family behind this place has a long history of cooking in the area. Founder Wayne Baquet Sr learned the restaurant trade from his father Eddie Baquet, Sr who's the namesake of a legendary 7th Ward restaurant called Eddie’s. He retired in 2020 but you can find the same fried chicken he was known for at Lil’ Dizzy’s Cafe which is operated by Wayne Jr and his wife Arkesha. On top of the fantastic fried chicken, which comes served piping hot, they also have daily specials and since it was a Monday I got the red beans and rice with a piece of smoked sausage. It really enriched my soul. <br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipvV2S3bZ9QyArmYA6RN1f27kS60oG2_olt23282u8BG2CLepbhe6zSPCT-WSBsvEjKxtuTtVaD9NN8K5_rg9C7HOQ5Eh0cXT2Zl9p2eZipFXmeLDTa2ElM55hynxY5YJecQivzHS_90TO5VoA8FORR5os4rjAd82rvwONzgrfMOp_Qmcr8fs3BjLZDCAK/s4032/IMG_9527.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipvV2S3bZ9QyArmYA6RN1f27kS60oG2_olt23282u8BG2CLepbhe6zSPCT-WSBsvEjKxtuTtVaD9NN8K5_rg9C7HOQ5Eh0cXT2Zl9p2eZipFXmeLDTa2ElM55hynxY5YJecQivzHS_90TO5VoA8FORR5os4rjAd82rvwONzgrfMOp_Qmcr8fs3BjLZDCAK/w400-h300/IMG_9527.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Red Beans & Rice with a side of fried chicken at Lil' Dizzy's Cafe <br /><span face="Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif" style="background-color: #141414; color: white; font-size: 13px;">_______________________________________</span></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyGJFhC_S_OENKyn6X3k5WqvzK3wW-SDT2nAC3wWW_8QgzGo8IGXTaq27DMiQMnrAV-ffHHVtxOjx8_apVXjLhGwk8BXoh_6nj1kbqLTHdh_FuMOq6qTGjEV6t9217Kl3SrFo0eTEyjgKAryt-zYopGHBPdrmadGkiQAZTDtFnHb-q1BvTSvVnW-AvQiDp/s4032/IMG_9740.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyGJFhC_S_OENKyn6X3k5WqvzK3wW-SDT2nAC3wWW_8QgzGo8IGXTaq27DMiQMnrAV-ffHHVtxOjx8_apVXjLhGwk8BXoh_6nj1kbqLTHdh_FuMOq6qTGjEV6t9217Kl3SrFo0eTEyjgKAryt-zYopGHBPdrmadGkiQAZTDtFnHb-q1BvTSvVnW-AvQiDp/w400-h300/IMG_9740.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>Pêche Seafood Grill</b></div><br />We enjoyed a large family dinner here last time I was in town. We ended up returning for a dinner on this trip albeit with a much smaller party. Pêche is the seafood focused sister spot to the pork forward Cochon Restaurant. Both of them are ran by renowned local chef Chef Donald Link and his partners. We chose to return in part bc it was so good the first time but that was a long time ago so the menu has changed a few times over since then. The current chef de cuisine has a Filipino background so many of her dishes have an Asian accent to them. First off their seafood gumbo was the gold medal winner of the trip. It was damn near perfect in color (flavor) and it also had a great viscosity to it. Moving along the cornmeal fried oysters with pickled corn and kimchi aioli were fantastic while a crab rice special was the best bite of the night and also one of the best bites of the trip. Baked drumfish with a soupy coconut curry plus greens and little balls of fried sticky rice was a really nice entree but it was outshined by dessert - a carrot sticky toffee pudding with cream cheese ice cream and candied pecans. It was wowsers. Pêche has placed itself amongst the most reliable restaurants in town. <br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3WpUD1VoytqYb_Y5KI5IPu05ZUcKPGKD73c1tN7YBrEyGP7e45WVQdZkOG8IBRgQXIlZnDTATG7CnBTHjwSeTClR4k9Mw0shvi0g9NKPQCBc6ifNUb2n9GhbBSX8dLWdeT5sF-9z6_SzR6UWaermJYCNKEMvmsgml0GdL5L-gZrOL4e5rJaFn_k44arR0/s4032/IMG_9653.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3WpUD1VoytqYb_Y5KI5IPu05ZUcKPGKD73c1tN7YBrEyGP7e45WVQdZkOG8IBRgQXIlZnDTATG7CnBTHjwSeTClR4k9Mw0shvi0g9NKPQCBc6ifNUb2n9GhbBSX8dLWdeT5sF-9z6_SzR6UWaermJYCNKEMvmsgml0GdL5L-gZrOL4e5rJaFn_k44arR0/s320/IMG_9653.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4YsKpfcqTWrYvYZSjNdJwM26AqTi1bVgHINrg3AQdR6qPgC5qac7lMgezmXPYcQ1EWTNNLHtL4iJvSqyhN2gK5zyzfD6EdpdLbhY9NQ4gQAiRd22RVEVEuVpiMXLTAUJEtKBymG9LDhj24W0ek5XGvpwoBSMpf0KsoT4GfAIinjKe-JdA-mOSR_RRFMR8/s4032/IMG_9677.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4YsKpfcqTWrYvYZSjNdJwM26AqTi1bVgHINrg3AQdR6qPgC5qac7lMgezmXPYcQ1EWTNNLHtL4iJvSqyhN2gK5zyzfD6EdpdLbhY9NQ4gQAiRd22RVEVEuVpiMXLTAUJEtKBymG9LDhj24W0ek5XGvpwoBSMpf0KsoT4GfAIinjKe-JdA-mOSR_RRFMR8/s320/IMG_9677.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnqQfV4dxxjir8uyxBKIKVy1v7IYhAX1HrmfXL6pAy_E35CbbuVDvqI2xOQXh8G1KehupI21WKA5HHTFSO5uwwMu_013qaxuoA0oXj8Hs8GvRu1z07A02zKLMDJ6hwkQIe0emQH4RHiCXA2ouUtH0NBnb9sWfrr0dHoKR2WxT0XEZWtD1MAJwuDcOe8RsC/s4032/IMG_9711.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnqQfV4dxxjir8uyxBKIKVy1v7IYhAX1HrmfXL6pAy_E35CbbuVDvqI2xOQXh8G1KehupI21WKA5HHTFSO5uwwMu_013qaxuoA0oXj8Hs8GvRu1z07A02zKLMDJ6hwkQIe0emQH4RHiCXA2ouUtH0NBnb9sWfrr0dHoKR2WxT0XEZWtD1MAJwuDcOe8RsC/s320/IMG_9711.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWypaVx-aGiPoUA26fNPKCMWfTsWdhoxF-Pgu3zwN72yhQHEj-eKhniYqGkfiOif9wzRAqOTYqmSzaY0oww2D9T7xsv-jKjeibTdoLuDcKz8l3vU1FTlyRLsu__NcM454dtLyfoWIwWbmAkhNk61oK4KKqoX4LukWHd7QndPivAhl662ogHg3QhyjxvlBa/s4032/IMG_9721.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWypaVx-aGiPoUA26fNPKCMWfTsWdhoxF-Pgu3zwN72yhQHEj-eKhniYqGkfiOif9wzRAqOTYqmSzaY0oww2D9T7xsv-jKjeibTdoLuDcKz8l3vU1FTlyRLsu__NcM454dtLyfoWIwWbmAkhNk61oK4KKqoX4LukWHd7QndPivAhl662ogHg3QhyjxvlBa/s320/IMG_9721.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Dinner at Pêche <br /><span face="Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif" style="background-color: #141414; color: white; font-size: 13px;">_______________________________________</span></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjy6fFkyK-ZfJb-S2u-yghR_Wjx5KdpJYzGT77bmkU9_D2S6LSqbxCv_lpOOVk97MgCxl5mvXRkiq3u0SiUUXNOHi8TrJOFmGewpTaqXNyTCFnSsfTd9xlTuCXKj2Kecpjl0_LNHupWSqHcv7u-XVzuPYjEWka3Vd_SxOjGrkDlPcI7QMyytJc0wD8hOLKh/s4032/IMG_9011.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjy6fFkyK-ZfJb-S2u-yghR_Wjx5KdpJYzGT77bmkU9_D2S6LSqbxCv_lpOOVk97MgCxl5mvXRkiq3u0SiUUXNOHi8TrJOFmGewpTaqXNyTCFnSsfTd9xlTuCXKj2Kecpjl0_LNHupWSqHcv7u-XVzuPYjEWka3Vd_SxOjGrkDlPcI7QMyytJc0wD8hOLKh/w400-h300/IMG_9011.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>Mother's Restaurant </b></div></div><div><br /></div><div>I knocked another iconic New Orleans dining destination off the list on this trip. Mothers is one of those spots that attracts lots of tourists due to location but locals also hop in line at this cafeteria style setup popular for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Lots of options on the menu including Étouffée omelets and their famous baked ham but with this being my first visit I had to get their most popular offering - the Ferdi Special. A Roast Beef Po Boy with baked ham and debris gravy packed into a French roll. It was a damn good sandwich. Only thing that could’ve made it better was some giardineria as the bread was soaked like an Italian beef. I wanted to get Étouffée and grits but settled on a cup of that and also tried the red beans and rice, the latter of which is made with their famous ham. I preferred the red beans and rice to the crawfish etouffée but both were legit. Though isn’t it all down here? Sure there’s better spots than others but coming from the north it all tastes pretty great. Since 1938.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDtENQy0LN6NQJs0AjShtFerVWqGFsCsINIx0iwSkKn3nHuGM3lgpHO21ZPaME-6JwuraJfXMB_8shUk3v_q3xb1NdeHLXjk8WVxeAGoccI6dAbp0wB2s70GQRUtLlaS8TfqIu4-vAen6jkyD1N4eLtEkFu2iLaTyndBG2VNmS2fzFXGW4bq7X9RoD4XFE/s4032/IMG_9019.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDtENQy0LN6NQJs0AjShtFerVWqGFsCsINIx0iwSkKn3nHuGM3lgpHO21ZPaME-6JwuraJfXMB_8shUk3v_q3xb1NdeHLXjk8WVxeAGoccI6dAbp0wB2s70GQRUtLlaS8TfqIu4-vAen6jkyD1N4eLtEkFu2iLaTyndBG2VNmS2fzFXGW4bq7X9RoD4XFE/s320/IMG_9019.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_yjUbvh6eIuat-4Y6EPqWlIqb89pxeLUTNCupVY631DcXqP2O0sVmhGgvph-W9HWRea2ywN45-lVZX8_p6UkG_EwepoC6QeWof6qw5dROUgf9DWsMvAMrvoImh-zQpsNiD-NpdhPd4hncbTEB5rtjL8lbULmh-qAOoITkCf8HTHE0YPZVf6AWPhwEzSjc/s4032/IMG_9382.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_yjUbvh6eIuat-4Y6EPqWlIqb89pxeLUTNCupVY631DcXqP2O0sVmhGgvph-W9HWRea2ywN45-lVZX8_p6UkG_EwepoC6QeWof6qw5dROUgf9DWsMvAMrvoImh-zQpsNiD-NpdhPd4hncbTEB5rtjL8lbULmh-qAOoITkCf8HTHE0YPZVf6AWPhwEzSjc/s320/IMG_9382.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Brunch at Mother's <br /><span face="Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif" style="background-color: #141414; color: white; font-size: 13px;">_______________________________________</span></div></div></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhG57RTUfbE72eR7zZlCAYAwdBhCj4lR-WAZSS-5NqjZneNY1iWkgH1-VcGOrP7-6S-sfeTkEtrCecvqFzUcQ96jSR8Op-svaD5lewhA6LdZxewxfSM48lOemqEaDJaLdid7kOgemYZq-xSZqt-Lnww8hw-BEiS3dvrHg8TgXLozwzesy4wtR_VgXKTXgH_/s4032/IMG_9590.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhG57RTUfbE72eR7zZlCAYAwdBhCj4lR-WAZSS-5NqjZneNY1iWkgH1-VcGOrP7-6S-sfeTkEtrCecvqFzUcQ96jSR8Op-svaD5lewhA6LdZxewxfSM48lOemqEaDJaLdid7kOgemYZq-xSZqt-Lnww8hw-BEiS3dvrHg8TgXLozwzesy4wtR_VgXKTXgH_/w400-h300/IMG_9590.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>Mandina's</b></div><div><br /></div><div>Last meal in New Orleans was worthy of being a last meal in life. We went out with a bang. The old school Italian spots are one of my favorite aspects of the local food scene down here. These places ooze with history and bring you back into another era through the food and the atmosphere. Mandina’s is a locals favorite with a history dating back to 1898 when it first opened as a general store. It morphed into a restaurant in 1932 and is still family operated to this day. Regulars flock here for some of the Crescent city’s best seafood. First up was one last bowl of gumbo which here comes made with chicken, sausage and shrimp. Next up was my newest New Orleans food crush - crab fingers in wine sauce broiled with seasoned breadcrumbs was absolutely luscious. The same can be said for their Spaghetti Bordelaise. A decadent pasta drowning in white wine, butter, parsley and cheese comes topped with a generous amount of perfectly grilled gulf shrimp. The grand finale was Gulf Fish Amandine. The specialty of the house was being made with black drum on my visit. It's masterfully fried and doused in a brown Meunire sauce unique to New Orleans with toasted almonds on top. How much did I like this place? I may have a new favorite in New Orleans. So until next time…</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjd7adr_471fS9Sq25pZdKkqeV90CIhYDYuZWR95rMpvPqWFRN6XfVSznxGTbrtBCk1pq0d0MMHDgjuY7Fi59FUhOv3MFa_1EljlILExQbU59sFL_dKWs08VvJoJOshTwOPoGhs3q7V8fI9XqCatp0RdBR_7yJfZ9vRQD7H_G1UJFtLOhyphenhyphenwmIA4OB2YEaDJ/s4032/IMG_9834.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjd7adr_471fS9Sq25pZdKkqeV90CIhYDYuZWR95rMpvPqWFRN6XfVSznxGTbrtBCk1pq0d0MMHDgjuY7Fi59FUhOv3MFa_1EljlILExQbU59sFL_dKWs08VvJoJOshTwOPoGhs3q7V8fI9XqCatp0RdBR_7yJfZ9vRQD7H_G1UJFtLOhyphenhyphenwmIA4OB2YEaDJ/s320/IMG_9834.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikvczZYtZVk3mfm3aaS_nnnkVS6xni4_8KviouPMdj-R-xjW4JxcQWamhWZGwuC2bifYRfaMuJQVe-X7RElZ-rT14GZG3aWuALZeOrFB_8G9Pbd9qWzfaR721KLlREkGul_YbyLRdkMjRYW8Uo_kVvGzS_zeNu89FZB07MIPdP_2LLnzg49e877dRvO7Cx/s4032/IMG_9846.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikvczZYtZVk3mfm3aaS_nnnkVS6xni4_8KviouPMdj-R-xjW4JxcQWamhWZGwuC2bifYRfaMuJQVe-X7RElZ-rT14GZG3aWuALZeOrFB_8G9Pbd9qWzfaR721KLlREkGul_YbyLRdkMjRYW8Uo_kVvGzS_zeNu89FZB07MIPdP_2LLnzg49e877dRvO7Cx/s320/IMG_9846.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrqE42HaYSRGuuI2XwhwptvJ5D53SZJnxWbeAuxCoQHAIc617eFQHX90389c6ObcFTgNHNGL4WQBSsr6lTHmeO1UE3VkFnZhH50u9eikfjJUlz9RrujXw9iTP3RxmuGG0ejJfIhCJ4fwF6VdhaRzdOHmp-hzJUGu8rXIObmr09KgYbZNH2ePZqbGbZjF4s/s4032/IMG_9872.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrqE42HaYSRGuuI2XwhwptvJ5D53SZJnxWbeAuxCoQHAIc617eFQHX90389c6ObcFTgNHNGL4WQBSsr6lTHmeO1UE3VkFnZhH50u9eikfjJUlz9RrujXw9iTP3RxmuGG0ejJfIhCJ4fwF6VdhaRzdOHmp-hzJUGu8rXIObmr09KgYbZNH2ePZqbGbZjF4s/s320/IMG_9872.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjs0lpB2seiWXbRhqWzgvevjGirxXCkkfALNbJZt-GgWCsBzueLwkepV-qc4GTkJVf_IbsvfTIHyr-doniiWH9cwF_xskPKu4HJpydpyjAI1KbKIu5C2cVp9FdWIWfLs59QGK9-57-q7Jfai7zTbav1Qi4qH0LJrHkDtxyuLFXWvlIapmj4R-m0LCI8vIrR/s4032/IMG_9605.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjs0lpB2seiWXbRhqWzgvevjGirxXCkkfALNbJZt-GgWCsBzueLwkepV-qc4GTkJVf_IbsvfTIHyr-doniiWH9cwF_xskPKu4HJpydpyjAI1KbKIu5C2cVp9FdWIWfLs59QGK9-57-q7Jfai7zTbav1Qi4qH0LJrHkDtxyuLFXWvlIapmj4R-m0LCI8vIrR/s320/IMG_9605.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Dinner at Mandina's <span style="text-align: left;">(click pics to enhance)<br /></span><span face="Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif" style="background-color: #141414; color: white; font-size: 13px;">_______________________________________</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span face="Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif" style="background-color: #141414; color: white; font-size: 13px;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://chibbqking.blogspot.com/2012/04/eating-big-in-nola.html"><b>Eating BIG in New Orleans Pt. 1</b></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://chibbqking.blogspot.com/2014/02/eating-big-in-new-orleans-pt-2.html"><b>Eating BIG in New Orleans Pt. 2</b></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><a href="https://chibbqking.blogspot.com/2014/12/eating-big-in-new-orleans-pt-3.html">Eating BIG in New Orleans Pt. 3</a><br /><br />See ya next time <a href="https://www.instagram.com/chibbqking/">@chibbqking</a></b></div></div></div>KingThttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05368411195212070782noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7759763120880236446.post-65060028506768473662023-12-11T14:20:00.036-06:002023-12-12T12:33:51.643-06:00Five of a Kind: New Tacos in Town<p><span face="Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif" style="background-color: #141414; color: white; font-size: large;"><b>- The 'Chicago Taco Tour'</b></span><br style="background-color: #141414; color: white; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;" /></p><p>Another calendar year has sailed by and like clockwork a bunch of new taco spots set their anchors in Chicago. Unfortunately a good chunk of them aren’t worth trying but that’s just how it goes with one of the most popular foods in the country (there’s a ton of bad pizza, burgers and sushi spots too). If you’re wondering how would I know if a spot isn’t good if I haven’t tried it? With tacos it’s pretty easy to spot a place worth trying thru the menu and also the pictures. If all they have is steak, al pastor, chicken and maybe quesabirria then it’s pretty much what all the other spots also have. If the steak isn’t grilled and the al pastor is just marinated pork and the chicken is shredded while pretty much every place makes quesabirria these days then it’s likely not worth checking out unless you live near and are in dire need of tacos. If the menu is uninspiring it’s not going to inspire a visit. At the end of the day I’ve tried 1000+ taco spots around the Chicagoland area (not a typo) so I can figure out which new spots warrant a stop. Here’s five I’ve tried thus far -<br /></p><div style="text-align: center;"><span face="Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif" style="background-color: #141414; color: white; font-size: 13px;">_______________________________________</span></div><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFnDYniAQoAVz5OGbMm5qe1vatFiewCrdLAgXe2mqcIOJLYc8b5PVb905N-5RJR__UhYHWtpCjDSbiy9Cihc649VoLmwjFo9gQf23Jc7q9ogNpRPkd3QU7PIxKhP0XEzZuJrXf4alO1IuVNSmmzWvlDL5ssFqHP_27BsSkCxo0jLrkUUYBzaakQW99Y0iN/s4032/IMG_2550.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFnDYniAQoAVz5OGbMm5qe1vatFiewCrdLAgXe2mqcIOJLYc8b5PVb905N-5RJR__UhYHWtpCjDSbiy9Cihc649VoLmwjFo9gQf23Jc7q9ogNpRPkd3QU7PIxKhP0XEzZuJrXf4alO1IuVNSmmzWvlDL5ssFqHP_27BsSkCxo0jLrkUUYBzaakQW99Y0iN/w400-h300/IMG_2550.jpg" width="400" /></a><br /><b style="text-align: left;">TacoSur </b></div><p></p><p>First up is this Tijuana style taqueria in Little Village that went viral on social media soon after opening. TacoSur was likely not ready for the rush TikTok created as google reviews soon started coming in fast and most of them weren’t favorable. I think the majority were about service related issues and what not bc the food isn’t bad. They specialize in Tijuana style beef birria and they also have a spinning cone of al pastor but they make you get three tacos at time if you want to try it. All of the other taco options are available individually which is kind of weird but whatever I didn’t think their trompo looked as pristine as the one down the block at ACE. But I was intrigued with the carne asada, it’s grilled over live fire, and also the birria. The steak had good smoky flavor but lacked texture as it was grilled ahead of time. In Tijuana the steak tacos are typically char grilled and dressed with avocado salsa which is how they come here. Pretty good but it would’ve been even better with the steak straight off the grill. I also tried the birria doradito which is a fried corn tortilla topped with soupy birria, cilantro, onions, frijol de olla, and salsa roja. It was a bit tough to eat but it definitely hit the spot. Also of note is an excellent salsa setup similar to what you might find in Mexico. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjts_7WqrVhlTVsy6YZosATmG0hedLo3uoiD3Nmuf1qjaBdbopEcWgS9sfI1pjfYfbfIc8AYNs_thyphenhyphenpYvefIntQOX6l5MK8AGw_-dm1fBs2R-6NwG8NXOk4GONA3EEzwys1TUNFsdXUV_u6qGeuBoAX7Il7-nP8_2cHgAT03EW7kmBhc44vZWz8sMyB4DFb/s4032/IMG_2544.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjts_7WqrVhlTVsy6YZosATmG0hedLo3uoiD3Nmuf1qjaBdbopEcWgS9sfI1pjfYfbfIc8AYNs_thyphenhyphenpYvefIntQOX6l5MK8AGw_-dm1fBs2R-6NwG8NXOk4GONA3EEzwys1TUNFsdXUV_u6qGeuBoAX7Il7-nP8_2cHgAT03EW7kmBhc44vZWz8sMyB4DFb/s320/IMG_2544.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiV8mprBGTbhRdbLssCnz5hnzJJD_qZr7TuiN5t5-ktpjLlarLBFVantW4_UOxQM9Lnooy8YLvrBnZnBbTCVoVXYboz6qb_XYQhurylwtHf0_AwBLnZ7Wi5WbIuqj3OwUkhSdrPFHeVeLXTy-hy4cPklkzVNrM1n8Nfp_r8OgNc2VNn-r98SikhKBUNP0dj/s4032/IMG_2530.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiV8mprBGTbhRdbLssCnz5hnzJJD_qZr7TuiN5t5-ktpjLlarLBFVantW4_UOxQM9Lnooy8YLvrBnZnBbTCVoVXYboz6qb_XYQhurylwtHf0_AwBLnZ7Wi5WbIuqj3OwUkhSdrPFHeVeLXTy-hy4cPklkzVNrM1n8Nfp_r8OgNc2VNn-r98SikhKBUNP0dj/s320/IMG_2530.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Tacos at TacoSur<br /><span face="Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif" style="background-color: #141414; color: white; font-size: 13px;">_______________________________________<br /><br /><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEHYuw271GgnEk1kZAq1tJCqkJuRmtx3qTBxISaosJg2CSGkm288Zq8EChsDBdmkRVHQ7U5utNoRarsdfm4iE5PWpnIY1-llXidhl6yoluUrtc7zRZ_4VvFnPRNPLLkmymfnpQH45w5A4nDRrro6qa0fB7VoL5vBWTPp2RKrdCP8d0OkeVLOH_0IIj8mZB/s4032/IMG_9611.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEHYuw271GgnEk1kZAq1tJCqkJuRmtx3qTBxISaosJg2CSGkm288Zq8EChsDBdmkRVHQ7U5utNoRarsdfm4iE5PWpnIY1-llXidhl6yoluUrtc7zRZ_4VvFnPRNPLLkmymfnpQH45w5A4nDRrro6qa0fB7VoL5vBWTPp2RKrdCP8d0OkeVLOH_0IIj8mZB/w400-h300/IMG_9611.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;"><b>Tacombi </b></span></div><p>I paid a visit to Tacombi in West Loop shortly after it opened this past summer. This new taco import was born in a van in the Yucatán. From there it moved into a taco garage in NYC with the intent of becoming a national brand, in part due to a big backing from Danny Meyer of Shake Shack fame. I went with the al pastor since there was a spit of pork spinning and I also got the Baja fish as that seems to be their most popular taco on offer. The verdict? Not bad for the area (Federales is gross). The taco al pastor was cut from a chunk on a cutting board like it was a piece of steak which was odd but the fish was crisp and the salsa bar gives you three decent options along with limes. Rice and beans aren’t bad either, they use black beans in an ode to the Yucatán. I wouldn’t run over here from the other side of the city but if you’re near there and in need of tacos it just might get the job done. </p><p style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwomtDfEuTqK5nSKnHxmjc43tzbAxVTTj36goDdJD3rFu3wFlGDYiARv6sWfz7fIHMNkmkoDCRPb20s5GvSCf4EdkozrPubMAAMt_3sjIqw-8rsVyb2r9GiKtJyxeINN2Jnh1Li91h92YQP0Ws5A0g_fVRCvALn0_gCsTw_I05CjoeGQTtukcS8dQXkOCj/s4032/IMG_9615.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwomtDfEuTqK5nSKnHxmjc43tzbAxVTTj36goDdJD3rFu3wFlGDYiARv6sWfz7fIHMNkmkoDCRPb20s5GvSCf4EdkozrPubMAAMt_3sjIqw-8rsVyb2r9GiKtJyxeINN2Jnh1Li91h92YQP0Ws5A0g_fVRCvALn0_gCsTw_I05CjoeGQTtukcS8dQXkOCj/w400-h300/IMG_9615.jpg" width="400" /></a><br /><span style="text-align: left;">Tacos at Tacombi<br /></span><span face="Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif" style="background-color: #141414; color: white; font-size: 13px;">_______________________________________</span></p><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhv5Hx222uBuLXQQetvbYj6gf4SS9wFs54uZrEjuetmVsYGHO2WByu-DSScVa9NmbmhoP-8TIlSQSl_ol_S6GjTyjkRCa1ctty0ard9yoWtlg6gQXDjpbV7J0tBDzUvA0qPqflJTZD_IDYZyaSuYbhuR9EjHEnZYbgrDi_cXl18EiAbe4829TEphQXhizx7/s4032/IMG_7868.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhv5Hx222uBuLXQQetvbYj6gf4SS9wFs54uZrEjuetmVsYGHO2WByu-DSScVa9NmbmhoP-8TIlSQSl_ol_S6GjTyjkRCa1ctty0ard9yoWtlg6gQXDjpbV7J0tBDzUvA0qPqflJTZD_IDYZyaSuYbhuR9EjHEnZYbgrDi_cXl18EiAbe4829TEphQXhizx7/w400-h300/IMG_7868.jpg" width="400" /></a><br /><span style="text-align: left;"><b>Tepalcates </b></span></div><p>Next stop had a short lived life west on Fullerton before moving east into Lakeview. A quick peek at the taco options and I put this spot near the top of my tacos to try list. They have all the usual suspects plus lots of regional and house special offerings including an octopus rubbed with al pastor seasoning. They do carne en su jugo too. The guy that runs this place is really nice and so are the tacos. The Suadero is a bit shredded as opposed to chunky so it lacks a bit in texture but hit the mark in flavor. I’ve been waiting for tacos gobernador to take off the same way quesabirria has but it’s been a slow liftoff. That said I see it on offer more than ever so it’s trending up. A taco gobernador estilo Sinaloa is sauteed shrimp with peppers, onions, tomato, melted cheese. It’s basically a shrimp quesadilla which are underrated. Plump shrimp and melted cheese between a corn tortilla is a pretty perfect pairing. Even if those aren't up your alley they offer a quality product up and down the menu. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_tP_7z3xgpt5n-haSWwWOlHi0P-EPqAFdDfj5zAZBtlc7VKBvVKYQ6-Pte-E8p1c23RU-6BwtVNUz6dZF20VSU-GX7X7BCEH5IWDwjyLBTUv6Ny92qTLQ0XToBj0UO5BOJOeFnotZzBYMTxaIBHlI0BVDfXSxY8iS8EJzVf5ZwmJUlaaHcRhbVcc2G1Oi/s4032/IMG_7852.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_tP_7z3xgpt5n-haSWwWOlHi0P-EPqAFdDfj5zAZBtlc7VKBvVKYQ6-Pte-E8p1c23RU-6BwtVNUz6dZF20VSU-GX7X7BCEH5IWDwjyLBTUv6Ny92qTLQ0XToBj0UO5BOJOeFnotZzBYMTxaIBHlI0BVDfXSxY8iS8EJzVf5ZwmJUlaaHcRhbVcc2G1Oi/w400-h300/IMG_7852.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Tacos at Tepalcates<br /><span face="Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif" style="background-color: #141414; color: white; font-size: 13px;">_______________________________________<br /><br /><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuJykEKQsGRGsIYktBhXQyEkLEmpL6Fh3ULoAnVBLFrFrt0-OkVT8uWnMydeqyDn1XDocNOdh5C14gNd0WSSNuArQYn_GNgY6rDx94BDEqWxQNeHQv3iwtMTvxlmWCor7iAMDvXNG6N4t4uVnDONVVGUsNzdtg9XCbzbueHbnDmHjweU_dod0h3xDjLxNo/s4032/IMG_2125.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuJykEKQsGRGsIYktBhXQyEkLEmpL6Fh3ULoAnVBLFrFrt0-OkVT8uWnMydeqyDn1XDocNOdh5C14gNd0WSSNuArQYn_GNgY6rDx94BDEqWxQNeHQv3iwtMTvxlmWCor7iAMDvXNG6N4t4uVnDONVVGUsNzdtg9XCbzbueHbnDmHjweU_dod0h3xDjLxNo/w400-h300/IMG_2125.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>Onions & Cilantro</b></div><p>This spot opened last spring on Western in Bucktown. It’s next door to a completely vegan Mexican restaurant and across the street from a hip chef driven Mexican restaurant which is next door to a birria de chivo specialist. The menu is pretty standard but that may work in their favor given its location near three not so standard spots. They also seem to make standard offerings with a bit more care than most places. I’ve had their steak tacos a few times since they’re above average and near where I stay. Big chunks of crisp skirt steak are paired nicely with a well made avocado salsa.</p><p style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUAPsZQOFf4MLrO9eVHrxzvEFB2RW_H2HMmxz-uoxFa6gegKrA_ILBTHEfSUAkX26AD1NqytxBWFUFPu85RZk4RN8W11mGOjvJONiKoMv3zJxm73r7KDGnfZgCRrFFWWBEwXRT2a0Kafy0_1CWKsga0rN4IbpFM8g1TG4maQldYzHraWYCD72tC3LBENLt/s4032/IMG_2120.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUAPsZQOFf4MLrO9eVHrxzvEFB2RW_H2HMmxz-uoxFa6gegKrA_ILBTHEfSUAkX26AD1NqytxBWFUFPu85RZk4RN8W11mGOjvJONiKoMv3zJxm73r7KDGnfZgCRrFFWWBEwXRT2a0Kafy0_1CWKsga0rN4IbpFM8g1TG4maQldYzHraWYCD72tC3LBENLt/w400-h300/IMG_2120.jpg" width="400" /></a><br /><span style="text-align: left;">Steak Taco at Onions & Cilantro<br /></span><span face="Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif" style="background-color: #141414; color: white; font-size: 13px;">______________________________________<br /><br /></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3GKfRVa5iZeuw0dy4HnnMkAjBwC6y00ttuHnEnc3He4sBDC4-ywwBkJONresskelOQ40ircBeYnME3a99UpaxLH6xqtbLr2MMO7yebhO4M0T9n4rCmFUHjAcQlBh6P-BpukRDhQu30Soq-XLmZUybM3ljxatDJN184cVgY8Pk0ecSo7U7xd0lTMY7tDwI/s4032/IMG_7459.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3GKfRVa5iZeuw0dy4HnnMkAjBwC6y00ttuHnEnc3He4sBDC4-ywwBkJONresskelOQ40ircBeYnME3a99UpaxLH6xqtbLr2MMO7yebhO4M0T9n4rCmFUHjAcQlBh6P-BpukRDhQu30Soq-XLmZUybM3ljxatDJN184cVgY8Pk0ecSo7U7xd0lTMY7tDwI/w400-h300/IMG_7459.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>Thalco Taco Tijuanero </b></div><p>Last stop takes us out to the western suburbs where a taqueria with Tijuana connections opened up shop in Hanover Park. According to the ads I kept getting on Instagram this place was opened by a family member of a popular Tijuana taco spot of a similar name. So I had high hopes riding out here, granted it was for something work related, but this would be lunch. With it being a Tijuana style taqueria the menu is made up of antojitos estilo Baja including tacos de adobada which is what they call al pastor in that region of Mexico. I spied a spit of meat spinning and got a taco adobada to pair with a vampiro which is a crisped up corn tortilla loaded with your choice of meat and melted cheese. The reason they don’t call these tostadas is bc the crisp shells are made fresh to order by leaving a corn tortilla on a hot surface until it crisps up. They're crisp but have a more chewy texture than a tostada shell. This is another snack I’d like to see offered at more spots around town. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUQuqg_Wx1l6_NVQb85Nq-yAHXkeWkqPtFms-_0VI_w3ceqNSPaHyNYU1F7Q30N8znioIJqATZWBB6-EwqRYivSoUyFV08PWM8cTInUShtgDXAj2HGn1BZ6n3AQiAONmBuEdg1otPfE7G5b-RztBkZ9J7eoXpTG7oE6CalBD_UG3KXk4xb6mSbuMGl3TKp/s4032/IMG_7427.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUQuqg_Wx1l6_NVQb85Nq-yAHXkeWkqPtFms-_0VI_w3ceqNSPaHyNYU1F7Q30N8znioIJqATZWBB6-EwqRYivSoUyFV08PWM8cTInUShtgDXAj2HGn1BZ6n3AQiAONmBuEdg1otPfE7G5b-RztBkZ9J7eoXpTG7oE6CalBD_UG3KXk4xb6mSbuMGl3TKp/s320/IMG_7427.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjN73Tih01uenIhOVjSaaXXqu4kOX9OyEUS8lY2s9owV4_ak_ZVGfPrZQiUdZD3_OUKQxSpELICgYXHzXIq87q7PZKqfv5i-C2WCvr7pOpYym8QdeooG2W-ZcVBKxiRL1JbpXLhxKk_AMVfMlBq66mZf74n3uooVIuSdCU79NsODxitF8n1OhvNHtYXYG3V/s4032/IMG_7457.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjN73Tih01uenIhOVjSaaXXqu4kOX9OyEUS8lY2s9owV4_ak_ZVGfPrZQiUdZD3_OUKQxSpELICgYXHzXIq87q7PZKqfv5i-C2WCvr7pOpYym8QdeooG2W-ZcVBKxiRL1JbpXLhxKk_AMVfMlBq66mZf74n3uooVIuSdCU79NsODxitF8n1OhvNHtYXYG3V/s320/IMG_7457.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Antojitos at Thalco Taco Tijuanero<br /><span face="Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif" style="background-color: #141414; color: white; font-size: 13px;">_______________________________________</span></div><p style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: medium;">See ya next time <a href="https://www.instagram.com/chibbqking/">@chibbqking</a></span></b></p>KingThttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05368411195212070782noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7759763120880236446.post-87740767700490400592023-12-04T09:00:00.005-06:002023-12-06T15:36:32.763-06:00Smoque Steak <p><span face="Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif" style="background-color: black; color: white; font-size: 13px;"><span face=""trebuchet ms", trebuchet, verdana, sans-serif" style="font-size: 23px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 20.7969px;">-Grubbing in Chicago</span><span face=""trebuchet ms", trebuchet, verdana, sans-serif" style="line-height: 20.7969px;"> </span></span><span face="Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif" style="background-color: black; color: white; font-size: 13px;"><span face=""trebuchet ms", trebuchet, verdana, sans-serif" style="font-size: 17px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 20.7969px;"> <br /></span></span><span face="Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif" style="background-color: black; color: white; font-size: 17px; font-weight: bold;">Smoked Steaks in Avondale</span></p><p>When Smoque BBQ first opened 17 years ago it was before barbecue had really taken off across the country. It was the first place in Chicago doing Texas style barbecue. There wasn’t many other spots like it but nowadays there’s places doing Texas barbecue everywhere from here to Timbuktu. So how big of a stretch would it be to ask if smoked steak is the country’s next big food trend? I only ask bc that’s what owner of Smoque Barry Sorkin and his team are doing at their new spot in Avondale.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYR-nDFrWHf8Rm9njRQ1CrMEuYUBuVnpWrHAuTXsfpMGk9UkKU-7cgHWRHZR2PiKpWJrcTpUvZLqqln2UjtfG3b6eD5ryKzui-FhHZvXuC5jX51nQYl3TXhzuzzxJOottPuptEfEhfSXZKzyQaj8kZsPvUuFR9sSiAdAXDlV4QhxmfuG0nyymPpSsMne7B/s4032/IMG_9873.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYR-nDFrWHf8Rm9njRQ1CrMEuYUBuVnpWrHAuTXsfpMGk9UkKU-7cgHWRHZR2PiKpWJrcTpUvZLqqln2UjtfG3b6eD5ryKzui-FhHZvXuC5jX51nQYl3TXhzuzzxJOottPuptEfEhfSXZKzyQaj8kZsPvUuFR9sSiAdAXDlV4QhxmfuG0nyymPpSsMne7B/w400-h300/IMG_9873.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Recently Opened in Avondale </div><p>Smoque Steak opened to lots of hype this past May. The team behind it wanted to open a steakhouse that felt elevated but also affordable and most importantly one that was different. They made it different by choosing to make the steaks in a way no place else is doing. The steaks are smoked, slow cooked, and then seared. They’re served in a sleek space that feels like a night out type of spot. We arrived to a full house that definitely had a great steak house vibe going for it - there was energy in the air. Also of note was the musical playlist which was on point for a Saturday night. They were playing 90’s hip hop and R&B but they switch the genre up often or so we were told. You're greeted by a QR menu at the table which I don't mind but I do miss holding a menu. While beef is always the main character at a Steakhouse the salad also plays an important part. We got a Caesar salad to start and it played a great supporting role. It was a massive portion that could feed four as a starter. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhSCS0_crn2SxUr9Z4IoWRhyphenhyphenhf44Xc0xgo3k_uIOd8rcS3mr0IhZDWdtHQAaQmcOg_IK6ijSR0vhyphenhyphenaD9xJedD3OZyByBGfgzE_1Ak1iR6P11QrxW2-zVVUTAzvwQlFb1TaRB3PAT8lZHv9JRPJXISdBzImFD9qW44a014DsTpr-jix5oCizBBx5w83G0tY/s4032/IMG_9845.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhSCS0_crn2SxUr9Z4IoWRhyphenhyphenhf44Xc0xgo3k_uIOd8rcS3mr0IhZDWdtHQAaQmcOg_IK6ijSR0vhyphenhyphenaD9xJedD3OZyByBGfgzE_1Ak1iR6P11QrxW2-zVVUTAzvwQlFb1TaRB3PAT8lZHv9JRPJXISdBzImFD9qW44a014DsTpr-jix5oCizBBx5w83G0tY/w400-h300/IMG_9845.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Caesar Salad at Smoque Steak </div><p>Opening a steakhouse without options for a non meat eater isn’t a good idea in today’s day and age. Smoque has a few non red meat selections including lobster and grits, a piece of lightly smoked salmon and even a cauliflower steak. Erica ended up choosing the spicy shrimp pasta and was very satisfied with it. The portions here are generous and proper for a steak spot. Though it’s not described as so the pasta is basically a spicy shrimp scampi with five nice sized pieces of shrimp sitting atop linguine mixed with garlic, lemon, and white wine plus a spicy melted butter. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUHfpj3fpD3A48zcmtMNvRQ2oCczs9F0JibFGGhmXMGEucXSX91vYTuimUnoO77cC3MQmxIKRVuP_maK9wd2Bp_8mj3zB4eHy_tGTsJMVjA1tRVOVWvADRz5BDVliSRiwHlibN_GAchLM0pj2LDzHXCL9f0myTTvkYtLzpwIfoU2Xr0hyphenhyphenfdnSvSC8ZoXml/s4032/IMG_9854.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUHfpj3fpD3A48zcmtMNvRQ2oCczs9F0JibFGGhmXMGEucXSX91vYTuimUnoO77cC3MQmxIKRVuP_maK9wd2Bp_8mj3zB4eHy_tGTsJMVjA1tRVOVWvADRz5BDVliSRiwHlibN_GAchLM0pj2LDzHXCL9f0myTTvkYtLzpwIfoU2Xr0hyphenhyphenfdnSvSC8ZoXml/w400-h300/IMG_9854.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Spicy Shrimp Pasta </div><p>The smoked and seared steaks are offered a handful of ways including a fairly priced bistro steak ($19) which is an 8 oz cut of chuck. Their most expensive offering is the 16 oz boneless ribeye ($52). There’s also a strip steak ($45) and a filet ($52) but I chose to roll with the steak frites ($30). Outer cut skirt steak is one of my top two or three cuts of beef. None of the other steak options come with anything but there’s plenty of steakhouse quality sides you can order separately. But the steak and frites comes with fries plus a red chimmichuri that I opted to get on the side as I wanted to try the steak as is for my first few bites. So you get a really nice cut of 8 oz outer skirt steak plus fries and a side of sauce that otherwise costs $3 as an add on to your steak. Not a bad deal at all but how does it taste? Honestly my first thought was “like beef jerky.” There’s a butcher in Michigan City called Langhe's Old Fashioned Meat Market that makes a warm steak jerky unlike any other and that’s what I thought of when I took my first bite of beef from Smoque Steak. It’s pretty good but that said I’m not ready for smoked steak to replace grilled or broiled steak or any of the more traditional ways but it’s a nice change of pace. The menu says the fries are fresh cut but I couldn’t tell if they were or not. It’s usually easy to do so but I don’t know about the ones from here. They weren’t awful but they seemed too in unison to be fresh cut. Overall we had a good visit even though I don’t love a smoked steak as much as I do a char grilled steak. This is still a place that I’ll likely return to by my own choosing. It’s reasonable and it’s unique and I like that combination as far a modern steakhouse goes. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdrGVwq40sq_4Y2aCwm12ZNYLM0EJKYcc9MPhcg1WJzI_gUyaOWG1WT1j7X2ZGlfUIpB3P3NqKNkSue93FxeQjGrsYdoqgJs3whveeryAjCHotQUR7qMInwcR9pl_s09_TpL9OeQmrQCRSsQ8ClBuxlsKoAWvdi1bqcFcjODE6ZGTzQXRLoNcFl_Gjqfrf/s4032/IMG_9860.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdrGVwq40sq_4Y2aCwm12ZNYLM0EJKYcc9MPhcg1WJzI_gUyaOWG1WT1j7X2ZGlfUIpB3P3NqKNkSue93FxeQjGrsYdoqgJs3whveeryAjCHotQUR7qMInwcR9pl_s09_TpL9OeQmrQCRSsQ8ClBuxlsKoAWvdi1bqcFcjODE6ZGTzQXRLoNcFl_Gjqfrf/w400-h300/IMG_9860.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Steak Frites at Smoque Steak</div><p>Smoque Steak<br />3310 N Elston Ave<br />Chicago, IL 60618 <br />(773) 219-1775<br /><a href="https://smoquesteak.com/">Website</a></p>KingThttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05368411195212070782noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7759763120880236446.post-89084745666200916732023-11-27T10:00:00.001-06:002023-11-27T10:00:00.145-06:00Eating BIG in Liguria <p><span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 23.6364px; font-weight: bold;">Eating like a local:<br /></span><span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-size: 23.6364px;">Regional food specialties<br /></span></span><b style="background-color: black; color: white; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">- Exploring the Italian Riviera</span></b></p><p>After a week in the Piedmont we were off to spend some time in the Italian Riviera. We chose Santa Margherita Ligure as our base. It’s a port town just a few miles up from the playground for the uber rich - Portofino. If you’re not pulling up to Portofino in your own yacht you’re much better off staying in a town like SML where there’s smaller crowds but more on offer and it’s half the price and still just as nice. The Italian Riviera is by no means undiscovered so it’s regularly busy as it’s one of the prettiest places on earth with its colorful fishing villages backdropped by mountains. But Summer is peak season. All of the towns on the Italian coast are pretty similar but each of them has their own charms. I found Santa Margherita to be the perfect launching pad for exploring the rest of the region. It was really easy to hop on a train and get to just about any town you want to explore or any beach you want to rest on. Speaking of beaches those are a big draw as is evident with the beach clubs and the resorts that line the coast. Boating is a big activity too and you can rent your own or hire a driver with a boat to take you out on the water or drop you off at one of the many beaches accessible only by water. As far as the local cuisine goes Liguria is rich in regional eats. Pesto is perhaps the most well known of them all but as you’ll see in this report there’s lots to go along with it. Here's what we had: </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtgOwIsq-nGdFb1Mw7Xne30_bYVLyca7x4jnpb8K6kOydTiHn4QYp7xpjC3wS-ug3JcV3QZerzB1os2ex8jWP14yonYhGL3xnCtaAW7STgS83r2oNTwGLGTXuDWrdVklKP_sZja0swFI9D30LPBpdxe_NQ5f7H29xgNfdtVcJjMu6EGUh0hpHIjbfRRaYb/s4032/IMG_5978.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtgOwIsq-nGdFb1Mw7Xne30_bYVLyca7x4jnpb8K6kOydTiHn4QYp7xpjC3wS-ug3JcV3QZerzB1os2ex8jWP14yonYhGL3xnCtaAW7STgS83r2oNTwGLGTXuDWrdVklKP_sZja0swFI9D30LPBpdxe_NQ5f7H29xgNfdtVcJjMu6EGUh0hpHIjbfRRaYb/s320/IMG_5978.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgr2_FcmUqJ-HDxCKMifj24mhBS4flocgOMWlScrFsTaHHD8dtxopWgFyS_qKAVufIdA001P2xZ7uVRuMBPO7j65vOPIVPZMkrlehXehF57cEE7Cxl3aJdZMHP7fQ5rqm0njb8D1RcOU0ePS53DxM9MzCKEeA-XPqkJK5cHzwBOkygrEYBlt9rrJnS7IylI/s4032/IMG_6128.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgr2_FcmUqJ-HDxCKMifj24mhBS4flocgOMWlScrFsTaHHD8dtxopWgFyS_qKAVufIdA001P2xZ7uVRuMBPO7j65vOPIVPZMkrlehXehF57cEE7Cxl3aJdZMHP7fQ5rqm0njb8D1RcOU0ePS53DxM9MzCKEeA-XPqkJK5cHzwBOkygrEYBlt9rrJnS7IylI/s320/IMG_6128.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-eu4rdS6YTCrN3nCauJNd5P2cmV7U85mEiIi9SwHDFAihnDtaI2Gxnrwq0aOPh8vdA1om5nTm3xruPolFQa6iM1n0KRJIqEo0HaoUEs68GUiGhjez7YV1MRxhwI9KHnhRBCmh1g4HKepNlWZZDjoa_9L8T5zu5qhVL0sIrABFys9AHZGwWHc7viORMFUu/s4032/IMG_6354.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-eu4rdS6YTCrN3nCauJNd5P2cmV7U85mEiIi9SwHDFAihnDtaI2Gxnrwq0aOPh8vdA1om5nTm3xruPolFQa6iM1n0KRJIqEo0HaoUEs68GUiGhjez7YV1MRxhwI9KHnhRBCmh1g4HKepNlWZZDjoa_9L8T5zu5qhVL0sIrABFys9AHZGwWHc7viORMFUu/s320/IMG_6354.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCHrpe0H-VRSR6Vo5eJsvjPR4M7aCJIP9JgzSDvJWe53FNnAbO5yl3dqO48Ao7A5ANXy1U2C84EUj4XWn7nZhyc17QwDJtb6zH0ehOcskaZ2YvJ0_U6rN_dBhyE_nSFkd7ic2T15q098NHI4oOmynHP9oZkrYrfEJo2aVETut_NUOBG7X_4fQmANVsO1mZ/s4032/IMG_6100.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCHrpe0H-VRSR6Vo5eJsvjPR4M7aCJIP9JgzSDvJWe53FNnAbO5yl3dqO48Ao7A5ANXy1U2C84EUj4XWn7nZhyc17QwDJtb6zH0ehOcskaZ2YvJ0_U6rN_dBhyE_nSFkd7ic2T15q098NHI4oOmynHP9oZkrYrfEJo2aVETut_NUOBG7X_4fQmANVsO1mZ/s320/IMG_6100.jpg" width="320" /></a><br /><span style="text-align: left;">Sights from Liguria<br /><br /><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUwMsW9fyHZniclXBE1XwJJi_S_TtOei4ASGssSvYD49K5LhDsmpQAm9chbllPEM35bjyPRP6wCAlw_TT-b1mH1oq9t3GaZxTYqD5gPaoZcQJw9ALB3wqOtTrQIs1shH68YLV9LTLie3P2pwhaH6_GHRyoZWkfoWEZzDgoDGrg4kxkCLaXhuVYYpKnNUaq/s4032/IMG_5596.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUwMsW9fyHZniclXBE1XwJJi_S_TtOei4ASGssSvYD49K5LhDsmpQAm9chbllPEM35bjyPRP6wCAlw_TT-b1mH1oq9t3GaZxTYqD5gPaoZcQJw9ALB3wqOtTrQIs1shH68YLV9LTLie3P2pwhaH6_GHRyoZWkfoWEZzDgoDGrg4kxkCLaXhuVYYpKnNUaq/s320/IMG_5596.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhucKQegLz0JinhSmYCOJEvrPeMgYU6NCdM7dzHeyA4mpvQw8kgr1oefmSwAcVgZEE_87k5sjXmbBGMcmRsWmUTpLwsj6TKBqtY4MoAvQcmDDyL7i4Sg_WNpQs1tLbX-lIECeWlFpY0szkflDFAPW_grttfadw1UxCrJjVK58fUgXVrdrV0osJF9HGTTFLF/s4032/IMG_5434.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhucKQegLz0JinhSmYCOJEvrPeMgYU6NCdM7dzHeyA4mpvQw8kgr1oefmSwAcVgZEE_87k5sjXmbBGMcmRsWmUTpLwsj6TKBqtY4MoAvQcmDDyL7i4Sg_WNpQs1tLbX-lIECeWlFpY0szkflDFAPW_grttfadw1UxCrJjVK58fUgXVrdrV0osJF9HGTTFLF/s320/IMG_5434.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7AEZXipJ598idu-wP2qmzvDW11dBzll4r_YjhFjfEfT_ZcDbnjaeUHR6iTPjA9jAKUgREZQtWscYIDp_WujhOz7J8jbiuq7-zhlPOlDHEzQ6waaiLQdVM0WjT6YHqvy9VXFtA-NaeEJsCbLkFH9FkyKkfqkgnHG9lmEIX7Z9GKhihbyBrJvLl5oK1CRt_/s4032/IMG_6167.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7AEZXipJ598idu-wP2qmzvDW11dBzll4r_YjhFjfEfT_ZcDbnjaeUHR6iTPjA9jAKUgREZQtWscYIDp_WujhOz7J8jbiuq7-zhlPOlDHEzQ6waaiLQdVM0WjT6YHqvy9VXFtA-NaeEJsCbLkFH9FkyKkfqkgnHG9lmEIX7Z9GKhihbyBrJvLl5oK1CRt_/s320/IMG_6167.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKwg9t77395J1A7gC-euj56XVDuM-jRlG2oX9GHsif6dBwB2M-XRGwq3lxH7xLYJ9QmEyHsJghPcsFTuvFAXJn518nBbrGpTSNYSJ4lZpRZDSMRjErHuVVD3uERz0CQtKuGPqseRZCJejNlS0gNemaJ8NrW96pGMu8qXIe5s3xpW0HAP9Win4dxtl-uiN0/s4032/IMG_6336.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKwg9t77395J1A7gC-euj56XVDuM-jRlG2oX9GHsif6dBwB2M-XRGwq3lxH7xLYJ9QmEyHsJghPcsFTuvFAXJn518nBbrGpTSNYSJ4lZpRZDSMRjErHuVVD3uERz0CQtKuGPqseRZCJejNlS0gNemaJ8NrW96pGMu8qXIe5s3xpW0HAP9Win4dxtl-uiN0/s320/IMG_6336.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">More sights from Liguria<br /><span style="background-color: #141414; color: white; font-size: 13px;">_______________________________________<br /><br /><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEja2IiPUFbFwRFSDIlN9g-2k4eAaMc62FUi3B3BoSlJDYEcEkO19berfYj561agTzsB2HacGgSwFRgrYw7SE-pCWSJX5yIHTqP9-oYFVDviRN6A0klq329yhW0YOzEaXHRAHc-jVG9gN-pgqxkj7GbwdNbVi68I6qbREcENj37a2sSnqNIPzMcZ6kCBwZbP/s4032/IMG_4310.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEja2IiPUFbFwRFSDIlN9g-2k4eAaMc62FUi3B3BoSlJDYEcEkO19berfYj561agTzsB2HacGgSwFRgrYw7SE-pCWSJX5yIHTqP9-oYFVDviRN6A0klq329yhW0YOzEaXHRAHc-jVG9gN-pgqxkj7GbwdNbVi68I6qbREcENj37a2sSnqNIPzMcZ6kCBwZbP/w400-h300/IMG_4310.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>San Giovanni Cucina & Barbecue (Sassello)</b></div><p>I adored the supper club vibes at this steak house up in the mountains of Liguria. The ride there? Not so much. Holy shit that was some real gut wrenching stuff but once we arrived, all was well. My brother got the “Barbacoa” platter of meats which features a little of everything that they grill over live charcoal. I got the Picanha, a cut of beef more common in South America though Italians are also common over there so it was no surprise to find it’s a popular cut in Italy. The filet isn’t a cut that I typically mess with but any piece of beef grilled over coals and blanketed in mushrooms is pretty much going to please. How many different ways can I tell you all of the pastas in Italy are awesome? </p><p style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiFn8PzFGmHGPlOYCN1H8Xo3uJ2fsf0v4apKbG6ImL2qqLpHNLMZOF3NjEl4MApPUzwPufmxJv9knFEsh0-RTdZnviNlO6PYNUpZ53DPjD9mOtKziHfj_fMlu1JlkxXuQn4v2uyVXN83YSxh31wAbrEVyBpXKTvcS0mZ1YO4REkIxqECmHVVxuIGvsqEt6/s4032/IMG_4270.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiFn8PzFGmHGPlOYCN1H8Xo3uJ2fsf0v4apKbG6ImL2qqLpHNLMZOF3NjEl4MApPUzwPufmxJv9knFEsh0-RTdZnviNlO6PYNUpZ53DPjD9mOtKziHfj_fMlu1JlkxXuQn4v2uyVXN83YSxh31wAbrEVyBpXKTvcS0mZ1YO4REkIxqECmHVVxuIGvsqEt6/s320/IMG_4270.jpg" width="320" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVee9usf2SjkXPCKBGJuVfp_LHz_QKeJEjpsxNBhHxGDCml5awGdjfs_tSHM5e4S9nB78bLppEvfayS_RuI6IPkZPqb2UDUeDGtdFA4ldVbEgc_-1kLyYFEU7XQv9o8-ZJm0mVWXZhY8nH19qgegLgyhrCceJc69jVvqWEqzPPuakLdTDaB75Pd90RKBoh/s4032/IMG_4262.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVee9usf2SjkXPCKBGJuVfp_LHz_QKeJEjpsxNBhHxGDCml5awGdjfs_tSHM5e4S9nB78bLppEvfayS_RuI6IPkZPqb2UDUeDGtdFA4ldVbEgc_-1kLyYFEU7XQv9o8-ZJm0mVWXZhY8nH19qgegLgyhrCceJc69jVvqWEqzPPuakLdTDaB75Pd90RKBoh/s320/IMG_4262.jpg" width="320" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjh1j8_DmxhcVFk6ohT2rygKydLHGRmZVBwLDz9_YO_hD2-q-AAjkRO2TtOm9fyGy4FEd9MTJFDG-EgODwu0lKvslZ5vkfO746rX8uAncTqVhBVjUucqxPKqqJh0rfxNoyVBZMgspVzTX0376sHzdSPhN6dKXP54wvwfhjFXFhRu2vNxNm65neEZ9Q4IQo/s4032/IMG_4268.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjh1j8_DmxhcVFk6ohT2rygKydLHGRmZVBwLDz9_YO_hD2-q-AAjkRO2TtOm9fyGy4FEd9MTJFDG-EgODwu0lKvslZ5vkfO746rX8uAncTqVhBVjUucqxPKqqJh0rfxNoyVBZMgspVzTX0376sHzdSPhN6dKXP54wvwfhjFXFhRu2vNxNm65neEZ9Q4IQo/s320/IMG_4268.jpg" width="320" /></a><br />Pastas at San Giovanni (click pics to enhance)</p><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRIH4wCZMqOfUPhgYAYNgrbCKiWBQB3Gj4sT4MCezq-CNfRfpfdybD__Goo9eFKhnwSFbZ2uhR0TM6bKIBRRmagzkMRpUTU5c-Cx31oT9LxXfG89wOvbZf3PR9J0wB42PphVJB6xr7eAXDodqa0XYF6V3dgUZ9tnPgiCQnw5tMD5OIJheI6b-Yi9Hc_a5E/s4032/IMG_4274.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRIH4wCZMqOfUPhgYAYNgrbCKiWBQB3Gj4sT4MCezq-CNfRfpfdybD__Goo9eFKhnwSFbZ2uhR0TM6bKIBRRmagzkMRpUTU5c-Cx31oT9LxXfG89wOvbZf3PR9J0wB42PphVJB6xr7eAXDodqa0XYF6V3dgUZ9tnPgiCQnw5tMD5OIJheI6b-Yi9Hc_a5E/s320/IMG_4274.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitzvWLl_vYGIxxYap3-G3LICmFl_aaly3zk1H2eowzleK80tpzjVQmUR5L8DD-Cs0gSvDijtDYl76LQDFmlXPq4WWcck02cRN-1eFOQ7rqOKcSOEtEeWUumxuUHEtKYViWvCX6H0JFC4esj8EVWp56RvQ74aOOIUwgUrwk_HOCnhZvgWS48Dv8iZ9_PxTK/s4032/IMG_4284.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitzvWLl_vYGIxxYap3-G3LICmFl_aaly3zk1H2eowzleK80tpzjVQmUR5L8DD-Cs0gSvDijtDYl76LQDFmlXPq4WWcck02cRN-1eFOQ7rqOKcSOEtEeWUumxuUHEtKYViWvCX6H0JFC4esj8EVWp56RvQ74aOOIUwgUrwk_HOCnhZvgWS48Dv8iZ9_PxTK/s320/IMG_4284.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkvZwaEHyh08AKQjLFj4ryBU0SvZiISdCzw621G7J6fLZ7x5bAoSM2vgjJq7v-pJnw7Yn5nBK_hObnfbLyJa2aQ3k-beAK2o4-OVvjT9iJl0c99CcL_9ERSwsowGjeKHxx6SV4NeXfdhGyMhK_KpCYh4EGXpCtYJneVXdsEWZRAPyzYyYpO1RObRzf-wrg/s4032/IMG_4300.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkvZwaEHyh08AKQjLFj4ryBU0SvZiISdCzw621G7J6fLZ7x5bAoSM2vgjJq7v-pJnw7Yn5nBK_hObnfbLyJa2aQ3k-beAK2o4-OVvjT9iJl0c99CcL_9ERSwsowGjeKHxx6SV4NeXfdhGyMhK_KpCYh4EGXpCtYJneVXdsEWZRAPyzYyYpO1RObRzf-wrg/s320/IMG_4300.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Steaks at San Giovanni <br /><span face="Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif" style="background-color: #141414; color: white; font-size: 13px;">_______________________________________</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7xb5Y-fRxDeCVpo-ZzjhFlEZZM1GgC6RYL2NwZzDNZVDT4sfjS37vdj0BkXDE_zqM9JY8HP7IiCGDEtlPkrSltBpHWP47xETcq6E67YYarZdfimQFV1NZlbevSOT5ZeC-iv_VmhwPLUllLHF5RUE6dAk7nuFoKNLo1n_YJmvuIuR6eWPnEX2pM18rWGWk/s4032/IMG_4334.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7xb5Y-fRxDeCVpo-ZzjhFlEZZM1GgC6RYL2NwZzDNZVDT4sfjS37vdj0BkXDE_zqM9JY8HP7IiCGDEtlPkrSltBpHWP47xETcq6E67YYarZdfimQFV1NZlbevSOT5ZeC-iv_VmhwPLUllLHF5RUE6dAk7nuFoKNLo1n_YJmvuIuR6eWPnEX2pM18rWGWk/w400-h300/IMG_4334.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>Bar Gina (Sassello)</b></div><p>After Fathers Day steak some gelato was in order and there was a spot in town that’s been around since 1947. The orange and ginger gelato from Bar Gina was the most original flavor I tried all trip. It was so good. Sasello is a cute little town in terms of its layout of narrow alleys and porticos leading to old stone buildings paired with a mountainous landscape but there wasn’t much else to see or do. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCI-3YKpRzMvA-7zXwZWkRPhUYui_FTp4Dke_vY1MVe_7UO_8MMhvY_gNcqxaaQkkIX4asPHROhwD_BAqcTeUcfesshUDBbWS26Oo9fCZTV1qjIFmIiJW5I3Pi4DFu6gfCuDCfaHpkXVA0ryA70829COjqq4GYQ7wc66xs79tjci7Wgznw4MujzqpuWIff/s4032/IMG_4331.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCI-3YKpRzMvA-7zXwZWkRPhUYui_FTp4Dke_vY1MVe_7UO_8MMhvY_gNcqxaaQkkIX4asPHROhwD_BAqcTeUcfesshUDBbWS26Oo9fCZTV1qjIFmIiJW5I3Pi4DFu6gfCuDCfaHpkXVA0ryA70829COjqq4GYQ7wc66xs79tjci7Wgznw4MujzqpuWIff/w400-h300/IMG_4331.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Gelato at Bar Gina<br /><span face="Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif" style="background-color: #141414; color: white; font-size: 13px;">_______________________________________</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span face="Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif" style="background-color: #141414; color: white; font-size: 13px;"><br /><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOI1aS8OLA5CzHh7UTaiEtSdr4jlpShYz0X-AqJ3mJgcHwAV_j3gbUg_5XeHUoK2EnbbOFXMJShaR1oDLsgdhCtbwaRn6Bw7mTdL4Bb6L6apCSUydm-MrHBIyqBAhlyYMPcoow0tGAPMrEsUFYfMFtq4GS9Uvq7x7RGe2CXS01VzmH2sDN4rJcy-IBhPi6/s4032/IMG_5231.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOI1aS8OLA5CzHh7UTaiEtSdr4jlpShYz0X-AqJ3mJgcHwAV_j3gbUg_5XeHUoK2EnbbOFXMJShaR1oDLsgdhCtbwaRn6Bw7mTdL4Bb6L6apCSUydm-MrHBIyqBAhlyYMPcoow0tGAPMrEsUFYfMFtq4GS9Uvq7x7RGe2CXS01VzmH2sDN4rJcy-IBhPi6/w400-h300/IMG_5231.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>Il Pescetariano (Santa Margherita Ligure)</b></div><div><br /></div><div>It’s not impossible to find food during the late afternoon around here but there’s only so many options. Most spots open a few hours for lunch and a few hours for dinner and are closed in between. So there weren’t a ton of choices when we first arrived into Santa Margherita Ligure around 4pm. Luckily for us a fried seafood boat I had scouted opens at 5p (most restaurants open at 7p) so we walked over to feed some hangry kids. Il Pescetariano is a docked boat that sells Fritto Misto to passerby’s. “Fried Mix” is a mix of fresh fried fish and vegetables. You can order a cone of just squid or you can get it mixed which means it comes with calamari plus fried shrimps and fried fish. It was just what we were looking for as far as something quick and delicious. Both nieces said this was their favorite food of the trip. We ended up coming here a total of three times as it was quick, convenient and fantastic.</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibcD_i5GLfUihSs4T_vpxakSCErvdAJ5pcMHWWASglCXc72hwsIrWcPhqPg4_1J-erjNJgTPS3OARZzmbVYJYjrIoGfaF0qcHQRwv-QjP7ClAD5W48zWl7xJO_ZmLkt4NLeldZLnKINbAjaJ3rmrsJj6e0fjq1NdfpmmUsXA7BMc5lWWQWlSPwNRsdGked/s4032/IMG_5242.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibcD_i5GLfUihSs4T_vpxakSCErvdAJ5pcMHWWASglCXc72hwsIrWcPhqPg4_1J-erjNJgTPS3OARZzmbVYJYjrIoGfaF0qcHQRwv-QjP7ClAD5W48zWl7xJO_ZmLkt4NLeldZLnKINbAjaJ3rmrsJj6e0fjq1NdfpmmUsXA7BMc5lWWQWlSPwNRsdGked/w300-h400/IMG_5242.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Fritto Misto by the sea at Il Pescetariano<br /><span face="Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif" style="background-color: #141414; color: white; font-size: 13px;">_______________________________________<br /><br /></span></div><p style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHpkIpv0v2tTcy-1hlOEPDvM1E5GvLr549ZnDdHbxRWE3JsrqAzy7G1gbe0jeI5wexPZmzcTq7B4A_WIxBiLN4AhnzQKDD-KPO0gwzk6uND2JxJUD3qg3Gk-Zfkx8BujgY8PjoUn1sMzW0sbsM5KXbc3H2XVS6XtiR56aPuD8I5HWBDl7xbZ-3oVPlfXZr/s4032/IMG_5359.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHpkIpv0v2tTcy-1hlOEPDvM1E5GvLr549ZnDdHbxRWE3JsrqAzy7G1gbe0jeI5wexPZmzcTq7B4A_WIxBiLN4AhnzQKDD-KPO0gwzk6uND2JxJUD3qg3Gk-Zfkx8BujgY8PjoUn1sMzW0sbsM5KXbc3H2XVS6XtiR56aPuD8I5HWBDl7xbZ-3oVPlfXZr/w400-h300/IMG_5359.jpg" width="400" /></a><br /><b>Ristorante Da ö Battj </b><b>(Santa Margherita Ligure)</b></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I’m not sure what was better at this iconic seafood restaurant in the hills overlooking Santa Margherita Ligure - the signature shrimp scampi or the views. Ristorante Da ö Battj is a place that attracts locals looking for a special night out. It’s the type of spot where you can feel the energy in the air. We were here to try their famous langoustines but started out with a simple but succulent order of the seafood pasta. Langoustines are essentially mini lobsters and although the recipe at Battj is top secret you could taste a ton of butter mixed with lemon and possibly anchovies in this mesmerizing dish. There wasn’t a table in the restaurant without an order of the shrimp scampi sitting on it. Since 1963.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSRWQr17N3QThug5JbBaLh16gQcblQ2QJNdXEE5TnSutxnmi15P6Ljc9YBxSepLEg46A3RNHgiZWzMsRoq1B-036XdCoJmNUX0Q_cnKJSPTMVRdotOl0KDjr7LAPq9Pgd7kv976si_OYMmQ-WDbsESSXzAcySGiTuINCGOZvpf_a9FMhORJWqm-S6PDLJO/s4032/IMG_5284.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSRWQr17N3QThug5JbBaLh16gQcblQ2QJNdXEE5TnSutxnmi15P6Ljc9YBxSepLEg46A3RNHgiZWzMsRoq1B-036XdCoJmNUX0Q_cnKJSPTMVRdotOl0KDjr7LAPq9Pgd7kv976si_OYMmQ-WDbsESSXzAcySGiTuINCGOZvpf_a9FMhORJWqm-S6PDLJO/w400-h300/IMG_5284.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Seafood Pasta</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQvJAngyo54AF95WBh53TPrKd6Gfgf92v1vJW3OLGrTJojBr14y4fT8mk0NxAdQZG2Awn9SqW8vFxeVkjf_NUBdwUnFzyrulKX9i_H72UgGqiRvl9S_dcp839bDYJ5uE234VWUzJtUyhZ2CLP9T7ep6Q11Ir9JLuVsP0Xpk56zkNxC0RPl3Csas2pW9Swq/s4032/IMG_5304.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQvJAngyo54AF95WBh53TPrKd6Gfgf92v1vJW3OLGrTJojBr14y4fT8mk0NxAdQZG2Awn9SqW8vFxeVkjf_NUBdwUnFzyrulKX9i_H72UgGqiRvl9S_dcp839bDYJ5uE234VWUzJtUyhZ2CLP9T7ep6Q11Ir9JLuVsP0Xpk56zkNxC0RPl3Csas2pW9Swq/w400-h300/IMG_5304.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Scampi at Ristorante Da ö Battj<br /><span face="Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif" style="background-color: #141414; color: white; font-size: 13px;">_______________________________________</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_Cj9pewv5zEd0KU9JK2o-wR7S4PxKDqDWXGZHOexj_6ZDKoMOeu-SRkgausdq5Z-AO7GqU7J1E9CNMVaBLz6MUl1qtAhDP_rxlcZ3VMatgp82-9oudGBLyip6U3RcWHG4Q9ROn6kD82xKBMGm9fe1zxj2iJRFSPRU6ikW7Emn6GpL6DSq4f9TRoZhvRMQ/s4032/IMG_5563.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_Cj9pewv5zEd0KU9JK2o-wR7S4PxKDqDWXGZHOexj_6ZDKoMOeu-SRkgausdq5Z-AO7GqU7J1E9CNMVaBLz6MUl1qtAhDP_rxlcZ3VMatgp82-9oudGBLyip6U3RcWHG4Q9ROn6kD82xKBMGm9fe1zxj2iJRFSPRU6ikW7Emn6GpL6DSq4f9TRoZhvRMQ/w400-h300/IMG_5563.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>Panificio Fiordiponti </b><b>(Santa Margherita Ligure)</b></div><br />Focaccia is perhaps the most famous regional dish from Liguria. It’s replicated all over the globe but few spots outside the Italian Riviera can match the quality of the product from Liguria. In its purest form focaccia is called “classica” which is when it’s nothing more than a thick layer of lightly salted flatbread with a light crust and a surface full of indentations that hold the oil. From there the possibilities are endless as far as the toppings. The most popular are typical pizza toppings like red sauce and cheese but olives, anchovies and onions are also common. I searched online for the best focaccia in town and found a few bakeries including Panificio Fiordiponti. It had a line upon my arrival which is always a good sign. I quickly made my way inside where I grabbed a number and waited for it to be called. I was here to try the focaccia di Recco which is a regional specialty from the nearby town of Recco. Focaccia di Recco is a cracker thin version of focaccia with crescenza cheese. At first it was made only on All Saints Day but high demand made it regularly available at bakeries throughout the region. It was crispy, flaky, and cheesy and I was ready to go try some in Recco which I did but none of the spots there were better than this one which I caught coming out of the oven. <br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaUdMYkS06F6qQL46qViitSYOnXkxSudW-Gv-tpCgBf5XdpapL02sJT29vEV_UCH2OaLC5fVv_G2xgB-6gP0W00ol3TrxmgQu0Fy4iCs09oOkYzLJNGCk1uJjh4syrgp4ffMqgFyvCi8Fs2z6e4qi6R1i1ka3Qn0xTq3-I1hI6v_xDYcQ8nY21YE6vdmQt/s4032/IMG_5568.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaUdMYkS06F6qQL46qViitSYOnXkxSudW-Gv-tpCgBf5XdpapL02sJT29vEV_UCH2OaLC5fVv_G2xgB-6gP0W00ol3TrxmgQu0Fy4iCs09oOkYzLJNGCk1uJjh4syrgp4ffMqgFyvCi8Fs2z6e4qi6R1i1ka3Qn0xTq3-I1hI6v_xDYcQ8nY21YE6vdmQt/w400-h300/IMG_5568.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Focaccia di Recco at Panificio Fiordiponti <br /><span face="Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif" style="background-color: #141414; color: white; font-size: 13px;">_______________________________________<br /><br /><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiproAr-HCsKcKDeIGCsGRkLguhE-FkJuRJBkHt7A45nMbGKi0dIS8B6A_si85sDzy5WHj2mXafGYcngJtbsul8jjn84PhUJvSEdRbJNNahrhp9KTzbca1O4MS5c6LUWPFhs6t7V46BwlMFBQJBSiU_gNiRap8IHvnL-Ex1Pa2MbzZz4iLF8Pyy-fcDi38X/s4032/IMG_5521.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiproAr-HCsKcKDeIGCsGRkLguhE-FkJuRJBkHt7A45nMbGKi0dIS8B6A_si85sDzy5WHj2mXafGYcngJtbsul8jjn84PhUJvSEdRbJNNahrhp9KTzbca1O4MS5c6LUWPFhs6t7V46BwlMFBQJBSiU_gNiRap8IHvnL-Ex1Pa2MbzZz4iLF8Pyy-fcDi38X/w400-h300/IMG_5521.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b>Ristorante Padò </b><b>(Santa Margherita Ligure)</b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div>We hired a local boat captain to take us out on the water for a few hours one afternoon and he led us to not one but two of his favorite restaurants in town. I wasn't sure about his picks in part due to his young age but he led us to some good spots. The first was Ristorante Padò located on the marina. When we got there the place was empty but that’s bc everyone was sitting outside across the street right on the water. It was also a bit later on a Sunday so the town wasn’t as busy but all in all we had a nice meal here. You can’t really seem to go wrong with the pasta in Italy and that theory proved true for here where we all all picked our own plates. I went with the calamarata curry as that’s not a pasta I’d seen before. It gets its name from its shape which resembles rings of calamari. Padò tosses theirs with shrimp, mussels, tomatoes, squash and curry spice. I misspoke in the Milan post when I said there was only one sit-down spot we returned to as we came back here for a night cap bottle of wine and another round of the curry pasta following dinner the next night. So you know we liked it.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoujN_H3jmaHWQSPRORt_F138IiCErztkHPF5P4cuDAo3K8JvNAkCnD0zkuAAqP59u3IGHD-_1_46LBfxpsutQWGXbto466pD5PEXjMaaCNu-_1uioS4oXnk16WA0gz0Jnz6EC4M63kRlfeJRAtzzrpfXTfiIthPUPjCs_Y47RqmCxBTmVkUUY-m3PmDvD/s4032/IMG_5549.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoujN_H3jmaHWQSPRORt_F138IiCErztkHPF5P4cuDAo3K8JvNAkCnD0zkuAAqP59u3IGHD-_1_46LBfxpsutQWGXbto466pD5PEXjMaaCNu-_1uioS4oXnk16WA0gz0Jnz6EC4M63kRlfeJRAtzzrpfXTfiIthPUPjCs_Y47RqmCxBTmVkUUY-m3PmDvD/w400-h300/IMG_5549.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Calamarata Curry Pasta at Ristorante Padò<br /><span face="Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif" style="background-color: #141414; color: white; font-size: 13px;">_______________________________________<br /><br /><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0wyvOahI_NNOa-zZfGSkRAbYMefntqg0Q8jg0ot8tsmdYTyiNvdHc1z9m9sncWm1c4CnXUYKjIEra9Vq1_bj6Mn8MIzxvpNvokhv_AHCC9nAB8ROqCKTfzt7zkD9u8aerOhDGdY1lbcy7mc1kwoYIdexMu86xOKoaKvmudDopHt75hI0e2-_XxUDuHYlV/s4032/IMG_5385.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0wyvOahI_NNOa-zZfGSkRAbYMefntqg0Q8jg0ot8tsmdYTyiNvdHc1z9m9sncWm1c4CnXUYKjIEra9Vq1_bj6Mn8MIzxvpNvokhv_AHCC9nAB8ROqCKTfzt7zkD9u8aerOhDGdY1lbcy7mc1kwoYIdexMu86xOKoaKvmudDopHt75hI0e2-_XxUDuHYlV/w400-h300/IMG_5385.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>Panetteria del Corso </b><b>(Santa Margherita Ligure)</b></div><br />Panetteria del Corso was another highly favorable spot for focaccia so I walked over to grab some for everyone one morning. Focaccia is sold by the weight (kg) but the slices are all similar in size so I pointed to a few and was on my way. Needless to say each and every slice here was remarkable.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVsHLtoQEur86tR64eU5H3oI0IyGjCiHUiPrQ9_mdHcBkkIK1Px9hynmADVgdp6xY9qzp-dO8cEbsotEuJEmdA_1hd36fPFb2LCfjw_v7_eiYzI88_trj0OSPMwUN3VvCcqRHgzI2q4sCBRMAwz3n7RZkXoAQUBcySUwsNW0gvXy0lxfTyPyukLBG6eHCM/s4032/IMG_5384.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVsHLtoQEur86tR64eU5H3oI0IyGjCiHUiPrQ9_mdHcBkkIK1Px9hynmADVgdp6xY9qzp-dO8cEbsotEuJEmdA_1hd36fPFb2LCfjw_v7_eiYzI88_trj0OSPMwUN3VvCcqRHgzI2q4sCBRMAwz3n7RZkXoAQUBcySUwsNW0gvXy0lxfTyPyukLBG6eHCM/w400-h300/IMG_5384.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Focaccia at Panetteria del Corso<br /><span face="Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif" style="background-color: #141414; color: white; font-size: 13px;">_______________________________________<br /><br /><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbS26hDQynwzRlWPIHWRTTeFbROImXTBmy3vrYanNH_spT7LUq88uVduoIwq_k_AOcPXfwYxScqzlfAG_Nkrki7PyRoifN-yLC2Oqfg0VpTOjyEIH3vh9hiZXusye2F1SxKtYZH7AEWnm0ppXHM6KOpuma0AqaA25waSiH2IyPqHp6klfamrhSp5mCN0Fl/s4032/IMG_5670.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbS26hDQynwzRlWPIHWRTTeFbROImXTBmy3vrYanNH_spT7LUq88uVduoIwq_k_AOcPXfwYxScqzlfAG_Nkrki7PyRoifN-yLC2Oqfg0VpTOjyEIH3vh9hiZXusye2F1SxKtYZH7AEWnm0ppXHM6KOpuma0AqaA25waSiH2IyPqHp6klfamrhSp5mCN0Fl/w400-h300/IMG_5670.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>Ristorante Da Giorgio (<span style="text-align: left;">San Fruttuoso di Camogli)</span></b></div><br />We had lunch one day on the accessible by boat only, San Fruttuoso di Camogli. There’s three spots to eat at in this little piece of Italian paradise and Don Giorgio is the spot you want to go to. Only thing is you kind of need to know somebody from there or at least know someone who does. This was the other spot our local boat driver had recommended and he made a call for us the next day and we were on our way by ferry to what might be the best seafood meal I’ve ever had the pleasure of consuming. The menu consists strictly of what was caught in the morning which on our visit was tuna, baby octopus, local langoustines, and clams. From there they prepare it all a few different ways knowing that there’s not a lot that has to be done with seafood this fresh. For example a piece of charcoal grilled tuna was one of the best pieces of cooked fish I'll ever consume. It was smoky on the outside and pink in the middle. Oh my god it was so good but it doesn’t stop there. The tartare served with a smear of pesto was also up there for the best raw tuna I’ve ever tasted. Baby octopus isn’t common back home so I don’t have a ton to compare it too except it was like the best fried calamari I’ve ever had x 10. Definitely the most expensive I've had at $40/euro an order but you’ll be hard pressed not to get another plate after you finish it off. The pastas were some of the best seafood pastas I devoured on this trip or any trip for that matter. Clams with Ligurian pesto - langoustines in a rich seafood stock - trofie with pesto, potatoes and green beans - each as pleasing as the last. When taking into account the company, the food and the views, this was a memorable meal on all fronts. <br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnbdZ9m2awcGw2Kfu9IPUaqmNgHHnTUeSxK3kx_AotpVzhP2rSQFLHMm3KVRqiRwJfPAaSob6oRmoJKyVVIg7FFViwmXfhQ7MSHJIOX1SZylo1cFFdKXUFx3ZA8qtj2u0L8r9VdD5hIl8r148tY6rK687CmSZqpTxapFM23TP7yMUwjw3hjLBBzSJhWP3u/s4032/IMG_5635.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnbdZ9m2awcGw2Kfu9IPUaqmNgHHnTUeSxK3kx_AotpVzhP2rSQFLHMm3KVRqiRwJfPAaSob6oRmoJKyVVIg7FFViwmXfhQ7MSHJIOX1SZylo1cFFdKXUFx3ZA8qtj2u0L8r9VdD5hIl8r148tY6rK687CmSZqpTxapFM23TP7yMUwjw3hjLBBzSJhWP3u/s320/IMG_5635.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbL7v0ueoY9JdpLWJric6uz7CzDbBEP4fyul3mZ2FuozQend5eQKc1jjM4VkKYx6S8n202E3bHZHfzVJjZzCeBqlncdc1KHnn1xoF6bvruR7yaBSHJTfEx4dhC-jHTiKnb6TK7wN3EzJaKeU7544acM_WR8oImbg05RcuRtYFHSqLEacm0bbQ9W8mRrV4Q/s4032/IMG_5629.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbL7v0ueoY9JdpLWJric6uz7CzDbBEP4fyul3mZ2FuozQend5eQKc1jjM4VkKYx6S8n202E3bHZHfzVJjZzCeBqlncdc1KHnn1xoF6bvruR7yaBSHJTfEx4dhC-jHTiKnb6TK7wN3EzJaKeU7544acM_WR8oImbg05RcuRtYFHSqLEacm0bbQ9W8mRrV4Q/s320/IMG_5629.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYkYyH7FqQthLe8x_R3Nd9FUsIuottCz5DY_Ru5fOhhYHCSpkIMCF-1bAi8kWkP5BsFx5Ve8E22jhHOii264Xwpi76iR-xLjbVtG-EE1O6J7lDFkEAecsNGkEcprzUq-2-FqAhcJVT5l0LECOtxPESbZv-q5mvhJhnGkgSy-Dl864qYDooavjZa4Hz5gP5/s4032/IMG_5644.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYkYyH7FqQthLe8x_R3Nd9FUsIuottCz5DY_Ru5fOhhYHCSpkIMCF-1bAi8kWkP5BsFx5Ve8E22jhHOii264Xwpi76iR-xLjbVtG-EE1O6J7lDFkEAecsNGkEcprzUq-2-FqAhcJVT5l0LECOtxPESbZv-q5mvhJhnGkgSy-Dl864qYDooavjZa4Hz5gP5/s320/IMG_5644.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Seafood at Ristorante Da Giorgio (click pics to enhance)</div><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5Lxr2Ap0HGlB1lo4Lkx-8QpcBxqqtaNzG3Plr5fFx4n5dh_utMFgiPBQkkQAgSciQzlOX56B62scyj-ea8ZtpqqDM6jkPKGIt8QQuN1T0eipceTPgNpwxWBo1N0QZ5_FeG6z-KZ9So3nB9EooOvOMmv3u8WYdl2_ZDVgqcOLYbwENBTJuZ2P3qNGldl3Q/s4032/IMG_5648.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5Lxr2Ap0HGlB1lo4Lkx-8QpcBxqqtaNzG3Plr5fFx4n5dh_utMFgiPBQkkQAgSciQzlOX56B62scyj-ea8ZtpqqDM6jkPKGIt8QQuN1T0eipceTPgNpwxWBo1N0QZ5_FeG6z-KZ9So3nB9EooOvOMmv3u8WYdl2_ZDVgqcOLYbwENBTJuZ2P3qNGldl3Q/s320/IMG_5648.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEienk_femmOa5iOdZ4VZ2QCFAmGZyG7zNtPSR7IhV1u_yCnL-Kqqp19GZQpEBP79XjDlnPQ9JJq0NNfZmx0y-TJzJ7zp6PzMoGiS0vbrwJRHPIqKv_AD6c2mv7BBRwhxJEkviFJ5tSvJoz7L9zfsoAq10u0ts79U360q4zI-HODmNs9G8w92RXootaom0FO/s4032/IMG_5662.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEienk_femmOa5iOdZ4VZ2QCFAmGZyG7zNtPSR7IhV1u_yCnL-Kqqp19GZQpEBP79XjDlnPQ9JJq0NNfZmx0y-TJzJ7zp6PzMoGiS0vbrwJRHPIqKv_AD6c2mv7BBRwhxJEkviFJ5tSvJoz7L9zfsoAq10u0ts79U360q4zI-HODmNs9G8w92RXootaom0FO/s320/IMG_5662.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcMaPOOcM_2-5o-VdhI8dKRnmNpPGviRmeYpFX4DRhbz1XYBZ9Slkwvent_3yMqqxYXc_vunsRzi7jozwkz72E22V5K88AMQi42_ew5ACgeK4957q7ITp7QeiNjow4xDG1b_hhJyQnsP9p2WHhNlhaFJyaPpz4T4Mwp4dMOXHhSuiJHWadYvhMsHck5r6J/s4032/IMG_5651.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcMaPOOcM_2-5o-VdhI8dKRnmNpPGviRmeYpFX4DRhbz1XYBZ9Slkwvent_3yMqqxYXc_vunsRzi7jozwkz72E22V5K88AMQi42_ew5ACgeK4957q7ITp7QeiNjow4xDG1b_hhJyQnsP9p2WHhNlhaFJyaPpz4T4Mwp4dMOXHhSuiJHWadYvhMsHck5r6J/s320/IMG_5651.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Pasta at Ristorante Da Giorgio<br /><span style="background-color: #141414; color: white; font-size: 13px;">_______________________________________</span><br /><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipDupCk5DOJH0EWAOYLVT-xxpa17YbRBNy-8YOLRkjw2Ou679ijhamLfPUTnGNfNiIaANR95rKZFIL6CEAdWFPjWhCh-VIVQb17AT8eT5AKPIyjupJ86m0zllaxAFKJEN4gghuNoBA-htW8s_xK-uBNT3DzC7s8KDcewDLhUsL0N0uXdgwegEl_2kZvKdp/s4032/IMG_5733.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipDupCk5DOJH0EWAOYLVT-xxpa17YbRBNy-8YOLRkjw2Ou679ijhamLfPUTnGNfNiIaANR95rKZFIL6CEAdWFPjWhCh-VIVQb17AT8eT5AKPIyjupJ86m0zllaxAFKJEN4gghuNoBA-htW8s_xK-uBNT3DzC7s8KDcewDLhUsL0N0uXdgwegEl_2kZvKdp/w400-h300/IMG_5733.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><b>Gelateria Centrale </b><b>(Santa Margherita Ligure)</b><b><br /></b><br /><div style="text-align: left;">Gelateria Centrale is famous for its Pinguino (penguin) which is a cone of gelato coated with a thin, crunchy layer of dark chocolate. They've been making them since 1973 but the store itself goes back to 1946. They had a banana gelato which seemed like the perfect pick for a pinguino. Good call. </div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpDAqjJYmoZafOFdWNjKIW3y-w1gA92dgClU4jaC9kcr0nS6C1TSBgHIhavMCVvVV1IrBiwh8XKV3GLjJCpc4_HBk_lNbJUiRuM-8qiIsZWNLCDunyerECcoGJ7UzJ6vmR1DKD5THjpuPAWwyt9Oh_QBT1eW3U14bWGnnXrlsLRtbXX2bOGYZ6F7icZlwX/s4032/IMG_5709.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpDAqjJYmoZafOFdWNjKIW3y-w1gA92dgClU4jaC9kcr0nS6C1TSBgHIhavMCVvVV1IrBiwh8XKV3GLjJCpc4_HBk_lNbJUiRuM-8qiIsZWNLCDunyerECcoGJ7UzJ6vmR1DKD5THjpuPAWwyt9Oh_QBT1eW3U14bWGnnXrlsLRtbXX2bOGYZ6F7icZlwX/w400-h300/IMG_5709.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>Pinguino at Gelateria Centrale<br /><span style="background-color: #141414; color: white; font-size: 13px;">_______________________________________</span><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJn2j1ug99bgPfjIWSSl7TpipX19dJoV9qJj7GSu_o1QppAqnfRZj5qrbzJG_Mi82xEVaIYSViwI7jvqmFy3dKuLbQr5SBHk0m7A3bESTkMGRY8xpqRULmJIn0VvWi9g668lOqTjrKtgHf8l4-ChFNaGb45rE_G6MvMHWyLUthVw3N-_p86CYlIAbhKPle/s4032/IMG_5770.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJn2j1ug99bgPfjIWSSl7TpipX19dJoV9qJj7GSu_o1QppAqnfRZj5qrbzJG_Mi82xEVaIYSViwI7jvqmFy3dKuLbQr5SBHk0m7A3bESTkMGRY8xpqRULmJIn0VvWi9g668lOqTjrKtgHf8l4-ChFNaGb45rE_G6MvMHWyLUthVw3N-_p86CYlIAbhKPle/w400-h300/IMG_5770.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>Tratorria dei Pescatori </b><b>(Santa Margherita Ligure)</b></div><br />I had read somewhere online that Trattoria dei Pescatori was where locals in Santa Margherita go to eat fish in vintage digs. By this point we had tried most of the spots I wanted to so we came here and sat across the street on the water where we had a very nice dinner. Nothing fancy here as far as the food goes but it’s all fresh and well prepared. We started with an order of fritto misto (fried squid and vegetables) before moving to our entrees which was a seafood pasta for Erica and Liguria style sea-bream for me. My fish was baked with tomatoes, potatoes, olives and it was a simply delicious dish.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIzNlqLYUt9MCqmMxW4u8OAsMJW6QkfOgvRFbv9EY5ikbc_QFnboac51MnLuWt67-cnsd-CE6ERLzbOsebVfpsipwqBYbf_YtPl7iMcz9Yao0FKEHU6BOui9iQcEMyyH84M3_64lyym1H4at5BbO49GyrJqXSBa6N5x0IJKLKTbfArx2fJakjEYK5Lt8dE/s4032/IMG_5745.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIzNlqLYUt9MCqmMxW4u8OAsMJW6QkfOgvRFbv9EY5ikbc_QFnboac51MnLuWt67-cnsd-CE6ERLzbOsebVfpsipwqBYbf_YtPl7iMcz9Yao0FKEHU6BOui9iQcEMyyH84M3_64lyym1H4at5BbO49GyrJqXSBa6N5x0IJKLKTbfArx2fJakjEYK5Lt8dE/s320/IMG_5745.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjK2Lextqigk2-tMFmeVwex3wSRcmVI95jHJSgu97GVIvtzgHL3042nJ-9EaXOhapFxULvfeqCXWsdMKWvqTvr_yDmsMkOsCAGXEwsTl7qG7gVqcnbwXQqvSuqLoIkewRu_nBzxhn4FixGSgxgb8GjAwN0OCxD_Eck0wIPlCAIzzgsavFv1N8QXUe40HiIt/s4032/IMG_5753.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjK2Lextqigk2-tMFmeVwex3wSRcmVI95jHJSgu97GVIvtzgHL3042nJ-9EaXOhapFxULvfeqCXWsdMKWvqTvr_yDmsMkOsCAGXEwsTl7qG7gVqcnbwXQqvSuqLoIkewRu_nBzxhn4FixGSgxgb8GjAwN0OCxD_Eck0wIPlCAIzzgsavFv1N8QXUe40HiIt/s320/IMG_5753.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigqJBWm5USY5bJybSsflpxo15ljLuOGFExuzWxoXmisWW2XqqG9KZOVVPrzxGCeUbwG-zy_gHAikB-ddJ6Cez5yah0LK3L8mUmy-NkTu2t6ihS1efGFFrFw9cM7v0V9HU7cDbbqG8856ybqGlsLoSEyNUsapsq8OuOsqrR0lndSlqHqZPfpEJRAZ-q1jM0/s4032/IMG_5760.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigqJBWm5USY5bJybSsflpxo15ljLuOGFExuzWxoXmisWW2XqqG9KZOVVPrzxGCeUbwG-zy_gHAikB-ddJ6Cez5yah0LK3L8mUmy-NkTu2t6ihS1efGFFrFw9cM7v0V9HU7cDbbqG8856ybqGlsLoSEyNUsapsq8OuOsqrR0lndSlqHqZPfpEJRAZ-q1jM0/s320/IMG_5760.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Dinner at Tratorria dei Pescatori <br /><span style="background-color: #141414; color: white; font-size: 13px;">_______________________________________</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: #141414; color: white; font-size: 13px;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1aAc0fCiucEyHhvgC6Q_mRpFtAtdqhqpOfSdEFDC7emPvWYSgplUlksD147V0wsffPIdDx9ym7IxCjlUfz9HubGQlRBqu-lbFUsmO6q8ehVQ3fkPYc2TOIwpuTadc2pX0dzDcR5cm5B7tAQ4WMEzfpnueDAJ5A1bTjqm6K0InT0huevBOyuJVuoAxH8ZP/s4032/IMG_5854.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1aAc0fCiucEyHhvgC6Q_mRpFtAtdqhqpOfSdEFDC7emPvWYSgplUlksD147V0wsffPIdDx9ym7IxCjlUfz9HubGQlRBqu-lbFUsmO6q8ehVQ3fkPYc2TOIwpuTadc2pX0dzDcR5cm5B7tAQ4WMEzfpnueDAJ5A1bTjqm6K0InT0huevBOyuJVuoAxH8ZP/w400-h300/IMG_5854.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>Cantina Reggiana (Chiavari)</b></div><br />By this point most of the party had left and it was just us and my parents and although we passed on the Cinque Terre we still took a few daytrips from Rapallo. The first of which was a car ride to Chiavari. The charming seaside village just south of Genoa is home to just under 30,000 people year round plus the tourists who come for the warm Mediterranean climate and beaches to go with it. We enjoyed a walk around Old Town which still sports a very medieval feel. We had lunch at a seafood forward spot ran by an elder Italian lady named Reggiana. It was a small space and they were hosting a large group of locals but they were happy to rearrange some tables to accommodate us. Service was warm and welcoming and the food was fantastic. We started out with an order of fried squid and a plate of shrimp scampi with Gorgonzola sauce, the latter of which is one of their signature dishes. We weren’t sure what to expect with the scampi but it ended up surprising all of us. Langoustines were coated in a creamy, melted gorgonzola that was a revelation of sorts. Entrees were ginormous portions of spaghetti mixed with seafood and an excellent bowl of minestrone soup mixed with pesto.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLBnnEf1CfvIKIcwlhfWpYopQFsG0RNO5O62AiHvPO-fBXosMx5erYGC40IYwyjOVJJB7Z_xWCz-z7uYzf2oKyJ2ZpdBCZtlAmm3RPTUH2JYDOQxBhxsII8_R22txONNyrb5dXvc5yMGbUimjDqzoLNcuvecBzzKvqkSDpCj_-ILPVqhvQXky20sh33YZH/s4032/IMG_5806.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLBnnEf1CfvIKIcwlhfWpYopQFsG0RNO5O62AiHvPO-fBXosMx5erYGC40IYwyjOVJJB7Z_xWCz-z7uYzf2oKyJ2ZpdBCZtlAmm3RPTUH2JYDOQxBhxsII8_R22txONNyrb5dXvc5yMGbUimjDqzoLNcuvecBzzKvqkSDpCj_-ILPVqhvQXky20sh33YZH/s320/IMG_5806.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtAniPOePdGLvqJv5Z0W8OKm1WV2z4wQB6TO0Zr_kJUZ5JAEknMQBDHG_UB-fMM6m0DLLybknbWIVqqzXEb747VqeQBdv7_JRj2AURx9A0rUnRpbcD5Z2k8PnwBII6eEClm-eEJx3AGBUCaAxX8KZH4GYko9ihFcBzcsLTCYJgnU07CJQF2yoPEf5aXXjN/s4032/IMG_5815.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtAniPOePdGLvqJv5Z0W8OKm1WV2z4wQB6TO0Zr_kJUZ5JAEknMQBDHG_UB-fMM6m0DLLybknbWIVqqzXEb747VqeQBdv7_JRj2AURx9A0rUnRpbcD5Z2k8PnwBII6eEClm-eEJx3AGBUCaAxX8KZH4GYko9ihFcBzcsLTCYJgnU07CJQF2yoPEf5aXXjN/s320/IMG_5815.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoICbwZxVbeTeOjh72SI5K6xc-yJeMgt7DkOlWnT2P9k-tqlmkIMFXL95OVi9uy4AeXoG32hEw4nhQrKirOuW_R-byC1Iu9AuYscumTENFm15Y08jf0Nh_eAe1aS7OoBlDQh1wovFR_6YlLuaHbw5gSbYvuI0U7jHyv-9snz5w9-MCNbmeCfiWSwCIlJdP/s4032/IMG_5828.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoICbwZxVbeTeOjh72SI5K6xc-yJeMgt7DkOlWnT2P9k-tqlmkIMFXL95OVi9uy4AeXoG32hEw4nhQrKirOuW_R-byC1Iu9AuYscumTENFm15Y08jf0Nh_eAe1aS7OoBlDQh1wovFR_6YlLuaHbw5gSbYvuI0U7jHyv-9snz5w9-MCNbmeCfiWSwCIlJdP/s320/IMG_5828.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi34Ufb-9QPXBcb1HVNmFbhJk9Cwq0iSVsf42UOiFXYYUWd4eU6bNo5kd7nhgZjqgmrUAvoiC4ZVzzysnXuBvo-el8l4HUK-oLVt_rVsJuo9VT2PBQMEFX3LGsfNyswtHv6rAy1r6Jr9KGkZCt71hGM-6unxJgHEzT6PVJUDlcD_G-ntRbzhR3NHBPyRshb/s4032/IMG_5849.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi34Ufb-9QPXBcb1HVNmFbhJk9Cwq0iSVsf42UOiFXYYUWd4eU6bNo5kd7nhgZjqgmrUAvoiC4ZVzzysnXuBvo-el8l4HUK-oLVt_rVsJuo9VT2PBQMEFX3LGsfNyswtHv6rAy1r6Jr9KGkZCt71hGM-6unxJgHEzT6PVJUDlcD_G-ntRbzhR3NHBPyRshb/s320/IMG_5849.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Lunch at Cantina Reggiana<br /><span style="background-color: #141414; color: white; font-size: 13px;">_______________________________________</span></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: #141414; color: white; font-size: 13px;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgB9m7JjNcg-1qLdjg_nj2VIHnq8g_ckVv1Rwl9GI3TpwGt7rArLEOC7K6j1_8X00_8DFEMvnhqHKiVNXWK_sxbyjXoOiXKWoT1YDNKXB2Uk2WN_hxuPUsFO81HEcdcCMiM3D31wEXC314TpMiNbZD9OSQZ9890226ya7g64si2j3k6KczoT_vqrdbNk5Em/s4032/IMG_5919.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgB9m7JjNcg-1qLdjg_nj2VIHnq8g_ckVv1Rwl9GI3TpwGt7rArLEOC7K6j1_8X00_8DFEMvnhqHKiVNXWK_sxbyjXoOiXKWoT1YDNKXB2Uk2WN_hxuPUsFO81HEcdcCMiM3D31wEXC314TpMiNbZD9OSQZ9890226ya7g64si2j3k6KczoT_vqrdbNk5Em/w400-h300/IMG_5919.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>Mitili e Mitili (Rapallo)</b></div><p>With Rapallo being our resting place for the next few nights we walked around town to see what was around one evening. It’s a larger town than Santa Margherita so there was a bit more on offer in terms of food and drink. We found this cute oyster bar while walking around. Mitili e Mitili is ran by a family of oyster farmers from La Spezia. We got raw oyster from Italy and France plus steamed mussels and some smorrebrod (open faced sandwiches) with local seafood. We also had some fantastic service.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8-CSNJo-iFTr8JNxqxPKUjnKc3FZ-WOpKKUV8OnkXaQ1UoQzAaBbg-BvE6HvcGZIrnTvNLJxDxwXuoqKSFWzQ0H44K-UCnmZQYMYfZXJuUSEL3_CygyKa2cymoT5k_iUl_mzr5gVTxltnGAb-ektvbbYsK0o9pwyK-11K7T4bh110lEJ0S2AIv1AN527-/s4032/IMG_5903.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8-CSNJo-iFTr8JNxqxPKUjnKc3FZ-WOpKKUV8OnkXaQ1UoQzAaBbg-BvE6HvcGZIrnTvNLJxDxwXuoqKSFWzQ0H44K-UCnmZQYMYfZXJuUSEL3_CygyKa2cymoT5k_iUl_mzr5gVTxltnGAb-ektvbbYsK0o9pwyK-11K7T4bh110lEJ0S2AIv1AN527-/s320/IMG_5903.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfZUbYlAB5M8msBsyCZ7mKkMBfwbC65c-4PEnE8TK3RNPFHv3b7QDBqTUyCbSCosAOBiMchb4mTGP9kb0uTIpU8J5nRY3eA4-fsml0zZzZyYI6GogRtD09tPRUMWWWVvG4n77cIWTX7vOjKsxeFBhXnKgn8x7shkn1e09QH8p1nlIhSPDhTIUVUsmbd09K/s4032/IMG_5911.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfZUbYlAB5M8msBsyCZ7mKkMBfwbC65c-4PEnE8TK3RNPFHv3b7QDBqTUyCbSCosAOBiMchb4mTGP9kb0uTIpU8J5nRY3eA4-fsml0zZzZyYI6GogRtD09tPRUMWWWVvG4n77cIWTX7vOjKsxeFBhXnKgn8x7shkn1e09QH8p1nlIhSPDhTIUVUsmbd09K/s320/IMG_5911.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqf__VWjJCTCaeahEJZ57T-gV-18_hpHI6SOSex4LSGDBLPMenhXG12S5hXoJuw9mldJJXGHEPrEB_VTwHph8XJd1kC3SoxT0YHwxtCG5BnsXBBkPYmrm0tPlEYpE5xIgej4Jxc6LfYrsOCVl1rn9kn2g35XuN2VlSMwJiZ2SDwaefJ1L2MBDwqBFCDL79/s4032/IMG_5910.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqf__VWjJCTCaeahEJZ57T-gV-18_hpHI6SOSex4LSGDBLPMenhXG12S5hXoJuw9mldJJXGHEPrEB_VTwHph8XJd1kC3SoxT0YHwxtCG5BnsXBBkPYmrm0tPlEYpE5xIgej4Jxc6LfYrsOCVl1rn9kn2g35XuN2VlSMwJiZ2SDwaefJ1L2MBDwqBFCDL79/s320/IMG_5910.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Seafood Spread at Mitili e Mitili <br /><span style="background-color: #141414; color: white; font-size: 13px;">_______________________________________<br /><br /><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiL0SH1vu1mQv-WcCg80kh7x4VGr2QrlWtip4qUSkpE-uU80_NShm72hAhFFFCxDO6EKrLYK5KF1tGVa9l_dl46DFqieK7zvKp0FpLT8B9oL1-IpcevDZBRQ1oxbPMJ6Vy__Q9mMYGvRVIh61ZfchUFU5xbOueZ2SKqtsPZGAP9bAPCEmqcCTjZHBqHM5_s/s4032/IMG_5929.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiL0SH1vu1mQv-WcCg80kh7x4VGr2QrlWtip4qUSkpE-uU80_NShm72hAhFFFCxDO6EKrLYK5KF1tGVa9l_dl46DFqieK7zvKp0FpLT8B9oL1-IpcevDZBRQ1oxbPMJ6Vy__Q9mMYGvRVIh61ZfchUFU5xbOueZ2SKqtsPZGAP9bAPCEmqcCTjZHBqHM5_s/w400-h300/IMG_5929.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>Yasso (Rapallo) </b></div><br />I had a satisfying doner sandwich at this spot in the old town square. It seemed to stay open later than most places and online reviews were favorable so I had a late dinner here and found myself wishing we had similar spots to this back home. My doner was served in a wrap like a burrito and although I'm satisfied with our taco options at home I would happily trade a few of them to Europe for some kebab shops like Yasso. Even the frozen fries in Europe satisfy in a way they don't back home. <br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_IlynkHL00X8tEyhgNdEs15O7r5EYhSsDSRA4MuqstBXr1-Y5HFHWc7A-vUQKj1usbns1hQP56vZrEeWZtpNGCOxSyfzBE2Xl2r0Tf_pyzfeyUNMsS6hfIaO8b_LeAv7VZALpRGIPjNXNlvcjdTUkpm06LMDIFWlFTWaydyNS3JAAOPRteMYHg2OqpyZy/s4032/IMG_5934.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_IlynkHL00X8tEyhgNdEs15O7r5EYhSsDSRA4MuqstBXr1-Y5HFHWc7A-vUQKj1usbns1hQP56vZrEeWZtpNGCOxSyfzBE2Xl2r0Tf_pyzfeyUNMsS6hfIaO8b_LeAv7VZALpRGIPjNXNlvcjdTUkpm06LMDIFWlFTWaydyNS3JAAOPRteMYHg2OqpyZy/w400-h300/IMG_5934.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Piadina Doner Kebab at Yasso </div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: #141414; color: white; font-size: 13px;">_______________________________________</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: #141414; color: white; font-size: 13px;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="background-color: #141414; color: white; font-size: 13px;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGOtSX2V2bf4qCrooZ9ufzlJv2WoNy-fSkQ-yW1jt1dK56XlaDvEW64vgxAQpxCf_lrRVGQX7vhmpHkoG6NooK3Q16vN1cNGhIZmkztUEo_kZJZY0pXOhpqmH8FNIn-vlOav-b-exPMAVWp258Ov5GKLcGos4ckUXJO_6wkYuJmYA5gc5sP4L5jZiMfDpr/s4032/IMG_6080.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGOtSX2V2bf4qCrooZ9ufzlJv2WoNy-fSkQ-yW1jt1dK56XlaDvEW64vgxAQpxCf_lrRVGQX7vhmpHkoG6NooK3Q16vN1cNGhIZmkztUEo_kZJZY0pXOhpqmH8FNIn-vlOav-b-exPMAVWp258Ov5GKLcGos4ckUXJO_6wkYuJmYA5gc5sP4L5jZiMfDpr/w400-h300/IMG_6080.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>Rapalà (Rapallo) </b></div><br /><div style="text-align: left;">There's a ton of tourist type restaurants in these popular beach towns. It's not always the case but the places with the best locations (those on the water) tend to be a bit more touristy in both food and price. <span style="text-align: center;">Rapalà is off the main drag but still in the heart of the historic city center. It seemed to attract a mix of customers including groups of well informed tourists. The menu was pretty much your typical Ligurian classics though there was a seasonal aspect to it too which is what got us in. We started our dinner with a plate of raw tuna paired with </span>stracciatella cheese making this the second time we had a dish consisting of seafood and cheese in Italy. Maybe it's a Ligurian thing? Erica had tagliolini con frutti di mare that she said was pretty good but everyone agreed I ordered the best dish of the night which was fresh paccero pasta (tubes) sitting on mashed beans with baby octopus and pecorino cheese. A plate of roasted leg of lamb with mashed potatoes, gravy and thyme was the runner up. </div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVss8apkobBoh1c8hQFkhb2RiXXgGEZIgsfU6vtDBoEpJpyOCHb5ssHMvGZrVK9O5E891vToiD3SEjARuKn2rIXYI7GUMUm-A_ijTVXWwP2OhiINC9SHXiT28BR78Tp9xNnFFQlyJf2UFtGO6WKw8gix1-eqdP928T26J27LkU8U8IYH7szgJn4hPxS1Gb/s4032/IMG_6054.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVss8apkobBoh1c8hQFkhb2RiXXgGEZIgsfU6vtDBoEpJpyOCHb5ssHMvGZrVK9O5E891vToiD3SEjARuKn2rIXYI7GUMUm-A_ijTVXWwP2OhiINC9SHXiT28BR78Tp9xNnFFQlyJf2UFtGO6WKw8gix1-eqdP928T26J27LkU8U8IYH7szgJn4hPxS1Gb/s320/IMG_6054.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgI3FnSilY7fZU-qvvSOcJ6S5MdH9S4FpG-k3nFK9S8I9mz8gGnkUnVcoXdRPzZzIS_HPlByE2c3Y5AaReHGwYh2m_O3GnAqyMPBw3SA-1a4v6fG4ItUFVTZXS9acSV5jSaroHkE73a-3EAnR3JmwF1jEMRqAZ8X6ay3_kFQ4iQJWQ4AAt-rhoMZfzIhY_O/s4032/IMG_6059.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgI3FnSilY7fZU-qvvSOcJ6S5MdH9S4FpG-k3nFK9S8I9mz8gGnkUnVcoXdRPzZzIS_HPlByE2c3Y5AaReHGwYh2m_O3GnAqyMPBw3SA-1a4v6fG4ItUFVTZXS9acSV5jSaroHkE73a-3EAnR3JmwF1jEMRqAZ8X6ay3_kFQ4iQJWQ4AAt-rhoMZfzIhY_O/s320/IMG_6059.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhT63aVDxyKx7hmZF31lZWOE8jEyVyqYbQh3Qe0rA4dj_Rv2qKntXxtzkmx5cN4IfsIaFgrXxwgcFIF44uDmoA2QKyNfr8RvTWIMf9AvoCv0wV6e30HtDaKby7r_h2Kw6Qohb0T0VPuTlOlJYMI-UTEVrRU7Ljso6Z86H784Aux4mVBd1KXsjohZJL5RX2f/s4032/IMG_6074.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhT63aVDxyKx7hmZF31lZWOE8jEyVyqYbQh3Qe0rA4dj_Rv2qKntXxtzkmx5cN4IfsIaFgrXxwgcFIF44uDmoA2QKyNfr8RvTWIMf9AvoCv0wV6e30HtDaKby7r_h2Kw6Qohb0T0VPuTlOlJYMI-UTEVrRU7Ljso6Z86H784Aux4mVBd1KXsjohZJL5RX2f/s320/IMG_6074.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEget76cBJfPI_YsJCz7AkXSp0v8AnXT3CoLvFFsx4OMrvXDtteD-11TuwfQ-QA9bxktUVkhkyHFQF-0vXTOTpJrv6jwJ4i6ylPOb7QSo8gd8443cMthfptgUmrOhsTF9vyewIwRbESrkfayNS6mruA_EHPEKM1OSTtL5EiwdP0xVQMQPLOjp7pYUZvpJrsy/s4032/IMG_6065.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEget76cBJfPI_YsJCz7AkXSp0v8AnXT3CoLvFFsx4OMrvXDtteD-11TuwfQ-QA9bxktUVkhkyHFQF-0vXTOTpJrv6jwJ4i6ylPOb7QSo8gd8443cMthfptgUmrOhsTF9vyewIwRbESrkfayNS6mruA_EHPEKM1OSTtL5EiwdP0xVQMQPLOjp7pYUZvpJrsy/s320/IMG_6065.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Dinner at <span style="text-align: center;">Rapalà (click pics to enhance)<br /></span><span style="background-color: #141414; color: white; font-size: 13px;">_______________________________________</span><span style="text-align: center;"><br /><br /></span></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEim51ARq9BhJLqtuKoFcbDiSBVlni49SI1zBF1H_kqTCqxRMFQdPUVIhubKLaMiu0nnwMG4CBWzNHZsfTgYwxI7y_KncHXzgn-LOeiODXu1K8vQVSORJ3SLcOFIde7iDIthKX3ItixjNbUQYbTO92SqtqmFN8ynUOgtCbwNkng_4EherNqQEXgoUIjN2yZn/s4032/IMG_6400.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEim51ARq9BhJLqtuKoFcbDiSBVlni49SI1zBF1H_kqTCqxRMFQdPUVIhubKLaMiu0nnwMG4CBWzNHZsfTgYwxI7y_KncHXzgn-LOeiODXu1K8vQVSORJ3SLcOFIde7iDIthKX3ItixjNbUQYbTO92SqtqmFN8ynUOgtCbwNkng_4EherNqQEXgoUIjN2yZn/w400-h300/IMG_6400.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>Gallo Nero (Rapallo)</b></div><br />Here's another late option in Rapallo. You can find Gallo Nero in the middle of the historic square where it fills up with students and other locals into the night. They're known for their focaccia sandwiches and I noticed quite a few people were ordering focaccia burgers and I couldn't resist in trying one with barbecue sauce. The beef could've been better but it worked out well otherwise. <br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJj1-1ikVK0aCqjaXSk-japH4upEje1p9pA2H7lvb6xkDSKzSLLxxlJrlq36C3qoeRyxS_b8vLBXVhKUYfd37VAwG9fRv61LonuvHKDEFRP98eCVhSAX1d40PgVxEYbgFGmc5RF9MLednzj-kKwlg6v6x2ScYGkj-OM3PrloE47qC_vTKet7_lLQUkJVrV/s4032/IMG_6362.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJj1-1ikVK0aCqjaXSk-japH4upEje1p9pA2H7lvb6xkDSKzSLLxxlJrlq36C3qoeRyxS_b8vLBXVhKUYfd37VAwG9fRv61LonuvHKDEFRP98eCVhSAX1d40PgVxEYbgFGmc5RF9MLednzj-kKwlg6v6x2ScYGkj-OM3PrloE47qC_vTKet7_lLQUkJVrV/w400-h300/IMG_6362.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Focaccia Burger at Gallo Nero<br /><span style="background-color: #141414; color: white; font-size: 13px;">_______________________________________</span> </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZeLY_xTsiN4kc1bSYFCzIyoBcSBFjVkViDV3M3bdpEDdi9mS2Jhf3jagnlB3D5AYcIbkz6YI1pyNpHb5jqsOS-Gq-yZAqbDX_33lO2J7BIb7NSsKgwZd25u67PQt92QAZuDE32rMw3lueEezkfCZXfrB7e4Iz9tmeA0886gg_a9mHlS9pmGlXx9HPFLAS/s4032/IMG_5187.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZeLY_xTsiN4kc1bSYFCzIyoBcSBFjVkViDV3M3bdpEDdi9mS2Jhf3jagnlB3D5AYcIbkz6YI1pyNpHb5jqsOS-Gq-yZAqbDX_33lO2J7BIb7NSsKgwZd25u67PQt92QAZuDE32rMw3lueEezkfCZXfrB7e4Iz9tmeA0886gg_a9mHlS9pmGlXx9HPFLAS/w400-h300/IMG_5187.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div><b>Ristorante "La Vedetta" (Rapallo)<br /></b><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">We took a break from all the fresh seafood to indulge in some red meat and more carbs. La Vedetta is an old school Italian steak house nestled up in the mountains. I loved how it looked so we made plans to come here on the drive out of Liguria to Milan. La Vedetta gets packed with large parties on the weekends so you'll need a reservation. Locals come for T-Bone steaks grilled over live charcoal to a nice medium rare consistency and served with fresh cut fries. This is where I got to try pansotti for the first time. It’s a local pasta that translates to “potbellied” in description of the way it’s served - like a fat packed ravioli. It’s filled with bitter herbs and doused in a creamy walnut sauce. Lasagna Genovese was just like the lasagna back home but comes served in a sizzling hot pot. After all of that heavy eating some house made mango sorbet was the perfect finish to an enchanting meal. Dal 1962. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjH_Ap0SaY76uZJlAbZ6keP8gfLGcWVP9bRj8bc8it6Eo-wTrB-aMlS8f23bKd61RvkCpgwLhBtsUKxh6cIU2AaYbtYXs0rcIHGQ7wVu_rTCcCFwzqgB9s5dqUHgtg5d2NbAlyXdmz3cQG_fkV5mqzVOoxP28X7TIolWm4UyQ2pZy2JkCqPGJHD2xPNKtWw/s4032/IMG_5150.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjH_Ap0SaY76uZJlAbZ6keP8gfLGcWVP9bRj8bc8it6Eo-wTrB-aMlS8f23bKd61RvkCpgwLhBtsUKxh6cIU2AaYbtYXs0rcIHGQ7wVu_rTCcCFwzqgB9s5dqUHgtg5d2NbAlyXdmz3cQG_fkV5mqzVOoxP28X7TIolWm4UyQ2pZy2JkCqPGJHD2xPNKtWw/s320/IMG_5150.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOroKVajKhLB3yCyGK0mACnKAkw2VDXOmJ9K0aGcsxf-bKrCzC02MKI5FZ-F5_iu70tuaodGSLi8ZnXQ8ziUk0RB9koVA8ZrfmeualD59yEFNQ_EgxaWgkgAgnq_ftF19yTZgLPBt1x6vCQ9nXqBv8pQUA-HX6xPKW8b-RsPbVUDoBmQjElgmNlNcKSDf5/s4032/IMG_5146.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOroKVajKhLB3yCyGK0mACnKAkw2VDXOmJ9K0aGcsxf-bKrCzC02MKI5FZ-F5_iu70tuaodGSLi8ZnXQ8ziUk0RB9koVA8ZrfmeualD59yEFNQ_EgxaWgkgAgnq_ftF19yTZgLPBt1x6vCQ9nXqBv8pQUA-HX6xPKW8b-RsPbVUDoBmQjElgmNlNcKSDf5/s320/IMG_5146.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjT7RtX1T80x9RuGEKrWsLrzdf2q2ZWHS3QNh4dTtsH7db0t6Q3UN7XL5WwqZtN4zCV0Vfb5VbJDwQllAYfynUz73_TUv9wh1BP66_HXuuWjGH2_uzHYEpW6wtl25nL5Xe_n-StmcdvA0wYitaLeWhyHR79qDXH5xDwoi6YUrgU4sfbO9acmKV2iZrA4FHC/s4032/IMG_5180.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjT7RtX1T80x9RuGEKrWsLrzdf2q2ZWHS3QNh4dTtsH7db0t6Q3UN7XL5WwqZtN4zCV0Vfb5VbJDwQllAYfynUz73_TUv9wh1BP66_HXuuWjGH2_uzHYEpW6wtl25nL5Xe_n-StmcdvA0wYitaLeWhyHR79qDXH5xDwoi6YUrgU4sfbO9acmKV2iZrA4FHC/s320/IMG_5180.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Lunch at Ristorante La Vedetta </div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: #141414; color: white; font-size: 13px;">_______________________________________</span></div></div></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgG8ZDmZOb5bReH9bNziO89U8VpsQ_SrkLkFanpDf46llv3dcp5FlPMqHn8EZ9-0WX2M_4pgi5n71VEF1a7Kf6nt6SbUusdB0WxGchh4eDvoKr-epicaHdX9-lblGjlfkKVcDgvgV1RNob4jyZYzfuh6lF7kSKv2qotaVoddaQadT7Ox7xv9b96GLH84Hza/s4032/IMG_6021.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgG8ZDmZOb5bReH9bNziO89U8VpsQ_SrkLkFanpDf46llv3dcp5FlPMqHn8EZ9-0WX2M_4pgi5n71VEF1a7Kf6nt6SbUusdB0WxGchh4eDvoKr-epicaHdX9-lblGjlfkKVcDgvgV1RNob4jyZYzfuh6lF7kSKv2qotaVoddaQadT7Ox7xv9b96GLH84Hza/w400-h300/IMG_6021.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>Cavour modo21 (Genoa)</b></div><br />If you’re familiar with the food and the flavors of Liguria you knew this next post was coming. I’m not even a big pesto person but I am a big regional eater and pesto is about as Genovese as it gets. We took a daytrip to Genova aka Genoa and hit up one of the city’s most well known pesto purveyors. Cavour modo21 has won many awards for their special blend of Italian herbs and oil. Our friendly waiter insisted I get it with the trofie pasta which it clings to better than the rest. It’s mixed with potatoes and green beans and it really was some of the best pesto I’ve had but I rarely get it in the States and I doubt that changes with this being the center of the pesto universe - it ain’t gonna get better. The sea-bass ravioli was also a winner with a rich and decadent creamy shrimp stock sauce. Fritto Misto seems like it’s hard to mess up in these parts as it’s always fresh and very lightly breaded. Seafood salad was a surprise hit but I always love a mix of tuna and beans. A piece of grilled tuna was also good but not like the one from the previous day. All in all a really nice meal at a seemingly unfair price (cheap). This place gets packed with a mix of locals and tourists so best to reserve ahead.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoRBYHG2SuB4SjVdmfzKKORUe9lnijNJPMzFJc4Ii8Cha2aB8wXERYLv5sG8TaobO_LmmEBu4ufiZidN8qa8otRUk06VYzAC4sOW8Otc9RIaMFxquvsiMPa1_Qq7RI2ETYjx2XaeOt8sWT6xseaWdd0l7TohSRj-T_eAo7EZ3GK3giRFKrwf-wD1PhuDnb/s4032/IMG_5988.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoRBYHG2SuB4SjVdmfzKKORUe9lnijNJPMzFJc4Ii8Cha2aB8wXERYLv5sG8TaobO_LmmEBu4ufiZidN8qa8otRUk06VYzAC4sOW8Otc9RIaMFxquvsiMPa1_Qq7RI2ETYjx2XaeOt8sWT6xseaWdd0l7TohSRj-T_eAo7EZ3GK3giRFKrwf-wD1PhuDnb/s320/IMG_5988.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlWBmpMykahU6-TL41-QEzwUPW6VYUXLuU5zOoVkkuE77JtRL_UbedW47CQ1kq9p54xA1VZwPcEx0qN02gEj9zLB3pr5t3GhB3jmPE1gFdy5OuP9SeqsERg9n-t5_r0rEV1I3RmR9OWWwEOHFSJ6w60CfjPaNyTNGF6CQ7qnwmf3wwquRg3HHOJYB4D5_l/s4032/IMG_5991.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlWBmpMykahU6-TL41-QEzwUPW6VYUXLuU5zOoVkkuE77JtRL_UbedW47CQ1kq9p54xA1VZwPcEx0qN02gEj9zLB3pr5t3GhB3jmPE1gFdy5OuP9SeqsERg9n-t5_r0rEV1I3RmR9OWWwEOHFSJ6w60CfjPaNyTNGF6CQ7qnwmf3wwquRg3HHOJYB4D5_l/s320/IMG_5991.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYoD27hRQX8fsm3IXxSOkoevY12o3ufChyjcEJ1nuiZ-nRRT49snbCgDWNv_dFSUSLijgUaSgTy8W5xBnFBJojE-Qwp5w8ARJSyoqnSEpnid7kAOrdaPNgxyzUWwgKvVZhG-mXdnXrHc1weSoOQmUem8SZOkv3j8Zdpab9K018dYsh4JeUmqTi3GAIe_qT/s4032/IMG_5996.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYoD27hRQX8fsm3IXxSOkoevY12o3ufChyjcEJ1nuiZ-nRRT49snbCgDWNv_dFSUSLijgUaSgTy8W5xBnFBJojE-Qwp5w8ARJSyoqnSEpnid7kAOrdaPNgxyzUWwgKvVZhG-mXdnXrHc1weSoOQmUem8SZOkv3j8Zdpab9K018dYsh4JeUmqTi3GAIe_qT/s320/IMG_5996.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjm9ENdMssttlo6Yba2uSHd9fWMtEsN6svyRRWrR8D8amr-uwFrni6oJxfcLamUTZjrY5P-sbnRewG73ugFBOxm2bGTN0D8WS_8n2oXf2wKkrT4YP4TzQe_fInCkiyVFDyBC51b_SA2B30bnsexgKm_p4y4-OOn56BtkvWmgplBP1vbVhEsofESQPaMurnf/s4032/IMG_6014.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjm9ENdMssttlo6Yba2uSHd9fWMtEsN6svyRRWrR8D8amr-uwFrni6oJxfcLamUTZjrY5P-sbnRewG73ugFBOxm2bGTN0D8WS_8n2oXf2wKkrT4YP4TzQe_fInCkiyVFDyBC51b_SA2B30bnsexgKm_p4y4-OOn56BtkvWmgplBP1vbVhEsofESQPaMurnf/s320/IMG_6014.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3i6W-AGO_XNYLHoM0MiIBE0nBUpeiKN9OnOIYU5dy0xO487ZHYedXH04rVBu1LsG8l47ISDnmjS3xLMoX98JLSMwT0vCArsq4kFYC_7Zgj-uwpQ6uPDR90y_NwwpL9roG3NEzVXaDOnlyJEdxnU7jCqCTTD_CQ8NMxz-xrJbCWAzNTH7Jsn-_yCoPJv1p/s4032/IMG_6004.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3i6W-AGO_XNYLHoM0MiIBE0nBUpeiKN9OnOIYU5dy0xO487ZHYedXH04rVBu1LsG8l47ISDnmjS3xLMoX98JLSMwT0vCArsq4kFYC_7Zgj-uwpQ6uPDR90y_NwwpL9roG3NEzVXaDOnlyJEdxnU7jCqCTTD_CQ8NMxz-xrJbCWAzNTH7Jsn-_yCoPJv1p/s320/IMG_6004.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Lunch at Cavour modo21 (click pics to enhance)<br /><span style="background-color: #141414; color: white; font-size: 13px;">_______________________________________</span></div></div><div><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGLgBrwHHO31eX6XY5IJ9y0SrYs3_Uynqbwti6q08r5ocq8B2_B9kAUJHPgUMIJ5v0CAz1h2YtlVm5caW2kynrXN4eD8pT63Ugco6khNSy2PAtabpJOUoSLO3JeyY_aYNl-gTvUY6pC-rD7LU4ZCD13WQCxMQoBwjgMHu_h-qoDd1KucVFttOXGvOnlMLL/s4032/IMG_6218.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGLgBrwHHO31eX6XY5IJ9y0SrYs3_Uynqbwti6q08r5ocq8B2_B9kAUJHPgUMIJ5v0CAz1h2YtlVm5caW2kynrXN4eD8pT63Ugco6khNSy2PAtabpJOUoSLO3JeyY_aYNl-gTvUY6pC-rD7LU4ZCD13WQCxMQoBwjgMHu_h-qoDd1KucVFttOXGvOnlMLL/w400-h300/IMG_6218.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>Semmu Friti (Camogli)</b></div><br />Semmu Friti is a fritto misto specialist in the old fishing village of Camogli. It’s the type of spot I would eat at often if I lived in Camogli. Speaking of which I could totally picture myself spending extended time in this relaxing little resort town. I loved the layout of it. Lots of highly-stacked and vivaciously-painted houses sitting on the mountain overlooking the ocean. It was my favorite town on the coast. I didn’t have a bad batch of fritto misto on this trip though some were better than others. <br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-8n6j2klog3LYT5YN-hWvjyg2Lz-ZVjPUCs7JewC79pTUOUSkBI0NwDRuXF1iL-jpt7u6iXtYp6gZDop09Ks3KMrJZYxSgJFwSOst7qwid7_Ko-KKqEHvcWgHYh_VAe_ESe-YtedDc2-w8_1uAKmrJO1REadYe-T3mk2ab6IV54mxrdM5-hviEPtl59CQ/s4032/IMG_6213.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-8n6j2klog3LYT5YN-hWvjyg2Lz-ZVjPUCs7JewC79pTUOUSkBI0NwDRuXF1iL-jpt7u6iXtYp6gZDop09Ks3KMrJZYxSgJFwSOst7qwid7_Ko-KKqEHvcWgHYh_VAe_ESe-YtedDc2-w8_1uAKmrJO1REadYe-T3mk2ab6IV54mxrdM5-hviEPtl59CQ/w400-h300/IMG_6213.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Fritto Misto at Semmu Friti<br /><span style="background-color: #141414; color: white; font-size: 13px;">_______________________________________</span></div><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBDPmi5L24vOjsI4wVibdAPQFn6dC82IYqbr7wyMS0AKhOnFbvHcObU2_NO9S_MXFaNG0ERdwxIE8MBjJcoZYEyVjOb5QGR8JNW1OGOs5U4G6XvnOuwcheKv-x5KAza1Yd5ha1UCC1pDqBOY3VTNnWEtlv2bR26smy3gs6BwAFav06mPOhEdPJbzsTeoUB/s4032/IMG_6301.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBDPmi5L24vOjsI4wVibdAPQFn6dC82IYqbr7wyMS0AKhOnFbvHcObU2_NO9S_MXFaNG0ERdwxIE8MBjJcoZYEyVjOb5QGR8JNW1OGOs5U4G6XvnOuwcheKv-x5KAza1Yd5ha1UCC1pDqBOY3VTNnWEtlv2bR26smy3gs6BwAFav06mPOhEdPJbzsTeoUB/w400-h300/IMG_6301.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>Ristorante La Camogliese (Camogli)</b></div></div><div><br /></div><div><span style="text-align: center;">Ristorante La Camogliese is an old school spot with a spectacular backdrop. </span>At the end of the year I'll list the best pastas of this Italy trip and the spaghetti alla acciughe from here will be included in the list. It was a simple prep with pomodoro, olives, fresh anchovies that I could not stop eating even though I was full from a ton of food including a plate of Fritto Misto with fried shrimps that can rival those in the Low Country. I might like grilled squid more than fried at least when it’s well charred like it was here. A piece of fresh amberjack was also well prepared. But the best part of it all was our table overlooking the sea. The restaurant itself is basically perched above the beach. I loved Camogli.</div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgSH0CPe_6BXedJK93Gjk5t3zRLiO5wlccdSDWqS07EKi6K_nYbcSnLRuAF3FDrA6A93ktGWKrZQuBhwNh6694jSlbafAtJZzfIc5HSumi41s2aAErq9EXvcIU8ECc5GbV3bQCyCMFjFr-5LgZ-67oFxQqrQ53bgjHmCHzzT36NlyqL4SnnHjB2_8rQx-3/s4032/IMG_6259.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgSH0CPe_6BXedJK93Gjk5t3zRLiO5wlccdSDWqS07EKi6K_nYbcSnLRuAF3FDrA6A93ktGWKrZQuBhwNh6694jSlbafAtJZzfIc5HSumi41s2aAErq9EXvcIU8ECc5GbV3bQCyCMFjFr-5LgZ-67oFxQqrQ53bgjHmCHzzT36NlyqL4SnnHjB2_8rQx-3/s320/IMG_6259.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyBfkas7T7Xy8Wj3mNPymuI1a6cWZGY_aLC8MUGpMIfNblIU1OQO-ablvyllKAvQLgKxY9J3btJu2gXgC8GU8U9sPF-uj75q4aNJMKzHF4Xoi3_XDK9jc8_sMQilp3N99cKmQLBiDZAC-4nLtNUg_v8hfd0UmHv8vPZTA9z5VTI01Axv2ChTi847h8G42V/s4032/IMG_6240.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyBfkas7T7Xy8Wj3mNPymuI1a6cWZGY_aLC8MUGpMIfNblIU1OQO-ablvyllKAvQLgKxY9J3btJu2gXgC8GU8U9sPF-uj75q4aNJMKzHF4Xoi3_XDK9jc8_sMQilp3N99cKmQLBiDZAC-4nLtNUg_v8hfd0UmHv8vPZTA9z5VTI01Axv2ChTi847h8G42V/s320/IMG_6240.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUe_S9n5BYcld_ogb21lxzzmxmbJ00T74y2mpWo8OiAVamAAF8f2k9fhRPs10vOXwz4Agj-X0-JqTF7c04Nzs4nZA_FiwYxVULEV9pAsAVzsknn8usJ39TRQwbqdhaneP4EQssFo-rIoGivenVKxetRcZZpMkbvL7V_94oy57J34CNkrRd0JuC9IUkjN1p/s4032/IMG_6265.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUe_S9n5BYcld_ogb21lxzzmxmbJ00T74y2mpWo8OiAVamAAF8f2k9fhRPs10vOXwz4Agj-X0-JqTF7c04Nzs4nZA_FiwYxVULEV9pAsAVzsknn8usJ39TRQwbqdhaneP4EQssFo-rIoGivenVKxetRcZZpMkbvL7V_94oy57J34CNkrRd0JuC9IUkjN1p/s320/IMG_6265.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjV-7fonzrKj5ZVYikrvVZyJgf7lFOCJuuCtxMJvrdEFT3oRNZByzxx7MOon_bCB_FJHtVvoHpLLIngMhaLL31LV-kFfOPlhyphenhyphenRlYbQVZSIJzHiXcVmO0iHt92whRfB-k-Wn9VsduH6o6su7Vm0CS-7JZuT6EyGXjwr8ZQWhJ_MEV7Wod9Bv4oESP9ODgqQC/s4032/IMG_6274.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjV-7fonzrKj5ZVYikrvVZyJgf7lFOCJuuCtxMJvrdEFT3oRNZByzxx7MOon_bCB_FJHtVvoHpLLIngMhaLL31LV-kFfOPlhyphenhyphenRlYbQVZSIJzHiXcVmO0iHt92whRfB-k-Wn9VsduH6o6su7Vm0CS-7JZuT6EyGXjwr8ZQWhJ_MEV7Wod9Bv4oESP9ODgqQC/s320/IMG_6274.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Lunch at <span style="text-align: center;">Ristorante La Camogliese (click pics to enhance)</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: #141414; color: white; font-size: 13px;">_______________________________________</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlriqGtQcHbqqx4-cxd2gwVbVl7dzMmDe7ZYqoKg0EuWoiAjh0Ekw_eAriUYbGbyb_xgTd1EvV3gOFPy4ClGxtYO5COAdtqvCM6bbvLDTkoHbII_kADyPiOHEn6XruH9_jLopJdYW_Yx_8lyH3rqbjIx_gVbkK_uVFFKhJyWMS38NJnswD1tOAJgoYVipg/s4032/IMG_6318.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlriqGtQcHbqqx4-cxd2gwVbVl7dzMmDe7ZYqoKg0EuWoiAjh0Ekw_eAriUYbGbyb_xgTd1EvV3gOFPy4ClGxtYO5COAdtqvCM6bbvLDTkoHbII_kADyPiOHEn6XruH9_jLopJdYW_Yx_8lyH3rqbjIx_gVbkK_uVFFKhJyWMS38NJnswD1tOAJgoYVipg/w400-h300/IMG_6318.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>Gelato e dintorni (Camogli)</b></div><br />Last stop on the Italy trip! Well not on the trip itself but here on the blog. I hope you enjoyed the roundup. I enjoyed reliving it all by putting these posts together. We walked over to Gelato e dintorni after lunch at the previous stop. I love Italian ice but had never had granita in Italy before this trip. I tried a bunch of spots and now I want to go eat it in Southern Italy where it originates. The key to identifying a good granita is to make sure it's scooped by hand and not dispensed from a slushy machine and also to look for spots where the menu is hand written as flavors change often when you're using what's in season. Pictured below was a mixed fruit granita that kind of reminded me of the fruit cocktail Italian ice at Mario's in Chicago which made me a bit homesick. That's it for this trip. </div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh65U5NdkQ53Ggi3cEuS6sjh0sXxdkPe8lIxxnHhwEL6CRTNZUcvA2MEr87keNgd5eVDzJxWjON8OYyK4JwKCvSf0gAlRZPPey1s7CxiscwnLJMBfRd5XRXRZ361es1PQWDD_quU_0d-fcvjSzM1I9oYoxsVptoVqtC2u5wAK2LcG4Ke3Q0XFYhvhIA09Q3/s4032/IMG_6315.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh65U5NdkQ53Ggi3cEuS6sjh0sXxdkPe8lIxxnHhwEL6CRTNZUcvA2MEr87keNgd5eVDzJxWjON8OYyK4JwKCvSf0gAlRZPPey1s7CxiscwnLJMBfRd5XRXRZ361es1PQWDD_quU_0d-fcvjSzM1I9oYoxsVptoVqtC2u5wAK2LcG4Ke3Q0XFYhvhIA09Q3/w400-h300/IMG_6315.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Granita at Gelato e dintorni<br /><span style="background-color: #141414; color: white; font-size: 13px;">_______________________________________</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div><b>Previous Stops:<br /></b></div><div><b><a href="https://chibbqking.blogspot.com/2023/11/eating-big-in-milan.html">Milan</a></b></div><div><b><a href="https://chibbqking.blogspot.com/2023/11/eating-big-in-parma.html">Parma</a></b></div><div><b><a href="https://chibbqking.blogspot.com/2023/11/eating-big-in-piedmont.html">Piedmont</a></b></div><div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Click <a href="https://www.google.com/maps/d/edit?mid=16a2pCqc7XYiDrmgFAbQZYI1H1sp1ePc&usp=sharing">HERE</a> for a google maps guide to all the spots I hit up plus places I didn't get to check out.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><b><span style="font-size: medium;">See ya next time <a href="https://www.instagram.com/chibbqking/">@chibbqking</a></span></b></div></div></div></div><br />KingThttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05368411195212070782noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7759763120880236446.post-10181134088579719582023-11-20T10:00:00.012-06:002023-11-20T10:00:00.140-06:00Eating BIG in the Piedmont<p><span face=""trebuchet ms", trebuchet, verdana, sans-serif" style="background-color: black; color: white; font-size: 13px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 20.7955px;"><span style="font-size: 23.6364px;">Eating like a local:</span><br /><span style="font-size: 23.6364px;">Regional food specialties<br /></span></span><span face="Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif" style="background-color: black; color: white; font-size: 13px;"><span face=""trebuchet ms", trebuchet, verdana, sans-serif" style="font-size: medium;"><b>- Exploring the Home of Italy's Slow Food Movement </b></span></span><br /><br />After a few days in Parma we were off to a rather secluded and less explored part of the Piedmont. Cimaferle is a hamlet with no more than 50 residents. Its location in the region is south of pretty much every notable town as it’s just a short ride into Liguria from there. We ended up finding the perfect place to stay for a party of 11 people with three kids. Not only was it big and spacious but it was damn near brand new and had all the amenities you could want including a nice sized pool looking into a deep valley. It was such an obscure location that the road there was unpaved and only wide enough to for one car. We didn’t see or hear anyone else besides each other while we were there. We ventured out of the house during the day to different towns in the area and would have lunch there and grab wine and groceries and what not so it all worked out really well. If anyone wants the info just email me and I’ll happily send it over though you will definitely need a couple of cars if you plan on staying there with a big group of people. The Piedmont borders France and Switzerland and sits at the foot of the Alps so it’s a very picturesque region known for its high quality cuisine and it's luscious wines such as Barolo and Barbaresco. We had plans to visit the the capital, Turin, but ended up just going back to Milan as it meant less driving and switching of hotels. This region is a popular place for outdoor stuff like hunting, hiking, harvesting grapes and of course, searching for wild truffles. The Langhe region is known as the white truffle capital of the world as they grow deep in the forests. It’s also where most of Italy's wine is made and it’s an area rich in walnuts, chestnuts, hazelnuts, cheeses, veal, and most of the fresh veggies for which Italy is known. Long summary short - it’s very likely the most passionate food region of an extremely food forward country. It’s also one of the prettiest parts of Italy in major part due to it being less traveled than other parts of the country. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8dawAf0pxogh1ilJHv6Y3G8Yx3_Xl7_VWKbAY70qRSk8gXKisVm_bO3NWyz3J9upgdJjiorkPQBLdLmSJkA75vnTJP_ornbUc-h_FtF9MdcuKhIUjp3DOzzVCjAtVaD0HJitXkCQdYQuF4yx220bcC30KXNYuYBmvh1_sfniDTpR3qtfJcmSYjZ9H8pEq/s4032/IMG_5114.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8dawAf0pxogh1ilJHv6Y3G8Yx3_Xl7_VWKbAY70qRSk8gXKisVm_bO3NWyz3J9upgdJjiorkPQBLdLmSJkA75vnTJP_ornbUc-h_FtF9MdcuKhIUjp3DOzzVCjAtVaD0HJitXkCQdYQuF4yx220bcC30KXNYuYBmvh1_sfniDTpR3qtfJcmSYjZ9H8pEq/s320/IMG_5114.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCHCqmv4zOUUK4H5cgPZo7wQBOrfhoy98UkGiWbE7pbG6AoQsJ87P1KVPiRs5DvWTlq_Yadj5qYmqbubYGh4wV2CAV2pWBrCWsnXEE2a5DpCaO6y94PMDjau6_-U8myF6kEHChGKpyC4CXUV-sbY191hGDN28rHe607cxlqUDlHH3HIviBrLFLM8F3t0M5/s4032/IMG_4338.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCHCqmv4zOUUK4H5cgPZo7wQBOrfhoy98UkGiWbE7pbG6AoQsJ87P1KVPiRs5DvWTlq_Yadj5qYmqbubYGh4wV2CAV2pWBrCWsnXEE2a5DpCaO6y94PMDjau6_-U8myF6kEHChGKpyC4CXUV-sbY191hGDN28rHe607cxlqUDlHH3HIviBrLFLM8F3t0M5/s320/IMG_4338.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMd31DOOMaAq3N64bATPQ7xRyAJghMgzhre7QjVWtq30y99SpeWZDCKnao6i8s6AHhNg0vlEXhMQmQGwVTSR-GGil5hH0S7wkBNR4zWG1YSvzzWvc5O79l2koy1PqrhIuvZGo5tOfqB2FGqrYrdLdt1ZVVkpYX1qzl5HHmwO1SAE_ik_tW63UV_HRsDcJn/s4032/IMG_4710.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMd31DOOMaAq3N64bATPQ7xRyAJghMgzhre7QjVWtq30y99SpeWZDCKnao6i8s6AHhNg0vlEXhMQmQGwVTSR-GGil5hH0S7wkBNR4zWG1YSvzzWvc5O79l2koy1PqrhIuvZGo5tOfqB2FGqrYrdLdt1ZVVkpYX1qzl5HHmwO1SAE_ik_tW63UV_HRsDcJn/s320/IMG_4710.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEis1PgEGlqM9zSSPYfbfVWa1uqUDRe4kMTBCXsCT3e9OhBQkXy0kTyTzfq858TKkeZoaDkCrn45atXF2ckzIDHQhUrPgK3YO-4EsscYkZTDPMcA_ivz1lSQ6OltB0pjoXc2545NdBLwr2fEPFH9BRcDnZcND036iRcvJ_wY04W5TBki6mMVX4b-KFCvf5EW/s4032/IMG_4456.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEis1PgEGlqM9zSSPYfbfVWa1uqUDRe4kMTBCXsCT3e9OhBQkXy0kTyTzfq858TKkeZoaDkCrn45atXF2ckzIDHQhUrPgK3YO-4EsscYkZTDPMcA_ivz1lSQ6OltB0pjoXc2545NdBLwr2fEPFH9BRcDnZcND036iRcvJ_wY04W5TBki6mMVX4b-KFCvf5EW/s320/IMG_4456.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Pics from the Piedmont</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirOM7UFyXbEJ_tdHtIpmSBmWavf-GD7x_lfXmYXJzd-z5e_wcAuKjqH1PVml5u5x7vxvgoObR4eOasTfvUY5hBbpY4hyphenhyphenJtJnQV2NO4Kcd8bEon-KNjEpYYeSjI7jROB8pvYT2cMQoHhIeFof7ZnpxKQbHJuFEoHxxSoNsOESxh4TJUSl4UQTNTCfBdS9_H/s4032/IMG_4644.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirOM7UFyXbEJ_tdHtIpmSBmWavf-GD7x_lfXmYXJzd-z5e_wcAuKjqH1PVml5u5x7vxvgoObR4eOasTfvUY5hBbpY4hyphenhyphenJtJnQV2NO4Kcd8bEon-KNjEpYYeSjI7jROB8pvYT2cMQoHhIeFof7ZnpxKQbHJuFEoHxxSoNsOESxh4TJUSl4UQTNTCfBdS9_H/s320/IMG_4644.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrvBRQJSHoV76VND5LgGt3XuPAmatJcicd6BBS_5b7NGhT2Zmn3GVW4J3u_xokaczZtmCtMuzLVz0ZcTaw-G-f8LEqY1wKSC70Yb2FlIvc7R09Rjs7lU00WWjprwh5eWSOMe_IQzrrS0VQ3-tVEiW2B5GaqkeDzlfk1svzpj6XhRCYF12YdWR39Bn4p-ib/s4032/IMG_4818.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrvBRQJSHoV76VND5LgGt3XuPAmatJcicd6BBS_5b7NGhT2Zmn3GVW4J3u_xokaczZtmCtMuzLVz0ZcTaw-G-f8LEqY1wKSC70Yb2FlIvc7R09Rjs7lU00WWjprwh5eWSOMe_IQzrrS0VQ3-tVEiW2B5GaqkeDzlfk1svzpj6XhRCYF12YdWR39Bn4p-ib/s320/IMG_4818.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJVW3bSzT9AxEeFdJkglb6i2Ec_dexpQkTNO9EpIfLymR1caf-mQ32wY_Qqcu6RoPxVqo5hp2UJlY8l0A_4zEfzSpZEAkQ5XACjDQ5uzpKWZzbiO2y0ykkf7S1Iv53Jzc_39Gh4XuC16xVvoVZSb2G2huM4TPqtC2tWEwi1NChSfnLXIQ0WfLCsA2alpyM/s4032/IMG_4944.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJVW3bSzT9AxEeFdJkglb6i2Ec_dexpQkTNO9EpIfLymR1caf-mQ32wY_Qqcu6RoPxVqo5hp2UJlY8l0A_4zEfzSpZEAkQ5XACjDQ5uzpKWZzbiO2y0ykkf7S1Iv53Jzc_39Gh4XuC16xVvoVZSb2G2huM4TPqtC2tWEwi1NChSfnLXIQ0WfLCsA2alpyM/s320/IMG_4944.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0QENEVBbd0hiW4QjJGTTq_pehBiVr2RmWA-eCFKtef73aX4VegN6atMHv4QlMoyWEV7hPW2a2zeuY0dC9G3zd9IWLeI_LenwDYvP13nvtDo58EdPb9j9Xy_QIYiPKV-4q6OzlxIuPWKFNxpLPcwh_3VoCzclhPnBoLX9TWyiGmUo9_1vjBFRxFH7WgBjZ/s4032/IMG_4685.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0QENEVBbd0hiW4QjJGTTq_pehBiVr2RmWA-eCFKtef73aX4VegN6atMHv4QlMoyWEV7hPW2a2zeuY0dC9G3zd9IWLeI_LenwDYvP13nvtDo58EdPb9j9Xy_QIYiPKV-4q6OzlxIuPWKFNxpLPcwh_3VoCzclhPnBoLX9TWyiGmUo9_1vjBFRxFH7WgBjZ/s320/IMG_4685.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">More Pics from Piedmont<br /><span style="background-color: #141414; color: white; font-size: 13px;">_______________________________________</span></div><div><br /><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJfvtRH5JrKjqz6xMjsdekODEazxNBNl9M2U24iIK4xCF5Qf7IVNs7vMhNpZisgkREBiF1_5SE0_MCQR2qUoH12bKg8UTtZgci0OOrUryQz9HVTJIDU56XUUR1mfbxGijnrBGh4tZXbR9zY6bSSqnH5-oDEZouesfcQjfLyo8DUu0tbHugUQJcUmb9x7aX/s4032/IMG_4157.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJfvtRH5JrKjqz6xMjsdekODEazxNBNl9M2U24iIK4xCF5Qf7IVNs7vMhNpZisgkREBiF1_5SE0_MCQR2qUoH12bKg8UTtZgci0OOrUryQz9HVTJIDU56XUUR1mfbxGijnrBGh4tZXbR9zY6bSSqnH5-oDEZouesfcQjfLyo8DUu0tbHugUQJcUmb9x7aX/w400-h300/IMG_4157.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>Ristorante Cacciatori di Milano Massimo (Cartosio)</b></div><p>Our first stop in the Piedmont region was lunch at a place that’s been a family owned spot since 1818. The same family at that! Upon opening this was a spot for hunters to gather and eat. These days it’s a Michelin recommended restaurant in the commune of Cartosio. Ristorante Cacciatori di Milano Massimo is ran by Massimo and his wife who does much of the cooking in an oven from 1952. We tried most of the menu and it was all wonderful but I was surprised just how good an order of Egg Tagliolini with meat ragu was. The pasta had that perfect bite while the sauce was just sensational. Simple but succulent and something I still think about now and then. For starters an order of sardines sitting atop roast bell peppers was another winner as was an order of meatballs with zucchini and onions. Asparagus Pie was awesome while creamed cod was new to me. The meat raviolini, plus a plate of Coniglio (rabbit) in the style of Liguria with local olives and pine nuts was Italian home cooking at its finest. For a finale they made a decadent raspberry gelato just for us. The views, the food, and the hosts mixed with the company kept made for a meal I’ll never forget.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhj3ZFZzQ5VgW1qpAoBGvQAxlmwhRJiVrCrBPBfJjhdqPJ0c6oHkCc4fmeSOOXyL_rUEkq0bJ0aBK8jOJ17Yz1-p38LYaObA1xaxUVCLuvKyShJsXUVBe9idzuMtp0D1HAPtfnMEjqaX-eHSyXVhhMEe7iPWGW7uhDOicpBVOrvJRH93yQZUx2JboX41AHB/s4032/IMG_4164.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhj3ZFZzQ5VgW1qpAoBGvQAxlmwhRJiVrCrBPBfJjhdqPJ0c6oHkCc4fmeSOOXyL_rUEkq0bJ0aBK8jOJ17Yz1-p38LYaObA1xaxUVCLuvKyShJsXUVBe9idzuMtp0D1HAPtfnMEjqaX-eHSyXVhhMEe7iPWGW7uhDOicpBVOrvJRH93yQZUx2JboX41AHB/s320/IMG_4164.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJwbx30bxvVL0SrIDWosbz0vkdleoXIV1OExi5Ms8vJNftq2KG5iAjPfPfb8BqitIL0zL1g95TuzXkU-n9txAwJv9KfNJLuP3rU2PZZ4SHSe_DoHupEC45dxrqMmJtfFzko_QgDqkMNfqLr9_HSVSUYyinxw_0zVlaqoyfNMWBFsAbcIEgTNblSgzdoSqK/s4032/IMG_4182.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; 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margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMyeuCLMCVGN80VoZ2NmejWsVOtKfeBCi0Td4JrRVhketVJKWinRZ35dM2KROYm8qRNKCDrVA5-kyn_fO3bAtev6ZTORZV1nkH7zLatNof5rfgRWBsjewLNekpsWjJTbzBMnoVWBpMGeSmUWugcyMSZc8vImHJ9DzQL_e9zG1NbP898ny2cMRxibvh0m8R/s320/IMG_4213.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhejT-387oqG44X_hG_2ZoqMANvF1BNM2KSnxKkwPhoUD4i1L7B7bMsoDltY4QnWnFTjPTc696QT8U-bSElA-bivQWbCMiKB4sCQwV3XvIUgzgPBB9m65uGcJLUkFqnOHrMjKsDjCKSpYRspqlKWpNDAzvTXY3LzmdJ7XUDmDBoKr7AKfU7_YUhVHQfzvNn/s4032/IMG_4217.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhejT-387oqG44X_hG_2ZoqMANvF1BNM2KSnxKkwPhoUD4i1L7B7bMsoDltY4QnWnFTjPTc696QT8U-bSElA-bivQWbCMiKB4sCQwV3XvIUgzgPBB9m65uGcJLUkFqnOHrMjKsDjCKSpYRspqlKWpNDAzvTXY3LzmdJ7XUDmDBoKr7AKfU7_YUhVHQfzvNn/s320/IMG_4217.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9Xq6p9rgSn4wf05-VDX38w3eSXMJbu7B8EtPstiBcFE4EIgYy4bhnTB1Z7bZbdkqtIqTFSVjpj9cfo3bSq7ZPD7A5Da5h_DNgHsDloT1KfPQkM7a_2OYgKOG-vUIJHaCn5yAYQxdR-YqtZChoQdMERrT7U59h56uHI9CgbhTGjrcti6gHcewEaGF3wxIi/s4032/IMG_4230.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9Xq6p9rgSn4wf05-VDX38w3eSXMJbu7B8EtPstiBcFE4EIgYy4bhnTB1Z7bZbdkqtIqTFSVjpj9cfo3bSq7ZPD7A5Da5h_DNgHsDloT1KfPQkM7a_2OYgKOG-vUIJHaCn5yAYQxdR-YqtZChoQdMERrT7U59h56uHI9CgbhTGjrcti6gHcewEaGF3wxIi/s320/IMG_4230.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVlw4UHRmTVg-AI8fx3qWtfWvgWmNz41FSYznIeFuMirgE6wXnGexQnJ6jjEWoxQaduITHsTi0vg-tUsRkZM1x9cFQCA0aV-JrNB86TN7OdSAR1rPuIQhuO-HguXmA1qTJbW_4aMiCCt1t1A-6Bdo_48QQnEs4uoICa6FYfBPEWpf4ZWE0BdScY1HuDimg/s4032/IMG_4198.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVlw4UHRmTVg-AI8fx3qWtfWvgWmNz41FSYznIeFuMirgE6wXnGexQnJ6jjEWoxQaduITHsTi0vg-tUsRkZM1x9cFQCA0aV-JrNB86TN7OdSAR1rPuIQhuO-HguXmA1qTJbW_4aMiCCt1t1A-6Bdo_48QQnEs4uoICa6FYfBPEWpf4ZWE0BdScY1HuDimg/s320/IMG_4198.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Lunch at Ristorante Cacciatori di Milano Massimo <br /><span face="Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif" style="background-color: #141414; color: white; font-size: 13px;">_______________________________________</span></div><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0jAsURKChewZ1FcUttc15lShyphenhyphenVz8EIW-KXs-XO6_B2aUy1i0nVhm_iafhiHMfMb1vbaNSjU1STFHRj3FcuP8ZUsfvkkRIC3ZYKRLjcWqKHD40ajJTIILmLTOwVN7T0ZC94BpNkzEdSQI1UD6w-weTS8IdrVCJVNOb7c0As4MEWUBep8bxMX2CpCSX0r1G/s4032/IMG_4545.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0jAsURKChewZ1FcUttc15lShyphenhyphenVz8EIW-KXs-XO6_B2aUy1i0nVhm_iafhiHMfMb1vbaNSjU1STFHRj3FcuP8ZUsfvkkRIC3ZYKRLjcWqKHD40ajJTIILmLTOwVN7T0ZC94BpNkzEdSQI1UD6w-weTS8IdrVCJVNOb7c0As4MEWUBep8bxMX2CpCSX0r1G/w400-h300/IMG_4545.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>Osteria L'Archivolto (Ovada)</b></div><br />Ovada was one of two larger towns within short driving distance of our house rental in Cimarferle. We all took a ride there for lunch one day but it was a Monday so quite a few of the restaurants were closed. However the Michelin recommended Osteria L'Archivolto was open and the menu was tempting albeit a bit expensive compared to other spots in the area. I’ll always have a soft spot for this place as it’s where I was first introduced to the local specialty that is Bagna Càuda. It translates to “Hot Bath” and is a hot mix of garlic, anchovies and olive oil used as a dipping vessel for fresh vegetables and bread. It’s served in a similar manner to fondue and its history goes all the way back to the 16th century during the rise of economic exchange between French and Italian merchants. It’s believed the people of the Piedmont geared Bagna Cauda after a similar dish from the Provençal. The Bagna Càuda at Osteria L'Archivolto comes served in a traditional Terra Cotta hot pot called a Fojot. It was love at first dip. By far the best thing we ate at this seafood forward spot but the pastas were good too. One of them was a Linguine and tuna, tomato, basil and Tropea onion. The other was Tagliatella mixed with anchovies, lemon, spring onion and mullet. The entire family was here so there was a few other things we ordered including a great seafood salad but overall I would say stick with the Bagna cauda and the pastas and you’ll eat better than you would getting the seafood entrees.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjw84t2nEA7kD2BAh0K7F1pzuwFiEK1bqPM9KB0zBhnPVVfyLpnjgO0VurmaQQ4ziC1bCeYVORK1psw3MbQYs4fbrZBdaj-icQXcTcoi6tnrio-SPig8YLxAxwRTRJzURBI9rbs335RzaOc_zh7OkhfPTelAMFHK13R3mc3il8q9g2ljit1EuMQCJOk1oSO/s4032/IMG_4504.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjw84t2nEA7kD2BAh0K7F1pzuwFiEK1bqPM9KB0zBhnPVVfyLpnjgO0VurmaQQ4ziC1bCeYVORK1psw3MbQYs4fbrZBdaj-icQXcTcoi6tnrio-SPig8YLxAxwRTRJzURBI9rbs335RzaOc_zh7OkhfPTelAMFHK13R3mc3il8q9g2ljit1EuMQCJOk1oSO/s320/IMG_4504.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2fWoI3nK69k3w4XE6ArNPoXK9uRx9s5dRVDwipMn9Jip2a8qU-S06RDwOOjBjagaRgP7RZJCx7hF6kYQBVOmAOw_U7BqWnFZ9j5VuWWWF5ORGxR8m7v6IcbCl4H-BXeppDXZsfiu2RZY2rKpGsvCa95d9BRATf6DMehqBR0gIJaRbeJGM517C6FWnzxaQ/s4032/IMG_4497.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2fWoI3nK69k3w4XE6ArNPoXK9uRx9s5dRVDwipMn9Jip2a8qU-S06RDwOOjBjagaRgP7RZJCx7hF6kYQBVOmAOw_U7BqWnFZ9j5VuWWWF5ORGxR8m7v6IcbCl4H-BXeppDXZsfiu2RZY2rKpGsvCa95d9BRATf6DMehqBR0gIJaRbeJGM517C6FWnzxaQ/s320/IMG_4497.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnrVaVQSw18hXklbwswb2JGoZ92r1ISxD06YuIWbZ3g4RUsRMsRMmeiy-UjX6uoMPoq3XrBLA3PFb-3gDBVJ6RXLzK82tvY6Kemzh0qqZyD8JiPfeKoc7NyQp_kbswAf7YLdHf7WFxhhRwrHlulwAll_bCEWcRQ72dAdWyc1iPCcM2UwDsrge1PCY7bpnY/s4032/IMG_4519.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnrVaVQSw18hXklbwswb2JGoZ92r1ISxD06YuIWbZ3g4RUsRMsRMmeiy-UjX6uoMPoq3XrBLA3PFb-3gDBVJ6RXLzK82tvY6Kemzh0qqZyD8JiPfeKoc7NyQp_kbswAf7YLdHf7WFxhhRwrHlulwAll_bCEWcRQ72dAdWyc1iPCcM2UwDsrge1PCY7bpnY/s320/IMG_4519.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpd6Qk4lDm32dBqfEkHwXTHhehRC8iPUhqZwJxW3XtB11ryatYOzDxqyRGxeHU6Hsp98NlRT2rgS7Jtqvk26CSd7WyfRmdmws_3KZwZVkTiZClYk0sZYVntQilUyfAr_IhclGSjBiP9nuDmOp8cvcSJAc5AkixuiZThLkwHxY8uGPay4JYMWjQXEgaPzvm/s4032/IMG_4513.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpd6Qk4lDm32dBqfEkHwXTHhehRC8iPUhqZwJxW3XtB11ryatYOzDxqyRGxeHU6Hsp98NlRT2rgS7Jtqvk26CSd7WyfRmdmws_3KZwZVkTiZClYk0sZYVntQilUyfAr_IhclGSjBiP9nuDmOp8cvcSJAc5AkixuiZThLkwHxY8uGPay4JYMWjQXEgaPzvm/s320/IMG_4513.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgEj5roijoOSzG0AGHYla8KBmTrR44iPu7P98OxyTrxwdQDmLhXDftUMSbhyjuJonDuaFDDXG2U6WmfvZ5sXrZsxYbEJNqpLv8mVbB0l9VSN8E0qFKOfzOTEdy6r6Cm0BTaYqYv5mS5i4vZiiE3gxAI0aFI2QL0yoo9xEiI7VhaVyNgzJiilQYM613Dagy/s4032/IMG_4521.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgEj5roijoOSzG0AGHYla8KBmTrR44iPu7P98OxyTrxwdQDmLhXDftUMSbhyjuJonDuaFDDXG2U6WmfvZ5sXrZsxYbEJNqpLv8mVbB0l9VSN8E0qFKOfzOTEdy6r6Cm0BTaYqYv5mS5i4vZiiE3gxAI0aFI2QL0yoo9xEiI7VhaVyNgzJiilQYM613Dagy/s320/IMG_4521.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Lunch at Osteria L'Archivolto<br /><span face="Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif" style="background-color: #141414; color: white; font-size: 13px;">_______________________________________<br /><br /><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAtcNoicSKTrH_na0JRimXAeL8EtcuhIVETOEGfP6wYNIXTmxouSErEgSEBP5_4-y9X90CSCXsjurDL1oLkNkQXQ8zlxmOGUdJ3bApXecB5e2KeNRmaq9vCcKNIeVuK_7-XyUPc3KpIHNr55u-Tdw0mbRTh1NrCs0XJWyxv_gldmpMQHbtf1eWXVM3Cwxh/s4032/IMG_4920.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAtcNoicSKTrH_na0JRimXAeL8EtcuhIVETOEGfP6wYNIXTmxouSErEgSEBP5_4-y9X90CSCXsjurDL1oLkNkQXQ8zlxmOGUdJ3bApXecB5e2KeNRmaq9vCcKNIeVuK_7-XyUPc3KpIHNr55u-Tdw0mbRTh1NrCs0XJWyxv_gldmpMQHbtf1eWXVM3Cwxh/w400-h300/IMG_4920.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>La Pignatta (Ovada)</b></div><p>Me and Erica drove back into Ovada for lunch a couple days later and were joined by our niece, Ada, who wanted to come out to eat with us. She’s only 5 so we decided to try La Pignatta, a small, no frills trattoria hiding down a quiet street. We sat outside in a peaceful courtyard and were quickly joined by a handful of locals out for lunch. Nothing on the menu was more than ten euros except for the cheese plate (12 euros). I started my meal with a monochromatic bowl of minestrone but it was boring only in looks. It had a thick and flavorful broth studded with ditalini and little bits of greens. I was surprised by just how good it was. For sure the best minestrone soup I’ve ever had. My pasta also surprised. It was a very simple Taglierini al tocco. The pasta had a chew more typical of Asian noodles and the meat sauce was deep in beef flavor. I was not expecting this to be a pasta that I still think about now and then. Erica had the Taglierini al pesto and was equally impressed. Ada had fettuccine with meat sauce and ate all of it. The friendly hostess / proprietor (?) sent out a bowl of lemon sorbet for Ada and us to enjoy and I have to say this was a meal that made me an even bigger fan of Italy than I already was. The food was home cooked quality and extremely reasonable and the service was very warm. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiimNdUYPVdK-GnzLvTrMIkA2Uj1yb19-tY7_SMvD42AZv4EjUbxflosx9Y1KENzCm3lruy8s6UWr3FPCJ1mXnG3BgRYLD4mQrmZQNMpVEVKFtR0PRHpj3WpKUYySP8HfdXAlrP6wcrf5xyh1z3_oO3lXt8rS8TMu_xyACobtP9kAopUmR1ojJ88sP8MZag/s4032/IMG_4885.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiimNdUYPVdK-GnzLvTrMIkA2Uj1yb19-tY7_SMvD42AZv4EjUbxflosx9Y1KENzCm3lruy8s6UWr3FPCJ1mXnG3BgRYLD4mQrmZQNMpVEVKFtR0PRHpj3WpKUYySP8HfdXAlrP6wcrf5xyh1z3_oO3lXt8rS8TMu_xyACobtP9kAopUmR1ojJ88sP8MZag/s320/IMG_4885.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3rVHNzY1yMHgOR-iBO_Mi_dwOdDEM-Z7rFsQvmClMJEsKxwtzS46uXF8gSJV9qgUDdHBa-1lBKUXI5bApAcy1ogRf9GWauqNREHjh2IRaQri4zVFzO_Fp3Q3rXyaRUEQmd61IVF5r2mRT06P6vOJO9Ni5hqmSJ_KKJypugA0GI-i3b7i4pzdh9zuJDj0P/s4032/IMG_4895.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3rVHNzY1yMHgOR-iBO_Mi_dwOdDEM-Z7rFsQvmClMJEsKxwtzS46uXF8gSJV9qgUDdHBa-1lBKUXI5bApAcy1ogRf9GWauqNREHjh2IRaQri4zVFzO_Fp3Q3rXyaRUEQmd61IVF5r2mRT06P6vOJO9Ni5hqmSJ_KKJypugA0GI-i3b7i4pzdh9zuJDj0P/s320/IMG_4895.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUC1Wfz5puWQjnpNmxl0GNdKwmKzcZCcJDfKj_vdDxzMrrz_SfVWobrdKLlceEENpy5lJK3PikNi_ox-EaCsidUF8XPQmbNernfn51BAIMZURucH25HBSkgFVGt0SBnwd9M3GfoF1RGr1tDAqCghx99aH2FDXQHjGaazMRsM8nNsa-h6Y8Bj0GS_DYP2Ro/s4032/IMG_4890.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUC1Wfz5puWQjnpNmxl0GNdKwmKzcZCcJDfKj_vdDxzMrrz_SfVWobrdKLlceEENpy5lJK3PikNi_ox-EaCsidUF8XPQmbNernfn51BAIMZURucH25HBSkgFVGt0SBnwd9M3GfoF1RGr1tDAqCghx99aH2FDXQHjGaazMRsM8nNsa-h6Y8Bj0GS_DYP2Ro/s320/IMG_4890.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrXNkJqjcxJsEzgrbwAK4u8JbIkJeUO6-7o0NjbUukXsG3QqeFGxAdj17UpmwwkdR4XgYWjeSck4JbtSvBJXfpfgSk22cnCFGJblygYCmP5aJ9sMNvgoaeauOeyWJU_xoQsnPXT90p4unSTy5HA1FtlntKzFfFyEJPo_NWdLq4sSw_bubqCjZt3o9y-Ioa/s4032/IMG_4905.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrXNkJqjcxJsEzgrbwAK4u8JbIkJeUO6-7o0NjbUukXsG3QqeFGxAdj17UpmwwkdR4XgYWjeSck4JbtSvBJXfpfgSk22cnCFGJblygYCmP5aJ9sMNvgoaeauOeyWJU_xoQsnPXT90p4unSTy5HA1FtlntKzFfFyEJPo_NWdLq4sSw_bubqCjZt3o9y-Ioa/s320/IMG_4905.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Lunch at La Pignatta <br /><span face="Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif" style="background-color: #141414; color: white; font-size: 13px;">_______________________________________<br /><br /><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvMFtPMpxtRYDB5LYGsWqvQWhwDd3U2KYQNU4unOhlUdxUcm7JRxu2b_GXHFLrfZUcX6A2bSSG3mQd9C9gvEttCNF3GupGXMhtPVYc3b2dWdVq2K2rCiG76WrnFe_SA6r1Crd4WNRJmrntPf9dtHedEr9xm87wVsaaWztQHA_sK4PLYaJyjrNhaOKSG1ST/s4032/IMG_4940.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvMFtPMpxtRYDB5LYGsWqvQWhwDd3U2KYQNU4unOhlUdxUcm7JRxu2b_GXHFLrfZUcX6A2bSSG3mQd9C9gvEttCNF3GupGXMhtPVYc3b2dWdVq2K2rCiG76WrnFe_SA6r1Crd4WNRJmrntPf9dtHedEr9xm87wVsaaWztQHA_sK4PLYaJyjrNhaOKSG1ST/w400-h300/IMG_4940.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>Gelato @ Caffe (Ovada)</b></div><br />We had promised our niece some gelato before the sorbet was sent out so we set off to find some after lunch. We came across Gelato @ Caffe just a short walk away. We were greeted by the owner who explained that his fruit gelatos are made daily pointing to a pile of fruit he was cutting upon our arrival. Both of us picked the peach and it was fantastic. I had to get a second cup and I had to split it with Ada. It’s too hard to pick a specific favorite gelato of the trip but this was one of the better ones.<br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;" /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXqrsbProRfdVzr4yion7EKRafNVkcELVvz_6sVn5fZwnjQIKs-jyTkwLnEt4sKPXd8g555DpRNNvuYvRsY_Qw0UakUKSzFEOKF_tphDUSjl6dE8drz5tqkzQJCksZZfwV_aD9Fzox-mL1voWWHZh3-XXzH-xSsjGg3lW8vNvezS6UdxEKNDggwS-sMCHT/s4032/IMG_4934.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXqrsbProRfdVzr4yion7EKRafNVkcELVvz_6sVn5fZwnjQIKs-jyTkwLnEt4sKPXd8g555DpRNNvuYvRsY_Qw0UakUKSzFEOKF_tphDUSjl6dE8drz5tqkzQJCksZZfwV_aD9Fzox-mL1voWWHZh3-XXzH-xSsjGg3lW8vNvezS6UdxEKNDggwS-sMCHT/w400-h300/IMG_4934.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Peach Gelato at Gealto @ Caffe<br /><span face="Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif" style="background-color: #141414; color: white; font-size: 13px;">_______________________________________</span><br /><br /><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsVRz6mM5G_NSX-62cwzNMCeOO8MLf8mmlWX5BgDzkUuPqSTWYqCfNxP3cij_dtoCnsRmEcT_gaSElaIWhQsSx_maKDN4Xk5bE-coxzKur3Ip76ZH0_yTspWo1HMm3toOuCrLAogMIsknnM6ozDKCOCBAZT4DzN_upJHpgjal0ILRg3s1XH9bwXmJ6yDFH/s4032/IMG_4642.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsVRz6mM5G_NSX-62cwzNMCeOO8MLf8mmlWX5BgDzkUuPqSTWYqCfNxP3cij_dtoCnsRmEcT_gaSElaIWhQsSx_maKDN4Xk5bE-coxzKur3Ip76ZH0_yTspWo1HMm3toOuCrLAogMIsknnM6ozDKCOCBAZT4DzN_upJHpgjal0ILRg3s1XH9bwXmJ6yDFH/w400-h300/IMG_4642.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>Da Nonna Gina (Acqui Terme)</b></div><br />Acqui Terme was the other town within easy reach from the house rental. Walking around it became apparent that they really like their mushrooms. The area is known for Porcini, Ovoli and Chanterelle mushrooms which grow abundantly in the valleys. Local shops selling all things mushroom dot the streets and you can pretty much expect to see mushrooms on the menu at most of the restaurants in the area. Da Nonna Gina features them a few ways including a fried version that rivals all others I've tried but not just bc of the fry job but also because of the the quality of the mushrooms. These weren’t battered which is how I prefer fried mushrooms but the caliber of them was so high they were just as good if not better than any others. They tasted like butter. Having just recently been introduced to Bagna Càuda I also had to have an order of that. It was a bit different in terms of preparation but pretty much just as good. A simple pasta prep with mushrooms was a perfect example of why you really don't need to be a classically trained chef to be a good cook in Italy. You just have to respect the local ingredients. I find these little casual spots to be my favorite type of restaurants in Italy.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTIQl_vXcl03EblWcBhMa0n7Aib3CliouPLJ5KIYmENGh8Mf_ln01GoA8pBovdTEhRJRWuNbxUzihkMt4uR562THIZ19-aKYiyaV7SY3snIC1Ltf-Nq-jR7Bmq-l8yzooEMNTxDpjnXPu_dwrNJnrDUDIGLzOp3E6T0KFx7vzhNwqtWPYEsMb3-VM8FcH7/s4032/IMG_4611.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTIQl_vXcl03EblWcBhMa0n7Aib3CliouPLJ5KIYmENGh8Mf_ln01GoA8pBovdTEhRJRWuNbxUzihkMt4uR562THIZ19-aKYiyaV7SY3snIC1Ltf-Nq-jR7Bmq-l8yzooEMNTxDpjnXPu_dwrNJnrDUDIGLzOp3E6T0KFx7vzhNwqtWPYEsMb3-VM8FcH7/s320/IMG_4611.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3DXKGVolB8YdNgALQcrJWieTxn43ECrduq1WXDZd4G2SXhgmMp0JNQ_fLlPaoZVvW7mf015DptRdx1XvVsYIOpvxmVmtROxLqIFpOlU3fRGH8sszpV01mUmJkibPBt4dxuEsXGGEz2VmOgkKPF5sS8zrHLb27ofliT179tUKIrg8VAESck6reum-rKF0x/s4032/IMG_4625.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3DXKGVolB8YdNgALQcrJWieTxn43ECrduq1WXDZd4G2SXhgmMp0JNQ_fLlPaoZVvW7mf015DptRdx1XvVsYIOpvxmVmtROxLqIFpOlU3fRGH8sszpV01mUmJkibPBt4dxuEsXGGEz2VmOgkKPF5sS8zrHLb27ofliT179tUKIrg8VAESck6reum-rKF0x/s320/IMG_4625.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJDOA3p6wI-q3sjv2zLsHLcrl5Dtu7CakGHCtY4Z0D6UVVzur_SWSl2RT07SQBi7gCnI8UvPFb-8NsF4XdIQTE0Rt6CTJPxGEjiURFRZHwvCxdGmaVk0YdLOZoavYZQ9VuQEMMGnWifk76Tb0ulB54hpUz4CwGRstD90iFDaVORJNTH7nbw14xJOUkr88w/s4032/IMG_4633.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJDOA3p6wI-q3sjv2zLsHLcrl5Dtu7CakGHCtY4Z0D6UVVzur_SWSl2RT07SQBi7gCnI8UvPFb-8NsF4XdIQTE0Rt6CTJPxGEjiURFRZHwvCxdGmaVk0YdLOZoavYZQ9VuQEMMGnWifk76Tb0ulB54hpUz4CwGRstD90iFDaVORJNTH7nbw14xJOUkr88w/s320/IMG_4633.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div><div style="text-align: center;">Lunch at Da Nonna Gina <br /><span face="Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif" style="background-color: #141414; color: white; font-size: 13px;">_______________________________________</span></div></div><div><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgisy4F2zUdTQB3iF-CufoUrTldNtmmu5ixr5l6uyUWD_13HENImc0akNZqAE45ieUHaQ82XmQnIPTjrzfHNOn7wfsD7Gjftf73Rxam9-N7AsA7lXePah8dP0Gxe7kKKUI6T_efUwAHciywp_krlrtt-EcLuoJyO-NYcqUaOI2Ipgcbcckx4CkspwmqTGTm/s4032/IMG_4678.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgisy4F2zUdTQB3iF-CufoUrTldNtmmu5ixr5l6uyUWD_13HENImc0akNZqAE45ieUHaQ82XmQnIPTjrzfHNOn7wfsD7Gjftf73Rxam9-N7AsA7lXePah8dP0Gxe7kKKUI6T_efUwAHciywp_krlrtt-EcLuoJyO-NYcqUaOI2Ipgcbcckx4CkspwmqTGTm/w400-h300/IMG_4678.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>Turkish Pizza Restoran (Acqui Terme)</b></div><br />I had Turkish doner by way of Berlin a handful of times during the length of the trip. You can find a place serving doner in pretty much every town in Europe. Acqui Terme is a town of just 20,000 people and there were multiple options for it. I chose this place bc it was more of a restaurant than a takeout spot. They had sitdown service and we needed to cool down with a water after roaming the farmers market across the street so that was reason enough but they were also sporting a beautiful cone of chicken and two different bread options. I chose the one that was more like a sub sandwich roll than a pita and got it spicy with everything including an array of thinly sliced vegetables plus tasty sauces. I’ve never met a doner sandwich that I didn’t like but you could tell this one was made with a bit more care than most. The bread really took it over the top. It’s really the only non-Italian thing I ate the entire week we were in the Piedmont so it was kind of like a palate cleanser in sandwich form.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5j_4Jvq8w56zK1dVQvxlzQEi-Um6icq5rb58m9UtJQwufyNtRoDOzLqyYros1eiZmvmD_Jl8x89Nqn8acccyjC7r3r7MHeNIPtXrsoN47gw7FhCwA1fjjD78iqe7qrOYx9hcdMfLaZrfO8Pd8v2LfUY_cEBS2NVmq8v9tKUgetuq72axedIiLuru0A0cs/s4032/IMG_4666.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5j_4Jvq8w56zK1dVQvxlzQEi-Um6icq5rb58m9UtJQwufyNtRoDOzLqyYros1eiZmvmD_Jl8x89Nqn8acccyjC7r3r7MHeNIPtXrsoN47gw7FhCwA1fjjD78iqe7qrOYx9hcdMfLaZrfO8Pd8v2LfUY_cEBS2NVmq8v9tKUgetuq72axedIiLuru0A0cs/w400-h300/IMG_4666.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Doner Kebab at Turkish Restoran <br /><span face="Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif" style="background-color: #141414; color: white; font-size: 13px;">_______________________________________</span></div><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZEVefxKqalRMyD186s2bUPOtE0sjK_8xqFvXs15k8rUmf2BT91g-xU-CpRWM3ACmUQpM2oFZkPgi-obramCOhijEqeDWJATa8wO40wl36V2pYSVqKTUd-Cd-dagH0ykWAA_gM4GL4NOimgz9YRYcAeng4O-tVhnM2_grIIIkVVl1eT3LCAEyor8chnPrJ/s4032/IMG_4436.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZEVefxKqalRMyD186s2bUPOtE0sjK_8xqFvXs15k8rUmf2BT91g-xU-CpRWM3ACmUQpM2oFZkPgi-obramCOhijEqeDWJATa8wO40wl36V2pYSVqKTUd-Cd-dagH0ykWAA_gM4GL4NOimgz9YRYcAeng4O-tVhnM2_grIIIkVVl1eT3LCAEyor8chnPrJ/w400-h300/IMG_4436.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>Cittu Bai (Acqui Terme)</b></div><br />I had a feeling this pizza place up in the hills of Acqui Terme would be great based off the pictures and that it was. I don’t think too many visitors make it here as the staff barely spoke any English and it’s up in the mountains away from the town square but lots of local families and groups of friends certainly know all about it. Full house on our visit with a pizza in front of every diner as that’s how it’s typically done in Italy but they were happy to accommodate us Americans who prefer to order a few for the table, they even cut them up for us which isn’t always the case. First up was a classic of cheese, sauce, and onions that hit all the notes of an old school American style pizza. The crust here is as thin or thinner than the thinnest tavern style spots back home so it really hit the spot for a bunch of true Chicagoans. A pesto with cheese pizza was really well done while their signature Focaccia di Recco was outstanding, technically it can’t be called that bc it wasn’t constructed in Recco (Liguria) but that’s exactly what it was. An order of breaded vegetables and sardines was a great plate for starters and overall this was another excellent call by me. What can I say, I know how to find them.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicEkVij2sNJf0TiU1ILNTDyz-QYkIpKbDmovW7Mt1dq0zh5AVjL5_D4a8kiEL_1nm8MYav-hcTdIL-vbFACVbm4xD2bIWP_OhhEWwgpQa3Zu0X5kXeNuOWwqZlmDh36fI_KNPLxptdBuyLSMGN0P8Zj-MObrMyZKJjbWVX-ryQLoeVEsIGUXr9qMEarhuQ/s4032/IMG_4366.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicEkVij2sNJf0TiU1ILNTDyz-QYkIpKbDmovW7Mt1dq0zh5AVjL5_D4a8kiEL_1nm8MYav-hcTdIL-vbFACVbm4xD2bIWP_OhhEWwgpQa3Zu0X5kXeNuOWwqZlmDh36fI_KNPLxptdBuyLSMGN0P8Zj-MObrMyZKJjbWVX-ryQLoeVEsIGUXr9qMEarhuQ/s320/IMG_4366.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi31b2JSqtEizJw1KMUNjVR7k51hqoFIqvmFF30dDH9xUCh4HZga27eCpj0U7DdykplTs3VXHj32LMqmYJtBEZM8K-PrhvVbthKclL28-yCn97o0dStvBP0XuM1pJN0GDFSFLkGuePdiM1CbtpQhztmHOu9RuPI0-wmWI3vbbnTmChUbYWulko512q0RXMt/s4032/IMG_4384.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi31b2JSqtEizJw1KMUNjVR7k51hqoFIqvmFF30dDH9xUCh4HZga27eCpj0U7DdykplTs3VXHj32LMqmYJtBEZM8K-PrhvVbthKclL28-yCn97o0dStvBP0XuM1pJN0GDFSFLkGuePdiM1CbtpQhztmHOu9RuPI0-wmWI3vbbnTmChUbYWulko512q0RXMt/s320/IMG_4384.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwjqJaB8g-EPrgdRY2AalNwvja3LXN8zBzdDxc-KzyXzQn4TWg3PZWoJMxO39O8vz41zagbuTrgVtg-VrL9BooDbVq6sFhdnBK7GckgQmO6cKDtzoxBgIsiJP1CxKSjaQ5gWCr_3HCudBr2_LsMdsH8VhelF85oIAHzC4FMlpMntErRcsNF5os7T6yI8EW/s4032/IMG_4381.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwjqJaB8g-EPrgdRY2AalNwvja3LXN8zBzdDxc-KzyXzQn4TWg3PZWoJMxO39O8vz41zagbuTrgVtg-VrL9BooDbVq6sFhdnBK7GckgQmO6cKDtzoxBgIsiJP1CxKSjaQ5gWCr_3HCudBr2_LsMdsH8VhelF85oIAHzC4FMlpMntErRcsNF5os7T6yI8EW/s320/IMG_4381.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjO-EVWTfV0GSMwu4Tyx0L2qlJ1Y79TXLnJ2tZGExJeGIWH2i4FRqukjHFxmMUoaSW0HtiDYewsVBk2Ox_BHW7BibihzlNk_E7itNDLkJSl04sVTqNZTE0IzZ0zXnVGNhycS9o_VP-K1Nx0Tb_SL2rHi4XFTVoHGAjKCKKyRw2qnmDbkRTVOEPp8vIxBF6m/s4032/IMG_4409.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjO-EVWTfV0GSMwu4Tyx0L2qlJ1Y79TXLnJ2tZGExJeGIWH2i4FRqukjHFxmMUoaSW0HtiDYewsVBk2Ox_BHW7BibihzlNk_E7itNDLkJSl04sVTqNZTE0IzZ0zXnVGNhycS9o_VP-K1Nx0Tb_SL2rHi4XFTVoHGAjKCKKyRw2qnmDbkRTVOEPp8vIxBF6m/s320/IMG_4409.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Pizza at Cittu Bai <br /><span face="Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif" style="background-color: #141414; color: white; font-size: 13px;">_______________________________________<br /><br /><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiu-sB9JPKBbDaTdw2_cuXPLDGog6-oN8G_syNALJ4wSBzFXImnNEtCMJuV3uTxPVD1d2umfg5EAz37ePzcJ2lWh4XHC-lg1IBLt84vHR2a192dccL0DzUpsnsy0EJD8NxESYy3keOpNeb5M7bgXMC0laQsfxjXwgLiHzrsCQ25-XMOqI_o2X994FMZcn3u/s4032/IMG_4710.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiu-sB9JPKBbDaTdw2_cuXPLDGog6-oN8G_syNALJ4wSBzFXImnNEtCMJuV3uTxPVD1d2umfg5EAz37ePzcJ2lWh4XHC-lg1IBLt84vHR2a192dccL0DzUpsnsy0EJD8NxESYy3keOpNeb5M7bgXMC0laQsfxjXwgLiHzrsCQ25-XMOqI_o2X994FMZcn3u/w400-h300/IMG_4710.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>Pqlin Winery (Alba)</b></div><br />We took a daytrip to the Langhe region which is rich in wineries. We were able to schedule tours and tastings at two places one of which served up a totally unexpected charcuterie and cheese tasting on top of the wine tasting. The hospitality at Pqlin Winery was incredible and so were the wines. I’m not a big wine guy at home but my wife loves it and I do too when I’m in a setting like this. I enjoy drinking a nice glass of wine in a vineyard, especially in one of the worlds best wine regions. Our host was hospitable in a way you rarely come across back home. He gave us the complete tour and we tried all the wines and had at least five rounds of charcuterie and cheeses in between all of it. We had to cut it short bc we had to go meet the rest of the family for lunch but we didn’t leave without a case of wine for the rest of the trip. At just $20 for the tasting I can’t recommend it enough. It’s a beautiful property too. We did another one after that was equally pretty but the tasting only came with wine and water.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnNUFGwELC_jrC7HZ5V01X9v5y_zyMray310Fjfv2mHfPgMB7VpW-aR8yKR_qFvhi3leE_ZYJspc_q7KD1kHViMFYfn7OSPul2QpNl0_dddgHHSI4uOk2JeEGWv6ylZvCu6KDVRAOdHjrpHG94-pXFAs4zqWBJiqYkm3msTAQ2BlyPrsiaIhY8GWXeGw7o/s4032/IMG_4718.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnNUFGwELC_jrC7HZ5V01X9v5y_zyMray310Fjfv2mHfPgMB7VpW-aR8yKR_qFvhi3leE_ZYJspc_q7KD1kHViMFYfn7OSPul2QpNl0_dddgHHSI4uOk2JeEGWv6ylZvCu6KDVRAOdHjrpHG94-pXFAs4zqWBJiqYkm3msTAQ2BlyPrsiaIhY8GWXeGw7o/w400-h300/IMG_4718.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Charcuterie at Pqlin Winery <br /><span face="Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif" style="background-color: #141414; color: white; font-size: 13px;">_______________________________________</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwuX88MLct1MXys8XfoHMlGZAy4weWGyaDxZ3yYBhQyU6fZ3rfm7jzw-4D1rFHls2v5JzV-Eedvdkur1768FYN2M48vNQs29yiCxv8MTVZ40zRdzbT6qAOAFIapJMWeZKbztyGOPNarqx02BYAaBRIrkAMy8IQc-7ObL22Cb0Uvbi6IEo-73M5s3bNJNPT/s4032/IMG_4774.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwuX88MLct1MXys8XfoHMlGZAy4weWGyaDxZ3yYBhQyU6fZ3rfm7jzw-4D1rFHls2v5JzV-Eedvdkur1768FYN2M48vNQs29yiCxv8MTVZ40zRdzbT6qAOAFIapJMWeZKbztyGOPNarqx02BYAaBRIrkAMy8IQc-7ObL22Cb0Uvbi6IEo-73M5s3bNJNPT/w400-h300/IMG_4774.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>Osteria dell'Arco (Alba)</b></div><br />We had a lovely lunch in Alba which some say is the de facto capital of the Langhe region and Italy's Slow Food Movement. So the story goes that movement started when McDonalds moved into the area and locals were afraid of losing their rich food traditions like the legend that is Agnolotti del Plin. It’s my favorite pasta of them all but much like handmade dumplings it can be time consuming. Though spots like Osteria dell’Arco continue to pinch them out by hand as that’s just how it has always been done. You could tell by how soft and tender these little pillows were that they were made just hours earlier. They come stuffed with meat and tossed in butter and I was moaning like Bill Murray in ‘What About Bob’ while eating them. I really came to love Vitello Tonnato on this trip. Cold slices of roast veal served up with a tuna sauce does sound a bit odd but it’s a special Piedmont dish. We also enjoyed a squid salad, Lumache di Langa con giardiniera di verdure (snails with vegetables), duck breast with blueberries, and a couple more pastas in the form of a Fusilli with fish sauce and a Spinach and Seirass Ravioli with sage butter. Long live Italy's Slow Food Movement.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhB1e89TgHjyqNBHU8IWg_Lrgy9xsZXzt_5D2jmnqPNLyW8SZBWrDaCQaDOT0dtmtQKaXIWle8ASzTKWYb4GMDmdEMIvQYIHHeklNlVG5n09EUFTEHJ84Cx9W1SWcFHNb8NnMQcpS_1_LFvX2JtuZl_Db0HCgwzAqSbffkh6LE81OIb42E1KRaAruFcLUIO/s4032/IMG_4739.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhB1e89TgHjyqNBHU8IWg_Lrgy9xsZXzt_5D2jmnqPNLyW8SZBWrDaCQaDOT0dtmtQKaXIWle8ASzTKWYb4GMDmdEMIvQYIHHeklNlVG5n09EUFTEHJ84Cx9W1SWcFHNb8NnMQcpS_1_LFvX2JtuZl_Db0HCgwzAqSbffkh6LE81OIb42E1KRaAruFcLUIO/s320/IMG_4739.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRmokpHEFsowlUjplh_oFwzYH3SnLQyyFTvM3G21mpXunyqhYi0bU953DoHikDyOJQsnBaBa1zwaQIxc4d4eI_gr_IBEDnMnOehza7Gg3deAugxTdgmqeNyZpIQPKSSP5gi3TZjP9oyP6HZp1D69gwyC6wnp_IAd2aC4peFbr02AhjMXVR8IgdNqVYlUxO/s4032/IMG_4744.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRmokpHEFsowlUjplh_oFwzYH3SnLQyyFTvM3G21mpXunyqhYi0bU953DoHikDyOJQsnBaBa1zwaQIxc4d4eI_gr_IBEDnMnOehza7Gg3deAugxTdgmqeNyZpIQPKSSP5gi3TZjP9oyP6HZp1D69gwyC6wnp_IAd2aC4peFbr02AhjMXVR8IgdNqVYlUxO/s320/IMG_4744.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTDOznK4As5hnBeWaxHTlY_Rseug_ULNcGka4laey6fis2olIsKTDKlY1_SIAmQVsuD6M33yfKjVL8utOM-LLoxX2P5D2_OxF4HS7-rv2R3GmTnjCnD9ayqBwI_6InaawFGPDtJVSj03ZNvzyUKUBy-DFsgJRnP7b6tuz6ngOklNbsiY5jJr-X78uFwWXO/s4032/IMG_4742.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTDOznK4As5hnBeWaxHTlY_Rseug_ULNcGka4laey6fis2olIsKTDKlY1_SIAmQVsuD6M33yfKjVL8utOM-LLoxX2P5D2_OxF4HS7-rv2R3GmTnjCnD9ayqBwI_6InaawFGPDtJVSj03ZNvzyUKUBy-DFsgJRnP7b6tuz6ngOklNbsiY5jJr-X78uFwWXO/s320/IMG_4742.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixWpfsZfkW1ifc0u2TxPMtKE0ePzZfHSqSoekB9JCOu7uJFZiDYmLg5aT047G9rA0HXpY-6q_G2O1Sv_zHUwoBKyEDkPAkW6yRhZm-ynSnUNqA99GDM_4UDaWERtQshwDdT3NJXF30eYleuB13EvPBRHTpYeNDT6EFLtejMoop6ydhwaZrNrAIhXMoJCE_/s4032/IMG_4754.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixWpfsZfkW1ifc0u2TxPMtKE0ePzZfHSqSoekB9JCOu7uJFZiDYmLg5aT047G9rA0HXpY-6q_G2O1Sv_zHUwoBKyEDkPAkW6yRhZm-ynSnUNqA99GDM_4UDaWERtQshwDdT3NJXF30eYleuB13EvPBRHTpYeNDT6EFLtejMoop6ydhwaZrNrAIhXMoJCE_/s320/IMG_4754.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjM8Pt19N7VoV_Fbh-wXDt2wNr1_ibmHc4bHtbNpG80UXicibxHszwQeesxHbOakJgOmBke36casgsN8zbBeFQoZAnBc8nMrxVOX7A4ODlI-u2I2Ffi9i2Ze-hsrCk0Mc7ckml-iF8G6Jud-T57q9vVSJLq3M2QxW26Gs8iNUUV_k67tMcw6frK3Y9J7sc0/s4032/IMG_4759.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjM8Pt19N7VoV_Fbh-wXDt2wNr1_ibmHc4bHtbNpG80UXicibxHszwQeesxHbOakJgOmBke36casgsN8zbBeFQoZAnBc8nMrxVOX7A4ODlI-u2I2Ffi9i2Ze-hsrCk0Mc7ckml-iF8G6Jud-T57q9vVSJLq3M2QxW26Gs8iNUUV_k67tMcw6frK3Y9J7sc0/s320/IMG_4759.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibsodvpw8Ng__T6zvykIlt18LMvlpDBvrQYPffpgZZoX91aTYafWvyMndL01S6Z5Yx4NkddLwvVKVCCaCNeD-Vmn-1pSvqodnD0TaOmeNBI9kxYKbRwaiPCLZ_49rleCOw10hPXayv4-3OktTlbFDkOap8c713IgThlnvBq796d48wVvSs2c0Rjf5ZkViW/s4032/IMG_4765.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibsodvpw8Ng__T6zvykIlt18LMvlpDBvrQYPffpgZZoX91aTYafWvyMndL01S6Z5Yx4NkddLwvVKVCCaCNeD-Vmn-1pSvqodnD0TaOmeNBI9kxYKbRwaiPCLZ_49rleCOw10hPXayv4-3OktTlbFDkOap8c713IgThlnvBq796d48wVvSs2c0Rjf5ZkViW/s320/IMG_4765.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHidvuUWbeK7Y78mM14JMwSERHVHZWVwgE5Yb6DB1PheF14ShQNLsoKDU8_4ZXP_NJEHIAXQ-rZyIkGRMrqACci-SM6cPtpKqm9jjhEkb873r7xauayDLF5LhO1HSHBDZd4IvNTyIEfqwaq_N98Lp3RD8Tpy2Eu8QOuc-Nth_iJQc9DKSn_CCCEveC-VGN/s4032/IMG_4751.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHidvuUWbeK7Y78mM14JMwSERHVHZWVwgE5Yb6DB1PheF14ShQNLsoKDU8_4ZXP_NJEHIAXQ-rZyIkGRMrqACci-SM6cPtpKqm9jjhEkb873r7xauayDLF5LhO1HSHBDZd4IvNTyIEfqwaq_N98Lp3RD8Tpy2Eu8QOuc-Nth_iJQc9DKSn_CCCEveC-VGN/s320/IMG_4751.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijmotG2aodYbB3K8G8XeF3whvZsXJWA8WCZ2crnwvNbv_tG97P-3GT0UCelT0kLmJbBIVdlqF-1gaNAKFfGI8ZCLi_6KcmW6toIMsPgVxjXdObNR3dBe1BnoX4GHi90U4aTl9poGEGhgDJR8jXL5yDuqwtHrjdk1CffsyRPpRwm98aYfFYdtkqgfvzaRqS/s4032/IMG_4764.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijmotG2aodYbB3K8G8XeF3whvZsXJWA8WCZ2crnwvNbv_tG97P-3GT0UCelT0kLmJbBIVdlqF-1gaNAKFfGI8ZCLi_6KcmW6toIMsPgVxjXdObNR3dBe1BnoX4GHi90U4aTl9poGEGhgDJR8jXL5yDuqwtHrjdk1CffsyRPpRwm98aYfFYdtkqgfvzaRqS/s320/IMG_4764.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Lunch at Osteria dell'Arco<br /><span style="background-color: #141414; color: white; font-size: 13px;">_______________________________________</span></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMOzL5bgutfJiQg5NPjd5e8VpDHdzxIU57Q59xXMHYKF0XCGNsaeDpRbPjb4zakNwXNzQZae2vnWKWnXV1NPp_Fff-TZMZ8AxfqN7qwOGXagWzKGjmc1TuX0QVFWgwLxmR22eS4T33EkZqLUkMTauMNtSjEYyghzyxPhXftPNQIytPXSqRG5rdlkKmCEGn/s4032/IMG_4836.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMOzL5bgutfJiQg5NPjd5e8VpDHdzxIU57Q59xXMHYKF0XCGNsaeDpRbPjb4zakNwXNzQZae2vnWKWnXV1NPp_Fff-TZMZ8AxfqN7qwOGXagWzKGjmc1TuX0QVFWgwLxmR22eS4T33EkZqLUkMTauMNtSjEYyghzyxPhXftPNQIytPXSqRG5rdlkKmCEGn/s320/IMG_4836.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>Dallatte (Alba)</b></div><br />My nephew (2 y/o) got a little restless as we were finishing up lunch so I grabbed him and we took a walk down the town square where we came across this busy gelateria. We stepped inside Dallatte and I noticed a menu showing the days granita flavors and decided to have my first granita in Italy. It's a cousin of Italian ice made with sugar, water and fruits and or flavorings. The tangerine granita was a revelation. It was frozen but soft with big citrus flavor. It was kind of like a next level Italian ice. <br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSVIQw4PTPfJdTkvS2AaPyV3HmksS00pgtzC6rfNy3SROesUQwP7bKOX3BETuf7t1LiW5hYZJkMGMp0kbYH2jqEIvgZThbsUXpN5PXSb6hFESbr7kCdrtzreJi-irEYDgk5NGuITJyIfQVcw0D_OVTaUHZ922rVk8Zx2xKIfhehGd1s2pDpirxV4I4z-Bf/s4032/IMG_4839.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSVIQw4PTPfJdTkvS2AaPyV3HmksS00pgtzC6rfNy3SROesUQwP7bKOX3BETuf7t1LiW5hYZJkMGMp0kbYH2jqEIvgZThbsUXpN5PXSb6hFESbr7kCdrtzreJi-irEYDgk5NGuITJyIfQVcw0D_OVTaUHZ922rVk8Zx2xKIfhehGd1s2pDpirxV4I4z-Bf/s320/IMG_4839.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Tangerine Granita at Dallatte <br /><span style="background-color: #141414; color: white; font-size: 13px;">_______________________________________</span></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjeJoa57l0gUffWxNBQ9zQLmVGczqKJuokF95M4NnWo1cU53aSJr8Hgh8IjXTMmedmV-586CM-1nLSqCPlD04P8thezoPQqhn9eMA_87GVGvw2HNkqSash0dfknI-MmuMA2lLULe_zEztz103rHkfr-TDik8NpWbN_Ar0uTDBaRKTfSVyQ8yxfxnQta9Zk/s4032/IMG_5046.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjeJoa57l0gUffWxNBQ9zQLmVGczqKJuokF95M4NnWo1cU53aSJr8Hgh8IjXTMmedmV-586CM-1nLSqCPlD04P8thezoPQqhn9eMA_87GVGvw2HNkqSash0dfknI-MmuMA2lLULe_zEztz103rHkfr-TDik8NpWbN_Ar0uTDBaRKTfSVyQ8yxfxnQta9Zk/w400-h300/IMG_5046.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>Ristorante Da Fausto (Cavatore)</b></div><br />It was just me, Erica, and our other niece - Meg - for our last lunch in the region. We took a quick drive to Cavatore, a small commune of just 275 people plus a memorable restaurant nestled in the hills. We had a fantastic meal at Da Fausto starting with an amuse bouche of very lightly battered locally grown herbs before moving onto ravioli stuffed with basil swimming in alpine butter, Agnolotti stuffed with meat in the sauce of the roast, and a Fusilli with pecorino and bottarga. All three of the pastas were phenomenal while dessert was the perfect ending to an unforgettable week of food and family - made on site vanilla ice cream was topped with fresh in season fruit sitting inside a crisp biscuit sprinkled with powdered sugar. One of the best desserts of not just the trip but my lifetime. Of course Meg got the majority of it but I had more than just the one bite I was planning on having. The staff at Da Fausto was warm and welcoming and the dining room is bright and airy with nice views of the Alps when the sky is clear. The country cooking in Italy hits different. There’s no fast food chains for miles, just casual mom and pop places making simple dishes with superior ingredients.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwFqO2chmJhEKp7p1J-ShHTQipfoZj0kQCmyct171KqUX6NBAHrawCDICoRCGtYUx-h1u7cH5qQz0UlfdrRGKtVxJDUiQbrML07zZpdnR8K9Zgi0NABZN_FsbuvwXdrFJP6kwQ6LPAuJQE-A-DvmKoBU_M60zGZVwo59256pNKXUzGVT8RC13P4MNI_2Rs/s4032/IMG_4991.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwFqO2chmJhEKp7p1J-ShHTQipfoZj0kQCmyct171KqUX6NBAHrawCDICoRCGtYUx-h1u7cH5qQz0UlfdrRGKtVxJDUiQbrML07zZpdnR8K9Zgi0NABZN_FsbuvwXdrFJP6kwQ6LPAuJQE-A-DvmKoBU_M60zGZVwo59256pNKXUzGVT8RC13P4MNI_2Rs/s320/IMG_4991.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjFvy8_3OkkHKEEdSHcSKC2SXvC17NEV-5Awog_ravv08GIyKqj4GSE7ZnnCiCtsTW9WiVby4qpvbcCH86wYtAErk4w89hR2tQkxZXsKajWirnoMK-NEe0JfipVY66cVDO3OZgVW-D6Bw9C0FddByHabjscQlGGtW5ZId5rIrdUx-7sjGVZ6AC_QF1qcjj/s4032/IMG_5003.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjFvy8_3OkkHKEEdSHcSKC2SXvC17NEV-5Awog_ravv08GIyKqj4GSE7ZnnCiCtsTW9WiVby4qpvbcCH86wYtAErk4w89hR2tQkxZXsKajWirnoMK-NEe0JfipVY66cVDO3OZgVW-D6Bw9C0FddByHabjscQlGGtW5ZId5rIrdUx-7sjGVZ6AC_QF1qcjj/s320/IMG_5003.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidzfKJ3UPbUl7Yn_ulfkasDwpJrUO0N33_5kelUcgOX26oCf2s1CWvgMWHTg-AwMa2i3neueYesMF4OZMiYPDiwU-MNuOWWxCjYcEosas3CW9MZ5sgw31t3HurfOkxukq0A2vfha3OYrT2QBMpm5Ad9YVV9OA-8j-rf8ESOhIH_vMLo6LiPTzODfnKzr2-/s4032/IMG_5010.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidzfKJ3UPbUl7Yn_ulfkasDwpJrUO0N33_5kelUcgOX26oCf2s1CWvgMWHTg-AwMa2i3neueYesMF4OZMiYPDiwU-MNuOWWxCjYcEosas3CW9MZ5sgw31t3HurfOkxukq0A2vfha3OYrT2QBMpm5Ad9YVV9OA-8j-rf8ESOhIH_vMLo6LiPTzODfnKzr2-/s320/IMG_5010.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfKjBsM02zFg4FdbdF1Hs7qE_OktS70yTUpWTkNg9hPIjDcFq1OC-l3BfpvGhthn8HQWDfUlJ-Cmsj6Frq69H756qHV4N92EXUWEvmEAV2x-ZapK4uOFeV5a9G8GXnCJlxRTYjZjOiwcl5LeacYseFrrkH2gHBbh38ORKX_WWuatq48y5m6AH4DdthABm3/s4032/IMG_5019.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfKjBsM02zFg4FdbdF1Hs7qE_OktS70yTUpWTkNg9hPIjDcFq1OC-l3BfpvGhthn8HQWDfUlJ-Cmsj6Frq69H756qHV4N92EXUWEvmEAV2x-ZapK4uOFeV5a9G8GXnCJlxRTYjZjOiwcl5LeacYseFrrkH2gHBbh38ORKX_WWuatq48y5m6AH4DdthABm3/s320/IMG_5019.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiT4RWCtZfbywhs7jY-fMuZptAGrKu9JfJk3Qt11obh4StbK2nwK8B_ZscSy6KGw0zdFVSIqZ2pFLNvdeNw61zAcxc7ye2m33hJ8hzwQXANlJMTJf50I0UBmp2_28lpFNTyXhb7j0eEU4xtsnqBvvgUHctK9XYS1OroiRaSTxAs-t_XPAfVK5wM-OOtAB6N/s4032/IMG_5042.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiT4RWCtZfbywhs7jY-fMuZptAGrKu9JfJk3Qt11obh4StbK2nwK8B_ZscSy6KGw0zdFVSIqZ2pFLNvdeNw61zAcxc7ye2m33hJ8hzwQXANlJMTJf50I0UBmp2_28lpFNTyXhb7j0eEU4xtsnqBvvgUHctK9XYS1OroiRaSTxAs-t_XPAfVK5wM-OOtAB6N/s320/IMG_5042.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Lunch at Da Fausto<br /><span style="background-color: #141414; color: white; font-size: 13px;">_______________________________________</span></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoQ6JsviHOavt-3_GGDTZ-SvIGDPIUi0mKvWl8ggYSEkn2BIvpunKbHmkB_jwHHhOGgA_a0JFUlpGWmX0vHha8tW81YJFI-U4Igwn849bEULTI048XRvjVQYaP-imH_HerV8WGNsQFi5pLj4iyIDpalxpaTX1L_wHe9LXwvNvfrnJU0Jc-Jg7et29XWEGo/s4032/IMG_5077.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoQ6JsviHOavt-3_GGDTZ-SvIGDPIUi0mKvWl8ggYSEkn2BIvpunKbHmkB_jwHHhOGgA_a0JFUlpGWmX0vHha8tW81YJFI-U4Igwn849bEULTI048XRvjVQYaP-imH_HerV8WGNsQFi5pLj4iyIDpalxpaTX1L_wHe9LXwvNvfrnJU0Jc-Jg7et29XWEGo/w400-h300/IMG_5077.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>Il Laghetto (Cimaferle)</b></div><br />Last stop in the Piedmont. The house we rented had a nice kitchen and an awesome outdoor wood fired grill and a pizza oven so we cooked a few meals there including pizza on our last night. Only thing was the pizza oven took a long time to get going so I went ahead and got the pizza party started on time with a couple of pizzas from this spot just a five minute ride from the house. Il Laghetto was packed with people on a Friday night. I placed a to-go order for a couple of pizzas and drank a beer while watching person after person arrive to this obviously popular weekend destination. By the time I was leaving there were cars parked anywhere they could fit around town. The menu had at least 40 choices so I made it easy on myself and got one with sausage, mushrooms, onions and also the Pizza Americano which is a pizza with three types of meat including hot dogs plus fries. I knew the kids would get a kick out of it as did I and you know what? It was actually pretty good. The kids ate all of the fries off of it so it was just a deluxe meat pizza. Both of them were well made and I could see why they bring the crowds in. Also of note were the boxes that the pizzas came served in. Surely not signed off on by the creators of the Simpsons but I bet even they would get a kick out of them. <br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqwm6hmNpUVXyG8s4Es4OMegLM5rmE0DSvVy07P3JYtZIv1kwX16wK55BHclMUxHo_p43OcQ21gYm0FpTVjw0vjkMwZun-UlkRB76VaWDQnQzKrmn-2lkaun5HFomO5tMfC3JVjz29rQ6ardnfqDD46JqaZ15et2sW5W3f21jlyG4jT7nn0QLEjq1ggOyf/s4032/IMG_5097.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqwm6hmNpUVXyG8s4Es4OMegLM5rmE0DSvVy07P3JYtZIv1kwX16wK55BHclMUxHo_p43OcQ21gYm0FpTVjw0vjkMwZun-UlkRB76VaWDQnQzKrmn-2lkaun5HFomO5tMfC3JVjz29rQ6ardnfqDD46JqaZ15et2sW5W3f21jlyG4jT7nn0QLEjq1ggOyf/s320/IMG_5097.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_Dgae8Hxxur4atUX_EkagDn8KZ-W4mpKn_gEX4IZ8smityp12UFH3myponc1DmNK4LUcYFQixvO_SYvPMO_jnofDHkve1uDifJDJ13mLpo8ybkoK2xTfe8eiOBGqL286e4AtWNH_iWff_mjNWd4RMG6hCcBP1e-4qJV6h5Qh-BHJZfSQT9o1eYY6Fk74J/s4032/IMG_5102.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_Dgae8Hxxur4atUX_EkagDn8KZ-W4mpKn_gEX4IZ8smityp12UFH3myponc1DmNK4LUcYFQixvO_SYvPMO_jnofDHkve1uDifJDJ13mLpo8ybkoK2xTfe8eiOBGqL286e4AtWNH_iWff_mjNWd4RMG6hCcBP1e-4qJV6h5Qh-BHJZfSQT9o1eYY6Fk74J/s320/IMG_5102.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Pizza at Il Laghetto<br /><span style="background-color: #141414; color: white; font-size: 13px;">_______________________________________</span></div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>Next Stop: Liguria</b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><br /></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>Previous Stops:</b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><a href="https://chibbqking.blogspot.com/2023/11/eating-big-in-milan.html">Milan</a></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><a href="https://chibbqking.blogspot.com/2023/11/eating-big-in-parma.html">Parma</a></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Click <a href="https://www.google.com/maps/d/edit?mid=1XNaIOVRp_6NR7v1n1l9ksGj79pTys7Y&usp=sharing">HERE</a> for a google maps guide to all the spots I hit up plus places I didn't get to check out.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><b><span style="font-size: medium;">See ya next time <a href="https://www.instagram.com/chibbqking/">@chibbqking</a></span></b></div></div>KingThttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05368411195212070782noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7759763120880236446.post-10815320193282458232023-11-13T11:30:00.001-06:002023-11-19T19:56:01.766-06:00Eating BIG in Parma <p><span face=""trebuchet ms", trebuchet, verdana, sans-serif" style="background-color: black; color: white; font-size: 13px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 20.7955px;"><span style="font-size: 23.6364px;">Eating like a local:</span><br /><span style="font-size: 23.6364px;">Regional food specialties<br /></span></span><span face="Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif" style="background-color: black; color: white; font-size: 13px;"><span face=""trebuchet ms", trebuchet, verdana, sans-serif" style="font-size: medium;"><b>- Exploring the Capital of Italy's Food Valley </b></span></span></p><p>After a night in Milan we headed off for a few days in Parma. The drive was pretty easy although the toll booths are hard to understand in Italy. We arrived in Parma in the afternoon and the first thing I did after dropping my bags at the Airbnb was take a walk around the area. By the end of that walk I knew that Parma was my type of town. The second largest city in the Emilia-Romagna is a college town at heart so there was an energy in the air from all the young kids getting their summer started. Parma is a very walkable city split in half by the river. The historic city center is car free and lined with historic cobbled streets and beautiful Romanesque buildings and of course lots of bars and restaurants too. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgf3yVJPXtZMDPA1hTjdzPNFpHETEKAuyDmte7IfkN9XK8mo6zlTFvt1h45P1SzQE_zd1Dgf-U564qq8LoSdH2fknKgr4Fjchj8OiiAnzwMyU80kJid24pjfAY0V-G2ZKsXDB6vpaaw2ojG1bWamChl2sd7P5aQxcTBarfGi7ZWDoZsUCZVYCW06U1Rxsje/s4032/IMG_3767.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgf3yVJPXtZMDPA1hTjdzPNFpHETEKAuyDmte7IfkN9XK8mo6zlTFvt1h45P1SzQE_zd1Dgf-U564qq8LoSdH2fknKgr4Fjchj8OiiAnzwMyU80kJid24pjfAY0V-G2ZKsXDB6vpaaw2ojG1bWamChl2sd7P5aQxcTBarfGi7ZWDoZsUCZVYCW06U1Rxsje/s320/IMG_3767.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBHZOVpaV4r4XxbLazTaeOZhP2HqutqDfKWywaxLq13TsSKA5UAS4wKLyTEdZ_LKkj8kInVQBjLIHOj3_skfbEO2cQsQxWcZylhdUe6uMuRUEW0XP3RGMT-Z5B0ZAn3Zg8FZXhV4CezYKc2hRQcnAoqRxLivS_yVKbPZwsBrhIP5CORnd28fakCYypXw2X/s4032/IMG_3797.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBHZOVpaV4r4XxbLazTaeOZhP2HqutqDfKWywaxLq13TsSKA5UAS4wKLyTEdZ_LKkj8kInVQBjLIHOj3_skfbEO2cQsQxWcZylhdUe6uMuRUEW0XP3RGMT-Z5B0ZAn3Zg8FZXhV4CezYKc2hRQcnAoqRxLivS_yVKbPZwsBrhIP5CORnd28fakCYypXw2X/s320/IMG_3797.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3zqlfj_NIV-cMnIcQbVoKiyoqBaMc95CkM5L4sC5fBlqT5rTmUAt88NjggKUF_8RBfoPB0fMIpqbSDE_dFIMCWVU9mM-HzubOY8Tsnhqhv8C1K6wysp5iwcDJeiGSrRBnIazqVENNDCbfKBoOmJHl0Sk61CegTHXdbekL-b5hZllNgt6Cl6kNE5NoQWsH/s4032/IMG_3802.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3zqlfj_NIV-cMnIcQbVoKiyoqBaMc95CkM5L4sC5fBlqT5rTmUAt88NjggKUF_8RBfoPB0fMIpqbSDE_dFIMCWVU9mM-HzubOY8Tsnhqhv8C1K6wysp5iwcDJeiGSrRBnIazqVENNDCbfKBoOmJHl0Sk61CegTHXdbekL-b5hZllNgt6Cl6kNE5NoQWsH/s320/IMG_3802.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGjAuchJKFL6Rk91eVq4Cr0OeYpHV3xddMUiTGAiiUz-n_F9rYvMJreH4wP7oQauBzZOxTrBDm7eFMSWL0XyjMUFUQQiRD-N8OJsnsFC_q4x1p3DaKsNVrbOX6Z_iRoAeHtjJjhV6-bCZ8fFsBFXub_sG8IemiiqgUHiP6gsYPA-i64BA8V5fGNinie_kU/s4032/IMG_4137.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGjAuchJKFL6Rk91eVq4Cr0OeYpHV3xddMUiTGAiiUz-n_F9rYvMJreH4wP7oQauBzZOxTrBDm7eFMSWL0XyjMUFUQQiRD-N8OJsnsFC_q4x1p3DaKsNVrbOX6Z_iRoAeHtjJjhV6-bCZ8fFsBFXub_sG8IemiiqgUHiP6gsYPA-i64BA8V5fGNinie_kU/s320/IMG_4137.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Pics from Parma</div><p>Parma is a big time food town as it’s known for producing two of Italy's most prized possessions - Parmigiano Reggiano and Prosciutto di Parma. Both of which have been given Protected Designation of Origin status or PDO which are products that owe their quality and or characteristics to the geographical environment, including the natural and human factors. All parts of the production, processing and preparation process take place in the specific region. There’s plenty of hands on tours you can take to see how both of these high quality ingredients are made. We visited a cheese factory on the outskirts of town and learned how the “King of Cheeses” is made (Hint: the same way it’s always been made). We got to watch as employees did their job making Parmigiano Reggiano cheese entirely from scratch with nothing but human hands and strength. It’s a very traditional process consisting of raw milk and huge copper vats. As we learned, it takes 550 litres of milk to produce each wheel of Parmigiano Reggiano at Caseificio Uggalatte (Dal 1930). Of course the best part of the tour was getting to try all of the cheeses at the end of the showing. I’m going to go ahead and disagree with Parma professor Alberto Grandi who was very likely paid off by Big Cheese when he claimed that “the only place in the world to find bona fide parmesan cheese was in Wisconsin”.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpTBq-5AckFlMkb-0cjHIV_uyqJdGXnmUyRCUgtxYBqmCItojFwHCpyLxwJ0Cjx2Bi-4aQKMWAA_CO43InxRmHs8WXvez2e6nOHo7ILqlAEgzzs6OscG8LFe7e1-SNVmvOiih2fke2M_6puOW1OQjTzwsOn6mlvHTaaOsEtSR1MkdLPmd4unKpCoBWSWdC/s4032/IMG_3956.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpTBq-5AckFlMkb-0cjHIV_uyqJdGXnmUyRCUgtxYBqmCItojFwHCpyLxwJ0Cjx2Bi-4aQKMWAA_CO43InxRmHs8WXvez2e6nOHo7ILqlAEgzzs6OscG8LFe7e1-SNVmvOiih2fke2M_6puOW1OQjTzwsOn6mlvHTaaOsEtSR1MkdLPmd4unKpCoBWSWdC/s320/IMG_3956.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgByYjmv9-rIJCAZJFfr_9kkPXX7FnTXToppUyrT_wsZ4riix59HjFhK0lKYNqttoiHBGFCHSQLZ2z-dkXuIDSwVftbWpGevfer2_ubWmMdgkBCahV-gzHV7tijGjRYALhMHBaW80d1khd_AB0mm58JiCIp_skWrp-uRmRfFT7p2Cp9bTCzG-VbnDSQDVcl/s4032/IMG_3936.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgByYjmv9-rIJCAZJFfr_9kkPXX7FnTXToppUyrT_wsZ4riix59HjFhK0lKYNqttoiHBGFCHSQLZ2z-dkXuIDSwVftbWpGevfer2_ubWmMdgkBCahV-gzHV7tijGjRYALhMHBaW80d1khd_AB0mm58JiCIp_skWrp-uRmRfFT7p2Cp9bTCzG-VbnDSQDVcl/s320/IMG_3936.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJlSmAAeHsJI9P7tcoSsZHifr7fvfV2AS6h2QbJbWD-NOO93vqGHem0-U42bz5CVPH0928lHz86aiACiMMvtmJG-wl74DgWWgf5a3a_T7BW0AzZmHS-Pt57yiYR1XJEowzrEmyWjZjSZLkE6Y-d3YDNplpmmiyxRyvp29qI4irHpZIwLn8j4vMSFKdweU7/s4032/IMG_3926.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJlSmAAeHsJI9P7tcoSsZHifr7fvfV2AS6h2QbJbWD-NOO93vqGHem0-U42bz5CVPH0928lHz86aiACiMMvtmJG-wl74DgWWgf5a3a_T7BW0AzZmHS-Pt57yiYR1XJEowzrEmyWjZjSZLkE6Y-d3YDNplpmmiyxRyvp29qI4irHpZIwLn8j4vMSFKdweU7/s320/IMG_3926.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSTZtQN5Xo6l8aDp0GG79ftQbY59k4gV6JLmy5iCuhumjiv7RaOgpGLo52qxsFnjnXDpzcm1v4FOyhv_ze7LRKTO15Rrf_eOxfM86axl__GU9y8hlJig-E-DEXP26AJ-4VJH8wfXb0F1REMWfh4KaXZPTCDOmyC-VteNvkTmKBVOJ0tof34N1xXJJh7U9O/s4032/IMG_3950.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSTZtQN5Xo6l8aDp0GG79ftQbY59k4gV6JLmy5iCuhumjiv7RaOgpGLo52qxsFnjnXDpzcm1v4FOyhv_ze7LRKTO15Rrf_eOxfM86axl__GU9y8hlJig-E-DEXP26AJ-4VJH8wfXb0F1REMWfh4KaXZPTCDOmyC-VteNvkTmKBVOJ0tof34N1xXJJh7U9O/s320/IMG_3950.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Pics from Caseificio Uggalatte (click pics to enhance)<br /><span style="background-color: #141414; color: white; font-size: 13px;">_______________________________________<br /><br /><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1M-3V88tYlfQ8Xps9E22cIaYOxTSVR7dNCGfPdtXzukvOO_LhZMw5f1rTzl2mQfvqproxyRFqeHjvVDaZtRCH9LZde4pzoNcwcMdy0wSJe0FPLAugZfm0lvmhlnp0qhBsGzAMR3uQ6uBHb59lCpUyojQgBwp0gULr7CF2WT4Cw-lOfY_feyHR8EmwLn0X/s4032/IMG_4070.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1M-3V88tYlfQ8Xps9E22cIaYOxTSVR7dNCGfPdtXzukvOO_LhZMw5f1rTzl2mQfvqproxyRFqeHjvVDaZtRCH9LZde4pzoNcwcMdy0wSJe0FPLAugZfm0lvmhlnp0qhBsGzAMR3uQ6uBHb59lCpUyojQgBwp0gULr7CF2WT4Cw-lOfY_feyHR8EmwLn0X/w400-h300/IMG_4070.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>Trattoria Ai Due Platani </b></div><p>If you do end up doing the cheese tour at Caseificio Uggalatte you would be smart to make a half day out of it by going over to Ai Due Platani for lunch. This was one of the most anticipated food stops of the trip and it lived up to everything I was hoping it was. From the service to the food to the location itself it was pretty much perfect. The history here dates back to the late 1920’s with the current owners going back to 2005. Almost 20 years later they run one of Italy's best casual dining destinations in the small town of Coloreto about 15 minutes from Parma. Diners come from pretty much everywhere including Chicago for some of the regions best pastas plus their most well known offering - a tableside ice cream service serving up an uber rich vanilla made in an old machine from the 1950’s. All of the pastas were phenomenal. Their signature offering is a colorful plate of cherry and chard tortelli which we all enjoyed. Same goes for the Ravioli di Coniglio (rabbit) but the one that stood out was the Anolini en Brodo which is a regional dish popular in Bologna. It’s basically an Italian version of wonton soup and one of my favorite pasta preps so I made sure to get some from here and it delivered in a big way. Also of note is the outstanding mortadella that comes out as an amuse bouche with a plate of Torte Frite (fried bread). The meats are used to stuff the bread. The ice cream was incredible. This was the most “Italy” meal I’ve ever had in that it would make a great set for directors looking to film a movie in the Italian Countryside but every meal in Piedmont felt the same way so do stay tuned. Due Platani is a short ride from the city center and close to the cheesemakers.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuWzMLMSF1AuRnSTLWAFE6x6t2zwDlBckfF6CAqXKkh_E1s5rMPF4nIGLSoD5w2PCsajwYCvWrRaKa2HQIr9Mewev2i2heoukH6XEaTAlu85aIH_1tmeCPo03lw3rNE6G_sWOemcf5oGEXrq7a08X8_wa51_w-6XqYeD2Kp2s3w-PMPXLt2vYEisfR_MfR/s4032/IMG_3969.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuWzMLMSF1AuRnSTLWAFE6x6t2zwDlBckfF6CAqXKkh_E1s5rMPF4nIGLSoD5w2PCsajwYCvWrRaKa2HQIr9Mewev2i2heoukH6XEaTAlu85aIH_1tmeCPo03lw3rNE6G_sWOemcf5oGEXrq7a08X8_wa51_w-6XqYeD2Kp2s3w-PMPXLt2vYEisfR_MfR/s320/IMG_3969.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkcdN12u3FHuEJu1PmIlRDPxwuRp1EwWzOqxXDbb0psklU-Vd_4CtFdE_XrHxLQ04UUv-C7XROd_v7j0rAU2eu5rZvQSQgT1H3yZYHcPjvHh2sBqq-gqon8HWturEOPBKqrpMryYjxoX5Fs_yrjeoWpzf4D-iweuIxzNAsJy8QR5VC2ez1gn86htXxVQg4/s4032/IMG_3994.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkcdN12u3FHuEJu1PmIlRDPxwuRp1EwWzOqxXDbb0psklU-Vd_4CtFdE_XrHxLQ04UUv-C7XROd_v7j0rAU2eu5rZvQSQgT1H3yZYHcPjvHh2sBqq-gqon8HWturEOPBKqrpMryYjxoX5Fs_yrjeoWpzf4D-iweuIxzNAsJy8QR5VC2ez1gn86htXxVQg4/s320/IMG_3994.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRaC6_B17Ptk5wxEvgz7yYDZxBsNZq6-Q5RuL_mGuauRnuPfHwHJI6BiGRaIG3CkCwz0js-fE2WyM_9e5PfstkFvwZj8LG5E_C3yKdddyVTGgGhqziSlxSvuqfzj0VsAm3b31pzjrldBtVMae6zkJvNJvalLMlYorxDhoEkk6XbjR_RRi_pzCvgw4OaG-0/s4032/IMG_3999.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRaC6_B17Ptk5wxEvgz7yYDZxBsNZq6-Q5RuL_mGuauRnuPfHwHJI6BiGRaIG3CkCwz0js-fE2WyM_9e5PfstkFvwZj8LG5E_C3yKdddyVTGgGhqziSlxSvuqfzj0VsAm3b31pzjrldBtVMae6zkJvNJvalLMlYorxDhoEkk6XbjR_RRi_pzCvgw4OaG-0/s320/IMG_3999.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Meats and Bread at Ai Due Platani<br /><br /><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGGESL4Z7-QPT9CrjRpwudajdEnT9JyHAvCyD7vtPEgOcg2PFixKGrPj-vpboOMJfcMf4-BHrJXkPSW0cKevZ4d8FIxAE6sURoqqX83nG4w414b8i2IXinl-w7yRHwbh0VhGq1yQC8sWdvdBqxq5jLSc-y2cVfplgg6UyfbhZSuQtafRSFPo-pMH03rTWv/s4032/IMG_4010.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGGESL4Z7-QPT9CrjRpwudajdEnT9JyHAvCyD7vtPEgOcg2PFixKGrPj-vpboOMJfcMf4-BHrJXkPSW0cKevZ4d8FIxAE6sURoqqX83nG4w414b8i2IXinl-w7yRHwbh0VhGq1yQC8sWdvdBqxq5jLSc-y2cVfplgg6UyfbhZSuQtafRSFPo-pMH03rTWv/s320/IMG_4010.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgE0vuOp4QbzhVMoiZkXImg0OjCFKL0PNXq4RXaS2L6BF4hyphenhyphencRL6kh5QEEO-715ypXqO7BEdjZvEw9EtHm81a9sYWfFDds6LzXPnyTSvNGA5FdgGr-yzz7-OBcuiRBRIjVr83sDmwlZvyGWb8lsIR5uaqOeO1vGWjM6M_6nKDh6A3WRVZqnU5Ki1JvDY52Z/s4032/IMG_4024.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgE0vuOp4QbzhVMoiZkXImg0OjCFKL0PNXq4RXaS2L6BF4hyphenhyphencRL6kh5QEEO-715ypXqO7BEdjZvEw9EtHm81a9sYWfFDds6LzXPnyTSvNGA5FdgGr-yzz7-OBcuiRBRIjVr83sDmwlZvyGWb8lsIR5uaqOeO1vGWjM6M_6nKDh6A3WRVZqnU5Ki1JvDY52Z/s320/IMG_4024.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGivMIeJThc8gN_JcI1Z5lL2b9F-08iHo6n18VBMC4ZA-45I7icOxYvq_NGoNev0VePDb2hkZnAZzr0zDqGUAa-JNde9c9zMsL74eK-xAAp8Ygxw6kYjqBx0kaYqIxVmSHlnDigkhSvPY1Y7H_b2CLJfulxrYEOPKuHC2M52ubVsbQH2bWZl0ks3uwWpds/s4032/IMG_4019.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGivMIeJThc8gN_JcI1Z5lL2b9F-08iHo6n18VBMC4ZA-45I7icOxYvq_NGoNev0VePDb2hkZnAZzr0zDqGUAa-JNde9c9zMsL74eK-xAAp8Ygxw6kYjqBx0kaYqIxVmSHlnDigkhSvPY1Y7H_b2CLJfulxrYEOPKuHC2M52ubVsbQH2bWZl0ks3uwWpds/s320/IMG_4019.jpg" width="320" /></a><br />Pastas at Ai Due Platani <br /><br /><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUl4bLaThVVDz7H2WyWFwewGBUpoqSvZHWqdGU1ehH1moV9ibVOsc9Ex_bPhlhtdN8bfz-xX8c-_P9MPeRnSbV27zIy4VmRiIXDrX6UpBfswgtAvwvWtmj9Fyyqh8rr19hhXCiNp8xP16G4kHgkg_jeCaTu7iArJnrL6XWSXtmYIMEWUHq79FiZbqdB-2b/s4032/IMG_4030.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUl4bLaThVVDz7H2WyWFwewGBUpoqSvZHWqdGU1ehH1moV9ibVOsc9Ex_bPhlhtdN8bfz-xX8c-_P9MPeRnSbV27zIy4VmRiIXDrX6UpBfswgtAvwvWtmj9Fyyqh8rr19hhXCiNp8xP16G4kHgkg_jeCaTu7iArJnrL6XWSXtmYIMEWUHq79FiZbqdB-2b/s320/IMG_4030.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdLfM5aP5Cet3bnaKl5iGtseojM7Gr3_jUmODiIZRqjLj-3nsVIN3GCIwmbX8u7xmFAsfinqTz54e3HLRgRncMLo2B7QZqQex1x-QlRDa8mYBZWJ2FU4vh8bzHZjwa-sdZ44Sk0YUOXMTxkHPBiTTBPEbIIGJoh4_SqL7bjIY1D2-dxl-Lrtv5VFXimQiH/s4032/IMG_4034.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdLfM5aP5Cet3bnaKl5iGtseojM7Gr3_jUmODiIZRqjLj-3nsVIN3GCIwmbX8u7xmFAsfinqTz54e3HLRgRncMLo2B7QZqQex1x-QlRDa8mYBZWJ2FU4vh8bzHZjwa-sdZ44Sk0YUOXMTxkHPBiTTBPEbIIGJoh4_SqL7bjIY1D2-dxl-Lrtv5VFXimQiH/s320/IMG_4034.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7rfMztjoHUr7NJshnC0wIz1qK29q5_PvGzZvjzdZEVFJW4ED9w_doQ4fyM1WXu2tE0fXdvRoiylYS7QbnytYDEaeugYU7FTuyGjVkg537EJ6QWfU2szhOZfiSAQD0fsVvge46m7ARid6Hk2SsgffpFdU9E0h1vmokFXFSL7msHbla07C1iUH-DRWp0pXo/s4032/IMG_4040.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7rfMztjoHUr7NJshnC0wIz1qK29q5_PvGzZvjzdZEVFJW4ED9w_doQ4fyM1WXu2tE0fXdvRoiylYS7QbnytYDEaeugYU7FTuyGjVkg537EJ6QWfU2szhOZfiSAQD0fsVvge46m7ARid6Hk2SsgffpFdU9E0h1vmokFXFSL7msHbla07C1iUH-DRWp0pXo/s320/IMG_4040.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Ice Cream Station at Ai Due Platani <br /><span face="Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif" style="background-color: #141414; color: white; font-size: 13px;">_______________________________________<br /><br /><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4C5lExRlGXNxDmHRrkMY6ohQmehLUEQ0fkCcCMAFrlXn7_nuz5NnM1XVZDsjx0RbRSJ6HZuXoRjqC42TFslguIL6DvYiCjFKKroNAP5aE0u8OSoUytAb0wdthbwXu8wuRVCDDNuCLLwpy9W-xEnUDqWarQQuR6rzwaGsxM5NZ5S_OXIi5tIoCyfP2vMIy/s4032/IMG_3616.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4C5lExRlGXNxDmHRrkMY6ohQmehLUEQ0fkCcCMAFrlXn7_nuz5NnM1XVZDsjx0RbRSJ6HZuXoRjqC42TFslguIL6DvYiCjFKKroNAP5aE0u8OSoUytAb0wdthbwXu8wuRVCDDNuCLLwpy9W-xEnUDqWarQQuR6rzwaGsxM5NZ5S_OXIi5tIoCyfP2vMIy/w400-h300/IMG_3616.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>Frank Focaccia </b></div><br />I walked over to Frank Focaccia for a sandwich and a beer and sat out on the town square to do some people watching. I ended up meeting some friendly college kids who had been to and loved Chicago and thus we hot it off. As the name of this place suggests they serve focaccia sandwiches and such. I asked my new friends what the best sandwich there was since the list was long and they suggested the salciccia sandwich was the way to go. Like I was saying, this is my type of town.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgd8W-PMLt_TlLRdQcYcrHKQ_9M7UwZ0HxmNlvEKGiEllYQAyZdV5E_UZR-oRAGaDawrBb8KYfBVWACs44ypk1A_n2v2J85HaZ6sT_IsY3QCZe1Cp3X3Uv1TFSOhrXySVbYtGFjkJz_Qf5oE024hLjz4fbLVUmk83rxUYCNmmjh1ZG4kt-jeSUjkecI00Ir/s4032/IMG_3607.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgd8W-PMLt_TlLRdQcYcrHKQ_9M7UwZ0HxmNlvEKGiEllYQAyZdV5E_UZR-oRAGaDawrBb8KYfBVWACs44ypk1A_n2v2J85HaZ6sT_IsY3QCZe1Cp3X3Uv1TFSOhrXySVbYtGFjkJz_Qf5oE024hLjz4fbLVUmk83rxUYCNmmjh1ZG4kt-jeSUjkecI00Ir/w400-h300/IMG_3607.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Sausage Sandwich at Frank Focaccia <br /><span style="background-color: #141414; color: white; font-size: 13px;">_______________________________________<br /><br /><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKcrClXXiQut6j9ACiFO3NY1br3cGZNU3pj74N0hCbmiZS9MxtFoTwklgCVSvgR6SlGtqHENObIZOwZmIyw7yefY_qnhVjeCZkh2sXf_G5cN_DVG_74ld00PMDuYXR41Bqwo8FpKpdTMcKxCIBySDKnJRuNateord3jW60YhtQCyUOQG1CSc9LMJ5G4PG-/s4032/IMG_3625.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKcrClXXiQut6j9ACiFO3NY1br3cGZNU3pj74N0hCbmiZS9MxtFoTwklgCVSvgR6SlGtqHENObIZOwZmIyw7yefY_qnhVjeCZkh2sXf_G5cN_DVG_74ld00PMDuYXR41Bqwo8FpKpdTMcKxCIBySDKnJRuNateord3jW60YhtQCyUOQG1CSc9LMJ5G4PG-/w400-h300/IMG_3625.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>Ristorante Cocchi</b></div><p>Dinner on day one in Parma was at the historic Ristorante Cocchi (Dal 1925). It’s one of the locals favorite spots for a night out and what not. It’s a higher end old school trattoria with a seasonal menu revolving around the cuisine of Parma. We started with a pristine plate of prosciutto which comes served with a plate of torte frite for stuffing. We tried two pasta preps from here including one with two types of tortelli, one of them topped with black truffles and also the Anolini en Brodo but neither of them were quite as good as the Due Platani. The star of this dinner was a Parmesan flan served with sautéed mushrooms and a Parmesan crisp sticking out of it. A plate of veal, potatoes, tomatoes was Italian comfort food at its finest but I forgot to take a picture of the menu so I can’t remember what we got for dessert but all the sweets I had in Italy were wonderful. I don’t know if I would return here bc it was just good, not great, but not every meal can be great so I was happy with overall product.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVtBoLn5oi_4Ljlx0XJa7ip7awVfzxqfUZ9zIiHc1S-MAhn3T7-lUyEGhl2PFJqTkVJgW6RP2cdOvuZWOF7tbnIIeZbJTxb-yU1QunIRimbeoyR5qX5YMAI2q1JIqCv4kJ8_azDVtkWMPeSAAjGMhi9vpocDEu6_EcXdMSDI69m5sadbNPHEZhXYlA3qb4/s4032/IMG_3630.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVtBoLn5oi_4Ljlx0XJa7ip7awVfzxqfUZ9zIiHc1S-MAhn3T7-lUyEGhl2PFJqTkVJgW6RP2cdOvuZWOF7tbnIIeZbJTxb-yU1QunIRimbeoyR5qX5YMAI2q1JIqCv4kJ8_azDVtkWMPeSAAjGMhi9vpocDEu6_EcXdMSDI69m5sadbNPHEZhXYlA3qb4/s320/IMG_3630.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVoTlwc0I-wP5hterW4Iu8TNzVczu_VXWw55WqYu-dekz7XwNSYFcHb_avGg73fkU_aa3WJQv_b89x5_WBasgWJJI3hyphenhyphen-oZSx-CBSDSUmsG7NT9HG7sZYwB6NYiJ_BxrzNLFUIY3swx727DZQFUcJWrews4wLbGWm8Pyxcqqla1gamFD3bF4LWRTtfpUbT/s4032/IMG_3639.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVoTlwc0I-wP5hterW4Iu8TNzVczu_VXWw55WqYu-dekz7XwNSYFcHb_avGg73fkU_aa3WJQv_b89x5_WBasgWJJI3hyphenhyphen-oZSx-CBSDSUmsG7NT9HG7sZYwB6NYiJ_BxrzNLFUIY3swx727DZQFUcJWrews4wLbGWm8Pyxcqqla1gamFD3bF4LWRTtfpUbT/s320/IMG_3639.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8bmuIp5wLBLswTHgxLjJ8DLnIXdRdy90DmmcwrJMfJWHC8DvGKr3w6ZUB1DL3C0_pwfLIOPndXveJ7XADsNa0cmC0HnHAFRQU4_5SrDmA7EDk6C2OwS7Gvn7jqCYhPDk3b_oI4jmnE0cOzzRr1x60FicjE98cX-5Jp1M6sOzLaYYhxH42dM6G5PafqNPi/s4032/IMG_3651.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8bmuIp5wLBLswTHgxLjJ8DLnIXdRdy90DmmcwrJMfJWHC8DvGKr3w6ZUB1DL3C0_pwfLIOPndXveJ7XADsNa0cmC0HnHAFRQU4_5SrDmA7EDk6C2OwS7Gvn7jqCYhPDk3b_oI4jmnE0cOzzRr1x60FicjE98cX-5Jp1M6sOzLaYYhxH42dM6G5PafqNPi/s320/IMG_3651.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; 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margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWqFLV4-DMUNdjd6BqYSD22AC4CJOwGVV0iiB2PYRsAiL41quhuT6JNRm63frh8Ncbf4k_hu_e5YnKgDlVhTka23QoyfcrKTpPPfWhPm0Q3EP5GvFrvbPXQMnyfxBtM-6AeN0B7a5utz9LgiXSZ6Nj_PoYfXcFFUz92vzWM-K15A-VIysdPupJS74o-yEb/s320/IMG_3665.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgNbyPMEVsg7QWfc2Rgpz-gn40YpNiw5PMH1A0z8DoY6M8-3EfRTRvLSrVSPijVFo3mgS30SgsM3s87hIFKelyE7EeB2tYHvTZAl-U9J4P21slYXRVaDbww-wnf5rvOo9jK_ZLjK2Zl2ie9907knjFJTg5S3B8lj_XrnaSLJ-BXt-l9picXwslVIaFdHwY/s4032/IMG_3680.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgNbyPMEVsg7QWfc2Rgpz-gn40YpNiw5PMH1A0z8DoY6M8-3EfRTRvLSrVSPijVFo3mgS30SgsM3s87hIFKelyE7EeB2tYHvTZAl-U9J4P21slYXRVaDbww-wnf5rvOo9jK_ZLjK2Zl2ie9907knjFJTg5S3B8lj_XrnaSLJ-BXt-l9picXwslVIaFdHwY/s320/IMG_3680.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRRDXmmg8cvxlYKwD_Y1NZPGIVX8rImduDjDOBx7S6pqClMdnYYpRWeLlHMoWTwqL089ZLvdlgRwYLXI9aO3ut7J58Vz-F7vlwoqYiQAlv-PRqn1C-Ws5U-glRHsoOw3aTFE4kZVzgODNDy4aXyQEn_1pXmDw4nRu_pPxfcz6LZ79nXCLOfxTskkKm00Yr/s4032/IMG_3695.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRRDXmmg8cvxlYKwD_Y1NZPGIVX8rImduDjDOBx7S6pqClMdnYYpRWeLlHMoWTwqL089ZLvdlgRwYLXI9aO3ut7J58Vz-F7vlwoqYiQAlv-PRqn1C-Ws5U-glRHsoOw3aTFE4kZVzgODNDy4aXyQEn_1pXmDw4nRu_pPxfcz6LZ79nXCLOfxTskkKm00Yr/s320/IMG_3695.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Dinner at Ristorante Cocchi<br /><span style="background-color: #141414; color: white; font-size: 13px;">_______________________________________</span></div></div><div><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZSPDctP4Se4HHWidT-ERSV7z4Vj1VaDAh-WiKpFLuHI8ab4E68kWn0ZGahB4sPvJJ0BCMQmPQN0nukzKSeLtn4oMIfInZwbN7nMn3Sfuk4OGSOsDevFNPBjI5HNhd158ZpnCdZWo_t6SsqwQbvmMmJUWrNoyjkW_y-Jss-dwYlsycqEhGsYKwewq97kat/s4032/IMG_3715.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZSPDctP4Se4HHWidT-ERSV7z4Vj1VaDAh-WiKpFLuHI8ab4E68kWn0ZGahB4sPvJJ0BCMQmPQN0nukzKSeLtn4oMIfInZwbN7nMn3Sfuk4OGSOsDevFNPBjI5HNhd158ZpnCdZWo_t6SsqwQbvmMmJUWrNoyjkW_y-Jss-dwYlsycqEhGsYKwewq97kat/w400-h300/IMG_3715.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>Da Pepèn<br /></b><br /></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">You can often tell the popularity of a spot by checking the number of google reviews that it has. The long-standing iconic restaurants will often have 1000’s of reviews. Da Pepèn has close to 2000 in part due to its location on the corner of a narrow street in the heart of town. You’ll notice it bc of the crowds of people picking up sandwiches there and or coffee from their cafeteria next door. They aren’t known for any sandwich in particular although artichoke, horse, and polpette are common mentions in those google reviews. The horse is a tartare and it was a bit too early to be trying that plus I was getting sandwiches not just for me but also my nieces who weren’t into the idea of getting one. So instead we tried a few of the more American offerings including an excellent cold roast beef panini served on wonderfully light and fluffy but also extra crunchy bread. I would recommend that and the prosciutto but it’s hard to go wrong as both the meats and the bread and the rest of the fillings are high quality.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj65VQfpELpMz2U0unO0d3qR33lB788fKhRwodClwYfzbWHg9X3wyOdilYi4qeApkH7wdO6D73ALMVfxcZOP_-CXgjRNvrS28aKgY9rXQJSb-iT1Ecm9TYHvbvlAZD-cJ2GIX9GESeADxVPEubDQxpaL2KZjv-iCVEz3X3YWYhW5d-YJL-dgM72b0xImqcS/s4032/IMG_3728.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj65VQfpELpMz2U0unO0d3qR33lB788fKhRwodClwYfzbWHg9X3wyOdilYi4qeApkH7wdO6D73ALMVfxcZOP_-CXgjRNvrS28aKgY9rXQJSb-iT1Ecm9TYHvbvlAZD-cJ2GIX9GESeADxVPEubDQxpaL2KZjv-iCVEz3X3YWYhW5d-YJL-dgM72b0xImqcS/s320/IMG_3728.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTpf_TPcvmthjdKG1BvHhZzOA5_5F3Yf3AMV9EvRsdjhSgwpd0xXfY57gW9fBNAO8fnJtHFR9EDCRCIMPrrZikcnWXd37La8fOnmEUuspYItGbiB8s7VhS7cwH2DK8SxfJpddwUODa7J-_fMQEKUXnKEUxkl8Nb7X2uiouTXwjQCePys9Ld0ibwnnb_zMG/s4032/IMG_3745.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTpf_TPcvmthjdKG1BvHhZzOA5_5F3Yf3AMV9EvRsdjhSgwpd0xXfY57gW9fBNAO8fnJtHFR9EDCRCIMPrrZikcnWXd37La8fOnmEUuspYItGbiB8s7VhS7cwH2DK8SxfJpddwUODa7J-_fMQEKUXnKEUxkl8Nb7X2uiouTXwjQCePys9Ld0ibwnnb_zMG/s320/IMG_3745.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Sandwiches at Da Pepèn<br /><span style="background-color: #141414; color: white; font-size: 13px;">_______________________________________</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4ABeeS7hKQ9u_H_O_E-qZRmoIPtnmUSUw5afFW2TPBjt4jC-6mSyb1hA0sWN5egj1-bWy90MBNNn85Ra9er1ute9xYIdL8AKsw3E06PGZ669X-xpSR9Impw_ZIjtXvk5TtzCv7obq6xoBC77-vKdK_6HzM499DwsJzWtsy3jogdJb2rG4RFLrAChq4fbT/s4032/IMG_3848.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4ABeeS7hKQ9u_H_O_E-qZRmoIPtnmUSUw5afFW2TPBjt4jC-6mSyb1hA0sWN5egj1-bWy90MBNNn85Ra9er1ute9xYIdL8AKsw3E06PGZ669X-xpSR9Impw_ZIjtXvk5TtzCv7obq6xoBC77-vKdK_6HzM499DwsJzWtsy3jogdJb2rG4RFLrAChq4fbT/w400-h300/IMG_3848.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>Officina Dedicata</b></div><div><br /></div><div>I chose to go to Officina Dedicata for a dinner due to the fact their menu was both seasonal and a bit more modern than most of the other spots. We arrived around opening and had to wait a bit for the kitchen team to get going but once they did it was a smooth ride starting with an order of fried pumpkin flower stuffed with anchovies, ricotta, lemon. All of the pasta options here were intriguing but at least a couple of the ones we tried were room temp which was a bit of a letdown. Of the three we got I liked the Chitarra style taglioini (anchovy butter, tomato confit, lemon) the most as it was the one served hot. Neither the tortelli or a spinach gnocchi did much for me and the same can be said for a piece of pork belly served with poke rice. Plain and simple - I was expecting more from this spot. </div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7fS9pfCZX47eSPKkpY59nIw1F5eITHclVMx2eHIFLasjXZUqJs6oEG9XxL-r8XU_Ac5RjbGAFUyWHaMosl3enW4xcyeLml85nct7ziXe8h4yDYOWyhZkifLOIgv0yq2AniUJC5IbiKqAOpaOicD0Qx2QE1BXJeecgAh6tfdeEasdtrDynhf5MEf3Zr5f8/s4032/IMG_3851.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7fS9pfCZX47eSPKkpY59nIw1F5eITHclVMx2eHIFLasjXZUqJs6oEG9XxL-r8XU_Ac5RjbGAFUyWHaMosl3enW4xcyeLml85nct7ziXe8h4yDYOWyhZkifLOIgv0yq2AniUJC5IbiKqAOpaOicD0Qx2QE1BXJeecgAh6tfdeEasdtrDynhf5MEf3Zr5f8/s320/IMG_3851.jpg" width="320" /></a><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjckHdSAIP8Ty_jnGNCSP-xgCqSIzNmuI-uYLYJbWmH6eRxhyzFItD5-EP0L-xG_tjmb6KffBcSkGRnYXjmFQa8PVGXTSofh3IxVYJElwmyH2idFmWS4UByvDwz0BcwtvxGAI6Z_eax3coeoN4FKzpVcjurdXTkFnEHTaHz11tWawvuGXihdKHESiCPe9S4/s4032/IMG_3856.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjckHdSAIP8Ty_jnGNCSP-xgCqSIzNmuI-uYLYJbWmH6eRxhyzFItD5-EP0L-xG_tjmb6KffBcSkGRnYXjmFQa8PVGXTSofh3IxVYJElwmyH2idFmWS4UByvDwz0BcwtvxGAI6Z_eax3coeoN4FKzpVcjurdXTkFnEHTaHz11tWawvuGXihdKHESiCPe9S4/s320/IMG_3856.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFo26hoc8l22eYjD3fcAj9nd6hL2k4rGi7UtOLICVefNfYeeKhw5hMXL3uPg2HZdKJXmgN_oY8p1Fu7PiMSb401N8WreWp7FwxvgGWcsZ8Wa2gKbuRN0Vog7euGHBFwI1Nv1IKXTp6wkOJTCbMEbruyknkwKzPAXSatZPuzhXWLwWF94r2oDRr6nF_Ce49/s4032/IMG_3860.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFo26hoc8l22eYjD3fcAj9nd6hL2k4rGi7UtOLICVefNfYeeKhw5hMXL3uPg2HZdKJXmgN_oY8p1Fu7PiMSb401N8WreWp7FwxvgGWcsZ8Wa2gKbuRN0Vog7euGHBFwI1Nv1IKXTp6wkOJTCbMEbruyknkwKzPAXSatZPuzhXWLwWF94r2oDRr6nF_Ce49/s320/IMG_3860.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWcqsd3ceiq8Y5ZMZmPJzIPQM8dlBajvW283eixNIOPj1BeOKGrH1aBG9bAUiUeAkuaJuFDvKTW7gxZU0OOKdPIhg4_YX_cq1047Pzq4CAGGY0ajzHrJJRenVBTsYyYC92XGgjchifR6o4KG5_WMWLXRngdttcyVFKN840Iza-r4Z10YGk9hG61wlSMM4m/s4032/IMG_3863.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWcqsd3ceiq8Y5ZMZmPJzIPQM8dlBajvW283eixNIOPj1BeOKGrH1aBG9bAUiUeAkuaJuFDvKTW7gxZU0OOKdPIhg4_YX_cq1047Pzq4CAGGY0ajzHrJJRenVBTsYyYC92XGgjchifR6o4KG5_WMWLXRngdttcyVFKN840Iza-r4Z10YGk9hG61wlSMM4m/s320/IMG_3863.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIkdMBVuiBvRzsVtTjLaZsm_gXWIw-bjdY1dYDGp-DlpoGQeVB3gp2dMQ9C9ukq5biG4NGP6hUUUjcHmltqb1hGXXBGGX_-EaKlSFc-rjX02VZs9ikth5U_anPUCS2jRE_Lo4WwqZKS7FAcpxtqpckOonY7tfBu6c1vA573dVjz_y2fBTyDXVkAGbJJ2xu/s4032/IMG_3887.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIkdMBVuiBvRzsVtTjLaZsm_gXWIw-bjdY1dYDGp-DlpoGQeVB3gp2dMQ9C9ukq5biG4NGP6hUUUjcHmltqb1hGXXBGGX_-EaKlSFc-rjX02VZs9ikth5U_anPUCS2jRE_Lo4WwqZKS7FAcpxtqpckOonY7tfBu6c1vA573dVjz_y2fBTyDXVkAGbJJ2xu/s320/IMG_3887.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Dinner at Officina Dedicata<br /><span style="background-color: #141414; color: white; font-size: 13px;">_______________________________________</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiq7MWrbCzFDmLgvhCIJZB4vPFLGbsyXhEK42zYvjD_F6ZcOWQSh7clYZrh9SX8DQ-i2ImXzQvUiERBUCF2tHBzrRebFqnfRnos7L8qdnAivU9dH783X-LI_8efdN3GBZ0DXE9zKDVOW05K_HIOemQiNkUOK4bO6y2sAmRxBtJqDtKhdR7IFKobPEC8_sCn/s4032/IMG_3828.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiq7MWrbCzFDmLgvhCIJZB4vPFLGbsyXhEK42zYvjD_F6ZcOWQSh7clYZrh9SX8DQ-i2ImXzQvUiERBUCF2tHBzrRebFqnfRnos7L8qdnAivU9dH783X-LI_8efdN3GBZ0DXE9zKDVOW05K_HIOemQiNkUOK4bO6y2sAmRxBtJqDtKhdR7IFKobPEC8_sCn/w400-h300/IMG_3828.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>Tabarro</b></div><br />There’s no shortage of wine in Italy. You can find it just everywhere. Wine bars are a dime a dozen but some of them stand out more than others. Tabarro caught our eye with the crowds outside. I did a quick google search and the reviews were convincing so we grabbed a table and got some drinks and snacks. I really liked both the food and the vibes here. It’s in the middle of town so there seemed to be a nice mix of tourists and locals. You’ll find a good selection of local wines paired with local meats and cheeses and some really good sandwiches. We had a seasonal salad with fresh tomatoes that were by far the most flavorful I came across over the summer. The produce is so much better in Europe.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZ0Lw5vQ6x1b_KtYWOtOM9IbRTpGy8P_GXLUKgGZVuY-gnLHxjHNQKU5QRygkjwScSsvR0jf-tcmXrLgdBRpzfAyOyCUZ7dLQuoynjUQxha89k3hhRNHg_rv4hyphenhyphenVVSc7No3PJgmUMWYL3jnaHtNhf890P9cmTpoBJpMtFTTd1YcvI4GK0TjXPSqBER_iP5/s4032/IMG_3827.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZ0Lw5vQ6x1b_KtYWOtOM9IbRTpGy8P_GXLUKgGZVuY-gnLHxjHNQKU5QRygkjwScSsvR0jf-tcmXrLgdBRpzfAyOyCUZ7dLQuoynjUQxha89k3hhRNHg_rv4hyphenhyphenVVSc7No3PJgmUMWYL3jnaHtNhf890P9cmTpoBJpMtFTTd1YcvI4GK0TjXPSqBER_iP5/s320/IMG_3827.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMVJA8A2pT5lnmNjGt5jUMcJ8h1xDLX0RUdWeqQA2UUptY8-y7kny7xD-mOcaNV6KceIDT7XNCUwLvDQBxsLtZSLI7zIjrjalZjKebk1-KAIREmGsXAPCqP0WCRGdVDUoKbDnYq8uLwXbyGMTlnr8UQIBpDBEgqS3Jw-2tS9chfQkDBbjhZoGlXCgf4kub/s4032/IMG_3833.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMVJA8A2pT5lnmNjGt5jUMcJ8h1xDLX0RUdWeqQA2UUptY8-y7kny7xD-mOcaNV6KceIDT7XNCUwLvDQBxsLtZSLI7zIjrjalZjKebk1-KAIREmGsXAPCqP0WCRGdVDUoKbDnYq8uLwXbyGMTlnr8UQIBpDBEgqS3Jw-2tS9chfQkDBbjhZoGlXCgf4kub/s320/IMG_3833.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFCdiabuwuN4GQU5gVVO4cgojGeTkv9k5G6zG8yjFY5jeaCWNhTQ4AQCq0QOH3UYCNmaLQEQvMUju9Oc8optTHgKFfNYv-e9MY8UrbXkCHNZaP7pPYzMWM3qFjZ38uBBh-sRvsxKQI_d9H-lfRxW-IF2mU93a6JyZdcKNqNb3GXO-G6KSUG_SS70fCVl5F/s4032/IMG_3837.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFCdiabuwuN4GQU5gVVO4cgojGeTkv9k5G6zG8yjFY5jeaCWNhTQ4AQCq0QOH3UYCNmaLQEQvMUju9Oc8optTHgKFfNYv-e9MY8UrbXkCHNZaP7pPYzMWM3qFjZ38uBBh-sRvsxKQI_d9H-lfRxW-IF2mU93a6JyZdcKNqNb3GXO-G6KSUG_SS70fCVl5F/s320/IMG_3837.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Drinks and Snacks at Tabarro <br /><span style="background-color: #141414; color: white; font-size: 13px;">_______________________________________<br /><br /></span></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMExMSE9gM4NwsHtsQnybqw-npW604s02LcIarkDuEzwHwuIw1rtBdOYWoEwQ20Izu-jASovncFTvliJT6UxVu9YOm6b6myVhrrNO6mcJkl2zY_CKc8TIPkVCdPu74ZkQjaoPFpNzA5MCYeRkm4JyazDrh_W7TGRV_QQh1jMJaecrF2KXcC74f7qB9DU7A/s4032/IMG_4121.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMExMSE9gM4NwsHtsQnybqw-npW604s02LcIarkDuEzwHwuIw1rtBdOYWoEwQ20Izu-jASovncFTvliJT6UxVu9YOm6b6myVhrrNO6mcJkl2zY_CKc8TIPkVCdPu74ZkQjaoPFpNzA5MCYeRkm4JyazDrh_W7TGRV_QQh1jMJaecrF2KXcC74f7qB9DU7A/w400-h300/IMG_4121.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>Tra L'uss e L'asa</b></div><br />What is it about the sandwich scene in cities that start with a P? Places like Philly, Porto, and Puebla to name a few and Parma too as I’d come to learn on this visit. I noticed a ton of interesting sandwich shops during my research of spots and decided I would try a few of the more intriguing options like this Cotechino offering at Tra L'uss e L'asa in the center of town. The cotechino is a big tube of Italian pork sausage that requires a slow cooking as it’s usually simmered at low heat for a few hours before it’s ready to be sliced. While some do choose to eat it as is or as an entrée with sides it also makes for a kick ass sandwich filling when paired with crusty bread spread with pesto and mayo. This was a fantastic sandwich from a real mom and pop type of spot. They're a panini shop at heart but they're also said to make great plates of food too. A contender for the best sandwich I’ve had all year.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhzheFKDB0pLVHw0t2eOh9sUCKZazIIALBQAvtqn_FjiUffhgKBH3vmi0WQAhoa6VE5UQ6tC7PdRY5REPKXxR0aiQSKJM1aXpX0HyhjVbplTjf0NdxYPjUzeGn7uoVrUqkErvtk0HeOyoEW_A0ia24kIUIbRFVqTAdeEjQJ_lb8vPF0xFjQfa8NjEBtkPp/s4032/IMG_4092.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhzheFKDB0pLVHw0t2eOh9sUCKZazIIALBQAvtqn_FjiUffhgKBH3vmi0WQAhoa6VE5UQ6tC7PdRY5REPKXxR0aiQSKJM1aXpX0HyhjVbplTjf0NdxYPjUzeGn7uoVrUqkErvtk0HeOyoEW_A0ia24kIUIbRFVqTAdeEjQJ_lb8vPF0xFjQfa8NjEBtkPp/w400-h300/IMG_4092.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Cotechino Sandwich at <span style="text-align: center;">Tra L'uss e L'asa<br /></span><span style="background-color: #141414; color: white; font-size: 13px;">_______________________________________<br /><br /><br /></span></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-t6nLQTU9Qn5ST_Np-bAKXhMZeepl6PgI5_mbvGXckkt7TnqeJzROD3ROj3RJY7LX9aIYhhlTLRaf6y9tRK2EkB0URtj9TEtSqMBHjuC1dvsDyboO1D68EauVENVQUSO_PM4A5QTfC4YwdCOEDooLCdn1lHb90oWCPHiGmKeU7dYN7PXckzKwd5VUxlQc/s4032/IMG_3790.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-t6nLQTU9Qn5ST_Np-bAKXhMZeepl6PgI5_mbvGXckkt7TnqeJzROD3ROj3RJY7LX9aIYhhlTLRaf6y9tRK2EkB0URtj9TEtSqMBHjuC1dvsDyboO1D68EauVENVQUSO_PM4A5QTfC4YwdCOEDooLCdn1lHb90oWCPHiGmKeU7dYN7PXckzKwd5VUxlQc/w400-h300/IMG_3790.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><span style="font-weight: bold;">Ciacco</span><br /><div style="text-align: left;"><br />I tried a fair amount of gelato through the entirety of the trip and it’s possible the first spot that I had it at was the best of the bunch. Ciacco was so good and so close to our Airbnb that I didn’t bother going to any other gelato spots in Parma. The flavors change daily since they’re all made in small batches almost exclusively with ingredients from the region. I prefer the fruit options over the chocolate and nut flavors so my first trip in I got the melon which is what got me hooked for the rest of the trip. I think we came here three times, so every day we were there. Some say this is the best gelato in Italy. </div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsUkyk-ihSDjRmWiiR9gZd91koRevsnMuqZndrs9F2MyZHD38045nzIATpyIJV4aMzYie_i8RFeD_8Z9vu1YqYg4dzmecJ470rSyQCYc_IQLeIlRUiUZdjq6_7rslB4UB508IEHmt0-9_57l2D6KzB2QVfkgDdlHGwiupIqDKhN2Uw34ppw035OuOdOKLg/s4032/IMG_3783.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsUkyk-ihSDjRmWiiR9gZd91koRevsnMuqZndrs9F2MyZHD38045nzIATpyIJV4aMzYie_i8RFeD_8Z9vu1YqYg4dzmecJ470rSyQCYc_IQLeIlRUiUZdjq6_7rslB4UB508IEHmt0-9_57l2D6KzB2QVfkgDdlHGwiupIqDKhN2Uw34ppw035OuOdOKLg/w400-h300/IMG_3783.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>Gelato at Ciacco <br /><span style="background-color: #141414; color: white; font-size: 13px;">_______________________________________</span></div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Click <a href="https://www.google.com/maps/d/edit?mid=1oNUXVkGpMEwVG_shyI-PofPozR2S_L4&usp=sharing">HERE</a> for a google maps guide to all the spots I hit up plus places I didn't get to check out.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><b><span style="font-size: medium;">See ya next time <a href="https://www.instagram.com/chibbqking/">@chibbqking</a></span></b></div></div></div>KingThttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05368411195212070782noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7759763120880236446.post-35814032655520565732023-11-06T09:30:00.004-06:002023-11-20T09:10:42.913-06:00Eating BIG in Milan <p><span face=""trebuchet ms", trebuchet, verdana, sans-serif" style="background-color: black; color: white; font-size: 13px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 20.7955px;"><span style="font-size: 23.6364px;">Eating like a local:</span><br /><span style="font-size: 23.6364px;">Regional food specialties<br /></span></span><span face="Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif" style="background-color: black; color: white; font-size: 13px;"><span face=""trebuchet ms", trebuchet, verdana, sans-serif" style="font-size: medium;"><b>- Eating and Exploring Milano </b></span></span></p><p>As always I was sad to see summer go. It was an eventful one as always that started with a family trip to Italy. Me and Erica joined my mom and my dad plus my three siblings, my brother in-law, my two nieces and my nephew on a two week excursion to Italy (though I stayed for three weeks). It was the trip of a lifetime with lots of long lasting memories and of course some fantastic food. We flew from Chicago into Milan where we stayed for one night before making our way to Parma > Piedmont > Liguria. Erica and myself ended the trip with three days in Milan so I got to explore a nice chunk of it and I was surprised by just how much I liked it. Most people go to Rome and pair that with Florence when first visiting Italy and that’s probably a good way to do it but once you’ve been to Rome and seen all the history there’s really no reason to go back unless you just really like it which is cool but in my option I’d much rather live in a city like Milan and having been to both of them I’d rather make a return visit there too. Milan reminded me a bit of Paris with Italian culture substituted for the French. It was a fun city to walk in and there was always an energy in the air, the best big cities all give it off. My favorite thing to do in big cities across the world is to just walk around and explore as many different neighborhoods and little pockets of it as I can and Milan was a great city to do just that plus the public transportation is really well run. You can easily get just about anywhere using it including the airport. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghjwzrY2XOtpT37rRY6KsvL9q-mPmuDlfmc5kDed2oVH0C6ILXQvDaJUsTZ128r3J7Q-RbZ0JrF7FRoOL7MwC0meUKgTDR-efsqH36Yq_Vgd41OKeHBvFjyNClgmMNBOuM0i5fcwn82ng_TvMhoNm9RjygB8Ekz-Lpa2Fyt4bP5CHm_jq0Nedy-VpCepfD/s4032/IMG_3376.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghjwzrY2XOtpT37rRY6KsvL9q-mPmuDlfmc5kDed2oVH0C6ILXQvDaJUsTZ128r3J7Q-RbZ0JrF7FRoOL7MwC0meUKgTDR-efsqH36Yq_Vgd41OKeHBvFjyNClgmMNBOuM0i5fcwn82ng_TvMhoNm9RjygB8Ekz-Lpa2Fyt4bP5CHm_jq0Nedy-VpCepfD/s320/IMG_3376.jpg" width="320" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhKqs3YZo1kmw9Pv3Op8U-z4gkLdo1-ZGESVhWRa9JLC8obQ9Je4Df-ly8y2rhiFMD91CLaqeW1qe0tan5Vi3l4oE1yM9UsJUX89EGgVaRvdxnWiuyd-qlvjkAroteuci6W1N1wCIKlaogJOkv9nE_0o69cKzugFDhHf-cfCPunuw_uFXQIikuMniI83SA/s4032/IMG_3485.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhKqs3YZo1kmw9Pv3Op8U-z4gkLdo1-ZGESVhWRa9JLC8obQ9Je4Df-ly8y2rhiFMD91CLaqeW1qe0tan5Vi3l4oE1yM9UsJUX89EGgVaRvdxnWiuyd-qlvjkAroteuci6W1N1wCIKlaogJOkv9nE_0o69cKzugFDhHf-cfCPunuw_uFXQIikuMniI83SA/s320/IMG_3485.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4P1DaVTrhkiypmeB2Gr2cymZuF_CC9EWUcN67TMnHhPgxlvk-sG6Bm6YyOt40UFuIH2VyWrKzNQTr40F1kasTwzlc11b9D7BEUVgeF-r0p4nBCe1pA85zUHBosDNz1EtyWegiAaftVffcTVjTYn2RBb06Dj4yyoPA0t5UZiXYMDq_Io1vDTwO2UZZ4LCg/s4032/IMG_3469.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4P1DaVTrhkiypmeB2Gr2cymZuF_CC9EWUcN67TMnHhPgxlvk-sG6Bm6YyOt40UFuIH2VyWrKzNQTr40F1kasTwzlc11b9D7BEUVgeF-r0p4nBCe1pA85zUHBosDNz1EtyWegiAaftVffcTVjTYn2RBb06Dj4yyoPA0t5UZiXYMDq_Io1vDTwO2UZZ4LCg/s320/IMG_3469.jpg" width="320" /></a><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiShv6U7oPQUg_yBgGTrwzVtMQKuuVrJhdjmCQ-vN8iuc2Z8HGuu2gpiFGNrp28-gcsiK-V1GwX9nd5NXHGVy1mMjZ-472Iy-aIMGqX6llZoAumKCOPxfp3QE4OdA_9JhFAvjOxaPRkzW064T-tdJzMS2fRybK97TvRSrAlIKGO8S_5iVBdmyWXl1kyC842/s4032/IMG_7149.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiShv6U7oPQUg_yBgGTrwzVtMQKuuVrJhdjmCQ-vN8iuc2Z8HGuu2gpiFGNrp28-gcsiK-V1GwX9nd5NXHGVy1mMjZ-472Iy-aIMGqX6llZoAumKCOPxfp3QE4OdA_9JhFAvjOxaPRkzW064T-tdJzMS2fRybK97TvRSrAlIKGO8S_5iVBdmyWXl1kyC842/s320/IMG_7149.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Sights from Milan (click pics to enhance)<br /></div><p>Milan has many of the same vibes you’ll find in other European cities with some of the best food in Europe to go along with it. I was impressed with Milan as a whole from the old school trattorias to the new school ones plus a vibrant international dining scene anchored by what just might be the best Chinatown in Europe. I won’t waste too much of your reading time going into all of what makes Milan one of my favorite cities in Europe but as you can imagine the food plays a big part in that. We stayed near the main train station and it was a pretty central location that I would probably stay in again as there’s lots of areas you can walk to. The other thing I will note is Eataly is so much better in Italy which is pretty easy to believe but the location in Chicago is a shell of the one in Milan. It’s a good spot to visit right before you leave as there’s good pizza and other prepared foods you can bring to the airport which is what we did. I also brought about a hundred euros worth of dried pasta and nduja pastes back and I’m mad I didn’t bring more as my home inventory starts to dwindle down. I’ll share the rest of the Italy trip week by week following this report so do stay tuned. But first we visit Milan.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkMJRoa97RaRDw6NtTiXPQvBlS4XZIm-IehSrQ4WzT8HDY4VMJigVoMjfjRmidVqXwUwb0xUuY408VuAe6ebmYBISI6_ZjR-Vm0e1o-UykblHZlJ8FwU4v6xsuGlLh21dTZ7i3TmJr47r7K0JG6BF5JHOrap7s86DdNmo7TQLqf0-RrouWbfUVARxTP8yT/s4032/IMG_7162.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkMJRoa97RaRDw6NtTiXPQvBlS4XZIm-IehSrQ4WzT8HDY4VMJigVoMjfjRmidVqXwUwb0xUuY408VuAe6ebmYBISI6_ZjR-Vm0e1o-UykblHZlJ8FwU4v6xsuGlLh21dTZ7i3TmJr47r7K0JG6BF5JHOrap7s86DdNmo7TQLqf0-RrouWbfUVARxTP8yT/s320/IMG_7162.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuSnPPgo_iaqSGe4dquhz43LXCUaohh4K39-UfImXFbBEwP27_CffUkwQNcLWQoeMqe7BBo_IGN94HSuXxSGimsputLYgZ2Pthu51M58BvIdNZSTuEo5Pk_6bWhgsc9nm-siQ7vyxcKSEiRjdO_KIRZD8S2uxJnms59OpEb14_cQTy-k7INKSBu4MNZfzR/s4032/IMG_7545.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuSnPPgo_iaqSGe4dquhz43LXCUaohh4K39-UfImXFbBEwP27_CffUkwQNcLWQoeMqe7BBo_IGN94HSuXxSGimsputLYgZ2Pthu51M58BvIdNZSTuEo5Pk_6bWhgsc9nm-siQ7vyxcKSEiRjdO_KIRZD8S2uxJnms59OpEb14_cQTy-k7INKSBu4MNZfzR/s320/IMG_7545.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtvHRl-QlsKka15rw99dOTqOh268XerC9tOcse2A-Olyin3EH8mxABE5mgztJm76Wy6HrKDM0tBAFoVt3hlnqErWCpUMdBEcoYB6T_7_hQHbqezzWsn4DqoUjsHow3z_ELZSvnK36qPH0TrePRlqB08adXRWQ1TzRM1SQyKTuF0uans8NA7U9f48QX82Xr/s4032/IMG_6869.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtvHRl-QlsKka15rw99dOTqOh268XerC9tOcse2A-Olyin3EH8mxABE5mgztJm76Wy6HrKDM0tBAFoVt3hlnqErWCpUMdBEcoYB6T_7_hQHbqezzWsn4DqoUjsHow3z_ELZSvnK36qPH0TrePRlqB08adXRWQ1TzRM1SQyKTuF0uans8NA7U9f48QX82Xr/s320/IMG_6869.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgq7Z2Il9joDuTnY7YQWtns-bfLB5LLjWUxnFmVXx2G4xpcnfFbH5oJf80Cr28_X1oX6parX-z3RD21G80Td2rNsdvC7AX-HdcwvTJ4wlCIqL31J_c9s6NBHQZDici3V4PcFrgVXSgKiP4-w7b5qJBdTa-MbBebHZ2ECj2Gq2nI9K-0vacN3M4eO4VN9fJ-/s4032/IMG_6929.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgq7Z2Il9joDuTnY7YQWtns-bfLB5LLjWUxnFmVXx2G4xpcnfFbH5oJf80Cr28_X1oX6parX-z3RD21G80Td2rNsdvC7AX-HdcwvTJ4wlCIqL31J_c9s6NBHQZDici3V4PcFrgVXSgKiP4-w7b5qJBdTa-MbBebHZ2ECj2Gq2nI9K-0vacN3M4eO4VN9fJ-/s320/IMG_6929.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Sights from Milan (click pics to enhance)<br /><span style="background-color: #141414; color: white; font-size: 13px;">_______________________________________<br /><br /></span></div><p style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjv1GCZx83VCUnxTGkpm0xZnbEuim5LGJWxIcBGj3PW73Dtf4qjuNLokEsVpjmxLtqnDB8TCM4Hxwy8dRQZhSK36ShWygmgYOC3cvNRT2lIU0jG07P4IP4sOkmSyhHniDKEwwciOqjiuGb3vv1sp3s7mH2UbwWEg4whhUYvXCtCEUL3wYRc2KmLqBVZfnM/s4032/IMG_3383.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjv1GCZx83VCUnxTGkpm0xZnbEuim5LGJWxIcBGj3PW73Dtf4qjuNLokEsVpjmxLtqnDB8TCM4Hxwy8dRQZhSK36ShWygmgYOC3cvNRT2lIU0jG07P4IP4sOkmSyhHniDKEwwciOqjiuGb3vv1sp3s7mH2UbwWEg4whhUYvXCtCEUL3wYRc2KmLqBVZfnM/w400-h300/IMG_3383.jpg" width="400" /></a><br /><b>Mastro Tortello <br /></b></p><p>Mastro Tortelli was the winner of the closest restaurant on my food map to the hotel where we were staying which wasn't far from the Milano Centrale Railway Station. My family went to the train station to get a quick lunch since it was closer and the young ones needed to be fed but I had a lunch at Mastro Tortello planned before we boarded the plane to Italy. The name of the place implies they are masters of tortelli which is a type of filled pasta traditionally made in the Lombardy, Emilia-Romagna, and Tuscany regions of Italy. It can be found in several shapes, including square (similar to ravioli), semi-circular (similar to agnolini), or twisted into a rounded, hat-like form (similar to cappelletti). Mastro Tortello is a hip and modern space where they make a tortellini like version that's served a variety of ways. I got the '33 Yolk Tortelli Carbonara' which is as rich of a pasta as I've ever had. </p><p style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJU-PYNPmeZfpIrni8zuJQebt4JSdhp-Awt1w6phIVSdSwIU2ZBWtLm5tJ2ZuhQNdegt0YyrCGOc3Uw5XxMQXB5WTX86MBGMTZkEiXhKkH6gQMTuSPvh3x7Uf0ppKDlHueSnHKdHBQwJrIktDOkLwqSGE5WN1The1DCF_xunrAPz5-z1Tv8CKhC_yK-sq0/s4032/IMG_3394.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJU-PYNPmeZfpIrni8zuJQebt4JSdhp-Awt1w6phIVSdSwIU2ZBWtLm5tJ2ZuhQNdegt0YyrCGOc3Uw5XxMQXB5WTX86MBGMTZkEiXhKkH6gQMTuSPvh3x7Uf0ppKDlHueSnHKdHBQwJrIktDOkLwqSGE5WN1The1DCF_xunrAPz5-z1Tv8CKhC_yK-sq0/w400-h300/IMG_3394.jpg" width="400" /></a><br />33 Yolk Carbonara at Mastro Tortello<br /><span face="Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif" style="background-color: #141414; color: white; font-size: 13px;">_______________________________________<br /><br /></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgKvBnCL7TEGty5mYKE9ADNd8ulLz2SXKmxWRm2xonorqYEKiFBbv1WYbV_VSHjY2FjO5LUCXbbHXpCt_nXin3lSmcQnoW1Q-6UZ7WMazdHN25FqIi2SUOYiIYsqNAq-mgUC3pkRP-lm-Yokiu0EDx8E84_3ahOp_vklQXAfHfSKtWOnS04zgxaVgykl8z/s4032/IMG_3404.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgKvBnCL7TEGty5mYKE9ADNd8ulLz2SXKmxWRm2xonorqYEKiFBbv1WYbV_VSHjY2FjO5LUCXbbHXpCt_nXin3lSmcQnoW1Q-6UZ7WMazdHN25FqIi2SUOYiIYsqNAq-mgUC3pkRP-lm-Yokiu0EDx8E84_3ahOp_vklQXAfHfSKtWOnS04zgxaVgykl8z/w400-h300/IMG_3404.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>Osteria dell'Acquabella</b></div><br />I picked a last meal type of dinner for our first sitdown meal in Italy. Ossobuco is my favorite Italian dish of them all and Milan and the Lombardy region is where it originates. Osteria dell'Acquabella has been braising up cross cut veal shanks since 1954. We also got the Veal Milanese aka cotoletta because that’s what they do in these parts and if it’s regional I’m having at it. “When in Milan” so to say. This would end up being the best Ossobuco of all those that we tried in Milan but it wasn't as good as my uncles version which is what made me fall in love with it. A delicious dinner nonetheless. <br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEji55auDPVuaavv-aApgEEJdZ1ZQqTibkenShrzqYA8P6Ecj07ZxvOTrTLVX74wahJ7ydVvlaANgCISIVIISYU0yzvvSjdKfo4plIfKyd39n8RYEzmxw-Yixkdkc4zGH-0hoBWhBF2w9Q8DDl0ASwBFC_re3JIOAzIzaO-mPfiI2cJguQBXv1J6H8np3T_m/s4032/IMG_3409.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEji55auDPVuaavv-aApgEEJdZ1ZQqTibkenShrzqYA8P6Ecj07ZxvOTrTLVX74wahJ7ydVvlaANgCISIVIISYU0yzvvSjdKfo4plIfKyd39n8RYEzmxw-Yixkdkc4zGH-0hoBWhBF2w9Q8DDl0ASwBFC_re3JIOAzIzaO-mPfiI2cJguQBXv1J6H8np3T_m/s320/IMG_3409.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjU__aCYbPBZbXITqs61qiPIr9H6B7UkXrEgHxUjhoBP1QSQQ8QEtGJjWYMrvOsL8QkI3_CJMuLDz8z2w7o2uHregLNCNFR1yU4WSQ86QtQUzF3JXeWLrhYYQeni7SxuGp416-_bdMTdJ8w489hVxaXtqQ4SQtjCcLm-ZfzZ3CoZvU3n0jze6GO1azLCu_m/s4032/IMG_3437.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjU__aCYbPBZbXITqs61qiPIr9H6B7UkXrEgHxUjhoBP1QSQQ8QEtGJjWYMrvOsL8QkI3_CJMuLDz8z2w7o2uHregLNCNFR1yU4WSQ86QtQUzF3JXeWLrhYYQeni7SxuGp416-_bdMTdJ8w489hVxaXtqQ4SQtjCcLm-ZfzZ3CoZvU3n0jze6GO1azLCu_m/s320/IMG_3437.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLFdagj86wCMXii5wfca7McPzJYwcUQYMY49we3ebsS7Ptt5_0IVhAFpKFLk99NxqrKX3cTQYJzzJMBMpUnPdwAJgrjoylknQOsKYjZbgktUpW82AeqgzRmj-LgdNnLeBX_M5nCFtElvLs-pHjObqUjdsFnfuoDhbC60fwFU3z0mYu6rnmqig8VchyphenhyphenRfCs/s4032/IMG_3421.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLFdagj86wCMXii5wfca7McPzJYwcUQYMY49we3ebsS7Ptt5_0IVhAFpKFLk99NxqrKX3cTQYJzzJMBMpUnPdwAJgrjoylknQOsKYjZbgktUpW82AeqgzRmj-LgdNnLeBX_M5nCFtElvLs-pHjObqUjdsFnfuoDhbC60fwFU3z0mYu6rnmqig8VchyphenhyphenRfCs/s320/IMG_3421.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Dinner at Osteria dell'Acquabella<br /><span face="Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif" style="background-color: #141414; color: white; font-size: 13px;">_______________________________________</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzWv0LXqxMy7KYfPlYmNWrPCtEyjpiCAtX-ocg99Q_8fTpqUfJKeSOIKpL1eW7nmVUf-mX5Eh6gzHxzve5gxWrf15rB3M25AdVGLCwYFI5M3sZBwjCOShEA-AVqmg_RxIqfVhcG4i0cH0IszxgTiElP6hLOXNkFjh7CG4f5mfm0UdP1XeEy82z3Jzl-obu/s4032/IMG_3480.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzWv0LXqxMy7KYfPlYmNWrPCtEyjpiCAtX-ocg99Q_8fTpqUfJKeSOIKpL1eW7nmVUf-mX5Eh6gzHxzve5gxWrf15rB3M25AdVGLCwYFI5M3sZBwjCOShEA-AVqmg_RxIqfVhcG4i0cH0IszxgTiElP6hLOXNkFjh7CG4f5mfm0UdP1XeEy82z3Jzl-obu/w400-h300/IMG_3480.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>Panzerotti Luini</b></div><br />Breakfast isn't big in Italy like it is back home. Most Italians will start their day with some sort of baked goods to go with their espresso if they partake in the intake of caffeine. I'm not a big coffee drinker but I do like a savory type of pastry to start my day and Panzerotti Luini was said to be a great spot to stop before or after you go to the Duomo and or do some shopping in the area. This Milano institution churns out all sorts of pastries both sweet and savory but most folks are here for their signature panzerotti which are said to be the best in the big city with the recipe coming from Puglia. The store is run by the third generation of the family who uses the same dough recipe that was passed down. I tried a few and they were all great but it was a fried one with cheese and marinara that hit hardest. <br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjDtJnGV7erlYWBfNnNJr71umNvm0yrxLyZkKn1Tmca2CDBXoV4xUG4SC7gJg5T4iPqgS1d4ncpVXk2P3wlybsxy4PXmsZ0y-Lt_nomQYwNLnWYLUtMx93llwUPE3n0St8WgPW3Wux7gF3NiwHDm2nqi6ZdTUcZd9QSSDj0GHSDyOy6QbdJHX68YXJSwpR/s4032/IMG_3491.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjDtJnGV7erlYWBfNnNJr71umNvm0yrxLyZkKn1Tmca2CDBXoV4xUG4SC7gJg5T4iPqgS1d4ncpVXk2P3wlybsxy4PXmsZ0y-Lt_nomQYwNLnWYLUtMx93llwUPE3n0St8WgPW3Wux7gF3NiwHDm2nqi6ZdTUcZd9QSSDj0GHSDyOy6QbdJHX68YXJSwpR/w400-h300/IMG_3491.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Panzerotti at Panzerotti Luini<br /><span face="Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif" style="background-color: #141414; color: white; font-size: 13px;">_______________________________________</span></div><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHB7Vuzw8Y15bzYjUK5KB0oO03ddgwYoNvxfhSA5EOHqkH9xVskkluURaBddhTt5GQug4FTw3QK4ovTzFvTybox19AtGi6Qnsr7255wh_-zJxo6d09y5xfrD21udspCPw9DEryswpOHDEaOJO4fLBBFIOgu3Kx2wVlDSayJNsAG2x3-nkuZA-E0flU_p79/s4032/IMG_3589.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHB7Vuzw8Y15bzYjUK5KB0oO03ddgwYoNvxfhSA5EOHqkH9xVskkluURaBddhTt5GQug4FTw3QK4ovTzFvTybox19AtGi6Qnsr7255wh_-zJxo6d09y5xfrD21udspCPw9DEryswpOHDEaOJO4fLBBFIOgu3Kx2wVlDSayJNsAG2x3-nkuZA-E0flU_p79/w400-h300/IMG_3589.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>Ratanà</b></div><br />My dad wanted to check out Ratanà after seeing it featured on 'Stanley Tucchi: Searching for Italy.' Did you know he's Italian on both sides?! Ha. So my sister would end up booking us a table at this popular Michelin recommended spot for our only family meal in Milan. The menu was bigger than most spots of a similar stature. Since there was 11 of us we were able to try a chunk of the Milanese forward food options which do change with the seasons though I'm sure some stay on there year round. I really liked the space itself but I felt the food fell a little bit flat. It didn't hit like I was hoping it would and at first I started to question whether the food in Italy was going to be as good as I thought it was going to be but it most certainly was by the time we were getting ready to leave. Though Ratanà wasn't one of my favorite meals. The only thing I thought was outstanding was a terrific tomato risotto that had a deep tomato flavor with perfectly cooked rice. It was a dish I'll remember but the rest of the meal wasn't quite as memorable. The ossobuco suffered from a lack of tenderness and the sauce was lukewarm, the only saving grace for that plate was the perfectly cooked and extra creamy risotto. <br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEju9vlm-IxJEosi7kpP1CaHZM5ayYNbtju4SB1jNmH9ZmJQwnJmyc4OfeSkMZccnz48r8eaZLNwLb_-DCI5018OXBx5w3-8OKBbY7NpB27qtR2pDEV-hWYDZ6PggLNpDubooq2LsbUN9r15H2NF8diGlnpJHsMy8WuTMnJHpczbzob7_Kk0r5k7kT223ptd/s4032/IMG_3522.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEju9vlm-IxJEosi7kpP1CaHZM5ayYNbtju4SB1jNmH9ZmJQwnJmyc4OfeSkMZccnz48r8eaZLNwLb_-DCI5018OXBx5w3-8OKBbY7NpB27qtR2pDEV-hWYDZ6PggLNpDubooq2LsbUN9r15H2NF8diGlnpJHsMy8WuTMnJHpczbzob7_Kk0r5k7kT223ptd/s320/IMG_3522.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Crispy Ossobuco Meatballs with salsa verde</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjlZTVTN-PNumPs4b7dTZ5rsWtsTSZ3Ri9ipWoJnRxdGm0lDTgQDO74VzcTQFOZlYAD78WYdQvFyPLnzW9LsNnQu0mXT-TXz4y-2m9g3JLI4WmcphutYFulV36TcpTbA0P8oTETkdAuofPwsys3TIUYJGqYPITKkgnj9Y2O3jGhutt6lC-Wokl0oQ6BGGh/s4032/IMG_3525.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjlZTVTN-PNumPs4b7dTZ5rsWtsTSZ3Ri9ipWoJnRxdGm0lDTgQDO74VzcTQFOZlYAD78WYdQvFyPLnzW9LsNnQu0mXT-TXz4y-2m9g3JLI4WmcphutYFulV36TcpTbA0P8oTETkdAuofPwsys3TIUYJGqYPITKkgnj9Y2O3jGhutt6lC-Wokl0oQ6BGGh/s320/IMG_3525.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: center;">Pink Asparagus from Mezzago with butter, frozen asparagus cream, puffed quinoa fennel oil, pine nut milk and sea fennel<br /></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg807ATz_2f5HcMfzssKHQKVEeYlR9_hU5jZCT0x_vXypMyxruWYUX6UGXLReHwJqjh7saE7f8ExB9PoS4zaeokXvnX35eQWYm_t34kmWQFYTuwl6hd9hfMZ02ipmS5JMEAt8jHYh3UccVVPn_dYplrF4AKTAsHjmIt4FX21KoNI0CNumxO5IRdTWVFpom5/s4032/IMG_3542.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg807ATz_2f5HcMfzssKHQKVEeYlR9_hU5jZCT0x_vXypMyxruWYUX6UGXLReHwJqjh7saE7f8ExB9PoS4zaeokXvnX35eQWYm_t34kmWQFYTuwl6hd9hfMZ02ipmS5JMEAt8jHYh3UccVVPn_dYplrF4AKTAsHjmIt4FX21KoNI0CNumxO5IRdTWVFpom5/s320/IMG_3542.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Vitello Tonnato: roast veal, tuna sauce made with Apulian palamita and Salina capers<br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh54woKSK0W0_iCZBkVICjSEmeigFjBtZgLrGk0L4-gkUqJJRaRdRJ0uuDoWp16iGpLEzRdUDaS0w31O4grwpm_1RS2EgZAqtZMPySNeLEm43D2OXH6EkGCNw639CGHh5kx5ehOohyJgKquz_yWJKlffARXLLU42O7jfwcs9rpdeqUcDrBjZZ9k0nrwrJ0A/s4032/IMG_3552.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh54woKSK0W0_iCZBkVICjSEmeigFjBtZgLrGk0L4-gkUqJJRaRdRJ0uuDoWp16iGpLEzRdUDaS0w31O4grwpm_1RS2EgZAqtZMPySNeLEm43D2OXH6EkGCNw639CGHh5kx5ehOohyJgKquz_yWJKlffARXLLU42O7jfwcs9rpdeqUcDrBjZZ9k0nrwrJ0A/s320/IMG_3552.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Parmesan and saffron risotto with ossobuco</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcfAfEd_hKnoJ-VO_opv0C8IA8E8Y6YGvx9GZ7d2k3yCjs2Vmv5vzXBOr_ZJwrFvL3XkQqFHg_mrJ9RH1qE0AXwrpPfsngM_G_GhdnynWa22NjPcV3x26l3BOMP7GUPJnKiMHoXf3GHLw5Utt22IJDW04rBFIwM0JZjOAm3gp4Xq5SK8lfMjy25LoOUKGN/s4032/IMG_3557.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcfAfEd_hKnoJ-VO_opv0C8IA8E8Y6YGvx9GZ7d2k3yCjs2Vmv5vzXBOr_ZJwrFvL3XkQqFHg_mrJ9RH1qE0AXwrpPfsngM_G_GhdnynWa22NjPcV3x26l3BOMP7GUPJnKiMHoXf3GHLw5Utt22IJDW04rBFIwM0JZjOAm3gp4Xq5SK8lfMjy25LoOUKGN/s320/IMG_3557.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Tomato Risotto 2.0: risotto with tomato reduction, green tomato cream, tomato heart, block lemon powder, and marjoram<br /><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZB98LtFk4sumrb3aV8xJEJOP0a2fNJOTmOg5GjhZj7JPh5adtFkxdgxyrbFeagolxKPd2G-x0WRrJLqMqxYzW9Ol8UQHfGMo3MtHvHDxHxUcNFdinnsXYnJSOhIw3PQlRDFgTR7aAEm0dPNUkPy5WP8z3Nu-ucJFMUCRBl7OFd_g72sPE707oXZjL00hr/s4032/IMG_3560.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZB98LtFk4sumrb3aV8xJEJOP0a2fNJOTmOg5GjhZj7JPh5adtFkxdgxyrbFeagolxKPd2G-x0WRrJLqMqxYzW9Ol8UQHfGMo3MtHvHDxHxUcNFdinnsXYnJSOhIw3PQlRDFgTR7aAEm0dPNUkPy5WP8z3Nu-ucJFMUCRBl7OFd_g72sPE707oXZjL00hr/s320/IMG_3560.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Tortelli with lightly smoked ham, warm sauce of fresh peas, Lodigiano cheese cream, raw peas and sprouts<br /><span face="Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif" style="background-color: #141414; color: white; font-size: 13px;">_______________________________________</span><br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhu8C4QPUhITkGtnIKZ3yG2-7Vgz8rZTh59KU5e4iDKVt_21ABQ-tmn0Jagk4n4L_lwsVeWBWsbOonChrUnsYjeaI3cmabS933hl1lY2GKMPctcYG8rubFT7i4dZCwaPaFLv0lS_N9rLSJUWhEehkTEDQcLVraTmv1LJlDOsytZzcaVSmD-wRow2W16r4Y/s4032/IMG_6500.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhu8C4QPUhITkGtnIKZ3yG2-7Vgz8rZTh59KU5e4iDKVt_21ABQ-tmn0Jagk4n4L_lwsVeWBWsbOonChrUnsYjeaI3cmabS933hl1lY2GKMPctcYG8rubFT7i4dZCwaPaFLv0lS_N9rLSJUWhEehkTEDQcLVraTmv1LJlDOsytZzcaVSmD-wRow2W16r4Y/w400-h300/IMG_6500.jpg" width="400" /></a><br /><b>Nebbia </b><br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;">Next stop is actually on the outskirts of the city in a neighborhood less visited by tourists. I booked Nebbia bc we would be driving back into the city from the Liguria region and it was on the way in. I also chose it bc it looked really good and kind of reminded me of a spot you would find in Paris. Both the ambiance and the wine list delivered on the modern day Parisian vibes. As is commonly the case with a place like this the chefs both worked in a Michelin starred kitchen before going more casual with Nebbia. All of the dishes were well prepared but as always a few stood out from the others and those were the grilled octopus which had terrific texture in that it was neither chewy nor mushy. It was plated with a carrot mousse plus creme fraice and a red wine sauce. All of it mixed together was outstanding. The chicken liver parfait is something of a signature dish and it too was a hit. I liked a spaghetti mixed with monkfish and mugnaia more than a tagliolini with fava beans and guanciale and I should've asked about the lamb kebab which I ordered thinking was chunks of lamb and not ground. </div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj521TSof9OoNZRriVqX2PopURVqvtmBC7rlJxd6p1TovRXOg792E1-1f-CUW8csh8GhOMsv__x3cSFtGfkwcd7dizwDZHrPdITWi_Aa9y3VVJMRovacZVwo5CukF9rGQNVxSeChl0sd683vzFQ7_SrAxNsQykTPzQizLsoOFzsb0fsID_3IUhEgtP6uPRs/s4032/IMG_6424.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj521TSof9OoNZRriVqX2PopURVqvtmBC7rlJxd6p1TovRXOg792E1-1f-CUW8csh8GhOMsv__x3cSFtGfkwcd7dizwDZHrPdITWi_Aa9y3VVJMRovacZVwo5CukF9rGQNVxSeChl0sd683vzFQ7_SrAxNsQykTPzQizLsoOFzsb0fsID_3IUhEgtP6uPRs/s320/IMG_6424.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Tuna, lime and coriander</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiRmrWD3ly1mUznNhrjUyOPpRDKy4u63Hnkj69TIyQYoKOv-5l86g4MYDxstIAl6RjbwHTexvtEleD1xqQyqOzwjGht0MUAJm-iqO_q2NOERNHtKlTA0Q7yXm16-aymKTSd9cHl6R3ECmbtS9hO9s-qPADZ6zBieueqRS-8fkz1CJjCvSYOMjICP4HF9y1/s4032/IMG_6428.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiRmrWD3ly1mUznNhrjUyOPpRDKy4u63Hnkj69TIyQYoKOv-5l86g4MYDxstIAl6RjbwHTexvtEleD1xqQyqOzwjGht0MUAJm-iqO_q2NOERNHtKlTA0Q7yXm16-aymKTSd9cHl6R3ECmbtS9hO9s-qPADZ6zBieueqRS-8fkz1CJjCvSYOMjICP4HF9y1/s320/IMG_6428.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Octopus, carrots, creme fraiche and red wine sauce</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0Qn4KSzi4pONvf7S1OaReSUDungz80xHjZrHXqXNgIW7vGA25PkWez75JduZYc0P0k7VS7QPIwWC3wNNLAsVl50oRX49_NJJIwAUD8V5yua34-JmSq1zO3SHNE-3kxoW_goeMFvRNd9B6lwzMrW8Il5_aK4xbuZkmitYlHXPFYDsQ6vcUsNHWLcAM4fYg/s4032/IMG_6450.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0Qn4KSzi4pONvf7S1OaReSUDungz80xHjZrHXqXNgIW7vGA25PkWez75JduZYc0P0k7VS7QPIwWC3wNNLAsVl50oRX49_NJJIwAUD8V5yua34-JmSq1zO3SHNE-3kxoW_goeMFvRNd9B6lwzMrW8Il5_aK4xbuZkmitYlHXPFYDsQ6vcUsNHWLcAM4fYg/s320/IMG_6450.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Chicken liver parfait, pan brioche and caramelized onion</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSqgqpPki2jJfkiH4vGnhKBO3cIIPMnI-_E2ldAbcOaxQbyNFRWnX8EoOid6QpHNi2JhDlABym-TuqRDAK5UEAnVt7pKkgRQ8AfGUtKCJuv5DEm4Iy_Zip5z-pbVydpZe4HgsVcJM-SnASo6eEpDVkXEgr9CrATxOhHKdMgOnfiiyoz_Dmh5RdJRkE2fz6/s4032/IMG_6464.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSqgqpPki2jJfkiH4vGnhKBO3cIIPMnI-_E2ldAbcOaxQbyNFRWnX8EoOid6QpHNi2JhDlABym-TuqRDAK5UEAnVt7pKkgRQ8AfGUtKCJuv5DEm4Iy_Zip5z-pbVydpZe4HgsVcJM-SnASo6eEpDVkXEgr9CrATxOhHKdMgOnfiiyoz_Dmh5RdJRkE2fz6/s320/IMG_6464.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Spaghetti, monkfish and mugnaia sauce</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCRsNBAhFDUrQj292j1skE2xPYlLFpotqAmzARCnIu3OndiU6RBarhl67U1ZDO-Qz-ApQkZ_WyUwW7tC7tyh6bvpKdX7mmCZKymcB-1O9HfmnKY6YaHz41xq8hPz5Df9lShmjQH1sYIh9L6DRc6_2rHHnfVuB5bewKBotFUrxjapId7l6pPOFt0eDsUQsm/s4032/IMG_6479.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCRsNBAhFDUrQj292j1skE2xPYlLFpotqAmzARCnIu3OndiU6RBarhl67U1ZDO-Qz-ApQkZ_WyUwW7tC7tyh6bvpKdX7mmCZKymcB-1O9HfmnKY6YaHz41xq8hPz5Df9lShmjQH1sYIh9L6DRc6_2rHHnfVuB5bewKBotFUrxjapId7l6pPOFt0eDsUQsm/s320/IMG_6479.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Aubergine parmigiana</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpZanCUcsRZjtW8GkhAL0mF1EOC_5a4WK74c_RTR7v2ZlW6JBeDOeL2H5Uk6Ci0WFk_xoPBPc5XoDRaO8Dtlcd3h0fQENT8AgjgbnztOa-MOF1BeVLOU6XZnJ_T5T728AoRuBqHxVtbx34NXVp19b-XFXGumHEO5xGO0J9xTy_45TR1pqYqUHv0kWAJd3G/s4032/IMG_6484.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpZanCUcsRZjtW8GkhAL0mF1EOC_5a4WK74c_RTR7v2ZlW6JBeDOeL2H5Uk6Ci0WFk_xoPBPc5XoDRaO8Dtlcd3h0fQENT8AgjgbnztOa-MOF1BeVLOU6XZnJ_T5T728AoRuBqHxVtbx34NXVp19b-XFXGumHEO5xGO0J9xTy_45TR1pqYqUHv0kWAJd3G/s320/IMG_6484.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Tagliolini, fava bean, guanciale and pecorino</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyrqJLnu-Es6fUxxaVe8xLYOxAnKi_rJb_LNIp2pWL63Ib-eP7V7pRg4eDeBp-up8n-bCGpsZA3tRYSx9bBDRjbs52fIDGyFBdVHGEDooJmguRzrjA7JOUekX66BFuRey6UkiZ52vxOaykA1GFbdDCOhDBNDQM4ACIzEBkESeAx2WEzehAGsBQgjKiEVGq/s4032/IMG_6493.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyrqJLnu-Es6fUxxaVe8xLYOxAnKi_rJb_LNIp2pWL63Ib-eP7V7pRg4eDeBp-up8n-bCGpsZA3tRYSx9bBDRjbs52fIDGyFBdVHGEDooJmguRzrjA7JOUekX66BFuRey6UkiZ52vxOaykA1GFbdDCOhDBNDQM4ACIzEBkESeAx2WEzehAGsBQgjKiEVGq/s320/IMG_6493.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Lamb shish kebab, cabbage and chili yogurt<br /><span face="Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif" style="background-color: #141414; color: white; font-size: 13px;">_______________________________________</span></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_p47dJLIy23API-eVWL0vl0hWNnZ8voIWxPy0l2XNGdAbCDIr3hBIFwctExwNsZ1GT51R8K6_UN2q_2NX8hZxvOStciIsAZanYwCZXkyF__Py-p-NCVYgve5qNoTo26QRJHFpww8tSIZ4DoPuae58hO7DhZNF65qcp0NKIraZ9rKaFxRApSBRi4WVQGzy/s4032/IMG_7095.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_p47dJLIy23API-eVWL0vl0hWNnZ8voIWxPy0l2XNGdAbCDIr3hBIFwctExwNsZ1GT51R8K6_UN2q_2NX8hZxvOStciIsAZanYwCZXkyF__Py-p-NCVYgve5qNoTo26QRJHFpww8tSIZ4DoPuae58hO7DhZNF65qcp0NKIraZ9rKaFxRApSBRi4WVQGzy/w400-h300/IMG_7095.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>Maoji Street Food </b></div><br />The food in the Piedmont and Liguria regions was flippin’ fantastic (reports coming soon) but they don’t have much outside of the traditional local recipes in those parts. Which is totally fine when the food is that good but coming from a big city in the United States I have a very diverse diet so I was psyched to get back to Milano, home to some really good Chinese food and what's likely Europe's best Chinatown (read on). Maoji Street Food is not in the Chinatown neighborhood but that just goes to show the city really loves it’s Chinese food as it’s the sister spot to a very popular Hunan restaurant called Mao. I tried to come here the day before but was turned away bc they were full for the night so go earlier in the day if you want to try some legit Chinese food with real deal heat. Hunan cuisine is said to be even spicier than Sichuan cuisine and this Hunan style soup labeled “Spaghetti en Brodo Piccante con carne” was the spiciest thing I’ve ever ate on the European continent. It was not for the faint of heart but it was exactly what I wanted, salty and sour and all sorts of fire. Well worth a stop. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdy_nTNkv-n9eJN_45xds6wxK_yZQexRB-Ipnmj3S_skC04yJUX3PsJlj8t4WL8sC-MO0pk3MgGQqO8myGoGg78EPbSoXg63FvbQQoFUyU1Ah-VpkzJAGzHVt1mwnZnS0z139o3veBftQvozzTuTVQoxyHa4e75-6sMyM9Ejw4ExXxGQE4Ng3GijKQFeUV/s4032/IMG_7087.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdy_nTNkv-n9eJN_45xds6wxK_yZQexRB-Ipnmj3S_skC04yJUX3PsJlj8t4WL8sC-MO0pk3MgGQqO8myGoGg78EPbSoXg63FvbQQoFUyU1Ah-VpkzJAGzHVt1mwnZnS0z139o3veBftQvozzTuTVQoxyHa4e75-6sMyM9Ejw4ExXxGQE4Ng3GijKQFeUV/w400-h300/IMG_7087.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Spaghetti en Brodo Piccante con carne at Maoji Street Food<br /><span face="Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif" style="background-color: #141414; color: white; font-size: 13px;">_______________________________________</span></div></div></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTYH7foxfPzjDQZye8neyWZSckpkrOLMM5A6i4cDvjam4wKKzzss4pAUe2blKiNHoTSte4FHTyw__6FO9AO_avg4ZT1SHsskNLvjeoCONqn7K-8dutk_Uds3ZIFHSrsIMHCBA4l7ExGIgWktcBocBDxEU1KPvc0MBE4HlpaRSpd5ewuQH2niru1K7toYcU/s4032/IMG_6847.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTYH7foxfPzjDQZye8neyWZSckpkrOLMM5A6i4cDvjam4wKKzzss4pAUe2blKiNHoTSte4FHTyw__6FO9AO_avg4ZT1SHsskNLvjeoCONqn7K-8dutk_Uds3ZIFHSrsIMHCBA4l7ExGIgWktcBocBDxEU1KPvc0MBE4HlpaRSpd5ewuQH2niru1K7toYcU/w400-h300/IMG_6847.jpg" width="400" /></a></div></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b>MU Dim Sum<br /></b><br /><div style="text-align: left;">We got some Hong Kong quality dim sum at MU Dim Sum. It reminded me of the type of spot you’d find in HK or even Vancouver. Meaning it was a bit on the top end and also fantastic. It was also a nice change of pace after an all Italian diet the previous two weeks. They gave us an amuse Bouche of fried shrimp in corn flakes with an egg custard and some stir fried lotus root which I would’ve been satisfied with if it was a paid course. The siu mai, har gow, and the cheung fun were each perfectly done and a stir fried turbot, with artichokes, snowpeas and spring onion, fried leeks had a crisp tempura batter and as a bonus came with a crispy fish spleen. Made in-house rice Tagliatelle with beef, soy sprouts, chinese garlic was a top notch chow fun while dessert was a real stunner - Chinese date ice cream and a brown butter biscuit with hibiscus gel, meringue, fermented beetroot powder. </div></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcaufdije8vgQvl9iAznpt0e0Dzbx8J9-8D8bmWv-2lFE1zl36z2OcFDcKJXIvlToakaGa99VKGM265fmgzn3KNKhi-VVz_5cY4eX6LaNVwa0cdTe60n2TjXjBBhEZFf26yuvzTr4LPboOrsi-mrQLUCE3Vpu8xzNxHdNQPdZTahSNx8qiwD1n734kiAYO/s4032/IMG_6765.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcaufdije8vgQvl9iAznpt0e0Dzbx8J9-8D8bmWv-2lFE1zl36z2OcFDcKJXIvlToakaGa99VKGM265fmgzn3KNKhi-VVz_5cY4eX6LaNVwa0cdTe60n2TjXjBBhEZFf26yuvzTr4LPboOrsi-mrQLUCE3Vpu8xzNxHdNQPdZTahSNx8qiwD1n734kiAYO/s320/IMG_6765.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRZ6sK8XGUJLHbJ2Vs2SDOXkxh2ePTmP8Z9yM0IMkBdlmfiEWnXkANnRlBTTMehelkvJXDb6geeryozbnjF1FDCap-RQMyE5ijsMxr2kg41ayTdRFI0xthdQCP0k22O2nnt9fEBk4mIgIBGoQa2n_Dicy-5njKfBVWlqO7YVKAkj3LzOOScvAVXdoS8fDQ/s4032/IMG_6790.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRZ6sK8XGUJLHbJ2Vs2SDOXkxh2ePTmP8Z9yM0IMkBdlmfiEWnXkANnRlBTTMehelkvJXDb6geeryozbnjF1FDCap-RQMyE5ijsMxr2kg41ayTdRFI0xthdQCP0k22O2nnt9fEBk4mIgIBGoQa2n_Dicy-5njKfBVWlqO7YVKAkj3LzOOScvAVXdoS8fDQ/s320/IMG_6790.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjE6mAERxJv1P0WzuC2IaiLWHOfphQqlqU_eZFIoIt4bJ6J6M7yOImVN6gClhhlyOwAg0Byz2KmtU_bSMAcnCL6wsE52r5yBefU4kxQ8-EzP_15GnEASK0jo9DC13vWZnMz5kpwx_e6REFzUulCLIDe2jFm0lyHolAM2ti-QSVGbjSEFJJqN9par8FZ6hc3/s4032/IMG_6805.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjE6mAERxJv1P0WzuC2IaiLWHOfphQqlqU_eZFIoIt4bJ6J6M7yOImVN6gClhhlyOwAg0Byz2KmtU_bSMAcnCL6wsE52r5yBefU4kxQ8-EzP_15GnEASK0jo9DC13vWZnMz5kpwx_e6REFzUulCLIDe2jFm0lyHolAM2ti-QSVGbjSEFJJqN9par8FZ6hc3/s320/IMG_6805.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjG6xMA-YJiyuFFY3XT5jkQzH-NT-aaoR1pIJNIHWuT_Uz6hmF6lYo_Vwa7yI3ZArtiqmcadUQ-4XitdVY8VM2nuIJv5bWK-qv5LZgL2Lh1kafMQQ7D9pn4E4zU__s5GaTWtgK0-wRUHpMVFMBqsm4xq8tapNcDZYCq05JA4Je-UQ25DSuliXN8heqKq6eO/s4032/IMG_6811.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjG6xMA-YJiyuFFY3XT5jkQzH-NT-aaoR1pIJNIHWuT_Uz6hmF6lYo_Vwa7yI3ZArtiqmcadUQ-4XitdVY8VM2nuIJv5bWK-qv5LZgL2Lh1kafMQQ7D9pn4E4zU__s5GaTWtgK0-wRUHpMVFMBqsm4xq8tapNcDZYCq05JA4Je-UQ25DSuliXN8heqKq6eO/s320/IMG_6811.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4cUgEcur_hxsqqeQb4CeSJAbsbereBaZtJp5aKGubxfAMwUo71DwfPVKAlOGjiRel5zs7t-P2yurajjntpv6RBM2oATapUID5coTVQaK7vGbA-oOHz5CrZ7CSl9WFkjOdqMZW8Cewd_Tglz2D95PZLbuX0tZX3EwZbzX9GkAVLKCM9FX3Meo3dsgD9A10/s4032/IMG_6834.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4cUgEcur_hxsqqeQb4CeSJAbsbereBaZtJp5aKGubxfAMwUo71DwfPVKAlOGjiRel5zs7t-P2yurajjntpv6RBM2oATapUID5coTVQaK7vGbA-oOHz5CrZ7CSl9WFkjOdqMZW8Cewd_Tglz2D95PZLbuX0tZX3EwZbzX9GkAVLKCM9FX3Meo3dsgD9A10/s320/IMG_6834.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Lunch at MU Dim Sum (click pics to enhance)<br /><span face="Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif" style="background-color: #141414; color: white; font-size: 13px;">_______________________________________</span></div></div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjT8npRxXwwGz-jz2ncFciYuG6zYdNb2YQqHExT2j9x6NbNED9smZToXBaiSeE0JiGYUm7v33_ijXN6ZhQPmHq_igYmGkdLk-rKXt8ZLNMQPHX1SkdaKiIdfisuIuYvW0kes3-JSUA59rEz2Zzs1gbvjO80m7rufk-IZrUfD1yR2I_tzJUk6KmJ7kiYCvNn/s4032/IMG_7441.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjT8npRxXwwGz-jz2ncFciYuG6zYdNb2YQqHExT2j9x6NbNED9smZToXBaiSeE0JiGYUm7v33_ijXN6ZhQPmHq_igYmGkdLk-rKXt8ZLNMQPHX1SkdaKiIdfisuIuYvW0kes3-JSUA59rEz2Zzs1gbvjO80m7rufk-IZrUfD1yR2I_tzJUk6KmJ7kiYCvNn/w400-h300/IMG_7441.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>Gelateria Paganelli</b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div>Next stop is right around the corner from the previous stop. Gelateria Paganelli is one of Milan's most well known gelato shops. Many Italians consider it to be Italy's best although I don't know how that could be determined with so many amazing options throughout the country. I didn't have a bad or even an average cup of gelato on this trip. Every single gelato that I tried was outstanding. That said I wasn't just trying random spots. I was hitting up places that come very highly recommended. Aside from the quality of the product itself this spot is also known for making some interesting flavors but at the end of the day I was all about the seasonal fruit options since summer was in full swing. </div><div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpp8Ebg92x2VH9BjazRuMdvKJgq12CL27bEz_821P_Th7mCcN7aVR_Wtrwd4KiUpyKLDbGL-_TeO9vRhxMvERcc6u57zGH0O1bxdaHUrin-uhev0PYcZ_ODK6EOnaCNixi6d0wiv3yMSZZww5ocLKUzBQHPMiot3uWY9j8GPVH7EgPhQMs_sl4eyUX8O5q/s4032/IMG_7437.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpp8Ebg92x2VH9BjazRuMdvKJgq12CL27bEz_821P_Th7mCcN7aVR_Wtrwd4KiUpyKLDbGL-_TeO9vRhxMvERcc6u57zGH0O1bxdaHUrin-uhev0PYcZ_ODK6EOnaCNixi6d0wiv3yMSZZww5ocLKUzBQHPMiot3uWY9j8GPVH7EgPhQMs_sl4eyUX8O5q/w400-h300/IMG_7437.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Peach Gelato at Gelateria Paganelli<br /><span face="Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif" style="background-color: #141414; color: white; font-size: 13px;">_______________________________________</span></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKH_4tfP7AHZDVk_qNiiE6qudMFa7Xvhf9QOV0F_X4CUdhcCnVym09odWjpA-P5fzzAQ8IIgdfkmOSo-ZzSxxp5TU5iehB2O_zhy5VXXi0XK_-PYrr54Z832k61IJWvw2ohO-B5oHSg5Jolw0H_eMUHwI9uhvr8qhny4X8IYd3UHQwpIJAbvAPpAofL2dt/s4032/IMG_6578.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKH_4tfP7AHZDVk_qNiiE6qudMFa7Xvhf9QOV0F_X4CUdhcCnVym09odWjpA-P5fzzAQ8IIgdfkmOSo-ZzSxxp5TU5iehB2O_zhy5VXXi0XK_-PYrr54Z832k61IJWvw2ohO-B5oHSg5Jolw0H_eMUHwI9uhvr8qhny4X8IYd3UHQwpIJAbvAPpAofL2dt/w400-h300/IMG_6578.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b>Trattoria Trippa </b></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">One of the nice things about the food scene in Milan is there’s some interesting Italian restaurants of the new school variety. Spots like Trattoria Trippa are tough to find in other parts of Italy. Trippa is often credited with taking the trattoria into the 21st century. It’s one of Milan’s most heralded restaurants so reservations can be tough to come by. They’re released four weeks in advance on a day by day basis and they sell out quickly each time as it’s in demand with locals and tourists alike. I snagged a spot after waking up at 4:45a Chicago time four weeks out and I’m happy to report it was worth it. The menu gets switched up regularly but the fried tripe is always an option as it should be at a spot with trippa in its name. They put to use some of the lesser used cuts of meat including chicken necks in a warm green bean salad with mushrooms, and pistachio pesto. It was one of the better dishes I had on this trip while a roasted onion with parmigiano fondue, sour cherries, hazelnuts, marjoram was equally outstanding. The Perlina eggplants "alla vaccinara" with dry ricotta and a Tomato Bread Soup with goat cheese and basil were both cleared off of the plates. Pastas were on point too with it being tough to pick a winner between the Tortelli with ricotta, cherries, butter, sage and parmigiano or the Tagliatelle with a deer meat ragout and parmigiano. For dessert we did Bone Marrow, Bread Pie with peaches, salted caramel plus yogurt mousse with chestnut honey, chamomile and pollen. A pretty perfect meal and thus worth the effort in the same way as scoring tickets to see your favorite band play in the melting pot of Milano. We would've returned for more if it were possible. </div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqJ_Pat2SD3sz8Wqa6vqq2EXvN431x0J-0KPr8YzPdNE5FHPPABggzeQ0t-WzEea2AG8QA2askE_L2cNwZ1cSI7mCATzL4t6K3cCU_dOMqlHyTZ3swqm5OXMIFmiBxmx_BHaXYo3vfQ5dVJN9gNxzv5BG_xmyZNq9Qx7ugJRjA_9YUZydHha1c-suNrfFh/s4032/IMG_6591.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqJ_Pat2SD3sz8Wqa6vqq2EXvN431x0J-0KPr8YzPdNE5FHPPABggzeQ0t-WzEea2AG8QA2askE_L2cNwZ1cSI7mCATzL4t6K3cCU_dOMqlHyTZ3swqm5OXMIFmiBxmx_BHaXYo3vfQ5dVJN9gNxzv5BG_xmyZNq9Qx7ugJRjA_9YUZydHha1c-suNrfFh/s320/IMG_6591.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Green beans salad with chicken necks, mushrooms, pistachio pesto</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5VVxD2htDkkTvnCtnMVl_OJjV9sKT58oi3uHo0rXtuvdZdGscRd8aIXDOs4az1bHAwRJjv-VSx6-Pm0ntvSmkPgO2zrut0FJK_wYQnBoMDGBqX4xZitBjhor0dUz-le3-6qMALfDY9DHM4gXNs5KMtegJU4bZC9vbrz4NGIu785YyRvlN82vPddpV50Wz/s4032/IMG_6598.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5VVxD2htDkkTvnCtnMVl_OJjV9sKT58oi3uHo0rXtuvdZdGscRd8aIXDOs4az1bHAwRJjv-VSx6-Pm0ntvSmkPgO2zrut0FJK_wYQnBoMDGBqX4xZitBjhor0dUz-le3-6qMALfDY9DHM4gXNs5KMtegJU4bZC9vbrz4NGIu785YyRvlN82vPddpV50Wz/s320/IMG_6598.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Roasted Onion, parmigiano fondue, sour cherries, hazelnuts, marjoram</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcoX-uDN181KpwoxBiMsHlC-LAwKIGf6zSBvj2ffIMloVyTYxT9x29zEVlU_NJC6L3Q8Y7y3iNiHSfRTxaG3WIZHfSrw-f3oea7fVPxs50XiRKiR3GBHS8D5Fz4Yl2EpBcD_l2RocjqOBqLKXoqUq4dw7HkJ-85lj73mmPr4KbCoHcoU5kJnl3CWKpqO9F/s4032/IMG_6606.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcoX-uDN181KpwoxBiMsHlC-LAwKIGf6zSBvj2ffIMloVyTYxT9x29zEVlU_NJC6L3Q8Y7y3iNiHSfRTxaG3WIZHfSrw-f3oea7fVPxs50XiRKiR3GBHS8D5Fz4Yl2EpBcD_l2RocjqOBqLKXoqUq4dw7HkJ-85lj73mmPr4KbCoHcoU5kJnl3CWKpqO9F/s320/IMG_6606.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Perlina eggplants "alla vaccinara", dry ricotta </div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiL3iRPQhfWeTrezj63wH8W5d_q5GObkRYWkExQXDkRflvduzQmzTs0CobQwPcqLD6f3q9B6raJ0XQqT2DjP4m5ibwr3H8qsYiw5xL4aNKwt7Q88owZxWnqsWnUemMi3b16dvKxaPWGKTRQu8yDYNvAnp1e6YbOI83dnTharj5PjIYIDFpI6iI1xiB3qCGY/s4032/IMG_6625.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiL3iRPQhfWeTrezj63wH8W5d_q5GObkRYWkExQXDkRflvduzQmzTs0CobQwPcqLD6f3q9B6raJ0XQqT2DjP4m5ibwr3H8qsYiw5xL4aNKwt7Q88owZxWnqsWnUemMi3b16dvKxaPWGKTRQu8yDYNvAnp1e6YbOI83dnTharj5PjIYIDFpI6iI1xiB3qCGY/s320/IMG_6625.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Trippa Fritta </div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigav0Qc_KznW_AAafY5Itg2LXnWgGG-q2lMx7_Goltn4DyuKuryd7llTAPiVVGcC-JkQhyphenhyphenaLi9YwrQf-98CaxBsyZX74U4A0imi_iZG83tJP7oiP0vDeAXkGMroam23ZCb8he7Ii2AZM3ccmlWf_ZYthooz58k8I3Put3fnLgfDJW5tOjJI74Z047k7sNK/s4032/IMG_6635.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigav0Qc_KznW_AAafY5Itg2LXnWgGG-q2lMx7_Goltn4DyuKuryd7llTAPiVVGcC-JkQhyphenhyphenaLi9YwrQf-98CaxBsyZX74U4A0imi_iZG83tJP7oiP0vDeAXkGMroam23ZCb8he7Ii2AZM3ccmlWf_ZYthooz58k8I3Put3fnLgfDJW5tOjJI74Z047k7sNK/s320/IMG_6635.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Bone Marrow </div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikaFyJ07zp_B5d9WKY3EW319jFvAEOkXHV6R0UOEWJbMLW8YYtIDi7AEhigNxD5l4EmpJBNPwX9lLS7vjaMJH0k3bVSWifUMmF-VaiNXz9Nm-FWE868TsINkSvyvpBzjXmRHNAfuSAoGjvRKFfGUvmEa1fPERTWRw1u4DTmQJ2wxuOLgKALEi5kPPFkosD/s4032/IMG_6640.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikaFyJ07zp_B5d9WKY3EW319jFvAEOkXHV6R0UOEWJbMLW8YYtIDi7AEhigNxD5l4EmpJBNPwX9lLS7vjaMJH0k3bVSWifUMmF-VaiNXz9Nm-FWE868TsINkSvyvpBzjXmRHNAfuSAoGjvRKFfGUvmEa1fPERTWRw1u4DTmQJ2wxuOLgKALEi5kPPFkosD/s320/IMG_6640.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><p style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"></p><div style="text-align: center;">Tomato Bread Soup, goat cheese, basil</div><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgihBHlrqma6GDuXuZ8QPsn_leIBPMLUrSI_AFBjJ1HRAi6zggnCJhlEVIU91RvhRStA3JlDtuJ1LpZsGqda4XzbSrZojCyut5RzhLaRwY8ENGi9viFDdZXqktXCFkXV_p7GZZgZnXRa661dNMEXPlRPhtlqnDk3hX9DI7QuJ3REE7J8BhBE9292g-M-bOm/s4032/IMG_6644.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgihBHlrqma6GDuXuZ8QPsn_leIBPMLUrSI_AFBjJ1HRAi6zggnCJhlEVIU91RvhRStA3JlDtuJ1LpZsGqda4XzbSrZojCyut5RzhLaRwY8ENGi9viFDdZXqktXCFkXV_p7GZZgZnXRa661dNMEXPlRPhtlqnDk3hX9DI7QuJ3REE7J8BhBE9292g-M-bOm/s320/IMG_6644.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Tortelli with ricotta and cherries, butter and sage, parmigiano</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFjf_1baSu_RerbfS5-PHfpl-87EI5zYBFPbAkE56Uc8b3Ndr96geM9qvljVqUNSmFpi9Bipb6Mf3yxgSdF_lhGPghMkrU6wewPfxnoD57h8auvVTK5hAcWq5W8YYvXR4idsRJU6Zz_QNxyRNEETfJW8Y7WGIlsJ5yaPPDuG64a0kHAU2ACrb_2ZVDEvoQ/s4032/IMG_6651.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFjf_1baSu_RerbfS5-PHfpl-87EI5zYBFPbAkE56Uc8b3Ndr96geM9qvljVqUNSmFpi9Bipb6Mf3yxgSdF_lhGPghMkrU6wewPfxnoD57h8auvVTK5hAcWq5W8YYvXR4idsRJU6Zz_QNxyRNEETfJW8Y7WGIlsJ5yaPPDuG64a0kHAU2ACrb_2ZVDEvoQ/s320/IMG_6651.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Tagliatelle with wild meat ragout, parmigiano</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSbeUaMo1Gk4G3heWwjqbMyMmMG0daNsYfeizNNysB_rW_YnZCdrW0hX4dXeHRYjGy4-rGf5xtgjPsrMqBYbYl1N8BV6vxIuSFqATpLQxIMaPpQTnmSkxn_GoOsM7toeGw9_rk_RgIchIqe3VLarjwC3uhuBky8hXBbGOovH6da7XD9Ria7zQyIId3pgEZ/s4032/IMG_6662.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSbeUaMo1Gk4G3heWwjqbMyMmMG0daNsYfeizNNysB_rW_YnZCdrW0hX4dXeHRYjGy4-rGf5xtgjPsrMqBYbYl1N8BV6vxIuSFqATpLQxIMaPpQTnmSkxn_GoOsM7toeGw9_rk_RgIchIqe3VLarjwC3uhuBky8hXBbGOovH6da7XD9Ria7zQyIId3pgEZ/s320/IMG_6662.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Yogurt mousse with chestnut honey, chamomile and pollen</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg91siLLgdVDdXN1uLxzaxjchBko6z02gpn3xpFVoqayNN-caZaa5TGGtPlCd3M1CDUJS4aSsO9lIvzSGIA1l8VWJF5o9eSZdwfZYRpSc8uyuyB64elrCI6NVPEdiolOjDXcD9Pz4Ens8jscFBVZr8yzi_l_luvXruhp69oaUicVXXWnrW24LzVFZ7sCP-B/s4032/IMG_6670.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg91siLLgdVDdXN1uLxzaxjchBko6z02gpn3xpFVoqayNN-caZaa5TGGtPlCd3M1CDUJS4aSsO9lIvzSGIA1l8VWJF5o9eSZdwfZYRpSc8uyuyB64elrCI6NVPEdiolOjDXcD9Pz4Ens8jscFBVZr8yzi_l_luvXruhp69oaUicVXXWnrW24LzVFZ7sCP-B/s320/IMG_6670.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Bread pie with peaches, salted caramel</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span face="Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif" style="background-color: #141414; color: white; font-size: 13px;">_______________________________________</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBF4XvCKh3YdCWG_hlirwe9BHZ8y1d39JMw0vQFqqSpsK-SPnyEbaw8YFVrDc7ZnNi7SWDAB_68phvy88foN5_kDKOcyScpzwys08z9zQ_Y1N70p5H2V_AiXRzvK-e0gK6D46iH0pekHTZL283LnwYU4XvbpGE8m9zvh9-_gXXVEvm8gOIptu97_k9nqdO/s4032/IMG_6738.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBF4XvCKh3YdCWG_hlirwe9BHZ8y1d39JMw0vQFqqSpsK-SPnyEbaw8YFVrDc7ZnNi7SWDAB_68phvy88foN5_kDKOcyScpzwys08z9zQ_Y1N70p5H2V_AiXRzvK-e0gK6D46iH0pekHTZL283LnwYU4XvbpGE8m9zvh9-_gXXVEvm8gOIptu97_k9nqdO/w400-h300/IMG_6738.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>Royal Kebap</b></div><br />If you're a food forward person that's traveled around Europe you've probably had yourself a doner kebab sandwich or two at some point during those travels. The dish is Turkish in origin but European in identity in that it can be found in just about every pocket of the continent. The doner kebab is to Europe what the taco is to the United States. It's part of their cultural identity. Royal Kebap is a doner shop in the middle of a busy Milano street. They make traditional Berlin / European style doner kebap sandwiches filled with thin slices of spit roasted chicken and a bunch of fresh condiments like crunchy cabbage and garlic sauce. This is what Europeans eat when they want something quick and cheap. <div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaondeNBWAafx0kWW4kgfRrZ6Qh35PoLCZ9iNpL1QCZv5kL4bTIuzmFBCsIeQfCEuVBjlS5uPVlRJPiu6eITYPzTuw30uiuFwCTdy4TV2_KYHBYFTnPKCxJOcBF2JRuSeTB3kGCRZ1-oaQAmHT_7KQ6K0e7SWhlzg-Rh8VrttpWk1_QDzghlxFPGQXbU2X/s4032/IMG_6745.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaondeNBWAafx0kWW4kgfRrZ6Qh35PoLCZ9iNpL1QCZv5kL4bTIuzmFBCsIeQfCEuVBjlS5uPVlRJPiu6eITYPzTuw30uiuFwCTdy4TV2_KYHBYFTnPKCxJOcBF2JRuSeTB3kGCRZ1-oaQAmHT_7KQ6K0e7SWhlzg-Rh8VrttpWk1_QDzghlxFPGQXbU2X/w400-h300/IMG_6745.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Doner Kebap at Royal Kebap<br /><span face="Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif" style="background-color: #141414; color: white; font-size: 13px;">_______________________________________</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiG1XX2q-8m-bE-weqJ7K7baQXeyVUbNOPZZxDpIKxWbJjVH0uQSf28kJQPCnZqJ912L42ONRECrC4nSnBYvOnR3TG2Uunc1lYuWicXPKu0YSuep8rGohFrIZ_0hIeUfdf68yydty6nuZ_NQT01jevy9OKF5OYF_J7OA1jAppMKzDhqM9pxI4jJYgamPzX9/s4032/IMG_6937.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiG1XX2q-8m-bE-weqJ7K7baQXeyVUbNOPZZxDpIKxWbJjVH0uQSf28kJQPCnZqJ912L42ONRECrC4nSnBYvOnR3TG2Uunc1lYuWicXPKu0YSuep8rGohFrIZ_0hIeUfdf68yydty6nuZ_NQT01jevy9OKF5OYF_J7OA1jAppMKzDhqM9pxI4jJYgamPzX9/w400-h300/IMG_6937.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>Trattoria Bertamè</b></div><br />It can be tough to figure out which restaurants to eat at in Milan. Unless you have word from someone you know and trust you just kind of have to pick your spots based on whether or not you think you'll like the place. Trattoria Bertamè seemed like a place I would like based off what I found online and they had an opening on a busy Friday night so we decided to try it out. Upon our arrival we were greeted by the owner who turned his dads old auto repair shop into a full blown Italian restaurant that was packed with big groups of locals on our visit. We were all there for big plates of delicious home cooked Italian food served up by a very engaging owner at very fair prices. He actually suggested we cut out a few things from our order or there would be way too much food and he was right. But that which we did end up ordering was all pretty damn good. Highlights from this one were the tempura fried zucchini flowers stuffed with ricotta and olives plus a crispy octopus with mayonnaise, potatoes, cherry tomatoes and olives. The latter of which was one of the best octopus dishes I've ever tried. Both of the pastas were good but the four of us all agreed that the spaghettoni with a pistachio pesto and sardines was better than a fresh pappardelle with porcini mushrooms both sautéed and crunchy. Unfortunately the ossobuco wasn't nearly as good as the octopus or even the pastas. <br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPNqzfC7hzzL2LEa_lxKdcKGmNVwRQheYMF8wEvGT2kIQzv15pFxoRxPOAO2sUXAw_vHovoAzeY9ZzPUA1MhvAfvn4kMarZ080XWP0BrVTlRdbFtyVjsNCOl-aV4qmkMcQKhcGFeq4_wv1-u-tXim268IxH793fuakhCjWuQgwb7a-fbQnYrihCmXBsFFd/s4032/IMG_6948.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPNqzfC7hzzL2LEa_lxKdcKGmNVwRQheYMF8wEvGT2kIQzv15pFxoRxPOAO2sUXAw_vHovoAzeY9ZzPUA1MhvAfvn4kMarZ080XWP0BrVTlRdbFtyVjsNCOl-aV4qmkMcQKhcGFeq4_wv1-u-tXim268IxH793fuakhCjWuQgwb7a-fbQnYrihCmXBsFFd/s320/IMG_6948.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_za7-rLgKYmyUkeYH8naVn6Vlrxy8ZzOok9NPMzFTPhCHzUdK3WBexIxZD9yzhJq3S0STo0f5eBva0y5MSBZYVHJpTLowsOAsGdYqkMoQeclqwSgS3zEIOkJdRkHrp9j3Hn3Qqng-5I9TQwlyAQATihMdLPAXYqjHBhk0fS1pGTK2CfAMx1DBMrkhRXE2/s4032/IMG_6958.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_za7-rLgKYmyUkeYH8naVn6Vlrxy8ZzOok9NPMzFTPhCHzUdK3WBexIxZD9yzhJq3S0STo0f5eBva0y5MSBZYVHJpTLowsOAsGdYqkMoQeclqwSgS3zEIOkJdRkHrp9j3Hn3Qqng-5I9TQwlyAQATihMdLPAXYqjHBhk0fS1pGTK2CfAMx1DBMrkhRXE2/s320/IMG_6958.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqtYxHpXeiDLsy_TG2GEyh_ZWRi6N8bNgQZhBrxDPbgW8fIMMWGYPSga4uXNcPsT8ilElq3YNoGc_iOOsIF4BEfb2N7ICCNmDh_D4d_a23-0G68h-_ik67dJo_P0oorfAAtqRJJSNLP7tQiXFRakTvD1xwPDGAd0aPcezj3Xcv45sPXdB-1Me4hCy7F7nd/s4032/IMG_6966.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqtYxHpXeiDLsy_TG2GEyh_ZWRi6N8bNgQZhBrxDPbgW8fIMMWGYPSga4uXNcPsT8ilElq3YNoGc_iOOsIF4BEfb2N7ICCNmDh_D4d_a23-0G68h-_ik67dJo_P0oorfAAtqRJJSNLP7tQiXFRakTvD1xwPDGAd0aPcezj3Xcv45sPXdB-1Me4hCy7F7nd/s320/IMG_6966.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhALht-99LNhdRsNFxbvuM9tuvzUbr6wvJiNOxCuUG3KP3kTDQLa5HlYaMVK-83weZ4r0vN8FOrfVaEbogSjKEm2eSU-Ckkzg-Va6R4wKeOAM_YsqSva1e5q-Ppr8Kd4nUorqkR54NExcAc2kAPJd0-MsKIHyN0Wgqwyw5CODybpwYMS9QGkKFCNTT7YWJF/s4032/IMG_6976.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhALht-99LNhdRsNFxbvuM9tuvzUbr6wvJiNOxCuUG3KP3kTDQLa5HlYaMVK-83weZ4r0vN8FOrfVaEbogSjKEm2eSU-Ckkzg-Va6R4wKeOAM_YsqSva1e5q-Ppr8Kd4nUorqkR54NExcAc2kAPJd0-MsKIHyN0Wgqwyw5CODybpwYMS9QGkKFCNTT7YWJF/s320/IMG_6976.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQedn6LQyGt2RVxNQnEdwYRf4JVCOOWgtdq7L6o3efDGqLFaRcuIgnf6HsyIwvYyjnWVIMO1OQVqsHekDkC-o_bkLshVB9XsS24gneMYUZx0Q3ealxsxuJYlGbs02xm4E3H0vg9-ga8RV6GczW-HkYMZBfzHsrs4T8cFSbgYj9RJRinxPl-OkcMg-2xGLS/s4032/IMG_6984.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQedn6LQyGt2RVxNQnEdwYRf4JVCOOWgtdq7L6o3efDGqLFaRcuIgnf6HsyIwvYyjnWVIMO1OQVqsHekDkC-o_bkLshVB9XsS24gneMYUZx0Q3ealxsxuJYlGbs02xm4E3H0vg9-ga8RV6GczW-HkYMZBfzHsrs4T8cFSbgYj9RJRinxPl-OkcMg-2xGLS/s320/IMG_6984.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Dinner at Trattoria Bertamè (click pics to enhance)<br /><span face="Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif" style="background-color: #141414; color: white; font-size: 13px;">_______________________________________<br /><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZCRy20OeBLq4wmfo4cTbmJazt89XpCsEBLi2DgWW4YTEh4oTnRKAxnvPZgAzgfUu19dThuPAeQpBj67jLp_RiSi8oxUx20pw4Syq5gEIbyUhW8cX7Io58dx2M3irnavSOR0zffNAWYukVEmJlIV53YL_DgWabmbF3e26caMsCzx7ykW-epHacn9DkIqTv/s4032/IMG_6516.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZCRy20OeBLq4wmfo4cTbmJazt89XpCsEBLi2DgWW4YTEh4oTnRKAxnvPZgAzgfUu19dThuPAeQpBj67jLp_RiSi8oxUx20pw4Syq5gEIbyUhW8cX7Io58dx2M3irnavSOR0zffNAWYukVEmJlIV53YL_DgWabmbF3e26caMsCzx7ykW-epHacn9DkIqTv/w400-h300/IMG_6516.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>Chinatown</b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />The history of Chinatown’s across the world are all similar. They’re areas where people of Chinese descent would migrate for better opportunities. There’s also racism involved as there wasn’t many other places they could go in cities like San Francisco which is where the first Chinatown in the U.S. was formed. The oldest Chinatown in Europe is in Liverpool, England but the best Chinatown in Europe might be in Milan. The history of Milan’s Chinatown dates back to 1920s when the first Chinese from the Zhejiang region, near Shanghai, came to Milan to work in the silk industry. Their presence would expand as the decades went by and today the neighborhood is home to more than 25,000 immigrants and 100’s of businesses. The neighborhood is located around the pedestrian street Paolo Sarpi which is where you’ll find most of the action. Walking up and down Sarpi you'll come across all sorts of spots many of which are walk up food stalls selling specific items. It’s not quite street food but it pretty much is in that you never go inside. I tried as much as I could over the span of three visits as it was only a 25 minute walk from where we were staying but it’s also easily accessible by street car and train. Most of the places I visited were stalls but I stopped into a few sit-down spots too. Overall I thought the food options were just as good if not better than home in big part due to all the stalls that specialized in specific dishes but likely also due to the fact it was all new to me. All of what I had was really good. Some of it better than others but all of it was stuff that I would get again if I lived in Milan and would be happy to have here in Chicago. This is what I tried…<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7AHb6yS3k-EzOFLnFXq4QmQv5ADWU0chvDHbxHxmfLKtaEFsKWVA_yOetOZMzvmER5pKhhwhOrKjqNYjeLShd3bnfh6WUU1uoVWHRMN7V3Cm1CgekI6LwuS1VbwJjtTG-fCGPruBj7tDISypAGOap46HzZBpgSTB0MK5P9wE7_3TkTEucAvmqOpIL2bXy/s4032/IMG_7286.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7AHb6yS3k-EzOFLnFXq4QmQv5ADWU0chvDHbxHxmfLKtaEFsKWVA_yOetOZMzvmER5pKhhwhOrKjqNYjeLShd3bnfh6WUU1uoVWHRMN7V3Cm1CgekI6LwuS1VbwJjtTG-fCGPruBj7tDISypAGOap46HzZBpgSTB0MK5P9wE7_3TkTEucAvmqOpIL2bXy/s320/IMG_7286.jpg" width="320" /></a></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4krjVG_p152OZ1jFs_PvW4eiyJSyNhkNGPjJxUTwKfY16DVHATbDYVTLl5Pqv5dXyOEBw-U7KQExuDQh-OXsvwV_wtKPWOXgxqJPHteBr3n7rKCSN_H4_bvS-Pfc_K3KhVtHnJm57DWMDk45uSGKaYBkwyRJBkJ9ScOFgfpW9HINxSUedoXzftGTA_cAR/s4032/IMG_6529.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4krjVG_p152OZ1jFs_PvW4eiyJSyNhkNGPjJxUTwKfY16DVHATbDYVTLl5Pqv5dXyOEBw-U7KQExuDQh-OXsvwV_wtKPWOXgxqJPHteBr3n7rKCSN_H4_bvS-Pfc_K3KhVtHnJm57DWMDk45uSGKaYBkwyRJBkJ9ScOFgfpW9HINxSUedoXzftGTA_cAR/s320/IMG_6529.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Jianbiang and Pork Dumplings at Ravioleria Sarpi</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjV1Rfiw77hcCBuqvYkCKgRy5ef5Qa54K6C5k209cMOZp85hIZaRhhSeYU276qKykOFenk_jwvdeOj154TF9vAJXWP_18a8kr8C7VD9LFpf0_Lj82pzQ4rNTtf4LVzQoZab4MBx9Sv6HAHuthOMTxewtoUZ_3UuETKnrrayk5yNLP0VRx1BEIwk0NBXfZGa/s4032/IMG_6541.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjV1Rfiw77hcCBuqvYkCKgRy5ef5Qa54K6C5k209cMOZp85hIZaRhhSeYU276qKykOFenk_jwvdeOj154TF9vAJXWP_18a8kr8C7VD9LFpf0_Lj82pzQ4rNTtf4LVzQoZab4MBx9Sv6HAHuthOMTxewtoUZ_3UuETKnrrayk5yNLP0VRx1BEIwk0NBXfZGa/s320/IMG_6541.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Beef Pancake from Mr. Pie</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjh5Kz3qJp5hoWrKBK5ls3Qzz2v_dnZok6MSGn19s0qGT9LNy83u4v7iYJcoA0aNkbGkWAxDjUvAYOVW-vZj6l8CLLgo3iftYszixqD5Fi9KNWQHYtFEqdhS0w9HNKNs8kuTnwHvDjlYFvmfA3dfLRrVzFJSCsURhXJiu6nlCeN3-uHTd9IDoO9AoO-QH3S/s4032/IMG_7335.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjh5Kz3qJp5hoWrKBK5ls3Qzz2v_dnZok6MSGn19s0qGT9LNy83u4v7iYJcoA0aNkbGkWAxDjUvAYOVW-vZj6l8CLLgo3iftYszixqD5Fi9KNWQHYtFEqdhS0w9HNKNs8kuTnwHvDjlYFvmfA3dfLRrVzFJSCsURhXJiu6nlCeN3-uHTd9IDoO9AoO-QH3S/s320/IMG_7335.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Sheng Jian Bao (pan fried soup dumplings) at Sapori Shanghai </div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiw0TUx52ajzZHjnKjJpWRBxug9Wuxtu4Q3KxTX8UHYcoUq_ATqYnWNzT9IPAfYTKPM8oX43xZpspMpUGGE410uksfr4TJMUfoMtjpN4i6YJ0bnWQUQgR7UUwvPTW-9XO2OSRidmoEvzHuVXuj1m9nslDdGQpgsUGpKSp8uvRHifcoA-k6bk05pzshPyyVy/s4032/IMG_7362.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiw0TUx52ajzZHjnKjJpWRBxug9Wuxtu4Q3KxTX8UHYcoUq_ATqYnWNzT9IPAfYTKPM8oX43xZpspMpUGGE410uksfr4TJMUfoMtjpN4i6YJ0bnWQUQgR7UUwvPTW-9XO2OSRidmoEvzHuVXuj1m9nslDdGQpgsUGpKSp8uvRHifcoA-k6bk05pzshPyyVy/s320/IMG_7362.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Rou Jia Mo (Chinese Hamburger) from Mo</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZnIVPEzAziY86PfFZyMqRe42xHEE62knZd6m2lYRdCbBxulAUYEZ4imOIsYNkaFFWZWmw_wsmrwnvTyYAIfff-nTNYhAugUzoepJZiBzaY6mFkJWZrmF7n05uhkz8FSZt3gjrXeik50ZuJ50IPmjK5wICHd9bXGKFgyj46aTPVAmr_YGmQ_OKjgrr1JDv/s4032/IMG_7108.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZnIVPEzAziY86PfFZyMqRe42xHEE62knZd6m2lYRdCbBxulAUYEZ4imOIsYNkaFFWZWmw_wsmrwnvTyYAIfff-nTNYhAugUzoepJZiBzaY6mFkJWZrmF7n05uhkz8FSZt3gjrXeik50ZuJ50IPmjK5wICHd9bXGKFgyj46aTPVAmr_YGmQ_OKjgrr1JDv/s320/IMG_7108.jpg" width="320" /></a><br />Zhejiang Dumplings at Ristorante Di Houjie<br /><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghF2uTDsdhI7uyD4P26eT5yIXrCY-75Z6paHQS-3gbGd2gz3DBtpIOhIsOR2TcOe_VnI_Bc4sVR_YiwQDF1xcZOOLodFUXLVP-VvbqBXFb8iKUbKOwMMTCOaDZsyUfvrSiuAHtxpjdEOKbg5g9oKtmWJTHM79H6ABik502vr39dbtgeCAAv-YQq2dmtCS3/s4032/IMG_6559.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghF2uTDsdhI7uyD4P26eT5yIXrCY-75Z6paHQS-3gbGd2gz3DBtpIOhIsOR2TcOe_VnI_Bc4sVR_YiwQDF1xcZOOLodFUXLVP-VvbqBXFb8iKUbKOwMMTCOaDZsyUfvrSiuAHtxpjdEOKbg5g9oKtmWJTHM79H6ABik502vr39dbtgeCAAv-YQq2dmtCS3/s320/IMG_6559.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCElJGfq5_lVCk2vkFDWtU7it0pygM-9faam8n9mgm3LFFwECJ0HmLTUEqriLtl7duwEF8g79bzMesD01r11K3LWNU2I0mWMugf4lT0Soyix397Rl9cULp9NIeeK5OJLu_QI0xcGex66wODsM2iNuEZk8rvMz1o82JZwI7cfjH4hKRl9aUYFsSnwi_ofXm/s4032/IMG_6569.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCElJGfq5_lVCk2vkFDWtU7it0pygM-9faam8n9mgm3LFFwECJ0HmLTUEqriLtl7duwEF8g79bzMesD01r11K3LWNU2I0mWMugf4lT0Soyix397Rl9cULp9NIeeK5OJLu_QI0xcGex66wODsM2iNuEZk8rvMz1o82JZwI7cfjH4hKRl9aUYFsSnwi_ofXm/s320/IMG_6569.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">LiangPi (spicy cold skin noodles) at Ristorante Xian </div></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_dgJpPoiSwnQuH8OlzJrbChU8kc9GHYE5I179BhZwb4md8yPNEedzE1WLlJnYhVs2548iWh6SKppiu-NMleU7FQe8LnjeE2GFEeeV0N546kEGgaiQkPIbAgA7y-uSZzcV64PlM6PblrwiHVR4VHyD5WcFjUl9XJS7SN9_i035usQ2JapslzZVp6SIRKoP/s4032/IMG_7315.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_dgJpPoiSwnQuH8OlzJrbChU8kc9GHYE5I179BhZwb4md8yPNEedzE1WLlJnYhVs2548iWh6SKppiu-NMleU7FQe8LnjeE2GFEeeV0N546kEGgaiQkPIbAgA7y-uSZzcV64PlM6PblrwiHVR4VHyD5WcFjUl9XJS7SN9_i035usQ2JapslzZVp6SIRKoP/s320/IMG_7315.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Pandan Jelly Dessert from Meijale</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi63YwFo5tjZn34dEMwl6HFr2FUGaQbNON81clJgYMgUAXHBdx4_h9NwSIp3RCNOZ1B0byvlccu1M2XT-OJnfW9Ov8tiUxbDucECtaCTKatkjyil2X36FyQWjqvzImSBpU_faxWuP0eSyWUtywwDu-z-8sDUAa3i1A-cxZT2O5jhUqBVwdUmI6NE7ihbU8L/s4032/IMG_7131.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi63YwFo5tjZn34dEMwl6HFr2FUGaQbNON81clJgYMgUAXHBdx4_h9NwSIp3RCNOZ1B0byvlccu1M2XT-OJnfW9Ov8tiUxbDucECtaCTKatkjyil2X36FyQWjqvzImSBpU_faxWuP0eSyWUtywwDu-z-8sDUAa3i1A-cxZT2O5jhUqBVwdUmI6NE7ihbU8L/s320/IMG_7131.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Pistachio Granita at Mancuso Gelati Italiani <br /><span face="Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif" style="background-color: #141414; color: white; font-size: 13px;">_______________________________________</span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcsS8zFyEfvopJ_fB7MvmfVmV2ZvnV6JO2ZFcZ3zLimZFQJm9XCstwjzOUHoxfX9Bn57kVqPLUCxbXr5LJAhn7Rz0GuI6aeI1NBQVnSva01dXedAtBX6-lz5szzQpRkH6_wDOCrPpPokZ1L1SFxU2aTpYy_B8_114UJQ_2wDSkgQwGh-ZNVzkiSCTjinjj/s4032/IMG_7190.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcsS8zFyEfvopJ_fB7MvmfVmV2ZvnV6JO2ZFcZ3zLimZFQJm9XCstwjzOUHoxfX9Bn57kVqPLUCxbXr5LJAhn7Rz0GuI6aeI1NBQVnSva01dXedAtBX6-lz5szzQpRkH6_wDOCrPpPokZ1L1SFxU2aTpYy_B8_114UJQ_2wDSkgQwGh-ZNVzkiSCTjinjj/w400-h300/IMG_7190.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><b><span style="text-align: left;">Restaurante Ughetto</span><br style="text-align: left;" /></b><br /><div style="text-align: left;">Yet another nice thing about dining in Italy’s big city is that you can find the cuisine of other Italian regions. We decided to check out Restaurante Ughetto for some Cucina Umbra. As the only Italian region that’s lacking a coastline, Umbrian food consists of a plethora of vegetables, legumes, and meat dishes. Ughetto sits on a busy and beautiful tree lined street with lots of other food and drink options. We sat inside and although it was a bit hot (no ac) we had a nice meal starting with a traditional panzanella with stracciatella and anchovies that was outstanding. She had a risotto with red prawns and scorzone (summer truffles) and I got the Pasta alla Norcina (sausage, cream, white wine, and Pecorino Romano, truffles). Both of us liked our dishes. My pasta was perfectly al dente and the sausage was Chicago quality. The only thing we didn’t like was a seasonal fig dessert that was the only thing we didn’t finish on this trip. Our especially friendly waitress asked about it and we were honest (it was hard as a rock) but all we got was an apology from her. Not a big deal, just don’t get the fig dessert if you end up here. I’m guessing the other options were better choices anyway.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg52Yp8CBOx8LFHzeNb9hLGg5Z3DuonPm_xryiDbKdsUBmJsxm5MVosg2fAEI-v3RUJ8ftOvwuJnHOSfUqEQ3bVZ32ugxey_-JCDYe6OXwUUapYTqOSn7nYrs1tD4LLWQNYO-1xibR-t_9HtuZdi58p-8GcLNRsibeuA7dSztmshWzQDIXlXSmKJX1yhq7Q/s4032/IMG_7193.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg52Yp8CBOx8LFHzeNb9hLGg5Z3DuonPm_xryiDbKdsUBmJsxm5MVosg2fAEI-v3RUJ8ftOvwuJnHOSfUqEQ3bVZ32ugxey_-JCDYe6OXwUUapYTqOSn7nYrs1tD4LLWQNYO-1xibR-t_9HtuZdi58p-8GcLNRsibeuA7dSztmshWzQDIXlXSmKJX1yhq7Q/s320/IMG_7193.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2BLkJlwrRyQMXQRMFCtDGgNYelInLSI9uetWoflD_RJMNQQ5ANn-Y4viIlViLBJMY87t5omMLfOf6FrFEbEASEnYTXhmJ1YMajyWs27TgEVhUtEXeFKIe5f8HcKgM-xG6xXmd4V3cfdyyMXxQQ5Hlpd-q32AWAQvjSEN1mHLyCKOjz5YryI9QGsE8iKlB/s4032/IMG_7206.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2BLkJlwrRyQMXQRMFCtDGgNYelInLSI9uetWoflD_RJMNQQ5ANn-Y4viIlViLBJMY87t5omMLfOf6FrFEbEASEnYTXhmJ1YMajyWs27TgEVhUtEXeFKIe5f8HcKgM-xG6xXmd4V3cfdyyMXxQQ5Hlpd-q32AWAQvjSEN1mHLyCKOjz5YryI9QGsE8iKlB/s320/IMG_7206.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4ZowisxGyvI37a1F2ibkuwiQXN5SRx7Jky5kp8NCPiwTfEfuyyOf__rdEI2h2b85Jh1onA0Uurl1eMhlCrJBaCA2pr7bXeiLRVUfQTlJRik57ZROT5pq6nn8q7HBDvCfqZsGmiEmyu878tTEv5iveyzJq51T6m_ujb6WTCh_rE9aebb-qLGk4Pz91rTYs/s4032/IMG_7218.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4ZowisxGyvI37a1F2ibkuwiQXN5SRx7Jky5kp8NCPiwTfEfuyyOf__rdEI2h2b85Jh1onA0Uurl1eMhlCrJBaCA2pr7bXeiLRVUfQTlJRik57ZROT5pq6nn8q7HBDvCfqZsGmiEmyu878tTEv5iveyzJq51T6m_ujb6WTCh_rE9aebb-qLGk4Pz91rTYs/s320/IMG_7218.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgO-CyZPukzl9PchaffupJyxrFA3PcgBQsO_OTDyzbmK2jckWReyyCUtPAqSkt3vQWfoXjsbOWy6EGbh91WB_DZBvNJYsbDbRdoFYdfVynIX_z8bv3xp3BLizTUdbuhVqsS2fJZST9b7AZWWSxWQWzpMpqL3LNuYfN1vOHivEbIeZRJMY_yzeosV1a4m7BJ/s4032/IMG_7233.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgO-CyZPukzl9PchaffupJyxrFA3PcgBQsO_OTDyzbmK2jckWReyyCUtPAqSkt3vQWfoXjsbOWy6EGbh91WB_DZBvNJYsbDbRdoFYdfVynIX_z8bv3xp3BLizTUdbuhVqsS2fJZST9b7AZWWSxWQWzpMpqL3LNuYfN1vOHivEbIeZRJMY_yzeosV1a4m7BJ/s320/IMG_7233.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div>Dinner at Restaurante Ughetto</div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span face="Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif" style="background-color: #141414; color: white; font-size: 13px;">_______________________________________</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYcayoYlgIGgCKnSjXX0AzNyfChZP_Jt6igr-kxzAFmrFRNCvHP1jCQclJo32wxhtBKrjOWl8xOC_i-sc3bp8F-CeNWus5CXGBegdbVgULxODVnlq9PcoBftc2U0FHtQyNOghZPY-wN4rFhZexR3QxxkQ-p5Jy0t4wrKVP3p9kjLGYAbKrO1csvi7o3lb9/s4032/IMG_7018.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYcayoYlgIGgCKnSjXX0AzNyfChZP_Jt6igr-kxzAFmrFRNCvHP1jCQclJo32wxhtBKrjOWl8xOC_i-sc3bp8F-CeNWus5CXGBegdbVgULxODVnlq9PcoBftc2U0FHtQyNOghZPY-wN4rFhZexR3QxxkQ-p5Jy0t4wrKVP3p9kjLGYAbKrO1csvi7o3lb9/w400-h300/IMG_7018.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: center;"><b>Spontini </b></div><br />I didn't eat much pizza in Milan in part due to how much better the pasta is in Italy than the pizza, in my opinion. It's not that I don't think the pizza in Italy is good, it's really good. But the pizza in the U.S. is just as good if not better and most of the pizza in Milan is Neapolitan style which isn't my favorite. But I did make it a point to try Milan's most well known pizza. I became aware of Spontini the same way most people do who don't live in Milan - on social media. The local chain opened in 1953 and so they claim they were the first spot in Italy to sell slices of pizza. They've been making the rounds on TikTok and IG where users share content from one of Spontini's 20+ worldwide locations. The reason they're recording is bc the pizza here is different from everywhere else in Italy. First off it's cooked in a pan in a wood oven and as mentioned sold by the slice. The pizza is dressed with traditional ingredients (sauce and cheese) with just a few options for toppings including basil, anchovies, and spicy salami. Part of the lure of this place from a social media standpoint is the machine they use to slice the pizza. Not just that but they also slice your slice into little cubes. I tried one with salami and liked it way more than I thought I would. I guess I wasn't expecting it to remind me of the pan pizza back home in Chicago so much. It's thick and crisp on the outside and soft and fluffy from within. <br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNoLS7kV1l2LCWhs4MkBc5z5mDu4ZKoKPLYUuK5SpbFxW0P7R42C5zCklWky1lO28yTcVqO8cySkgZNsdxO_o0zNUShxdYOrtMbckORrHHnHv8B9LZgdQqggfUI9lHllVl2Vm9MY423U5SXr2vfhRPOvhJmvYQMPS0SSoNUNySbDhzsRdteUtBM5Txaacm/s4032/IMG_7025.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNoLS7kV1l2LCWhs4MkBc5z5mDu4ZKoKPLYUuK5SpbFxW0P7R42C5zCklWky1lO28yTcVqO8cySkgZNsdxO_o0zNUShxdYOrtMbckORrHHnHv8B9LZgdQqggfUI9lHllVl2Vm9MY423U5SXr2vfhRPOvhJmvYQMPS0SSoNUNySbDhzsRdteUtBM5Txaacm/w400-h300/IMG_7025.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Pizza at Spontini <br /><span face="Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif" style="background-color: #141414; color: white; font-size: 13px;">_______________________________________</span><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifZTVPpnpg6troQDk46wKFGiMlLPWcuZjhRXEJJMqHGdgaCt19kbpsyRpRs9CS5qtIQQmkqynMLvRqxFkxkQz8SphGFFVFJSnCuVZS1Mk6tBLLbrP-noDVZab7nMl36r7W5oG6oGYC2ah5_Y0qpYUSNoAPiW5cLRslJdyQrJcie4B8jg0LAhb9kv8rhU8T/s4032/IMG_7061.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifZTVPpnpg6troQDk46wKFGiMlLPWcuZjhRXEJJMqHGdgaCt19kbpsyRpRs9CS5qtIQQmkqynMLvRqxFkxkQz8SphGFFVFJSnCuVZS1Mk6tBLLbrP-noDVZab7nMl36r7W5oG6oGYC2ah5_Y0qpYUSNoAPiW5cLRslJdyQrJcie4B8jg0LAhb9kv8rhU8T/w400-h300/IMG_7061.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>Loste Café</b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div>This slick coffee shop that triples as a wine bar and a bakery is the product of two friends. One is from the Piedmont and the other is from Tuscany and they met working at Noma in Copenhagen. Noma is a spot I'll never get to go (it's closing) and that's ok bc I wouldn't pay for it anyway. That said I've ate at some great spots around the world that were led by people that worked or staged at Noma and more times than not they were pastry places so why not try this one in Milan that got lots of praise in the online reviews that I read. We got a Danish pastry (A+), cinnamon roll (B-), and a cardamom (B+).<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWALcVqXtmtPiOiiL0RbevcKkx7nBITfASh8uqlisvdyaW32d5TaWZtZ2TVMm3Jug27Z-iz8bY5PVqv_KoBjfyMSJqNZ2P_DScDcrcuRr7TTXDdWG_g1K9qNl9O56kueGFhtL6yBmcb9W-sSPc8hyphenhyphen5MwRNbD8o54pAmfI1jDbyjRj-bXLLHm-B64dZ9yzh/s4032/IMG_7050.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWALcVqXtmtPiOiiL0RbevcKkx7nBITfASh8uqlisvdyaW32d5TaWZtZ2TVMm3Jug27Z-iz8bY5PVqv_KoBjfyMSJqNZ2P_DScDcrcuRr7TTXDdWG_g1K9qNl9O56kueGFhtL6yBmcb9W-sSPc8hyphenhyphen5MwRNbD8o54pAmfI1jDbyjRj-bXLLHm-B64dZ9yzh/w400-h300/IMG_7050.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Pastries at Loste Café<br /><span face="Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif" style="background-color: #141414; color: white; font-size: 13px;">_______________________________________</span></div><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8GgbzOAMJedvpl3uxLXWUxtTZyOv727GVIRMXVgwXr7u4VE0KPGzbcRISInOhq61sPW7XmBdOcySUHq-6FIJHvb8s8JB54WKITVNB0JC2VH5y5S1TDJTxiiADE2F2wYGEC-87nA4xSdlKCcmXCYjUiIUHXsJiWNHnp0HW_V5-v5_QKrM_pJAsX2aXUAki/s4032/IMG_7268.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8GgbzOAMJedvpl3uxLXWUxtTZyOv727GVIRMXVgwXr7u4VE0KPGzbcRISInOhq61sPW7XmBdOcySUHq-6FIJHvb8s8JB54WKITVNB0JC2VH5y5S1TDJTxiiADE2F2wYGEC-87nA4xSdlKCcmXCYjUiIUHXsJiWNHnp0HW_V5-v5_QKrM_pJAsX2aXUAki/w400-h300/IMG_7268.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>Michetta Porta Nuova</b></div><br />Michetta is a traditional Italian white bread distinguished by its fat and round shape and a hard crust with an airy, slightly hollow texture on the inside. So my research goes it was invented in the Lombardy region during the period of Austrian rule as it’s a variation on the Austrian Kaisersemmel. A Michetta can also be a sandwich made with a Michetta roll which is a popular street food in Milan so I wanted to try one. I found this little sandwich counter searching one out. There’s no specific set of ingredients that make up a Michetta sandwich other than the bread itself. So you can put pretty much anything in there like Italian deli meats or roast pork or just vegetables. There’s a ton of different options at Michetta Porta Nuova but I love mortadella and spied one made with that plus roasted artichokes, arugula and giardiniera. That made my decision an easy one. It was also a good one.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjR9xWKzy1k30DRbiQWaE1SKWyT_qONNg5YqqRpJ1srZQ-Voh9uHfDYRYE_HJX_OpcEqJJz3YtnhJ8CS9pU34UXtM-Jboa3YmaVPBhQseqwssUYEo48FDmOEpkXOs2TsSbhATlbQni1quFxAoHo-qb25dFykEXDpJG0-UpH_xpXd3trFFiBxVUo1XN9P4J/s4032/IMG_7421.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjR9xWKzy1k30DRbiQWaE1SKWyT_qONNg5YqqRpJ1srZQ-Voh9uHfDYRYE_HJX_OpcEqJJz3YtnhJ8CS9pU34UXtM-Jboa3YmaVPBhQseqwssUYEo48FDmOEpkXOs2TsSbhATlbQni1quFxAoHo-qb25dFykEXDpJG0-UpH_xpXd3trFFiBxVUo1XN9P4J/w400-h300/IMG_7421.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Michetta Sandwich at Michetta Porta Nuova<br /><span face="Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif" style="background-color: #141414; color: white; font-size: 13px;">_______________________________________</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhR7VU9vyQZ5iUz-LhOyYpHKGUCuQVPSed0prKa4Mtja2pSF9T7IUPhCW01P6wyqxlALQKhQeAFk_K-mtVhcsTLGfSPxiJKMDVkgAIESojvEZ85Cfhx6ipAdYBAPCgFajMHIzCl4zbW7R-ZWbz_b1nXMAKbsf4TbqHdJ0yEcAWqTOK_nL9UxW3gJcR-7JFG/s4032/IMG_6707.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhR7VU9vyQZ5iUz-LhOyYpHKGUCuQVPSed0prKa4Mtja2pSF9T7IUPhCW01P6wyqxlALQKhQeAFk_K-mtVhcsTLGfSPxiJKMDVkgAIESojvEZ85Cfhx6ipAdYBAPCgFajMHIzCl4zbW7R-ZWbz_b1nXMAKbsf4TbqHdJ0yEcAWqTOK_nL9UxW3gJcR-7JFG/w400-h300/IMG_6707.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b>Dongiò<br /></b><br /><div style="text-align: left;">Last meal in Milan. This was the lone sitdown spot that we ate at twice including our last dinner of the trip. Usually when traveling I don’t like to return to spots no matter how good they are but in this case the pasta was too good not to come back and get again. In my opinion you should eat all the pasta in Italy, it’s next level. The pizza is top notch too but I think there’s less of a gap when it comes to that. But pasta as a whole is so much better in Italy than it is everywhere else. I tried more than 50 preps of pasta and the Spaghetti alla Tamorro at <span style="text-align: center;">Dongiò </span>was maybe the best of the marathon. It was a bit of a surprise to me because I’m not big on tomato heavy pastas like much of what you find at an Italian American type of spot where most of the pastas taste the same. But this version was next level with a mix of pomodoro, spicy ‘Nduja, red chicory, ricotta cheese. It comes from a family run spot with roots in Calabria. Both times we visited it was full of locals who come for some of the best pastas in Milan at what seems like a steal of a deal at just 10 euros an order. Reservations are recommended but we did walk in later in the eve on our first visit. The pasta is cooked al dente in a way few places back home can match in part bc it’s made on site giving it the perfect bite. I also loved the Peperoncino Ripieno, an antipasto of chilis stuffed with tuna, anchovies, and olives that you can order by the piece for just one euro each (I got nine during our final meal). All of this paired up with a half bushel of the house wine plus wonderful service made it the type of spot everyone would enjoy which is also how I would describe Italy's food scene as a whole. It’s a simple cuisine that mostly lets the ingredients do the driving. You don’t have to be a great cook to make good Italian food. Italy is a regionally rich culinary landscape based on classic time honored traditions which make it one of the worlds best. </div></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgedzie-BRity9l4cBVji_lgsVVjsoKpwtuNCreMvisH3rc0cmFyYNz2hyphenhyphenuIReVuQg4hvJoKI96BcB8IdppaZEqiDluPYHZc18lXjn_LMVP5nPlMUjFUy8idCFvy1Edx1OLd8_na9BJ4f_l8dnDXLJ8_X-NzO119qCJU9fE6fKA5Dauh5kab6E9tMr-zDj/s4032/IMG_7524.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgedzie-BRity9l4cBVji_lgsVVjsoKpwtuNCreMvisH3rc0cmFyYNz2hyphenhyphenuIReVuQg4hvJoKI96BcB8IdppaZEqiDluPYHZc18lXjn_LMVP5nPlMUjFUy8idCFvy1Edx1OLd8_na9BJ4f_l8dnDXLJ8_X-NzO119qCJU9fE6fKA5Dauh5kab6E9tMr-zDj/w400-h300/IMG_7524.jpg" width="400" /></a><br /><span style="text-align: left;">Peperoncino Ripieno</span><br /><br /></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhK2wuDL-652T_sOPyg8ux01Td9q7Xuh-YeXy5DkpwyXazZVXCZBZaSiXhNJznjSCCKanmC2dlfxHloRcFXiaGEEqQO4td5BRc67mNX84c6Bi1rzuEKqOqQbRIDWrnZjinnKFPFCFV8J8nzmMTSaXMQ1crBGoLICHaSLXu5lD1evnvNWm0tvkNSEAhAcC2A/s4032/IMG_7514.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhK2wuDL-652T_sOPyg8ux01Td9q7Xuh-YeXy5DkpwyXazZVXCZBZaSiXhNJznjSCCKanmC2dlfxHloRcFXiaGEEqQO4td5BRc67mNX84c6Bi1rzuEKqOqQbRIDWrnZjinnKFPFCFV8J8nzmMTSaXMQ1crBGoLICHaSLXu5lD1evnvNWm0tvkNSEAhAcC2A/w400-h300/IMG_7514.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><span style="text-align: left;">Spaghetti alla Tamorro at </span><span>Dongiò<br /></span><span face="Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif" style="background-color: #141414; color: white; font-size: 13px;">_______________________________________</span><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /></div></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhj4Z2hOCswa5Ne_l5h5dDz_NHzyGYSecCQ4gSsQXeiOYGBz_mQYdqY7OobTu3STzZYPnE5XniCp5V2qhTzkjS2uOQhTST9zbibAaqdL9P1XZ5slNkLnbJbmiJ949RQ4o8WbZwRI_5TD32zUX2Cix8U9LDEreC_Onf4sZuvuiZGHpaGqrgVAyRpbmmCmaQ-/s4032/IMG_7541.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhj4Z2hOCswa5Ne_l5h5dDz_NHzyGYSecCQ4gSsQXeiOYGBz_mQYdqY7OobTu3STzZYPnE5XniCp5V2qhTzkjS2uOQhTST9zbibAaqdL9P1XZ5slNkLnbJbmiJ949RQ4o8WbZwRI_5TD32zUX2Cix8U9LDEreC_Onf4sZuvuiZGHpaGqrgVAyRpbmmCmaQ-/w400-h300/IMG_7541.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>Sioli and Bissoli Gelateria</b></div><br /><div style="text-align: left;">Our final stop in Milan was for gelato although it wasn't my final serving of gelato in Italy as I also got some the next day at the airport as we were leaving. All of the gelato I had in Italy was awesome. I'm sure there's some very average and even below average spots but I was doing my research before going into any of them. Sioli and Bissoli Gelateria was a short walk from <span style="text-align: center;">Dongiò and online reviews had a ton of mentions for their pistachio which we tried and it was lovely but we also got a strawberry and it was the best strawberry gelato I've ever had. So good we got another before calling it a trip. Though we're just getting started over here so stay tuned. Parma, Piedmont, and Liguria still to come.</span></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVg_Yuu4gbvjO_CKM4h6hK5ATLPKdhe_vCDre0QEelbjN_X1_WmAa2-R1W8kZNnbFyuLbqeZxJ3XBetOxN9tDGeknTastBR4Duf3k0LKE32R_n0Qy3Ec5lI5Ux5oCqThUL90uyKgMN7gXjha0ujO4JBOnT0oHsjM4KZlvyWk2COOJeipkZtkfCsVVp7k4U/s4032/IMG_7538.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVg_Yuu4gbvjO_CKM4h6hK5ATLPKdhe_vCDre0QEelbjN_X1_WmAa2-R1W8kZNnbFyuLbqeZxJ3XBetOxN9tDGeknTastBR4Duf3k0LKE32R_n0Qy3Ec5lI5Ux5oCqThUL90uyKgMN7gXjha0ujO4JBOnT0oHsjM4KZlvyWk2COOJeipkZtkfCsVVp7k4U/w400-h300/IMG_7538.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Strawberry Gelato at Sioli and Bissoli Gelateria<br /><span style="background-color: #141414; color: white; font-size: 13px;">_______________________________________</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Click <a href="https://www.google.com/maps/d/edit?mid=1N1L9bcLmmVupNCLkabfVRLYTpQVaSlM&usp=sharing">HERE</a> for a google maps guide to all the spots I hit up plus places I didn't get to check out.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: medium;">See ya next time <a href="https://www.instagram.com/chibbqking/">@chibbqking</a></span></b></div></div></div>KingThttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05368411195212070782noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7759763120880236446.post-55227968429761663062023-10-30T09:30:00.017-05:002023-11-01T16:24:25.835-05:00New Food Options in Bucktown <p><span face="Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif" style="background-color: black; color: white; font-size: 13px;"><span face=""trebuchet ms", trebuchet, verdana, sans-serif" style="font-size: 23px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 20.7969px;">-Grubbing in Chicago</span><span face=""trebuchet ms", trebuchet, verdana, sans-serif" style="line-height: 20.7969px;"> </span></span><span face="Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif" style="background-color: black; color: white; font-size: 13px;"><span face=""trebuchet ms", trebuchet, verdana, sans-serif" style="font-size: 17px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 20.7969px;"> <br /></span></span><span face="Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif" style="background-color: black; color: white; font-size: 17px; font-weight: bold;">5 for 1: Bucktown Openings </span><br /><br />I’ve never thought of Bucktown as much of food destination but that may be changing with a quintet of spots that have opened in the neighborhood this year. For the first time ever Bucktown should be considered for the dining neighborhood of the year award. Here are five reasons why it should be.<br /></p><div style="text-align: center;"><span face="Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif" style="background-color: #141414; color: white; font-size: 13px;">_______________________________________</span> </div><p></p><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBLoE9hobnSZZIpAMz-Ia_yCfzEFr3_dE1cZuXQjuEynX-85AmhMVxJtnF1LNf1etHfKOvByOmwdoFSDPD6ODgy3dyeEMuq6WWmi2SRuMs_DaEoIOraki8DzAG1rpudN4mkZyOFQvqsPpt2XHfIuGGJJpPtDTKFZnalSRXnzku07cYxKD7Pqssp4MudPah/s4032/IMG_9157.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBLoE9hobnSZZIpAMz-Ia_yCfzEFr3_dE1cZuXQjuEynX-85AmhMVxJtnF1LNf1etHfKOvByOmwdoFSDPD6ODgy3dyeEMuq6WWmi2SRuMs_DaEoIOraki8DzAG1rpudN4mkZyOFQvqsPpt2XHfIuGGJJpPtDTKFZnalSRXnzku07cYxKD7Pqssp4MudPah/w400-h300/IMG_9157.jpg" width="400" /></a><br /><span style="text-align: left;"><b>Allez Cafe</b> (2239 N. Western)</span></div><p>First up we’ll meet the breakfast sandwich making all the rounds on Chicago food social media feeds. Allez Cafe is a coffee shop and pastry stop and sister spot to Ambrosia Foods, a catering company next door. It’s on a busy stretch of Western avenue that’s never really been kind to restaurants but that’s not the case for this place. Lines are the norm on the weekends when people line up for what might be the city’s best breakfast sandwich. It’s a bacon, egg and cheese sandwich with smoked gouda, jalapeño ramp mayo, and a crispy hashbrown on a squishy potato roll and it’s a hell of a way to start your day. They also make an awesome Earl Grey cruller and a pretty decent croissant. I’m not a coffee drinker at all but according to an article in Eater Chicago they’re using Backlot coffee. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSDEhW1SFUECnl9YTbyN18NOAfbc7GqUui263lcTOi9OyAdRgwIqy43hgcfQWcBWesYLxokyhgQpKBpRTqUriJDpDE0bC_G_6lhMWq4qo-C_mNUC2pJ6R5dVqkBdWImcsGpWJ0ws6sJktw6F-G-NWAPAOrNFGdnKPdeidthFCyBdk_lPx4AvyALsH6WU6k/s4032/IMG_9170.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSDEhW1SFUECnl9YTbyN18NOAfbc7GqUui263lcTOi9OyAdRgwIqy43hgcfQWcBWesYLxokyhgQpKBpRTqUriJDpDE0bC_G_6lhMWq4qo-C_mNUC2pJ6R5dVqkBdWImcsGpWJ0ws6sJktw6F-G-NWAPAOrNFGdnKPdeidthFCyBdk_lPx4AvyALsH6WU6k/w400-h300/IMG_9170.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Breakfast Sandwich at Allez Cafe<br /><span face="Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif" style="background-color: #141414; color: white; font-size: 13px;">_______________________________________</span> <br /><br /><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi15RpJBTwSW0Xk_7a0kaa4GmTEEMHvgWYON9PgPGGMddCSdwiQDjcmNk3lilFirbiBPWB1cB7mQ_DY9Wfu1qLQmk0pVziFtQHsr4nP-oTVxHNG0vR_EIdVg7IrLiEyuAU7S0JS9Y6oPjXJx9245f3uDGKMfA22NHwPku-CJNA9QRyC7tl2v8OGL7Y25oYF/s4032/IMG_3876.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi15RpJBTwSW0Xk_7a0kaa4GmTEEMHvgWYON9PgPGGMddCSdwiQDjcmNk3lilFirbiBPWB1cB7mQ_DY9Wfu1qLQmk0pVziFtQHsr4nP-oTVxHNG0vR_EIdVg7IrLiEyuAU7S0JS9Y6oPjXJx9245f3uDGKMfA22NHwPku-CJNA9QRyC7tl2v8OGL7Y25oYF/w400-h300/IMG_3876.jpg" width="400" /></a><br /><span style="text-align: left;"><b>Joba Foods & Bakery</b> (2039 N. Western)</span></div><p>You’ll find our next stop just a couple blocks south on Western. Joba Foods & Bakery is a new retail space from a self taught Nigerian baker who had been using the same space to make her fresh baked agege bread which is sold wholesale to local grocers in the both the city and suburbs. Agege bread is nicknamed “Nigerian Style Brioche” as it’s fluffy, soft, and sweet. The bread is sold by the loaf along with a some other baked treats including delicious African Meat Pies. The meat in these is highly seasoned and the pastry is buttery and flaky making for a fantastic snack. The hours are limited so check google for up to date info but for now they’re open Thursday thru Saturday from 10a-4p. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqdTRbP2gZtLTrHDo9a4tR4yi6agK3FzfPxVuCW3BaXchVGCD_at14ck6Rwl1SK27cYqsBdQ5_7fbXZNBahjkO2NX-Doz399YvwmJO7qdtiMt1JOaiRfXQhDXEfy8GawKkF9xBrHmJVcl_wKkUBh2h7SXi6C0DMQTBBDdPpP-MihTwGjKctoJk4vgKyEfI/s4032/IMG_3896.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqdTRbP2gZtLTrHDo9a4tR4yi6agK3FzfPxVuCW3BaXchVGCD_at14ck6Rwl1SK27cYqsBdQ5_7fbXZNBahjkO2NX-Doz399YvwmJO7qdtiMt1JOaiRfXQhDXEfy8GawKkF9xBrHmJVcl_wKkUBh2h7SXi6C0DMQTBBDdPpP-MihTwGjKctoJk4vgKyEfI/s320/IMG_3896.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEe4GEjS0W-5M920kWndMBEt-zdhTg5TRWJ7UgiJeBDPtO3DWQMOgF-HiSqOJIuMpKfbZirVB6_Ot5O4iN8fXEBF6RdFYEi2JT5nPKVOC_TDFF0QLQ8Nw0fc7Vb20NoWftpoPX9RpmOrSfcY8k-b32y7lKE5vOPoKrzTnCKi1MnEwkcOOiu6OLZto8lGyh/s4032/IMG_3907.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEe4GEjS0W-5M920kWndMBEt-zdhTg5TRWJ7UgiJeBDPtO3DWQMOgF-HiSqOJIuMpKfbZirVB6_Ot5O4iN8fXEBF6RdFYEi2JT5nPKVOC_TDFF0QLQ8Nw0fc7Vb20NoWftpoPX9RpmOrSfcY8k-b32y7lKE5vOPoKrzTnCKi1MnEwkcOOiu6OLZto8lGyh/s320/IMG_3907.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">African Meat Pies (chicken / beef) at Joba Foods & Bakery <br /><span face="Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif" style="background-color: #141414; color: white; font-size: 13px;">_______________________________________</span></div><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpIoAQiNpATzHmG0lWmXo8raJteu7U12K3OcmZlI6Sut-f4fr3IxLpVkKW6TVxNF9ilgTjP9Z7grFWurffubRPfORuOZvgzEsO8nSJ-SycVgo7zjUDYBM5ESJwCITd_ipiZwk6lk14rEYD547TeLxEBSrQEO0TLxmHbp49jdusi6asL8IkpI_gDgocH-rD/s4032/IMG_4988.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpIoAQiNpATzHmG0lWmXo8raJteu7U12K3OcmZlI6Sut-f4fr3IxLpVkKW6TVxNF9ilgTjP9Z7grFWurffubRPfORuOZvgzEsO8nSJ-SycVgo7zjUDYBM5ESJwCITd_ipiZwk6lk14rEYD547TeLxEBSrQEO0TLxmHbp49jdusi6asL8IkpI_gDgocH-rD/w400-h300/IMG_4988.jpg" width="400" /></a><br /><span style="text-align: left;"><b>Eat Fine Design by Khun Kung</b> (2062 N. Damen)</span></div><p>You’re unlikely to know about our next stop unless you’ve walked by and even then it’s tough to identify bc 'Eat Fine Design by Khun Kung' replaced a short lived spot called Gin Sen and they haven’t replaced the sign on the building since moving in. I was surprised to find this place (browsing recent restaurant openings) as they had a ghost kitchen in Humboldt Park back in 2021 that I once tried and it was pretty good. The menu had some items you won’t find at many Thai places when it was a ghost kitchen and it may have even more as a brick and mortar. It’s kind of overwhelming if we’re being honest but pictures always help as does reliable info and I had both and ended up trying a Thai style hot crepe and the Southern Thai style fried chicken. The crepe was an expertly prepared version that could easily feed two to three people as an appetizer so don’t let the prices scare you off. It comes stuffed with ground chicken stir-fried with green onions, onions, bean sprout all wrapped in crispy crepe served with a cucumber salad. I didn’t like the Hat Yai (fried chicken) as much but it was still pretty good particularly the frying job but it lacked a bit in flavor as far as seasoning and such. I suspect that there’s some real winners on the rest of the menu but also some misses. That’s the standard with places like this, some dishes are better than others. But early reviews are positive.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEip23ZK9Yry30T5KTW4o9pVX_nbsn0d-5-zAYhD1E92aIso_J_LSjt_O7r44bNLz8Ps6yV_coumUwpYnaDcMqSf7UK9zvXAfxmt__Y74RbijTestbrVYFE_DkJF7hfn3wPp18fAfW-mvXdd5C7Cy6kl2DAl7WDrf9HOPve4Hm_U4_tgzUfkmWnB8LjjL0xB/s4032/IMG_4967.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEip23ZK9Yry30T5KTW4o9pVX_nbsn0d-5-zAYhD1E92aIso_J_LSjt_O7r44bNLz8Ps6yV_coumUwpYnaDcMqSf7UK9zvXAfxmt__Y74RbijTestbrVYFE_DkJF7hfn3wPp18fAfW-mvXdd5C7Cy6kl2DAl7WDrf9HOPve4Hm_U4_tgzUfkmWnB8LjjL0xB/s320/IMG_4967.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWNOL3uVdtOEElG_r7qkIJ8O-AGS_QmztSvt8FWkEGWWqtQ9HVQtVpeVRQOK8UlCK31Ntq6CdgYAPykpfZ7EBneyRkSAAZu6F2YyZYj2hIGzE8mqUp03anbHhCZHIJgtTrxf-UvhNWVphFYGtkSBQQdp8BH-q8JStniBw4Jhr7OvZubA5IwTTUJ1Fn81ws/s4032/IMG_4977.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWNOL3uVdtOEElG_r7qkIJ8O-AGS_QmztSvt8FWkEGWWqtQ9HVQtVpeVRQOK8UlCK31Ntq6CdgYAPykpfZ7EBneyRkSAAZu6F2YyZYj2hIGzE8mqUp03anbHhCZHIJgtTrxf-UvhNWVphFYGtkSBQQdp8BH-q8JStniBw4Jhr7OvZubA5IwTTUJ1Fn81ws/s320/IMG_4977.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Fried Chicken / Thai Crepe at Eat Fine BKK<br /><span face="Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif" style="background-color: #141414; color: white; font-size: 13px;">_______________________________________<br /><br /><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5Gr1T4MBKfBWzyLrbU5wGuV0AKomjdBmqZ1Pz_gohpOwaSFun5vsnxJlv4H2fPFRy6OzIcY3l47LzXpQ_necuFYxVX5LY5aIfD792HLYwoRXzdE0YYbYTMs_lWQh__cVzVW8mOKhPErQ6vbIgHcCDjB8ksHIxM2g6d93t8-VMCJPTCeKoWwaoVqz2AGFv/s4032/IMG_4993.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5Gr1T4MBKfBWzyLrbU5wGuV0AKomjdBmqZ1Pz_gohpOwaSFun5vsnxJlv4H2fPFRy6OzIcY3l47LzXpQ_necuFYxVX5LY5aIfD792HLYwoRXzdE0YYbYTMs_lWQh__cVzVW8mOKhPErQ6vbIgHcCDjB8ksHIxM2g6d93t8-VMCJPTCeKoWwaoVqz2AGFv/w400-h300/IMG_4993.jpg" width="400" /></a><br /><span style="text-align: left;"><b>L’Patron</b> (2032 N. Damen)</span></div><p>One of the North sides most popular taquerias now has a second location on Damen. L’Patron quietly and suddenly replaced a different Mexican spot that had seemed to be doing well but so I heard there was problems on the inside and the owners of L’Patron were given a chance to expand and they did so rather quickly. I ate here the first week they were open and aside from some logistical issues regarding the delivery of food it was pretty much the same quality that you’ll find at their Logan Square location. The biggest differences I noticed was no fish and shrimp tacos or made to order tortillas (for now) at the new Bucktown location. But the steak is exactly the same in that it’s big chunks of highly seasoned and slightly chewy skirt steak. Their signature gringos and gringas are on the menu but I always thought the ribeye and grilled onion burrito was their best menu item so I tried one from here and it’s pretty much what I remembered it to be. Service was friendly and I love how they do the rice and beans here, when you get them as a side they come served in a boat made from a crisped up tortilla. I suspect they’ll do well on Damen having already made a name for themselves. <br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4LfSU4MNevlj0KXh2RGQSRPdBy9vSwURlNDumYPgrGH3u6W6aYvpgj1o8YwNl1ub85RpmpZYThTkt86PgduBPQXvltI2OWPK_4_2tzemyufB0z17q4Ps6r8jfIDzbHnGp9yNCpqD_JJ73S5uYFg9aITlnP98OKYtfovIV-JxBsx4DFzvd9_6aj273uQYU/s4032/IMG_5077.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4LfSU4MNevlj0KXh2RGQSRPdBy9vSwURlNDumYPgrGH3u6W6aYvpgj1o8YwNl1ub85RpmpZYThTkt86PgduBPQXvltI2OWPK_4_2tzemyufB0z17q4Ps6r8jfIDzbHnGp9yNCpqD_JJ73S5uYFg9aITlnP98OKYtfovIV-JxBsx4DFzvd9_6aj273uQYU/w400-h300/IMG_5077.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Ribeye / Grilled Onion Burrito at L'Patron <br /><span face="Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif" style="background-color: #141414; color: white; font-size: 13px;">_______________________________________</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBnomEqiN-4-Ek68UE1rqeep8Gi563Xf-0SMvYf-OHAWCJICDP2KBHZjr5fmHoAx4Ra9bQqEbhGgpBJ5LB80IuTnlo0a2in8-ywLpkvvV6S8UGjhH90MAgk7jostXuBfvszTHEOFYLEIOR6UcT1FYk_IZNl84kJ1LqGEd5vAe3A3QedrsMc5jdcA1soSOG/s4032/IMG_5196.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBnomEqiN-4-Ek68UE1rqeep8Gi563Xf-0SMvYf-OHAWCJICDP2KBHZjr5fmHoAx4Ra9bQqEbhGgpBJ5LB80IuTnlo0a2in8-ywLpkvvV6S8UGjhH90MAgk7jostXuBfvszTHEOFYLEIOR6UcT1FYk_IZNl84kJ1LqGEd5vAe3A3QedrsMc5jdcA1soSOG/w400-h300/IMG_5196.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>Manchamanteles Restaurant</b> (2009 N. Western)</div><p style="text-align: left;">Final stop takes us to the corner of Western and Armitage where Lazos Tacos used to be. Lazos was the type of place I had no idea how it stayed open so long as it was a huge spot that was always empty. I live just a short walk away and I think I went once and never went back. When Lazos closed in the beginning of summer it was replaced by a Las Fuentes for about three months until the family that owns Las Fuentes shut the location down and did a makeover on the inside and outside of the building while changing the name to Manchamanteles. They hired renowned Chicago chef Geno Bahena who left his post at Mis Moles to come here. He was one of the original chefs at Rick Bayless’ higher end spot, Topolobampo, before going off on his own and opening a handful of restaurants in Chicago, California and Arkansas and then returning to Chicago to open Mis Moles. Bahena is known as the Mole King of Chicago. His menus have always had a mole option or two wherever it is he’s been. I stopped by for a quick bite one night and met the manager Dan who grew up above Las Fuentes in Lincoln Park (they also have locations in Morton Grove and Alsip). I got a tour of the kitchen and they showed me how the meat and seafood is grilled - over wood - mesquite and oak to be exact. While that was tempting I was in the mood for mole so I got the Dobladas de Pollo Negras which is two thick made to order corn tortillas stuffed with chicken and covered in black mole with cheese and cream plus Mexican rice. I was transported back to Puebla upon first bite so no complaints although if being completely honest mole isn’t my favorite even though I do get the taste for it now and then. This did the trick. I know chicken is most common in mole dishes as it’s a good meat to hold the mole flavor but it’s so boring. If I were in the kitchen I would probably grill the chicken over the wood fire and then dice it into bite size pieces, instead of shredding it. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZpjDm631QYQBzLMrWRroZkHlwY-dEhf4f9zExUKng3iIpbieW_k2a-FoT-Yg4gp0phqn1XF2rbXUJTLqcKrfqUUoVmUrRxRsmMwPFTQDpmaaUuY3ylPUtZlVkQuXuPK_iknTh-IAhXn70kCAQ3XFEcoV8eoabBN__72DpCd_KACBXyuTSTfiLwaeiPtR3/s4032/IMG_5216.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZpjDm631QYQBzLMrWRroZkHlwY-dEhf4f9zExUKng3iIpbieW_k2a-FoT-Yg4gp0phqn1XF2rbXUJTLqcKrfqUUoVmUrRxRsmMwPFTQDpmaaUuY3ylPUtZlVkQuXuPK_iknTh-IAhXn70kCAQ3XFEcoV8eoabBN__72DpCd_KACBXyuTSTfiLwaeiPtR3/w400-h300/IMG_5216.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Dobladas de Pollo Negras at <span style="text-align: center;">Manchamanteles Restaurant <br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;">The highlights of my return visit were an artful plate of enchiladas de Potosinas which are a specialty of San Luis Potosí. These enchiladas are different than most in that they’re folded not rolled and commonly filled with potato. The tortillas are dipped into a guajillo salsa before a trip to the frying pan. I liked that dish more than a tamale oaxaqueño with the same black mole which was good but the tamale wasn’t as fresh as you’d like. But I really liked the lamb chops with the 28 ingredient black mole and mashed potatoes. They were a bit thin but full of flavor. We also got the carne asada which hit the spot. It had a nice hint of mesquite as expected. I felt obligated to try the restaurants namesake dish - Mancha Manteles. It’s also a Oaxacan dish that’s a mole stew of sorts. Made with chicken and/or pork plus chorizo, pineapple, apple, banana, chili peppers, almonds, cinnamon, lard and tomatoes though everyone that makes it has their own recipe. Chef Bahena uses two nice sized pieces of wood grilled chicken breast in his version. I got to try some and it was pretty good but again I would have preferred the chicken be cut down into smaller sized pieces but that’s just a personal preference. Overall I think this place might be just what this space needed in that it’s a reasonably priced night out type of spot that should attract a nice mix of people, particularly families and groups of friends from Bucktown, Logan Square and elsewhere. It has a full service bar and while the food isn’t going to win any James Beard Awards for cutting edge cooking, who cares. It’s a very unique menu without any burritos whatsoever and the only tacos are those you can make yourself. It’s worth checking out. Full disclosure: we ended our meal with a complimentary order of the freshly fried churros which did what you expect some warm fried dough ladled in sugar to do - it delighted.<br /><br /></div></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh34K8A1cwg80eRpAj0aiNz-LIo9HzNavZcCis2BaSTfWwlAOIz-epICBNDg8fSUji_raj6lGMEMsSWAuhAqnSPy1-HSybQ9bZtiEmIXVQgYRvLSRqYgHJpmTNnPa0lCG-7FlPLnRw2F-hRZ1R7vTIYcPZNW_0W8FdAQ8Zh3sllCzj6AxhKkAof1X6_TZZI/s4032/IMG_5262.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh34K8A1cwg80eRpAj0aiNz-LIo9HzNavZcCis2BaSTfWwlAOIz-epICBNDg8fSUji_raj6lGMEMsSWAuhAqnSPy1-HSybQ9bZtiEmIXVQgYRvLSRqYgHJpmTNnPa0lCG-7FlPLnRw2F-hRZ1R7vTIYcPZNW_0W8FdAQ8Zh3sllCzj6AxhKkAof1X6_TZZI/s320/IMG_5262.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-26_3cFmO9_ZuE3jxSA7uCHdrXxHZ8f__0GGPi7gwq5FFe-Judd_07__ZlNo7mH3UulDitDD33wxGLFKdR4thncgN8ai5jx33inKQHo7xS7DbKQkuDVJt-33eEz2X3IjHT44PmV2EijcmXAJ_uGJS7yevTPHWDEUQH_hgZTtmvJPG4arUFn1M0IegrKda/s4032/IMG_5271.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-26_3cFmO9_ZuE3jxSA7uCHdrXxHZ8f__0GGPi7gwq5FFe-Judd_07__ZlNo7mH3UulDitDD33wxGLFKdR4thncgN8ai5jx33inKQHo7xS7DbKQkuDVJt-33eEz2X3IjHT44PmV2EijcmXAJ_uGJS7yevTPHWDEUQH_hgZTtmvJPG4arUFn1M0IegrKda/s320/IMG_5271.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjT1bVkwlyNm5uhx-qPKSTEe5tnY-nbotAi9DPU2qxFrn-QNXMfCo-mZRgK8GJ8ArNpnRQS4Gs5AHVmr1YrrLtUiHFjI5THcK7rDkZ30cD0bXvpRQ0sA3n-qaoZnzWBd_-jR2gl4Zdurs2AUdlCitbxkR4m3Ip6dmUw5-nKjEKp6mIkwC9AtKVeZAgSjoUx/s4032/IMG_5286.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjT1bVkwlyNm5uhx-qPKSTEe5tnY-nbotAi9DPU2qxFrn-QNXMfCo-mZRgK8GJ8ArNpnRQS4Gs5AHVmr1YrrLtUiHFjI5THcK7rDkZ30cD0bXvpRQ0sA3n-qaoZnzWBd_-jR2gl4Zdurs2AUdlCitbxkR4m3Ip6dmUw5-nKjEKp6mIkwC9AtKVeZAgSjoUx/s320/IMG_5286.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3yd-mDO1iqGSOObu8cCfrqKDS7hj8hZPlD81qy-nwI6hq6Y-w-GekecfM35AgD3uE49XTT9TVN4ZYxG_RY-t_CQLU-SFY22I4j32ow553w3D97ynvMxfIHV24EiOZzyD4kvhLWjQhPDEMlX1V0AljwOPVvqA-dpdQuA4bcUv1US8OesNXlzaLE64RvWV4/s4032/IMG_5298.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3yd-mDO1iqGSOObu8cCfrqKDS7hj8hZPlD81qy-nwI6hq6Y-w-GekecfM35AgD3uE49XTT9TVN4ZYxG_RY-t_CQLU-SFY22I4j32ow553w3D97ynvMxfIHV24EiOZzyD4kvhLWjQhPDEMlX1V0AljwOPVvqA-dpdQuA4bcUv1US8OesNXlzaLE64RvWV4/s320/IMG_5298.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzRRy8EFkUNlNvZIkSfd-zSBO6hK8ecreaBIW9TIVp5OgUOsIE6PJYzRS6xY35r2a5POAkR3fB3Lnw1uoFj8ziRgorZ2KZaDdoTiCF_n2iDPPkZ_tu5K7GjLBg6ndnF3dU1YBD1Y3aHl9D546diofZyuwjYgyDygSM6GiPUYyi33sKIeLhLDycmGMLXCzS/s4032/IMG_5318.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzRRy8EFkUNlNvZIkSfd-zSBO6hK8ecreaBIW9TIVp5OgUOsIE6PJYzRS6xY35r2a5POAkR3fB3Lnw1uoFj8ziRgorZ2KZaDdoTiCF_n2iDPPkZ_tu5K7GjLBg6ndnF3dU1YBD1Y3aHl9D546diofZyuwjYgyDygSM6GiPUYyi33sKIeLhLDycmGMLXCzS/s320/IMG_5318.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6FGp5Th6JIwwdYI4fJ3cMe1aeie7juMkMWeHxlAvEhpTFLeda8QBPCtkZlylMGq9csQT5veFuPaXyhbcYIzsQX2fXZSkzs3bOmXcl33pl1lRZtJwrVhCD2AF0rRtl9uOpio0eg95qy5OixgzZdKslxVyJgw3Ea-WwA6x4IuZI8FLjujRgXJa3QGaqDQcN/s4032/IMG_5334.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6FGp5Th6JIwwdYI4fJ3cMe1aeie7juMkMWeHxlAvEhpTFLeda8QBPCtkZlylMGq9csQT5veFuPaXyhbcYIzsQX2fXZSkzs3bOmXcl33pl1lRZtJwrVhCD2AF0rRtl9uOpio0eg95qy5OixgzZdKslxVyJgw3Ea-WwA6x4IuZI8FLjujRgXJa3QGaqDQcN/s320/IMG_5334.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Dinner at Manchamanteles<br /><span face="Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif" style="background-color: #141414; color: white; font-size: 13px;">_______________________________________</span></div><p style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: medium;">See ya next time <a href="https://www.instagram.com/chibbqking/">@chibbqking</a> </span></b></p><p></p>KingThttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05368411195212070782noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7759763120880236446.post-31484164412100208322023-10-23T09:30:00.007-05:002023-10-25T11:52:58.411-05:00Kama Indian Restaurant <p><span face="Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif" style="background-color: black; color: white; font-size: 13px;"><span face=""trebuchet ms", trebuchet, verdana, sans-serif" style="font-size: 23px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 20.7969px;">-Grubbing in Chicago</span><span face=""trebuchet ms", trebuchet, verdana, sans-serif" style="line-height: 20.7969px;"> </span></span><span face="Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif" style="background-color: black; color: white; font-size: 13px;"><span face=""trebuchet ms", trebuchet, verdana, sans-serif" style="font-size: 17px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 20.7969px;"> <br /></span></span><span face="Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif" style="background-color: black; color: white; font-size: 17px; font-weight: bold;">An Indian Bistro in Wicker Park</span><br /><br />As the weather shifts from warm to cold my food cravings switch the other way around from cold to warm. As soon as I get my first taste of the crisp and cold air I also get a taste for food that’s been cooking all day. Curries are a big cause of major craves this time of the year and we recently fed those craves at Kama in Wicker Park. Its story is an interesting one in that it’s a restaurant from the suburbs (La Grange) that opened a location in the city (on Milwaukee avenue just off of Damen and Division). This checks out if you’re familiar with the culinary landscape of the suburbs. Some of the best Indian restaurants are found in the suburbs and not just one area of them either. There’s large pockets of Indian commerce in areas like Naperville and Schaumburg. Indian food is having a bit of a moment in the States and it’s long overdue. Kama Bistro is a part of the movement in the Chicagoland area. It’s a modern Indian bistro serving familiar dishes in different ways. They also have a full fledged happy hour (food + drink) and a nice cocktail menu too. It sure seems like a nice fit for the area. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhe83JwAnqafTS8Y4zZt4_1bqNPmR8PTS9fiH5QYY5XH_E9dYZ9u0ZrTvjJk_14GeEDYkB48lITgEG7KGQnje5DDpP6yr69Mdhhk6Hrvy7Lz2j1CTNqY6zvubBsu8uQAHX67ScwmaNb4gH-8AvoMlYBG_4tL5ySl2N2NyZpXyXocLbT1NOLEnwfXAY0oAyQ/s4032/IMG_4912.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhe83JwAnqafTS8Y4zZt4_1bqNPmR8PTS9fiH5QYY5XH_E9dYZ9u0ZrTvjJk_14GeEDYkB48lITgEG7KGQnje5DDpP6yr69Mdhhk6Hrvy7Lz2j1CTNqY6zvubBsu8uQAHX67ScwmaNb4gH-8AvoMlYBG_4tL5ySl2N2NyZpXyXocLbT1NOLEnwfXAY0oAyQ/w400-h300/IMG_4912.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Recently Opened in Wicker Park </div><p>Kama opened its city location in August but they’ve been serving the western suburbs for close to 15 years. I’ve never been to their La Grange location so I didn’t know what to expect from their new spot in Wicker Park but I liked the look of the menu as far as what they’re serving goes, so we made our way over one night and arrived just as Happy Hour (4-6p Mon.-Fri.) was wrapping up. They still let us order from the HH menu so we got to try a few of the menu items at a discounted price which was nice. Drinks are also discounted during happy hour including $6 drafts and all house cocktails are $9. I like that they have a few options on tap from Azadi Brewing Company which is the city’s only Indian owned brewery, they work out of Pilot Project in Logan Square. I got some beer and also ordered a few of the happy hour snacks including an order of crispy chili potatoes which are one of the most common mentions in online reviews. We also got an order of the Goan mussels which are PEI mussels mixed in tamarind, with coconut milk, leeks, ginger, cilantro. The crispy chili potatoes are chunks of par boiled potato fried and tossed in a chili-ketchup sauce. I’m not a fan of ketchup but this had some Masala seasoning plus other spices in it giving it a nice kick. We both thought they were awesome. I’ll start my meal with them again when I return. The mussels were small and not all that plump but the sauce was stellar. We soaked it all up with an order of garlic naan we got to pair with it. </p><p style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJb1FxdyGgoIpuQvGkFGnyyruwVUBNOK_w5kALM_bx55k5KHMNwHtYsy3ChSOzFPHGdboKGr9SvrrMdBzyAlHyZQG5GOizfcuuppDZpFPWvRKmfZMWgRjc9QKs6HaHViYh8MHuU2GRWHGOMKX8f-t9WQA84n0g23YtDqOSBhCm_x0a-m4LCBFJ1LfypFV1/s4032/IMG_4872.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJb1FxdyGgoIpuQvGkFGnyyruwVUBNOK_w5kALM_bx55k5KHMNwHtYsy3ChSOzFPHGdboKGr9SvrrMdBzyAlHyZQG5GOizfcuuppDZpFPWvRKmfZMWgRjc9QKs6HaHViYh8MHuU2GRWHGOMKX8f-t9WQA84n0g23YtDqOSBhCm_x0a-m4LCBFJ1LfypFV1/s320/IMG_4872.jpg" width="320" /></a><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvS31hwMjorBDPP_4j_ZzOaGSd0ULzymZvkzIiUpRyGJMzVeGiiAElKTttVSZf4S88aIpQEXa6az2wgIq5t3xNPeI3-TXkOFUIOUErWhoAL1MnYmcLF26P_BOkSGBwCGF38CNCSAmJw2grYasgHRhtBGJrU1xHNc7t6xzHuOEO2xnC2fhZjHH8cxhSLXdp/s4032/IMG_4876.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvS31hwMjorBDPP_4j_ZzOaGSd0ULzymZvkzIiUpRyGJMzVeGiiAElKTttVSZf4S88aIpQEXa6az2wgIq5t3xNPeI3-TXkOFUIOUErWhoAL1MnYmcLF26P_BOkSGBwCGF38CNCSAmJw2grYasgHRhtBGJrU1xHNc7t6xzHuOEO2xnC2fhZjHH8cxhSLXdp/s320/IMG_4876.jpg" width="240" /></a></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4jHmyG1yUM_ztt_5HqWMq8dJaJvzCzzEi-Im0hjOS0bhAo0oSQ2WsbGbwbqu9RzAkrMlZdXmd8x23WvXbVFHVnDbFumtRtMGkn1bgn4iynGSp-eXB1sqi2C3q9JNVTAGzQUwxqY1JgqBUUkUkoXYe6IXAAfHxw3dFGQQcdS4jZvdHhha69FcCAeQfWA7Q/s4032/IMG_4893.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4jHmyG1yUM_ztt_5HqWMq8dJaJvzCzzEi-Im0hjOS0bhAo0oSQ2WsbGbwbqu9RzAkrMlZdXmd8x23WvXbVFHVnDbFumtRtMGkn1bgn4iynGSp-eXB1sqi2C3q9JNVTAGzQUwxqY1JgqBUUkUkoXYe6IXAAfHxw3dFGQQcdS4jZvdHhha69FcCAeQfWA7Q/s320/IMG_4893.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Happy Hour at Kama </div><p></p><p>The menu is broken down in a similar way to most other Indian restaurants. You got your starters that are both vegetarian and meat friendly plus a selection of entrees including vegetarian, curries, seafood, and meats including options from a charcoal tandoori. Plus all of the accompaniments you may want. We’re both big fans of Dal Makhani which is a Punjab dish made with black lentils and sometimes kidney beans. It says on the menu that they slow simmer them for 24 hours and while I can’t verify that I can confirm they make a fantastic batch. In fact this is the best dal makhani that I’ve found around town. I haven’t had a ton but my previous pick would probably have been Vajra but this version not only highly flavorful but there was good texture to it. A lamb shank nihari was equally impressive as far as flavor goes. I only got it medium in spice bc the waiter warned us that the medium spicing was already going to be hot since nihari is typically a spicy dish. Usually it’s made with chopped beef shank but at Kama they serve an entire lamb shank with a Harissa demi-glace in a spicy curry made of coconut stock mixed with Carolina reaper peppers and more. It was an absolute crave killer and exactly the type of spicy I like in that it was legitimately hot but other flavors aside from the peppers were prevalent. There were a few other menu items that we found to be intriguing including a Kerala fish curry cooked with halibut that I want to try next time as I definitely plan on going back.<br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjh-fPGnsyt9tF9jrN6J5QFfVljECpxGr3ToxtNMipmE2BG_Pe5n6pHWYID_xtW44DHtTkkasAC8eYe8ZwVgQvxkUTStNkDs7ItFMESRU8HNGP7jqEDWtBjRAqg6OVuhg6waEN0XI1NEsaByc00vkXEm2T7bmZJOfWTCNpyLiBfz7BoGFI1QwoDoEXOwu6N/s4032/IMG_4901.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjh-fPGnsyt9tF9jrN6J5QFfVljECpxGr3ToxtNMipmE2BG_Pe5n6pHWYID_xtW44DHtTkkasAC8eYe8ZwVgQvxkUTStNkDs7ItFMESRU8HNGP7jqEDWtBjRAqg6OVuhg6waEN0XI1NEsaByc00vkXEm2T7bmZJOfWTCNpyLiBfz7BoGFI1QwoDoEXOwu6N/w400-h300/IMG_4901.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Lambshank Nihari and Dal Makhani </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Kama - Wicker Park <br />1560 N Milwaukee Ave<br />Chicago, IL 60622 <br />(773) 904-7640<br /><a href="https://www.kamabistro.com/wicker-park">Website</a></div>KingThttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05368411195212070782noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7759763120880236446.post-56839373328858463782023-10-16T10:00:00.008-05:002023-10-19T10:26:26.442-05:00Warlord <p><span face="Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif" style="background-color: black; color: white; font-size: 13px;"><span face=""trebuchet ms", trebuchet, verdana, sans-serif" style="font-size: 23px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 20.7969px;">-Grubbing in Chicago</span><span face=""trebuchet ms", trebuchet, verdana, sans-serif" style="line-height: 20.7969px;"> </span></span><span face="Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif" style="background-color: black; color: white; font-size: 13px;"><span face=""trebuchet ms", trebuchet, verdana, sans-serif" style="font-size: 17px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 20.7969px;"> <br /></span></span><span face="Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif" style="background-color: black; color: white; font-size: 17px; font-weight: bold;">New to the 'Scene'</span><br /><br />As we sit in the 4th quarter of the calendar year it’s becoming clear what the years best restaurant openings will be. One spot you’re likely to see listed is Warlord. The Avondale eatery that Chicago Eater called a “covert culinary operation” is no longer much of a secret having been visited by all of Chicagos food media. But Warlord appeared out of nowhere when it opened last June. I had heard whispers about an interesting spot that was coming but for the most part it arrived without any type of press aside from an Instagram account of their own. Then word spread quickly upon its opening. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXnTvE0xGtlBzv-7SaIXvy54jgiGhyr8rRY6Rd748q0TIGAERMyBA-gjgfrCoDjCNMJstaQkkyNQBCR5uOeEmuXh0RW5Qrmqys9cYQvUCxDKHowdCgSHA19Wbuy0TylhEmld4gpSzWQBM-hVlKuLI_eBkiHlh1xZumgFHYQfnAIzFqWZKFqxpKBQpCeQad/s4032/IMG_8432.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXnTvE0xGtlBzv-7SaIXvy54jgiGhyr8rRY6Rd748q0TIGAERMyBA-gjgfrCoDjCNMJstaQkkyNQBCR5uOeEmuXh0RW5Qrmqys9cYQvUCxDKHowdCgSHA19Wbuy0TylhEmld4gpSzWQBM-hVlKuLI_eBkiHlh1xZumgFHYQfnAIzFqWZKFqxpKBQpCeQad/w400-h300/IMG_8432.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Recently Opened in Avondale </div><p>Warlord is the product of three veteran Chicago based chefs. Other than the chefs themselves not much is known about the story behind the city's most polarizing spot since the pandemic. I don’t recall anywhere that has generated as many different opinions as Warlord has since its opening, starting with the name itself which some people find offensive. While there isn’t much info on the behind the scenes happenings at Warlord there’s plenty of info on the dining aspect of it. First off it’s important to note that they’re closed on Tues, Wed, Thurs and they don’t open until 6p on Fri, Sat, Sun, Mon. There are no reservations and waits can be up to two hours if you don’t get seated at 6pm. If you don’t like loud music you might not want to visit but if you like food cooked over a live fire you very much might want to visit. Most of the stuff on the menu touches that fire which is sitting behind the chefs counter. We had a front row seat for the cooking and also for a bit of a meltdown by one of the chefs. I won’t name names but I got a kick out of it, it was like a scene from The Bear. Service didn’t seem to skip a beat so whatever. Shit happens. It was just a temper tantrum. Now onto the menu which is always changing so it’s unlikely you’ll see many of the things we ate if and when you visit but it does seem like the raw hokkaido scallops are a regular menu item. They get a light sear and are poached cold in butter. On our visit they came dressed with orange and tomato. I thought these were excellent. High quality ingredients made for a first rate dish. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzOECqexrW5Bfvx5gjbEtO5Hhs7nYqQbZrF0pjjB1nhn2__1hYE13ahJ6ggf_KCrB5dKUxVmJwPYyf-d8sQfZKB2g66bR4kd8JMvPoohSHForCIZ-TdVrrs5nKynoScdlIECaR5pCdXgQCq0IMxrf4OIEfaXvlvObxUgNeKqx6IZjJRG2HnIJCDM7JGefI/s4032/IMG_8470.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzOECqexrW5Bfvx5gjbEtO5Hhs7nYqQbZrF0pjjB1nhn2__1hYE13ahJ6ggf_KCrB5dKUxVmJwPYyf-d8sQfZKB2g66bR4kd8JMvPoohSHForCIZ-TdVrrs5nKynoScdlIECaR5pCdXgQCq0IMxrf4OIEfaXvlvObxUgNeKqx6IZjJRG2HnIJCDM7JGefI/w400-h300/IMG_8470.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Hokkaido Scallop</div><p>I’d heard from some that the burger here was outstanding so I had plans to try it even before we arrived. It’s dry aged beef cooked over fire and comes dressed with nothing more than charred onion and mayo. It’s a thick patty which I’m starting to enjoy more and more now that everyone else is doing them thin. Also when grilling over wood or charcoal a thicker burger is pretty much the standard. I completely disagree with David Chang when he says a grilled burger isn’t flavorful. Beef and most meat in general is better when grilled. This burger would not have been as good if it didn’t have that kiss of fire. But the beef was high quality and thus would taste great prepared any way except overdone. I'd give it a B+ on the grading scale. I got fries with my burger (not included) and they were also really good. Served with a grilled onion aioli that works perfectly with the fresh cut spuds. <br /></p><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinAOypG_xLarwGGSismfa2Tnu4CVCD09U3XicjyHxu1tDVU3oxefT8IEAVjMpX04c909GyfX3HFr3XlecyzMjZU7XongQg_w8-v_lrHv2MCflCa0BCEvS7tTZJgZzkXtn5bxas2xLfDuyt33udVSX-TyoPiU9fw8vxX0tescJAaiPxCfAJVXdklImcXMSI/s4032/IMG_8485.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinAOypG_xLarwGGSismfa2Tnu4CVCD09U3XicjyHxu1tDVU3oxefT8IEAVjMpX04c909GyfX3HFr3XlecyzMjZU7XongQg_w8-v_lrHv2MCflCa0BCEvS7tTZJgZzkXtn5bxas2xLfDuyt33udVSX-TyoPiU9fw8vxX0tescJAaiPxCfAJVXdklImcXMSI/s320/IMG_8485.jpg" width="320" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgc-NjIjA7PfEkiuVSjIVCgH2dAcrVL0FdDl4cqLcLvRbwr777ob9bKYMHXDFq4It44euv3xYgmMOWZWqj_5E_0GidaY70p51wEDFVp302Baj8a07Z_AhHV4VIme-hPNMH5A03eC5A2s3eVKuRy1b-GYvjNsEcqhJ-xYcR07X5ln_OMGDquno_OvjzKWg2t/s4032/IMG_8446.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgc-NjIjA7PfEkiuVSjIVCgH2dAcrVL0FdDl4cqLcLvRbwr777ob9bKYMHXDFq4It44euv3xYgmMOWZWqj_5E_0GidaY70p51wEDFVp302Baj8a07Z_AhHV4VIme-hPNMH5A03eC5A2s3eVKuRy1b-GYvjNsEcqhJ-xYcR07X5ln_OMGDquno_OvjzKWg2t/s320/IMG_8446.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Burger and Fries at Warlord</div><br />An angel hair pasta with trout roe, blue crab, parmesan and marigold was a big letdown. The pasta paled in comparison to all the pasta we ate a few weeks before in Italy. It might seem unfair to compare the pasta from a spot known for its live fire cooking to the pasta offerings of Italy but at the end of the day I wasn’t expecting to get a pasta on the same level as those in the mecca. But I was expecting something that taste good and this was rather bland and expensive. My only other qualm was the fact we visited in the summer and there was very little on offer as far as vegetables. I can understand the appeal in this place the same way I can understand why some people are turned off by it. It's probably the most polarizing restaurant opening Chicago has had in some time. <p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCjc_Ldi-bp486Di0EoMlXMEkVbd7aL3S1QSuw4e9_p8NrgAzN4drlYxlE2yK-VFasZBWJR8Fyy6YZ47VxJ3US5mhCFKMQU6ejuq0i1KVXtlKytVhR9Z76FNsul5ac4nZmU65MQ8Kq_pEKjXpUJJuHwKeKyHA49PXFQqZCu3QTfnB-aJnd-kXK-2xSRGCx/s4032/IMG_8481.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCjc_Ldi-bp486Di0EoMlXMEkVbd7aL3S1QSuw4e9_p8NrgAzN4drlYxlE2yK-VFasZBWJR8Fyy6YZ47VxJ3US5mhCFKMQU6ejuq0i1KVXtlKytVhR9Z76FNsul5ac4nZmU65MQ8Kq_pEKjXpUJJuHwKeKyHA49PXFQqZCu3QTfnB-aJnd-kXK-2xSRGCx/w300-h400/IMG_8481.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Angel Hair Pasta </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div>Warlord<br />3198 N Milwaukee Ave<br />Chicago, IL 60618<br /><a href="https://www.warlordchicago.com/">Website</a>KingThttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05368411195212070782noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7759763120880236446.post-87795954457023712142023-10-09T09:30:00.002-05:002023-10-11T10:14:53.097-05:00Eating BIG in South Bend (and beyond)<p><span face="Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif" style="background-color: #141414; color: white; font-size: 23.4px; font-weight: bold;">Eating like a local:<br /></span><span face="Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif" style="background-color: #141414; color: white; font-size: 13px; font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-size: 23.4px;">Regional food specialties<br /></span></span><span face="Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif" style="background-color: #141414; color: white; font-size: 13px; font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-size: medium;">- Exploring Northern Indiana</span></span><br /><br />I’ve never been a Notre Dame fan. I grew up rooting for Florida State so I actually disliked Notre Dame despite having both family and friends that were big Fighting Irish fans. That said I’ve always enjoyed South Bend and the rest of the Michiana region. I attended basketball camp at Notre Dame in my youth and I enjoy poking around the area in my adulthood, especially this time of the year when the air is crisp and the colors are changing. South Bend has a cute little downtown area with lots of landmark buildings worth a peek and the Notre Dame campus is also worth a walk though the college football hall of fame was moved to Atlanta. Howard Park is a beautiful 13 acre park that sits on the St. Joseph River. It was given a makeover in 2019 turning it into one of the Midwest's best. But my favorite thing to do in the area is just ride around and visit all of the towns that make up the Michiana region. I’ve always enjoyed the small town charm of the Midwest and this is one of my favorite spots to do so just a short ride from the city. You can explore the area by car, bicycle or motorcycle. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrL2tRT21T_Zt4L_YnHxvkng7QL4Y2t1flQozqD4_dii92MOlp7y3IKRDzomF6FAXLWhdYpahtQzv3Rde0j5z8TViJEiNAPdhigYcSXIvtMpvOJvKmo6ugugl_IXxV6xUDbItR-hwVYteRhHXktRhimP1pIk-S5PzQGZ0L0Lcn72_UEm8jubzrs-iDN7S_/s4032/IMG_3688.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrL2tRT21T_Zt4L_YnHxvkng7QL4Y2t1flQozqD4_dii92MOlp7y3IKRDzomF6FAXLWhdYpahtQzv3Rde0j5z8TViJEiNAPdhigYcSXIvtMpvOJvKmo6ugugl_IXxV6xUDbItR-hwVYteRhHXktRhimP1pIk-S5PzQGZ0L0Lcn72_UEm8jubzrs-iDN7S_/s320/IMG_3688.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg82uEZpSPBsLajbIjFXn-E4AMhbjZzi3FI_QAlVhqC84zFN5eMzHYQz4bwXK09s6xYAP4kVTQijn6KX0k8E6RI5ROaBk_MargAndt9gWn5b34lDOtwcObzCS30dIMCHJCmOK1A-uMMc_Ks-ItmPLvW_qvQFnTs3vdOZ3XbPgtvjQilVw3SNDM5H7WDGSrx/s4032/IMG_3628.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg82uEZpSPBsLajbIjFXn-E4AMhbjZzi3FI_QAlVhqC84zFN5eMzHYQz4bwXK09s6xYAP4kVTQijn6KX0k8E6RI5ROaBk_MargAndt9gWn5b34lDOtwcObzCS30dIMCHJCmOK1A-uMMc_Ks-ItmPLvW_qvQFnTs3vdOZ3XbPgtvjQilVw3SNDM5H7WDGSrx/s320/IMG_3628.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrqvcwKBLS0fuOx8Hdr19C8XbYfCQMvwjCIjkoati2i99O3n_ncWGVyxkXNTiHaraCLay1bgelBsjRN5q_ZU1W7KbnW3uK_GyGtUpF4fOIox_C02uNvvGxFTqALEpl3eVNX5lFQGbD3sM8bn2e9ehSpRGdpqHXLzJlW8ScKTaz4qPwkdu8SuxCxGqekkjL/s4032/IMG_3662.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrqvcwKBLS0fuOx8Hdr19C8XbYfCQMvwjCIjkoati2i99O3n_ncWGVyxkXNTiHaraCLay1bgelBsjRN5q_ZU1W7KbnW3uK_GyGtUpF4fOIox_C02uNvvGxFTqALEpl3eVNX5lFQGbD3sM8bn2e9ehSpRGdpqHXLzJlW8ScKTaz4qPwkdu8SuxCxGqekkjL/s320/IMG_3662.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrtv2aTGorq2uXaldV9m6I84Vf-7mfE8XiC1j1IrFClvXhHbMpkvwgZk4GyCSJv2th_sgV2B2T2CVRUuHRCAXgsklUBcObK0oHkDQy77ZqejsVa0HXq5yVnpRsjoeo0SnlpLkDB6AaOiLnbw4LmgI4crl205nDumcqRrF70KH6ZbV15fOuB9qAB24qvKyl/s4032/IMG_3647.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrtv2aTGorq2uXaldV9m6I84Vf-7mfE8XiC1j1IrFClvXhHbMpkvwgZk4GyCSJv2th_sgV2B2T2CVRUuHRCAXgsklUBcObK0oHkDQy77ZqejsVa0HXq5yVnpRsjoeo0SnlpLkDB6AaOiLnbw4LmgI4crl205nDumcqRrF70KH6ZbV15fOuB9qAB24qvKyl/s320/IMG_3647.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Sights from South Bend </div><p>If you head 15 mins east of South Bend you’ll end up in Elkhart which is one of my favorite Midwest towns. I enjoy walking around their downtown area which is similar to South Bend. It’s a real Main Street type of community that has a decent amount of history and is a hub of not one but two major manufacturing industries - Elkhart is considered the RV capital of the world. One of every two RV’s on the road today comes from here. They also boast a big musical instrument making heritage with more than five companies still making instruments to this day. If you head 20 mins southeast of Elkhart you’ll end up in the county seat of Goshen which is another cute as buttons Northern Indiana town. They too have a historic Main Street with restaurants, bars and shops in operation. Elkhart County and neighboring LaGrange County is home to one of the largest Amish communities in the U.S. with more than 25,000 Amish people calling towns like Middlebury and Shipshewana home. You can immerse yourself into the culture by planning a road trip along the <a href="https://www.visitelkhartcounty.com/things-to-do/heritage-trail/?gclid=CjwKCAjwyY6pBhA9EiwAMzmfwTGZ5FB5VZloQAKb3AY3LQnzMBYN-7wpC8tFc5e7sHyOqo_5dOkqnRoC6VEQAvD_BwE">Heritage Trail</a> which will take you through all the Amish communities which are home to many Amish owned businesses and what not. Now is the best time of the year to do so with the Fall colors in full bloom. This area might not be the most exciting when it comes to food but there’s still stuff to be found. You can find previous reports from the area at the end of this report but here’s where I’ve ate lately as in the last five years or so.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSASgw7EHw3pmngmOm9HUYwTyvi2F3x-PscBfr67gUJTS9KXYlTO9JwRqR8vjtM71Enoosbh_0633bMN_lymBjboXcmbwYQ6WIi-ay_iRqm0lCBMQV40tkfwptSeqM9jaifLQLP3sU-UOEoze_OgvfwhwaFlAuhE88LamyxxuQ_Q9MPrj5iTOxgJ1pDVB4/s4032/IMG_7935.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSASgw7EHw3pmngmOm9HUYwTyvi2F3x-PscBfr67gUJTS9KXYlTO9JwRqR8vjtM71Enoosbh_0633bMN_lymBjboXcmbwYQ6WIi-ay_iRqm0lCBMQV40tkfwptSeqM9jaifLQLP3sU-UOEoze_OgvfwhwaFlAuhE88LamyxxuQ_Q9MPrj5iTOxgJ1pDVB4/s320/IMG_7935.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg95OKbN_7Df296z7pvo6ozzO6nz1cYeBId8bnjUOApiZnEauj9CTzAm4RIXDxZ5-lwxFRIwKCXs0iyOoe7XZ34gYSayyS4AbZKGSKCPSnY2IVF_NPvL6OsOOH552-lADXJI9XWLh5qYJCxekr3OjwdgM8n6X7cnZVyNyjQ-OX6JmMrlDrP6bBAAOut4Ca6/s4032/IMG_7992.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg95OKbN_7Df296z7pvo6ozzO6nz1cYeBId8bnjUOApiZnEauj9CTzAm4RIXDxZ5-lwxFRIwKCXs0iyOoe7XZ34gYSayyS4AbZKGSKCPSnY2IVF_NPvL6OsOOH552-lADXJI9XWLh5qYJCxekr3OjwdgM8n6X7cnZVyNyjQ-OX6JmMrlDrP6bBAAOut4Ca6/s320/IMG_7992.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjDCGLt0VIjYiM7Av6tn3LNqzcshJd4zIjaiW2lGW5wTxKeVoIlxifJCpWE_Tol8sjG-s06Ryw2rZt1cODuTp7PRAo0YdEPi7RAWxe1Tu8e6SpB9pt5MKnFGl1mQFEk6EjSzZc2f87EHZPit7Zs2AQL2Ul0CenvyQO3hDeLInPSbvGT1ly7NBjEWtIR3G-/s4032/IMG_8052.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjDCGLt0VIjYiM7Av6tn3LNqzcshJd4zIjaiW2lGW5wTxKeVoIlxifJCpWE_Tol8sjG-s06Ryw2rZt1cODuTp7PRAo0YdEPi7RAWxe1Tu8e6SpB9pt5MKnFGl1mQFEk6EjSzZc2f87EHZPit7Zs2AQL2Ul0CenvyQO3hDeLInPSbvGT1ly7NBjEWtIR3G-/s320/IMG_8052.jpg" width="320" /></a><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSiZk7WP7YXX43UAMZ5RpvGBAZO6qbCK_RHlPVO0YqBi269maP_SNYQZKOf6hmjgIoJVP32bX5TAv30YQaikaqg0fbKGHXk3CQelXwmk8aogRPOrmkXnrBDRPGOSsB6LNQLIp34YBi5JEHhyphenhyphenDBDDzgwKI3UYLlFy6K7oExh77p4oPHV7wdmcRXi0nry_wg/s2560/P1190935.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1920" data-original-width="2560" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSiZk7WP7YXX43UAMZ5RpvGBAZO6qbCK_RHlPVO0YqBi269maP_SNYQZKOf6hmjgIoJVP32bX5TAv30YQaikaqg0fbKGHXk3CQelXwmk8aogRPOrmkXnrBDRPGOSsB6LNQLIp34YBi5JEHhyphenhyphenDBDDzgwKI3UYLlFy6K7oExh77p4oPHV7wdmcRXi0nry_wg/s320/P1190935.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Sights from Elkhart County <br /><span face="Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif" style="background-color: #141414; color: white; font-size: 13px;">_______________________________________<br /><br /><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_DS8sGQj51SyMDkz32W2GLX_pOMesUT5bEqPPlyl_gYIDq48wok6YYiN64NBorM3q4YCkOkKPkWV83ADwNSvGY-I-q5HVxO3MS7IelGJADIhbZivohWkDllP2vmJKWe9rEkJSup20q6OBoRn0TM6Rqgjt-Rfp__VEl9hRnII2AzHJS38oBAXWNHK9fTW3/s4032/IMG_2827.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_DS8sGQj51SyMDkz32W2GLX_pOMesUT5bEqPPlyl_gYIDq48wok6YYiN64NBorM3q4YCkOkKPkWV83ADwNSvGY-I-q5HVxO3MS7IelGJADIhbZivohWkDllP2vmJKWe9rEkJSup20q6OBoRn0TM6Rqgjt-Rfp__VEl9hRnII2AzHJS38oBAXWNHK9fTW3/w400-h300/IMG_2827.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>The View Tavern (South Bend)</b></div><br />We'll start off with some dive bar dining.. You can usually find a worthy bar burger in a college town like this and some searching led me to The View Tavern where the Becky Burger is said to be the best in all of Northern Indiana. It’s a 1/4 pounder cooked on a flattop and dressed with grilled onions and bacon plus barbecue sauce and served on a toasted sesame seed bun. It was a pretty prototypical college town burger in that it was cheap and greasy but the bar itself is more of an old timers spot. I’d bet a few of the regulars were sitting in their exact same seats back when Lou Holtz was coaching the local college football team. They also list "Gulyas" on the menu which they describe as a Hungarian variety. I tried that too and it was the better option should you decide to stop in. <br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSq6eU3lsijVtDUw1uevtv0bAh9jMcT7ocwxtalG47zBdduQnuq4F-yy0Rw1Y7z4JkBAof-6oL2rsKAHjXDjN4wISOi2_KHF64oYOOJrXKjORY_apYm00XgQ49Vop4K6QqbD8Icu4FIfTTZi4v6bYcXzw9qorBLankKTW3yKFpinNnOCLQJBjI0JoUVji4/s4032/IMG_2821.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSq6eU3lsijVtDUw1uevtv0bAh9jMcT7ocwxtalG47zBdduQnuq4F-yy0Rw1Y7z4JkBAof-6oL2rsKAHjXDjN4wISOi2_KHF64oYOOJrXKjORY_apYm00XgQ49Vop4K6QqbD8Icu4FIfTTZi4v6bYcXzw9qorBLankKTW3yKFpinNnOCLQJBjI0JoUVji4/s320/IMG_2821.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHALXihDj77rKqn8_QuF_Xd7VAIkFNqtEUtGqnDq1wpfTwvKhSaoAOYRmgbssbujolf8LE82h29sr1AL5FuO6oXqfFPZUgY6c0kVAkiDvKnK3BheZXIoVANnGS8yQK8H69nE14kFe655vELEWkGGcKt0kSDLG9YttGBPoF2cSau8iEcDEvFJh5wxuR2Dwy/s4032/IMG_3581.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHALXihDj77rKqn8_QuF_Xd7VAIkFNqtEUtGqnDq1wpfTwvKhSaoAOYRmgbssbujolf8LE82h29sr1AL5FuO6oXqfFPZUgY6c0kVAkiDvKnK3BheZXIoVANnGS8yQK8H69nE14kFe655vELEWkGGcKt0kSDLG9YttGBPoF2cSau8iEcDEvFJh5wxuR2Dwy/s320/IMG_3581.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Lunch at The View Tavern <br /><span face="Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif" style="background-color: #141414; color: white; font-size: 13px;">_______________________________________<br /><br /><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTJ6wgeDBsdXF1h7dgjG32ISELTdI2kFK6_V90NUFnFxmkOtzFT-3Qnr1CugAQRSgK0iWBuPlOJnL0YFmc_8W90KZ1Q3H4GAXiUCY86aFvL6BcCu2EM0fRJD7maVkI65JFZq_2dR1Ib8F-1YsSGSqNJ-Mx7tApBzp1WjsbU2JqnnsJIxz52Ll4HlyDlzuN/s4032/IMG_3554.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTJ6wgeDBsdXF1h7dgjG32ISELTdI2kFK6_V90NUFnFxmkOtzFT-3Qnr1CugAQRSgK0iWBuPlOJnL0YFmc_8W90KZ1Q3H4GAXiUCY86aFvL6BcCu2EM0fRJD7maVkI65JFZq_2dR1Ib8F-1YsSGSqNJ-Mx7tApBzp1WjsbU2JqnnsJIxz52Ll4HlyDlzuN/w400-h300/IMG_3554.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>Chimichurri - Argentinean Food <span style="text-align: center;">(South Bend)</span></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div>You can find our next stop a few hundred feet from the last place. Chimichurri is an Argentinean empanada spot with a walk-up window. They also do steak and chicken sandwiches but it was the empanadas that were calling my name. I tried a few and they were all well made. I liked the traditional one with ground beef, hard boiled egg, and olive the most though the spinach and the ham and cheese were also tasty. These were smaller than most of their peers but above average in flavor. </div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinRQ7uMbZVEBMLS-OHy2ru0_RcmFjU5OVW0o4pDAYI3mENE1zhxCgnPPLWAVYm-niOtVmoezvwhV9pOaoysMRKmAcrfsVMifiUmQGDIFUD0ChQKTMDU-ChTd-92gHo-i34N9CcBduhEyifK9mpj9O3SpVUchtL49va9SvGnXCYtgdJWWPqFCSTkj7Z1QpX/s4032/IMG_3566.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinRQ7uMbZVEBMLS-OHy2ru0_RcmFjU5OVW0o4pDAYI3mENE1zhxCgnPPLWAVYm-niOtVmoezvwhV9pOaoysMRKmAcrfsVMifiUmQGDIFUD0ChQKTMDU-ChTd-92gHo-i34N9CcBduhEyifK9mpj9O3SpVUchtL49va9SvGnXCYtgdJWWPqFCSTkj7Z1QpX/s320/IMG_3566.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Empanadas at Chimichurri - Argentinean Food<br /><span face="Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif" style="background-color: #141414; color: white; font-size: 13px;">_______________________________________</span><br style="color: white; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;" /> </div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEeaFeEnvz19PTyPRI0FDRHTWikOGMQzAAkD_qsPImxuez2U7rlCbTBv21zUvCXJk7wf-zFoBAD94-9MIYG8pRntTP1rtok6UcyWNsf42ySm4u_j-sr_ZSgws5ZYkoHDjKlDxlNzUyVwCFG6CCD1mlwlTXomOBDqf19y0u0Xy4NOitY7Sf2q9QlkYDqoBX/s4000/IMG_9960.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEeaFeEnvz19PTyPRI0FDRHTWikOGMQzAAkD_qsPImxuez2U7rlCbTBv21zUvCXJk7wf-zFoBAD94-9MIYG8pRntTP1rtok6UcyWNsf42ySm4u_j-sr_ZSgws5ZYkoHDjKlDxlNzUyVwCFG6CCD1mlwlTXomOBDqf19y0u0Xy4NOitY7Sf2q9QlkYDqoBX/w400-h300/IMG_9960.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>Taqueria Chicago <span style="text-align: center;">(South Bend)</span></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div>There's a bunch of Mexican restaurants found up and down Western avenue. I decided to try Taqueria Chicago based on the awesome mural they had painted on the side of their building. It's a typical taqueria with some pretty good tacos that would blend into just about any neighborhood in Chicago. <br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg18jeAlKkX0YCcj-FyY6LgVX29mSAMXPVAGxJ3-FShGgQJD4px1Jf9KoblJIWe-WFdYnA-M-b8MTQzDprdHrLdTlYCQpVgIsLNxaTAWn1y1rMiTYV8Erqk0nbIjoqUlJf0eUEpbv1m5McWexg57CnXbBo2IhV71Y9p3QwDJRKf_cIm575e0gngfiV8qpVG/s4000/IMG_9965.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg18jeAlKkX0YCcj-FyY6LgVX29mSAMXPVAGxJ3-FShGgQJD4px1Jf9KoblJIWe-WFdYnA-M-b8MTQzDprdHrLdTlYCQpVgIsLNxaTAWn1y1rMiTYV8Erqk0nbIjoqUlJf0eUEpbv1m5McWexg57CnXbBo2IhV71Y9p3QwDJRKf_cIm575e0gngfiV8qpVG/w400-h300/IMG_9965.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Steak Taco at Taqueria Chicago <br /><span face="Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif" style="background-color: #141414; color: white; font-size: 13px;">_______________________________________</span><br style="color: white; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;" /></div><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWqnwddP5YPh4yJ0mxV90rHSUFW0kFZDupXt5uH8Xecg1Y-ECTQFZQZCJT9YuXiA7Tvq7P7cvBFQWVvgw-IL4nZbguW853pTa-aNTiAVP5m72WrmdnykH1sk9urhPlu4I2H2thkQyhMtDNNk1TYmwPW8vxuOR8TNWMJpGtQMzfTegcG_VXl3WolKKTnno0/s4032/IMG_3728.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWqnwddP5YPh4yJ0mxV90rHSUFW0kFZDupXt5uH8Xecg1Y-ECTQFZQZCJT9YuXiA7Tvq7P7cvBFQWVvgw-IL4nZbguW853pTa-aNTiAVP5m72WrmdnykH1sk9urhPlu4I2H2thkQyhMtDNNk1TYmwPW8vxuOR8TNWMJpGtQMzfTegcG_VXl3WolKKTnno0/w400-h300/IMG_3728.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>Starlite Pizza <span style="text-align: center;">(South Bend)</span></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div>Starlite Pizza seems to be one of those family owned restaurants where there was some sort of spat between the family causing them to takes sides and split apart. But I'm just assuming so as there's a Starlite Pizza in Granger that has a completely different website with no mentions of the Starlite's in South Bend. According to that website, the Krawiec family officially opened Starlite in 1958 in South Bend after emigrating from Poland in the 1930's. I visited one of the South Bend locations bc I was curious about the pierogis mentioned in many of the online reviews. I saw a picture of one and it reminded me of the pierogi I tried years ago at Pejza's Lydick Tavern, also in South Bend. Starlite sells their pierogi by the piece with the option to have them sautéed or fried. I tried the jalapeno with potato option and opted for it fried as that's how they're done at the aforementioned Pejza's which I kind of liked. This one was also pretty good and really large making it a complete carb bomb.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjts9jM0ok18MKBDMHeXNjS-AljC0_DALDAFkodDpMhHZwCCIEMuVux7bRu-a89taeqR-2W1RIjUk9LiezOJSN-8Hf0myDXgiEKUv9qWeMrItsBd0EnYttEx3JEYyAv7ucRJtc3dSVdAfySm53EdP0CyKacaTGDjomPoVGu7U3b2ecnKshwITOxS_oZuU-8/s4032/IMG_3747.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjts9jM0ok18MKBDMHeXNjS-AljC0_DALDAFkodDpMhHZwCCIEMuVux7bRu-a89taeqR-2W1RIjUk9LiezOJSN-8Hf0myDXgiEKUv9qWeMrItsBd0EnYttEx3JEYyAv7ucRJtc3dSVdAfySm53EdP0CyKacaTGDjomPoVGu7U3b2ecnKshwITOxS_oZuU-8/s320/IMG_3747.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAUGPz-IWsHOWorMU6IdHnG74Ms3IU8UgpDO4h-ESxR_q09fcuCRfT13LI5Av8ztCpbrR8mxTLsy51AlGlkKk_mAIygPg2NLH91TNgxo_TwIJyh48Odk_ZSidzVhiNOEI5f5l1F_t3F2kA-1JniYW13uI_omyPOnsd3FHOmFVZFYTbGzpK19rBKm8r5DpW/s4032/IMG_3751.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAUGPz-IWsHOWorMU6IdHnG74Ms3IU8UgpDO4h-ESxR_q09fcuCRfT13LI5Av8ztCpbrR8mxTLsy51AlGlkKk_mAIygPg2NLH91TNgxo_TwIJyh48Odk_ZSidzVhiNOEI5f5l1F_t3F2kA-1JniYW13uI_omyPOnsd3FHOmFVZFYTbGzpK19rBKm8r5DpW/s320/IMG_3751.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Pierogi at Starlite Pizza<br /><span face="Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif" style="background-color: #141414; color: white; font-size: 13px;">_______________________________________<br /><br /><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFeCz5Ryc4fVcSJpAUKYVksS06Ok5ZnS3ZPt6Zf5fOEgMrFksLM3ho05uGObAEqsZUDItSyWIXMW8AQy4fEdBnx31MCmeWvTdL4MeeDhKKPYUx3DmuhhL8ufruzNM0EOH0qGil_AR8Y2TsaiPzpdr1JaBnYDBXzJJeBxCk0Sze-48rPRxs5xeaETPROpqG/s2560/P1200381.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1920" data-original-width="2560" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFeCz5Ryc4fVcSJpAUKYVksS06Ok5ZnS3ZPt6Zf5fOEgMrFksLM3ho05uGObAEqsZUDItSyWIXMW8AQy4fEdBnx31MCmeWvTdL4MeeDhKKPYUx3DmuhhL8ufruzNM0EOH0qGil_AR8Y2TsaiPzpdr1JaBnYDBXzJJeBxCk0Sze-48rPRxs5xeaETPROpqG/w400-h300/P1200381.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>Rocco's Restaurant <span style="text-align: center;">(South Bend)</span></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div>It seems like every college town has an old school pizza place like Rocco's. They've been serving the South Bend community since 1951. The area it's in was heavily Italian when they first opened but Rocco's is one of just a couple places from the old neighborhood that still remains. The full story behind Rocco's is very interesting. He was from Calabria and spent time as a POW in the U.S. where he would write letters to a young lady in Mishawaka from the same Italian town as him. They fell in love through those letters and married and then settled in South Bend in the late 40's. Rocco's first job was as a cook in the dining hall at Notre Dame. They saved up and eventually opened Rocco's next door to where they lived. More than 70 years later it's grown into one of South Bend's most popular dining destinations. The pizza here is neither thick or thin but if you ask they'll make it extra thin. I haven't tried the extra thin version but the standard offering is really well constructed and is pretty unique in that there's really nothing else like it. Both the dough and the sausage are made on-site. The dough has a good chew with a really nice undercarriage and the sausage has hints of fennel. Pizzas are served up in a charming old school space that pretty much stays busy. Worth a stop. <br /><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEge2x9MyE6jcuj3TD8G-8Rk6qH16xcg1Pd0Ezszq2l4kBf-K5MoJYFAfd7usZBJ7sLk8BuTOsNIf_3Scodo_1CcJUaNAF8ERdLw9FuUPLXm9QkWILCN46j6Dp-Ax8fQZKluCgdQlHbpGpIZLg0PqwgRvcXqhmfM2dkKpjEIP8t0R1gFPXZDSK7ZS8LE-IVn/s2560/P1200377.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1920" data-original-width="2560" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEge2x9MyE6jcuj3TD8G-8Rk6qH16xcg1Pd0Ezszq2l4kBf-K5MoJYFAfd7usZBJ7sLk8BuTOsNIf_3Scodo_1CcJUaNAF8ERdLw9FuUPLXm9QkWILCN46j6Dp-Ax8fQZKluCgdQlHbpGpIZLg0PqwgRvcXqhmfM2dkKpjEIP8t0R1gFPXZDSK7ZS8LE-IVn/w400-h300/P1200377.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Pizza at Rocco's<br /><span face="Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif" style="background-color: #141414; color: white; font-size: 13px;">_______________________________________</span><br style="color: white; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;" /></div><br /><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7dA7UnWaPbG-y06dwmpDtOia1ZtKzSVntqJRHMhSvyZXhMBBbefX-rjPmuKBnrpCcJHYSGrjJgagjxwGFkn6SDLraXtmO601hKV3WHNX9Mpj0CMqu2dkDutUKJ5XlHJZrLl6vPf7OKiSvH-uMk7lf0buOVxgJug_SOHXgX6wUjLxlxJ_2OKkmat80hciE/s4032/IMG_2829.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7dA7UnWaPbG-y06dwmpDtOia1ZtKzSVntqJRHMhSvyZXhMBBbefX-rjPmuKBnrpCcJHYSGrjJgagjxwGFkn6SDLraXtmO601hKV3WHNX9Mpj0CMqu2dkDutUKJ5XlHJZrLl6vPf7OKiSvH-uMk7lf0buOVxgJug_SOHXgX6wUjLxlxJ_2OKkmat80hciE/w400-h300/IMG_2829.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>Nedderman's Steak Place (Mishawaka) </b></div><br />Mishawaka is to South Bend as St. Paul is to Minneapolis, just on a much smaller scale. They’re independent municipalities with defined borders and their own mayors but they're also sister cities that are commonly linked together. I’m not sure how I came across Nedderman’s Steak Place but it’s the type of spot I’ll stop at if I’m passing through and looking for food. They do steak tips in a drive-thru only operation and that caught my eye in the same way it might someone from the Boston area where steak tips are a hyper regional dish. Steak tips are just pieces of beef that are are heavily marinated and then grilled until well browned. The ones here weren’t on the same level as Boston's but they’re similar at heart. Nedderman’s steak tips are clearly cooked by the bundle and thus they're steamed and sautéed. I enjoyed them for what they were paired up with mashed potatoes, green beans, and mushrooms. A Midwest meat & three so to say. They also make sandwiches and the shaved sirloin steak looked good but I went with the steak tips since those are their signature item. <br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuZPMv2lXp0JOAdXKNNxT3o9FZeE4dU6au4_sTwkUGyt4j9U_Q_URNb5JHFwjzarZgI5FjyIYw0SQbVX8nRq1Vd9X4Vzhoop5baTCALTA1aiRHHBRD6_ocIWz8R4AtvVi7uU5bP4i1CQaZH-ek4RRuJaSRjMLpBFFfke2EMgVw6s3yzbyQZAwr7uaVK2GB/s4032/IMG_2832.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuZPMv2lXp0JOAdXKNNxT3o9FZeE4dU6au4_sTwkUGyt4j9U_Q_URNb5JHFwjzarZgI5FjyIYw0SQbVX8nRq1Vd9X4Vzhoop5baTCALTA1aiRHHBRD6_ocIWz8R4AtvVi7uU5bP4i1CQaZH-ek4RRuJaSRjMLpBFFfke2EMgVw6s3yzbyQZAwr7uaVK2GB/w400-h300/IMG_2832.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Steak Tips at Nedderman's Steak Place <br /><span face="Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif" style="background-color: #141414; color: white; font-size: 13px;">_______________________________________</span><br style="color: white; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;" /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdILBD6kznbT_t3sTXNiU_uv09-XHOZZDOHGwZvbVjr5axod3grcmryEB2jBwsnCrkQDD9O7dy7_jnNBu6nx6luXrsIXS9rw6EAdliu14_P1zt5Atzt67qbyrMI-jVq76wuSzf_gYviW96roVL4eh-AzVH1Kw_7sWU78fbR3-Z-tXKtNtHHjmOyUg7EIMi/s4032/IMG_8063.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdILBD6kznbT_t3sTXNiU_uv09-XHOZZDOHGwZvbVjr5axod3grcmryEB2jBwsnCrkQDD9O7dy7_jnNBu6nx6luXrsIXS9rw6EAdliu14_P1zt5Atzt67qbyrMI-jVq76wuSzf_gYviW96roVL4eh-AzVH1Kw_7sWU78fbR3-Z-tXKtNtHHjmOyUg7EIMi/w400-h300/IMG_8063.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>Volcano Pizza (Elkhart)</b></div><br />There's a few things that Elkhart Indiana is known for producing - The RV Museum and Hall of Fame. Haha. Never been but it’s fitting as the county is home to more than 30 RV manufacturers. Elkhart is also the boyhood home of NBA legend Shawn Kemp aka The Reignman and where Volcano Pizza has called home since the 50’s. If their pizza looks familiar and or similar to the Quad Cities style that’s bc there’s a connection in that Quad Cities style actually comes from Calumet City, a suburb of Chicago and a part of the Calumet region that extends into Northwest Indiana aka The Region. Gregory Anthony Campanello is the founding father of Volcano Pizza. His “Napoli Style” pizza is now served out of three locations although I’m pretty sure the original is long gone. Typically I’ll get sausage but bc this is similar to Quad Cities style that means it’s of the loose meat variety, ground pork is seasoned up pretty nicely with lots of fennel but there’s something about this sausage that I don’t love and it’s probably just the fact that it’s not the traditional pinched style we do in Chicago. So I decided to try the “Greg’s Special” which is sausage with pepperoni, green peppers, mushrooms. I don’t judge people based on the pizza they love bc in many cases that’s likely what they ate growing up and it’s now comfort food in an adult life. It’s not bad but nothing beats tavern style Chicago thin, as that's what I grew up on. All that said I thought the meatball grinder was a slam dunk. I ordered it the same way as the pizza sans pepperoni and it was an all star quality meatball sandwich. Lots of the old school pizzerias do these up really well and Volcano is no exception. Open since 1957.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhn5Kk0cFRioLgjihXWiOOD9mi__g22NkBHVHMJptLkeUseepEAKcHgbCUJ1gth6-k7MtUV6L5XbafhdW_9NEOF6ObyF0CAqXuE4wm8yZBABXorPDTwpEgQTHqfM-ev8HUP-n9JN6pAQE3Lna2MEY9mQFu-SFgkSaaBlnmRHEPk9CksFyu7fIavz4GYUK-M/s4032/IMG_8130.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhn5Kk0cFRioLgjihXWiOOD9mi__g22NkBHVHMJptLkeUseepEAKcHgbCUJ1gth6-k7MtUV6L5XbafhdW_9NEOF6ObyF0CAqXuE4wm8yZBABXorPDTwpEgQTHqfM-ev8HUP-n9JN6pAQE3Lna2MEY9mQFu-SFgkSaaBlnmRHEPk9CksFyu7fIavz4GYUK-M/w400-h300/IMG_8130.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Meatball Grinder at Volcano Pizza</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWn7mPtnNzMcZJkFsiNtBn6C-lI6andSprosrMFeC1w53QkrIKHciLPxlW2U4tJYuAAN-kcrcrQCB0pCcDUR85WdiInDMUGpZkWsn3fit5SvpyN-0BdHtfk1hOtPdyqQKl7C9jeZw6_bhJEDLEwlDgENgaR-V_e24TXdc1pV0ZhdKuAykIWDNheZu1Y7SW/s4032/IMG_8077.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWn7mPtnNzMcZJkFsiNtBn6C-lI6andSprosrMFeC1w53QkrIKHciLPxlW2U4tJYuAAN-kcrcrQCB0pCcDUR85WdiInDMUGpZkWsn3fit5SvpyN-0BdHtfk1hOtPdyqQKl7C9jeZw6_bhJEDLEwlDgENgaR-V_e24TXdc1pV0ZhdKuAykIWDNheZu1Y7SW/w400-h300/IMG_8077.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">The Volcano Special at Volcano Pizza <br /><span face="Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif" style="background-color: #141414; color: white; font-size: 13px;">_______________________________________</span><br style="color: white; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;" /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdazu_d53ubJ7CsG76h2qmnDYrnS8yoqWJai0fsPLy-KwgpZKmY1i2oHJSHJ7Qo3WtmxfTEzzOz762J7KeuDEhF7iAr9PA-dkPQA0fYnb5r5Zy5WLQnfur1wgAfk6qvHPb7Lqioth_kaLWllgSQMto9scnBZZqn5yvQ2gZVf-v8JzfxYRnHDtK-ZfbA7FX/s4032/IMG_8016.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdazu_d53ubJ7CsG76h2qmnDYrnS8yoqWJai0fsPLy-KwgpZKmY1i2oHJSHJ7Qo3WtmxfTEzzOz762J7KeuDEhF7iAr9PA-dkPQA0fYnb5r5Zy5WLQnfur1wgAfk6qvHPb7Lqioth_kaLWllgSQMto9scnBZZqn5yvQ2gZVf-v8JzfxYRnHDtK-ZfbA7FX/w400-h300/IMG_8016.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>Vanilla Bean Creamery (Elkhart)</b></div><br />I walked by this inviting ice cream parlor housed in a beautifully restored building on Elkhart’s Main Street and just had to stop in for some ice cream. Vanilla Bean Creamery makes hand crafted ice cream in small batches which means they have some creative flavors like their Amish Peanut Butter which I thought was really good. They do seasonal flavors too. Next time I might bring a cooler. <br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbSXECzwM8rWQSN31_8HwWBth6QYxtUsPl5rOBWslPt96dgrsF9CTewmayaH438iZs-Z5v78p-asyuF2qc5BFTSLlaBjro9LDRdQm9V3wdhiJMrE1YI9KZFjdv3efAGDP3aKtnC4SaJUEcfzZrP6BPK5Z0Fqr-ftpebujwKrufO8R-3JQ4AThMAe1E1xtN/s4032/IMG_8023.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbSXECzwM8rWQSN31_8HwWBth6QYxtUsPl5rOBWslPt96dgrsF9CTewmayaH438iZs-Z5v78p-asyuF2qc5BFTSLlaBjro9LDRdQm9V3wdhiJMrE1YI9KZFjdv3efAGDP3aKtnC4SaJUEcfzZrP6BPK5Z0Fqr-ftpebujwKrufO8R-3JQ4AThMAe1E1xtN/w400-h300/IMG_8023.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Amish Peanut Butter ice cream at Vanilla Bean Creamery<br /><span face="Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif" style="background-color: #141414; color: white; font-size: 13px;">_______________________________________</span><br style="color: white; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;" /> </div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6GmmaNvX9l7czEF-KQbXnNpLKmH3k3R7MVOyaeDMsAAm1m8iCfGbKmFbyb4yyleaKApZ3nEZ4vAOfstjjg69GfcBhRABlkMYzPG3iFo7ZRKgC3nRZJLh464GHzfmOKprHOY55l9vAQ8VLLYN0eH51mGvHPh9AgNy0HixfklREQIASW_Kwk7yEwMbJfTzh/s4032/IMG_7927.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6GmmaNvX9l7czEF-KQbXnNpLKmH3k3R7MVOyaeDMsAAm1m8iCfGbKmFbyb4yyleaKApZ3nEZ4vAOfstjjg69GfcBhRABlkMYzPG3iFo7ZRKgC3nRZJLh464GHzfmOKprHOY55l9vAQ8VLLYN0eH51mGvHPh9AgNy0HixfklREQIASW_Kwk7yEwMbJfTzh/w400-h300/IMG_7927.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>Olympia Candy Kitchen (Goshen)</b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div>I finally got a chance to try the one and only Nut Olive Sandwich at Olympia Candy Kitchen last Fall. This is the type of place that takes you back to another era as soon as you step inside. The Nut Olive sandwich is their one of a kind concoction consisting of chopped cashews and sliced green olives with lettuce and mayo on toasted white bread. Nobody is exactly sure how the sandwich ended up on the menu but it’s been on there for a really long time. Almost as long as the business itself which is still in its original location dating back to 1912 when it opened shop as a confectionary. The dining counter came about 20 years after that and it has remained virtually unchanged ever since then. So how was the sandwich? I liked it although I havent really had any craves for another. I have had craves for a classic chocolate phosphate like the one from here. The chocolate turtles are also great. <br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitlvb32TeN5B-BAkHFrhZoTw-m16bK8c4xPJRV2tbgIrlIa3TSjX2yBq7AGPFgYOz2kHES_-qjx8ULRZ7jfBz64CGPGjOx9aQ-gPnzKZJdQXbGwhCgXmQ7I6Yp_7uyZrW8FahutxufMU_CPHXbipgLigIi63wwfVsa5VIq29bu8sKWRo9OVSzoJAcu3NSl/s4032/IMG_7864.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitlvb32TeN5B-BAkHFrhZoTw-m16bK8c4xPJRV2tbgIrlIa3TSjX2yBq7AGPFgYOz2kHES_-qjx8ULRZ7jfBz64CGPGjOx9aQ-gPnzKZJdQXbGwhCgXmQ7I6Yp_7uyZrW8FahutxufMU_CPHXbipgLigIi63wwfVsa5VIq29bu8sKWRo9OVSzoJAcu3NSl/w400-h300/IMG_7864.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Nut Olive Sandwich at Olympia Candy Kitchen <br /><span face="Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif" style="background-color: #141414; color: white; font-size: 13px;">_______________________________________</span><br style="color: white; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;" /></div><div><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizr9mPUJ86leMtWHOxX2rJiZGhjAjAQfGf8Q3Gq9iObkoBdzkv0-Bseq3KIJTu2lAZESiyGO8JZP5-2gGwmBsfAf6W0HmE0Jb2AQcnTz5z86_UWS7tiU13HCd9V1uuVzMRsrB-LXj0PQmJz2AZcEEkZd4Kbv8L8lnflM5YI9jacNCkVBttcGyThIN97VtG/s4032/IMG_7964.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizr9mPUJ86leMtWHOxX2rJiZGhjAjAQfGf8Q3Gq9iObkoBdzkv0-Bseq3KIJTu2lAZESiyGO8JZP5-2gGwmBsfAf6W0HmE0Jb2AQcnTz5z86_UWS7tiU13HCd9V1uuVzMRsrB-LXj0PQmJz2AZcEEkZd4Kbv8L8lnflM5YI9jacNCkVBttcGyThIN97VtG/w400-h300/IMG_7964.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>Rise 'n Roll Bakery (Middlebury)</b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div>If you grew up in Indiana’s Amish country you’ve likely started your day with a donut from Rise ‘n Roll Bakery at some point in life. They have 16 Indiana locations with the red-roofed original located along Indiana 20 in between Middlebury and Shipshewana getting visits from more than 100 tour buses a year. On a busy day, employees they sell 12,500 doughnuts at locations in South Bend, Mishawaka, Nappanee, Fort Wayne and so forth. It was founded in 2001 by a local Amish couple who have grown their little business known for their signature cinnamon caramel donuts into a regional powerhouse. I always make sure to stop by and get some if I’m in the area. One of the Midwest's best donuts.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigkXzXiV3sUkl2AuMTDGRDlnAS9T8-GvmhZUjVWRSBLYJMjdPD4b5liCIotrHJDxvDEvuo00n497-xFPDO_tQiTt6b07heppWZ2rDKdizifpGp8TbLOFnMfcW63K-Ymc1JlplqwS4KlFWnXMvRZwxmRJunU2f56NMjvzuNFsMBMEYMcd9N6YiTd-YbsZbq/s4032/IMG_7967.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigkXzXiV3sUkl2AuMTDGRDlnAS9T8-GvmhZUjVWRSBLYJMjdPD4b5liCIotrHJDxvDEvuo00n497-xFPDO_tQiTt6b07heppWZ2rDKdizifpGp8TbLOFnMfcW63K-Ymc1JlplqwS4KlFWnXMvRZwxmRJunU2f56NMjvzuNFsMBMEYMcd9N6YiTd-YbsZbq/w400-h300/IMG_7967.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Cinnamon Caramel Donuts at Rise 'n Roll Bakery <br /><span face="Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif" style="background-color: #141414; color: white; font-size: 13px;">_______________________________________</span><br style="color: white; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;" /></div><div><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjp1toJw4I0DTPUxI5p44gM6M2Ya_6qavLdCzzyR0GeXsIUvXEl3c2fX55lm7imKc06xY_kXU1qUQyXiDaEw-0JiUtbc8r0nnxTeh92qKksl_ndieDtvxJq8RdgvfV0mpgZdPhTH0JU_0WH9Wr07xXqyqwCL6nHQ3DDFvYDcIF-LTLYdktMkoSpvxNvPNt4/s4000/IMG_6605.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjp1toJw4I0DTPUxI5p44gM6M2Ya_6qavLdCzzyR0GeXsIUvXEl3c2fX55lm7imKc06xY_kXU1qUQyXiDaEw-0JiUtbc8r0nnxTeh92qKksl_ndieDtvxJq8RdgvfV0mpgZdPhTH0JU_0WH9Wr07xXqyqwCL6nHQ3DDFvYDcIF-LTLYdktMkoSpvxNvPNt4/w400-h300/IMG_6605.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>Wana Cup Restaurant (Shipshewana)</b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div>I stopped into the Wana Cup for a quick lunch at least five years ago. I was taking a cruise through Amish country and decided to stop for some root beer which they make there. I also got a classic Beef Manhattan which is a popular Midwest comfort food said to be named after a similar constructed sandwich that some Navy guys tried in New York. So the story goes the Manhattan sandwich was a popular menu item at a now defunct Indianapolis deli during the 1940's. As time went by it became a regional food staple of the state. It's a stick to your ribs dish of mashed potatoes, roast beef, gravy and bread served open faced. Wana Cup seemed to be one of those small town spots that does alot of scratch cooking but the gravy came from a can so it's not going to win any best in-state awards. <br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEio8cNeh-HR-BeC1eN9NnG2sAUUZKj87yvzT6O0bz46_4oX8jA6gB0Q4DqjnAzyTMjc5FQobRGZsntB-U5gLcwM3T3GufrpLgSrmCO_Z7lSSp45fZqLLnz2rMDu8zxAn193tqmuzEjV25RVgU5zXVcfQGk-AVcLUsws0zZdM2W_pNbvFh18lITqR_p150Lx/s4000/IMG_6598.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEio8cNeh-HR-BeC1eN9NnG2sAUUZKj87yvzT6O0bz46_4oX8jA6gB0Q4DqjnAzyTMjc5FQobRGZsntB-U5gLcwM3T3GufrpLgSrmCO_Z7lSSp45fZqLLnz2rMDu8zxAn193tqmuzEjV25RVgU5zXVcfQGk-AVcLUsws0zZdM2W_pNbvFh18lITqR_p150Lx/w400-h300/IMG_6598.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Manhattan Sandwich at Wana Cup Restaurant <br /><span face="Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif" style="background-color: #141414; color: white; font-size: 13px;">_______________________________________<br /></span><br /><b><a href="http://chibbqking.blogspot.com/2013/10/return-to-amish-indiana.html">Return to Amish Indiana (Oct. 2013)</a></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /><b>See ya next time <a href="https://www.instagram.com/chibbqking/">@chibbqking</a></b><br /></div>KingThttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05368411195212070782noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7759763120880236446.post-74307840123135076222023-10-02T08:05:00.026-05:002023-10-05T14:39:29.262-05:00Diego<p><span face="Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif" style="background-color: black; color: white; font-size: 13px;"><span face=""trebuchet ms", trebuchet, verdana, sans-serif" style="font-size: 23px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 20.7969px;">-Grubbing in Chicago</span><span face=""trebuchet ms", trebuchet, verdana, sans-serif" style="line-height: 20.7969px;"> </span></span><span face="Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif" style="background-color: black; color: white; font-size: 13px;"><span face=""trebuchet ms", trebuchet, verdana, sans-serif" style="font-size: 17px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 20.7969px;"> <br /></span></span><span face="Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif" style="background-color: black; color: white; font-size: 17px; font-weight: bold;">Baja Cuisine in West Town</span></p><p>The food of Baja California is hot right now. You needn’t look any further than our own hometown where a handful of Baja inspired spots have opened up shop in the last year or so. Today we visit Diego, the newest project from Chefs Stephen Sandoval and Oscar Sotelo. If those names sound familiar, they’re the guys behind Suenos which was in residency at Soho House for a bit. Diego is it’s sister spot - a casual Baja inspired watering hole which debuted this past summer. It’s located in West Town, down the block from another <a href="http://chibbqking.blogspot.com/2023/07/big-star-mariscos.html">Baja influenced spot</a>. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzlf_9jOHD153Oy_XKOAb2E7VQ3d3hcsaZYosBEGH2lDniyXhjoxfuystJg_ECapp1wegyhnR8UvhvQsLKFQLtfyqaAj8exjG7xEbx-OnFIU6r0kxny4UZCylQCLStnGQtOS1CKVDpuPAaNkTe2i8BHPpu-QXDdjrNrIOefxC5DRZDc3R_rc7qHt_6GfOm/s4032/IMG_8751.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzlf_9jOHD153Oy_XKOAb2E7VQ3d3hcsaZYosBEGH2lDniyXhjoxfuystJg_ECapp1wegyhnR8UvhvQsLKFQLtfyqaAj8exjG7xEbx-OnFIU6r0kxny4UZCylQCLStnGQtOS1CKVDpuPAaNkTe2i8BHPpu-QXDdjrNrIOefxC5DRZDc3R_rc7qHt_6GfOm/w400-h300/IMG_8751.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Newly Opened in West Town </div><p>Diego traces its roots to the coast of Northern Baja, Mexico, located just south of San Diego. Chef Sandoval, a San Diego native, grew up immersed in the regions street food scene and it very much stuck with him over the years. Diego is his ode to an area that’s a hub of culinary innovation thanks to Spanish colonial and Japanese influences plus an influx of tourists during Prohibition. You’ll find Baja classics like the Baja fish taco which is said to have a Japanese ancestry due to the arrival of Japanese fisherman during the 50’s. Locally caught fish is dipped into a tempura like batter before being deep fried to a golden crisp. Diego does a pretty good version although it was a bit small compared to the fish tacos you’ll find throughout Baja. My biggest complaint about this place, or at least my visit, can be traced back to the tortillas. They seem to make their own or source them from someone other than the usual suspects around town which is nice. But the problem was they were room temp and bordering on cold which hurt the overall quality. The ingredients inside the tortillas were all warm but the tortillas themselves were not. It’s an easy fix that’s likely already been taking care of so I don’t think it’s reason enough to tell you to stay away. Especially if you want more than just the typical offerings when it comes to Mexican food and tacos in particular. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5ZcucH80klARsZIN-MtbSdwUuiFAMDDdRFbHzaUo8AzpSf78awpJcNW_Avp8ZNZ3HGsWrlf432akjw7c5UM_24PjdbvEnLdUq38c75_lRg-15Sgyyl2dE4tXjJQkYkb1wp6sp_ZgELODd4EyiagElu_PWjY9IB_Td8tUHCxnLC9XRMt7EXQM_Nhxa_SGr/s4032/IMG_8721.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5ZcucH80klARsZIN-MtbSdwUuiFAMDDdRFbHzaUo8AzpSf78awpJcNW_Avp8ZNZ3HGsWrlf432akjw7c5UM_24PjdbvEnLdUq38c75_lRg-15Sgyyl2dE4tXjJQkYkb1wp6sp_ZgELODd4EyiagElu_PWjY9IB_Td8tUHCxnLC9XRMt7EXQM_Nhxa_SGr/w400-h300/IMG_8721.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Baja Fish Taco at Diego<br /><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiu2otNEfoBG5E8z3j1Z7gWyU5XlTNFFMGMVgmUc54EY1cCJgmIZBJzfAioV_eQTwwxboPS6nYulugqgG-TzEfeoYeQ7E-pW5bm6O7K283F5-5wyYBW-YEocfb-64zIeS8JM0b2ipQjiKvCN2nyfE5YbdPW3W05sf2n74FwiHSIM839j4x1Q2EtkHjoLal-/s4032/IMG_8701.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiu2otNEfoBG5E8z3j1Z7gWyU5XlTNFFMGMVgmUc54EY1cCJgmIZBJzfAioV_eQTwwxboPS6nYulugqgG-TzEfeoYeQ7E-pW5bm6O7K283F5-5wyYBW-YEocfb-64zIeS8JM0b2ipQjiKvCN2nyfE5YbdPW3W05sf2n74FwiHSIM839j4x1Q2EtkHjoLal-/w400-h300/IMG_8701.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Taco Gobernador </div><div><p>They also make a gobernador taco which is a regional specialty from Sinaloa that’s popular in Baja. Sauteed shrimp gets mixed with melted cheese, onions and peppers as once requested by a former governor of Sinaloas wife, or so the origin story goes. Diego’s take is more of a taco de costra de camaron as the cheese is crisped up on a hot flattop and rolled up with the shrimp and peppers and onion inside of it (costra = crust). My favorite of the those we tried were the tacos dorados (crispy tacos) which come stuffed with potato and dressed with a salsa cruda. They hit the right notes as far as flavor and texture and since they were fried to order they were still hot when delivered to the table. The tuna tostada is also constructed really well with fresh, firm slices of raw yellowfin tuna and sliced avocado plus a luscious salsa macha on a warm and crisp tostada shell.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilfI-rIzgm506YDYskxFIEk_65pgoEhV2pcxLEsWjezYGd_C_S0rthUX0AZaFvekvaFa9piqCVIM0eRNK9Y_C-I1tSoRmQeEb6wdGNby9HYAW-dPSu8UG5RFlKcPpOSoj0L4cno4dwVcwrK4vXnseXHmfJzEXsodhoBnaeIfiG3yaY9pofbAnZlm8ZDH_6/s4032/IMG_8727.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilfI-rIzgm506YDYskxFIEk_65pgoEhV2pcxLEsWjezYGd_C_S0rthUX0AZaFvekvaFa9piqCVIM0eRNK9Y_C-I1tSoRmQeEb6wdGNby9HYAW-dPSu8UG5RFlKcPpOSoj0L4cno4dwVcwrK4vXnseXHmfJzEXsodhoBnaeIfiG3yaY9pofbAnZlm8ZDH_6/w400-h300/IMG_8727.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Tacos Dorados </div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhImIEjPM99FthEBRHl6TWrW2AVEiDTsH6nG0T-6D4x0MiGevjNb0dmebD6MpSV6jEh8NwtIlw_C9nW9pcMunyCgraRMbXAncPsk-EJzELt-9kE37NZrsM5MeQwBb1Wp5-Q9nnVIxC860Crn65wgjxwPoRQNVJHZEIATZhpHMSlKoUZDYY7kJUUY67E-OUK/s4032/IMG_8683.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhImIEjPM99FthEBRHl6TWrW2AVEiDTsH6nG0T-6D4x0MiGevjNb0dmebD6MpSV6jEh8NwtIlw_C9nW9pcMunyCgraRMbXAncPsk-EJzELt-9kE37NZrsM5MeQwBb1Wp5-Q9nnVIxC860Crn65wgjxwPoRQNVJHZEIATZhpHMSlKoUZDYY7kJUUY67E-OUK/w400-h300/IMG_8683.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Tuna Tostada at Diego </div><p>The California style burritos might be the best thing on the menu at Diego. Toasted flour tortillas are stuffed with your choice of steak and or shrimp along with avocado, fries, and crema. It’s a regional favorite of Southern California surfers and stoners alike. This one is on the smaller side but it’s by no means a small amount of food. Both the red and the green salsas are worthy of usage with the red being a semi spicy smoky blend and the green being tangy with a bit of a kick. I’m all in on this Baja California food trend that’s taking off in Chicago and I’m also in on Diego which is probably the best of the bunch thus far, though there’s always room for improvement. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBy2qD-ykb944Z6PuJS7OZ__AWCv8m1uQAlaX1Q42imr6wTjCLyRaU6bD55hr1hSTnqsblP65JXvRKV2-4fKuCFNuNRERmrQpAIQMMKQS0-cLYO_OVTsqbqS7K2QkTSSXGLnxxGio5FpQQLIzTkSCR54JXSMcTokObFkDa4j_YFmAqBVLM5_Det59urac6/s4032/IMG_4398.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBy2qD-ykb944Z6PuJS7OZ__AWCv8m1uQAlaX1Q42imr6wTjCLyRaU6bD55hr1hSTnqsblP65JXvRKV2-4fKuCFNuNRERmrQpAIQMMKQS0-cLYO_OVTsqbqS7K2QkTSSXGLnxxGio5FpQQLIzTkSCR54JXSMcTokObFkDa4j_YFmAqBVLM5_Det59urac6/w400-h300/IMG_4398.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">California Burrito </div><br />Diego <br />459 N Ogden Ave<br />Chicago, IL 60642 <br />(312) 291-8449<br /><a href="https://www.diegochicago.com/">Website</a></div>KingThttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05368411195212070782noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7759763120880236446.post-69034434628888225782023-09-25T11:30:00.010-05:002023-12-11T19:39:39.518-06:00Five of a Kind: Samosas <p><span face="Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif" style="background-color: black; color: white; font-size: 13px;"><span face=""trebuchet ms", trebuchet, verdana, sans-serif" style="font-size: 23px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 20.7969px;">-Grubbing in Chicago</span><span face=""trebuchet ms", trebuchet, verdana, sans-serif" style="line-height: 20.7969px;"> </span></span><span face="Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif" style="background-color: black; color: white; font-size: 13px;"><span face=""trebuchet ms", trebuchet, verdana, sans-serif" style="font-size: 17px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 20.7969px;"> <br /></span></span><span face="Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif" style="background-color: black; color: white; font-size: 17px; font-weight: bold;">Samosas on Devon</span></p><p>The samosa is one of South Asia's most popular snacks. It’s said they can be traced back to Central Asia and the Middle East where Arab cookbooks from as far back as the 10th century referred to triangle shaped pastries as 'sanbusak,' derived from the Persian term 'Sanbosag’. According to Amir Khusro, a scholar and the royal poet of the Delhi Sultanate, samosas were introduced to the Muslim Delhi Sultanate of South Asia in the early 1300s. Cooks came to Central Asia from the Middle East and worked the kitchens of the Sultan, where nobles and princes enjoyed the newly introduced samosa. From there they gained popularity in other countries like Burma, Kenya, South Africa and Somalia. Pakistani style samosas are my favorite from the samosa family tree. They tend to be a smaller (and cheaper) than their Indian counterparts and are often filled with a spicy mix of ground beef (or lamb) as opposed to potato. A variation is found in Karachi called the Kaghazi samosa which translates to “paper samosa” due to the wrapper being thin and crispy like a spring-roll. I went over to Devon in search of the city’s best Pakistani style samosas and this is what I found... <br /></p><div style="text-align: center;"><span face="Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif" style="background-color: #141414; color: white; font-size: 13px;">_______________________________________<br /><br /></span></div><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWGQXgB6FAodMzaCEWawiD8eqAV417WF8EOgrWcf1DXqIAN0_cGGSQ0UjGUxlW49D3q502WQSI4P8hISr_zKmHpHbTFHJQgobSEyfMJBpoSbLx8MGKzCMSSHd_Fulc4HnR_wOupJ8TprkIa7uErg4n0_jN1E3g1n70MinjVqHE8gEypl1SucOaDlgjR61X/s4032/IMG_0834.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWGQXgB6FAodMzaCEWawiD8eqAV417WF8EOgrWcf1DXqIAN0_cGGSQ0UjGUxlW49D3q502WQSI4P8hISr_zKmHpHbTFHJQgobSEyfMJBpoSbLx8MGKzCMSSHd_Fulc4HnR_wOupJ8TprkIa7uErg4n0_jN1E3g1n70MinjVqHE8gEypl1SucOaDlgjR61X/w400-h300/IMG_0834.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>Ghareeb Nawaz </b></div><p>This is probably the city’s most well known Pakistani restaurant. It’s also one of the best bang for your buck dining destinations in town. They always have a big tray of samosas sitting by the register. When fresh out the fryer they’re some of the crispiest and crunchiest in town but that’s not always the case as they make a large amount which can sit for an extended period. But when piping hot they’re as good as they get in Chicago. The meat has a very nice spice profile though the sauce is a bit lacking. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUdJTyPrKtuRYf_892F2TRY5Q5h-ToLK2aEONFwBvwfsSPYNkRxAXxyojEHBeiQOnx9e4SAdMKITSbWyVNpOdrr3fsi4Z2l2CYZGajsAL_yPUYWz4b4NHCWMdrzT4IJxZCVflEVUSL_IhGIuNvytf3_iAHClUjsMN8TSfczhd6eUdygH6sHUcMpqSgHdw3/s4032/IMG_3689.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUdJTyPrKtuRYf_892F2TRY5Q5h-ToLK2aEONFwBvwfsSPYNkRxAXxyojEHBeiQOnx9e4SAdMKITSbWyVNpOdrr3fsi4Z2l2CYZGajsAL_yPUYWz4b4NHCWMdrzT4IJxZCVflEVUSL_IhGIuNvytf3_iAHClUjsMN8TSfczhd6eUdygH6sHUcMpqSgHdw3/w400-h300/IMG_3689.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Samosas at Ghareeb Nawaz<br /><span face="Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif" style="background-color: #141414; color: white; font-size: 13px;">_______________________________________<br /><br /><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8boc5Pklu16oITirUny7peUwAo7FSTSKLsxx-PpyZpwitD0IAoQmpilTmQq7gNF9qaSOARNTLowxQTd3-b3s1o42vxokkT5g9rUAidUrxXJzoO8FVoIipmSPSjNSPTSWGZKQ5Q75BkQaAjN8VINIzNLrHx2cf17Q9n6m9844bpbgXESGQuEEml1b5WIv_/s4032/IMG_4883.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8boc5Pklu16oITirUny7peUwAo7FSTSKLsxx-PpyZpwitD0IAoQmpilTmQq7gNF9qaSOARNTLowxQTd3-b3s1o42vxokkT5g9rUAidUrxXJzoO8FVoIipmSPSjNSPTSWGZKQ5Q75BkQaAjN8VINIzNLrHx2cf17Q9n6m9844bpbgXESGQuEEml1b5WIv_/w400-h300/IMG_4883.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>Tahoora Sweets & Bakery </b></div><p>Tahoora is a popular stop for Pakistani and Indian treats. They also have a full menu of savory options including samosas. These were perhaps the fattest of the bunch with the meat having a good kick and the shells nice and crisp. They give you packets of sauce which get the job done but I still prefer the spots that make their sauces on site. Also if you’re looking for sweet samosas this is your spot. <br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijEymW7dPcICJst5uRh5HXBaRV3lZeybeJduLVD9aVc9ZsYGzOpUtXRHkZ29EoLArmV22MkSsWA1yTWToSoFZkOfMrcLkiAkcrcxlAVlLkoudKeHYzkP9iSkbE89zfsVJ6Hc9E3c075deEEu-faiWXKjbYIXlEfcErRWGWEblvOcK1eiKKlTBRx8pgraqB/s4032/IMG_4901.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijEymW7dPcICJst5uRh5HXBaRV3lZeybeJduLVD9aVc9ZsYGzOpUtXRHkZ29EoLArmV22MkSsWA1yTWToSoFZkOfMrcLkiAkcrcxlAVlLkoudKeHYzkP9iSkbE89zfsVJ6Hc9E3c075deEEu-faiWXKjbYIXlEfcErRWGWEblvOcK1eiKKlTBRx8pgraqB/w400-h300/IMG_4901.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Samosas at Tahoora Sweets & Bakery <br /><span face="Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif" style="background-color: #141414; color: white; font-size: 13px;">_______________________________________<br /><br /><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2gNhGrMY4AwSRvxytMq_aoEytXiJB_eBVg6EqJP5ezViZOsT0wcfO3QZBoRHD_U1QAs0G0-clRo0Q8hpgar5ZBkSRoouDKiNcCrmXGZg_beK7wK7z-jKLUCab0rBWwpJm7binfjRjF8rmhzTEOqZiwDeygaTaTF8OlxakrlaJoMorc72PQZZa0LFGq6dX/s4032/IMG_0786.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2gNhGrMY4AwSRvxytMq_aoEytXiJB_eBVg6EqJP5ezViZOsT0wcfO3QZBoRHD_U1QAs0G0-clRo0Q8hpgar5ZBkSRoouDKiNcCrmXGZg_beK7wK7z-jKLUCab0rBWwpJm7binfjRjF8rmhzTEOqZiwDeygaTaTF8OlxakrlaJoMorc72PQZZa0LFGq6dX/w400-h300/IMG_0786.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>Pak Sweets</b></div><p>Here's another spot where one can score all sorts of treats, both sweet and savory and some good sandwiches too (stay tuned). Breakfast is also popular here. The samosas are very good but a little different from the previous spots in that the filling is beef and vegetables. The neon green sauce served with them is what makes these stand out. It’s got real pop in terms of South Asian flavors. <br /></p><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBGs7JtpMSoMkX-ZHmAtXdAtdd2tlh1QfOOMiNNCJkra2FZCjkM0A_L4EMvx7h8xmRu9vRYh0SRShwFNdi0aipm5bRndX3hVIEpKeHv7LB3ob5TiRZVErVEVnCXjaubF-dH3bGCLGBBgirhzQy61At-2wbhF4KH4EqayT4odxASel0-R82xPif4W4MfQb6/s4032/IMG_0801.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBGs7JtpMSoMkX-ZHmAtXdAtdd2tlh1QfOOMiNNCJkra2FZCjkM0A_L4EMvx7h8xmRu9vRYh0SRShwFNdi0aipm5bRndX3hVIEpKeHv7LB3ob5TiRZVErVEVnCXjaubF-dH3bGCLGBBgirhzQy61At-2wbhF4KH4EqayT4odxASel0-R82xPif4W4MfQb6/w400-h300/IMG_0801.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Samosas at Pak Sweets <br /><span face="Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif" style="background-color: #141414; color: white; font-size: 13px;">_______________________________________</span></div><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLRVgawrlGmN6XDvzdwylPmoqAOR-1x_Dk8HblL35QdFWCV5jVR8efuzSvNWLyn7hKx1x2WNZYFBtsF_KCceklFYdpmNouZ14CtBnVIMicP6X0JooJtOkJQ5ONGP5nvq1gDgdmuQ7mG5LC58z-O-QnVs-9_NiBeTcJNkuQ6182On2vKshzfltXsofe_wAv/s4032/IMG_3058.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLRVgawrlGmN6XDvzdwylPmoqAOR-1x_Dk8HblL35QdFWCV5jVR8efuzSvNWLyn7hKx1x2WNZYFBtsF_KCceklFYdpmNouZ14CtBnVIMicP6X0JooJtOkJQ5ONGP5nvq1gDgdmuQ7mG5LC58z-O-QnVs-9_NiBeTcJNkuQ6182On2vKshzfltXsofe_wAv/w400-h300/IMG_3058.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>Makkah Cafe</b></div><br />This place is located right off of Devon on Claremont. I visited in the evening so there were no samosas ready to go like all the other spots but the friendly young lady who was working there happily made me a couple of fresh ones. Fresh is always better and these were on point as far as crispness goes. Inside is a heavily seasoned beef and although these were a tad bit dryer than the others they came with a very tasty yogurt cilantro sauce that kind of hides some of that dryness. <p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjw0JYklwcC-YQL4EY6l-mvYhPDyrYSGioRHSeWV_icHo9Pu6oVaJoI4J_0hETaAEnxsxwITRim_JI8oo0wqG21ZBi5oKKy4j_z447djqZjk4Oj0XFwvZl1x9qsUoW2vTfCnntJZVaY9TKB69vBeeqbanXCxAXzW-Sc2jldqba1VziuyG3OjOefLt1x9UCG/s4032/IMG_3089.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjw0JYklwcC-YQL4EY6l-mvYhPDyrYSGioRHSeWV_icHo9Pu6oVaJoI4J_0hETaAEnxsxwITRim_JI8oo0wqG21ZBi5oKKy4j_z447djqZjk4Oj0XFwvZl1x9qsUoW2vTfCnntJZVaY9TKB69vBeeqbanXCxAXzW-Sc2jldqba1VziuyG3OjOefLt1x9UCG/w400-h300/IMG_3089.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Samosas at Makkah Cafe <br /><span face="Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif" style="background-color: #141414; color: white; font-size: 13px;">_______________________________________</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFe-DLIo7fgESuexe6uKmZ29PzW42SAEJbbrrTY12VnLlnrJ9i0g8E04pEx29ZPa-9EzIGe3tzO64tusna80QGvmDn1z_yyyEMRcHQGiIM5nsOPb-qpLpOl9vpH_5yv4XEv6L6mDCLH7iuXb4_AG3dzGCK3dZ71LNas3GDp9QFrpz50MMQUGfMpo4qExon/s4032/IMG_6280.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFe-DLIo7fgESuexe6uKmZ29PzW42SAEJbbrrTY12VnLlnrJ9i0g8E04pEx29ZPa-9EzIGe3tzO64tusna80QGvmDn1z_yyyEMRcHQGiIM5nsOPb-qpLpOl9vpH_5yv4XEv6L6mDCLH7iuXb4_AG3dzGCK3dZ71LNas3GDp9QFrpz50MMQUGfMpo4qExon/w400-h300/IMG_6280.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b>Ajwaah Sweets</b></div><p>Ajwaah makes my favorite samosas on Devon. At just $1 each it’s not a surprise to find the filling is only about half ground beef and half greens but it's a fragrant spicing that makes them. I also like how they give you both a green and red dipping sauce. The red is a sweet and sour while the green is a cilantro and mint based chutney. Get there early bc when they’re gone they’re gone for the day.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwY0E4C30jsKNllg-cojpy5A0yXUM84jSvoi662sUE9kccGzRqF0ZxhVDZ2m42UI5gudkliv-72-hDfW5by82nbHxMYmR7LTrI0yqh_NDYTU3fTrm67D4fZONMmfE2UeMWtQvH51UpHlLJdS0syI_4-hJKsgvSVVQyAJky_e5FhrVPqhu8iqZOsYNHxK7h/s4032/IMG_6279.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwY0E4C30jsKNllg-cojpy5A0yXUM84jSvoi662sUE9kccGzRqF0ZxhVDZ2m42UI5gudkliv-72-hDfW5by82nbHxMYmR7LTrI0yqh_NDYTU3fTrm67D4fZONMmfE2UeMWtQvH51UpHlLJdS0syI_4-hJKsgvSVVQyAJky_e5FhrVPqhu8iqZOsYNHxK7h/w400-h300/IMG_6279.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Samosas at Ajwaah Sweets <br /><span face="Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif" style="background-color: #141414; color: white; font-size: 13px;">_______________________________________<br /><br /></span><b>See ya next time <a href="https://www.instagram.com/chibbqking/">@chibbqking</a></b></div>KingThttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05368411195212070782noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7759763120880236446.post-39279474233750143022023-09-18T12:00:00.007-05:002023-09-20T11:40:29.330-05:00Eating BIG in Minneapolis (and beyond)<p><span face="Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif" style="background-color: #141414; color: white; font-size: 23.4px; font-weight: bold;">Eating like a local:<br /></span><span face="Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif" style="background-color: #141414; color: white; font-size: 13px; font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-size: 23.4px;">Regional food specialties<br /></span></span><span face="Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif" style="background-color: #141414; color: white; font-size: 13px; font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-size: medium;">- Exploring the North Star State</span></span></p><p>I took an end of the summer road-trip up to the Minneapolis area at the end of August. The purpose of this trip was to soak up as much summer as possible and I chose this part of the Midwest due to two things. I would be able to do some outdoor stuff and also get some good food. Minnesota has lot to offer from an outdoor perspective and Minneapolis just might be the second best food city in all of the Midwest. I listed it third behind Chicago and Detroit but second place could go either way in that one. I hadn't visited the Twin Cities since 2016 so it had been awhile and it had been even longer since I had visited in the summer which is the best time to go for obvious reasons. Here's where we ate... </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3LHkp-kf10vkInDWZgS4iex8oKRX2z1piBJnmLe-khWUqsFH_suok3xBP8qGcFo5oLGG9IyMUxCnJOcscYlSqaGikKaxm78GE7AXNm_P5KKwSCiwgCO8ZUWvQ0OLWiuEzAs_kjMndPXVFlVEWcLcHrCFHimo1oLw6Gd9iOk_6Z-vl1CKlFC2kdWQwcdSL/s4032/IMG_0982.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3LHkp-kf10vkInDWZgS4iex8oKRX2z1piBJnmLe-khWUqsFH_suok3xBP8qGcFo5oLGG9IyMUxCnJOcscYlSqaGikKaxm78GE7AXNm_P5KKwSCiwgCO8ZUWvQ0OLWiuEzAs_kjMndPXVFlVEWcLcHrCFHimo1oLw6Gd9iOk_6Z-vl1CKlFC2kdWQwcdSL/s320/IMG_0982.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_whuPZIVsnTbv8SxSWSWwm7_CQqzC-hayc_hjiHTZM_ovuuVeblt1oQULba5pV2IyRhMb3NygERj7Qlu7tWwu_gPtG2Dl2fXFMutzNieN2yDxewIHycslZCVyc2RTllItOpapkRGGQN9-4a7tWjfK9_fBv6LAWqaVTm5uGNl55EVbK4oQPQOkcdacqZ77/s4032/IMG_1144.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_whuPZIVsnTbv8SxSWSWwm7_CQqzC-hayc_hjiHTZM_ovuuVeblt1oQULba5pV2IyRhMb3NygERj7Qlu7tWwu_gPtG2Dl2fXFMutzNieN2yDxewIHycslZCVyc2RTllItOpapkRGGQN9-4a7tWjfK9_fBv6LAWqaVTm5uGNl55EVbK4oQPQOkcdacqZ77/s320/IMG_1144.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1RiTJp0G7sk18MHUQdcT6gVC8wZrp10mMkMQRvn8RP8Ux_MdhMy4k1hlcHRXXh_Aa6_x3ZOQ4otCJRhUNhaT-1so58IsfzOWjyHWe6V0iAEY0ME9YDrZKP14eqma5gU9aPaAlaFScdrq8Sp0nFVDwqpwlZ9rswOSCCEU8Jni-UAWgKu5IMwFjzRZt9Nkp/s4032/IMG_0974.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1RiTJp0G7sk18MHUQdcT6gVC8wZrp10mMkMQRvn8RP8Ux_MdhMy4k1hlcHRXXh_Aa6_x3ZOQ4otCJRhUNhaT-1so58IsfzOWjyHWe6V0iAEY0ME9YDrZKP14eqma5gU9aPaAlaFScdrq8Sp0nFVDwqpwlZ9rswOSCCEU8Jni-UAWgKu5IMwFjzRZt9Nkp/s320/IMG_0974.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0PguXxSKl7Vvu5HUk6f4cgOtmMs6cbNPBzyRkiskdCcOK4oOWlVcE4W1n2QjzW9y4yywRSR-FJQ1u5PDuX0bIe8CAV477jDy84NwJ-cBWZRoWUHtKufmd3NaPgZQoNybCK_yB61XCs56NF1khNwiKci5ykK4mUAkCykljqFIR0FxNuQIGoecIfCQKsbk1/s4032/IMG_0798.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0PguXxSKl7Vvu5HUk6f4cgOtmMs6cbNPBzyRkiskdCcOK4oOWlVcE4W1n2QjzW9y4yywRSR-FJQ1u5PDuX0bIe8CAV477jDy84NwJ-cBWZRoWUHtKufmd3NaPgZQoNybCK_yB61XCs56NF1khNwiKci5ykK4mUAkCykljqFIR0FxNuQIGoecIfCQKsbk1/s320/IMG_0798.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Sights from Minnesota <br /><span style="background-color: #141414; color: white; font-size: 13px;">_______________________________________<br /><br /><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQt-unlZMGg22W1myU2Fn0ytg0b1jZIV2QLkW0QWzXdr483TbevHrKCUtpOa64H7XHwWt_ojZm_D-M7nqZV3wiuEVenxRGbo_638GEn9dfAfSaLHn_WNu_rCx-xM9MhnElZ2galYSgQXiX2XDmbb_foiNXzaz4lM8uWdnE9tE3fTMbEeqHqriQ-GuMf3a4/s4032/IMG_1160.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQt-unlZMGg22W1myU2Fn0ytg0b1jZIV2QLkW0QWzXdr483TbevHrKCUtpOa64H7XHwWt_ojZm_D-M7nqZV3wiuEVenxRGbo_638GEn9dfAfSaLHn_WNu_rCx-xM9MhnElZ2galYSgQXiX2XDmbb_foiNXzaz4lM8uWdnE9tE3fTMbEeqHqriQ-GuMf3a4/w400-h300/IMG_1160.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>Al's Breakfast </b></div><p>Our first stop is one of the 2004 winners of the James Beard ‘Americas Classics’ award. Al’s Breakfast in the Dinkytown neighborhood is the type of spot I typically like to check out while traveling but I hadn’t made it here on my previous trips so I made sure to fix that up on this one. The 14 seat diner sits on the University of Minnesota campus and is probably the most iconic eatery in town so be prepared to wait in line. It took about 30 minutes for me to get in but it was student move-in week so lots of college kids and their parents were also planning to eat there. I got the José which is real deal hash browns topped with homemade salsa, cheddar and two perfectly poached eggs. Since 1950. <br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVcDfrTNecZXFv3bBY_vPsOSfBoHYra3MqOYH55CfaT13EX1By20tgoYqSD__he4FJCszOytHRK5aIBa5dH96MOVy0K_Ut4sHFvdpkdqKQ28EjVKQolya8IwgkVIanLlKsnYyfMGIIWZyBjoNGUG3cppjXxs9MPYwHpw_cGRAxvyEnU_5CPFsb6gSavPru/s4032/IMG_0933.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVcDfrTNecZXFv3bBY_vPsOSfBoHYra3MqOYH55CfaT13EX1By20tgoYqSD__he4FJCszOytHRK5aIBa5dH96MOVy0K_Ut4sHFvdpkdqKQ28EjVKQolya8IwgkVIanLlKsnYyfMGIIWZyBjoNGUG3cppjXxs9MPYwHpw_cGRAxvyEnU_5CPFsb6gSavPru/w400-h300/IMG_0933.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">The José at Al's Breakfast </div><div style="text-align: center;"><span face="Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif" style="background-color: #141414; color: white; font-size: 13px;">_______________________________________<br /><br /><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh654TK8DNTEZn5aMogZthtnzlSoCQzEF8bZlZWxYGGatSbFMUoC-QwgKj_cY8xDm9FcgeF-_s0GVixCS8ANRW6KDsvZL2yp8FIBmT9AS2qpyjiYc4FlmKY4ES1N1rfPDX1Mnum4Ko5juq3fDUW7yTm0BBGT_57EsSYdhRT_wqSBy0el6Dv35_BHHr5sgN2/s4032/IMG_1077.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh654TK8DNTEZn5aMogZthtnzlSoCQzEF8bZlZWxYGGatSbFMUoC-QwgKj_cY8xDm9FcgeF-_s0GVixCS8ANRW6KDsvZL2yp8FIBmT9AS2qpyjiYc4FlmKY4ES1N1rfPDX1Mnum4Ko5juq3fDUW7yTm0BBGT_57EsSYdhRT_wqSBy0el6Dv35_BHHr5sgN2/w400-h300/IMG_1077.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>Owamni by The Sioux Chef </b></div><p>If Minneapolis wasn’t so far I would’ve tried Owamni much sooner. The 2022 James Beard winner of the “Best New Restaurant” award wasn’t the only reason I decided to roll into the Twin Cities but it was one of the main reasons I wanted to roll thru. It’s ran by Chef Sean Sherman, a Oglala Lakota chef who only cooks with ingredients used before the arrival of the Europeans. So no wheat, flour, dairy, cane sugar, black pepper etc. It sits in a slick space along the Mississippi River and it’s considered the most prominent indigenous kitchen in the country. First up was Tepary Bean with pickled walleye, green beans, red onions and tostadas. Think of it as a mix between refried beans and hummus. It was the perfect starter on a very warm day. Moving on I was told the corn chowder is one of the most popular menu items so I ignored the fact it was 90° out. It too was really good, especially the fried wild mushrooms on top. I tried two of the taco offerings including the bison asada with pesto and guajillo salsa which was good if a bit dry but the corn taco blew me away. It was a flavor bomb of maíz starting with heirloom blue corn tortillas spread with a sweet corn jam topped with fried corn, popcorn and micro-greens from the Mississippi. This was as unique of a taco as I’ve come across in a long time. All in all this meal will be considered when I round up the best bites of 2023 in December. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6WKIlpFU2GIBmsWbarKO7fOv5s7JnUrFCBlZS2OU1OHAt5iTayFlMRZq13kyU6UfIKg8l9XCf1FDJolV8mWCdPDjCfb8OZ_tGZgJ3bVtMsKy-rNUxKMklwqieW_WoBD6MCV3dIdZaaY9MoWIetR6XmQAOEwbd5v6qdtEBx0a8JJUh7w7EKrdQs_Y7fLdA/s4032/IMG_1034.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6WKIlpFU2GIBmsWbarKO7fOv5s7JnUrFCBlZS2OU1OHAt5iTayFlMRZq13kyU6UfIKg8l9XCf1FDJolV8mWCdPDjCfb8OZ_tGZgJ3bVtMsKy-rNUxKMklwqieW_WoBD6MCV3dIdZaaY9MoWIetR6XmQAOEwbd5v6qdtEBx0a8JJUh7w7EKrdQs_Y7fLdA/s320/IMG_1034.jpg" width="320" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmkR5cZ2HdImpWtEBrgoBA5z1izVbsd2sxfRxr97FtRDxvNRf3xwoDD32R-O8Jy5KZqZ_p_TBv4p933VdJyjn7A72k5K5Yr7jbiGcpufw4zBjSYZU9lSxe26SAlxJuj_OfuyVeVcrC-u2155vXjGY3l7EWvM44MczpXbjGnW0k540dhwZglZOUv9AiXTmX/s4032/IMG_1010.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmkR5cZ2HdImpWtEBrgoBA5z1izVbsd2sxfRxr97FtRDxvNRf3xwoDD32R-O8Jy5KZqZ_p_TBv4p933VdJyjn7A72k5K5Yr7jbiGcpufw4zBjSYZU9lSxe26SAlxJuj_OfuyVeVcrC-u2155vXjGY3l7EWvM44MczpXbjGnW0k540dhwZglZOUv9AiXTmX/s320/IMG_1010.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSAD8ISi6OLZvs0njCkY57MnIBQV-ID97XC6Lwd-N5KK_4E_EUrFO53R-yvqO2YB28QLBxjSsjq4o02AIbtvp4cqSXaAryjbSqbwbHcTeAiU2gWe0yaPWFOuH7QHC8ScfV2aPZ2_qx4ry1qMdElGV6KVYGIV_4qKMp16Z0whNziFQ0Im6hveJCu2uQWCrN/s4032/IMG_1060.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSAD8ISi6OLZvs0njCkY57MnIBQV-ID97XC6Lwd-N5KK_4E_EUrFO53R-yvqO2YB28QLBxjSsjq4o02AIbtvp4cqSXaAryjbSqbwbHcTeAiU2gWe0yaPWFOuH7QHC8ScfV2aPZ2_qx4ry1qMdElGV6KVYGIV_4qKMp16Z0whNziFQ0Im6hveJCu2uQWCrN/s320/IMG_1060.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizHGGbki4PUJRLAUSwaIh5ndfxaFJKO9Niep8HWFim5IrKWZ3PhhVTEUiQvNmC3yHnsm-OJ-ZE1zZoTdCj3tS3MpqhlKDseUdNhO2wQMlZVYNVbn178wa0k1LrmBFkgIC5l1hJFbQbPuHbtRCAAkPyOyz4DmkLaqh1FFxteySEIKk3ac2NKPdl81TG6mIp/s4032/IMG_1049.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizHGGbki4PUJRLAUSwaIh5ndfxaFJKO9Niep8HWFim5IrKWZ3PhhVTEUiQvNmC3yHnsm-OJ-ZE1zZoTdCj3tS3MpqhlKDseUdNhO2wQMlZVYNVbn178wa0k1LrmBFkgIC5l1hJFbQbPuHbtRCAAkPyOyz4DmkLaqh1FFxteySEIKk3ac2NKPdl81TG6mIp/s320/IMG_1049.jpg" width="320" /></a><br /><span style="text-align: left;">Lunch at Owamni<br /></span><span face="Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif" style="background-color: #141414; color: white; font-size: 13px;">_______________________________________<br /><br /><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh66TqY7wZzq1n8o8Hgdd7iDjcRbb1SgD3IhhErz_yYUSw2aRmAMYkvSVnSdnnpFTJJ2dqcjYBusaDxC3U-lr7Mk7iljq5jG1yo4WVlcZ4F25j4pYKPSDpa8PZZMyV5giSsAwZM-zMruVhMg5W4vpJKolzxXXGt8obYmd-sx2Z149yhXGx3nuPK6Y31SYvy/s4032/IMG_1138.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh66TqY7wZzq1n8o8Hgdd7iDjcRbb1SgD3IhhErz_yYUSw2aRmAMYkvSVnSdnnpFTJJ2dqcjYBusaDxC3U-lr7Mk7iljq5jG1yo4WVlcZ4F25j4pYKPSDpa8PZZMyV5giSsAwZM-zMruVhMg5W4vpJKolzxXXGt8obYmd-sx2Z149yhXGx3nuPK6Y31SYvy/w400-h300/IMG_1138.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>Union Hmong Kitchen</b></div><p>Minneapolis and St. Paul are home to the country’s largest Hmong community so I got some Hmong food while there (but I missed out on some Somali food this trip). I ended up doing that at the Union Hmong Kitchen which is part of a food hall near Target Field. The Hmong sausage platter hit the spot on a hot day. Hmong sausage is similar in flavor to other SE Asian sausages though it tends to be a bit drier than the others from my experience with it. But it worked well when wrapped up with the purple sticky rice, Khao Sen rice noodles, pickled veggies and the lettuce that comes with it. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvGNt2QgOJ4CEI5ugqkY3YXGsCPE2b0hXFCiZqBVWZnfpFN9bCwMys6_CJwntvvvZtGAoUiazm4-mpfrprCJB_cqezn5DkwFKaTq3p1ERtJkpWye68pnqYThVh4l34fldPQXzHvqmAxf84gEtP-mlQ-S9iXBXk5FaVvRKcfEa1RCAvZ-HkDgpx8wuuQHVx/s4032/IMG_1129.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvGNt2QgOJ4CEI5ugqkY3YXGsCPE2b0hXFCiZqBVWZnfpFN9bCwMys6_CJwntvvvZtGAoUiazm4-mpfrprCJB_cqezn5DkwFKaTq3p1ERtJkpWye68pnqYThVh4l34fldPQXzHvqmAxf84gEtP-mlQ-S9iXBXk5FaVvRKcfEa1RCAvZ-HkDgpx8wuuQHVx/w400-h300/IMG_1129.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Hmong Sausage Platter at Union Hmong Kitchen <br /><span face="Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif" style="background-color: #141414; color: white; font-size: 13px;">_______________________________________<br /></span><br /><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioCdMsxHDNxVydPDd8VwxU2AqtcYdxN_wl0YLYsOfPJ0GSLZO5sPTAygokiYgteiprMLWXaXaaECd6yRqinqBglXR5zmshk9OyqPp_Lz6LwMSkycd8cV3O3VJUlIefbqcamIGU7n-pDPW9cEb8uKDZGbp_yMTqUtL7rSQmfKBXWS8U1Qla9_vR4ghCp-2Y/s4032/IMG_1193.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioCdMsxHDNxVydPDd8VwxU2AqtcYdxN_wl0YLYsOfPJ0GSLZO5sPTAygokiYgteiprMLWXaXaaECd6yRqinqBglXR5zmshk9OyqPp_Lz6LwMSkycd8cV3O3VJUlIefbqcamIGU7n-pDPW9cEb8uKDZGbp_yMTqUtL7rSQmfKBXWS8U1Qla9_vR4ghCp-2Y/w400-h300/IMG_1193.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>Oro by Nixta Tortilleria</b></div><p>I always search out the best Mexican food and Nixta looked like a worthy stop. It’s an heirloom tortilleria that has a dinner spot next door where they serve a menu revolving around masa. The Molotes are little torpedoes of fried masa that come stuffed with picadillo and dressed with lettuce, Mexican dry aged cheese, salsa tatemada, and crema. I don’t think it would be possible to elevate the classic crispy taco any further than this dish did. I also got a killer veggie taco made with bok choy, huitlacoche - black beans, salsa macha, and pickled veggie relish. It’s a shame that Chicago really doesn’t have a spot like this when it comes to the heirloom tortilleria portion of the business so I brought a couple packs of their corn tortillas back with me. They're thick with a nice corn perfume. <br /></p><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTEdaqn3TALhS6VJP5o9Qgu_1XuDRi9hxESJhnHbw6LEagEwxXzo9L2BYb9pbl-pe6ak8phZgUZO3FxQG5BvCXwn-g5N3D3qRwqaIw6R8qq7oac08Kozeezr8KUAVD6BbUQPxtzvGTF0wVs5-zJ-7XuVupKTKmmH7Xdx4ydcXJWRaRkx0gzgei5K1Efvau/s4032/IMG_1209.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTEdaqn3TALhS6VJP5o9Qgu_1XuDRi9hxESJhnHbw6LEagEwxXzo9L2BYb9pbl-pe6ak8phZgUZO3FxQG5BvCXwn-g5N3D3qRwqaIw6R8qq7oac08Kozeezr8KUAVD6BbUQPxtzvGTF0wVs5-zJ-7XuVupKTKmmH7Xdx4ydcXJWRaRkx0gzgei5K1Efvau/s320/IMG_1209.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwq0mfGpkl0udTkqfhup8OV3pVBoypVgspJR-2FwI92pFq3Q50Q2Sck9vvKczb89j1-26lgMT0EPUK3e7VIyMDN17jfxb2y27Cf4ZnJ6T8NMpsdHS4zPQ--J4Ee9p7nwby_S87YExWC9LYJsstcjslNIzJhsBboS7EmGY8hSIkcajXUDytX5wvDaMfXAbP/s4032/IMG_1234.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwq0mfGpkl0udTkqfhup8OV3pVBoypVgspJR-2FwI92pFq3Q50Q2Sck9vvKczb89j1-26lgMT0EPUK3e7VIyMDN17jfxb2y27Cf4ZnJ6T8NMpsdHS4zPQ--J4Ee9p7nwby_S87YExWC9LYJsstcjslNIzJhsBboS7EmGY8hSIkcajXUDytX5wvDaMfXAbP/s320/IMG_1234.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Dinner at Oro by Nixta<br /><span face="Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif" style="background-color: #141414; color: white; font-size: 13px;">_______________________________________</span><br style="color: white; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;" /><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiP_x6n3PvvdnXuUGnZupkdkr1apO7Wgc1boWQnBjB104rrHXWE38TtdgfjMONh0LDNP_bD7fWTSHJXqXfGj31RchwlAW3LeHqMF1frxFULIQ8iG3oUQoFuHYzhUEoXNeEYtkCkOv8GXxcw1vpW0aJky6tgn6k6ED8_X1DM3jcq5uAtQxbDOs8STvQ4m-05/s4032/IMG_1281.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiP_x6n3PvvdnXuUGnZupkdkr1apO7Wgc1boWQnBjB104rrHXWE38TtdgfjMONh0LDNP_bD7fWTSHJXqXfGj31RchwlAW3LeHqMF1frxFULIQ8iG3oUQoFuHYzhUEoXNeEYtkCkOv8GXxcw1vpW0aJky6tgn6k6ED8_X1DM3jcq5uAtQxbDOs8STvQ4m-05/w400-h300/IMG_1281.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><b>Pumphouse Creamery <br /></b></div><br />The Midwest might be the best region for Ice Cream. I’ll hear arguments from the Northeast but that’s about it. I found Pumphouse Creamery searching for the areas best ice cream and there was a Reddit thread with lots of mentions for the fruit flavors. I tend to prefer fruit when it comes to ice cream and gelato so I decided to check them out. All of the fruit flavors are made with local fruit from nearby farms including a blend of honeyberry and raspberry crisp of which ice cream dreams are made of. <br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqmlhdO4CKtQoq5Ip7sIwOJeZpTptmtULNMu55x9LGWwyiMW_VM5PJAO5m494_OP_a3BKUHrGlMhCE_ikyznYQD6eqqF3ZrakgLb4d6SCfzag6qnxtDF2rFRJNuENWtEx07DmFjyPFgdSTnY4HOfk-z242-3BYLrGJIxE9jqlJIcyNwnwSuPKlU52MZmP9/s4032/IMG_1290.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqmlhdO4CKtQoq5Ip7sIwOJeZpTptmtULNMu55x9LGWwyiMW_VM5PJAO5m494_OP_a3BKUHrGlMhCE_ikyznYQD6eqqF3ZrakgLb4d6SCfzag6qnxtDF2rFRJNuENWtEx07DmFjyPFgdSTnY4HOfk-z242-3BYLrGJIxE9jqlJIcyNwnwSuPKlU52MZmP9/w400-h300/IMG_1290.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Local Honeyberry and Raspberry Crisp at Pumphouse Creamery <br /><span face="Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif" style="background-color: #141414; color: white; font-size: 13px;">_______________________________________<br /><br /><br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjj0UvZAdlWDoQ2XIfLX2WsFZQ0Uef0ugJ34BMRmHRPACSRNdsfZRr_aH216ociGRqwwyFx8W4QURMKiKP0PUxa0A70akyvYz8lhwJpuRuPeiALTE9cZarfA1WLh7ZcHcroGUSitQraz8p5P1nj-fGyH7oKR3T1bo3YzKitNV0PHC3Eyu4_ijoLOvDt2w74/s4032/IMG_0810.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjj0UvZAdlWDoQ2XIfLX2WsFZQ0Uef0ugJ34BMRmHRPACSRNdsfZRr_aH216ociGRqwwyFx8W4QURMKiKP0PUxa0A70akyvYz8lhwJpuRuPeiALTE9cZarfA1WLh7ZcHcroGUSitQraz8p5P1nj-fGyH7oKR3T1bo3YzKitNV0PHC3Eyu4_ijoLOvDt2w74/w400-h300/IMG_0810.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><b>Boomin Barbecue (Hudson, WI)<br /></b><br /><div style="text-align: left;">Our next spot is a bonus stop of sorts. According to Daniel Vaughn, barbecue editor at <a href="https://www.texasmonthly.com/bbq/">Texas Monthly</a>, you can find Minneapolis's best bbq in Hudson, Wisconsin (30 mins east). I guess the city made it a real bitch for Boomin Barbecue to operate its smoker thanks to stupid municipal laws and what not so they said f-ck it and moved their business to Hudson where they park said smoker in the lot and setup shop in the kitchen of Nova Bar. It's a great partnership and with the surrounding landscape it feels like you could be somewhere out west. I enjoyed a smoked beef and cheddar sandwich on special. </div><br style="color: white; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;" /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqGiu4_NzNNV182qXL7WJSxClVJWTS9wECLtOzt-F09dKDAK8m3sz9Oa3_JQipPsr6Vm_IkmDWqhOm_zxz1Al5rlWuC63_RfE45FrqBlyiqzySo7r_8x6nsFy1fTCQLA-SyGORtYiL8whSoiMj6_B32cz1bQgBBs1cC_HaNPczQRperYRBxBtDSJfGuMD8/s4032/IMG_0843.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqGiu4_NzNNV182qXL7WJSxClVJWTS9wECLtOzt-F09dKDAK8m3sz9Oa3_JQipPsr6Vm_IkmDWqhOm_zxz1Al5rlWuC63_RfE45FrqBlyiqzySo7r_8x6nsFy1fTCQLA-SyGORtYiL8whSoiMj6_B32cz1bQgBBs1cC_HaNPczQRperYRBxBtDSJfGuMD8/w400-h300/IMG_0843.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Smoked Beef and Cheddar at Boomin Barbecue <br /><span face="Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif" style="background-color: #141414; color: white; font-size: 13px;">_______________________________________</span><br style="color: white; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;" /></div><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWpEG3pui9B2-CSzNTfqUV76woYQSEteo8g-yuJs8AsIqY_knFwjwgCgyF5bKCyO9FGN36FP_4zJgL6pJa48pDFnLhj4sUzzsm8m9kk6uzYjqAPpFpHhyrWbFCwkCfiJ0v47SBdSKiNnLK-VBab5J75JY_ZVHRO7A4CAVJkVEvxDwqt6WxPtDTrVchXU_-/s4032/IMG_0683.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWpEG3pui9B2-CSzNTfqUV76woYQSEteo8g-yuJs8AsIqY_knFwjwgCgyF5bKCyO9FGN36FP_4zJgL6pJa48pDFnLhj4sUzzsm8m9kk6uzYjqAPpFpHhyrWbFCwkCfiJ0v47SBdSKiNnLK-VBab5J75JY_ZVHRO7A4CAVJkVEvxDwqt6WxPtDTrVchXU_-/w400-h300/IMG_0683.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>Meister's Bar & Grill (Stillwater)</b></div><br />I was falling in love with all the river towns on this trip. Stillwater is a lovely little river town that reminded me alot of Galena. It sits on the St. Croix River about 30 mins northeast of Minneapolis so it’s basically a suburb. We stopped in at an iconic German bar that sits in a residential neighborhood. Meister’s is a typical Wisconsin tavern that happens to be across the river in Minnesota. The kitchen is the grill behind the bar and the ground beef is supplied by a local butcher as are the brats. The signature Burgermeister is a bacon cheeseburger with fried onions and high quality bacon bits. Thick chunks of extra smoky bacon are mixed into extremely well melted cheese acquired by placing the top of a pan over the burgers when the cheese goes on - a very good bar burger. The brat comes in patty form and is squeezed in-between locally baked marbled rye with Sauerkraut and Swiss. All of this is fresh cut fries on the side shows this place still does things the old school way. Since 1948. <br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjP54j66UpOoiNdp1rcv50YZIM1SDxEhEPAN_RUrLsmiXN7VkOt-SkekUBzw-e1hEeX5Euyu_rrJYB2FiRczfUiR2aBvP6mxbF9vAygBAUJDx9sm0h6YZTeLkFu5ShMik2bR4uGXH-1Fh-SczKvzgVr2ekKQ95vU9aBb_9E2ujlgIqsg9QfAOHbdRSj8LG2/s4032/IMG_0643.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjP54j66UpOoiNdp1rcv50YZIM1SDxEhEPAN_RUrLsmiXN7VkOt-SkekUBzw-e1hEeX5Euyu_rrJYB2FiRczfUiR2aBvP6mxbF9vAygBAUJDx9sm0h6YZTeLkFu5ShMik2bR4uGXH-1Fh-SczKvzgVr2ekKQ95vU9aBb_9E2ujlgIqsg9QfAOHbdRSj8LG2/s320/IMG_0643.jpg" width="320" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKopscRbjkQhDr_WD2AxN1X3acpytwqlBPbl6pngjIlGOLjrvCv7gKHsvc1gfVDXUJN3ztkZ4MAYAFKCbY2beXax1dlw7AjqhLlKJHANy4ntkoe3-hDGa_HNkJysb8ynikAG_H917ASbfjHgjwTqiQyVryyfYKYEPr9CF2AAp6kV07Y2Y2XsaPuilWSmC6/s4032/IMG_0674.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKopscRbjkQhDr_WD2AxN1X3acpytwqlBPbl6pngjIlGOLjrvCv7gKHsvc1gfVDXUJN3ztkZ4MAYAFKCbY2beXax1dlw7AjqhLlKJHANy4ntkoe3-hDGa_HNkJysb8ynikAG_H917ASbfjHgjwTqiQyVryyfYKYEPr9CF2AAp6kV07Y2Y2XsaPuilWSmC6/s320/IMG_0674.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsRw5aG_FgH8facX0XO0WRAAaiXrumyCflVyGCVpAM4RmDF7D9NN7c-ek5AWDFvaIIMcad2uBb_09Voom2g3W2EkL4mJC05xB3Qktr7B5Efr6ejHtSpAC2FGOe1G63-RyrnmZLTpru1S0WWptyEnb9vcd2ne5gf8XU7yKaCOjeqVNMUmJBxHqFmWdVRb2c/s4032/IMG_0663.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsRw5aG_FgH8facX0XO0WRAAaiXrumyCflVyGCVpAM4RmDF7D9NN7c-ek5AWDFvaIIMcad2uBb_09Voom2g3W2EkL4mJC05xB3Qktr7B5Efr6ejHtSpAC2FGOe1G63-RyrnmZLTpru1S0WWptyEnb9vcd2ne5gf8XU7yKaCOjeqVNMUmJBxHqFmWdVRb2c/s320/IMG_0663.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Lunch at <span style="text-align: center;">Meister's Bar & Grill<br /></span><span style="background-color: #141414;"><span face="Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif" style="color: white; font-size: 13px;">_______________________________________</span><br /><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7rYx1_XLkmL-qh6cP4e7azD26X0scpNYAF7QoxPHyEwgvHMVQu8hnY637erUGIAF6PCuA3rQE5dagtEImN0u8FA_pXyEmuHbHwHNhO2ZYlJ5RNR9D-IUDimbXuz42kCJOKYeb6XE6ZxS4-Y8lgcthO_tADvc06NVXbdHANHZhbSgbTOyempmHFiYjO2CU/s4032/IMG_0792.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7rYx1_XLkmL-qh6cP4e7azD26X0scpNYAF7QoxPHyEwgvHMVQu8hnY637erUGIAF6PCuA3rQE5dagtEImN0u8FA_pXyEmuHbHwHNhO2ZYlJ5RNR9D-IUDimbXuz42kCJOKYeb6XE6ZxS4-Y8lgcthO_tADvc06NVXbdHANHZhbSgbTOyempmHFiYjO2CU/w400-h300/IMG_0792.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><b>Nelson's Ice Cream (Stillwater)<span face="Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif" style="color: white; font-size: 13px;"><br /></span></b></div></span></div><br />After lunch we went over to the historic Nelson’s for some ice cream. I’d heard they pack it on big here but was not prepared for what I was given after I ordered a small cup of rum cherry. I was convinced he had misheard me as this was easily enough ice cream for two and then some. I got a kick out of the kitchen sink they have outside so customers can wash up after eating as they give you so much ice cream there’s no way that some of it doesn’t melt and end up on your hands. Since 1923. <br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwtF0HbXip4MYwK_NTSbHj5_--MN2AO7L09Y51dJUEfo5VNs1bwXX18syjR2F3vcGKLP9z8-6vszuHOpdWOvyMysLUPTgIPAozFiOP6PLfy-RllNAKwcd_tizCIOiocqp-X5XKcqfskivH2iKER9On9Uu5YRVWSV2un63_Q2a5CSGLQYAx-fJVXLSpS5wA/s4032/IMG_0774.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwtF0HbXip4MYwK_NTSbHj5_--MN2AO7L09Y51dJUEfo5VNs1bwXX18syjR2F3vcGKLP9z8-6vszuHOpdWOvyMysLUPTgIPAozFiOP6PLfy-RllNAKwcd_tizCIOiocqp-X5XKcqfskivH2iKER9On9Uu5YRVWSV2un63_Q2a5CSGLQYAx-fJVXLSpS5wA/w400-h300/IMG_0774.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Cherry Rum (small) at Nelson's Ice Cream <br /><span face="Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif" style="background-color: #141414; color: white; font-size: 13px;">_______________________________________<br /></span><br /><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzL8M-_488rbW0c-5gpSv4W7xtV9SU3To9Jv-7xdABm1bvPgrwrIttuW7oU-d579oMqt926n_vSRYuxcO6mKcgWGpJmx5dNHfmHgPIXcXJwEApB6sOt9tvZXgz0FasGTz2Wh9CCJQ0gze4M3hypOD2ZrFCWvR2Nx20pE__e7bagDGWkpCLV_m2ulyS9E_V/s4032/IMG_1336.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzL8M-_488rbW0c-5gpSv4W7xtV9SU3To9Jv-7xdABm1bvPgrwrIttuW7oU-d579oMqt926n_vSRYuxcO6mKcgWGpJmx5dNHfmHgPIXcXJwEApB6sOt9tvZXgz0FasGTz2Wh9CCJQ0gze4M3hypOD2ZrFCWvR2Nx20pE__e7bagDGWkpCLV_m2ulyS9E_V/w400-h300/IMG_1336.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>Bev's Cafe (Red Wing)</b></div><br />We drove down to the shoe making town of Red Wing one day for breakfast and also to get stuff from the farmers market which was said to be a good one and it was but it was also pretty small with no more than ten vendors on a Saturday. My love for regional food led us to Bev’s Cafe where they make gritwurst or gritzelwurst as it was called in the German butcher shops of the upper Midwest way back when. It’s a mix of pork meat and oats and or barley and it’s very similar to Cincinnati’s goetta. Not bad but it could’ve been crisped up a tad bit more and some seasoning wouldn’t have hurt it either.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAuhhrD_C91znC6bJovLqPlNstklrVMjHq7jHOJCBYe7QXjTbdR1_wdKo_mV2nlRH-eFYt6GjtZgHb_w0sbrGBgZFfksS2Q9M8eBcHGfe2AXU1wNpvUTUTRWLZvHZnWCoUqACrV6cQ6AVSg2sLjgMuQTYt0Qsj2dEk0gLF-5pqONOvZpNszbaakRPmSpIz/s4032/IMG_1358.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAuhhrD_C91znC6bJovLqPlNstklrVMjHq7jHOJCBYe7QXjTbdR1_wdKo_mV2nlRH-eFYt6GjtZgHb_w0sbrGBgZFfksS2Q9M8eBcHGfe2AXU1wNpvUTUTRWLZvHZnWCoUqACrV6cQ6AVSg2sLjgMuQTYt0Qsj2dEk0gLF-5pqONOvZpNszbaakRPmSpIz/w400-h300/IMG_1358.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Gritwurst at Bev's Cafe<br /><span face="Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif" style="background-color: #141414; color: white; font-size: 13px;">_______________________________________</span><br style="color: white; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;" /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbTEdkazETbWSbBOTtdkA9FyXbngalFwRjMxZJu4PwTPMQPYAljhcX1K0Zywve6Y0uXcIrS8DWuGUQd5_jB-sn9UIIImF-pzVhnZHu_MHrWovjB745_SBfZK959oG0P5DzyPpvDvfSL89vv8vAtUj1X9ehjkkw7qhsxqSWV7xWX-TuaOB4XWQgduJczIsM/s4032/IMG_1332.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbTEdkazETbWSbBOTtdkA9FyXbngalFwRjMxZJu4PwTPMQPYAljhcX1K0Zywve6Y0uXcIrS8DWuGUQd5_jB-sn9UIIImF-pzVhnZHu_MHrWovjB745_SBfZK959oG0P5DzyPpvDvfSL89vv8vAtUj1X9ehjkkw7qhsxqSWV7xWX-TuaOB4XWQgduJczIsM/w400-h300/IMG_1332.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>Hanisch Bakery and Coffee Shop (Red Wing)</b></div><br />Bakeries are another one of the Midwest's food strengths. There seems to be a longtime bakery in pretty much every Midwest town. In Red Wing, Hanisch Bakery is that spot. It’s been around in one form or the other since 1961 when it started out as Pirius Bakery. They have a ton of stuff on offer so I went ahead and asked the lady behind the counter what the most popular donuts were and I ended up with a couple Long Johns stuffed with cream and also a couple or the cherry donuts. <br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVcvz26toTn5tFfWmWVmaWRQZWr9SCVWzftjDUZoVtHSRKa6nT4hJz9QLV9Z2iuiiUwEjzY-T-myO4Xabh3U0pqwvYsdsajrlUzQq-OTHjLPMRI-yarcFjPuvyVbcB6Oq9jOaRTIvv8jvAiTrM7SUvJhGeDBVzDPfN0iEHFfN08GjgBrD32wfsvbiwLfVw/s4032/IMG_1324.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVcvz26toTn5tFfWmWVmaWRQZWr9SCVWzftjDUZoVtHSRKa6nT4hJz9QLV9Z2iuiiUwEjzY-T-myO4Xabh3U0pqwvYsdsajrlUzQq-OTHjLPMRI-yarcFjPuvyVbcB6Oq9jOaRTIvv8jvAiTrM7SUvJhGeDBVzDPfN0iEHFfN08GjgBrD32wfsvbiwLfVw/w400-h300/IMG_1324.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Donuts at <span style="text-align: center;">Hanisch Bakery and Coffee Shop<br /></span><span face="Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif" style="background-color: #141414; color: white; font-size: 13px;">_______________________________________<br /><br /><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5awV25bX6EfPq0jIkLZmN83NhMeAPt8ehg_8Kqxpu-ASa8d1SP2xGX_lbi8N1nyOdOwVBJziq9vlhCu-dE8BfwfkI0iuyIlj3Zgp6SlqFGQU8AjuV8H8EElGvbYF1Ry6emyAsQ_uSKaeJUWZzewPsvqs7GJUoVrwSAIMh7Dd0HqXaXBywPmDppdLEvAyj/s4032/IMG_1432.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5awV25bX6EfPq0jIkLZmN83NhMeAPt8ehg_8Kqxpu-ASa8d1SP2xGX_lbi8N1nyOdOwVBJziq9vlhCu-dE8BfwfkI0iuyIlj3Zgp6SlqFGQU8AjuV8H8EElGvbYF1Ry6emyAsQ_uSKaeJUWZzewPsvqs7GJUoVrwSAIMh7Dd0HqXaXBywPmDppdLEvAyj/w400-h300/IMG_1432.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>Kings Place Bar & Grill (Miesville)</b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div>I was able to add a few spots from Minnesota to my always growing Midwestern burger database. The second of them was King’s Place Bar & Grill in the tiny town of Miesville (Pop. 125). It’s a popular spot with bikers and often mentioned as the home to Minnesota's best burger. They offer more than 100 different options but me being a bit of a burger purist I went with the California Burger from the ‘King’s Originals’ which are the burgers that started it all back when it was just a small general store with a few burger options. It starts out with a 1/3 lb hunk of beef that’s lightly smashed on a small and always packed flattop, this place stays busy. It comes dressed with lettuce, tomato, and mayo on a lightly toasted bun. It was just about perfect which means it got a B+ on the burger grading scale. This means it was very good and gets honorable mention status among the country's best burgers. <br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0zzp8PcqiCI68HR_xAFm6PdaXRLGduAjzG-JpXsvQ25CMml7lVTDnyOvA2O_YewLbTse0CRM-4c13f6cRBsoyIwEFDtTr0aKEzEG01xI2CPOCq1m8lN5LMv75TeQLtKBKuVxTjryF3uSRqJwELaibOxv2rYBUZyaDEc1iJwdr88kfrk_L-30XgVmbksAl/s4032/IMG_1484.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0zzp8PcqiCI68HR_xAFm6PdaXRLGduAjzG-JpXsvQ25CMml7lVTDnyOvA2O_YewLbTse0CRM-4c13f6cRBsoyIwEFDtTr0aKEzEG01xI2CPOCq1m8lN5LMv75TeQLtKBKuVxTjryF3uSRqJwELaibOxv2rYBUZyaDEc1iJwdr88kfrk_L-30XgVmbksAl/w400-h300/IMG_1484.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">California Burger at Kings Place <br /><span face="Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif" style="background-color: #141414; color: white; font-size: 13px;">_______________________________________</span><br style="color: white; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;" /><br /><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcC4MOFUat9YJy55NARQPxoEcyKzbIL0DUk0xtYpKjVdoL5WzoZNcKQpMZ4zkyl9vCT8AAOYC8rP4OhgmA41ULSmjLh0IQ2r9aemp3VUmZMcYZZnfK_bjl4IcY8GiCUc932SMZVvPL6F4OkPpnxKzyXr4uDQ2s8Kk5OY5EmH2NomqYOAja7D2k54ngnUhz/s4032/IMG_1638.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcC4MOFUat9YJy55NARQPxoEcyKzbIL0DUk0xtYpKjVdoL5WzoZNcKQpMZ4zkyl9vCT8AAOYC8rP4OhgmA41ULSmjLh0IQ2r9aemp3VUmZMcYZZnfK_bjl4IcY8GiCUc932SMZVvPL6F4OkPpnxKzyXr4uDQ2s8Kk5OY5EmH2NomqYOAja7D2k54ngnUhz/w400-h300/IMG_1638.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>House of Coates (Coates)</b></div><br />Final stop on the mini Minnesota burger tour took us to another tiny town called Coates (pop. 161) about 20 mins northwest of the previous stop. The House of Coates is the type of bar you tend to find in the upper Midwest in that its an outdated place that caters to the motorcyclers in the summer and to snowmobilers in the winter plus thirsty people passing by all year. It’s got a very Northwoods feel with a tended to pull tab booth inside and a fantastic neon sign outside. They’re known for half pound burgers including the Swanee which is a bacon cheeseburger with fried onions and a side of pickles plus a cup of blue cheese dressing. We weren’t asked how we wanted it cooked so I guess medium is standard which is better than well done but not as good as medium rare so that was my only complaint about an otherwise formidable bar burger. That's it for this trip. <p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsd1cUzveBSajwmr49L_ZRTBdOg_8uDAYCla6UJQtK0Lj1M4r2mAjXTJ-lcHQWvCDYo_to-GbgmGxIN09w1WKwTDtSy9TbTU6MR64KyuNZnz2SWFNhzQnPUgETulZnK3dBgIuShk0qWI_vlIU8rrHbQ8Po7bhqsfKMhOhbpnTCA_98zh6P2eTmdctyHCIY/s4032/IMG_1567.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsd1cUzveBSajwmr49L_ZRTBdOg_8uDAYCla6UJQtK0Lj1M4r2mAjXTJ-lcHQWvCDYo_to-GbgmGxIN09w1WKwTDtSy9TbTU6MR64KyuNZnz2SWFNhzQnPUgETulZnK3dBgIuShk0qWI_vlIU8rrHbQ8Po7bhqsfKMhOhbpnTCA_98zh6P2eTmdctyHCIY/s320/IMG_1567.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoqZ8sLS2mxTzwBB2rjwAkBUFUKYKmsJqK29SExQqxGgrB0yJPpNmhvyXd88ADc1q_MOEcIHzgJurjYB4XXNvEPC0aXSRv_pdxd5sKV36u8GV2WTF2UgBytsFjdFeeCFN9iMeMHofXIAbclrPMGa7Nex-1G8DD4F1mfsJD-LD6gO3YzeoNAs5E9DivxqSF/s4032/IMG_1619.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoqZ8sLS2mxTzwBB2rjwAkBUFUKYKmsJqK29SExQqxGgrB0yJPpNmhvyXd88ADc1q_MOEcIHzgJurjYB4XXNvEPC0aXSRv_pdxd5sKV36u8GV2WTF2UgBytsFjdFeeCFN9iMeMHofXIAbclrPMGa7Nex-1G8DD4F1mfsJD-LD6gO3YzeoNAs5E9DivxqSF/s320/IMG_1619.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Swanee Burger at House of Coates<br /><span face="Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif" style="background-color: #141414; color: white; font-size: 13px;">_______________________________________</span><br style="color: white; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;" /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /><b>See ya next time <a href="https://www.instagram.com/chibbqking/">@chibbqking</a></b></div>KingThttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05368411195212070782noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7759763120880236446.post-56110874522639459102023-09-11T11:00:00.002-05:002023-09-13T11:38:31.418-05:00Maman Zari <div><span face="Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif" style="background-color: black; color: white; font-size: 13px;"><span face=""trebuchet ms", trebuchet, verdana, sans-serif" style="font-size: 23px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 20.7969px;">-Grubbing in Chicago</span><span face=""trebuchet ms", trebuchet, verdana, sans-serif" style="line-height: 20.7969px;"> </span></span><span face="Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif" style="background-color: black; color: white; font-size: 13px;"><span face=""trebuchet ms", trebuchet, verdana, sans-serif" style="font-size: 17px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 20.7969px;"> <br /></span></span><span face="Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif" style="background-color: black; color: white; font-size: 17px; font-weight: bold;">A Persian Tasting Menu in Albany Park</span></div><div><br /></div><div>We recently drove over to Albany Park to get dinner. Usually this means some sort of international option as the Northwest side neighborhood is one of the city’s most diverse enclaves. It's home to the type of places that cater to locals from the same backgrounds be it Middle Eastern or Mexican and so forth. But we weren’t going to your typical Albany Park dining destination, the spot we were headed to is anything but typical. Maman Zari is most likely the first fine dining Persian tasting menu in the United States. It’s the product of a Milan born chef and his Persian friend, a former flight attendant. </div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7sP7rkY6WABBZWbB5s91G2D9rtrS1cawzPgVFR7bCnKlrPMmTNH-KBA8nS7qotuyVU0GGOLu8lZhP5-umNYgCiImgdwV3MQECiLrm98tYZ4Pp0cELM4idvDFKbDKHNhNaAKkC0Bp-aJMY81RczdnKhqCQILEUE-RAIXLdzcO3xeQN0VY0FR5HWd8bZA-O/s4032/IMG_2230.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7sP7rkY6WABBZWbB5s91G2D9rtrS1cawzPgVFR7bCnKlrPMmTNH-KBA8nS7qotuyVU0GGOLu8lZhP5-umNYgCiImgdwV3MQECiLrm98tYZ4Pp0cELM4idvDFKbDKHNhNaAKkC0Bp-aJMY81RczdnKhqCQILEUE-RAIXLdzcO3xeQN0VY0FR5HWd8bZA-O/s320/IMG_2230.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Recently Opened in Albany Park <br /><br /></div><div>While a tasting menu is new to the neighborhood Persian food is not. This stretch of Kedzie was already home to a couple Persian restaurants both of which are connonly busy. The tasting menu comes with nine courses and will set you back $85. That’s a good deal at less than $10 a dish with the total being at least half the price of a typical tasting menu. There’s a wine pairing but drinks can also come ala carte. The cocktail menu is small but I enjoyed a take on the mojito called a Hamedan Mojito. It features white rum, falernum, Iranian mint vinegar syrup (sekanjabin), lime and soda. It hit the spot on a warm summer night. After that it was onto the tasting menu. I thought the overall flow of the dinner was pretty much on point. There was at least one instance where it took a bit of time to get to the next dish but other than that it was pretty smooth. Expect it to take around two hours from start to finish. Service was good if a little bit lax at times but more importantly the food was good.</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghP0-ouke-7TRLMo5a6xzAGZkbYv2UYqcBhpDdVa2adsXp7NguDvijsAOPlbpXHhOSn3ytbLINM6IfDuhKDqIahRePPV40Ka1fX27NU4ac6-rUeCAaHWyJypLtSWoq_OzPgFOi0An6BIfmZg2QU9mRgLS_QnHiZn2FmPn_Aoqqe3nNm0do6IfQAGtXWORt/s4032/IMG_2267.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghP0-ouke-7TRLMo5a6xzAGZkbYv2UYqcBhpDdVa2adsXp7NguDvijsAOPlbpXHhOSn3ytbLINM6IfDuhKDqIahRePPV40Ka1fX27NU4ac6-rUeCAaHWyJypLtSWoq_OzPgFOi0An6BIfmZg2QU9mRgLS_QnHiZn2FmPn_Aoqqe3nNm0do6IfQAGtXWORt/s320/IMG_2267.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">1st Course: Kuku Zibsamani <br />(potato, zucchini, pickle, dalar)</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyg_mUUGhTtXIs-BGWZYXKEmnh54a_XEm7wddn58nQD3CyFs5LxeY8dXUDBnGpZObjF1sYNnY2vmkRbKbBZR_fm32-rG1la1ldeQCthSB2RQEwLdmOt-McR9QkHEuGmi2djjyeov9VKs1uB9gN5JWMSdQjr6m3SYXhPhIIkTUPcifCp94lhqSrwyocw6Ys/s4032/IMG_2273.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyg_mUUGhTtXIs-BGWZYXKEmnh54a_XEm7wddn58nQD3CyFs5LxeY8dXUDBnGpZObjF1sYNnY2vmkRbKbBZR_fm32-rG1la1ldeQCthSB2RQEwLdmOt-McR9QkHEuGmi2djjyeov9VKs1uB9gN5JWMSdQjr6m3SYXhPhIIkTUPcifCp94lhqSrwyocw6Ys/s320/IMG_2273.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">2nd Course: Abdoogh Khiar</div><div style="text-align: center;">(cucumber, yogurt, walnut, raisin, lavash, fresh herbs)<br /><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqIHqb1Iy_c3n4TsqgMadWo8XtQir7my-hVNi4ti0c2NZ7YAq7ml9wN0QG_TnRqF-IhRoSezDg1WKUYSDQVpz0kDDAjvyLFqgT6ko9apKM35LLOqLNQUiwyanWJH0B2j3AJjCzByd_1LHfVZoGQsWQQvgI8ZXVAGmNMj4RXqR2c8xNo5q2iH5HZ7eCqILv/s4032/IMG_2285.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqIHqb1Iy_c3n4TsqgMadWo8XtQir7my-hVNi4ti0c2NZ7YAq7ml9wN0QG_TnRqF-IhRoSezDg1WKUYSDQVpz0kDDAjvyLFqgT6ko9apKM35LLOqLNQUiwyanWJH0B2j3AJjCzByd_1LHfVZoGQsWQQvgI8ZXVAGmNMj4RXqR2c8xNo5q2iH5HZ7eCqILv/s320/IMG_2285.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">3rd Course: Mirza Ghasemi & Sabzi Kordan </div><div style="text-align: center;">(eggplant, tomato, garlic, micro herbs, marinated olives, fresh bread)</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7RJhnM_Lc2SqXYIWIjErOHYGZZRjoPwX6xRtUsU2nNqnnZBGAvRxm6DdAZTJ3ElHPWpCPjFO6RQtqTAt7e9eQCUEL42SfLPfTPeEhHG5ySRuIwQs17eNT9ThRSRvZMsDEzAbE5H9yG4CX6TIMatdEcDofGPlFmy-twvf-uPYC_HsGhthF9k15Xu1QmMHQ/s4032/IMG_2304.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7RJhnM_Lc2SqXYIWIjErOHYGZZRjoPwX6xRtUsU2nNqnnZBGAvRxm6DdAZTJ3ElHPWpCPjFO6RQtqTAt7e9eQCUEL42SfLPfTPeEhHG5ySRuIwQs17eNT9ThRSRvZMsDEzAbE5H9yG4CX6TIMatdEcDofGPlFmy-twvf-uPYC_HsGhthF9k15Xu1QmMHQ/s320/IMG_2304.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">4th Course: Salad-E Hendevaneh </div><div style="text-align: center;">(watermelon, mint, feta, balsamic pearls)</div><div><br /></div><div>My experience with Persian food is mostly limited to kebabs and tahdig both of which make an appearance on the tasting menu but it does go a little deeper than the typical dishes you’ll find at the other Persian restaurants down the block. Highlights here were a smoky eggplant dish that comes served in a cloche filled with smoke. Vegetables and eggplant in particular take on great smoke flavor and this was a perfect example of them working in perfect unison. A one bite watermelon salad with fresh mint and salty feta cheese was the perfect palate cleanser in-between the vegtable and protein offerings. Both the branzino with a smoked rice and saffron beurre blanc sauce and the lamb kebab with a stovetop rice were really nice but I didn’t love the quail with pomegranate sauce as I’m just not a big fan of meat mixed with fruit. But my favorite bite of the night might’ve been the finale. Faloodeh is an icy Iranian dessert that’s commonly made with vermicelli noodles sitting in a semi frozen syrup made of sugar and rose water. The cheffed up version served at Maman Zari comes with a little ball of liquid lime on top that you pop and it oozes into the ice. It was the perfect ending to a really nice meal. I’m not sure how much longer the summer version of the tasting menu will be in play but I would imagine they keep a few plates from it when switching over to a fall and or winter menu. But tasting menus do seem to be at their best when summer is in full swing and produce is at its peak so best to take advantage of it while it’s still around plus the price is likely to increase at some point. <br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRT6SA38TVMGmOfeb0qrr6vGkltO3xpndKZQDbvJEnhjDBrKKvXSqZIBK7b_KldrzhV2aVNh_DuAE2aaGD9abeysSnfoWb0wEUbKVkAzP4KQsH4FJsnCB2TEjEPSr9n-w9B1WN3LnYg-wooPOPXSwWr5u2J3lcAeukmRrwvYYyOkUzUhKAbu5648tUAnc6/s4032/IMG_2323.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRT6SA38TVMGmOfeb0qrr6vGkltO3xpndKZQDbvJEnhjDBrKKvXSqZIBK7b_KldrzhV2aVNh_DuAE2aaGD9abeysSnfoWb0wEUbKVkAzP4KQsH4FJsnCB2TEjEPSr9n-w9B1WN3LnYg-wooPOPXSwWr5u2J3lcAeukmRrwvYYyOkUzUhKAbu5648tUAnc6/s320/IMG_2323.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">5th Course: Mahi Sefid <br />(bronzino, herbed smoked rice, mushroom, saffron beurre blanc)</div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg00b-PQ54TdIpMSZaRu23xJnfUSQYEO0l-CTMHyHLIe7fJYInpmOzWeopGNlTZzieCCPz7osZlSPJ9GySrZCFtSSBbQcBS07Cnzmb0Q6V-qWafmLSYxXadTfK2yx3T-PIuO3jqIL72fWv-89Z5aE4HRxD3sjmkMGjcbfdNhhXiRsP02ftZqnJlsPsn2vuP/s4032/IMG_2330.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg00b-PQ54TdIpMSZaRu23xJnfUSQYEO0l-CTMHyHLIe7fJYInpmOzWeopGNlTZzieCCPz7osZlSPJ9GySrZCFtSSBbQcBS07Cnzmb0Q6V-qWafmLSYxXadTfK2yx3T-PIuO3jqIL72fWv-89Z5aE4HRxD3sjmkMGjcbfdNhhXiRsP02ftZqnJlsPsn2vuP/s320/IMG_2330.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">6th Course: Shishlik <br />(lamb chop, tomato, kateh-style rice)</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhU2GkJMSWFyNvw4Z1miwsfMIc3VYgsm465ciR24i5SlYqyO6QCV5w-bqjcg9-iKVhkMlw1LsvTcJNLLqknY_VrZT7_Hq6jh5gxpLtu5syff9u-U6JS-CUyTYNY2T2tlisALOUZrVyYcu1BZy-SkkixMSMtkL5fewOQo0AbbgaXMOxbwJSzodfdxvc1v3wI/s4032/IMG_2348.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhU2GkJMSWFyNvw4Z1miwsfMIc3VYgsm465ciR24i5SlYqyO6QCV5w-bqjcg9-iKVhkMlw1LsvTcJNLLqknY_VrZT7_Hq6jh5gxpLtu5syff9u-U6JS-CUyTYNY2T2tlisALOUZrVyYcu1BZy-SkkixMSMtkL5fewOQo0AbbgaXMOxbwJSzodfdxvc1v3wI/s320/IMG_2348.jpg" width="320" /></a><br />7th Course: Fesenjan <br />(quail, pomegranate, walnut, tahdig)<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlQoqGpsYkX9qTXz_HgsZA1fcbQUxB1MklwLGIw5Bw_H8EZ9hG9RX4k90YhNqkeKQ-c1s3CoL_RWEC_bLBbwAQJ51gABEyPzueZY95SI-lpSig1oLF9yKmOUYhfVx5PJIRN9_xcKgchGrQ-3SQ942ZnMuR-vcK-sunDX2PTdTb6wEZhD9e6MseoKkiUw_B/s4032/IMG_2365.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlQoqGpsYkX9qTXz_HgsZA1fcbQUxB1MklwLGIw5Bw_H8EZ9hG9RX4k90YhNqkeKQ-c1s3CoL_RWEC_bLBbwAQJ51gABEyPzueZY95SI-lpSig1oLF9yKmOUYhfVx5PJIRN9_xcKgchGrQ-3SQ942ZnMuR-vcK-sunDX2PTdTb6wEZhD9e6MseoKkiUw_B/s320/IMG_2365.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">8th Course: Faloodeh <br />(rice noodle sorbet, rosewater, lime)</div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijpoheCJgK9tdZISN7VEhkXRvu3N8iz-oAsu3n-SfsmHHUk7AMTi0CvwS9SAUQxdCLZHWVOv-SlKwSmczdgW6GM6ePWSDKxNed9elrH1HQ46cwbcY1GxkyBKdYjml715grgE12yuXPtd5bjAnU4ILYAzvn9KZMW1Oo60Il_0UqWaraCrlKAwH9-DpYqa4z/s4032/IMG_2373.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijpoheCJgK9tdZISN7VEhkXRvu3N8iz-oAsu3n-SfsmHHUk7AMTi0CvwS9SAUQxdCLZHWVOv-SlKwSmczdgW6GM6ePWSDKxNed9elrH1HQ46cwbcY1GxkyBKdYjml715grgE12yuXPtd5bjAnU4ILYAzvn9KZMW1Oo60Il_0UqWaraCrlKAwH9-DpYqa4z/s320/IMG_2373.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">9th Course: Shirini <br />(assorted cookies)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Maman Zari <br />4639 N Kedzie Ave<br />Chicago, IL 60625 <br />(773) 961-7866<br /><a href="https://www.mamanzari.com/">Website</a></div></div>KingThttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05368411195212070782noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7759763120880236446.post-51028938141332985412023-09-05T13:00:00.020-05:002023-09-16T18:19:07.301-05:00Best Intentions <p><span face="Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif" style="background-color: black; color: white; font-size: 13px;"><span face=""trebuchet ms", trebuchet, verdana, sans-serif" style="font-size: 23px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 20.7969px;">-Grubbing in Chicago</span><span face=""trebuchet ms", trebuchet, verdana, sans-serif" style="line-height: 20.7969px;"> </span></span><span face="Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif" style="background-color: black; color: white; font-size: 13px;"><span face=""trebuchet ms", trebuchet, verdana, sans-serif" style="font-size: 17px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 20.7969px;"> <br /></span></span><span face="Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif" style="background-color: black; color: white; font-size: 17px; font-weight: bold;">Bar Food in Logan Square</span><br /><br />More than three years after the pandemic shut down one of my favorite neighborhood bars it’s back and better than ever. Best Intentions quietly reopened at the end of April and had a line of people outside when they made their triumphant return along Armitage Avenue in Logan Square. Best Intentions is what many would describe as a hipster bar and they would not be wrong but it’s still an awesome spot. I don’t think being hipster makes a bar bad but lots of places definitely overdo it. What I like about Best Intentions is how they managed to keep most of the dive bar feel from the tavern it replaced. It doesn’t feel new and it isn’t some over-exaggerated replica of a bar from a bygone era. It’s got the feel of a slightly updated dive bar and most of the updates come in the form of the food and drink menus. </p><p style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQehOy2n1DFGW1SeZ-7gtUPgM8ifXZ7fP3mULLQQzvk6LYTJg7XAjQ8Ojl-EeuIxuH8j1FNsiJw7noElawIG3wkh0v1Ndt_-svEtFLLxmffp6yY517KMm9w9bSO0F3Ek2LBf7OFY9-3IsWUnXVxqv9dtngLlaTfkpN1k6Kr6CS3o4Of5OeV-1NI8SPAsay/s4032/IMG_8247.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQehOy2n1DFGW1SeZ-7gtUPgM8ifXZ7fP3mULLQQzvk6LYTJg7XAjQ8Ojl-EeuIxuH8j1FNsiJw7noElawIG3wkh0v1Ndt_-svEtFLLxmffp6yY517KMm9w9bSO0F3Ek2LBf7OFY9-3IsWUnXVxqv9dtngLlaTfkpN1k6Kr6CS3o4Of5OeV-1NI8SPAsay/w400-h300/IMG_8247.jpg" width="400" /></a><br /><span style="text-align: left;">Locals Favorite in Logan Square </span></p><p>Best Intentions first opened in 2015 but it felt new returning there for the first time in more than three years. It also felt familiar returning to a spot that’s basically a time capsule to the pre-pandemic days. One of the big changes they made since closing was installing low-wavelength ultraviolet light devices that are designed to keep the air clear of floating viruses. The prices don’t seem to have changed much. Drinking at Best Intentions is still a bit of a discount all things considered. They have a quality selection when it comes to beer, wine, and cocktails and many of them are $10 or less. I was happy to see the Wondermint Malted is back and better than ever. Their signature cocktail is a boozy milkshake made with Death’s Door Wondermint Schnapps mixed with Broker’s London Dry Gin and Luxardo Angioletto which is a hazelnut liqueur. It’s served from a slushie machine but made with dairy and thus it’s more of a malted milkshake. It reminds me of a Grasshopper. I had one the other other day under the warmth of the sun and everything felt right for a few minutes. The outdoor patio is another thing I love about Best Intentions. It’s spacious by city standards and includes a cabana bar.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKal3a8kOzZGy0hjDGlIMfuV9QWjq3sOvqjxO0PqFPRKfE5PRIXYf3ld6WqnVj_4TonagqjxVDc-hVkphzdSoZSirOlbum8wmEGMjfMx02SZAZHTHVPm5JSWUnlvwiNUeQMEqQ5cG0jS2U-1z9zUq6cJ5qjFFL__1fDWcoz1fF9OlF19EV2-lF2N00Fsf8/s4032/IMG_8255.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKal3a8kOzZGy0hjDGlIMfuV9QWjq3sOvqjxO0PqFPRKfE5PRIXYf3ld6WqnVj_4TonagqjxVDc-hVkphzdSoZSirOlbum8wmEGMjfMx02SZAZHTHVPm5JSWUnlvwiNUeQMEqQ5cG0jS2U-1z9zUq6cJ5qjFFL__1fDWcoz1fF9OlF19EV2-lF2N00Fsf8/s320/IMG_8255.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Malted Wondermint at Best Intentions </div><p>The food was always good at Best Intentions but they revamped the menu and didn't miss a beat in doing so. It’s bar food but it’s a step above the average Sysco supplied stuff that most bars serve. On multiple visits we've enjoyed a complete meal made up of their 1/2 lb “Cuppa Shrimp” made with cornmeal battered popcorn shrimp served with an addictive cocktail sauce for dipping plus an order of their crispy hand cut fries and a burger which they describe as a single mustard and onion griddled patty with white American cheese, dill pickles and house sauce. I hadn’t heard much about this one so I didn’t really know what to expect so I was surprised to pull what smelled like a classic slider out of the paper bag it comes served in. Size wise it was a bit bigger than a slider and it reminded me of the “sliders” you’ll find at spots around Detroit <a href="http://chibbqking.blogspot.com/2013/11/detroit-slider-city.html">which I wrote about in 2013</a>. This was one gnarly burger that brought me back to the past in terms of smell, size, and flavor. They come in at $6 each and if you order a bakers dozen you’ll get one of them for free. ($72). It's my favorite burger in town at the moment and that's bc of it's awesome old school flavor. The burger tastes like it comes from a spot that's been making them forever just like the bar feels like it's been around for a very long time. They make for a perfect pairing.<br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOGgFs_j73NlteU4464qAYkwOGr0dIt2XX3aoGhb0q6rSw0gtjwhKL8h02VScTjZmV8lduGRSc_piyZn4DRdEad32RjTVy8wz1A0jJfhmg9L22gL4vf9LaFMPTGDaM_-vtjj_ZXsFAHVldxvJIplJkTCosCaD4RVxJG-PEF4I326bjOSFmIIgMRzUqtXsQ/s4032/IMG_8221.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOGgFs_j73NlteU4464qAYkwOGr0dIt2XX3aoGhb0q6rSw0gtjwhKL8h02VScTjZmV8lduGRSc_piyZn4DRdEad32RjTVy8wz1A0jJfhmg9L22gL4vf9LaFMPTGDaM_-vtjj_ZXsFAHVldxvJIplJkTCosCaD4RVxJG-PEF4I326bjOSFmIIgMRzUqtXsQ/w400-h300/IMG_8221.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Burger, Fries, Shrimp </div><br />Best Intentions <br />3281 W Armitage Ave<br />Chicago, IL 60647 <br />(312) 818-1254<br /><a href="https://www.bestintentionschicago.com/">Website</a>KingThttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05368411195212070782noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7759763120880236446.post-60581064211838530152023-08-29T10:15:00.005-05:002023-09-07T11:17:07.959-05:00Eating BIG in Rockford <p><span face="Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif" style="background-color: #141414; color: white; font-size: 23.4px; font-weight: bold;">Eating like a local:<br /></span><span face="Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif" style="background-color: #141414; color: white; font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-size: 23.4px;">Regional food specialties<br /></span></span><span face="Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif" style="background-color: #141414; color: white; font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-size: medium;">- Eating and Exploring the Screw City</span></span></p><p>Other than the google search results you won’t find a bigger collection of Illinois restaurant reviews than you’ll find over here. I’ve covered countless spots from DeKalb to Carbondale and beyond. So you shouldn’t be too surprised with todays stop - Rockford. The Screw City aka Forest City aka Reaper City is the largest city in Illinois outside of the Chicagoland area and is the states fifth most populated overall. It’s not the first spot in the Land of Lincoln that you might think of visiting and it’s probably not the second or third spot either but it’s a compelling place with lots of history and some stuff worth seeing including the <a href="https://andersongardens.org/">Anderson Japanese Gardens</a> which many consider the best of its kind in the Midwest. Rockford's location on the Rock River along with over 4000 acres of public parks means there’s lots of outdoor activities on offer too. I’ve never actually spent the night in Rockford in part due to its proximity to Chicago (80 miles) but I’ve stopped thru there plenty of times on the way somewhere else and have also taken a few daytrips over the years. Todays post is a culmination of all of the times I’ve stopped in Rockford to explore the area through food and what not. The food scene reflects the city itself - it's nothing fancy and definitely not trendy but it is interesting.</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHITZq611phclqaeL0i2mN3_SlaypYSO1JbDQxkB4lMwdiopDuoRuGlRCKFyAF319s-vxqg1kkTLCsbeC7O2R_D_xzPvRR01ioxgWkZZxpd8IjDHbaUqbXP59TFJQzBfUF9H_Lc8doyDzV4o71Vs8mQeqdmi1gRS838AmMdYOdGZ3k2kZjRBPaJ-P_KBJ2/s4032/IMG_0744.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHITZq611phclqaeL0i2mN3_SlaypYSO1JbDQxkB4lMwdiopDuoRuGlRCKFyAF319s-vxqg1kkTLCsbeC7O2R_D_xzPvRR01ioxgWkZZxpd8IjDHbaUqbXP59TFJQzBfUF9H_Lc8doyDzV4o71Vs8mQeqdmi1gRS838AmMdYOdGZ3k2kZjRBPaJ-P_KBJ2/w320-h240/IMG_0744.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhu0xAKZX8LNqj1uXDm6fKfq5iy8-K9dV4Y2kz64T8gu6LQvD3dLAmGXItGvyAHxhphdKCQGaIy3oiyN5_Jz-NplXrp2oFsjHjGpQIq3k_w2218Tr47fMty6jRDcR1XmJm8osKaTcEoQ1HLoWXAUz70igzw_arGbKu-RXB57xvDnJeFao8M6ADJg3RW7825/s4032/IMG_0756.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhu0xAKZX8LNqj1uXDm6fKfq5iy8-K9dV4Y2kz64T8gu6LQvD3dLAmGXItGvyAHxhphdKCQGaIy3oiyN5_Jz-NplXrp2oFsjHjGpQIq3k_w2218Tr47fMty6jRDcR1XmJm8osKaTcEoQ1HLoWXAUz70igzw_arGbKu-RXB57xvDnJeFao8M6ADJg3RW7825/s320/IMG_0756.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlWC0AyWbh1obzwMvxwniGfUYW4OXxuis1JLekG9iAKIzL5EzEylHnAXj6ikV_XzqQHI9jywgMOg_27zXOAjkA2yB5TOMlYvQ1WfCP10-OdGiPEAlsIDK6-65uSxU_Htd9k5ghbLSw_ccEErdN_s6TeYSRndU0BoBFOqpc7jKXHwGu9VI19ON6wrK26448/s4032/IMG_0409.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlWC0AyWbh1obzwMvxwniGfUYW4OXxuis1JLekG9iAKIzL5EzEylHnAXj6ikV_XzqQHI9jywgMOg_27zXOAjkA2yB5TOMlYvQ1WfCP10-OdGiPEAlsIDK6-65uSxU_Htd9k5ghbLSw_ccEErdN_s6TeYSRndU0BoBFOqpc7jKXHwGu9VI19ON6wrK26448/s320/IMG_0409.jpg" width="320" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFOWn7BXgoIlxoAD5NhFeTORLLF1kmedeQSbypHFom6phUWjBn1KgH-tPpt89gWVDCFB2SwhuRHjbZKbM0PpYB-3klq-JH9Z5mCPUW1L-qdv_fGTYXJvP7Ml1mYVvJfcIxfCHNsXcjEkdevBC2F7e4OPmMxkvu7Ld_sZijwBq769GphORF1on9n3j8TG94/s4032/IMG_3075.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFOWn7BXgoIlxoAD5NhFeTORLLF1kmedeQSbypHFom6phUWjBn1KgH-tPpt89gWVDCFB2SwhuRHjbZKbM0PpYB-3klq-JH9Z5mCPUW1L-qdv_fGTYXJvP7Ml1mYVvJfcIxfCHNsXcjEkdevBC2F7e4OPmMxkvu7Ld_sZijwBq769GphORF1on9n3j8TG94/s320/IMG_3075.jpg" width="320" /></a><br /><span style="text-align: left;">Sights in Rockford <br /></span><span face="Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif" style="background-color: #141414; color: white; font-size: 13px;">_______________________________________</span></div><p></p><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4clhQAQLgsFAjA4Ay92HUtk3ZaLzfKb8TBRMVNgcdkBNNt3fmUF__6xGuNgiV1yY1XX0JHSjPkP0m8tENiQAgvZwW9D7_zNKjSAyrGJ1AxFaoLnA1OBt8UKQS5-osHNNi5jV3GGYxbiSRoQZF9ddHsqE5_vFtIUGbJqpYzzFkFReSHMs4jfzY0Co0taCr/s4032/IMG_2923.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4clhQAQLgsFAjA4Ay92HUtk3ZaLzfKb8TBRMVNgcdkBNNt3fmUF__6xGuNgiV1yY1XX0JHSjPkP0m8tENiQAgvZwW9D7_zNKjSAyrGJ1AxFaoLnA1OBt8UKQS5-osHNNi5jV3GGYxbiSRoQZF9ddHsqE5_vFtIUGbJqpYzzFkFReSHMs4jfzY0Co0taCr/w400-h300/IMG_2923.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>Stockholm Inn</b></div><br />Our first stop is perhaps Rockford's most popular breakfast spot. If not the most popular it's certainly one if the most well known. The history of the Stockholm Inn is traced back to the 1940's when a husband and wife team with Swedish ancestry opened it under a different name. The people they sold it to kept the homestyle Swedish recipes and renamed it after Sweden's capital city. Decades later it brings alot of cultural and historical value to the people of Rockford. Locals pack the place on a daily basis. Many come for Swedish specialties like kroppkakor (potato dumplings), kaldomar (cabbage rolls), Swedish meatballs, salt herring, fruit soup, rice pudding and nut cake. Their most popular menu item are the Swedish pancakes which are a cross between a pancake and a crepe. They're thinner and lighter than their American counterparts due to the use of less flour and more butter when making them. It's common to eat these with a lingonberry sauce but I enjoy them as is with butter. <br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicvhlZ9-50XY3V_wHeb3X74gJbIql5TDGs4ZI3Lhz8iyOkIw13CHylRKsbyNN5jt1rHz3xRkezi0YvkNPAcrxb1vRvktUvXXc6rw_IU_gIcOFfaW8MIFAfzVpVrrMJjAiL-Jp4ZpNgCmOs4FHqSScE-JX8PioXJf1Xh6EKAsj4b_2z2HwllhnOEjEZpxwR/s4032/IMG_2939.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicvhlZ9-50XY3V_wHeb3X74gJbIql5TDGs4ZI3Lhz8iyOkIw13CHylRKsbyNN5jt1rHz3xRkezi0YvkNPAcrxb1vRvktUvXXc6rw_IU_gIcOFfaW8MIFAfzVpVrrMJjAiL-Jp4ZpNgCmOs4FHqSScE-JX8PioXJf1Xh6EKAsj4b_2z2HwllhnOEjEZpxwR/w400-h300/IMG_2939.jpg" width="400" /></a><br />Swedish Pancakes at Stockholm Inn<br /><span face="Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif" style="background-color: #141414; color: white; font-size: 13px;">_______________________________________</span><br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzqkAPaHIkowObO36kzRmeeJVuHU-RHKGLRumtD9vsNUh_yZ3aMcNgGjbMaKZ6hnQBy52Na7pU9hGOg_xLuHlhTmOG81_b4YLuMMmUqGlCpVivmooHp5EQGr3txQPNHPN72NgCvW-BlWwa1jWebV3q1H5ybLnUJTpbNvFQcsbrbR2ZGzLaQWYW-hWwzGgY/s4032/IMG_0387.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzqkAPaHIkowObO36kzRmeeJVuHU-RHKGLRumtD9vsNUh_yZ3aMcNgGjbMaKZ6hnQBy52Na7pU9hGOg_xLuHlhTmOG81_b4YLuMMmUqGlCpVivmooHp5EQGr3txQPNHPN72NgCvW-BlWwa1jWebV3q1H5ybLnUJTpbNvFQcsbrbR2ZGzLaQWYW-hWwzGgY/w400-h300/IMG_0387.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b>Behr Den<br /></b><br /><div style="text-align: left;">Rockford's oldest restaurant is tucked away in an industrial area near the river. Behr Den has been serving the people of Rockford since 1896. It's open to the public but its location directly across the street from Behr Iron & Metal makes it a regular stop for workers of the longtime manufacturing company. According to an article from a local Rockford station it started out as a pharmacy and candy shop before turning into a restaurant over 100 years ago. Not a ton seems to have changed in the last 50 years or so, even the radio sitting on top of the counter was from another era. The prices are too. I got a bacon, egg, and cheese sandwich for just $3.50 while my friend got the Denver omelet plate for $6.25. I've visited countless blue collar type dining spots over the years and none of them felt as industrial as the Behr Den. That goes for the food and the people on top of the atmosphere there.<br /><br /></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9DJhAycPjOGS0glJ0VKbZ_EG_rbYGOecnRj9pRfHqnDSgkd1ltiHjKCHIWcAALkunddNl54oEA3Wv0fRzmcC0YvmzjYXS1_vHukkiK5dyV8dXEekkLCaNTKluLyIXDT7I3iPiP3p1Dkr7KBk3ph4AA_uLbxTEDJsHgu3RQ4Mn2IU5HVucu1GSesGVbIcU/s4032/IMG_0403.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9DJhAycPjOGS0glJ0VKbZ_EG_rbYGOecnRj9pRfHqnDSgkd1ltiHjKCHIWcAALkunddNl54oEA3Wv0fRzmcC0YvmzjYXS1_vHukkiK5dyV8dXEekkLCaNTKluLyIXDT7I3iPiP3p1Dkr7KBk3ph4AA_uLbxTEDJsHgu3RQ4Mn2IU5HVucu1GSesGVbIcU/s320/IMG_0403.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFEbc518VEx_58-FYyWgsbOkyxjXXFj85JNVvNyAN2k3EUOYV6CGcbZwyB6OAKYVBtkCLtoihrMvEhBnXix0KI5TlqVB-1ZMweoMVV4-GvAXMDC69ZlL5jf6AZcewBe_fzCnGikm64zoqie6nHvf6N65Cd_R6cJ5kzWyShhJkZQ5rwycSeY8DU_Md607kl/s4032/IMG_0393.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFEbc518VEx_58-FYyWgsbOkyxjXXFj85JNVvNyAN2k3EUOYV6CGcbZwyB6OAKYVBtkCLtoihrMvEhBnXix0KI5TlqVB-1ZMweoMVV4-GvAXMDC69ZlL5jf6AZcewBe_fzCnGikm64zoqie6nHvf6N65Cd_R6cJ5kzWyShhJkZQ5rwycSeY8DU_Md607kl/s320/IMG_0393.jpg" width="320" /></a><br />Breakfast at the Behr Den <br /><span face="Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif" style="background-color: #141414; color: white; font-size: 13px;">_______________________________________</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7WrNNVOx46mKAt1eHtWnbT4wnr-OyagEYvQDRBRvm-JqYA6zxKqifYpXlykFGBqKu7NNHz_c772o7goJ5GZQQVZLknJbzpG2Gxv4tPqG37Cz85zm1ccZURXsHoVnGJEIZ1kYy0PdqEVLnNcqDEsk8E_20DklrbtcTI1WRVmU5wadopRSkuTdVzkgMFQb3/s4032/IMG_5198.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7WrNNVOx46mKAt1eHtWnbT4wnr-OyagEYvQDRBRvm-JqYA6zxKqifYpXlykFGBqKu7NNHz_c772o7goJ5GZQQVZLknJbzpG2Gxv4tPqG37Cz85zm1ccZURXsHoVnGJEIZ1kYy0PdqEVLnNcqDEsk8E_20DklrbtcTI1WRVmU5wadopRSkuTdVzkgMFQb3/w400-h300/IMG_5198.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>The Norwegian </b></div><br />At the time of it's opening The Norwegian was Rockford's most ambitious restaurant project. It's housed in a historic building that was bought by a local woman who grew up in the area and rehabbed it with the help of the local who donated more than $100,000 to a Kickstarter so that it could be cleared of asbestos and turned into a brunch pub and live music venue. They serve brunch with a Nordic twist with dishes like Æbleskiver. These delicious Danish pancake balls are made from a fried batter and basically a cross between a donut and a beignet. The Norwegian serves theirs with a fantastic made in-house raspberry jam and some maple syrup for dipping and I would highly recommend starting your meal with these or ending it with them. The Lyonnaise salad is a good option as far as starters go as is the gravlax Smørrebrød. They do a little Nordic twist on the smash burger called 'The Frikadeller' which is a smashed Danish meatball patty with Jarlsberg, sauerkraut, lingonberry bbq sauce and caramelized onion aioli on local baked rye. Definitely worth a stop. <br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5uLc1OOEe_Ko7U6wVDFqD2VL1RErPe2yucBzfwGIEmnHvSpqUTjCuAGAkSUM7w4H-jLU8J-5DR6JyvkJmctM2y8SfCarFQ_5RC8qR0OWwvIYvVLmUKy26AeUNj7j8eZzsUd8FABmV05JF068PP0soJtM9u0GuFKvpKIFtUlUvfwmNR0cFR4mhGooAOiq4/s4032/IMG_5189.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5uLc1OOEe_Ko7U6wVDFqD2VL1RErPe2yucBzfwGIEmnHvSpqUTjCuAGAkSUM7w4H-jLU8J-5DR6JyvkJmctM2y8SfCarFQ_5RC8qR0OWwvIYvVLmUKy26AeUNj7j8eZzsUd8FABmV05JF068PP0soJtM9u0GuFKvpKIFtUlUvfwmNR0cFR4mhGooAOiq4/s320/IMG_5189.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmJMR2sx9tYT3tuW-n_zyGc4y7palix7NQYpJGBkz34mGi7fOMjavuE4vYP_HTpF-5dWRjQt52DB1k93CZoEU8jiFNQ9cC9Uv2qSQ-zUtYoGzMqOp9DAGeBV0nDiJ_N5QKyEtAijppFiqVgcGUyUV-oDbuthN4VFhcOptp0tQaAjgEJjzqU0W_ceMLwh8U/s4032/IMG_5167.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmJMR2sx9tYT3tuW-n_zyGc4y7palix7NQYpJGBkz34mGi7fOMjavuE4vYP_HTpF-5dWRjQt52DB1k93CZoEU8jiFNQ9cC9Uv2qSQ-zUtYoGzMqOp9DAGeBV0nDiJ_N5QKyEtAijppFiqVgcGUyUV-oDbuthN4VFhcOptp0tQaAjgEJjzqU0W_ceMLwh8U/s320/IMG_5167.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitzPIUgJovr-0-Krg5ltly9SdUuzLuFClnVF-48hQSWrxvK81uvcvV9Wj5JDqtVl2Tic51ZBOWpfRtkwQoPkseOvqsHVkcaybikhj2dTNdNzWKqQify3Pcb0fZO9vfiOCZ0rTmuOTzezk2_gpyHah_16scPYr_kOYqLQcnZcJERZI7n10extFUirFIqByx/s4032/IMG_5176.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitzPIUgJovr-0-Krg5ltly9SdUuzLuFClnVF-48hQSWrxvK81uvcvV9Wj5JDqtVl2Tic51ZBOWpfRtkwQoPkseOvqsHVkcaybikhj2dTNdNzWKqQify3Pcb0fZO9vfiOCZ0rTmuOTzezk2_gpyHah_16scPYr_kOYqLQcnZcJERZI7n10extFUirFIqByx/s320/IMG_5176.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6GkD5GTEPxNdqCAJotYKgE-XSNa33J0VGIHZk0h8zKnYvMJ08d7wp0vyHrL_U_8WcPygVzbpPTftsPK3lA3uxyIltKQnJ_Py0aNMbBFU1rfS3Ba3NZNOsy54PNFWq3zV4psTU9_XgqJ612Rzk1eoaInG6ckVqW7FTsjpTMZJaIGXUfO-w3PUxsaqG2rKZ/s4032/IMG_5195.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6GkD5GTEPxNdqCAJotYKgE-XSNa33J0VGIHZk0h8zKnYvMJ08d7wp0vyHrL_U_8WcPygVzbpPTftsPK3lA3uxyIltKQnJ_Py0aNMbBFU1rfS3Ba3NZNOsy54PNFWq3zV4psTU9_XgqJ612Rzk1eoaInG6ckVqW7FTsjpTMZJaIGXUfO-w3PUxsaqG2rKZ/s320/IMG_5195.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Brunch at The Norwegian<br /><span face="Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif" style="background-color: #141414; color: white; font-size: 13px;">_______________________________________<br /><br /><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYg-sNoiB42_V-xDfA0aW5kp4ZPvagVDBpieafJ8K0LlIWQ1CpJfyiJlLOlXM3Ss9fcBprsE1yeUOTjM6JCE4VwvrHm5CO6wN6toMbvjL6soct3zxIYmTdKk576r0jBzVYO9sug02GmBMRcAvIZxwFG_KgO0tPDyFA0DSKeSu4dODBtuJaBvzahQQN1oFX/s4032/IMG_0713.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYg-sNoiB42_V-xDfA0aW5kp4ZPvagVDBpieafJ8K0LlIWQ1CpJfyiJlLOlXM3Ss9fcBprsE1yeUOTjM6JCE4VwvrHm5CO6wN6toMbvjL6soct3zxIYmTdKk576r0jBzVYO9sug02GmBMRcAvIZxwFG_KgO0tPDyFA0DSKeSu4dODBtuJaBvzahQQN1oFX/w400-h300/IMG_0713.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>Meads Meat Market </b></div><br />One of my favorite things about the food culture in the Midwest is the
abundance of local butchers that are still around. There's not as many as thee
used to be but it seems like most towns in the region still have a
locally owned shop for meats and more. Meads is that spot in Rockford.
The family owned butcher shop has been serving the community for nearly
85 years. They didn't have a ton of meat on offer when I went in there
but they do a daily sandwich special which is what really seems to bring
the customers in. The hot roast beef sandwich was the special on my visit. House roasted beef is placed atop onions, cheddar, and hot peppers served on a locally made Italian roll. Not bad at all. <br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8Nm05fi83chosvZw-sPqL6XPB-g_4pB1ApjQOteFsC6vwYp7udOBYrsYRkdbFSghQhFogu_WCEsisj4YAtJrcXjlUMs949wqlymV7d1MSO-RlMV65QMw7JuuUUzjgfgPg8lqJQm3vwO42-xGDMI8wn1VqHAfg34jTUSJZ0d0f1cH_psMlpRW978_nQhDr/s4032/IMG_0723.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8Nm05fi83chosvZw-sPqL6XPB-g_4pB1ApjQOteFsC6vwYp7udOBYrsYRkdbFSghQhFogu_WCEsisj4YAtJrcXjlUMs949wqlymV7d1MSO-RlMV65QMw7JuuUUzjgfgPg8lqJQm3vwO42-xGDMI8wn1VqHAfg34jTUSJZ0d0f1cH_psMlpRW978_nQhDr/w400-h300/IMG_0723.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Hot Roast Beef at Meads Meat Market <br /><span face="Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif" style="background-color: #141414; color: white; font-size: 13px;">_______________________________________</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVXkUsa6AzSbIok3n0TmGgn3ThpT_0hc1iPuXdwc6DHB6M_uK71OidxGak7wNjf5KNpxZAdj6f0AMFhqLabCgz8zu3bAGqyRCiCqvkdXUXgjV5G8EHGj2TnswmboElShj4XXKhlFM_zqL9dsWwfiqKIfghoUkASlRl8QZ4l3nYEP74JbkbqmG6bWqXTYT5/s4032/IMG_3134.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVXkUsa6AzSbIok3n0TmGgn3ThpT_0hc1iPuXdwc6DHB6M_uK71OidxGak7wNjf5KNpxZAdj6f0AMFhqLabCgz8zu3bAGqyRCiCqvkdXUXgjV5G8EHGj2TnswmboElShj4XXKhlFM_zqL9dsWwfiqKIfghoUkASlRl8QZ4l3nYEP74JbkbqmG6bWqXTYT5/w400-h300/IMG_3134.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>Lino's</b></div><br />I once stopped at Lino's back in my college days riding to and from Madison. So I went ahead and got reacquainted as I was recently in the area. Lino's is Rockfords most popular pizzeria dating back to 1972. They shred their own cheese blend and the sausage is made on-site. Pizzas are cooked in an old Faulds Oven which is a defunct Chicago company, lots of local pizzerias still use them. They call this “Rockford style” as it’s thicker than cracker thin but still much thinner than deep dish. Actually it’s similar in girth to most thin crust spots in and around Chicagoland. It’s also a place of celebration as they cater and do banquets so lots of people in the area have a connection to the pizza and their house special salad with sausage. You can get a pizza, a salad, and a 2 liter of pop for $20 (takeout). I was most impressed with the sheer amount of people visiting be it for dine in or for takeout where they run a Chick-Fil-A type of ship getting customers in and out in an impressive amount of time.<p style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwnWKjUKv13mxsrY52o0sQ5ZYnXcDGwe8LaVRdy04BZTMOkpSZbGt3O32fh0IGeYNUh3vmHWeNHjrPwEPbskPv_lpk_fRIcVnH9IxHvJl-IdYy58bm5T54MF-aMgBX0mU4woMQBPU6UFjwvk5QiTBIYApg3jdC6N171zZbFHhgcARms__nCi_H4R5-X1gb/s4032/IMG_3148.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwnWKjUKv13mxsrY52o0sQ5ZYnXcDGwe8LaVRdy04BZTMOkpSZbGt3O32fh0IGeYNUh3vmHWeNHjrPwEPbskPv_lpk_fRIcVnH9IxHvJl-IdYy58bm5T54MF-aMgBX0mU4woMQBPU6UFjwvk5QiTBIYApg3jdC6N171zZbFHhgcARms__nCi_H4R5-X1gb/s320/IMG_3148.jpg" width="320" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgierB9j0kdUzgmnLJOQzX3kEH_47w8JQzooiD-k2jgTjCaGknocyHmHSvkg_pFps-eVNk1GKQEKpoavuJVc1IMNnbmFQiBSuKunsTuq6nNwIdeBDeLc8RfT-SyfYr1eFCC7MEf9e_bUYeWtOS-ZPseINh_pVh0DmMCNi17hM2sB2jEQPnfRnMhvy9wZU9B/s4032/IMG_3173.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgierB9j0kdUzgmnLJOQzX3kEH_47w8JQzooiD-k2jgTjCaGknocyHmHSvkg_pFps-eVNk1GKQEKpoavuJVc1IMNnbmFQiBSuKunsTuq6nNwIdeBDeLc8RfT-SyfYr1eFCC7MEf9e_bUYeWtOS-ZPseINh_pVh0DmMCNi17hM2sB2jEQPnfRnMhvy9wZU9B/s320/IMG_3173.jpg" width="320" /></a><br /><span style="text-align: left;">Salad and Pizza at Lino's <br /></span><span face="Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif" style="background-color: #141414; color: white; font-size: 13px;">_______________________________________<br /><br /></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2MCLole-w5-olmS4wfQAWSl4rcs_m278SChSfmzZR-ayYzf-_aW4Z5svt-G_RwisqSSTr1Zne-j7Bab-Wq4xuyW1Sbe-wOMEHx_3hVw61tRgfDU6pftPpEV75Z1PZ83cF3Bp8NbGOvP-ozxDNCBvTxCaJwRlgAwbz3-CN3qjsEvGqIt8Es8gl5ssSROUu/s4032/IMG_3061.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2MCLole-w5-olmS4wfQAWSl4rcs_m278SChSfmzZR-ayYzf-_aW4Z5svt-G_RwisqSSTr1Zne-j7Bab-Wq4xuyW1Sbe-wOMEHx_3hVw61tRgfDU6pftPpEV75Z1PZ83cF3Bp8NbGOvP-ozxDNCBvTxCaJwRlgAwbz3-CN3qjsEvGqIt8Es8gl5ssSROUu/w400-h300/IMG_3061.jpg" width="400" /></a><br /><span style="text-align: left;"><b>Olympic Tavern </b></span></div><p>If you're riding through Rockford and looking for a sit-down type of spot for dinner you should check out the Olympic Tavern. It's a Rockford institution dating back to 1945. It's got a very Wisconsin tavern and supper club type of vibe as far as the food and the atmosphere goes. You don't see fried bluegill around too often so I like to get it when I have the chance to do so and Olympic Tavern has it available regularly so that was an easy decision for me on my visit. If you've never had bluegill it's similar to lake perch in flavor and texture so it's best served lightly breaded like those seen below. <br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0ogIyRhVbSmJHcTiGAyP_Z3xjGAR9qiXKHLze2Pccr24Cfruq4yvNRQkmyen7eXfOYwsp_GlNO5b_EuvtdgN2O-Mt-hY_KY7b410dS0n3E_GHmgd54D6-Z7fxcuE2RswUXcNOlADxTb4kYKN8UDVRgwQQeMzSsHAC_Cg-0jrqVNQ8UnQc7mQCYEUdMNvF/s4032/IMG_3040.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0ogIyRhVbSmJHcTiGAyP_Z3xjGAR9qiXKHLze2Pccr24Cfruq4yvNRQkmyen7eXfOYwsp_GlNO5b_EuvtdgN2O-Mt-hY_KY7b410dS0n3E_GHmgd54D6-Z7fxcuE2RswUXcNOlADxTb4kYKN8UDVRgwQQeMzSsHAC_Cg-0jrqVNQ8UnQc7mQCYEUdMNvF/w400-h300/IMG_3040.jpg" width="400" /></a><br /><span style="text-align: left;">Blue Gill Filets at Olympic Tavern </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span face="Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif" style="background-color: #141414; color: white; font-size: 13px;">_______________________________________<br /><br /><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgymYpUsV-VOLbCpuszbwcyJKOMyrCt-r9wW1UjfhNf67EFXpRcWYqzsEHOezydVBBrLnNKVB-O4rLuIAGCmNodZi3ZVpvK9YV5cfxAy9Eta1b9of7kbUR5sgd3DOTKMFwLZkiVRkUIxem2iPwuPR-8gEslMlTqCOZJr8DWnChKG0JVV8mgT-d-9o4b0PhC/s4032/IMG_3017.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgymYpUsV-VOLbCpuszbwcyJKOMyrCt-r9wW1UjfhNf67EFXpRcWYqzsEHOezydVBBrLnNKVB-O4rLuIAGCmNodZi3ZVpvK9YV5cfxAy9Eta1b9of7kbUR5sgd3DOTKMFwLZkiVRkUIxem2iPwuPR-8gEslMlTqCOZJr8DWnChKG0JVV8mgT-d-9o4b0PhC/w400-h300/IMG_3017.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>Lao Kitchen </b></div><br />If you're a Chicagoan passing through Rockford and thinking about stopping for some food you might want to consider Lao Kitchen considering there's no Lao restaurants in Chicago (there's one ghost kitchen). To my knowledge there's a small Lao community in the Rockford area which could be due to its proximity to Wisconsin where there's a fairly large Lao presence. Lao food has slowly become one of my favorites going back to my college days in Madison which is where I was first introduced to the flavors before falling even further in love with the food while in Northern Thailand with whom Laos shares a border as well as many different ingredients and recipes. Since then Lao food has become pretty popular across the country with more and more spots identifying as Lao and not Thai. Lao Kitchen has a relatively small menu with mostly standard offerings including Lao sausage which might be my favorite encased meat these days (it's top 5 for sure). I love how Lao sausage packs all the wonderful flavors and aromas of Southeast Asia both in the link itself and also from the spicy and sour jeow sauce that it's typically served with. Add in some sticky rice and you got a meal in of itself but I also rec the Lard Na which is typically found on Thai menus but is traced back to Laos where Chinese people would cook stir fried noodles covered in gravy. Lao Kitchen makes a very good version. <br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3GjDsMI2KaBWcC20_mQPfQVphYNa2wDmOEiAd0rhSKjMAgFZQktoXLNYqcj_UzEc-9CTU1UuS89LAPOSDec5KbFR84Kt84BL73BVhnp_ciOhGJU7SnDXtvfnpIHr7pdID3I6b0MFmCo99oYX0ZFQjOjVVPLu_sXF1kyYyHZAhfo03iJt42WCovNXsX5N6/s4032/IMG_2987.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3GjDsMI2KaBWcC20_mQPfQVphYNa2wDmOEiAd0rhSKjMAgFZQktoXLNYqcj_UzEc-9CTU1UuS89LAPOSDec5KbFR84Kt84BL73BVhnp_ciOhGJU7SnDXtvfnpIHr7pdID3I6b0MFmCo99oYX0ZFQjOjVVPLu_sXF1kyYyHZAhfo03iJt42WCovNXsX5N6/w400-h300/IMG_2987.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Lunch at Lao Kitchen <br /><span face="Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif" style="background-color: #141414; color: white; font-size: 13px;">_______________________________________</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnIYbs1lymb68oJbHeRoMt5B0jP63rc2MEgHSlK1V-zq0fF1Y4z-nrGHU0pTbujUD87u5Mrohh_4_IdjEloJf_99YeJbjBiga87FNlgXUDMsplNQccvXE3qgYLVJx0JtaXBeoisbY_lZItUf1Z4t-nfh4zMy_eOsRYTFdKJ6AcDv_NuXMsbXdWAf8RwGi4/s4000/IMG_6758.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnIYbs1lymb68oJbHeRoMt5B0jP63rc2MEgHSlK1V-zq0fF1Y4z-nrGHU0pTbujUD87u5Mrohh_4_IdjEloJf_99YeJbjBiga87FNlgXUDMsplNQccvXE3qgYLVJx0JtaXBeoisbY_lZItUf1Z4t-nfh4zMy_eOsRYTFdKJ6AcDv_NuXMsbXdWAf8RwGi4/w400-h300/IMG_6758.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>Tortacos Soto</b></div><br />Rockford might not be Illinois' Second City when it comes to tacos, that's Aurora, but there's still lots of taco options. I came across Tortacos Soto while browsing the menus of local taquerias. They have a couple of guisada (stewed meats) offerings with chicken and I enjoyed both of them. <br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjB4dr_EwaKNxmbhWrtnkRNlPMToOPkOOrnG4znuzohYqyLsT8ZGoB16DNVe72tFU98N5t9zWvQlj333RonW8F_aPqT_LYcj5lhS4vScUPLUJEDa8X5fUT-oOvC2WzlrKhrwqYUZ0BbMTq_lxO2pV8tZ0po2tzX03J45M1kzt1UQwd-gugD3tenL2cTRatd/s4000/IMG_6764.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjB4dr_EwaKNxmbhWrtnkRNlPMToOPkOOrnG4znuzohYqyLsT8ZGoB16DNVe72tFU98N5t9zWvQlj333RonW8F_aPqT_LYcj5lhS4vScUPLUJEDa8X5fUT-oOvC2WzlrKhrwqYUZ0BbMTq_lxO2pV8tZ0po2tzX03J45M1kzt1UQwd-gugD3tenL2cTRatd/w400-h300/IMG_6764.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Pollo en Rajas con Arroz at Tortacos Soto <br /><span face="Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif" style="background-color: #141414; color: white; font-size: 13px;">_______________________________________</span></div><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi78rUWfSl6E1mcBslH6rWvKkuiowhwVDlTZIVz9w_joQKH8c5qemWoPoZ6joztwQtn2AAlceosQQXsPuWu-jGzwHAZ1rneKpj6n8YEMzN60EYnCHnkKMb9iOSqBHJqyIf3YGcgGodh9OBh1d_CL80XR8OUPmQnCYznPzv2zDr0qgYDclVQu4Z_SV9gYHIj/s4032/IMG_0779.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi78rUWfSl6E1mcBslH6rWvKkuiowhwVDlTZIVz9w_joQKH8c5qemWoPoZ6joztwQtn2AAlceosQQXsPuWu-jGzwHAZ1rneKpj6n8YEMzN60EYnCHnkKMb9iOSqBHJqyIf3YGcgGodh9OBh1d_CL80XR8OUPmQnCYznPzv2zDr0qgYDclVQu4Z_SV9gYHIj/w400-h300/IMG_0779.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>Beef-A-Roo <br /></b><br /></div><div>If you're passing through the area and looking for something quick well then I have to mention Beef-A-Roo bc this wouldn't be a proper Rockford food post without it. The regional fast food chain opened their first location in 1967 and now has seven locations in the Rockford area while currently being in the process of a rapid expansion to a handful of other states. Beef-A-Roo is known for roast beef sandwiches which are not to be confused with Italian beef. These are more like Arby's though it's fans will tell you it's so much better and they might be right but if we're being real they're pretty similar to me. Then again it was sold by the original founders a few years back so it's likely that things have changed. I'm not saying it's terrible but it's typical fast food as far as it's quality goes. <br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4mrjM1fxMatVD-WmQx91tRCVVjHcDoWb8qpSPN3TJYNihruh5AtSKHBu01DWoGFfey9fExZMJLUw4CfTTr_Z37qTenppR-Elp5tOgtyELqc-wOdyzbxlXv-rhDaAeB5yu2Ow0PbWplaR_6ORmaL9oIphUDqFS_6nwOSu1ilZMR7Hf2-O-mBsNGrzbpQbw/s4032/IMG_0774.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4mrjM1fxMatVD-WmQx91tRCVVjHcDoWb8qpSPN3TJYNihruh5AtSKHBu01DWoGFfey9fExZMJLUw4CfTTr_Z37qTenppR-Elp5tOgtyELqc-wOdyzbxlXv-rhDaAeB5yu2Ow0PbWplaR_6ORmaL9oIphUDqFS_6nwOSu1ilZMR7Hf2-O-mBsNGrzbpQbw/w400-h300/IMG_0774.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Roast Beef and Fries at Beef -A-Roo <br /><span face="Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif" style="background-color: #141414; color: white; font-size: 13px;">_______________________________________</span></div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDrJIsxDK2ml0Aue_dGSWkHrL_UFMVxRW5QtmXvGG5oXRLwtC0M9w77MEWso4eBT0Eqx05X2Uiuqfd-a8WH2TdWTgYKQ3JpkGhfs5FhjV4xB8ixZtbxddzxtE-oqlka6nawRbYbPijF1RtJksNkFKknWu6xEgnMa-2GeouqZNHXQqdYEG5cMigIXwIvpHJ/s4000/IMG_6776.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDrJIsxDK2ml0Aue_dGSWkHrL_UFMVxRW5QtmXvGG5oXRLwtC0M9w77MEWso4eBT0Eqx05X2Uiuqfd-a8WH2TdWTgYKQ3JpkGhfs5FhjV4xB8ixZtbxddzxtE-oqlka6nawRbYbPijF1RtJksNkFKknWu6xEgnMa-2GeouqZNHXQqdYEG5cMigIXwIvpHJ/w400-h300/IMG_6776.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>Zammuto's </b></div><br />I've been making summertime stops at Zammuto's for more than 20 years now. But its history goes back way further than that. It was opened as a grocery store in 1925 by a local Italian who may or may not have had a connection to the head of the Rockford mob family ran by a man with the same surname. The grocery was transported into a granita / ice cream stand at some point in the 50's or 60's and was later sold but the granita recipe lives on with the current owner. Granita is a product of Sicily, a cousin to Italian ice in that it's a semi frozen dessert made from fruit, water, and sugar. Zammuto's serves both granita and soft serve and they combine the two of them for their signature menu item - the "Unusual". They're so well liked that other dairy stands around town also serve them. </div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBDv12CMISGsWjJ0ItiL3MbRzrrCWCKUtYI0rwXAYYYrkDfJan05aG5sPg-ianYFsclsN6NPBP0JjErWvuE_e8RAPYkA8S95Qe8yfrMwSixCO-eAjn97b2wtzI503eJ3Yar_cTshPHRjls29swf71iKG5OZbbW6a0Fv-OdSxcShsHIZPpCcLa2jl2qwZsV/s4000/IMG_6780.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBDv12CMISGsWjJ0ItiL3MbRzrrCWCKUtYI0rwXAYYYrkDfJan05aG5sPg-ianYFsclsN6NPBP0JjErWvuE_e8RAPYkA8S95Qe8yfrMwSixCO-eAjn97b2wtzI503eJ3Yar_cTshPHRjls29swf71iKG5OZbbW6a0Fv-OdSxcShsHIZPpCcLa2jl2qwZsV/w400-h300/IMG_6780.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">The Unusual at Zammuto's <br /><span face="Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif" style="background-color: #141414; color: white; font-size: 13px;">_______________________________________</span></div></div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><u><b>More from Illinois<br /><br /></b></u>Click '<a href="http://chibbqking.blogspot.com/search/label/Illinois">Illinois</a>' under tags for more than 50 posts including...<u><b><br /></b></u><br /><a href="http://chibbqking.blogspot.com/2020/09/eating-big-in-peoria.html">Eating BIG in Peoria</a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://chibbqking.blogspot.com/2014/08/stopping-in-at-three-galesburg-favorites.html">Roadfood in Galesburg</a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /><a href="http://chibbqking.blogspot.com/2019/06/southern-illinois-roadtrip.html">Southern Illinois Roadtrip<br /></a><br /><a href="http://chibbqking.blogspot.com/2015/07/the-smashed-crispy-burgers-of-central.html">Smashed Burgers of Central Illinois <br /></a><br /><a href="http://chibbqking.blogspot.com/2021/07/the-illinois-fried-chicken-trail.html">The Illinois Fried Chicken Trail</a><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /><b>See ya next time <a href="https://www.instagram.com/chibbqking/">@chibbqking</a></b><br /></div>KingThttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05368411195212070782noreply@blogger.com2