Photos

May 4, 2011 In De-lish, Food, Illinois, Photos

you rocked our pancake world bongo room

How was brunch on Sunday? In a word: holyfreakingindulgentanddelicious. (Did you get that?) Ok, so that’s more than one word, but I had to blend them all together in attempt to describe the level of pancake euphoria my friend and I experienced at Bongo Room in Wicker Park the other day. I’m still floating with memories the warm white chocolate sauce on one of our stacks:

Bongo Room White Chocolate & 4 Berry Pancakes

I’d been to Bongo room nearly 10 years ago and fell in love then. I’ve dreamt of the Oreo pancakes with vanilla sauce I scarfed down so long ago since that long ago visit. This time around when I saw some menu changes and no Oreo stack of any kind offered, surprisingly I wasn’t disappointed. How could I be with all offered on this springs menu?

This Sundays visit I was with a new friend, fellow foodie, and Bongo Room first-timer. Even though this was our first meal together, as soon as we looked at the menu, we looked at each other and yes, we would be ordering 2 things and splitting of course. The best friends are made over sharing food after all! We were on this same drooling page for sure. In addition to our choice of the White Chocolate & 4 Berry Flapjacks (graham cracker crusted flapjacks topped with warm white chocolate cream cheese sauce, four berry coulis & fresh berries) we chose the Banana Heath Bar Pancakes (banana pancaked with heath bat chips, topped with warm toffee-butter cream & fresh bananas.) Here’s what our stacks looked like before we started our feast:

Bongo Room Heath Bar & Banana Pancakes

Bongo Room White Chocolate & 4 Berry Pancakes

Did I mentioned I had saved my appetite for 14 hours at this point? Yep, I was starving and ready to do some damage. If you know me, you know I don’t leave a bite on a plate of goodness. Well kids, you heard if here first; I just couldn’t finish. Neither of us could. Even starting with the most empty stomachs possible, the famous Bongo Room breakfast plates got the best of us. I still think we did some good damage though:

"After" Bongo Room Banana Heath Bar Pancakes

"After" Bongo Room White Chocolate Berry Pancakes

What a perfect mess we made. I’m proud of our accomplishment. This meal was like running a marathon; you work really hard, give it everything you have, it all seems a bit painful halfway through, near the finish line you think you could die, but after you’re done you’re so satisfied with good pain, feel pride like you have never felt before, and think: “I did it! I did it!”

I can’t wait to “run” my next marathon at Bongo Room. Until then, I will actually be running around my neighborhood so I can still fit into my jeans. Good thing the doctor called last week and told me my good cholesterol numbers were higher than she’d ever seen.

Man I could go for some pancakes right now…

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April 30, 2011 In De-lish, Illinois, Photos

scuba steve and intelligentsia coffee

Hello there reader Scuba Steve who wrote me yesterday:

Thank you for the compliment and note. Until we are finishing importing all the previous BLR posts here, you can still view everything Blue Lollipop Road previous to 4/29/11 on the original BLR site at www.bluelollipoproad.blogspot.com. I sent you a return note yesterday helping to explain this. For some reason, the email address you put down on my contact form didn’t work, so the email bounced back to me. Thanks for being patient and clicking around during this transition. Sorry for the confusion!

Onto coffee that I’m in love with:

It’s a sunny Saturday morning in Chicago and I’m sipping delicious Intelligentsia Coffee. If you are a coffee lover, have any access to an Intelligentsia Coffeebar, and haven’t been- you are missing out. Intelligentsia does coffee the only way coffee should ever be done. I’m drinking Organic Bolivia this morning as I type away:

Organic Bolivia Saturday morning Intelligentsia

The other night when it was cold and rainy, I camped out here and had a smack-yo-mamma good hot chocolate complete with pro barista art:

Inteliigentsia hot cocoa

This morning is my 3rd visit in 3 weeks. I have a feeling Intelligentsia and I are going to be very, very good friends during my summer in Chicago. I think I’m going to have to buy myself a Pourover box too. Once you do coffee this way, there’s just no going back.

Now, where in Chicago to have some breakfast. Oh the possibilities…

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April 28, 2011 In Illinois, Photos

creepy?

I’m sure this moving company wanted to have a cute, friendly looking kid on the side of their truck in attempt to be appealing to potential customers, but I’m thinking you might agree that this little one looks more horror movie, less welcoming:

Creepy looking kid on moving truck

She’s even channeling some Poltergeist glow!

During this break in posting and BLR site transition, I have collected quite a few funny and strange photos around the streets of Chicago. This city is chucked full of Mom-and-Pop joints and funky neighborhoods. Those of course provide plenty of off the wall signs and store fronts, as well as some very interesting characters…

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April 18, 2011 In Illinois, Photos

saddles and cilantro

One of my favorite questions is: “Hey Di, I am going to/trying/visiting/touring X this weekend. Want to come?”

Well of course I do!

This weekend it was horseback riding lessons and a neighborhood Asian market/deli for lunch.

We drove north of the city to the farm. A view from the barn:

View from Chicago suburb hourse farm

In the barn:

Saddle and stall

The gear:

Saddles and tack

Saddles

(Isn’t that saddle leather gorgeous?)

Had to take a photo of the liability sign:

Horse riding warning

This was a neat experience. I didn’t ride, as it was my friends lesson. (I’ve only ridden a horse once, so I would’ve been a hot mess out there anyway.) I did get to watch everyone collect all the gear they needed to ride and brush and prep the horses. The amount of prep time and gear involved surprised me, along with how much skill it takes to just simply stay on the horse. I’ve been skydiving and I think I’d be more scared to be on a jumping horse than I was jumping out of a plane.

After the riding lesson, we drove back to the city and stopped at this great little Asian market for lunch:

BaLe wall

To go goodies:

BaLe take-out goodies

…and you’ve got to love those random food items that are in some kind of gel, liquid or other:

Funky BaLe goodies to go

I wasn’t brave enough to try any of those items, so I opted for a veggie sandwich and it was oh so good. Can you say avocado, jicima and cilantro? Yum:

BaLe sandwich Chicago

Good company, New experiences, cheap, fresh, and delish eats = happy Saturdays.

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April 15, 2011 In People, Photos, Virginia

barboursville wine, berkeley hotel, very happy guests

***(I am hoping Jason, Winemaker Luca from Barboursville, and all the wonderful staff at the Berkeley will forgive me for this severely delayed post.)

On March 24th during Virginia Wine Week, I was fortunate enough to be invited to the Barboursville Vineyards Spring Wine Dinner in Downtown Richmond, VA at the Berkeley Hotel. The reception started at 6:30pm sharp and we were greeted by the friendly staff at The Berkeley, along with some delicious Barboursville 2010 Sauvignon Blanc:

Barboursville Savignon Blanc

To accompany this first wine, going with the local and Virginia theme were Rappahannok River Oysters on The Half Shell:

Rappahannok River Oysters

There were plenty of wine glasses lining the bar ready for a full evening of tasting:

Wine Glasses at The Berkely Hotel

…and Winemaker Luca Paschina cheerily greeted us and the rest of the guests. Meet Luca:

Barboursville Vineyards Winemaker; Luca Paschina

He could not have been more humble, warm, or genuine. It’s always refreshing when I meet someone so accomplished and talented who doesn’t have an ouce of ego.

After chatting with Luca and the Berkeley staff for a while as we sipped our Sauvignon Blanc, we were welcomed to the dinner table where we met the menu illustrating the 4 courses we were about to indulge in:

Barboursville Wine Dinner Menu

Can I just note here how much I love a long dinner, with a group of people who appreciate the art of food and drink? I am a true believer in feasting with good company, no one checking cell phones or watches, but simply engaging in interesting conversation and all laughing together fully appreciating the moment. No matter what state, country, time, place- this is my idea of a perfect night.

The first course; 2010 Barboursville Pinot Grigio with tuna tartare over arugula salad with toast points:

Tuna Tartare over Arugula Salad with Toast Points

The fresh-made puff pastry and arugula with dressing on this course was absolutely to die for.

The second course of grilled mushroom stuffed with mushroom risotto and white truffle oil came beautifully decorated and included 2008 Barboursville Barbera:

Mushroom Risotto, White Truffle Oil in Grilled Mushroom

They had me at white truffle oil!

Course three was braised beef cheeks over herb scented polenta served with Barboursville Ninth and Tenth Edition Octagon:

Braised Beef Cheeks Over Herb Scented Polenta

I may have actually licked the plate after this one. I think my “I am a vegetarian” thing might be getting old at this point. I’m fairly regularly consuming dishes like this- the one’s that are prepared to perfection and I’m simply not able to hold my veggie only willpower. (I think I’m Ok with that actually.)

Each wine was paired impeccably with the first three courses, but I have to say, my favorite was the last; Bubbly. Ahhh…

To finish up the evenings feast, we were served Babroursville Brut NV with two local Virginia cheeses, one California, One French and three local Virginia honeys:

Dessert Plate

Cheese, honey, bubbles and the privilege of sitting next to Winemaker Luca while I dined? I’m still smiling. Cheers to that!

Barboursville Winemaker Luca Paschina and I

After working in Napa last fall, it was a special treat to get an invite to this dinner and sit next to the chef of grapes, Luca, as I often miss that Napa lifestyle and conversation. I asked Luca loads of questions which he was happy to answer. All in all it was a fantastic night that could not have left us all more stuffed or satisfied.

If you live in, or visit Virginia, add Barboursville Vineyards and The Berkeley Hotel to your list of must experience places.

Many thanks to Jason and Luca from Barboursville and all The Berkeley Hotel staff for the invite an accommodation. I’ll be back for more!

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