Christmas Eve in Bogotá

Christmas is usually celebrated on Christmas Eve in Colombia. It is recognized by many that Jesus was born at midnight so families go out to dinner or gather with family in the evening and start toasting (Christmas, birth of Jesus) around 11pm. We started our Christmas celebration in the afternoon at my birth family’s house. […]

Beautiful Chaos in Bogotá Day 2

Bogotá has its own set of rules. Figuring out these rules is part of the adventure when traveling. Bogotá can make you feel like you have to earn your place but there is a sense of mutual respect once you prove you can mange it. It is then you can concentrate on the magic that […]

Chicago Restaurant Week – Resevations Open!

Chicago Restaurant Week – January 24 – February 6 The restaurants participating in the 2014 Chicago Restaurant Week were announced yesterday and online reservations are open! It’s a great list so good luck making a choice. All menus are prix fixe and start at $22 for lunch and either $33 or $44 for dinner. This […]

It’s Here! The Best Foodie Gift Guide via Chicago Food Bloggers!

It’s here! Check out the Chicago Food Bloggers holiday gift guide for the foodie in your life or to give yourself some items for your own holiday list. 100 pages full of treats, kitchenware, gadgets and many items from local Chicago shops. This is *the* foodie Holiday Gift Guide. Including 4 of my holiday picks! […]

Great Italian in Berlin|Mädchenitaliener in Mitte

Mitte is a bustling neighborhood in Berlin full of bars, restaurants and close to attractions like Alexanderplatz, Brandenburger Tor and museums. Schönhauser Strasse is a wonderful street with boutiques and cafes with a cozy Italian corner restaurant called Mädchenitaliener. We happened upon Mädchenitaliener before going to see the Eisbären Berlin play (Berlin’s professional hockey team). The […]

Italian Food Lover’s Dream – Ciao, Eataly Chicago!

Mario Batali’s Eataly opened on Monday and is basically Disneyland for foodies. Remember when Whole Foods opened up their store in Lincoln Park and you felt like you could spend hours in there? Well this feels like Whole Food times ten. Two levels full of all the groceries, wine, food, cookbooks and kitchenware you could […]

It’s Christmas Market Time in Hamburg & Erfurt, Germany

Christmas markets, known as Christkindlmarkt and Weihnachtsmarkt, have been held in Germany since the mid 1400s and are very popular today. Millions of people visit the markets throughout Germany to celebrate Advent and spend time with family and friends. My first Chistkindlmarkt was in Chicago in Daley Plaza and I loved it. I had heard […]

Breakfast in Soho – Jack’s Wife Freda

Jack’s Wife Freda is a cute little spot in Soho on Lafayette Street. We walked by and noticed the charming white and green awning and took a peek inside to find a bright yet cozy space with leather bench seating along the walls and a long communal table in the center. Arriving just at opening […]

Rustic Italian at Balena – Lincoln Park, Chicago

From the moment we walked in Balena it was perfect. The high ceiling with wood beams and big round lights give Balena an open and warm feel. Decor elements like the custom leather bar, wood block floor, old-timey cabinets, cutting board style tables, red leather folding chairs and Italian tile in greens blues and cream […]

Not So Small Plates at Wood – Lakeview, Chicago

The first time I passed Wood I peaked in and saw a beautiful wood bar with more than enough seats, a serious line up of liquor and rich orange leather booths. I immediately thought, “This is the perfect spot for a cozy drink and meal on a winter day.” Glad I didn’t wait until winter […]