Paella with the Best View – Sa Foradada, Mallorca

Sitting atop a small cove, Sa Foradada is an amazing rock formation straight out of a postcard and getting there is half the fun. Just south of Deià it can only be accessed by hiking in or taking a boat –– this keeps the crowds away and is an invitation to those that are drawn […]

Enjoy Some Old School Asian Fusion at Ping Pong in Lakeview

Although in the dozen blocks of North Broadway between Waveland and Belmont there has been a boom in restaurants this year, including a couple of BBQ places, Mexican Cafe, and a breakfast joint, I decided bypass these for now and finally try a neighborhood staple that has been around for years. I suppose I would […]

5ish Things to Do in Nashville

The first impression of Nashville is of a growing city, scaffolding and construction sites dot the downtown area in what looks like a hotel boom in the city. I was told over eight hotels were being built and these were seriously big hotels. Good sign for Nashville. On the way to the hotel I noticed […]

Want Tasty Empanadas? Get On Over to Cafe Tola in Lakeview

Cafe Tola, the to-go espresso and empanada bar, is a great addition to Lakeview. What it lacks in size it makes up in color and flavor. This tiny spot is brightly decorated and uses every square inch for either food or Latin American tchotchkes like luchador masks. The staff is very friendly and expedites the […]

A Night at Foreign Cinema or How Everyone Ate My Sesame Fried Chicken

Foreign Cinema has become a San Francisco standard and for good reason. Gayle Pirie and John Clark have consistently served tremendous and inventive California/Mediterranean influenced food on an almost daily changing menu. Several options went through my mind when I was thinking about where to have my bachelorette dinner but Foreign Cinema won out with […]

Ay Ay Picante – Discovering Peruvian Cuisine in Albany Park

If I found out my ancestors are from the Andes I would not be shocked based on my lifelong love of anything with chilies, corn, avocados, tomatoes, and potatoes. Ay Ay Picante is an exciting mix of traditional Andean, with a splash of influence from Spanish and Japanese immigrants that have made Peru their home. […]

Coming Home to the Mission and Delfina – San Francisco, CA

I wrote about my celebration weekend in San Francisco earlier this month and wanted to follow-up with my trip to Delfina. I’ve always had a special place in my heart for Delfina. I’ve been on dates there, had heart-to-hearts with friends, and celebrated many occasions. Each time it has always felt like I was coming […]

Tom Yum Goong Soup Straight from Thailand

I’ve been sick for the past 10 days so soup has been on my mind. Well, soup and tropical beaches since it’s February in Chicago. This is what I dream of: It’s no surprise that my mind drifted to my honeymoon in Thailand and the wonderful cooking lesson I took with the head chef of […]

I Left My ♥ in San Francisco

I called San Francisco my home for almost nine years and miss it to this day. I have not been back since 2010 but I had the chance last weekend with some friends for a friend’s weekend/SF reunion/bachelorette party. It was impossible to get in everything I wanted to in less than 72 hours but […]

What To Eat/Drink/Do/Make on Valentine’s Day/Fat Tuesday

Whether you are a fan of Valentine’s Day or not it is a good excuse to get out and eat some good food and enjoy some good company. Or stay in and invite a date or friends over and share some food and drink. In fact, none of this requires a holiday to do but […]