So here we are in Chicago…

As much fun as Minneapolis was, I was happy to arrive in Chicago and be surrounded by much needed diversity. Diversity – it’s a good thing.

It was a bit tricky as we arrived. Hoping Mads would again fall asleep during take off, she did quite the contrary. She fell asleep during landing. Without a baby carrier of some sort (note to self: bring the Ergo), she was going to wake up as soon as I picked her up. I let her sleep as long as I could – waited for the plane to empty before headed out. As expected, eyes shot open as soon as I picked her up. We slowly made our way to baggage claim and then hopped on the bus that would take us to our rental car. (I love that you can request a car seat from Hertz!)

We drove back to the airport to pick up lola and were on our way to Bucktown.

My cousin, who had arrived the night before, greeted us and after we got settled we headed out in search of my favorite coffehouse on Damen. It had been a while and I couldn’t remember how much farther down Damen it was, so we instead stopped at Chipotle for tacos. The funny thing is, that two doors down, was my coffeehouse. Oh well. We stopped at Psycho Baby and the Marc Jacobs store before walking back home.

One of my uncles had arrived home and directed us to a cute little neighborhood playground. Mads really enjoyed herself on the swings and was crazy about the slide. She’d go down by herself and then squeal, yes squeal, and run around the play structure, cross the bridge to head down the slide again…and again…and again.

After we managed to pry Mads from the playground, we picked up my uncle and headed out to dinner here.

I was hoping that Chicago was going to be just as kid-friendly a trip as Mpls, but honestly, I was just too tired to venture out to Navy Pier and the Shedd, so we stayed close in Bucktown/Wicker Park/Lincoln Park. Next time, I promise.

Chicago peep show

For those of you not familiar with Chicago architecture, homes are typically high and narrow. The room I was staying in was on the top floor. I was 3/4 through my morning shower when I realized that there was a contractor of sorts on the roof of building structure next door. Naturally, I didn’t have my contacts in, so I couldn’t tell exactly if the guy was watching me shower while chatting away on his cell. Fabulous, I thought. This guy was getting a look at the goodies for free.

After a late breakfast and a nap, we headed out to shop (what else is new) on Armitage and Halsted, then stopped at the Whole Foods Market in Lincoln Park to pick up stuff for dinner.

Our last full day in Chicago was crazy wet, with threats of tornadoes. As I was telling a friend, “I’m from California, I don’t DO tornadoes.” But people seemed to be going about their business and didn’t seem too worried, so neither was I…a little. ;o)

So we got rained on as we shopped and then went to Li’l Guys for a take-out lunch.

I put Mads down for a nap was able to relax and chat with my mom and cuz.

I was looking forward to dinner that night as my uncle had reserved the private dining room at this amazing restaurant A Tavola. Very unassuming, as the restaurant is housed in one of those typical Chicago homes. It was very nice to enjoy a nice restaurant dinner, but have Mads be able to run around and make as much noise as she wanted. Our meal was out of this world. I get full just thinking about it:

• Starters: salami & proscuitto drizzled with olive oil; marinated & roasted vegetables; sauteed mushrooms
• Pasta: House-made gnocchi with a brown butter-sage sauce and tagliatelle with bolognese
• Entree: roast chicken with parmesan polenta & garlic spinach; braised short ribs over saffron risotto
• Dessert: sampler plate of flourless chocolate cake, apple tart, lime tart, panna cotta

Are you full yet? If you are in the area, I highly recommend this restaurant.

So, after brunch Saturday, we packed up, took one last walk in the neighborhood and made our way back to the airport. As we arrived, we were pleasantly surprised to learn that our our flight was delayed (delayed twice, eventually and a gate change to boot). Luckily, Mads did manage to fall asleep during take off and slept for about an hour.

Obviously, we returned safe and sound and are happy to be home.

More so, not to toot my own horn, but I frickin’ survived two flights with Mads solo (my mom flew home with us from Chicago). Exhausting, but I survived and worried for nothing.

Here’s Mads trying to get friendly with Snazzie. Unfortch, Snazzie was having none of it.

Tagged: food on Tuesday, June 3, 2008 · No Comments »