Vail in the Summer, Oh My!!!

 

I will admit, I am a summer baby. I love all of the typical highlights of summertime: sunshine, warm weather, sand, beach and did I mention warm weather? Cold weather makes me want to hide and hibernate. Snow is cute on postcards and good for a day off work (especially in the south) but I prefer warmer elements.

Next weekend, we are heading to Vail. The last time I was in Colorado, a group of friends and I were wrapping up a girls' ski trip (of course we spent most of the time in the cozy condo). Unfortunately, when it was time to fly home, our flight was cancelled due to a snow storm. Not good times....

Fast forward a few years and I am heading back to Colorado but in the summer. My husband and I are attending a wedding at the Vail Cascade Resort. I am actually looking forward to seeing Vail minus the snow.

Happy Travels!!!

Chasing Sunshine - Destination Bermuda

Hello, gorgeous!!! This picture captures a moment of perfect weather, warm water and good times on a beach. It was exactly what my body needed. My husband and I planned a last minute trip, to spend the 4th of July holiday abroad. With all the rain and cloudy days in Atlanta, we were in search for a change. We were chasing sunshine and found it in beautiful Bermuda. This photo was taken on the beach at the Fairmont Southhampton.

**A-List Tip - Take advantage of hotel and resort amenities. The Fairmont Southhampton is the sister property to the Fairmont Hamilton Princess. They offer a free ferry transportation from one property to another. Make your day on the beach easy and breezy!

Happy Travels!!! 

A-LIST Deal - Washington Hilton $99 - Hurricane Irene Special

Attention those in the nation's capital!!!! The Washington Hilton is offering a storm special. For $99/night, you will get generators, sports bar, comfy beds and movies on giant indoor screen!

Make your reservations while they last!!
http://www1.hilton.com/en_US/hi/hotel/DCAWHHH-Hilton-Washington-District-of-Columbia/index.do

Happy and SAFE travels!!!

Taste of Chicago - Garrett's Popcorn

Garrett's Popcorn
Multiple Chicago locations

Scenario: You have been walking up and down Michigan Ave. You have strolled through the gardens at the Art Institute. You are hungry but do not want to ruin your dinner appetite or reservations. What do you do??? Get on that smart-phone and find the closest Garrett's popcorn. They are everywhere and trust me, you will know you are in the right vicinity when you smell the caramel and/or see the lines of people.

Garrett's have been around for over 60 years and serving up gourmet popcorn goodness to the masses. One taste and you are a fan. Each time I have gone to Garrett's, I walk out with the largest shopping bag. Friends and co-workers find out I am headed to Chicago and they start putting in orders. Lucky me!!! What a time I have with my own personal items, a load of popcorn and TSA.

My favorite Garrett's flavor is the caramel crisp. Who knew it was possible to make caramel popcorn taste so rich and buttery. My co-workers enjoy the famous Chicago Mix (cheese corn and caramel mix). If you have never had the mix, it sounds wacky but once you taste it, you will want more.

**A-List Tip - Do not let the lines intimidate you. They move quickly and so worth the few minutes. Hey, use that time to check your emails or people watch. Plus, Garrett's Popcorn was listed as one of Oprah's Favorite Things in 2010. C'mon.....OPRAH!!!

Happy Snacking!!!!

Taste of Chicago - Orange with a Peel

Orange with a Peel
River West
730 W Grand Ave
Chicago, IL 60654
(312) 942.0300

Brunch is my favorite weekend meal. Not quite breakfast (too early), not quite lunch (OMG, I am starving!!!)...that perfect in-between meal, on a casual Saturday. And sharing my favorite meal with, some of my people, just tops off everything!!!

Orange with a Peel is a cute, contemporary style restaurant located in the industrial side of Chicago, off West Grand Ave. It is also walking distance to one of the largest Salvation Army's I have ever seen. Hello and high 5 for consignment shopping. 

Orange with a Peel is "Home of Frushi" aka fruit sushi (see picture). Cute concept, right? Orange is all about fresh, locally grown products. The menu is filled with the savory and the sweet. Warning, the sweet options will have you in a sugar daze!!!

My recent trip to Chicago was not my first visit to Orange. I had the opportunity to dine there a couple months ago, with my "I can't take this cold" former Chicago resident friend and my mom. The food was good then and just as good the second go round. However, on my second trip, I did order one of the refreshing, signature juices (mango and ginger). Nice!!!

What did I order? I selected the "Build Your Own Scramble". I filled my scramble with yummy veggies and cheese...good stuff!!! My friends ordered items like the French Toast Kabobs, the Cinnamon Roll Pancakes and Green Eggs and Ham (ah, Dr, Seuss!). Our table was full of yummy goodness and shortly after, our bellies were full.

How did we work off such a hearty meal??? We walked over to the super Salvation Army and shopped for a couple hours. Great start to our Saturday in Chicago.

**A-List Tip - Call ahead and make reservations. Orange on West Grand is not very large and they get packed pretty fast. No secret, the food is good and everyone wants a seat.

Happy Dining!!!!

A Taste of Chicago - Fulton's on the River

Fulton's on the River
315 N. LaSalle Street
Chicago Illinois 60654
(312) 822-0100

(from the website)
Fulton’s on the River, located on the Chicago River with views of downtown, offers the best of both worlds. A classic seafood and steak house, with an unparalleled devotion to procuring nothing but the highest quality ingredients. Quality service and an extensive wine and cocktail selection provide a great place to dine, relax and celebrate!

On day two, of my girlfriends' trip/taste of Chicago adventure, we decided to have dinner at Fulton's on the River. Fulton's has all of the elements of the classic steakhouse; rich woods in the decor; cclassic lighting and an uniformed waitstaff buzzing around with cuts of meat. One of the signature features of Fulton's is the outdoor, on the river dining. As the sun sets, you have table candlelight and the shimmer from surrounding buildings to provide a very chic ambiance. Table for four, please!

Ron, our server was so amazing. He answered all of our questions, regarding the menu, and very accommodating to our needs. After I coveted a nearby table's lobster bisque, I decided to order my own bowl. Ron saw my mates eyeing my yummy bisque and surprised them with extra spoons. Lucky girls!!!!

Between the four of us, we ordered the crab cakes (two orders), the salmon and Fulton's signature steak. We shared creamed spinach, broccoli, potatoes and mushrooms. Needless to say, forks were flying everywhere. Yum, yum and yum!!!!

 
**A-List tip - If you enjoy a good steakhouse, make reservations at Fulton's. If the Chicago weather is merciful, request outdoor seating. Take your time...enjoy the meal and the view.

Happy Dining!!!

Taste of Chicago - Mercat a la Planxa

Mercat a la Planxa
638 Michagan Ave.
Chicago, IL 60605
(312) 765-0524

A couple weeks ago, I was in Chicago with some of my best girlfriends from college. We were doing our annual girlfriend trip and around to help one of the girls bid Chicago "adieu". She is a  warm-blooded southerner and one year in the windy city (and a historic blizzard) had her ready to back her bags and head back to milder temps.

As we have gotten older, getting together and planning these trips appear to get harder and harder. Little things like running businesses, writing novels, kids and conquering the world (lol) make it very difficult to sync schedules. So when we are able to successfully confirm a trip, we try to savor every minute of the 48-72 hours we may have with each other. Our two points for a successful girlfriends' weekend: lots of conversation and great food. Voila!!! Chicago, in the summer was the perfect place to accomplish both. The next few posts for A-List Lifestyle will be dedicated to my taste of Chicago. First stop, Merkat a la Planxa.

(from the Mercat website)
Take a culinary tour of Barcelona right on Michigan Avenue at Mercat a la Planxa, where Catalan-inspired cocktails and cuisine come to life.


Start with a round of sparkling Cava or a pitcher of fruity sangria before digging into Mercat's menu of traditional tapas, grilled steaks, market-fresh seafood, artisanal cheeses and cured meats.

Whatever your pleasure, Chef Jose Garces' mod-Mediterranean kitchen delivers a dose of Catalan soul straight to your table.

Mercat a la Planxa - Chicago's new Catalan destination

Who does not love tapas?? Raise your hand and then pop yourself in the head. Tapas are the perfect way to experience international flavor and share a meal with a table of friends. I was fresh off of a flight from Atlanta, elated to see my friends and ready to eat!!! Bring on the mini plates.

Dante was our server and did an excellent job explaining the menu and recommending dishes. He was almost too good; between four people our table was spilling over with dishes. Mercat teases you with a free order of their house flat bread. That was not enough...we ordered two more orders.

Here are some of the dishes brought to our table:

• Patatas Bravas (Spicy Potatoes with Spicy Paprika Aioli) 2 orders
• Mar I Muntanya I (Smoked Veal Sausage, Charred Baby Octopus, Arbequina Olive Potato Salad & Piquillo Vinaigrette)
• Gambas al Ajlilo (Garlic Shrimp)
• Mixto (Chef's Selection of Cheeses)
• Calamari
• Setas al Horno (Wild Mushrooms, Confit Potato, Shallot & Parsley)

The setas al horno/wild mushrooms were probably the best mushrooms I have ever had in life. Seriously, they were that good.

No surprise, my dinner mates and I were overwhelmed and overstuffed. What an experience?!?!?! The food was great, the service was perfect and I started off my taste of Chicago with a little Spanish flare!!!!


**A-List Tip - Go to Mercats with an open mind. You will be in good hands. Taste the menu and consider recommendations from the server.

Happy Dining!!!!