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!!!!

Two Urban Licks - Atlanta, Georgia

Two Urban Licks
820 Ralph McGill Blvd,
Atlanta, Georgia 30306
ph: 404.522.4622

Nothing would be more tiresome than eating and drinking if God had not made them a pleasure as well as a necessity. ~Voltaire

Atlanta, Georgia is a foodie's city. Gone are the days, for being known only for southern staples, like cornbread and sweet tea. Do not fret, honey child, Atlanta still has plenty southern cooking establishments however, more diverse restaurants are gaining ground and collecting awards. Some of the best steak houses, Italian, Indian, Greek, fusion this, that and the third can be found in this southern city.

Do you have the taste for good American food, with a little trendy flare? You must visit Two Urban Licks. TWO is located within the downtown Atlanta area. The building is raw and edgy. The lighting is low and moody. If you plan on eating there on the weekend, call and make a reservation. TWO has been an Atlanta hot spot for quite some time so, prevent long waits and plan ahead.

Two Urban Licks is set up where the kitchen is in the middle of the restaurant. The smell of wood fire grills fill the air. You can request a seat, at the bar, around the kitchen. Watching the chef and staff work their magic is a TWO highlight. The menu has small plates and are great for sharing. There are also plenty of entrees and salads.

Make your reservation and let me know what you think? Or, is TWO already your favorite?? Please share your experience.

Happy Dining!!!

Downtown Atlanta Restaurant Week: May 28-June 5

Atlanta is all about summer time and socializing. What better way to kick off the warm weather than Downtown Atlanta Restaurant Week. This event showcases Downtown Atlanta restaurants with special dining promotions of three-course dinners from May 28- June 5, 2011 for $25.00 or $35.00 per person, plus tip, plus tax.

Hurry and make your reservations early. Spots fill up quickly!!!

Browse the participating restuarants and make your online reservations here.


Happy Dining!!

Bon Appetit!!! Hotel Restaurant Week 2011 April 2-9

I love Atlanta's many restaurant weeks. Looks like there is a new one to add to the list.

Hotel Restaurant Week (HRW) will celebrate its first annual week-long evening dining event. The event is geared toward attracting diners to hotel restaurants - a great dining option with a number of great Atlanta hotels to choose from.



HRW is expected to attract thousands of diners, so make reservations early to secure your table for this fabulous food event. There are no passes to buy or coupons to carry - diners simply make a reservation at the hotel restaurant of their choice and select from a special three (3) course dinner menu for $25, plus tip and tax.

HRW is a splendid opportunity to discover the acclaimed cuisine, service and experience that only a hotel restaurant can deliver.


Reservations are highly recommended!

http://hotelrestaurantweek.com/

Happy Dining!!!!