On a Jet Plane to The Windy City, Baby!
I’m off to Chicago on a very early flight Thursday – I can’t wait! To be in Chicago, not the early flight…
It’s a short business trip, but I’ve decided to extend my stay and spend the weekend in the Windy City to enjoy the sights and more importantly, the food! Some of you may know that I’m obsessed with food and Top Chef, so being in the city that’s hosting the latest season is very exciting for me!
I hope to be able to spot some of the chefs that have guest judged on the show, like Rick Bayless and check out Fontera Grill. But if I don’t, the Boyfriend and I have plans to have a nice dinner at Spring, where New American cuisine gets influenced by Asian flavors. Sounds so delicious, I can hardly wait! We’ll also spend some time eating our share of hot dogs and deep dish pizzas as well 
But before l I get my butt to Chicago, there’s been yet another Top Chef elimination tonight!
I’m live blogging right now as I watch my favorite Wednesday night show. And I’m sooo excited that the cheftestants are cooking a six-course meal inspired by their favorite movies – Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory, Good Morning, Vietnam, Il Postino, Talk to Her, Top Secret and Dumb and Dumber – no wait, they decided on A Christmas Story (whew!).
The panel has eaten all the food, and really, I wasn’t excited about any of it. Maybe the black vermicelli Summer Roll that Spike and Manuel made since I’ve never seen that before. Although the judges didn’t like it. The first course was also really interesting – it’s nice to see their team win! Even though it’s Richard again, I like him and Andrew so I was glad to see them around for another week. The Boyfriend and I really want to try that style of cooking someday soon!
Ultimately, it was Manuel who had to say goodbye for being a follower and not a leader. It’s too bad that a venture out to Vietnamese food was his demise as Mexican is his forte. But, if he couldn’t impress Rick Bayless last week with a fine dining taco, maybe he deserves to leave after all.
What did you think of this week’s Top Chef? Exciting, not so much? Nice to see Aisha Tyler??
Follow along this season with my own blog coverage of Top Chef 4 by Subscribing to The Daily Cookie RSS feed or email.
On April 3rd, 2008 Mrs. Lynne, MakeupFix.net said:
Have fun hun! Eat some ono grinds for me also
On April 3rd, 2008 kia said:
aww have fun hon! experiencing chi town and food adventures with the BF aww! thanks for keeping us updated on the cheftestants (love it!). i just can’t get the times and schedules down with some of these great shows! esp. since my tv is bombarded by barney, einsten kids, hanna montana and the likes. =/
On April 3rd, 2008 the Muse said:
OH MY GOD HAVE FUN!
=)
I wish I could go! Don’t forget to visit the Shedd Aquarium (and see the otters! OH SO CUTE), the naval pier (go on the sea dog! So fun!), get to the watertower mall (yummie shopping)..and…and….can you tell how much I love chi town?
It’s my fav city aside from my own humble city of Manhattan
hehe!
Have fun Lil!
Enjoy!
On April 3rd, 2008 MandyPandy said:
Damn them! They should have done a dish based on Dumb & Dumber; it would have been brilliant and hilarious, just like the movie!
Have fun in Chicago! Do stalk the newly-hot Rocco DiSpirito and take some pics if you can (he’ll be back this coming season, right? RIGHT?!?). Rrrrreow!
On April 3rd, 2008 Carleen said:
Have fun in Chicago! The weather is supposed to be pretty nice here this weekend!
If you want cool shopping off of Michigan avenue, head to Bucktown on the blue line. Lots of trendy shops there at all different price levels. Also, if you want the standard pizza, try Due over Uno. They are essentially the same place and only a block apart, but Due is always less crowded!
On April 3rd, 2008 Lilan said:
Hi Mrs. Lynne,
Happy Thursday! Where can I get ono grinds????? And what is it? LOL
On April 3rd, 2008 Lilan said:
Hey Kia!
Have you been to Chicago? I haven’t been here in years so I totally excited to eat my way through everything
I’m definitely going to keep you updated on the shows.. you know someday I’ll be watching Baby Einstein too!
Hope all is well in DC!
On April 3rd, 2008 Lilan said:
Miss Muse!
Okay, I’m writing down everything you’re suggesting. We haven’t made any plans except for dinner reservations – we’re doing it impromptu-style, baby!!
You KNOW I’m going to take a million photos of everything while I’m here!!
On April 3rd, 2008 Lilan said:
Hi Mandy!
OMG… How could I forget about Rocco??? Putting on my stalker hat now…
A dish on Dumb and Dumber would have been CLASSIC!! Oh well.. I guess we’ll just have to settle for a Rocco sighting..
On April 3rd, 2008 Lilan said:
Hi Carleen,
Thanks for stopping by! And for the weather tip
Are you from the Chicago area?
I definitely have plans to peruse the shops on Michigan Ave – although it’s mostly the same shops we have in SF so I’ll definitely see if I can make some time to head to Bucktown.
Thanks also for the pizza suggestion! I’ve been talking about deep dish for a few days now
On April 3rd, 2008 Vanessa said:
Have a safe trip Lilan!
On April 3rd, 2008 Carleen said:
I’m out in the Chicago suburbs by Plainfield/Joliet. Definitely try to get to Bucktown for more unique shops. Beta Boutique rocks if it is open (it usually is on weekends). It is like a permanent sample sale! there are tons of other interesting little shops in that area too. Plus the new Marc by Marc Jacobs store decided to go into Bucktown instead of Michigan Ave..
On April 4th, 2008 Lilan said:
Thanks Miss Vanessa!
On April 4th, 2008 Lilan said:
Oh funny you live in the Joliet area, my aunt and uncle lived there for many years! I used to go out there every year to visit. They’ve since moved out to San Diego, which is the reason why I haven’t been back here in so long
I heard great things about the Bucktown neighborhood from my friends and co-workers last night while we were at the Victor Hotel and grubbing at Quartino, both really cool places! Your city is so fun, Carleen, I definitely want to take up your suggestion and go to Bucktown
Hope you’re having a great Friday!
On April 7th, 2008 Mrs. Lynne, MakeupFix.net said:
Hah, you’re so funny. Ono grinds is what we say here. It means “good food”. Ono = good, and Grinds = food or eats. I forget, have you ever visited the islands before? No, right?
On April 7th, 2008 Lilan said:
Hiya Mrs. Lynne,
I totally get the translation now. If I ever get my butt to Hawaii, at least I can speak like the natives do now!
Gimme some island ono grinds, yo!