ABCdinners letter B

Letter B of our ABCdinners took us to a place called BIG and Little's. They have 3 locations now (River North, Lakeview, and Wicker Park) and all I can say is GO THERE!!

BYOB... Cash Only... Often have groupons... plenty of seating... awesome food!

(It has also been featured on Diners, Drive-in, and Dives)

They have so many different taco, po-boy, fry, etc options.

I recommend the soft shell crab po-boy. And an egg on your fries is never a bad choice! 

I've also heard good things about the Al Pastor taco and the fish tacos.

Other B options: Billy Goat Tavern, The Boarding House, Briciola, The Betty, Brunch



xoxo Jess xoxo

ABCdinners letter A

So my last post was like a year ago-ish when I decided to do the Alphabet Dinners!
Well it happened! And it was amazing!
We had so much fun that we already started challenges for 2016 including #brunchamonthclub and working through Liquor.com's Best Bars list (only Chicago ones)... but more of that later.

Thought I would give a quick recap of the Alphabet Dinners (as well as other Alphabet options we contemplated) in case anyone else wants to try out some!
Here we go!

A is for Au Cheval

Au Cheval is a restaurant on Randolph Street in the West Loop.  It has topped"best fries of America" and "best burger in America" lists- and the hour(s) wait to get in definitely supports that.  We went to Au Cheval on a Friday night and put our name in and enjoyed margaritas down the way at Hello Tacos! and then also standing outside the restaurant... so the wait really didn't seem bad at all!

Started with some bone marrow and beef cheek marmalade... sounds crazy... but was pretty darn good! Bone marrow tasted like some sort of butter.. Tim loved it, lets just say I tried it. ha But the beef cheek marmalade on their texas toast was yummy. Followed by, their famous burger and fries (get bacon on yours!!).. YUM! Still dreaming about it!

Other A options: Antique Taco, A Tavola, and Avec

ABC dinners

So many times the hubby and I stick with restaurants around us as well as tried and true good eats... we love our neighborhood and it has so many places we like. Done. Easy.

But I want to change that.

 I want to experience Chicago and its different neighborhoods and eateries.

Either with just the hubby or with friends, I want to set up a night or two each month in which we visit a new restaurant.

For fun, I thought it would be cool to go through the alphabet: 26 letters meaning 26 restaurants.

 Decisions are still flexible at this time, but I found this Dining Channel website makes things somewhat easy by providing Chicago restaurants alphabetically, what type of food it is, general location, and the link to the restaurant's website. 
Plus I am doing a little research with recommendations, Chicago's Best lists, and Food Network/Travel Channel. Easy to find a new place- practically just have to go and eat!!

Keep going back and forth on if I want to do it in order, or let it be more fluid.. but we
have already started! So excited!

#ABCdinnerproject

xo jess xo

Things to do in Chicago- Christmas edition

Things to do during the holiday season in Chicago:

1) Chriskindlemarket- Since we moved to Chicago, Tim and I have gone to Chriskindlemarket at least twice during December. It is always packed, cold, and lines for drinks or to see the ornaments. But it is worth it! My two favorites include: the mulled wine with the keepsake mug/boot AND the cheese vendor. The cheese corner is always packed with people sampling as well as smells/tastes delicious!! I could stand and smell the roasted nuts forever too!

2) Zoo Lights- Beautiful Christmas lights strung all around Lincoln Park Zoo... walk around with a hot cocoa (spiked or not) or beer or spiced wine or what you desire and look at the lights, see live ice carving, special exhibits, and people watch. All with a beautiful view of the Chicago skyline. The zoo is free admission as always and parking on-site is $20.

3) Magnificent Mile Lights Festival- We went for the first time this year and it was so much fun! There is a tree lighting by Water Tower Place, parade, and it ends with fireworks over Chicago River! I went with my brother-in-law and husband and we have declared it as a tradition! Keep an eye out for the date just before Thanksgiving! (Looks like it says Nov 21, 2015 for next year!)

4) If you like ice skating... Millennium Park has "free" ice skating with $10 skate rental... or the new Maggie Daley Park with the 'ribbon' skating park has a $12 skate rental. Haven't done this yet BUT it is on my list to do!

5) Check out bars with holiday decorations! It's great to find a cozy holiday place to warm up with a drink! Places I have been to/are on my list to visit include: Butch McGuire's (Gold Coast),  The Walnut Room (The Loop),  Miller's Pub (The Loop), Augie's (Lincoln Park).

So far, have only hit up Miller's Pub. Get the TOM & JERRY beverage!! (not pictured above)

6) Winter/Holiday markets such as Renegade and Randolph Street Market provide a cozy shopping environment to get custom made, antique, vintage, and local gifts to check off the holiday gift list or snag something for yourself! Definitely has waves of traffic... Worth a peek!

xo jess xo

Baby It's Cold Outside..

If this winter, is anything like last winter... we are looking at another polar vortex here in Chicago. This year I am finally investing in winter essentials. (I bet my mother is saying "I told you so".. I have always hated to coat up or anything in the winter.)

So far in my winter essential stock up:

I splurged on a Northface stocking cap with built in ear-warmer (I bought it in the light grey version! so cute!)

I have asked for some good all-weather winter boots by Sorel for Christmas. It was between these and L.L. Beans or J.Crew's... but these Sorel boots just had such good reviews for holding up and comfort that I decided to go that route.  I keep flip flopping though. Such a tough choice...


And Macy's is having a large 3-day sale right now, including coats, in addition to already marked down prices. Definitely worth a look!!!! I had been looking at black, long, puffer coats for a year now and this coat checks off the boxes.  It will be on it's way to me soon! :)
 

Gloves... I tend to just find a pair I like and stick with them until I lose them... nothing too fancy on that end.
Boot Socks... I have bad luck with my socks getting holes in the toes. So far, I haven't found my favorites. J. Crew's Boot socks are good, but I could still go for thicker. I'll be on the hunt this year.
Scarves.. again, nothing fancy. I likes it, I gets it. haha



While in searching for coats, I came across something I didn't know. Forever 21 has some cute and affordable coats (around $50-$60)!  I can't verify the quality as I haven't bought one or anything, but I am loving some of these coats and wouldn't mind adding them to my closet once I have my essentials.... for instance:
      


Anyone else trying to get winterized? And maybe trying to jazz up the look in order to be ok with already having to bundle up?

xo Jess xo