Briciola: La Dolce Vita

You MUST try Briciola while the patio is still open (I know, I know.  It is only July, but I am telling you, my friends, that summer will be over before we know it.).

I mean, tell me this patio is not the perfect setting for a delicious Italian meal on a gorgeous summer night.

The tiramisu is the best tiramisu I have had since living in Italy.  Heaven on a plate.

(I forgot to take pictures of the amazing appetizers and entrees, 

but please believe me that EVERY dish was equally incredible.)

There are very few meals that affect me so much that I find myself thinking about them the next day

 . . . and the next day . . . and the next day.  

When you decide to go, let me know because I will definitely go with you!

Briciola
937 N. Damen
(Between Augusta and Iowa)
 

National Hot Dog Day

Happy National Hot Dog Day!  

I have to admit that I was completely unaware of this "holiday" until it was brought to my attention last Saturday.  I don't know that I would have blogged about hot dogs if I had not just had THE BEST HOT DOG EVER.  Here's the scoop:

Name:       Steve's Hot Dogs On The Hill

Location:   The Hill (St. Louis, MO)

Price:         $ (less than $10/person)

I have had some good hot dogs in my day (I mean, I do live in Chicago), but this place blows Portillo's, Hot Doug's, and Super Dog out of the water.  From what I understand, Steve smokes his dogs for over an hour before putting them on the grill.  AMAZING.  Here are a few pictures:

The St. Louis - Chicago Dog

The Backyard BBQ Dog

The Hawaii 50 Dog

The Chili Cheese Dog

BONUS:  Steve's Hot Dogs on the Hill serves Fitz's Rootbeer (my favorite) and Zapps potato chips!!!

If you are in the St. Louis area, you MUST make the trip over to The Hill and force yourself to pass each and every amazing Italian restaurant.  It will be difficult, but you will be so happy that you did.  Steve's is worth the hype - a hype everyone should experience for themselves.

NOTE:  Steve's also serves veggie dogs!

What I Love: June 2012

First, can I just say:  WHERE THE HECK DID JUNE GO????  The entire month was here and gone before I could even adjust to dating my forms June.  Well, even though it feels like it didn't happen, I have many things that I enjoyed throughout the month to prove that, in fact, it DID happen.

1.  Pret's Spicy Shrimp and Cilantro Wrap
290 calories, 7 grams of fat, and 3 grams of fiber.  It keeps me full and I love the sweet chilli dressing.  YUM.  $6.  You can find Pret at Washington and LaSalle or on Madison between Clark and Dearborn.

2.  My NEW new Bike
The tale of my NEW new bike is told HERE.  I am happy to report it is amazing and I had two weekends in a row (in June) of amazing rides.

3.  Pretty Little Liars
Netflix recently added Pretty Little Liars to its instant queue.  I cannot stop watching this program.  The clothes, the hair, the plot . . . it is all so addictive.  I would recommend it to anyone who enjoyed/enjoys Veronica Mars (I am NOT saying that it is better or as good as VM, but lends itself well to the same audience).

4.  Summer Cocktails on Rooftops/Patios
Chicago's best patios have brought out their new summer cocktail lists.  They are pricey and delicious.  My favorite remains to be the French 27 at ROOF (the Wit).  First and second runner up are Rasberry Caipirinha at ZED451 and Sangria at Smoke Daddy's.

5.  Trish McEvoy "High Volume" Mascara
This mascara is AMAZING.  It stays on ALL DAY LONG and slides off (YES, SLIDES OFF) with warm water.  Trish, you are an exceptional woman.

6.  C9 Racerback Compression Sports Bra
I am definitely an activewear snob and this one makes the cut.  At $14.99 (regular price), you can't go wrong.

7.  My Sister
She is obviously always on my "What I love" list.  In June she graduated from college and I could not be more proud of her.

8.  Queen Elizabeth's Diamond Jubilee
I could not get enough of the coverage of Queen Elizabeth's Diamond Jubilee.  So wish I could have attended any one of the splendid festivities.

9.  Brunch at Francesca's Forno
On Saturday and Sunday from 10AM to 3PM, you can enjoy delicious dishes like Arancini Benedict or  Tomato Braised Pork Hash.  BONUS:  You can order Glazed and Infused donuts from your table.

10.  Recipes on the Jello Pudding Boxes
Lately I have been pressed for time in a very serious way.  After getting some days confused (in terms of after work commitments), I found myself in a pickle - dessert expected and not a thing in the cupboard EXCEPT for some chocolate pudding mixes.  On the side of the box was a great and, more importantly, simple recipe for double chocolate mousse.  EXCELLENT.  Because that recipe turned out so well, I have tried a few more of those jello pudding box recipes and each one was pretty darn good (for a pudding mix recipe that takes less than 10 minutes and fewer than 3 ingredients).

The Bike Thief

After renting bicycles in the City last summer, I decided that I was ready for the responsibility of caring for a bike of my own.  I went to several bike shops - just to look - and researched all the different types of bicycles.  I talked to other bicycle owners about what they loved and didn't love about their own bikes.  I felt ready to purchase.  So after doing some price comparison and feeling the love of supporting a local business in a small Illinois town, I purchased my first bicycle (as an adult).

Lucky for me, the weather last fall was incredible.  I rode nearly every weekend in October and November.  It was fantastic.  I was nervous at first - would I fit in with all of the serious cyclists?  Could I remember all the rules of the trail?  After a few rides, I was a natural.

I am completely aware that city living necessitates city safety.  Storing your bicycle should include many many precautions including, but not limited to, U-locks.  Unfortunately, that did not keep The Bike Thief away and my bike was stolen.  I was heartbroken.  She never even got the tune-up she so deserved and now she is out there all alone with some new person who doesn't love her nearly as much as I do.

I fretted and worried over my bike for a couple of weeks.  I am still very angry with The Bike Thief.  I decided it was not wise to put my heart back out on the trail right away - I would wait, save my money and purchase a new replacement bike when I was ready.  Well, it only took one trip to my favorite small town bike shop and I was back at the counter, card in hand purchasing my NEW new bike.  Being around all those pretty frames and fancy tires made me remember all of the great rides.  Every girl needs a good heart healthy activity in her life and right now biking fills that role for me.

I have already taken her out for three long rides.  She is magnificent.  Her storage situation is more secure than her predecessor so I don't anticipate another visit from The Bike Thief.

I can only hope I will love her as much as I loved my first and that The Bike Thief will eventually be taught (sooner rather than later) that crime doesn't pay.

Kentucky Bourbon Brownies

I  celebrated our nation's birthday on the Chicago River.  Could it get much sweeter?  Actually, yes.  I made Kentucky Bourbon Brownies for me and my friends to enjoy while we cruised.  I found the recipe at Southern Girl's Kitchen.  I knew right away that I would like this blog because the title of the post was "Hello Bourbon . . . . are you there?"  I love a good Judy Blume reference.

So here is the skinny on the brownies (although, I must warn you that my use of the word "skinny" is in no way connected to the calories in these brownies, which I assume are quite high based on how delicious they turned out to be):  (1) the ingredient list is simple; (2) I followed the Southern Girl's directions exactly; (3) it took nearly 35 minutes for my brownies to bake; and (4) the brownies were AMAZING. 

I added Southern Girl's Kitchen to my blog list.  Here is the LINK TO THE RECIPE.  And, if you don't want to use the link, here is the recipe:

Ingredients:

2 cups bittersweet chocolate (I used Ghirardelli baking bars)
1 stick of butter, melted
3 tablespoons Bourbon
2 eggs
3 tablespoons cocoa powder
1/2 cup all-purpose flour
3/4 cups sugar

Baking Directions:

Preheat oven to 350 degrees and prepare brownie dish (I used PAM butter flavored spray)... Southern Girl & I used a 9x 13 pan.  Southern Girl lined her pan with parchment paper; I did not and did not have any problems.

Melt chocolate in a microwave safe bowl for about 2 minutes make sure to stir every 30 seconds (this is very important so your chocolate doesn't burn) until melted.  Add melted butter stirring to combine.

In separate bowl.. sift together flour, cocoa powder and sugar. Then add melted ingredients, then eggs and bourbon ... mix to combine.  NOTE:  I normally do not mix my dry ingredients in a separate bowl as most recipes direct you to do.  However, here it is very important to do so because you don't want your batter to become tough.

Pour mix into baking tin and bake for 25 minutes (mine took 35) or until they pass the toothpick test, check at about 20 minutes.


Remove from the oven and place pan on wire rack to cool completely before cutting (very important).

ENJOY!!!

Next time, I want to brush bourbon on top of the brownies as soon as I pull them out of the oven for a glaze effect . . . .