Just when we thought Spring would never arrive in Chicago, it dropped in for a surprise visit yesterday afternoon. The Chicago Botanic Garden, one of our favorite places to explore during any season, is bursting with buds and flowers right now. I took these photos on a path winding through the Japanese Garden just as … Continue reading The Bee’s Knees
Month: April 2013
Big Mac Throwdown
Last weekend during our outing to Little Goat Diner, Hannah ordered the All-American Burger - complete with special sauce, lettuce, cheese, pickles, and onions on a sesame seed bun. Everyone at the table tried it and loved it, so I decided to surprise them with a version we could enjoy at home. I started by … Continue reading Big Mac Throwdown
Michael Smith at the Antiques and Garden Fair + Treasures from the Day
Michael Smith, one of America's premier interior designers (and the one chosen by First Lady and President Obama to redecorate the White House family quarters), gave a fantastic lecture on Friday at the Chicago Botanic Garden's Antiques and Garden Fair. I've been a huge admirer of Smith's work, particularly his ability to layer textures, ages, … Continue reading Michael Smith at the Antiques and Garden Fair + Treasures from the Day
Strawberry Avocado Salad with Fennel and Mint
If you've been craving bright, fresh, seasonal ingredients that taste like Spring, I have the perfect salad for you. Sweet strawberries, creamy avocado and crisp shaved fennel are layered on delicate bibb lettuce leaves and dressed with a lime-ginger-mint vinaigrette. Finished with a drizzle of honey and a sprinkle of sea salt, this salad makes … Continue reading Strawberry Avocado Salad with Fennel and Mint
Sunday Brunch at Little Goat
It is just as amazing as you imagined. Stephanie Izard, Top Chef champion and genius behind Girl and the Goat, has nailed it again with Little Goat Diner in Chicago. She's so good that when you eat anything she has created, you think, "I thought I knew what great tasted like, but I was so … Continue reading Sunday Brunch at Little Goat
Seared Salmon with Creamy Leeks and Mushrooms
I am really, really crazy about salmon. I eat embarrassing amounts of it sashimi style, make it once a week for my family, and until recently I would order it whenever we went to Francesca's, craving the fabulous crispy sear that eluded me at home. But guess what? I have discovered the salmon searing trick … Continue reading Seared Salmon with Creamy Leeks and Mushrooms
The (Healing) Power of Food
If you are a regular reader of this blog, you know how passionate I am about food and that I derive a great deal of joy from cooking for friends and family. The intention varies from simple nourishment to celebration, but preparing meals is most often an act of love. When my mother died, several … Continue reading The (Healing) Power of Food
Modern Classic in Paris
I have two close friends traveling to Paris this month and I am wild with envy. We've discussed what to pack and have concluded that nothing beats neutral, modern-classic wardrobe staples (and yes, I consider leopard a neutral) for a trip to the most stylish city in the world. After all, they will blend seamlessly … Continue reading Modern Classic in Paris
the aesthete and the dilettante 