Birthday Love/Restaurant Roundup

Last year on my birthday I was working, mid-week, in Cleveland, Ohio. Needless to say any event in Chicago could have passed up last years' celebration-by LEAPS and BOUNDS. My birthday fell on a Friday this year, so I took the opportunity to start the celebrations on Thursday and drag them out throughout the entire weekend. Nobody seemed to mind! Here's a roundup of the events and restaurant goodness. 

Kai Zan Japanese restaurant was where I made my original birthday restaurant, but I ended up changing it to a larger spot as Kai Zan is a pretty intimate setting with only 22 seats in house. I found Kai Zan via one of my daily Tasting Table emails and immediately put it in my "to try" email folder. It's a charming, Japanese tapas, West Town, establishment, run by twin brothers who have been working in the Japanese food industry in the city for over 20 years. I'm always the biggest critic when it comes to Japanese food, but I was pleasantly surprised. We were greeted with a free seared tuna sushi appetizer and continued to order a ton of little plates-seafood salad, miso cauliflower, home made tofu with okra, karaage (fried chicken) and beef skewers. Very reasonably priced, good service by the chefs and best of all-in my neighborhood. 

Seadog Sushi is your typical Americanized sushi restaurant, but hey I'm definitely not above a BYOB, centrally located, reasonably priced restaurant. I spent my actual birthday here with a few bottles of wine deep, and in good company. Couldn't ask for more!

The Bedford is a bar that I've visited before, but a second look always validates whether or not you like a place. The vault concept of the bar is really cool and we enjoyed all the picture opportunities!

Last but not least, Honky Tonk, is a Pilsen BBQ restaurant, and came highly recommended by friends. We had a group of 6 or 7 on a Saturday night and were able to sit down with no reservation and no problems. I like it. And boy did I leave wishing I wore the stretchiest of stretchy pants. Sean and I shared the sample platter and it was the perfect serving to get a little taste of each of the meats they have to offer.

Oh wait! One last event! Sunday funday (excuse the cliche, but what else is it?) was at my girlfriends' pool and a group of my friends surprised me as I walked into the apartment to them singing Happy Birthday-with a tray of delicious Sweet Mandy B cupcakes. A great end to a very long and eventful birthday weekend!

You're Beachin' Chicago

As a transported Cali girl, I have struggled with the fact that Chicago has "beaches". Now that I've been here for almost two years I am almost starting to accept these sandy areas that surround the bodies of water here as indeed, beaches. ALMOST accepting. My first step towards this acceptance was actually going to the beach (I didn't even go once last summer) and going to more than one. North Ave beach in the city is a fist pumpin' party, with awesome views of the city (see last photo below), but I can't say that the Jersey shore crowd is my idea of a good time. The north shore suburb beaches on the other hand could not be more different-quiet, clean and no city view. And pretty, really pretty. I'm posting this after shortly coming home from my trip to Hawaii, so am struggling with anything more descriptive than "pretty" =)

Spring Restaurant Roundup

This installment of my restaurant roundup is a compilation of quick eats. Pretty much shows how little time I have had lately to enjoy my favorite city! Nonetheless, they are all new to me and just because they're quick/cheap, doesn't make them any less lovable. I do not discriminate. 

Publican Quality Meats
I mean, I was NOT expecting anything less than amazing from the brain children of the Publican. The Fulton Market district is just getting a little ridiculous with the selection of places to choose from and Publican Quality Meats fits right in. It's RIDIC I tell you. I channeled the European in me and fantasized about waking up daily to go to the market to select local meats, breads and all sorts of canned jars of deliciousness, for a dinner that I plan to prepare that night. Then I snapped back into reality and ordered a pork belly sandwich. It was a beautiful day in the city, and I had a friend in town, so after we ordered our food, we took it to the park and people watched for quite some time. We could have also sat in one of the 30+ seats in house, and I will for sure come back and do so sometime soon. And get some MEAT for dinner. Lots. of . meat.

Noodles by Takashi
I feel as if the Macy's food court on State St. is quite the underdog in terms of quick eats in the city. With a Xoco ish Rick Bayless restaurant, Marc Burger, and my personal favorite Noodles by Takashi, why haven't I been eating here more? And the best part? NOT. BUSY. AT. ALL. Chef Takashi Yagihashi is a world renowned chef and his restaurant in Chicago Takashi, has recently been awarded a Michelin Star. The James Beard Foundation also named him Best Chef in the Midwest 2003. And what did I get from this superstars' State St. restaurant? A $12 bowl of Ramen. Talk about bargain shopping.
 

Lillie's Q
This isn't necessarily a restaurant post, but a catering post. My girlfriend threw a welcome to summer BBQ and got it catered by Wicker Parks' Lillie's Q. I've been wanting to stop in to get a taste of some MEAT, but crowds always divert me from going certain places and this is one of them. The catering situation was a perfect opportunity to give it a whirl and I was very pleased. With a variety of sauces and meats to taste, I can definitely say that I felt very welcomed to summer!

Soulwich
On our way back from one of the north shore beaches, Sean and I were craving Asian sandwiches. We stumbled upon Evanston's Soulwich via yelp and the 4.5 stars was what mainly drew us in. Soulwich doesn't necessarily offer your tradition Vietnamese Banh Mi sandwich, but their their signature Soulwich is served with pickled carrots, cilantro and chili aioli and toasted on locally baked bread with a choice of sides.....and not bad at all. Fresh ginger drink was a little peculiar, but the food definitely made up for that.

Beauty Roundup

I pretty much consider myself a girly girl when it comes to nearly everything except for my beauty routine. I use generic shampoo from Whole Foods and the same face wash my mom uses out of laziness of researching something that might be better. So I figured that it was time to grow up a little bit and get some big girl beauty routines integrated into my life. Here's some recent big girl hair, beauty and body updates. 

HAIR: I've been going to the Aveda teaching salon on Clark, where students are only allowed to charge $16 for a hair cut. It's just been so hard for me to justify anything more expensive with trying to awkwardly get out of the short hair stage. Luckily, I seriously bumped myself up in my hair world by visiting Adam, at Fringe Salon in Wicker Park. And I will continue to visit. 

And a few more looks for your viewing pleasure. 

 

 

Pin curls set for the "Hollywood Glam" look that I was going for

Side sock bun that my friend and I finagled

 MAKE-UP: A friend and I went to Saks on Michigan Ave to do a test make-up run for the wedding that we were planning on attending. Luckily, one of Nars' national make-up artists was in town for an event so we got some extra special face treatment. And also a bill that was way more than I anticipated to spend! I'm also a little behind on the bright lip bandwagon, but better late than never, right? The Chanel Ultra wear series is the most amazing lipstick/gloss that I've ever owned. I literally apply it once in a night and swear I need rubbing alcohol to get it off when I get home.

Revlon Super Lustrous Lipstick in Wild Orchid, NARS Schiap , Chanel Ruby Lite Ultra Wear

 BODY: Last, but definitely not least. The longest three days of my life occurred during a recent juice cleanse that I decided to put myself through. It was the hungriest that I have ever been, but after you get through the agony of the initial shock, it's not too bad. The first two days integrate fruit, so the juice actually tastes pretty yummy, the last, not so much. I spoke with a few ladies who lost a few el-bees, but me? Not so much. I'd probably do it again though.

Juicer's Three Day Cleanse
*Three days of juices, eight ounces every hour for eight hours, lots of water in between & protein with veggies after 6pm

Day 1: Fresh 7 Liver & Kidney Detox
Blend 6 apples, 6 beets, 7 large carrots, 7 pieces celery, 4 cucumber & 3 juiced lemons
Day 2: Blend 6 apples, 7 celery, 4 whole cucumbers, 3 handful of ginger, 3 handful of parsley & 3 handfuls of spinach
Day 3: Blend 6 beets, 7 large carrots, 7 pieces of celery, 4 whole cucumber, 3 handfuls of ginger, 3 juiced lemons, 4 handfuls of lettuce, 3 handfuls of parsley & 4 handful of kale

Kansas City Wedding

This past weekend was Sean's brothers' wedding in Kansas City, Missouri/Kansas. The whole am I in Kansas City, Kansas or Kansas City, Missouri situation continues to perplex me, but anyway. We had a great time and the whole wedding festivities went off without a hitch. Rehearsal dinner at the American on Friday, and reception at the Kemper Museum of Contemporary Art and Design. And lot's of dancing. And barbeque. The wedding was black tie optional and I was happy to see that lot's of people fancied themselves up and went for the option. Here's my photo diary of the weekend.

 

Mr. & Mrs. Jason Ittel

I'm wearing a Winter Kate dress and Banana Republic Jewelry. Surprisingly did my own hair and make-up as well.

 

Dancing Brothers