things I keep my eye on…

 

eat

 

“Eat, Pray, Love?” YES! And the EAT portion starts here. Here’s to the beginning of my favorite Highwood Hotspots, to name only a few; the list is extensive and growing. The plethora of choices are delicious and plentiful from Highwood to Hyde Park. Perhaps even a recipe from your grandma’s kitchen? I’d love you to share…

Xo jac  

 

 

 

☞ Cellar Gate Wine Market	A hidden gem, tell everyone but make 'em special. Fab rendezvous before or after a movie. Delectable, much selectable lite fare here. Meet your bf or for a girls gossip & gab. Perhaps alone in the lovely garden, unwind with a book & a glass of wine from their renown wine collection. Leave your troubles behind. This is a little slice of heaven. I'll see you there! Tell Kayla I sent you. xo jac
☞ Tamales	It's late but I wanted to get this in, hot off the press... This evening a few of us made an impromptu plan to see a movie at the Renaissance. Led by "the leader of the pack," after the movie, we treked the few blocks to Tamales. It was clearly near, perhaps after closing and the guys were wrappin' it up for the night. We signed through the window, we just wanted a quick drink. The owner & his associates, were welcoming and only happy to serve us, and even offered some Guac & chips, apologetic that it was late. They made us feel special, because we are. Been a while since I've eaten here. Can't wait to go back again. Thanks so much for being so hospitable. Love that! ; )
☞ Bridie McKennas	I recently enjoyed one of the best "carry out" experiences from this restaurant! I work in the neighborhood and we typically order out locally. This time we ordered the grilled salmon with pear & goat cheese salad. It was divine! I didn't expect the salmon to be hot. It was and it wasn't dried out; cooked to perfection. The lettuce was fresh. It was the perfect lunch and I devoured those lightly fried goat cheese balls. Oh get your head out of the gutter! We're talk'n great food!!! ; )
☞ Alex's Washington Gardens	We had a fabulous dinner tonight! There were nine of us, including a baby sleeping on her mommie's lap. Indeed, she missed all the fun. AND the food, it was delicious! The meal at Washington Gardens was very "home cooked" like Grandma's cooking! The service was impeccable. We are NOT an easy crowd, continually asking for another coke, some extra sauce, some more water...Every request was met with grace and a smile. Love that place! Maybe we'll meet there next Sunday! LOVED IT!!!!!
☞ Hels Kitchen	We had our annual Hanukkah family bash last night. At the final hour, I'd realized I'd had enough on my plate and they weren't potato latkes! I enjoy all the accolades and truly love doing the whole thing myself. This time, I acquiesced and handed it over to David Borris at Hel's Kitchen. David assured me that he was going to send me a "lovely, and very talented guy." I told David that my kitchen is so antiquated, when you turn on the micro wave oven, and the toaster at the same time, the electricity goes off! This gem of a guy, Eduardo, was indeed talented and lovely beyond words. He made and saved the day. He assured me that frequently, they run into altercations on location and are trained to "make do." Never mind what happened... The food? Sorry Grandma. The matzoh ball soup was better than yours. The salmon was cooked to perfection, not dry or too flaky, the flavor delicious! We had Chicken basil, grilled veggies, and a wonderful salad t'boot! Not to mention, the potato latkes were kick "a!" I'd insisted on making my own apple sauce, and at the last minute, Eduardo pulled off that caper too! All the minutia aside, this is your go to caterer. We all need our carefully planned gatherings of friends, family, et al, to be special. When you need a company that's reliable, with food that is positively delicious, and staff who is capable of handling what ever arises, keeping you looking like a star, call a pro. Call David Borris at Hel's Kitchen.
☞. Phoenicia Cuisine	Say this to the tune of, My Kind of Town. My kind of place, Phoenicia is.... Each time I visit this restaurant, I discover a new dish, a new server, a new friend. And this comes from the heart. This place is one that anyone would want their business associates to aspire to. The Poenicia exudes customer service at it's finest. The friendly staff are genuinely happy to see you. Most of the regulars seem to "play favorites" when it comes to where they want to sit, based on where Michael's section is, or who's section their favorite server is hooked into that shift. You will simply be treated like the king or queen you are. But wait! The food?! It really is inconsequential whether or not you "like" Mediterranean cuisine. There is something on the menu here, just waiting to be discovered by you. If you're not particularly hungry? Lite fare is a Mediterranean's food lovers delight! AND...Do not miss the carrot soup. Not sweet or "prissy." Kick Ass. Love this place and look forward to Joseph's new endeavor coming in a couple of weeks! Stay tuned.