Time with Friends from Out of Town

Friends from out of town had to come to Chicago so we met them for a day in the city. Our first stop Franks 'N' Dawgs. We have been planning on trying out the Hot Dog joints in Chicago but hadn't gotten to any yet so this seemed like the time to start and the closest one to where we were was Franks 'N' Dawgs.

Triple Truffle Fries- Yukon Gold waffle cut fries, truffle oil, truffle butter, truffle salt & freshly chopped herbs. These were the best Truffle Fries I've ever had!

Tur-Doggin- Turkey & date sausage, crispy duck confit, herb garlic aioli, pickled onion relish & pickled carrots. Very interesting flavor combinations. The sausage was very good.

Belly Up- Pork sausage, mustard glazed pork belly, pickled fennel & macerated grapes.

Then we walked around for a while and found a bit of some country in the city.

We went to  Antico Pasto for dinner in Oakbrook for some fantastic Italian food.

Gnocchi with Tomato Vodka Sauce- It was fantastic! Their Gnocchi are Homemade Ricotta Dumplings.

 

Chicken Parmesan- Milanese Chicken Breast, fresh Mozzarella, garlic-tomato sauce.

Pasta Trio: Gnocchi with Bolognese Sauce, Butternut Squash Ravioli with brown butter, sage, candied walnuts and Gnocchi with Tomato Cream Sauce. The Ravioli was excellent.

Chocolate Lava Cake with Vanilla Bean Ice Cream.

We had a fun time with friends and food!

Our Ohio Trip

We had the occasion to go to Ohio to see a fantastic band Red Sun Rising. So in keeping with who we are we incorporated a food trip.

So our first stop after the long drive is Melt Bar and Grilled, seen on Man vs Food and The Best Thing I Ever Ate.

We had heard there there is usually a wait so we got there right before they opened so we did not have to wait at all.

The Godfather: 3 cheese lasagna, fresh fennel-oregano pasta sheets, spicy red sauce, provolone, garlic spiked bread.

The Dude Abides: homemade meatballs, fried mozzarella cheese sticks, rich marinara, provolone & romano cheeses.

This is the Vegetarian version ofMom’s Meatloaf Melt: A huge slab of homemade meatloaf smothered in a chipotle ketchup glaze with roasted garlic mashed redskin potatoes and muenster cheese.

Then we went to West Side Market, to look around and walk off the Melts, so we can eat more.

This is an awesome market! Very big and lots of interesting items.

Lots of people.

All kinds of breads,

and pastries,

fresh sea food, and meats.

A gyro from Steve's Gyros. The guys said it was the best gyro they have had.

 A lot of wonderful desserts.

The ceiling is very cool.  This is a must stop if you go to Cleveland!

Then we went to B Spot a Michael Symon restaurant.

Excellent Rosemary Fries.

Some of the best Onion Rings we have had!

Red Hot burger with pulled pork, pickled tomato, hot peppers, Pepperjack cheese, Sriracha mayo.

Bruben- a Ruben sandwich on a burger- Corned beef, Sauerkraut, Swiss cheese and Russian Dressing.

inside the Bruben.

The Chick Magnet- a crispy chicken breast with avocado, arugula, tomato and mayo.

The cool art on the wall made from beer cans.

Then we went to the RED SUN RISING concert.

The show totally ROCKED!

Just had to add the awesome view from our hotel window!

On the way home we stopped at Hog Wild from Chicago's Best.

Brisket Sandwich with fries.

Pork Tenderloin Dinner with Oven Roasted Potatoes. The tenderloin is huge and my husband said it was one of the best he's ever had.

Philly Chicken Sandwich.

Stonewood Ale House

                        

Guys day out at Stonewood Ale House  , Schaumburg

Elvis Burger, Peanut butter and Bananas made spicy with Habanero Pepper Relish on a Pretzel bun.

Spicy Elvis with Homemade Kettle Chips.

Ruben Sandwich with Homemade Kettle Chips.

Ale House Cheeseburger with Onion Strings.

A Great time with Family and food.