Sunday, March 1, 2009

Key Learnings, Restaurant Week part two and NYC bound!

Happy March 1st!! And, I'm officially hibernating until spring. We had lake effect snow in Chicago today and instead of half an inch, we're now supposed to get 1-5 inches. So while I'm hiding in my apartment (again,) let's enjoy some key learnings.

Key Learnings:
  • It's okay to eat cupcakes for breakfast...and lunch
  • Hearing someone say, "I love weighing myself!" makes me want to hurt them
  • A proper response to, "you look bad with glasses," is "you look ugly without them, but at least I have contacts"
  • Parents love me. I'm very non-threatening
  • It's healthy to have a few people be scared of you, as long as you don't use that for evil
  • I do not remember the layout of NYC as much as I used to
  • Restaurants that say your entire party be present before seating you, suck
  • Sushi + champagne = a fun Friday night
  • Shopping for spring clothes when it's winter-like temps outside is not very much fun
  • Always have a stockpile of witty comebacks when people ask you why you and your platonic manfriend don't date
  • The gym is not a babysitter. That's what malls are for
  • Butter makes cookies and any baked good better
Restaurant Week - Part Two:

Last week I posted my recap of my first Restaurant Week adventures, and now, even though it's been extended, below is my recap of the last two restaurants that I visited. Four restaurants in a week, that's more than enough for me!

Le Colonial - Grade: A -

Starter: Steamed Vietnamese ravioli with chicken, crimini mushrooms and rice noodles

Meal: Sauteed jumbo shrimp with asparagus with chili, garlic and spice

Dessert: Mango and raspberry sorbet

The restaurant had a lovely ambiance and decor. I'm not a huge fan of Vietnamese food but I would definitely go back...on a date :)

Coco Pazzo - Grade: B+

Starter: Calamari Fritti 

Meal: Spring chicken, grilled rapini, roasted potatoes

Dessert: Flourless chocolate cake with cappuccino ice cream

Overall, it was a great meal. I can see why Jennifer Aniston loves to go there when she's in Chicago. My only complaint was that our waitress did not know what she was doing, so asking for menu recommendations was like talking to a wall.

NYC here I come!

I am super excited because I'm going to NYC next weekend! I have a work event on Monday, but I'm flying out on Saturday to spend time in the Big Apple. I have no idea what I want to do, outside of taking pictures, hitting some cupcake haunts and, well, try not to look too much like a tourist. Oh, I do want to pick up some $5 faux pashmina's from street vendors though. Love them and it's a great, inexpensive way to add pop to an outfit.

Ashley, Maris and I are also working on putting together a little meet up so I can meet some awesome NYC bloggers. If you're free and you fall under this category, let me know!

How was everyone else's weekend? Seriously spring cannot get here fast enough.

28 comments:

Lindsey said...

I definitely agree with restaurants that won't seat you without your entire party sucking. They think they are so much better than everyone else!

Have fun in NYC! I'm so jealous!

jlc said...

Your posts make me laugh! Espesh your glasses tip! :)


Enjoy NYC!!! That's in my neck of the woods. :)

Andhari said...

Ohhh I love NYC. ANd I agree cupcakes are appropriate for everytime you crave it ;P

LBluca77 said...

That sorbet looks so good. All the food did. Have fun in NY. I love it there and can't wait to go back again one day. When I was there I meant to get a pshmina from the street vendors and somehow completly forgot too. Oh well. Next time.

alexa @clevelandsaplum said...

wait when are you going to NYC? this upcoming weekend or NEXT weekend?

i'll be there 3/11 through 3/15 - how fun if it was the same weekend!

Living Dees Life said...

i'm going for an early spring and hitting up florida next weekend for a week. but you knew that already, i think :-)

have fun in NYC!

i'll miss your blogging while i'm in vacation

Mandy said...

Can I just tell you that your key learning posts are what I look forward to reading every Sunday night?

Those meals sound delicious. Have a fantastic time in NYC!!

Lys said...

that sorbet looks sooo good! maybe it's just the colours...either way. hopefully it won't be too cold the weekend you're here, i'm sure you have plenty of the shitty winter weather in chicago.

Maki said...

OMG!!! The dish at Le Colonial look so delicious and I'm drooling over here.

My boss is from Vietnam and his wife makes the best Vietnamese food, but your review makes me want to fly there and eat at the restaurant!!

I ate birthday cake for lunch and ice cream cake for dinner - and they were good!!!! :) (it was my daughter's birthday.. a good excuse)

Maki said...
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Anonymous said...

Flourless chocolate cake with cappuccino ice cream MMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMM Look soooo Freaking good!

oh it was about 80 degrees here today in Southern Cal! (I know that was real b***H thing for me to write ;)

Athena Valentine said...

Mmmm flourless chocolate cake. Oooo and have fun in New York City!!!!!!

Lacey Bean said...

So I heard this rumor that you're going to be in NYC and therefore you're going to come to my engagement barfest that Arielle is going to be at as well. And Ashley. And Dan Mega!!

So clearly, you need to be there as well. :) But if not I'll def see you Sunday!!

LWLH said...

I can't get enough of your key features...parents love me, i'm very non threatening..lol..I found that funny.

Anonymous said...

If I ever run into that person who loves to weigh themselves I am going hit them for both you and me...

Nilsa @ SoMi Speaks said...

I'll have you know I'm living vicariously through your Restaurant Week reviews! Wish I got out that much. I used to. My how life has changed. Though, we did get out for some sushi at Tank this weekend. Yummy.

Oh and your comment about Restaurants that say your entire party be present before seating you, suck. I respectfully disagree. Restaurants are businesses. And if they have a choice of seating a group that is ready to order and won't sit at a table forever, it's in their best interest to do so. I don't blame them. Though, I do pout if the options for waiting for our party are grim (i.e., no bar at the restaurant)!

Anonymous said...

Sugar Bliss in Chicago actually sells breakfast cupcakes (a cross between a muffin and cupcake), which confirms that it is in fact ok to eat cupcakes for breakfast.

Anonymous said...

I am feeling incredibly past due for a NYC trip...have fun and know that I am super jealous!

SA said...

Completely agree with you on cupcakes for breakfast and lunch.

Both of those restaurants sound good. Whenever I get to Chicago I'm going to have to hit them up.

Have fun in NYC!

thatShortchick said...

mango sorbet...mmmmm. so tasty.

if you have time, you must try a restaurant called Perilla. It's exec chef is season 1 top chef winner, Harold. The food there is amazing!!

Anonymous said...

Next time you go to NYC, let me know so I can go toooooooo.

Anonymous said...

There are people who love weighing themselves? Really?
And what's up with someone saying you look bad with glasses? Loser.

Have fun in NYC!

Katelin said...

ooh i would love a cupcake for breakfast and lunch :)

and yay for nyc! you'll have so much fun.

Katelin said...

ooh i would love a cupcake for breakfast and lunch :)

and yay for nyc! you'll have so much fun.

Anonymous said...

NYC? color me jealous! I'm hoping to go to grad school there next year....

Anonymous said...

I'm going to be in NYC on Saturday too! Oh man - Chitown represent.

Ashley D said...

Obviously I'm way behind on my reader, but I have to say that I am so excited about brunch on Sunday!! :)

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