Showing posts with label Chicago. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Chicago. Show all posts

December 10, 2013

Beer & Chocolate

Lined up and ready to be consumed

Chicago has a great local food scene, and all of the amazing businesses in town make it really easy to put together a themed holiday gift. I thought I might share a fun and fairly inexpensive idea that we used last year: pairings of Wild Ophelia chocolate and Goose Island specialty Belgium beers.

We bought four-packs of each kind of beer and split them up, and each couple that got a gift box received two bottles of each type of beer and one corresponding bar of chocolate, along with two small glasses, cocktail napkins and a menu to outline the suggested pairings. They were such a hit that we kept one of the line-ups for ourselves, and we sampled everything one lazy and slightly tipsy Sunday afternoon while watching a football game and taking notes on our favorites. Sometimes the best gifts are the ones that you give to yourself! 

Sofie & Southern Hibiscus Peach Milk Chocolate Bar: 
This beer’s citrus notes complement the subtle sweetness of the peach-infused chocolate.
Pere Jacques & Peanut Butter & Banana Milk Chocolate Bar:
 Pere Jacques' malty sweetness and hints of dark, dried fruit complement the sweet and savory bar.
Pepe Nero & Beef Jerky Milk Chocolate Bar:
The bold, earthy and roasty flavors of Pepe Nero are the perfect complement to this tangy, savory chocolate.
Matilda & Smokehouse BBQ Potato Chip Dark Chocolate Bar:
 The spicy, savory character of this beer cuts through the sweet and smoky flavor of the bar.
Getting ready to dig in
The perfect present

April 1, 2013

Holiday Hiatus

A sweet early morning surprise for my boyfriend

This Easter, we strayed from our normal family-oriented holiday routine and took advantage of the emptied-out city to accomplish a few things that we otherwise wouldn’t have been able to do. We’ve been meaning to check out Stephanie Izard’s The Girl and the Goat ever since we received a gift certificate over a year ago, but getting reservations seemed impossible. After much strategizing, and with no reservations in hand, we decided to take our chances and boldly wander in on Sunday afternoon after the Book of Mormon show concluded.  We were immediately seated and treated to a rustic series of dishes that truly lived up to the hype that the restaurant has so clearly earned. Other highlights of the holiday weekend included…

Lunch visit to Quonset, the best pizza shop in the northern suburbs
Clever advertising in the entryway at Bank of America Theater
Party favors for an opening day game party
Lusting after chicken wire-clad pendant lamps at Jayson Home & Garden