I've recently started the third quarter! It's difficult finding time to write here, mostly due to the lack o f ideas for what to write about. The past Fall break, though, has given me plenty of things to mention. Ben was able to get time off during his residency to spend a week with me in Chicago, my very own stay-cation. He booked tickets to a hotel in the city to start as off. We were there for 4 days so we could walk/uber to all the restaurants we wanted to try. Also, it was located right on the magnificent mile so we could raid the new Uniqlo that opened up nearby.

PLACES WE VISITED THAT WEEKEND:
Do-Rite Donuts & Coffee, Chinatown (for dim sum!), Gyu Kaku Japanese BBQ, Eataly (to be visited multiple times for break...), Uniqlo, The Lobby (at The Peninsula Hotel).





Gyu Kaku was an unplanned visit so we didn't make any reservations. Next time, make reservations! The place was absolutely delicious and the price was more than reasonable for what we were able to order. Ben and I have done 'grill-your-own-meat' style before but the options at this place was so much better. Not too salty and plenty of meat. We ate everything with Kirin beer so it was full immersion in Japanese BBQ. Thinking about it now is getting my mouth to water, but I imagine the rest of the post will do the same as food was a predominant theme for the break.

We had purchased the CityPass book for Chicago and decided ahead of time to save it for the rest of the week. It was a good thing to because turns out Ben found a Michelin restaurant that we wanted to give a shot. It was part of a hotel in the city and it was simply called, The Lobby. It wasn't crowded like I expected it to be but the food and the live music blew me away as soon as I sat down. Our server was very friendly and gave us each a box of their well-known chocolates plus a small teddy bear dressed up as a bellhop. I want to come back for their tea and chocolates. Someday! There was a grand piano nearby that I sat down to play at. It's been 6 months since I've played so I could feel the difference. Going to snag some piano books from home when I visit for Christmas so I can practice back in Chicago.




Eataly was one of my favorite places to visit that week because the food was good, like really good. After the memorable two weeks in Europe with friends, I fully believe that I can subsist on wine, cheese, and bread quite happily. The meat portions on the cheeseboard (pictured above) were also just as tasty. Eataly is place that must be visited multiple times to get the full-effect. I went at least 3 times and even that wasn't enough to fully appreciate all that it had to offer. Once I move closer to the city next year, I'm going to be a much more common face there!

Uniqlo was also an expected favorite of ours. I had already purchased two of their ultra-light goose-down vests and two peacoats in the past, but I was set on purchasing some flannel shirts. Get that flannel game on! Ben also got two well-fitting chambray shirts plus a more formal button-down. Did I mention he also purchased two goose-down vests? There was much shopping to be had at this three-floor department store! Surprisingly, I didn't buy more clothes anywhere else. There was a brief stop at TopShop for boots but they didn't have my size!

We spent the rest of the break commuting from my apartment in North Chicago. The drive wasn't awful and thanks to SpotHero, we were able to save a ton of money without having to worry about parking hassles or fees.

PLACES WE VISITED FOR THE REST OF THE WEEK:
Urban Belly, Shedd Aquarium, Eataly (of course!), Longman & Eagle (another Michelin star place!), Art Institute of Chicago, Chicago Symphony Orchestra, Headquarters Beercade, The Other Door, The Field Museum, The Museum of Science and Industry, Leonidas Chocolate Cafe, and High Five Ramen.









The Art Institute of Chicago, I knew, was going to be one of my top favorites if not the favorite place to visit. I knew I wanted to see Seurat and Monet, but I didn't expect to see the Picture of Dorian Gray inside! I remember watching the black and white film in high school and how the only colored thing to appear was that painting. I was so excited about that despite the Nighthawks painting right behind me... In any case, one day isn't enough to explore the area so if I find some time, I'm going to go back there and explore at my leisure.

We had brunch at another Michelin star place called Longman & Eagle. Brunch is one of my favorite meals... combine that with a Michelin star and you have a match made in heaven! Ben ordered the Pork Belly Benedict and I ordered Sunnyside Duck Egg Hash with Duck Confit. Added a side of their toast and jam too which, seriously, how can toast and jam taste that good?! I almost licked both plates clean.

One of the nights out, I took Ben to Headquarters Beercade and discovered how good pumpkin ale can taste. I had been to this place before with classmates. Free arcades and tasty food, where can you go wrong? You can't! Ben also purchased tickets to the Chicago Symphony later in the week so I was looking forward to that.






The Field Museum came as an unexpected surprise. We really enjoyed the museum and didn't leave enough time to explore it as much as we wanted to! Word to the wise, give this place more time! We visited all the special ticket exhibits in the museum but were not disappointed with what was free to the public. I would rank it more interesting than the Shedd Aquarium and the Museum of Science and Industry (had to pay extra to see the special exhibits in this one...)

There were more visits to Eataly but I didn't take more photos there, just soaked in the food. The days were getting chillier so it meant craving a bowl of ramen! We had heard of High Five Ramen before but we didn't get a chance to visit it earlier in the week. The wait is ridiculously long. Even though our name was on the first page, they only seat about a dozen people at a time. We both ordered their classic ramen at half-spice. It was AMAZING. Definitely my favorite ramen of all the ramen I've tried in the city. I actually ordered an extra bowl of noodles to slurp with the leftover broth, it was that good. I must definitely return there MANY TIMES.

The Museum of Science and Industry was interesting but most of the exhibits that we had access to were already sold out. What was free to the public seemed more catered to children than to adults. It wasn't a bad experience, not by any means. I enjoyed the fairy castle and the indoor tornado. Ben was excited about the real-life U-boat inside too. At the end of the day, still couldn't compete with the Field Museum.

As most of my friends know, chocolate is a perpetual craving. I wasn't satisfied with buying chocolate from Eataly, I had to purchase more at Leonidas Chocolaterie. I bought a small bag to go and ordered a hot mocha with 2 millefeuilles. They were insanely good. Just as good as the ones I tried back in Paris.







The break was wonderful and very much needed. Brimming with memories and food! Thankfully the weather was kind to us because it snowed a good amount the following week. More photos for that and this past Thanksgiving break in my next post!