I spent a sunny Sunday morning at the Dog Show in Chicago.  I am a sucker for an adorable pooch, there are three at my house.  I went with my son and his roommate who suggested we stop at “Eleven” for lunch/brunch.  Of course I am never one to turn down a meal.  This is a busy place a buzz of patrons… an eclectic mix making people watching fun!  The decor kept us busy just looking around while waiting for our table.  The wall by our area was filled with portraits of Rabbi’s.  We had so many things we wanted to order… the pancakes looked fluffy and amazing.  But of course we all ordered the “Singer” sandwich, a double-decker pastrami and corned beef sandwich, a bowl of matzo ball soup.

The soup was delicious and the matzo ball fluffy.  The sandwich was luscious, the pastrami perfect but I like my corned beef a little more lean.  The portions are large so splitting a sandwich is a good option.  There were so many things we wanted to try, I’ll definitely come back to “Eleven”.

I hadn’t yet made my way to Publican Quality Meats… so I went to check out the shop and sandwiches.  The roast beef was excellent and I am a big fan of the spicy slaw.  I’d recommend this as a fun casual lunch spot.

Lamb and pork belly sausage, feta, cilantro, and piperade on a Franks ‘n Dawgs lobster roll.

Roasted cabbage, Gruyere, and Russian dressing on country bread with pear salad – Dante cheese, greens, celery, and tarragon mustard vinaigrette.

Looking for a fresh salad, roasted chicken, burger, or gyros?  Then take a trip to Cross Rhodes.  The Greek salad is perfect, well priced and you can have gyros or grilled chicken as a topper.  There is nothing fancy about this stop but the food and pricing makes it a place to go.  It’s located on Chicago Ave. in Evanston right by the “Main” Purple Line stop.

Superdawg is a Chicago classic hot dog destination.  It is a boiled dog not charred packed into a box with all the toppings and fries.  I loved it the very first time I tried a dog.  There is nothing better in my opinion.  The problem is I should not be eating these delicious hot dogs often and they have opened a location close to my house.  It’s a Chicago institution and a must try if you get to Chicago.  The retro feel and drive in service is fun but it’s the food that makes you come back again and again.

If you are from Highland Park you will probably know about Bahr’s, a small nursery with wonderful plants.  If you love geraniums then you have to come visit.  It’s a family business that Tom and Katheryn run but you will see Tom’s parents working too.  If you are looking for quality… meaning beautiful plants, large geraniums, a variety of impatiens, a large succulent selection along with gorgeous baskets, some perennials… stop in.  I could go on and on about the quaint personal nature of the greenhouses, the kindness and knowledge of the owners but really you just have to take a trip and visit yourself.

Where do I start!  First I love going to any farmers’ market and Evanston’s in North Suburban Chicago is one of the best.  The variety of organic vegetables, herbs, fruit, cheese, fresh eggs, and butter… flowers, plants, breads, and so much more is not typical of the smaller markets around.  It starts earlier than most of the others in our area and runs later.

Kit and I (aka “Market Girls’) usually leave around 7am and start our shopping.  Today, although there were dark clouds and some rain, we ventured out to get our basics.  We are both fans of Chef Cedric White’s homemade cookies.  They come in butter, strawberry butter, chocolate chip, peanut butter, and oatmeal.  If you are not there early you’ll probably miss getting them as they fly out of the booth.  I snagged the last strawberry butter cookies today.  The strawberries called Wendy Berries are so sweet and perfect I cannot stop eating them.  They look as if they are overripe but take a bite and you’ll want one bunch to snack on and one to bring home.  Stover’s Farms makes a great snack mix of dried cranberries, walnuts, cherries, and raisins that I buy to have in my car as a “pick me up” when gardening for clients.  I purchased the Blossom honey, a creamed version that is spreadable and not heated to clear.  It can be used the same way as standard honey but the creaminess is wonderful.  As a treat to myself I purchased a gorgeous bouquet of lupines and peonies.  They have a wonderful vendor that makes bouquets for you with a great selection of seasonal flowers to choose from.  I brought home shallots, fresh thyme, radishes, green onions, arugula, and fresh apple cider, along with my cookies, honey, strawberries, dried fruit snacks, and flowers.  The rain let up for our shopping and I’m home now trying to figure out what I will make with my market finds.

Next Saturday make it an early morning and try shopping at the Evanston’s Farmers Market.

It was a full day of planting for customers and shopping for plants at various nurseries.  We were in Ravinia and needed a quick bite of something.  Well… Baker Boys was in the hood so we stopped in.  We decided on a small frozen custard cone, something that would placate my growling stomach and keep me going another 4 hrs.  This is a mini bakery with the biggest flavors… sooooo good!!!

We loved the mint chocolate chip and the red velvet frozen custard.  I was definitely feeling good.  A few hours later my planting partner received a call that she needed to bring something sweet for dinner.  We were heading home from another nursery with a carload of plants.  I suggested she call “Baker Boys” for a dozen mini red velvet cupcakes.  No problem, they needed a 1/2 hr. to frost and box.  So we headed back to sample and talk to the nicest two shop owners.  Two grade school friends opened up this bakery, one a trained pastry chef the other great at frosting mini cupcakes.  The cupcakes were moist and flavorful with an amazing cream cheese frosting… did I forget to mention we sampled while we waited?  The boys invited us back… next time we come in around 5pm we’ll bring a bottle of red and eat chocolate cupcakes!  What could be better?

Stop in, you won’t be disappointed!

I had heard about Smoque for the past several years.  Friends of ours always order out from this barbecue spot and swear by it.  It’s not in our immediate neighborhood so I just haven’t stopped in until last Saturday.  I could smell the meat, the sauce… and I was hungry (not unusual).  We ordered the sliced brisket sandwich, the chopped brisket sandwich, a side of St. Louis Ribs… ohh and the peach cobbler.  We did not intend to eat everything but we couldn’t stop ourselves.  The brisket was tender, moist, with a great barbecue flavor.  The thick barbecue sauce was perfect with a kick to it.  The peach cobbler was good but not as excellent as the ribs and brisket.  Also they have a delicious coleslaw side… I could just order a large dish of that!  I will definitely be back either for a quick meal or take out.

I live near a small town known for its restaurants, nestled between Lake Forest and Highland Park, it’s Highwood.  You will find authentic Italian food as well as other great spots to eat.  My favorite destination is not a place you stay to eat but a wonderful shop that sells homemade sauces, pasta, entrees, desserts and just about the best matzo ball soup around!  This is my go to place for fresh pasta and wonderful sauces for a crowd or just a meal for two.  I cook so I don’t  recommend buying prepared food often but sometimes we run out of time or need a hand when we are serving a large group… this is where I stop.  The quality, freshness and flavors taste like they came from my own kitchen.  The owner Patricia Galli makes you feel welcome and I know she cooks from a special place.  Serving food, cooking is a wonderful gift to those around you and Patricia embodies that warmth and comfort in her dishes and store.

I have served her matzo ball soup and been asked for my recipe on many occasions… well this is my secret.  The matzo balls are beyond fluffy in a wonderful homemade chicken broth.  I’ll add carrots to my pot and serve.  Did I mention the lasagna?  It’s another must, a veggie and meat version.  I cannot leave without buying the veal tortellini and the modenese sauce.  I have served my family this combination and an entire high school and college hockey team.  If you find yourself in Highwood you must stop at Pastificio!  In my conversations with Patricia they are looking to add a rooftop garden so I’ll be back to visit and share my experience.

I highly recommend Pastificio.