Sunday Brunch at Jam

After a pretty eventful weekend it's always relaxing to meet up with friends and enjoy a well done brunch. Chicago is a city with endless options so I usually try to explore new places.

This Sunday my friend, Maureen, and I headed to Logan Square to try a cute little spot called Jam. It's a tiny restaurant, filled to the brim with tables. I loved the bright white decor with soft lighting and green accents.

We started off with mimosas and poured through the menu. They had so many great options it was hard to decide: sweet or savory?

Luckily, they started us off with chocolate hazelnut cookies (the way all brunches should start!) while we mulled over the menu some more.

We started with the Malted Custard French Toast which Food and Wine Magazine rated as one of the 10 best dishes of 2010. I have to say, it was pretty amazing. They soak the brioche in vanilla custard then caramelize it in a hot pan. It's served with macerated cherries, whipped cream and pink peppercorns. Wow.

We also ordered a side of jowl bacon which I ate more than my fare share of. Sorry, Maureen!

Then round two of drinks before our entrees.

Maureen ordered the Eggs Benedict with butternut squash hollandaise sauce and brown sugar bacon sausage. I ordered the Burrito Suizo, which was a buckwheat crepe filled with the most tender braised beef, tomato creme and gouda. Holy cow, I could have eaten too.

 We had a great time and I'm still dreaming about that burrito. We cleared our plates pretty quickly. Hands down I would go back again, and highly recommend it.

Yabba Dabba Do

I often find that cooking for one can restrict me from experimenting in the kitchen. So with a snowy Chicago Saturday, I invited a few friends over to try my hand at flank steak with chimichurri sauce. Time to mix things up.

Really, the snow never stops.

First things first, I picked up some tulips to distract us all from the weather. 

Then, I swung by The Butcher & Larder for a Fred Flintstone size flank steak. This butcher shop was pricey but offers local and sustainable meat that was well worth it. I mixed up a garlic marinade then popped it in the fridge for a few hours.

While the steak was in the fridge, I got busy making the chimichurri sauce. It's a gorgeous green concoction from fresh cilantro, parsley, oregano and garlic. A few whirls around the food processor and it's ready to go.

Look how stunning that sauce is! I've been putting the leftovers on top of everything from salads to eggs. Yum.

Around 7 friends began to arrive and that's where the real fun started. My lovely friend, Grace, brought all the fixings for shrimp spring rolls. She laid out the assembly line and taught us how to roll them like pros. Well, maybe there were a few oddly shaped rolls but they were all delicious!

Success!

Now it was time for the main event, steak! I broiled each side of the steak for about 5 minutes then seared it on the stovetop for a final touch.

I let it rest for about 5 minutes while we refilled on wine. And then started slicing away. Somehow this Fred Flintstone sized steak got demolished pretty quickly.

I'd say it was a successful night. I will definitely whip this dish up again. It was shockingly easy.

13 Years

Yesterday marked 13 years that my mom passed away from breast cancer. It's always a strange day and I'm never sure how it will go. I usually take off from work and try to do something that I think we would have enjoyed together. She was a person full of life and adventure, which means I try and make the day fun and break away from routines.

This year it turned out to be one of the better ones.

Nordstrom contacted me a month back offering a session with a personal stylist along with a gift card to spend on anything I liked. While I have a pretty strong opinion when it comes to my personal style, I figured this would be a great way to spend the 22nd.

One of my favorite memories of my mom was her picking me up from fourth grade in the middle of the day for a surprise shopping trip. It was unexpected and amazing. She had a casual style with a hint of boldness. She always encouraged me to push the boundaries of my comfort zone when it came to fashion and life. It's fascinating to think how small events in our lives can have such large influences.

But back to Nordstrom! I scheduled an 11 AM appointment with the goal of getting some distressed jeans and maxi dresses for my upcoming spa vacation in Arizona. I walked in to the typically bustling Michigan Ave Nordstrom, to find it empty as could be. Perhaps the snow and 0 degree temps had something to do with that.

I headed upstairs to meet my stylist, Ryauna. She greeted me with a room full of warm weather maxis, brightly hued blouses and distressed denim. Off to a good start.

I'll admit not everything on the hangers caught my eye, but I dove in with glee. (And don't worry, I didn't get everything here!)

First up was this amazing Vince Camuto maxi. The iPhone photos aren't doing it any favors, but trust me on this. It's a keeper.

I didn't love the white DVF shift dress (I need a more defined waist), but fell in love with this Kendra Scott statement necklace. I can honestly say I would never have picked this up on my own. I usually go for brighter colors, but this nude stone was stunning.

Next up, I tried on some of the distressed denim. As with most women, jeans can be tough for me to find the right fit. Ry and I were amazed that the styles she selected fit like a glove!

First up were a skinny distressed boyfriend jean by Joe's. They give off that relaxed yet chic feel. A definite change from my dark wash skinnies.

I also tried a pair of Current Elliott distressed jeans. They were on sale and I couldn't find them on the website. The top is actually a hot pink lace and sleeveless top by Halogen. A nice pop of color for a dreary Chicago day.

Ry also pulled a dark wash of distressed jeans from a French line called Frame Denim. I LOVED them and this picture again does them no justice. They are incredibly chic with a bit of edge. I cannot wait to get them back from the tailor!

White denim is something I've always wanted to wear, but am terrified I'll get them filthy. I'm wearing Paige jeans and a cute polka dot button-down by Topshop.

Thanks, Ry! I had a great time!

After all that shopping I was starving. So I headed across the street to the newly opened, Eataly. It's usually jam-packed with people and 45 minute waits for a table. It was my lucky day and there was barely a soul around.

I sat down to enjoy a great glass of wine. I'm not a Chardonnay fan (don't like that oaky flavor), but this bottle had the faintest hints of oak. I should have bought one to take home in their wine shop.

I treated myself to freshly baked bread and olive oil (a very American take on Italy, when I lived in Venice, Italians would tease us for doing this).

And the main event: Scallops! Over a fennel salad with a blood orange reduction. I quickly cleared my plate.

Perfect afternoon! I hopped into a cab to finish up my day with a fresh new manicure at my local nail spot. I then settled in with Netflix while the snow kept on coming down outside. I think my mom would have loved spending this day together.

High Tea, Langham Style

It's a frigid 23 degrees here in Chicago (and dropping). So what's a girl to do on a snowy MLK Jr. Day? Grab some girlfriends, your new favorite bag (!) and head over to the new Langham Hotel for their Downton Abbey edition of afternoon tea.

New bag, check! Not quite the Prada but still gorgeous and a fraction of the price. I love this new baby!

A quick trip downtown and I was at the Langham, thoroughly enjoying the ambiance. It's a stunning hotel with a little bit of quirk.

I walked through the lobby and could not stop looking at this sculpture. It had a warped feel and reminded me of those 3D picture books I use to try and play with my brother on long road trips.

Hop the elevator one floor and you'll find yourself in the most beautiful restaurant lobby you ever did see.

I'm a sucker for pretty bathrooms and these did not disappoint. I love the backsplash in the stalls.

We settled into our cozy couch seats and prepared to relax and watch the snow fall down. We were greater with our friendly server, Marco. He was awesome. He knew everything about the menu and was quite the impressive prosecco pourer. We cheered him on.

Bottoms up!

Now onto the main event: food! The Langham's tea service has a three course feel to it. First up was an amuse bouche. I wish I could remember exactly what it was. It included gelatinous, roe like beads in a glass topped with a palette cleanser reminiscent of apples. A great start packed with flavor.

I ordered the Rooibos tea which descended upon the table with more fragrance than any other high tea I've been to. And that bone china-- we were all obsessed with it!

Soon after came our second course. Savory bites with an Edwardian feel for the Downton Abbey menu. My favorite were the deviled egg salad with truffles. The presentation alone knocked my socks off.  The lobster and tarragon pudding target (left side of the plate) was close second.

Next up, scones! My favorite part of afternoon tea.Traditional and earl gray raisin scones with clotted cream, apricot jam and honey butter. I can never manage to stop at one!

Last but not least was the dessert course: Rasberry Charlotte Russe, The Queen's "Chocolate Perfection Pie", and Manchester pudding. These were just ok, but I also may have been too stuffed to enjoy them at this point. Poor me, I know.

Clearly it was a successful day and I can't wait to do it again! Kudos Langham, I would highly recommend this to anyone looking for a fancy but modern take on afternoon tea.