Architecture

The Spire along the Chicago skyline.

Karen in Rome, in front of the Coliseum.

The Spire is planned for the Chicago skyline. The hole has been dug and they ran out of money. I'm glad because anything that phallic doesn't belong on any skyline. While we were gallivanting around Chicago, Karen, Craig and the kids were in Rome!

Rick Bayless Trifecta

a Torta from Xoco

Bill and Trio, Trio, Trio Ceviche - Frontrera Grill

Bill's Seafood - Topolobomo

Bill's appetizer - Topolobombo

Dessert, Sweet Corn Tamal - Topolobombo

Bill's Tortilla Soup - Topolobombo

Lynn's Fish Course - Topolobombo

Bill's Taquitos - Frontrera Grill

Lynn's Tamal Azteca - Frontrera Grill

Lynn's Lobster Bisque - Topolobomo

Lynn's Mole Negro Pork Tenderloin - Topolobombo

We managed to stage a Rick Bayless Trifecta in Chicago, eating at Xoco a diner, Frontrera Grill a casual restaurant and Topolobombo a sheshe restaurant. Xoco's tortas were great but Frontrera Grill was our favorite. Topolobombo was a little to highbrow for us -- we're glad we did them all!

The Reliance Building

The Reliance Building at 32 N. State Street, is the first skyscraper to have large glass windows that make up the majority of its surface area, a feature of skyscrapers that would become dominant in the 20th century.

a visit to the Art Institute of Chicago

The Bedroom

The Impressionists exhibit, reminded me of the Musee d'orsay - Seirrat, Monet, Latrec and Van Gogh. I still think the Waterlilies are amazing. I am moved by the poetry of the letters Monet wrote to his brother when he was in the mental institution. I couldn't help taking a picture of Van Gogh's bedroom.

Harold Washington Public Library

The Chicago Architecture class walked to the Harold Washington Public Library. It was designed in 1991 as a memorial tribute to Mayor Harold Washington. The building has a lot going on, owls and winged things on the corners, Ceres the goddess of grain and a man with cheeks full of air to represent the windy city and a bizillion windows.

Lynn Goes to School

the big reason we came to Chicago was for me to attend a week-long workshop about Chicago Skyscraper Architecture (expenses paid!!)  For our first class, we heard a lecture about architecture, and hopped on a boat and cruised the Chicago River. Bill stayed at the room and watched Spain win the World Cup

Buying Somebody Else's Junk and Looking At Buildings

Went to Wolff's Flea Market in Rosemont - more like a swap meet but I was able to get my "gotta buy somebody else's junk" fix satisfied. The Chicago Architecture Foundation took the group on a Chicago Architecture River tour - very cool.

Saturday in Millennium Park

Saturday in Millennium Park. We biked from our hotel to the park along Lake Michigan.

Millennium Park

Rode bikes to the Natural History museum and see the Mastadon exhibit and then to an Art show on Michigan. And finally traditional deep pizza at Pizza Due.

Five States in a Day!

We went through five states today!

1. Started in Louisiana
2. Through Mississippi
3. Ate at IHOP in Graceland, Tennessee
4. Drove through Arkansas;
5. and Missouri
6. and finally Illinois!

Phew are we tired!

Emeril Lagasse Trifecta!

We completed the trifecta tonight by going to Emeril Lagasse's NOLA in the french quarter. Okay I think this is the last post about food until we go to Rick Bayless Topolobombo. Diane Ravitch was at the NEA convention. She makes a lot of sense so of course school districts around the country will not heed her words.

Trifecta

We completed the Emeril Lagasse trifecta at NOLA. Bill had shrimp and grits and I had a fish called drum. My favorite was Emeril's New Orleans, best service, best food and best ambiance!

Emeril's Delmonico

We went to Emeril's Delmonico and ate small plates. We shared the Gulf Crabmeat Cake, Assorted Young Lettuces, Rabbit Crepes, Lamb Meatballs and I didn't share the Gumbo. And yeah, I had two martinis, who's counting!

Happy Fourth of July!

Independence Day 2010, we saw the last inning of the Zephyrs game and fireworks at Zephyr Field in Matarie, Louisiana.

Emeril Lagasse's New Orleans

Truffled Gulf Shrimp "Louie"

Double Cut Pork Chop with Tamarind and Green Mole

Chicken and Waffles

Peanut Butter Mousse Pie

Our first trip to an Emeril Lagasse restaurant was New Orleans. We split a Truffled Gulf Shrimp "Louis" salad - with butter lettuce, citrus, smoked bacon and shrimp. The shrimp was fresher than I've ever tasted. I had the double cut pork chop with tamarind and green chile mole. Bill had chicken and waffles with a berry sauce. Both meals were fab-u-lous! We also shared a peanut butter mousse pie with Oreo crust - yummy! The service was outstanding. A sip of water and the glass was immediately refilled! Our napkins were placed on our laps, the entrees were brought and placed on the table in front of us at the exact same time. Jason our waiter was super charming.

Aldolfo's

We went to the NEA convention - I bought a cowrie shell ring, tiny turquoise earrings and an orange dress. We walked the wrong way down St. Charles for 2 1/2 miles, ended up taking a taxi to the convention center. We had gumbo at the mall and walked back to the hotel. Later I rode my bike to Borders 2 1/2 miles. Bill rode around for 2 hours and got rained on trying to find Adolfo's which we eventually found thanks to Trip Advisor. Oh my gosh the meal was fabulous! Adolfo's advertises as Cajun Italian food. You will not be impressed by the ambiance - it is a little more than a shack on the second floor. Our first trip here four years ago I saw a roach crawling on the wall, jump down on to our table and I kept eating that's how good this place is! You will not find grades in the window, cause this place most certainly would get a C or even a D in Los Angeles. But it is worth it! Bill had veal in their signature fish sauce and I had the Fish Missy, the fish was escobar. Bill ordered the frog leg appetizer -- pass! We even had the same waiter from four years ago who said he remembered us! Sure he does! But he was very sweet and shook I our hands and thanked us for coming to the restaurant.

Veal in Fish Sauce

Fish Missy