The best thing I ate today - 12/18

The best thing I ate today was the homemade dinner of butternut squash and pancetta risotto that my husband whipped up for dinner.  The combination of the bacon, squash and caramelized onions was sweet, smokey and flavorful.  But what really made this dish sing was the fact that it was finished with a sprinkle of love.  Thanks honeybee!

The best thing I ate today - 12/16

The best thing I ate today was at a Shabbat dinner hosted by our friend Merav.  The winner - her roast chicken.  Delicious, moist and perfectly seasoned, she gave Jonathan Waxman a run for his money.  Her recipe was very simple and included garlic, thyme, rosemary and lemon.  This is a must replicate for me this winter (aka roast chicken season).

The best thing I ate today - 12/10

The best thing I ate today was at a new little neighborhood joint the size of a postage stamp - Miko's Flipside.  This place sells homemade Italian ices in the summer and turns into a cozy little soup, sandwich and coffee spot in the winter.  Everything we had here was FABULOUS.  The win goes to my Black Bean soup which was outstanding.  Other honorable mentions go to the chicken chili and the grilled cheese on rosemary bread.  See you very soon Miko!

The Best Thing I Ate Today - 12/8

The best thing I ate today was my homemade French Onion soup.  I had never made this before and was delighted with the outcome.  I was able to achieve the rich, complex onion-beef flavor in just 2 hours of cooking.  I topped it with some french bread croutons and a REASONABLE amount (i.e. not enough to cover the top of a small state such as Rhode Island) of bubbly Gruyere cheese.  Overall, a much healthier way to get that French Onion it without sacrificing too much.

The Best Thing I Ate Today - 12/7

The best thing I ate today was the Stracciatella mousse at Ripasso.  This was the final course during a fun girlfriends' dinner with my friends Anita and Sindhu.  Bummed to hear that they were out of the Pistachio Mousse (http://bestthingiatetodaychicago.blogspot.com/2011/11/best-thing-i-ate-today-1112.html), we opted for Stracciatella instead and it did not disappoint.  It was like taking bites out of a pillowy, ribbony cloud of whipped vanilla and shaved chocolate.  We were in heaven.

The Best Thing I Ate Today - 12/6

The best thing I ate today was a delectable little morsel - Vanilla Caramel Marshmallow from Hammond's Candies.  I am a caramel junkie but this combination was unique to me.  The Fluffy marshmallow was robed in ooey, gooey caramel.  This made for one very delicious bite that you could really sink your teeth into (without your teeth getting stuck).

The best thing I ate today - 12/3

The best thing I ate today was a chocolate peppermint tart at the Lobby in the Peninsula hotel, over afternoon tea at a belated birthday celebration for my dear friend Elina.  It was a perfect ladies afternoon chock-full of girlfriend time, catching up, bottomless tea and lots of edible delights.  The chocolate peppermint tart took on the form of a chocolate cookie crust, filled with a fudgey, minty chocolate ganache, and topped with an adorable dollhouse-sized candy cane.  A sweet treat for sweet friends.

The best thing I ate today - 12/2

The best thing I ate today was the Friday night "let's just stay in" dinner that I made for Marc.  For me, Friday nights are all about comfort food and my go-to for this meal is chicken parmesan with pasta, and molten chocolate cakes for dessert.  The chicken is breaded and baked which gives it maximum parmesan flavor without the extra fried calories.  Our secret sauce is nothing other than bottom shelf Franceso Rinaldi Tomato Basil (who we affectionately refer to as "Francesca"), which we find to taste sweet, fresh and flavorful.  Lastly my lava cake recipe is a throwback to business school where my friend Melissa found the recipe on the Dove chocolate website at the time molten cakes were just gaining culinary traction.  Our comfort food induced bliss was a great start the the weekend.

The best thing I ate today - 11/29

The best thing I ate today was the sweet potato pancake at Snooze in Boulder, CO.  My husband and I became fans on Snooze a couple of years ago while in Denver for a wedding.  I had heard that they expanded to Boulder and there I found myself on a Tuesday morning ready to experience Boulder and hungry for pancakes.  The sweet potato pancake was a little more dense than a regular pancake, which seemed to be the perfect texture to carry the sweet potato puree baked into the cake.  It was topped with a sweet ginger butter which added an additional layer of flavor and buttery goodness.  I only wish this was the kind of Snooze alarm I could hit over and over again.

The best thing I ate today - Special New Jersey Thanksgiving Edition

Happy Thanksgiving!  This year we hit the road (or the skies as the case may be) and visited family in NJ for the Thanksgiving holiday.  3 days in NJ means 3 days to work in Thanksgiving dinner, Thanksgiving dinner leftovers, real bagels, proper NY pizza and Chinese Food that lives above the median.

First thing's first, the Thanksgiving Dinner win goes to my Mom's turkey.  It was juicy, tender and perfectly cooked.  Topped a bit of homemade gravy, this was the top delight of an all-around excellent meal.  Way to go Mom!

Now this New Yorker thought that she had met just about every American Chinese Food offering imaginable...Moo Shu, Kung Pao, General Tso.  But alas, I tried something new in NJ and fell back in Chinese Food love (we have a rocky relationship history due to some bad meals from places that generally have numbers in their names).  The source of love - Won Ton Egg Drop soup.  It combines the best of my favorite Chinese soups and you don't have to compromise.  This particular kitchen had an unusually flavorful egg drop broth and the won tons were perfectly al dente, unlike the many overcooked won tons I have ingested in my life.

Pizza was a bit of a let down.  We strayed from our usual place due to a detour to the mall (hey, it's NJ and Black Friday, how could we not?) and found ourselves at Hollywood Pizza.  Would have been considered "good" if we were in Chicago but it did not deliver the stretchy bubble-filled crust I have come to think of as home.  Serves me right for straying from the unwritten rule of pizza places - they need to end in vowels.

Rounding out the trip were the bagels from Howard's.  Light, fluffy, flavorful and the size of my head is how I would describe these.  A special thanks to my dad for going out to get them fresh the morning after Thanksgiving.  In fact, they were so good that the security officer at the airport pretended that they were are security risk just so that she could try to get her hands on the doezen we packed away to take home.  Not so fast officer, I pulled out my official Jewish bagel eater identity card and we were let off the hook.

Lastly, a special shout out to all of my readers, dining companions (you know who you are) and favorite chefs for making this blog possible.  I am very thankful to you.  Happy Thanksgiving.

The best thing I ate today - 11/21

The best thing I ate today was the burger at Cortland Garage at Trivia Nite.  This neighborhood bar touts their burger (#10 burger in Chicago, according to Chicago Magazine 2009) and it did not disappoint.  And Monday night is the $5 burger special so you really cannot go wrong.  Thick + juicy + topped with tangy smoked gouda cheese and grilled onions = burger perfection.  A special shout out to our friend Nate and his B-school buddies who made us feel part of the group and even let us answer some questions.

The best thing I ate today - 11/19

The best thing I ate today was at the impromptu Friday night dinner we hosted for our friends Susan and Noel.  With Thanksgiving coming up, I had a vested interest in keeping this dinner healthy.  So, instead of going out I made Asian lettuce wraps and one of our old standby dinners was an instant hit with our guests!  The ground turkey and vegetables were nicely seasoned with Asian spices, and fluffy brown rice was the perfect accompaniment.  Best of all, we all saved "points" for dessert and enjoyed Susan's Flirty cupcakes.  It was a sweet end to a sweet evening.

The best thing I ate today - 11/13

The best thing I ate today was a crab cake salad that I enjoyed for lunch.  I made use of the leftover crab cakes I had made for dinner a few nights before.  Tossed with greens, tomatoes, avocado and a homemade Russian dressing, this was a delightful lunch enjoyed alfresco on a 70 degree November Fall day.

The best thing I ate today - 11/12

For the first time in my blog's long history (one and a half years with a brief hiatus) I am truly torn as there was no clear win amongst the two extraordinary delights I enjoyed yesterday.  Both plate-scrapers were creations of the new Ripasso restaurant in Bucktown, the little sister of our old favorite Terragusto.

In the left corner we have their homemade risotto, made with Diver sea scallops and wild mushrooms.  I typically don't even like mushrooms and inhaled every ounce of this.  The risotto was rich without being creamy and perfectly al dente without being too starchy.  I detected a hint of red wine in the broth that made this ridiculously savory.

In the right corner we have the pistachio mousse with white chocolate pistachio-studded bark.  The texture of the mousse was perfect, creamy and luxurious while still being light.  The flavor of the pistachio was outstanding and made this decadent yet refreshing....a perfect way to end the meal.

So what was the best thing I ate today?  I think I'll need to go back again next week to make up my mind :).

The best thing I ate today - 11/11

On this lucky day I was very lucky indeed, to have eaten the grilled pork ribs at Chilam Bilam, which was the best thing I ate today.  After seeing this place win rave reviews on Check Please, and watching the chef on Top Chef this season, we knew it was a must hit and had to get there before the crowds did (for the record my husband Marc put this place on his hitlist over a year ago).  We will did not exactly beat the crowds (this place is a mob scene) but did get "lucky" with only a 5 minute wait at 6pm.  The grilled ribs were served with a finger-licking honey-pasilla chile sauce that was both sweet and bitter-spicy.  A dollop of crema and queso fresco helped to temper the spice and give it some added richness.  The dish really was delicious and unique, as were almost all of the small plates we tried.  I also give an honorable mention to the dayboat catch, which was Mahi Mahi in a delicious pink sauce with bacon, brussel sprouts and purple potatoes.

The best thing I ate today - 11/10

The best thing I ate today was a delightful surprise.  My friend Ildi was coming in from NYC and I planned to have her over for tea.  I found a box in my pantry called "Nana's Apple Cake Mix" from Tastefully Simple.  I honestly have no idea how it got there, but figured I'd give it a whirl.  And a whirl it was because this cake is the BOMB.  Warm, gooey, cinnamony, appley...basically this tastes like Fall home baked goodness.   Makes you feel like you are 6 years old, back in your mom's kitchen.  Go Nana!

The best thing I ate today - 11/8

The best thing I ate today was the Ginger Beef & Pad Thai salad I made for dinner.  This was a unique recipe - ginger marinated flank steak, served over a bed of greens, pickled vegetables, rice noodles, spicy soy ginger dressing and a sprinkle of fresh cilantro. The rich flavor of the beef was a nice contrast with the vegetables and the soy ginger dressing was a flavorful way to bring the noodles to life.  I only call this a "pad thai salad" because it is somewhat inspired by Wow Bao's pad thai salad - there is no classic pad thai curry in this dish.  The dinner was light, delicious and satisfying all at once.

The best thing I ate today - 11/7

The best thing I ate today was the greek grilled tuna steak we made for dinner.  The marinade was simple and fresh - a rub made from oregano (from our neighbor's garden), fresh thyme, EVOO, salt and pepper.  The steak enjoyed a spritz of fresh lemon just before serving and was bursting with so much flavor, I was actually surprised.

The best thing I ate today - 11/4

The win today goes to the Beef & Butternut Chili I made for dinner.  I am a first-timer chili maker and proud to say that the first time was the charm.  The beef was tender and savory and the butternut squash added a nice starchy texture with a hint of sweetness.  I balanced out the chili powder, cinnamon, coriander  and cumin and spice blend with some cocoa powder, brown sugar and chipotle chili powder.  The result was a nice balanced savory, smoky flavor with a touch of sweetness.  Accompanied by cornbread (so delicious it might as well have been cake), this was a great cold weather Fall dinner.

The best thing I ate today - 11/1

The best thing I ate today was a winter squash and corn chowder that I made for dinner.  This turned out to be a wonderfully creamy and filling (yet guiltless) chowder.  Made with pureed corn, skim milk, squash, celery and some spinach the chowder had the perfect duality of silky texture with satisfying chunks.  We topped it with bacon, green onions and cheddar for some extra flavor and and appetite appealing artistry garnish.

The best thing I ate today - 10/31

The best thing I ate today was the Asian meatball bahn mi I made for dinner.  I used a recipe for Basil Chicken Meatballs with Ponzu Sauce from my friends at Cooking Light, and served it on warm and toasty multi-grain French bread.  I am a sucker for a meatball.  Really, I think this pedestrian food is actually incredibly inspired because if done right it can combine a number of delicious ingredients and serve them up in one savory bite and uniquely delicious (a la the trend in gourmet hot dogs, like Hot Doug's).  These Asian meatballs did not disappoint, and did deliver a sweet and savory Asian flavor made with gems like coconut, basil and sweet chili sauce.  It was the perfect homey, comforting dinner remade with a bit of flair.

The best thing I ate today - 10/30

The best thing I ate today turned out far better that I could have imagined.  Feeling inspired by the season, I decided to do something with Pumpkin. You should know that this blogger is NOT a pumpkin pie kind of gal, and pumpkin is usually not my dessert ingredient of choice.  Alas, I made a pumpkin chocolate chip loaf figuring it would be just enough pumpkin to give me my fix, but not so much that I would feel compelled to go back for seconds.  Well, I was WRONG.  The loaf was unbelievably moist and the contrast of the dark chocolate chips and the sweet pumpkin made for dessert perfection.  So much for self control.

The best thing I ate today - 10/26

The best thing I ate today was the Tilapia Piccata we made for dinner.   This Cooking Light recipe was super easy....lemon, butter, capers, fresh parsley, fish and some pasta.  It was light and delicious yet very satisfying.  I liked the fact that it is newer, healthier take on an old school dish.

The best thing I ate today - 10/25

The best thing I ate today was a very inspired frozen yogurt flavor at Forever Yogurt...Maple Bacon Donut fro yo.  The flavor was well balanced - not too sweet and contained just a hint of smokiness from the bacon, rather than full on pork-in-my-yogurt.  As good as the real thing, probably not.  However, at 100 calories and no fat it was a welcome replacement.

The best thing I ate today - 10/18

The best thing I ate today was the pumpkin sage flatbread over dinner with my good friend and mentor Ron, at Hubbard Inn.  Hubbard Inn is one of those new gastropub/shared plates/mixology/ridiculous cozy new places downtown.  The flatbread was Fall in a bite.  Smooth, sweet pumpkin, sharp toscano cheese and a dollop of sage cream made this an earthy contrast of flavors that all melded together in a delightful way.  The flatbread itself was they way flatbread should be....think and crispy without being too crispy.  And with this dish I do declare that pumpkin and butternut squash season has begun. Let the Fall dining begin!

The best thing I ate today - 10/17

The best thing I ate today was a big old slice of my husbands Bobtail ice cream cake.  This is not the Carvel ice cream cakes of my youth - it is alternating layers of rich chocolate cake and fresh, creamy cookies & cream Bobtail ice cream.  What makes this cake unique is that the middle layer is a classic vanilla ice cream with mammouth chunks of cookies, while the top layer is more of a blended shake-like cookies & cream ice cream. It is the best of both in the world of cookies & cream.  Touches of frosting make this texturally devine, and it was the much-needed end to a long day packed with job interviews.

The best thing I ate today - 10/14

The best thing I ate today was the pulled chicken at Chicago q.  We enjoyed a BBQ feast with our friends Eric and Liza and were well taken care of by the staff at q, including our neighbor Claudio.  We got to sample a delightful array of appetizers and meats.  However, the standout for me was surprisingly the chicken.  By now you readers may have guessed that this little lady is indeed a carnivore.  So for me the chicken on the sampler was kind of a throw away...until I tasted it - juicy, succulent and delicious. I generously topped it with the house sauce and was in BBQ heaven.  And then I got to repeat the whole thing again the next day with my leftovers over lunch.

The best thing I ate today - 10/9

The best thing I ate today was grilled Mahi Mahi topped with a tomato-bacon sauce.  Thanks to Cooking Light for the recipe, this was a perfect Indian summer dinner.  Marc grilled the fish perfectly, and the sauce gave the delicate fish a really nice rich, smoky flavor.  Accompanied by brown rice and served over a bed of garlicy spinach, this was a solid entrant into our ongoing efforts to have fish at least twice per week.  But, the real star of the evening was our dining companion - 70 degree weather alfresco.  Can't beat that in October in Chicago.

The best thing I ate today - 10/7

The best thing I ate today was the chocolate chip cookie sundae at Hackney's.  In preparation for the Yom Kippor fast, Marc and I INDULGED over a meal of burgers, fries, (salad) and this delicious dessert that required and extra 15 minutes to be baked fresh (thanks Marc).  We opted for cinnamon ice cream which did a really nice job of cutting through the sweetness of the cookie, hot fuge and whipped cream.  Thanks to the cookie sundae the "cracks" of our stomaches were "filled in" and we stumbled over to Kol Nidre services just a half block away feeling beyond full and ready to go 22 hours 3 minutes and 20 seconds without eating again (but whose counting?).

The best thing I ate today - 10/3

The best thing I ate today was my leftover Chinese Food from our weekend dinner at Dee's.  As a former New Yorker, I consider myself to be a Chinese food connoisseur.  There are many wonderful things about living in Chicago.  However,  two of those things are NOT the mediocre Chinese Food or lackluster shrimp.  We have narrowed in on Dee's as the best of the Chinese lot here. It is good, not great.  However, the one thing that Dee's really does excel at is their shrimp.  They are big, flavorful and succulent.  My leftovers of shrimp with mixed vegetables in a brown sauce (thank you Dee's for letting me order off the menu) were delicious and hit the NY spot.

The best thing I ate today - 9/30

The best thing I ate today is a ode to my father-in-law, Margie's Ice Cream.  This is a Chicago favorite of his so of course I felt inclined to indulge.  My degustation - a turtle sundae with a scoop of cheesecake ice cream and a scoop of chocolate peanut butter ice cream.  They were topped with silky, gorgeous caramel and a side bucket (well really just a gravy boat but it feels like a bucket) of rich, decadent hot fudge.  I am proud of myself for retiring my spoon halfway through but regretful at the post-dining realization that one sundae would have been plenty to share for all four of us.  Ahhh, what is done is done.

The best thing I ate today - 9/29

The best thing I ate today was the brisket I made for Rosh Hashanah dinner with my in-laws.  Unfortunately, their flight was delayed which made the brisket far less delicious than it turned out, but that just means the leftovers we will eat for lunch tomorrow will be even tastier!  My Brisket recipe comes from a Ben Randall Sur La Table cooking class that my friend Elina once attended.  The secret is the savory red wine reduction sauce it simmers in for 4 hours to become fall-apart-on-your-fork.  The sauce is reduced not once, but twice!  Can't wait to eat it again, this time with the diners it was intended for.

The best thing I ate today - 9/28

The best thing I ate today was the apple crisp I made for dessert and brought to our friends' house for Rosh Hashanah dinner.  Believe it or not, this was a Weight Watchers recipe and it was delicious.  Warm, gooey and fragrant best describe this homey, fall dessert.  In the great debate of pie vs. crisp, I choose crisp.

The best thing I ate today - 9/27

The best thing I ate today was a delicious morsel from my friends at Truffle Truffle.  The win goes to a pumpkin spice caramel that I picked up at Dose Market over the weekend.  The carmel was buttery, silky and had the subtle essence of nutmeg infused pumpkin.  Basically, it was Fall in a bite.

The best thing I ate today - 9/26

The best thing I ate today was M Burger.  This has been on my burger hit list for a while and I had the pleasure of indulging with my friend Bill.  The cheeseburger was good and very enjoyable, but slightly underwhelming.  The smallish, but tasty patty was enveloped in a soft, puffy, fresh bun and topped with lettuce, pickle and a secret sauce.  I have to say...I kinda wanted more meat.  Not in the Kuma's way, but I was left feeling a bit unsatisfied.  They have a "double" option but I have never really seen myself as a double kind of gal.  Doubles are for truck drivers and professional eating contestants, not lunching women trying to shave off another 5 pounds.  I'd still eat it again, but I would probably go to Five Guys first.

The best thing I ate today - 9/25

Today I got to go to the much anticipated and very hyped Dose Market.  Dose Market is a culinary and fashion mecca for the Sunday football widows of Chicago.  For those of you lucky enough to have attended the Fancy Foods show (under the pretense of work, of course) this is basically the version that is open to the general public. Dose is basically an extravaganza for the palate where one can sample delicacies and delights ranging from chocolate truffles to lavender honey to BBQ sauce.  So, as you can imagine the competition for today's win was fierce, but goes to Truffle Truffle for their chocolate pop tart.  Layers of flakey dough surround a fudgey, creamy center.  The tart is topped with a chocolate glaze and lightly crunchy sprinkles and sensorial delight of flavors and textures.  Gotta go get another Dose!

The best thing I ate today - 9/24

A big thanks to our friends Amy & Josh for a lovely birthday dinner at North Pond.  There were many delicious dishes I enjoyed as part of our dinner.  However, the best thing I ate today was the Black Bass.  It  was accompanied by saffron-orange glased fennel, red quinoa, cucumbers, tomatoes and a delicate gaspacho broth - all topped with a sprinkling of fresh dill.  The dish was flavorful, delicate and fresh.  It was a wonderful piece of fish that makes me remember why I choose to order fish....an art so easily taken for granted at many restaurants.  Kudos to North Pond for making the evening very special.  From the personalized menus to the dessert plates with our names embossed in chocolate, it is the little touches and big cuisine that score major points at this special occasion oasis.

The best thing I ate today - 9/22

The best thing I ate today was a simple sandwich at the Middle Eastern spot Chickpea.  I dined on the Dajaj - a warm pita stuffed with juciy, flavorful chunks of chicken, grilled vegetables and silky hummus.  One bite and I was transported to the Egyptian place in London I frequented while attending school there.   I am never ceased to be amazed by food's ability to transport and travel time.

The best thing I ate today - 9/19

The best thing I ate today is something that has become a staple in the rotation of our summer dinners - Greek Chicken.  This is a modification of the Cooking Light recipe for Greek Style Pork Chops.  I substitue chicken for pork and top it with a fresh medley of cucumbers, tomatoes and red onion.  The garnish is a greek yogurt sauce made savory by the addition of dill.  The dish is accompanied by toasted wheat pita, which is excellent for dipping into the yogurt.  This is a fresh, satisfying end to a summer day, and never disappoints.

The best thing I ate today - 9/18

The best thing I ate today was the linguine with clam sauce that I made for dinner.  I don't think that I have ever made this dish before and it was simply delicious.  The clams were fresh and perfectly cooked, and the sauce was light and flavorful.  The prep work and cooking time for this were minimal.  Definitely need to bring this into our pasta repertoire.

The best thing I ate today - 9/17

The best thing I ate today was the lobster roll consumed at the 2nd wedding anniversary celebration dinner with my husband.  We dined at GT Fish & Oyster and enjoyed a degustation of delicious small plates from the sea.  The standout was their signature lobster roll:  meaty chunks of lobster, celery and lemon - lightly (that is right, just very lightly) dressed in mayo.  All served on a buttery browned roll.  I may be a NY gal living in the Midwest, but there is clearly something very New England about me at heart, as evidenced by my love of lobster rolls.

The best thing I ate today - 9/16

The best thing I ate today was a condiment.  Not because my menus for the day were so inadequate or mundane, but because this ketchup really was that good.  I was lunching with my dear friends and old bosses, Ben & Sam.  Being true Midwesterners, they insisted on ordering the fried cheese curds (which are new to this East coast gal).  They were good, but they ketchup that accompanied them was divine.  The flavor was an exact replica of a really good bloody mary.  Tomato, savory spices and a kick.  This redefines ketchup.  Let the condiment wars begin.

The best thing I ate today - 9/9

The best thing I ate today is an old favorite - the vanilla cinnamon caramel ice cream at Belly Shack.  This spot is known for their tasty sandwiches - and don't get me wrong, they are great (especially the Korean BBQ Beef).  However, the best kept secret at this place is their ice cream.  Creamy, smooth soft serve topped with a very generous ribbon of real, buttery caramel and a sprinkle of cinnamon.  The flavor combination is divine, and it was a delicious kickoff to celebrating my birthday weekend.  Dare I say this is the best ice cream in Chicago?

The best thing I ate today - Special Travel Edition: Eatily

Welcome to my first ever special edition post.  Through this post I hope to take you on a journey of some of the best things my husband and I ate on our trip to Italy.

Hiking From Enoteco to Trattoria

Mussels at Ciak

Tableside Presentation at Ciak

Our first stop was the Cinque Terre.  We stayed in Monterosso, but heavily explored each of the 5 towns from both culinary and sight-seeing standpoints. Now for the best thing I ate on the trip.... if I could be transported back to Cinque Terre for just one meal it would be the Mussels and Spaghetti & Ristorante Ciak.  The dish is cooked right on the stovetop in a large ceramic bowl, and the bowl is brought directly to the table while still piping hot.  I am a sucker for presentation and foodtainment so naturally my heart leapt when the waiter made a big deal of bringing the bowl to our table and filling up our dishes with mussels & pasta.  The mussels were divine, not a trace of fishiness or being overcooked (Chicago has to be about the worst town for mussels and I have been burned many, many times).  The sauce was a light red sauce that gently clung to the al dente pasta.  It had a unique flavor...I am guessing a touch of saffron?  Anyway, this was my best meal of the trip.

Cannoli at Il Pirata

Other noteworthy dishes included the Pesto Trofie.  This is a unique pasta shape indigenous to the CT region.  They resemble small, thin twists and do a nice job of clinging to the sauce while staying firm.  The Ligurian region is know for pesto, for good reason.  It is fresh, green and herbaceous - and contains far less oil than the pestos I have been served here at home. We also had a delicious arugula and prosciutto pizza from a place called Pizzeria Smorfia, which we nicknamed the Smurf Pizzeria.  Lastly, I had a tasty cannoli filled with silky, smooth ricotta cheese at a place called Il Pirata in Vernazza.  This restaurant is run by two very entertaining Sicilian brothers that I honestly thought were the same person until the end of the meal.  One of the brothers promised me that this would be "the-besta-desserta-of-your-lifa".  Not sure that it delivered on that, but it did open my eyes to a whole new way that ricotta cheese could/should be used in desserts instead of that crumbly, gritty stuff you get at home.

Before we leave the Cinque Terre, I would like to give a special shout-out to the B&B where we stayed, Locanda Il Mastrale.  This is a beautiful little inn that had recently been completely renovated and restored to authentic, rustic-chic Italian elegance.  The fresco on our bedroom ceiling was a nice touch, as was the delightful terrace where we enjoyed our breakfasts every morning.  They served a wonderful focaccia bread here, which is a specialty of the region.

Ferries & Formaggio
Our next stop was Lake Como where general eating falls a notch from Cinque Terra.  The options are largely tourist traps or very fine dining with little in between.  However, we managed to eek out a few blog-worthy spots.  There were two noteworthy meals.  The first was at a place called Barchetta.  This is a lovely little spot in downtown Bellagio that is perched up on a terrace overlooking the street.  It is filled with greenery and was really a little gem for ambiance.  The winning dish there was a special appetizer -  thick sliced ripe tomatoes paired with the creamiest bufala mozzarella you have ever tasted - basically a liquid version of mozzarella.  A little drizzle of olive oil made this perfecto.  The second noteworthy meal was at the restaurant at our hotel, the Albergo Silvio.  This was lakeside dining at it's finest and the tastiest dish award goes to the tiramisu we had for dessert.  It was a classically prepared tiramisu that was creamy in texture and complex in flavor.  This restaurant also gets extra points because of the cool handheld computer device the waiter used to take our order.

Homemade in Milan

Buongusto

Our last stop was Milan.  This was a bit of an audible for us, since we thought we would be taking in one meal there at best.  Since our itinerary was flexible, we were able to spend a full day there which meant TWO full meals for us.  They were some of the most delightful meals of the trip.  The culinary scene in Milan felt similar to NYC, lots of adorable little postage stamp-sized places with creative cookery.  Our first such stop was lunch at a place which we literally stumbled upon, Buongusto.  They make all of their pastas and sauces from scratch.  This was probably the best pasta (and when I say pasta I mean the pasta itself and not the sauce) of the trip.  They prepared a delicate yet firm homemade orecchiette for us with a bolognese sauce. You know, the kind of pasta you want to sink your teeth into, without it being too chewy. Here is a link to their site, http://www.buongusto.eu/   The second stop was a layup from the New York Times.  I am a sucker for the 36 hours in (insert location here) and the 36 hours in Milan article did not disappoint.  We stuck to the writers recos here and she knew her stuff. As we dined amongst our fellow NYT readers, and started with what can only be described as a strudel of caramelized onions with a cream sauce and balsamic drizzle.  We then went onto a pumpkin tortellini in a butter & sage sauce.  It was all out of this world, and by far the richest meal of the trip.  Here is the link:http://ristorantezuccaemelone.it/

Gelato Pops in Bellagio

Saving Room For Dessert
Know I know that some of your readers are saying to your selves, "Italy, but what about the gelato?" Have no fear, we did indeed save some room for dessert.  The gelato award goes to a little shop near the top of Bellagio that served us a dark chocolate-covered stracciatella gelato pop.  It was devine.  The dark chocolate was rich yet simple, and perfectly complemented by the creamy unassuming stracciatella. Other noteworthy frozen dessert degustations included a stop at a stand in Corniglia called Mar di Gelato.  The pastry chef recommended the yogurt to me, topped with honey and fresh lemon.  It was divine.  Over the course of the trip we also sampled excellent fig gelato, a new flavor for me.  Not to mention some excellent local lemon sorbet that was ridiculously creamy (how do they do this without dairy?).  On the last gelatation of the trip we stopped at a shop called San Bart's in Milan.  I went simple - the chocolate- and it was so rich and memorable that I still have the taste pleasantly lingering in my mouth as I write this.

The best thing I ate today - 9/6

The best thing I ate today was the Ensalada Azteca Salad that I had for lunch at the new Native Foods Cafe in Wicker Park.  They are trying to branch out of their vegan-loving stomping grounds and break into the overly carnivorous market of Chicago.  To do this profitably, they are going to need to source from outside their Vegan roots and attract those customers living on the second ring of this bullseye - people who enjoy health, fresh food and don't always need to eat meat when they go out.   I LOVED my salad.  It was interesting, fresh and delicious with little gems like avocado, jicama, pumpkin seeds, quinoa and a mango vinaigrette.  Challenge accepted and conquered.  Maybe next time I will try the seitan or native chicken...or not.

The best thing I ate today - 9/5

The win today goes to the dinner we made last night - pesto crusted tilapia.  Upon the return of our trip to Italy, I was inspired by all of the pesto in the Liguria region (stay tuned for my special edition culinary recap posting).  My husband previously was not a pesto lover and became a convert on this trip (Thank you G-d).  So, I had not made pesto in at least 5 years and was totally psyched to take out my Cuisinart and get started.  Not to mention the fact that my neighbors gave us free reign over their flourishing basil herb garden.  The result was delicious.  Perfectly broiled tilapia topped with fresh, herbaceous pesto.  I included a side garnish of roasted tomatoes for good measure and we enjoyed the dish with roasted potatoes and fresh herbs. Perfecto!

The best thing I ate today - 8/25

The best thing I ate today was the black bean quinoa (thank you Epicurious for the recipe and specifically your phone app that I used in the grocery store) that I made as a side dish for dinner.  Readers (all 2 of you), let me tell you that my husband, who will eat just about anything, is not partial to quinoa and I have "poisoned" the quinoa well in the past with sub-standard recipes and executions.  However, with an open mind we both enjoyed this healthier grain side-dish. Seasonings included chili powder and cumin and sauteed onions really makes this dish.  It carries a nice Southwestern flair and flavor, which and made it the winning dish of the day.

The best thing I ate today - 8/24

The win today goes to the dinner that we made - Grilled Lime-Soy Tuna with Noodles and Miso-Mixed Vegetable Salad (thank you Cooking Light for the recipe).  This is the third time I have made this dish, and the third time was the charm.  My husband Marc grilled the tuna perfectly, making it look exactly like the picture.  I made the delicate bed of the noodles and carrots shallow, as to keep this low carb.  The side of crunchy miso sugar snap peas was a perfect vegetable accompaniment.  The overall dish had a fresh, tangy asian flavor and was a perfect summer dinner outside.

The best thing I ate today - 8/23

The win today goes to a very unassuming, under-appreciated member of my edible cast- my breakfast oatmeal.  You see, while working at Quaker Oats, I developed an addiction to the stuff (maybe because it was free).  So, if I go more than a few days without oatmeal I start to jones for it.  Lately I have been partial to the McCann's Irish Quick & Easy Steel Cut.  For me, Oatmeal is steam table, steel cut or bust.  I am partial to this oatmeal because it maintains the chewy substantive texture I crave, while preparation time is only 5-10 minutes.  Topped with fresh blueberries, a dollop of brown sugar and a hint of cinnamon, this really was a great way to start the day.

The best thing I ate today - 8/22

The win today goes to a dish at a tapas dinner with my friend Rashmi at Nia Mediterranean.  It was the sleeper dish of the meal, a chicken brochette with romesco and cumin sauces.  The chicken arrived on a skewer and had been grilled to tasty, juicy perfection.  The two sauces were very nice, one was more of a sun-dried tomato chutney and the other was a mild, mustardy cumin sauce.  This dish was Rashmi's pick, so she got the last bite!

The best thing I ate today - 8/21

Determining the best thing I ate today was a tough challenge amidst the terrific spread laid out by our friends Julie and Dan at their Air & Water show party.  However, the win goes to an unassuming little treat on the dessert tray which I have later come to find out was a mini turtle cupcake from Baker Boys in Highland Park.  Here is where I must admit to my readers (all 2 of them) that I, Cindy Karas Sherman, am a caramel addict.  This cupcake did not have the fanciful toppings and frostings of its friends...red velvet, peanut butter cup, oreo and the like.  However, I saw a light carmel drizzle and some nuts and my caramel radar started going off.  With good reason...the morsel was delectable.  Inside was an ooey, gooey caramel center surrounded by light and delicious chocolate cake. Who needs the Blue Angels when you have caramel to make your stomach do flips.

The best thing I ate today - 8/20

The best thing I ate today was my bowl of delicious ramen noodles over a rainy afternoon lunch with my dear friend Sari.  We went to Bill Kim's Urban Belly, a departure from my regular Belly Shack.  I enjoyed the smoky and complex beef broth, comforting noodles and flavorful (and surprisingly lean) BBQ beef.   The strip-center style parking in the middle of a rainstorm was an added lunchtime bonus, you could almost call it dessert.

The best thing I ate today - 8/19

The best thing I ate today was the crunchy papper and parmesan crusted halibut with cherry tomato-basil sauce (thank you for the recipe Rachel Ray). I prepared this myself and served it over a bed of pesto couscous with a balsamic reduction drizzle. It was delicious, the perfect Friday night pre-theatre summer dinner. It is satisfying, yet light. Kind of gives me the fix of a fresh pasta sauce, but without the pasta. The fish is crusted in a cornmeal which gives it a really nice texture and some added dimension.

The best thing I ate today - 8/18

The best thing I ate today was my lunch at the new Ikram Cafe. She has opened a cafe in her new red box Chicago flagship store. I was enjoyed my vegetable sandwich over lunch with my friend Amy. Vegetable sandwiches are usually not my "go to" menu item, because they are usually eggplant and mushroom heavy - this was neither. It was was a delicious combination of roasted peppers, green and yellow squash and smoked mozzarella. All topped with a very fresh pesto. A special shout-out to the folks at Ikram. They delivered a delicious, friendly and approachable dining experience which is something I cannot say about their friends Fred & Barney down the street.

The best thing I ate today - 8/17

The best thing I ate today was my lovely lunch at the outside patio at the always good Milk & Honey. I dined on a fresh salad of romaine lettuce, the season's best tomatoes, chicken and my best friend bacon. I lightly topped it with their tangy garlic-infused green goddess dressing. But, what really made the meal was my company. I had the chance to sneak away with my good friend Danielle and have a proper, al fresco girls lunch. And for once I opted out of their mini size cupcake because good, old-fashioned girl talk was all the dessert I needed.