Mex Quaids

Had the pleasure of introducing the Quaid kids to the fabulous inventive food of Rich Bayless at Topolobampo recently. Questioned and inquired as to how children are received at the restaurant at which point I was assured that children are welcome. And it really is true! I had often seen children at Frontera~the more casual restaurant of the two but children at Topolobampo~not so sure. It helped that Elizabeth, Kate and Molly are well behaved and that Molly (8 years old) is a budding chef herself (she recently left the other kids in the dust at cooking class and was promoted to the adult section). All in all, Elizabeth, Molly and Kate sat attentively and tried everything from Gazpacho Poblano (the adults sipped on Rederer Estate Brut Rose while Coca Cola accompanied the children's dinner) to Halibut to Ribeye and Lamb. Although a bit hesitant, Molly and Kate experienced their first Jicama, Elizabeth had a sip of champagne and Patrizia, our waiter, could not have been more attentive and informative with the children. It was absolutely refreshing to see these young people "cutting their teeth" on the best food Chicago has to offer. We're looking forward to our next eating adventure~Molly, please fire up the oven.

Around the World via Storefront

more flying around in the car then O'Hare/Midway lately. Ants in the pants, what to do?

Venture out of the neighborhood (thank goodness for that) the antidote to summer gustatory blahs...
mouth travel to spicy lands within the confines of Chicago~
first with Ugo (born in Ethiopia) and Chris and Michael over to Ethiopian Ras Dashen for some absolutely wonderful mouth awakening and sensual eating experience of eating with fingers, tearing off of injera (sour spongy bread) and gobbling up lamb, chicken, vegetables some of which are melded with Barbere spice which almost took the lid off my mouth (not quite as dramatic as the burning a hole in the mouth on first day of India)...quaffing some jammy Shiraz, listening to the sultry live Ethiopian music, priceless (all for about $25.00 per person (thank you Ugo)...you hospitable Italian fusion man, you.

Then over to Fabbi's Kitchen, Devon neighborhood, naan in all its glory from savory to sweet. Gave me an idea for some Entertaining Company experiments..more on that when we have a moment to breathe (probably after this weekend's Indian wedding fantasia)..

Columbian smokey rotisserie chicken, flamenco tapas, wonderful crunchy felafel, homemade split pea soup, and Vegetable Cous Cous at Hasholam...satiated for a moment, do I smell garlicy pasta cooking downstairs?

Will report back~#end