The past two days have been so busy trying to unpack from Chicago and prepare for my upcoming weekend in San Francisco to run the Nike Women’s Half Marathon. In addition, I’ve had meetings before school, after school, softball games, chiropractic appointments, laundry – it just doesn’t end! But I do love staying busy. For now, let’s slow things down a bit and talk food and drink for WIAW with Jenn at Peas & Crayons!
My eats featured in today’s post will be from Chicago – a busy, windy city with tons of good places to dine. Let’s start with breakfast. My hubby’s favorite breakfast spot, without a doubt, is Tempo Cafe. We always make sure to get breakfast there at least once, if not twice, during our visit.
Itz no wonder Jonny loves it; look how massive the portions are! I rolled with the veggie egg-white omelette which was served over hash browns and had tons of spinach, zucchini, and broccoli in it. Love my greens!
The lunch highlight of the weekend was when we visited Bandera’s and I ordered the Macho Salad. Since I already raved about it and showed you pictures, let’s skip to dinner. (Click here if you missed that post!)
On Friday, we went to Gibson’s Steakhouse. Our reservation was not until 9:00 pm which felt really late to be eating. However, once the food came, my belly didn’t know what time it was anyway.
(Sorry for the crummy pictures. Dim lights leave me with only two options – flash or no flash – both which produce poor food photography.) We started with the Spicy Lobster Cocktail which was served in a steamed artichoke. I love lobster anything, but personally I felt like the mayonnaise could have been toned down a bit. I did enjoy the artichoke though!
I ordered a bowl of lobster bisque and it was the best decision ever. I don’t typically order lobster bisque because of how rich it is, but from Gibson’s it was definitely worth it. It was the richest, most decadent lobster bisque I have ever had. I savored every bite! My dinner entre was the Alaskan King Crab Chopped Salad which the waiter gave me a hard time for ordering a salad at a steakhouse. No worries though; my mom, my dad, and Jonny all gave me several bites of their steaks. No deprivation here!
I don’t usually talk drinks, but since I did some drinking of beverages other than just water, I thought I’d share with you. Not one but two Starbucks trips were made.
The pumpkin spice latte (skim milk, one pump, no whip) was the perfect order both trips! Sunday morning I had a glass of fresh squeezed orange juice; fresh squeezed orange juice is the only way to go. As for the other drinks, at Gibson’s I had a glass of red wine, and for my girls night with my mom and mother-in-law I had a dirty martini with bleu cheese stuffed olives. After the adult beverages and amount of coffee I consumed, I was more than ready to hydrate on Sunday. I found a Vita Coco Coconut Water at the airport, and it definitely quenched my thirst and supplied the electrolytes I needed.
Since visiting a city would not be complete without a sweet treat, we stopped in Ghirardelli. They were handing out samples of their new flavor: Pumpkin Spice Caramel.
It really is as good as it looks! Mmm, just looking at that caramel dripping out of the chocolate makes my mouth water all over again. Good thing I have a few left, as well as some other flavors I scored!
Can’t wait to get into the rest of these. Especially the Vanilla Dream. And the Dark Chocolate with Raspberry. And the… ok all of them!
What’s your favorite flavor of Ghirardelli (or any chocolate)? Have you gotten a Pumpkin Spice Latte yet this fall?
All those seafood meals sound delicious.. especially your salad!
Chocolate! I have to be boring and say that my favourite’s Lindt 90 %. I’d love to try that Pumpkin Spice one – and several of the other Ghiradelli flavours -, though.
And yay for girls nights!
Omg that pumpkin spice caramel chocolate sounds amazing! That’s 3 of my favourite flavours all rolled into one!
Also even though I love a good steak, I think I would have been tempted to order that crab salad too. Crab + avocado is so good together!
Whyyy must you taunt me with delicious caramel filled chocolate at 6:30 in the morning??
I actually really love raspberry, mint, or caramel filled chocolates, but really, I don’t think I’d ever turn down any kind.
I love pumpkin spice lattes so much that I have designated Wednesdays and Saturdays as Pumpkin Spice Latte days so that I don’t get a million of them. haha
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Chocoooolate~ Mmmmm. Twilight delight sounds awesome
Absolutely loving your eats, girl! AND LOVE that huge omelette – that is right up my alley.
I love all dark chocolate so it’s hard to pick.. and no, I have not had a pumpkin spice latte yet, would you believe that?!
OBSESSED with the pumpkin spice latte right now!!
I love Chicago’s food, it is the absolute best! I got my first pumpkin spiced latte this weekend, and it was awesome!
I haven’t had a Pumpkin Latte EVER! I’m not sure if I’d like them… Might be too sweet for me!
Love you
omg Ghirardelli is the best! LOVE their mint kind
Currently drinking a pumpkin spiced latte as I read this post! I opted for 2 pumps and I’m so glad I did… 4 would have been way too sweet! If you’re still on a chocolate kick this weekend, you can always stop by the historic Ghiradelli square in San Fran. And can’t wait to hear about your weekend in SF — it’s definitely one of my FAVORITE cities =)
I’ve heard about this!! Can’t wait to get there!! Now only if San Fran was closer to San Diego!!
Did you hear about my EPIC fail with Justin?? Wah!!
man I wish I was with you, that all looks so good!
Ahh you went to Tempo Cafe?! That’s really close to my high school, and I used to go there all the time for brunch/dinner/late night meals! The make the most amazing omelets (and other stuff too). Looks like you had a great time in Chicago
I love pumpkin spice lattes! I’ve been drinking them since september 1st
Ahhhh that lobster bisque sounds SO good! As does that pumpkin spice chocolate. I MUST get my hands on some of that asap
AH! I LOVE GHIRARDELLI. The dark chocolate raspberry and 82% dark chocolate are my favorites. they taste so indulgent
I always loved the Dark Chocolate Kit-Kats that came out for Halloween. Awesome!
I have not gotten anything from Starbucks, let alone a latte for a very long time. There have been some pumpkin frappe recipes on Pinterest though, so I’m thinking of trying one of them
I might have to get a Pumpkin Spice Latte and soon – YUM! Thanks for sharing – Have a Great One:)
Your ponytail is soooo super cute in that pic of you holding the Starbucks cup. You’re seriously the most adorable person ever. Haha and those chocolate squares sound AMAZING! I usually am for savory over sweet but love unique chocolates! On a recent food tour I tried one with a bit of rose petal in it – yum! The lobster bisque was a good choice. Once on a vacation I got some in a bread bowl. Rich and decadent yes but at a place with legit seafood, it is so worth it!
Ummmmm…. Ghirardelli Square in SF is gonna be in your future, I can feel it.
YES PLEASE!
I love the super dark ghirardelli the best but i havent tried all of the flavours yet!! your trip looks like fun and the lobster bisque too! sometimes you just have to indulge!