Magnifique

This was the great breakfast Lisa made for each us today. 

A perfectly done over-medium egg, sprinkled with red pepper, placed atop a bed of spicy guacamole spread over toasted sourdough. 

:Chef's kiss" 

New Glasses and a Trip to Chicago

 On December 28th, the morning after Seth's birthday get-together, Lisa woke me up, on very little sleep, to go with her to pick out new glasses. 

Afterwards we had breakfast at La Crema. Lisa ordered chilaquiles, which were a bust, and I had some  so-so bisquits and gravy. 

 We like the place, the location, the atmosphere, but the food continues to miss. I'm not sure we'll be back anytime soon. 

Afterwards, although I was completely exhausted, I accepted Seth's invitation to go down and spend the day in Chicago. His wife was going with, and he told me that instead of his normal ride, he'd be taking her Suburu. He sent a text saying he was on his way. 

So a few minutes later, when a Suburu pulled up in front of the house with a woman in the passenger seat, I walked over, opened the rear passenger door - 

aaaaaand it wasn't Seth and his wife. 

That's not the first time I've made those types of mistaks. Once, a few years back, I got into a  silverMazda CX-9 at Dollar Tree, and got upset when my key didn't start it. You guessed it. My car was parked a few spots down. 

It's a good way to get shot, to be honest. 

Anyway, we drove down to Chicago, scooped our friend Eladio from his north side home, and traveled to the south side of Chicago, to Ricobene's.

Eladio seconded the propaganda the restaurant puts out: that they serve the best sandwhich in the world. This "masterpiece" is breaded steak on a hoagie bun, toppped with marinara sauce and, if you pay extra, peppers and shredded mozzarella. 

It was fine. 

Was it worth a ride to Chicago when I was that tired? No

Was it worth a ride to Chicago had I been fully rested? No

Was it worth a ride across Milwaukee if there was a location there? No

Was it worth stopping in if you're in the neighborhood? Yes. 

Afterwards, after driving past Seth's alma matter of Loyola, we stopped in Lincoln Square. 

First stop, an upscale meat market called Gene's Sausage Shop, on the site of a famous defunct Chicago deli called Meyer's. 

Then it was down a few doors to a bookstore, The Book Cellar. I guess the identically named store in the Central Milwaukee Library isn't as uniquely named as I thought. 

Lastly, to a tourist shop, where I saw the Taylor Swift ornaments below, and then an apothecary. 

Our departure from Lincoln Square was delayed by a heavy police and fire presence. that boxed in the car. At first I  thought they were there to treat a man I saw trip and bust his nose on the sidewalk, but it appears they were there to prevent any trouble at a televised interview at the large menorah in Lincoln Square. 

From there we dropped off Eladio and then headed back to Milwaukee. 

Suprisingly, sometime after the meal, I broke through my wall of exhaustion and felt pretty darn good, so in the end I greatly enjoyed the Chciago trip. 

A good day start to finish. 

Homestyle Bakes

 

We had this for dinner Saturday night. 

No, it isn't fine dining, but we used to have this, and the other varieties, all the time when the kids were growing up. As a family of six, we usually made two boxes at a time, adding frozen vegetables to it before baking. 

Nowadays, with everyone's crazy schedules, one box sufficed, although once it again it was supplemented with frozen veggies and some brown and serve rolls.

Yum. 

We WILL be having it again. 

New Year's Eve Dining

As has been the tradition in my family for as long as i can remember,  the New Year's Eve menu includes Sloppy Joe's.

(Other traditions,  like pickled herring, I have magically forgotten)

This year I made them with the mix that Leon's Custard uses on their "Spanish Hamburgers."

Lisa was not pleased. 

"No one likes Leon's burgers."

"That's not true. "

"I bet half of Milwaukee would agree with me," she said.

"Thank you for admitting that 250,000 people agree with me," I replied. 

La Crema

So after an adventurous morning at Walmart (a man jumped out of a car,  assaulted his girlfriend,  intentionally tipped over her cart *with their baby inside* then fled) Lisa treated me to breakfast at La Crema in Cudahy.  

It's primarily a breakfast place,  although they do have a lunch menu.  

Lisa ordered avocado toast

As my norm,  if I see it on a menu, I'm gonna test out their egg Benedict.

The verdict was mixed.  It was all good,  but I would not grade any of it as exceptional.  The avocado toast is merely a smashed avocado, without garnish or flair.  The Benedict was tasty but unimpressive, and the American potatoes lacked seasoning.  

It was my first visit,  but Lisa has had several positive experiences there, so maybe this meal was an outlier.

I would try the place again,  but I am in no rush to do so. 

Dinner at YaYa's

After a stressful afternoon, Yaya invited Lisa and I over to her place and fed us an early dinner.  Sloppy Joe's,  veggies,  a cucumber salad,  and brownies. 

I wouldn't mind another of those sloppy Joe's right now, actually. 

Thank you kiddo!

The Annual Work Conference

This past Thursday and Friday I found myself in my hometown, as the state conference brought everyone downtown for the annual event. It was, as expected, largely a boring collection of lectures of dubious value to the job, but whatever. It was something different than the normal 8 to 5 we all experienece. 

Thursday evening I met Seth and Eladio at Carini's, an Italian restaurant on the East Side. Lorenzo had been invited, but declined, the bum. 

The shared appetizer of Arancini Piccolo (rice balls) was quite good, and so was the bread they bought out with the oil. 

As it was my first time there I wanted to sample their menu basics, so I ordered an excellent fettucine alfredo with homemade Italian sausage. Seth got veal, Eladio the chicken parm. 

It was a fun time and a great meal. 

On Friday we listened to a lecture by Rick Jones - who would tragcally pass over that very weekend, may he RIP- and then Seth gave me a ride home, stopping for a quick dinner at Classic Slice. 

Yum

The foccaccia bread 17 yr old Junie made from scratch for dinner.

And some box-mix cookies she made for dessert:

Current Sitch at Midnight, Saturday/Sunday

Moody's Subs

For lunch my friend Seth invited me to join him at Moody's, which bills themselves as a sub shop. In reality, it's a Middle Eastern restaurant that happens to also serve subs, albeit ones with an unconventional flair. 

Case in point, the cheesesteak I ordered:

Premium Roast Beef, Grill Onions, Portobello Mushrooms, Mix Bell Peppers, Drizzled in Dijonae’s, Melted Mozzarella Cheese, Kaiser Roll

The half pound of meat was too much,  and I took half the sandwich home where it served as my dinner.  

The avocado soup in the picture was very good by the way. 

Not the most affordable of lunches, but very tasty and with ample portions.  I'll be back. 

Conference Food Day Four

Why no pictures from day one? Because they provided no food on the first day. 

Day 3 Breakfast and Lunch