Pass on the Deep Dish

I know, I know.. I seem to be the only person in Chicago who hates deep dish pizza. Hate is a strong word. I'd eat it if I had to, but I live in a city of thousands of more delectable options. That includes many other wonderful pizza options beyond the greasy, two-inch thick slab of cheese. Yuck.

This is a classic example of Chicago-style pizza. It looks like lasagna to me. Unappetizing.

My favorite pizzas always seem to come from Piece Pizzeria. Very dependably delicious and I love the thin crust and fresh toppings. The BBQ Chicken pizza has quickly become one of my go-to options when I just can't bear my kitchen. They also have great salads and supposedly yummy, unique toppings like mashed potatoes. I haven't tried that, but I'm sure if anyone could do it well, Piece could. They also brew their own beer which is great with the pizza, and even better in a take-home growler – complete with a discount on refills.

Piece Pizza - thin and crispy

Next up is Crust Organic Eatery. My roomie Andie and I attended a party there and after we tasted one piece of their Italian sausage pizza, we quickly devised a plan to take turns going through the buffet so we could get the maximum amount possible, without looking like lunatics. It was seriously just that good. I’ve been back a few times and many of the other pizzas are fantastic as well including eggplant/arugula and mushroom/spinach/béchamel/goat cheese. They have a wide variety of organic beers and my personal favorite – homemade infused vodkas. I tried the raspberry-infused vodka and had trouble stopping at one. On a side note, for any naysayers that aren’t into organic or think organic pizza would taste bad, take my word for it and try it for yourself. There is nothing “healthy” tasting about these amazing pizzas.

Crust's outdoor seating and eggplant/arugula pizza.

TOP 5 New Restaurant of 2009: Mercadito

I was finally able to make my way to newly opened Mercadito. And I'm so glad I did. Despite some initial rumors about the wait time, even with reservations, being ridiculous, I still had heard rave reviews about the food. Especially the drinks and the tacos. Anyone that knows me personally would know that this place pretty much had me at that. I went with two of my favorite ladies and we thought the guacamole and mushroom tostadas were wonderful, but the highlight was definitely the tacos. The tacos are small in sets of four so it's perfect to go with a group and try a bunch of flavors. We tried the skirt steak and shrimp and we have had multiple conversations since wishing we would have had more! The cocktail menu includes your basic kick-ass margarita but really excels in the fun new twists like "Pepino el Pyu" (tequila, cucumber, lemon, cumin salt) and "Smokey Pablo" (tequila, mango, chile morita, blueberry float). Grab a group of friends and try this place soon - you might see me there! Not in Chicago? There are three locations in NYC and one in Miami.

A yummy variety.

Rendering of the Chicago location - you get the idea.

Favorite New Find: Duchamp

Duchamp in Bucktown opened in October 2008 and I am completely upset that I am only now discovering this delicious spot in my own hood. Not to mention, the restaurant was very empty when we were there, so encouraging everyone to stop by so this place can stick around. You won't be disappointed. The menu is eclectic and refreshing – fun takes and interesting combinations. The portions were perfect. Not a fan of giant diner food, but hate what my father lovingly refers to as, “Elf food.” Duchamp nailed it. We started with a cheese tray and the seared sea scallops. I think I’ve eaten more scallops this year than ever in my life and these were near the top. The table loved the ‘Steak & Eggs’ – a grilled skirt steak with bacon/parmesan quiche. The skate wing ‘Fish & Chips’ and Amish chicken with eggplant were both favorites as well. But our group couldn’t get over the simple, yet spectacular dessert. After all the lengthy titles, the menu simple reads ‘Cupcakes and Ice Cream Sandwiches.” Perfectly cooked little chocolate cupcakes and vanilla ice cream between two homemade chocolate chip cookies.

Delightful. All of it.

Dim shot of the interior but you can make out the long, communal tables and lucite chairs. Less is more folks.

Where you can find me once the weather warms up. Seriously, what a deck!

Until then... I'll stick to these.

TONIGHT: bluemercury Holiday Party!

Bluemercury, Chicago's phenomenal one-stop shop for makeup and skincare, is having their annual Holiday Shopping Party TONIGHT, Wednesday December 2nd! Never been to Bluemercury? My first trip was three years ago when I moved here and I've been exclusively going there ever since. They have the best of the best in products and every single employee is literally a wealth of beauty knowledge. An employee even called to ask me if I wanted her to set aside some products if I wasn't able to make it. I adore this place.

They have a wide range of brands including some of my favorites: Fresh, Bobbi Brown, NARS, Trish McEvoy, Kiehl's, Laura Mercier, ReVive, Diptyque candles, GoSMILE, REN... the list could go on forever.

And what better time to stock up on your makeup and beauty regimes than with a great discount. There are different levels of discounts depending on how much you spend. Not to mention FREE samples, snacks and champagne!

Here are the details:

bluemercury Holiday Shopping Party

2208 North Halstead, Chicago, IL 60614
Phone: (773) 327-6900
Wednesday December 2
Time: 4 P.M. - 10 P.M.


Hope to see some of you tonight! Don't live in Chicago? Don't worry, bluemercury is located in twelve states as of now - find a store near you.

Gilt Group launches a site for MEN

Gilt Groupe, one of my favorite online sample sale sites, has launched a men's department: Gilt Man. Gilt Man will offer items through inviation-only sales each day with top brands available at up to 70 perfect off retail in sales lasting 36 hours. The sales will include clothing as well as gadgets, sporting gear and other lifestyle items. If you're not already signed up for Gilt, now is the time to do it. Now with men's, accessories and home items, it's a one stop shop for holiday shopping!

A failed, but fun Vegan attempt

So even though I'm not a vegan, or vegetarian or anything special (well, except kind of picky I guess), I still like to experiment with different styles of food. My roomie Andie and I met Josh the owner of Handlebar and his employee Matt at a party a couple weeks ago. Handlebar is a very well known restaurant/bar/vegan hotspot/bike messenger hangout in Bucktown and we decided we had to give it a try. Handlebar is on North Ave and you definitely will not be disappointed. We went for brunch and even though my goal was to eat vegan, I just cannot do brunch without eggs! So... I ended up getting a vegan breakfast burrito but added in egg whites. Pretty close, right? Well regardless, it had seitan "chorizo" in it that was absolutely delicious. Andie got the Buffalo "Chicken" Wrap and the chicken combined with the vegan ranch dressing was to die for. And I can't forget to mention our favorite side: Smoked Gouda Mac n' Cheese. It was amazing! Hands down one of the best (and VERY filling, in a good way) meals I've had in a while. The ingredients were so fresh and yummy - we will be back soon I'm sure! Go check it out soon... and say hi to Matt and Josh!

New Modern Wing FREE This Week

The Art Institute of Chicago is opening its new $283 million Modern Wing THIS Saturday, May 16th. I can't wait!! The best part about it is that admission is FREE May 16th - May 22 compared to the usual $18 for people 12 and up. The wing was designed by the famous architect Renzo Piano and the released photos look amazing. And after an afternoon of wonderful works of art, you can eat at Terzo Piano with chef Tony Mantuano and sit in the little piece of heaven below. Hopefully I'll have photos of my own to upload later!

BYO... jug?

Some of my favorite girls in the world came to visit so we decided it was time to reunite one of our favorite college traditions, the Wine in a Jug Club. The tradition started back in our sorority house so naturally we were all feeling a little Carlo deprived. When I was thinking of a good BYOB spot, Lucia's immediately came to mind. Only a block away from where I live in Bucktown, Lucia's has amazing Italian food and for a good price. Best part of the night was when we assumed we would be the only ones there with a jug, we poured our glasses under the table - then the waiter informed us that Carlo Rossi jugs are the table wines they keep around for people who forget to bring anything. Just another reason I love this place!

My lovely TCU friends and I at Lucia's. Please come to Chi Town more often!

Our fine Chianti for the evening and my delicious Capellini Alla Checca - basic dish but yet quite amazing.

Don't Judge This Book By It's Cover...

So if you happen to get lost while driving around northern Bucktown, or for some reason really want authentic, and I mean authentic Mexican food, you might wind up around the Armitage and Western area. The Mexican food is okay, but the real find is my favorite ice cream in Chicago: Margie's Candies. It's been around since 1921 and let's be honest, it looks as though they haven't changed the decor since. But that's just part of it's charm. They have over 50 sundaes that are presented in huge shell bowls with your choice of toppings warmed and waiting on the side for you to pour on at your discretion. Make sure not to leave without trying the boxed candies at the front counter. The chocolate turtles. Wow. Another highlight that I discovered while making a sad attempt at eating healthy and am now obsessed with: Diet Coke Floats. Bottom line: The ice cream and sundaes are so great you'll forget the tacky atmosphere and the dumpy neighborhood. Make the trek at least once!

Chocolate Raspberry- definitely in the Top 5.

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Rob enjoying his Swiss Chocolate concoction and clearly loving

every minute of this touristy moment.