ohh MAN! I haven’t posted in so long! Here is a little recap…

5. Recently visited Barrelhouse Flat—in Lincoln Park—serving delicious cocktails (had a Manhatten!) and fun treats like kettle corn and cotton candy, pretty swanky.

4. Brunch at Balsan—got the smoked sea trout (basically lox), and definitely would recommend with a mimosa!

3. Been rockin’ these bad boys:

2. Birthday dinner at Market, a little preview of the Yoga Master pizza below: oven roasted mushrooms, asparagus, grilled eggplant and arugula with a drizzle of truffle oil.

1. Al’s wedding, which was a month ago now—hard to believe! So fun to celebrate one of my closet friend’s big day.

Top 5!

5. My trip to NYC! And my delicious dinner with some of my faves, Linds, Katie and Tina, at Hundred Acres. Enjoyed a bowl of mussels in a spicy broth with chorizo and crusty-slathered-with-olive-oil-and-oregano dipping bread, so amazing.

Linds and me

4. A t-town brunch in NYC with some of my Toledo galpals, Kathleen and Leigh at Low Country, I had scrambled eggs and cornbread which was TO DIE for, but didn’t get any pics. Did get a pic with the ladies though later that night!

Leigh, me and Kathleen

3. Saw a one Miss Molly last weekend in Chicago, which was much needed as I haven’t seen her in probably 2 years??

2. Also had a dish sess with KT at Cocina Tarascas in Lincoln Park, enchiladas and skinny girls margs were much needed.

1. Finally made it to FishBar in Lakeview this weekend as well, totally delicious and the cutest place, good for small groups though, 4 max as there is only about 3 booths, and the rest is stool seating. Had the Oyster Po’ Boy and the ‘little salad,’ would highly recommend both, as well as the Crabby Patty which two of my dinner pals had and loved.

(Can you tell I like new restaurants and trying many as quickly as possible??)

(Top 5)

5. Diggin’ this new blog KT introduced me to, San Francisco-based blogger Alicia’s Cheetah is the New Black.

4. Chilam Balam on Broadway in Lakeview. I’ve been about 18 times, and it never gets old. If you still haven’t been, get in there for some Mexican ribs, fresh ceviche, and summer salads all made from local, farm fresh produce and products. BYOB too!

3. I’ve also been loving The Midwestyle blog these days, a thank you very much RG for the recommendation. These Chicago-based, men-about-town bloggers have some serious style.

Follow Seth, Jeff & Cam as they explore Chicago (and the Midwest), thrift-shopping along the way.

Photo via The Midwestyle

2. Big Star in Wicker Park. The two essentials were wonderful: guac and margs. The atmosphere, even better—had little red-strung lights all over its’ cantina-style bar. Wish I had taken pictures, I didn’t! Forgive me.

Still haven’t made it to Green Zebra, on the list though.

1. HARRY POTTER: DEATHLY HALLOWS, PART II. ‘Nuf said. It was amazing, unreal, I’d (obviously) recommend you running out and seeing it immediately—Couple of highlights: Ron and Hermione, FINALLY. Alan Rickman’s performance killed me, so great as the fallen hero. I wasn’t crazy about the beginning, seemed a little anticlimactic, but that’s my only complaint. (Clearly a die-hard fan, yes?)

via IMDb

(Top 5)

5. I’m very sad to admit this after being in Chicago for nearly two years now, but I have never explored the Wicker Park area until last weekend—consensus—loving Wicker Park!

I went to El Barco Seafood for some fresh red snapper and ceviche, and while the food was good, I absolutely loved the atmosphere (company wasn’t too bad either if you’re reading). They had mini limes on the table if the mood every struck to get a little lime juice action going, and a whole wall filled with Tequila!

Fresh ceviche garnished with cilantro:

Next stop in Wicker Park: Green Zebra

4. “Bossy Pants” by Tina Fey. I just started reading this book this week, and am flying through it. First, Tina Fey is not only hilarious, but a very smart cookie—the truly ‘laugh out loud, peeing my pants a little’ funny ones are always the smartest it seems.

However, what I really love about her book is that while she does give some really insightful and great advice (ie about being a woman, being a mother, being a working mother), Fey takes jabs at herself every other sentence. Fey never takes herself too seriously in this memoir, and she’s entertaining as anything! Check it out.

3. The Hunger Games Series by Suzanne Collins. One word: OBSESSED. Read immediately. Yes, I realize these books are for ‘young adults’ but so is the Harry Potter series, and let’s be real, everyone and their mom reads those (including myself, also OBSESSED).

Also, super pumped to learn they are making the book into a movie starring the one and only, Jennifer Lawrence.

Photo courtesy of IMDb

2. AHH!! My evening at GT Fish & Oyster was perfect: the company, the drinks (Cava—sparkling wine) and the FOOD. I’m not an oyster fan, and my party of 3 managed to still have a great meal without ever touching an oyster. We shared several small plates, and even got seconds on one of our faves…

Shrimp Bruschetta with avocado, toasted pistachios, grapefruit and garnished with cilantro. Fresh and simple ingredients:

Fish Tacos with a chipotle aioli:

And, last but not least, the lobster roll—my first! This was so good, we had a second:

Photos courtesy of Allison.

1. My trip to Germany! (Full post to follow).