the drake...

While I'm busy dreaming up my next vacation to someplace cold, I'm reminded of my recent trip to the windy city. 

I like an old hotel.  A place with some history and character, a place like The Drake Hotel.  Do you know it?  Have you been?  It's oh so glamorous and quite chic.  We did not stay there but that doesn't mean we did not go there.  No it does not. 

Walking home (hotel home) from a pizza dinner one evening, we stopped in at The Drake.  We wandered in to look around, saw an amazing room with a bar, plopped ourselves down in some rather plush seats and had ourselves a little after dinner refreshment.  It was lovely.  The service was impeccable and the decor was elegant.  It's nice to be a little fancy once in a while don't you think? 

Would you like to join us?

Bathroom?  I was confused when I walked in and there were no sinks...

They were hidden.  Each "stall" has their own sink.  No washing your hands in public at The Drake my friends - that just wouldn't do...

So, if a hotel like The Drake, doesn't fit into your travel budget - no worries.  Stop in for afternoon tea, a late night dessert or even just a morning cup of coffee.  It's a nice treat.

Here's my question - do you check out the ladies room in a well appointed establishment, just to take a look?

have a great weekend...

These images are for my mother.  After reading this post the other day, she told me she wished I would have showed these particular shots in color.  The "standards" as she calls them (my mother is from England you may recall) were indeed, quite amazing in color.  So, for you Mom, here are our two Friday photos to wish you all a great weekend - in color.

Be sure to come back Monday for some exciting news - a little fun fun for YOU!

the fern room...

Last week we took a trip to the beautiful flower show at the Lincoln Park Conservatory.  There was another display in the show, not showy and colorful like the flowers, but captivating all the same.  Just a few shots but I thought you might enjoy them. 

I already knew this information because I have a daughter who got her undergraduate degree in Biology.  This daughter also loves to share new found knowledge and believe it or not - once in a blue moon, I remember some of it.

The standard Fern...

and the not so standard...

and the one I found the most unusual, the Staghorn Fern...

 How cool is that?  I've never had much luck with Ferns but I think I might give it another go.

Do you have a green thumb?

my favorite place...

I love to visit old train stations and one of my favorites is Union Station in Chicago.  The character, design and aura of days gone by captivates me.  As soon as I walk through the door, my imagination soars.  There is amazing design and detail in every nook and cranny.

I see the wear on steps and imagine the people who have walked them.  Close your eyes and you can almost hear the hustle and bustle of the travellers.   I imagine the clothes they wore.  Oh the clothes, when women wore gloves and men wore hats - swoon.

I imagine the craftsman who built this amazing piece of art and I bow down to them - metaphorically of course.  Come follow me to the coolest place in Chicago and marvel at the beauty and design of Union Station...

I hope you enjoyed this magical place as much as I always do.

finally frontera...

On our last few trips to Chicago, we have, with little success, tried to eat at Frontera Grill.  Timing, waits, whatever - it just hadn't happened.....until this trip.  It was good, different and fresh and I'm tickled to have finally eaten there.  I have never tasted mexican food as good as the plates offered up here in the southwest but Frontera was authentic and that was nice.  It seemed to be very carnivore friendly which left me only a few options - still it was good and very southwest worthy.  Join us won't you?

Cool planters outside no?

The greeter on the way to the ladies room...

Instead of a bread basket (which is good news for me)...

Gotta start with chips, salsa and a little guac'...

Dinner...

This kind of says it all no?

I think Mexican food might be my favorite - what about you?

breakfast in chicago...

It's not easy to eat when you travel, at least not for me (or those travelling with me).  Being a vegetarian with celiac disease has not been that difficult, at least not when eating at home.  You give up certain things completely and go through great pains to find ways of re-creating your old favorites in some fashion or another.  Now, navigating the world of food outside my kitchen, that's another story.

While on vacation, I ate scrambled eggs with hash browns for breakfast every day.  I don't mind, I like eggs and how can you complain when you're on vacation with 3 of your most favorite people in the world in a city like Chicago, I mean really.  Will admit, I did start to get sick of potatoes (didn't know that was actually possible) because several days in a row it was my only dinner option as well.  Scrambled eggs with hash browns for breakfast, baked potato with side salad for dinner - such is my life.  

Directly across the street from our hotel was this welcome sight.  The Original Pancake House has a location not far from our home here in Phoenix and we do enjoy breakfast there.  Usually, when travelling, we like to try new local places, but the convenience of this being across the street and knowing the food is always delicious, took us there several times.

There was a line out to the street and a local gal informed us it was much shorter than usual.  I guess some things are the same everywhere.  The Original Pancake House in Arizona always has quite a wait.

Andrew Henry ordered one of his favorites - the dutch baby with a side of strawberries...

and Katherine ordered one of hers...

 I had the eggs.  In case you ever visit, the best thing on their menu is the apple pancake - it's decadent and might as well be on a dessert menu, but if you're feeling glamourous...

 Ann Sather.  Not much else need be said to anyone who has ever been there.  We were first introduced to this lovely lady about 14 years ago on a trip to Chicago.  We have since eaten breakfast there every time we go to the windy city.  Lucky for us, we went late morning on a weekday - we were seated right away.  I've heard on the weekends the line can stretch around the block.  I have found it worth the wait each time.


Look at the ceiling...

and the floor (I love these old floors)...

and the adorable design of the menu - swoon...

Oh, they have food too.  Lots of great Swedish food.  I ordered scrambled eggs.

I ordered the eggs, but see this very tempting crepe with lingonberries...

Now, if you gross out easily, skip down to the next photo.  I couldn't stand the smell of that crepe in all it's Swedish smelling goodness, so I took a bite and chewed and gave my tastebuds a little party, then I discreetly spit it into my napkin so my stomach wouldn't revolt against the gluten.  Worth it.

Then there's this, this is the reason people come back.  This is the smell that keeps you waiting in line.  The best, very very best cinnamon rolls ever...

This one little bite I did not spit into my napkin.  This one little bite made me a bit sick later.  This one little bite was worth it.

Tomorrow we'll take a look at a dinner in Chicago that I've been waiting years to have.

What is your all-time favorite thing to eat for breakfast?