Caught you looking. It's mind boggling isn't it. You're wondering just what in the hell you are staring at. Well I knew what it was, and I had traveled 540 miles for a single bite. Right now, your brain is experiencing that sensation you get when you pass a wreck on the highway. Time has slowed down, your heart rate has elevated. You don't want to keep looking, but you just can't resist. You're reading and constantly looking up at the photo, WHAT IS IT? Being the ass that I can be, and also that I have discovered this new untaped writing talent, I'm going to have a David Chase moment and fade to black, leave you confused and wondering......
I turned 37 yesterday. Not a birthday of any real significance, just another year. I'm legal to drive, buy tobacco and alcohol so I guess that the next birthday that gives me anything in return is still 25 years away, that's if Social Security is still around. I had decided a while ago that I wanted to spend this birthday weekend in Chicago. I had been to Chicago before for business, but this would be pleasure only. Kimberly and I spent weeks getting everything planned. We would only have a day and a half, so we would have to be efficient with our time to do everything. With bags packed and kisses handed out to the little ones we headed out. We boarded the plane and took our typical seats on the last row of the plane next to the dumper. Thanks Delta. If these seats are my only perk for being a sky miles member I'm going to eventually begin to fly American. Our flight was a typical one, and by typical I mean that I would rather be flying with Osama Bin Laden than my wife. She hates to fly, hates! Every noise or bump is an indication that the plane is headed for a fiery grave. My arm still looks like a cheetah pattern, only with purple spots. Sorry, Honey.
We landed and went straight to the hotel to check in and hit the town. Remember, we are on a schedule. Our first destination is a Chicago landmark.
Were you expecting a photo of the Sears tower or Wrigley field? If so, I suggest you quit reading now and log onto the Travel Channel website. Funny story about the Sears tower, but that's for later. As the sign says, this is Hot Doug's & yes it does say the "Sausage Superstore". We arrived at noon and the line was already around the building. Fourty-five minutes later it was our turn to order. We had been rehearsing for 15 minutes and didn't want to mess this up. So much to choose from, would we get it right?
You're damn right we got it correct. The reason we made it our first stop was not just for the amazing dogs, it was also for that amazing basket of fries in the center of the table. You see, they only serve them on Friday and Saturday and they are fried in rendered duck fat, let me repeat, duck fat. They were hands down the best fries, sorry frites, I have ever had. It was an amazing food experience. We came and we conquered. We were happy. I will admit that we are still laughing like pre-pubescent boys at the dog located at 6 o'clock, but explanation would require I check the adult content box in the setting for this blog and I don't want to have to do that. With full stomachs we were ready to continue our tour of this great city, so we caught a cab back to the hotel and climbed into bed. It was great. The city sounded and looked amazing outside our window. We stayed in this position until dinner.
This bring us to Grahm Elliot restaurant and the mystery photo. I was very excited about this meal. I had read and seen a lot of press about this place. Hip neighborhood, cool crowd and the youngest Michelin starred chef in the US. We arrived early and sat at the bar for a cocktail. About 10 minutes later, the manager stopped by our stools with a small plate for each of us. There it was in all of its glistening amazement. The Foie Gras Popsicle, rolled in Watermelon-flavored Pop Rocks and finished w/ Sea Salt. I picked it up and held it like an actor holds an Oscar. I was stunned that it was in my possession. I took my first bite. So smooth and creamy, it was like taking a bite of a cloud. Then the party began, the Pop Rocks kicked in, the sweetness and mini explosions of flavor took over my palate. I was a 6 year old all over again for just a few moments. I loved it, I could have driven home that evening. There aren't many items in life that combine our true age and a childhood moment in one- this had accomplished that task. We later moved to a table and each enjoyed the chef's tasting menu. It was an incredible evening.
We woke up Saturday morning to a beautiful Chicago day, and a headache. Now it was time to hit the city and see some sights. After numerous cups of coffee and a few Advil, we were ready. We left the hotel and went straight to the Sears Tower. I was so excited. I'm not a big fan of heights, but I wanted to go and stand on the false floor; get the adrenaline pumping for the day. We paid 15 dollars each and rode the elevator all the way to the top. We walked to the windows and looked out over the Chicago skyline. It was beautiful and you could see for miles. We made a loop around the room to find the false floor. Where was it? It wasn't there, what the hell? I walked back around to where we began and realized something. As I looked across the skyline, I noticed a building off in the distance and it was tall, taller than the one we were in. I began to look around and noticed the words "John Hancock" a lot. We had gone to the wrong damn building. We looked at each-other and laughed. We had just spent $30 to ride up an ear popping elevator in the wrong building. At that moment we realized we should stick to what we know when we travel - food and drink. We did take a nice walk down by the river, but we never went to the Sears tower. We went to lunch at XOCO, a new restaurant by Rick Bayless. Another long line and another great meal. My wife ate a braised goat sandwich which was awesome, but I have reminded her every hour since that moment that she ate goat. I even changed my ring tone for her to a goat sound. Another peaceful late afternoon in the bed and then time for dinner.
We got all spruced up for our Saturday night meal at David Burke Primehouse. As we were waiting for the elevator on the 11th floor, the fitness door opened and Norm MacDonald walked out. Kimberly and I looked at each other. A celebrity spotting, how cool. I turned and said hello. He was very nice, told us he was in town to do a few comedy shows. He asked why we were in town; nice conversation. I told him that I followed him on Twitter and really enjoyed his tweets. He liked that. He exited the the elevator and we said our goodbyes. He even wished me a happy B-day. What a cool guy! Once the elevator doors closed, Kimberly looked at me and said "I didn't know you followed Adam Corolla on Twitter". I looked back at her and said, "Oh shit, I thought that was Norm MacDonald". Just like at the Sears tower, we could do nothing but laugh.
We got to Primehouse and began looking over the menu. I'm a steakhouse guy, so I was in heaven. We noticed a few interesting small plates called "Sticks" on the menu and one said "Bacon". Bacon on a stick, you would have to be a Communist to resist that. We told the waiter to bring it and here is what arrived.
Slap yo Momma! Gigantic hunks of cured bacon, served with black pepper and warm maple syrup. I'm thinking about starting a booth at the fair and selling these babies if anyone is interested in partnering up. But it wasn't just the bacon that we indulged in for apppetizers. We got a few more.
It was out of control. We needed one of those interventions you see on A&E- a family member to stand up and read us a letter he had written on a torn sheet of legal paper in the parking lot 5 minutes before. After appetizers we moved onto table-side Caesar salads (awesome!) and then onto the ultimate- the 55 day aged Cowboy Ribeye.
It was phenomenal. Not just the meal, the entire evening. We waddled our way back to the hotel and called it a night. We woke up the next morning and headed to the airport. I truly enjoy traveling, but I'm always excited about heading home. Back to the chaos of daily life and of three beautiful, but loud children. We got home at 2pm and I was even able to watch the final few laps of the Bristol NASCAR race. What a memorable weekend.
I knew going into this weekend the decadence of food that would be consumed. This would be my last food blowout before the serious food restriction would take front and center. It was funny that right after we finished those delicious hot dogs, Clark called to check in. How ironic. But I was honest and told him what would be going down. Literally. I'm just nervous about what my next training schedule will look like.
I said earlier that this birthday was of no real significance, but I was wrong. I realize now that every B-day is significant because it marks another year of memories made.
And for the record: 20 miles ridden today on the mountain bike. This wind is killing me!
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