Happy Sunday everyone! Wooo! A gorgeous even summer-like weekend in Chicago. Loving it. And I have a lot to share tonight so let’s get started!
Xoco and Rick Bayless
I love going out to eat in Chicago and and sometimes I can peer pressure friends into going out to eat with me.
That’s pretty much the magic I worked on Friday with TC, who I nearly dragged from work to go with me to Rick Bayless’ new casual restaurant Xoco in Chicago. Seriously, Rick Bayless is HOT right now in the city (you know from that whole Top Chef Masters thing). And this new restaurant = awesome.
TC and I solved world problems while waiting in line (yes it was long but not too bad) and yes we did eat like there was no tomorrow, sharing some dishes and having a lovely cup of homemade hot chocolate.
Bask in some of the food porn below. You can see more on my Flickr page too!
And while we were waiting in line, Twitter proved to be a lovely distraction during breaks in conversations. I totally, absolutely 100 percent geeked out when I said “hi” to Rick via Twitter and got a DM back from him saying “hi” back. Check it out. Yes, I did feel like hot sh*t and giggled like a schoolgirl.
Only thing, we weren’t able to get a picture with him :( Maybe next time.
Getting craft, Renegade-style
Saturday I met up with Jamie and hit the Renegade Craft Fair in Wicker Park. It’s literally Etsy, in person! And while I got some sun and enjoyed a delicious strawberry lemonade. I picked up this cute print too.
It’s SO me :)
The only drawback, a clown that was walking around and took a shine to Jamie and me. I don’t like clowns. They scare me. So when he didn’t get the hint to back off, I firmly told him to do so. *shudder*
Small Facebook world
Finally, on Friday morning I also got a huge shock, when a long-lost cousin I haven’t seen or heard from in probably 10 years found me on Facebook.
And I won’t lie, I nearly started to cry because I’ve been looking to reconnect with her too on/off for the last six months. My super online stalking skills found her but I didn’t have an e-mail to contact her so I’ve been regrouping before she found me.
It’s a funny thing when you finally reconnect with those people because…what do you say? I’m still working on that but for now, I’m just glad I found her and have a way to talk to her now and catch up on some lost time.
How was everyone else’s weekend?
Oh I promise the post about my epically awful date is coming tomorrow. Trust me, it is awful :/
i actually had rick bayless respond to one of my questions. i was so super stoked, and i kinda bragged about it to my mom the rick bayless groupie about it. (she went on his cooking trip to mexico a few years ago and is on what she calls “a first name basis” with him…i am skeptical)
I am continually jealous of the restaurants you’re going to and the things you’re eating. … Is that weird?
You always go to the snazziest restaurants! Looks fabulous.
Renegade sounds fabulous!! What a great weekend you had.
I loved Rick on top chef masters! I can’t believe he sent you a dm!!!
Hearing your bad dating stories makes me feel that I’m not alone in the frustrations of men!
I am DYING to hear about the date! Bad date stories always make me happy I’m married.
I can’t believe Rick Bayless DM’d you!!!! Amazingly cool.
um that food looks delectable, seriously mmmmmm.
and yay for an etsy fair, i need to go to an etsy fair.
Is that a really yummy looking pretzel in the first picture? If so, I want one, please!
Clowns are creepy. I’ll have to blog about the one time I was pulled on stage during a small, family, one-ring circus.
Sorry you had an awful date but at least it’s good blog fodder?
I love that print!
And I’m not scared of clowns, but it sounds like that guy was annoying in general. If you’re going to be in that line of business, you have to learn to read people!
The closest I am to churros is whatever that crap Taco Bell sells. OMG, WANT. And sorry to hear about the date, I know how that can be. :(
looked like great food!! and nice find :D
wish i could tell you my weekend rocked but it sucked and it was full of tears… but i guess i can live through you for a moment.
That looks amazing! I want to lick my screen…except it’s kind of grungy so I think I’ll refrain.
Wow! That definitely is food porn, no two ways about it. The renegade craft fair sounds amazing, I might have to make a pilgrimage some time!
Oh geez….i LOVED bayless on top chef. that food looks amazing. anywho, i followed your blog link from jeans friday. your blog is a great read, i’m a new follower!
the tortas? ohmygosh they look divine. I must get to chicago soon!!
Teasing the date post for TWO days?! Really?!! It better be epic for this kind of wait.
P.S. I heart the craft fair.
OH NO!!!! JESSICA!!!! You have me waiting over here for your date story!!
Etsy in person, I would have put myself in debt :)
Aww the food pictures made my tummy purr and kick me in protest. I’ll be in the search of something super yummy soon.
I’m not really afraid of clown like I used to when I was a kid but I always feel the needs to kick one when I see it.when I was in high school I was literally chased by a spongebob clown in a mall because I pushed him too hard he actually fell and rolled a bit :p
Scary.
The food pictures just made my mouth water at a mere eight am. Damn you Jessica! ;)
I would not have made it out of that craft fair alive.
Aww the food looks so delicious!!!
And… I must say I can’t wait for tomorrow’s post. The anticipation… :)
I’m not gonna lie, those pictures had me drooling a bit..
Oh man! We totally got attacked by the clown on Saturday, too!! I decided to make a Renegade Craft Fair drinking game:
One sip for every owl; two for every bird; three for every clown sighting; four for every robot.
:-)
Hello, food porn! Looks amazing.
And that craft fair sounds like so much fun!
Oh my god, I want a celebrity to tweet at me so bad! No luck yet.
I am already cringing in anticipation of the date post.