Home for the Holidays

They say that you can't go home again, but I must disagree.  Finally on the ground long enough to enjoy myself a bit, I've been having an absolutely delicious and delightful Thanksgiving holiday in Chicago - which is arguably one of the finest dining cities in the US, if not the world.

Before offering my thoughts on a clear new favourite, I must give a shout out to Hilary's Cookies http://www.eathilaryscookies.com/ - owned and operated Hilary Black, who is a friend from my undergraduate days at the University of Illinois.  

At a recent reunion for our dorm floor, she brought heaps of them in amazing flavours, like the chocolate brownie, cranberry orange, and chocolate coffee.  That said the piece d'resistance for me was her VEGAN pumpkin cookie.  Yes....VEGAN.  Those of you that know me can attest to the fact that I am an unabashed carnivore and these vegan delights were enough to turn me (at least for the moment.) The smell alone was everything that fall should taste like in one deep breath....and the cookies themselves are dense, moist and utterly delicious.  Hilary sells at Whole Foods and is opening a retail store in January 2010.  Take a taste....you won't regret it!

My holiday fun began with brunch at M Henry, in Andersonville - www.mhenry.net  

Open only for breakfast and lunch, M Henry focuses on locally produced, organic New American fare.  It is in a gentrifying neighborhood, does not take reservations (AGAIN!  Can you believe that I was willing to queue up twice in one month, much less lifetime!?) and is BYOB.  That said, the room is bright and the lines are long....and the pastries and treats in the front cafe are so gorgeous that it became immediately apparent that it just might be worth the wait.

There with 2 friends who love to share, we decided to order 3 sandwiches to be shared, and one of the sweet and decadent breakfast offerings as a dessert.  We selected a grilled vegetable and goat cheese sandwich, tom turkey on sourdough, and grilled cheese (my personal favourite) that we were able to build ourselves, filled with Vermont Cheddar, walnut pesto and green apples.  Each one was better than the next, and quite filling all together.  We finished off the meal with a spendid bread pudding, made from sweet vanilla infused bread and covered in blue and black berries and powdered sugar.  

As always, even more delicious than the food was the company.  There's nothing better than dining with friends....and there's nothing that tops that more than dining with friends who love to indulge freely!

I'm now settling in to join in the Thanksgiving cooking, and believe it or not, am looking forward to NOT dining out....and to enjoying the smells and tastes that will come out of my own kitchen.  

Wishing you and those you love a delicious and sweet Thanksgiving holiday!

XOXO!