Blackbird

June 8, 2010

On Monday night, I went for dinner with some current and an ex-coworker. We headed to Blackbird Restaurant. Chef Mike Sheerin was named one of Food & Wine Magazine's 2010 Top 10 Best New Chefs, taking the helm from James Beard award-winning executive chef, Paul Kahan.

Amuse bouche (gosh, I can't even remember what this was now, some fish that was awesome):
Seared ahi with green garbanzos, picholine olives, smoked buttermilk and candied wild rice:
Grilled wagyu flat iron and warm bone marrow with pickled cippolini onions, caraway crumble, chickweed and pomegranate molasses:

The food was fantastic and it was nice to catch up with more peeps. I heart Chicago's food scene!

Chicago!

June 8, 2010

While I was in Chicago, I went for a few long walks (when it wasn't either raining, thunderstorming, or super-stupid hot) and caught some great shots of this awesome city. Check them out below.

NHL Playoffs fever with the Chicago Blackhawks was rampant throughout the city...























I couldn't be in Chicago and miss Garrett's popcorn! I heart the "mix"!

Can I Get An Amen?

June 8, 2010

Every day that I was in Chicago for meetings, we had either a 6 or 7 AM meeting start time, which was not so great. But, it did open up parts of the day where I could take advantage of more good times in Chicago. I also realized pretty quickly that I also don't have the stamina of years past...

On Sunday, I joined some folks for Gospel Brunch at the House of Blues, now an ASCO tradition for some of us. The event features a brunch buffet, mimosas, and some fantastic gospel music.








Hallelujah!

In the afternoon, I had more meetings, and then a work dinner. After dinner, some folks went out on the town in the Belmont/Boystown district of Chicago. Our first stop was Trader Todd's Karaoke Bar for some tunes:




Next (and last) stop was "Madonnarama" at Berlin Bar. Four words: All Madonna, All Night.

Like I said, no stamina like the old days. Two years ago, I stayed out until 6 AM, this time, I headed back to the hotel around 2:30 AM (wow, actually stayed up past midnight!).