El Sol... looking bright!

The amount of sunlight emanating from the ceramic suns inside El Sol was enough to light up any cloudy day as I met Amy for a "senior citizen" (4:30 pm!!!) dinner hour catch-up.  With Evy, her beautiful infant daughter at the hip, we were lambasted with a gallery of hand-crafted pieces for sale as we entered the cavernous restaurant.  Bossa Nova was playing in the background as we were greeted with a warm, "Hola", from our server.  We started with an El Sol, (of course) and a virgin concoction of Pineapple and Orange Juices with Grenadine and a touch of Sprite.  We chose the El Sol, platter for two (34.95) that came with, drumroll please, 2 tacos dorado (chicken and potato), 2 tostadas nortenas (machaca), 2 tacos aguilenos (chicken marinated on achiote and potatoes), 2 taco sonorenses (chorizo). What a feast!  Although the service was slow, it allowed ourselves to reminisce over past loves, and current conundrums... the tacos were a pleasant treat, as the ceramic sunlight lit up our conversation and shone on future projects.  Note: no dessert served that evening, sorry sweet tooths!

Check out El Sol here:

http://elsol.ca/

RED LOBSTER CHEESE BISCUITS!!!!!!

Okay, so the warm, fuzzy feelings of my childhood have been piqued by these RED LOBSTER CHEESE BISCUITS... these are synonymous with happiness... no joke, folks.. this wonderfulness is serious.. so much so that I've asked for multiple bags for take-out numerous times, (no shame, here!)

Here is a recipe for this cheddary goodness.  I'm going to try it this weekend.. look out!

CHEESE BISCUIT RECIPE.. CLICK HERE!!!!

CHEE-CAH-GO!

I took up an invitation to visit my gal pal Shirley in the windy city for a week of girly catch-up, vodka cran, and classic Chicagoan eats on the cheap!

Here is part one of many findings:

Hyde Park: South Chicago neighbourhood housing students from the nearby U Chicago and a diverse and gentrifying strip of shops... Starbucks has moved in!  Craving something sweet, we hit up Clarke's diner that is open 24/7.  The diner welcomes you with its yellow warmth and friendly staff.  Its booths are a rest haven for Chicago's finest on the beat.  Among classic diner fare, Northshore potatoes is a specialty; a creamy, hash-brown mix specific to Chicago.  We settled on a slice of monstrous red velvet cake and decaf coffee.  5 dollars.. cha-ching!

Check it out here: Clarke's Diner