summer of two cities.
Food and non-food highlights from Boston and Naperville, my two homes this wonderful summer:
BOSTON
Brunch at Steph’s on Newbury - light and satisfying ahi tuna tartare + spiked blueberry lemonade
Sailing lessons and races at Courageous Sailing, Charlestown Navy Yard
Yummy post-sailing lunch at Tavern on the Water - salad of spinach, dried cranberry, blue cheese, candied walnuts, and citrus vinaigrette; salmon fillet with garlic spinach and wasabi mashed potatoes; strawberry shortcake with ice cream
Thursday nights bumming at Teriyaki House with Kevin. One night we demolished the 80 piece maki boat (below) between the 2 of us. For real. Not amazing sushi but still quite palatable and cheap at $46 for the 80 pieces. Plus you get free orange chicken (or a spicy tuna roll) for spending over $45 :D
Lunch with the fam at Ruth’s Chris Steak House in Old City Hall
Cheap burgers and World Cup matches at Pourhouse
2 fantastic Improv Asylum shows in the North End
My first Duck tour, surprisingly interesting and fun
Friday farmer’s market in Copley Square
Frequent trips downstairs for hummus, chicken schwarma, greek salad & turkish coffee at Cafe Jaffa, right below my apartment
Perfect mid-day soup & sandwich lunch from the cafe at Boston Public Library, enjoyed outside in the courtyard along with live jazz music.
Superb appetizers and dinner at Mooo in Beacon Hill to celebrate the bittersweet end of the summer program!
Classy and delicious Restaurant Week menu at Sel de la Terre in Back Bay my last night in Boston before heading home: interesting and refreshing corn-lavender soup, pork loin with creamy mashed potatoes, and the star of the night - earl grey panna cotta with apricot coulis and fresh blackberry!
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NAPERVILLE, IL
One of the best steaks of my life at Capital Grille - bone-in rib eye (Delmonico) cooked medium rare
Flat Top Grill - like Fire + Ice but faster and more delicious, as evidenced by our weekly (sometimes even biweekly) visits. Remember the colored sticks for roti and shrimp skewers!
White Chocolate Grill - classic appetizers like spinach artichoke dip and guacamole with tortilla chips in huge portions, diverse and well-executed entrees like ahi tuna and crepes, yum!
Whirlyball at Chicago Indoor Racing - lacrosse meets basketball meets bumper cars, a hilariously fun time :D
