My Kind of Town, Chicago is... Part 1

For my 26th birthday, Boyfriend and I went to Chicago with our friends the Schlosbergs. All three of them are from the Chicago area, but I've only visited the city a few times. Since I had Wednesday and Thursday off, we kept it simple and drove to the city instead of flying somewhere else. 

Here's a picture diary of what we did. 

My giant puppydog trying to drive

Our hotel in the city

Our view from the hotel, next to the Rock N Roll McDonalds

First stop: Al's Italian beef

Order up!

Italian beef sandwich, the best sandwich in the Midwest according to Adam Richman

The Chicago river is still green from St Patrick's day

Water Tower

Inside the water tower mall

Boys taking shots of hot sauce in the mall

John Hancock Center

Yeah, there's a bar at the top of the tower

Matilda beer, Coffee with Baileys and Cointreau and Blackberry, Lemon Makers Mark sour

Our window wipers

You like dawgs?: Franks N Dawgs

Gourmet hot dogs comin' right up

You can browse their menu from an iPad, what?

Instead of a table number, you get a celebrity of shame

Our dawgs

Brunch dog: Pork loin dog, bacon, fried egg, and maple mayo

Krazy Kimchi: Spicy beef sausage, braised short ribs, kimchi, wild rice and basil

Mussels from Brussels: Smoked garlic sausage, crispy Brussel sprout leaves, pancetta, pickled carrots, onions, and mayo

Lamb-orgini: Lamb braised sausage, giardiniera, chili aioli and fried basil

Goose Island brew pub

Our Chicago brewed beers

Made one more stop at Al's beef for a late night snack

My first bite as a 26-year-old

Cafe, Cupcake and Bubbles

The weekend of St. Patrick's Day, Boyfriend and I decided to have a little couple's time. Of course, I had to work at night, so dinner plans were out of the question. But honestly, I'm becoming more and more fond of our day dates. 

We started off in Downtown Champaign at Aroma Cafe, a cute little coffee shop with sandwiches and pastries. It was our first time at this cafe, so we got our own meals, since we usually split things. I order some peach green tea and a Cuban sandwich with the house salad. Boyfriend got a cafe con leche with a braised shortrib sandwich with house salad. 

Coffee for him. Tea for her. 

The mugs were huge at this place. It reminded me of Central Perk from Friends. It was a beautifully set cafe with great little nooks for intimate lunches or reading. 

Coffee with Friends

Giant Central Perk sized cups

After the coffee shop we walked around the area and stopped in a local cake shop called Cream and Flutter. This cute little shop specializes in cupcake. They always have cute little seasonal flavors and a standard selection of vanilla, chocolate and red velvet. We splurged on a raspberry white chocolate mocha cupcake, to share. 

Raspberry White Chocolate Mocha Cupcake

Ducklips

Later that day, I went to work and was surprised to find a newly painted American Eagle plane. Since American is revamping their image, they have a new logo, new uniforms and new paint jobs. 

Just another day at the office

The next day, I bought some bubbles to play with the Puppydog. Since my dog is basically a large kitten, any stimulation provides hours of entertainment. Usually we use the laser pointer, but it's more seasonal and fun to play with bubbles. 

"Here, have a stick!"

Tonight, after work, Boyfriend and I will be heading north with the Schlosbergs to spend my birthday in Chi-town. I've been to Chicago before, a few times actually. But the second city is so huge that there's always something new to do. I just hope the weather gods favor us.

-Akemi-chan