Asiago garlic knots

Asiago garlic knots

Ingredients (makes 5 knots):

1 small tube Pillsbury Grands Jr biscuits
Cooking spray
1/8 cup canola oil
2 cloves minced garlic
2 dashes oregano
Dash of black pepper
3 tbsp asiago cheese

1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Top a baking sheet with aluminum foil and spray with cooking spray.
2. Roll and stretch each biscuit into a long rope, then tie into a knot. Place on the baking sheet, and bake for 15 minutes until golden.
3. In a bowl, mix oil, garlic, oregano, pepper, and asiago together.
4. When the biscuits have finished cooking, brush them generously with the mixture, and serve hot.

New York Bagel and Bialy Corp

I found myself in the northern suburbs on Monday, and tried out the famous New York Bagel and Bialy Corp. Their bagels are the real deal. The chewiness is perfect! Also, it's very inexpensive, and they're open 24/7. Whenever I'm up that way, I'll be sure to stop in and grab a dozen to bring home. The fillings for bagel sandwiches, however, are just okay. I can't speak to the cream cheeses. Not yet anyway.

Here's a New York Breakfast (sausage, egg, and cheese on a bagel):


And 1/2 a chicken salad sandwich with American cheese (I'd already eaten the other 1/2):


A lot of reviews say that the service is rude. They weren't rude; they're just from Brooklyn.

Geja's Cafe

Geja's Cafe is a fantastic restaurant. I took my partner here for a nice dinner years ago, and ever since, it's been "our place".

Making reservations here is easy, whether it's in person, over the phone, online through their site, or through Open Table. We've always had hosts and servers that are very nice, well-mannered, and fun. The seating is sort of like having private booths, which adds to the romance. The decor is classy and welcoming, but you can feel free to dress casually. We usually dress up a bit because it's a special dinner for us, but we do that because we want to, not because they demand it. Sometimes while dining out at nice places, there's a sort of pretentious and uptight vibe, but not here. We feel very comfortable at Geja's. The cheese fondue is the best we've ever had, and the best thing on the menu, though all of the food is extraordinary. We don't always order premier dinners since it's just so much food. Sometimes we'll get the cheese and chocolate fondue. Sometimes we'll get the cheese fondue and a gourmet board of meats and cheeses. Though tonight, we went for premier dinners.

I ordered The International, which is aged beef tenderloin, jumbo shrimp, and tender boneless chicken breast. My partner ordered the Deluxe Seafood, which is plump Atlantic sea scallops, tender Gulf shrimp, and delicate lobster tail. We shared plates a bit. It was a great meal.

I'll say this: Restaurants in Chicago are happy to serve any customers, but I feel exceptionally welcome at Geja's with my partner on my arm. We hold hands at the table, and I feel safe, and not judged, and even applauded for being happy in love.

Geja's is fine dining, and therefore pricey, which can be off-putting, but there are lots of deals out there. There's often a Groupon. "Like" them on Facebook, and you can currently get a $25 gift certificate if you give them your e-mail. On Facebook, they also run a "Beat The Heat" promotion in the summer, where the daily high temperature sets the price for two premier dinners and a bottle of wine. Once you get on their e-mail list, you also occasionally get offers for your birthday and anniversary.

This is our favorite restaurant in Chicago, and it's always been worth the price.

Turkey ranch club wrap

Turkey ranch club wrap

Ingredients (serves 2):

2 large tortilla wraps
2 tbsp ranch dressing
6 slices deli turkey
4 slices cheddar cheese
6 slices turkey bacon
2 outer leaves romaine lettuce

1. Cook bacon per instructions.
2. Lay out tortilla wraps on plates. Spread 1 tbsp ranch dressing to the center of each.
3. Add 3 slices turkey to each wrap. Then 2 slices cheddar, 3 slices bacon, and 1 leaf romaine.
4. Fold tortilla sides in, then roll up, slice and serve.

Flub A Dub Chub's

Flub A Dub Chub's at Broadway between Barry and Wellington has hot dogs, hamburgers, and sandwiches. I ordered Greg's Hangover, which is a burger with bacon, cheddar, and a fried egg on a pretzel bun. It comes with fries, and I got some cheese for the side. The burger was a little too greasy and heavy. It's not bad, but not the best.

Sausage egg boats

This made an amazingly delicious breakfast!

Sausage egg boats

Ingredients (serves 2):

2 French rolls
2 sausage patties
3 eggs
1/4 cup heavy cream
3 slices pepper jack cheese
1 green onion
Dash of salt
Dash of pepper

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
2. Carve and pull out the middle of the French rolls, leaving bread at the bottom and on the sides.
3. Cook sausage per instructions, then chop into small pieces.
4. Crack eggs into a bowl, and add heavy cream. Chop green onion, and tear apart pepper jack slices. Mix green onion, pepper jack, sausage, salt, and pepper in the bowl.
5. Pour 1/2 the mixture into one French roll, and 1/2 into the other.
6. Bake for 25-30 minutes or set.
7. Let cool for 10 minutes, and serve.

Grilled turkey, pear and brie sandwiches

I've loved making sandwiches with brie lately. Here's another winning combo...

Grilled turkey, pear and brie sandwiches

Ingredients (serves 2):

4 slices wheat bread
4 slices deli turkey
1 pear
4 slices brie
2 tbsp butter

1. Thinly slice pear and brie.
2. Layer turkey, pear and brie between 2 slices of bread.
3. Heat each side of each sandwich over medium heat atop a 1/2 tbsp of butter. Cover while heating to help the cheese melt through.
4. Slice and serve!