Sushi

I'm the sort that craves sushi and will eat it several times a week if that craving is in the house. And my little 'entertainment fund' has definitely taken many hits in the past 10 years due to this craving.

And, like all sushi cravings should be, mine is limited to good sushi. Fresh sashimi that tastes like the sea and melts in my mouth. Simple maki with spicy mayo folded into the chopped up maguro. And specialty rolls that are creative but don't have an 'everything but the kitchen sink' type feel. I've also been known to knock back an oyster shooter or two.

I live in the Old Town/Gold Coast area and for 5 years was extremely fortunate to have Tsunami in my neighborhood. This was not a trendy see and be seen restaurant (I'm okay with Mirai, Sunda and Japonais, but they're a little scene-y for me on a Tuesday night). Instead it was a simple restaurant with friendly sushi chefs and outstanding pieces of fish. I would belly up to the sushi bar about 3-6 times month and happily pay the steep bill at the end of my meal. When I returned from L.A. last fall I found this place boarded up and closed. Rumor has it that the landlord hiked up the price on the lease. With tears in my eyes, I stood on Dearborn and Division not knowing where to turn. Where to go? What to eat?

Also last year, I discovered Kaze Sushi in Roscoe Village. I loved this place. It was a clean and simple look with a very creative approach and fresh fresh fish. The article that was written about it in Bon Appetit helped lure us there one night and we returned several times. In fact, we tried to go for Valentine's Day on Sunday night after returning from a trip, but it is closed, too! Oh, despair.

So we headed down to the West Loop to Meiji a place that we hadn't tried, but had seemed to get good reviews. We were the ONLY ones in the restaurant. On Valentine's Day. Red Flag. We ordered a few starters, including a few pieces of sashimi. My maguro looked bad and tasted worse. My heart sunk. I'd been craving sushi and this fish was terrible. Nate encouraged me to try the hamachi. Also bad. We sent our food back and left, never to return again.

We hustled down the street to Sushi Wabi. We don't usually go here because it is so loud, but the music was more relaxed that night and they seated us right away at the sushi bar. Sushi Wabi is a dependable restaurant that has had years of success. We hadn't eaten since brunch in Minneapolis and we were starving. We had a fantastic meal with the highlight being the spicy shrimp.

Another upside to the meal is that the woman next to me heard me lamenting to Nate about the loss of Kaze Sushi and Tsunami. She informed me that the Tsunami chef might be at Kin Sushi a small sushi and Thai outfit. And she also shared with me that the Chef Macku Chan, who was the executive chef at Kaze, is now at Macku Sushi in Lincoln Park.

They're on my list. My short list.

Summer Lovin'

Oh man, do I miss summer. My lovely little L.A. summer. I've been back in Chicago since fall (and apparently, busy busy busy and no time to indulge in a little blogging!). It's now winter and a Chicago winter's cold wind is enough to take your breath away.

In the midst of all of this frostiness, I warm myself by thinking about L.A. I was there July through the beginning of September and I just fell in love. It was beautiful and interesting and there was so much to do between star-watching, hiking, and swimming in the Pacific. Below is a list of some of my favorite spots and memories.

• Manhattan Beach: excellent waves, trendy boutiques, and yummy Manhattan Pizzeria
• Huntington Gardens: a breathtakingly beautiful retreat in Pasadena where my 8 months pregnant friend decided to wear 4 inch heels to walk around in 100 degree heat while pushing her toddler in a stroller; the security man who rescued us when we'd crumpled to the ground will never forget us
• Hiking: my favorite spots were in Malibu where you can see the ocean from your trail and climb back into little lagoons for a nice picnic
  
• Rattlesnakes: I found a very large serpent on the Gettyview Trail which scared me into taking a weekend off from hiking
• Farmers Markets: I love my Chicago markets, but in L.A. they sell sweet pluots and grapefruit and I couldn't get enough
• Hollywood: cocktails on Sunset Boulevard and dinner at Katsuya were fantastic, but Hollywood frequently came to my Westwood neighborhood for movie premiers - and it was fun to have Meryl Streep wave to me from the red carpet
• Susan Feniger's Street: my last night in L.A. was spent on the patio indulging in the Globetrotter menu under the light of the moon - a perfect finish
• Fish fish and more fish: I had my choice of fishmongers that sold a beautiful selection straight off the Santa Monica pier
• Santa Barbara: I ate local spider crab right on the pier, paddle surfed next to seals, and spent a lazy afternoon driving around the wineries on the Santa Ynez trail
• Surfing: we spent a day in San Diego and one in Malibu trying to get up on our boards, we found we were a lot better at paddle surfing
• Navigating: I love a good map and finding my way around and it was fulfilling to me that I was like a local, knowing when to take the 405, the 101, or a shortcut on Sepulveda
• PCH: after packing up the car and driving through Brentwood and Santa Monica, we most often started our weekend adventures on this highway (plus, the name just sounds cool)
  
• Laguna Beach: sparkly sand, clear turquoise water, and an early happy hour cocktail - aaahhhh.....
• Rodeo Drive, Baby: other shoppers tried to act very posh and sophisticated while ogling Jimmy Choos, but my friend and I spent the morning giggling and trying on wigs and taking pictures of ourselves at the Jose Eber salon
  
• Dodger Stadium: hey, I can watch my Cubbies lose anytime so why not do it here where I can also watch the sun set behind the mountains just outside of the stadium
• Malibu Seafood Company: this is a little fish shack right on the PCH where I took all my guests, the fish tacos don't get any better and sitting at a table over from Sean Penn was a treat as well
• Hollywood Hills: riding horses through the park and enjoying a 360 view of this incredible city was a highlight

I have to stop writing here. My memories are many and I don't intend to write a book. What I do intend, is to book my flight to go back to L.A. for spring break soon!

Catalina Island Part II - Avalon

Happily leaving the campsite behind for a day, we went down into the city to relax and enjoy Catalina's city life in Avalon. This is a gorgeous town whose architecture is influenced by the original Spanish architecture.

Down in the city, there are two main activities. The first is shopping in the wide variety of Catalina shops that offer long, gauzy, Spanish style skirts as well as California-style surfer wear. We walked through these shops and questioned the salespeople on life on Catalina, which they described as quiet, small and laid back.

The second main attraction is the waterfront. There are two main beaches in Avalon, the first being right in front of the shops where families go out to the beach at 8:30 am to spread their blanket for a 'good spot'. The second beach is at the north end of the city and, while privately owned, is open to the public and serves cocktails and food. I checked this beach out and read my magazine while Nate went scuba diving in the underground waterpark that houses a shipwreck.

Shopping and diving work up an appetite and we asked many people about where to eat. Most of the locals that we talked to said that they'd rather eat at home - it's cheaper, the fish is just as fresh, and they can relax more. A few mentioned the hype in town about the new executive chef at the country club so we ate there on Saturday night. Our table was in a beautiful Spanish colonial courtyard. The food wasn't anything to write home about so I won't, but I was not in a hurry to get back to camp and enjoyed myself during the three hour dinner we had while relaxing by the fountain as the sun was setting (I was in no hurry to finish, our after-dinner activity was more camping).

The best meal we had on Catalina was at The Lobster Trap. We were referred here by Craig, our favorite ranger at the campground. His friend is a chef there and he recommended we order the swordfish tacos, made with local fish. While this meal didn't take three hours, it was definitely the star of the trip. The swordfish was pan-seared and served in corn tortillas with crunchy cabbage, housemade salsa, and a sprinkling of sharp cheddar. It was delicious and worked perfectly with the citrusy Shock Top beer I had ordered. It was a good recommendation and the casual and friendly atmosphere embodied the lifestyle and attitude of the locals.

I loved Catalina Island and want to return soon! I want to experience more of the preserved land and spend a whole day on one of the sparkling beaches.....who's with me?

Catalina Island Part I - Roughin' It

Last weekend, we went camping on Santa Catalina Island. If you have not been to this island, you should go. The beauty of the mountains and beaches are as attractive as the local’s friendly, laid-back culture. The island is located about an hour by boat from Long Beach, just south of L.A. On the island there are two main populated areas. The first, on the southwest side of the island is Little Harbor and has a few hundred people living in its village. It is so small that all 30 or so of the children in the area attend a one-room schoolhouse until high school.

The second populated area is called Avalon, which is on the east side of the island. Our campground, named Hermit Gulch, was located about a mile and a half from Avalon. It is just south of the botanical gardens and at the base of the mountain. By the time we arrived here, I was definitely ready to unload our packs containing a tent, two sleeping bags, two travel chairs, two bags of clothes, and a cooler.

Besides Avalon and Little Harbor, most of the rest of the island has been dedicated to the Catalina Island Conservancy and their mission is to preserve the island’s natural beauty and wildlife. Conveniently, a hiking trail was located just off the campground’s property. The trail showcased the island’s beauty, leading us straight up the mountain and along a ridge where we could see the sparkling Pacific on both sides as we walked along the ridge. In addition to this view, the clouds were rolling over the ridge, creating a very surreal atmosphere as we literally walked in the clouds.

The hiking was amazing, but the camping left quite a bit to be desired. I’m not an outdoorsy sort and had reluctantly agreed to camp instead of staying in a hotel. As it grew dusk, animals started came down from the mountain and into the campground. The park rangers had warned us that the animals were desensitized from humans and to be on the lookout, but I was still startled when I saw the first fox coming towards my tent. I screamed and he retreated, but it did not hold him off long and he came back a bit later. Sneaky little fox, indeed!

Then the deer began their descent. They did not mind us at all and trying to startle them was futile. At one point, I had gone to the public bathroom and could not make it back to our site due to the very large doe in my way. My flashlight, my stomps, and my yells did not deter her from the crumbs on the ground and I had to wait patiently until she moved on further into the campground.

During this animal invasion, Nate was smoking a cigar and I was talking to a child who was camping with his parents in the next site. His name was Isaiah and his excitement was contagious even though I was preoccupied with the deer and fox. Between my shrieks of fear about getting eaten by a deer and my wild arm movements and stomping at the foxes, Isaiah told us about his hiking and fishing escapades with his parents.

As it grew darker, he and his parents started roasting marshmallows. I had offered him some of my treats - a semi-hard, aged Manchego cheese from Beverly Hills Cheese Store (my new fave!), water crackers, and medjool dates, but he declined politely. I think that he thought my snacks were a sorry collection for a camping adventure because Isaiah soon came back to our campsite and sweetly offered me a perfectly browned marshmallow. The inside was gooey and tasted exactly like campfires I had enjoyed growing up. It made me a little nostalgic and that was when I found myself telling Nate that I wouldn’t mind camping again. Nate couldn’t have been more surprised by this promise! I think that the sugar of the marshmallow had gone to my head.

That night was sleepless as I listened to the animals rustling around outside my tent and the hard ground under my sleeping bag offered no forgiveness. In the morning, amidst the extremely loud caws of the crows and warbling of the quails, I shook Nate awake and told him I had changed my mind. There would be no more camping for me – absolutely not. He took my change of heart in stride and encouraged me to get ready to enjoy our second day on this beautiful island.

June Cleaver Goes Mediterranean

While we are in L.A. for the summer Nate is working and I am a stay-at-home-wife. I thought that on a few days I could withold from going to the beach or Rodeo Drive and be like June Cleaver - a 1950's housewife who has mastered cooking and cleaning.

Last Tuesday, while Nate was getting ready to go to the office, I lay in bed envisioning a day of cleaning our vintage apartment and making something traditional. When he returned, I could greet him at the door dressed in a pretty shirtwaist dress, a pearl necklace, heels, and a pot roast. While he changed out of his suit, I would offer him a Stepford wife smile and a dry martini for him to enjoy before we sat down to dinner. And after dinner, we could have a homemade cake.

Well, that just did not happen. First of all, I don't own a pearl necklace (but I wouldn't mind receiving one as a gift). Secondly, I don't own a shirtwaist dress. I brought plenty of sundresses and cocktail dresses and go-out-dancing dresses, but nothing from the 1950's. I also don't have in this apartment a martini glass or even have vodka or gin with which to make Nate a martini. I am also lacking a cake pan and a mixer to make a cake from scratch.

And my last obstacle to this 1950's domestic dream? No air conditioning! And last Tuesday was hot enough to warrant a weather warning on weatherchannel.com. While I had awakened with good intentions, I was sweating by the time I had done the breakfast dishes and the last thing I wanted to do was get out the mop bucket or turn on my oven. I admit I roasted a chicken last week, but that morning offered a cool breeze that I wasn't enjoying on Tuesday.

I sweated it out for a bit and then gave up. I put on a sundress and headed to the mall to seek air conditioning in some shops. After I cooled down, I went to the farmers market. Since I had scratched my all-American June Cleaver vision, I was going Mediterranean instead. My thought was that I could make an antipasto dinner - many little dishes that can be served room temperature. This way I could create them ahead of time, set the table, then take a cold shower and cool off. When Nate arrived home, the kitchen had cooled down and dinner was ready.

For dinner I had made a traditional caprese salad using summer heirloom tomatoes. My green salad was some fresh mache and ricotta salata with a light red wine and lemon vinaigrette. I had roasted zucchini and sweet red peppers then sprinkled fresh oregano over the top. We really like cannellini beans so I had simmered a rinsed can of these beans in softened shallots and rosemary and a bit of broth until the beans were soft. I had also picked up a hot Italian sausage and braised that for Nate.

To add to this dinner, at the farmer's market that day, I had bought some meaty cerignola olives and a bottle of Chateau Saint-Pierre, a soft rose that complimented my small dishes And for dessert? Lemon sorbet from the grocery store. Easy on my part and it was a light and perfect end to our antipasto dinner. Take that June!

Dates

Before we arrived in L.A. we stopped at Hadley's Orchard. This is about an hour from L.A. County and I heard about it from my grandparents. My grandma said that my great-grandfather used to stop there when he would pass through on I-10.

I imagined that we would be pulling up to a stand selling only dates that would be by the side of the road, but I was wrong. Instead, it is a large market with so many treats inside. First, in the grocery section there were rows upon rows of sticky sweet dates as well as other dried fruits. You can also find pistachios and several types of nuts. And there was also a wine section that feature local grapes. I wanted to take all these treats home with me, but our car was already very full. I prudently selected only one large container of medjool dates to take with us to our apartment.

As we came up to the cashier we also noticed a cafe section of the market. This was an added bonus because we needed a snack before we got to the ocean. We split an egg salad sandwich and chips. While my favorite egg salad remains to be Abe's Deli in Chicago, which you can read about here, this was a very good sandwich and I wish that we hadn't decided to split our snack!

Hadley's was a great stop and we continued to enjoy it last week by having many of our dates for breakfast. They are so moist and they taste like candy to me. They're perfect by themselves, but some mornings we also paired these with Greek yogurt and slivered almonds. I'm glad that my great-grandpa used to stop here and that my grandma recommended it. I only wish I had been more indulgent and bought more dates...

My Rustic LA Kitchen

Finally! We arrived in Los Angeles and moved in to our little apartment in Westwood Village. We are settled in and enjoying ourselves, but cooking in my new kitchen is definitely more challenging than in my kitchen back in Chicago.

In this vintage apartment, I have the basics: oven, kitchen sink, refrigerator and a few kitchen utensils. What I don't have that I enjoyed back in my condo are: well-stocked cabinets full of kitchen utensils and gadgets, a microwave, a dishwasher, a gas grill on the patio, and an air-conditioner. Perhaps the most challenging of them is the lack of air conditioning, considering that L.A. is on its second week of a heat wave.

Our first evening, Nate wanted spaghetti and I made that and broiled him a chicken breast. It was very hot in this kitchen! After a lengthy discussion with my mom and my best friend's mom about how to cook like you're 'in the olden days', without air ,I have found a way to deal with this. The secret is to cook in the morning while the air is cooler. Also, to cook extra when preparing proteins, etc. Some for now, and some for later.

Last Friday, I roasted a whole chicken serve for lunch with corn on the cob, rice pilaf salad and sliced tomatoes. On Saturday we hiked Solstice Canyon and when we found the waterfalls, we sat for a picnic and Nate had the leftover chicken in a baguette. On Sunday he, again, had the chicken on top of homemade Caesar salad when we went to the beach for a picnic dinnner. I froze the rest for later - I had bought a five pound chicken overestimating my husband's appetite!

In cooking or baking in my L.A. apartment, I have also found that I may need to get a little creative. Toasting and reheating take much longer without a toaster or a microwave! I only have one pan so croutons, then vegetables, then shrimp each take their turn in the same pan in my oven - this works out because I only then have one pan to wash! I've also used a skillet as a serving dish for a salad (I had no bowls the first two nights) and a wine bottle as a rolling pin, as I did here when I was making a blackberry galette.

It has been an adventure so far and I'm excited to see what my second week here brings!

Arizona

After New Mexico, we decided to spend a few relaxing days in Arizona. Our first stop was in Rio Rico, which is about 10 minutes north of the Mexican border city, Nogales. We carefully drove through a heavy monsoon to get there. Once we arrived, the weather thankfully cleared for us. After our travels, we were thrilled to stop at a resort, take a dip, and have a long dinner while watching the sun set behind the mountains on the Santa Cruz River Valley.

The next morning we headed north a few miles. I dropped Nate off in the Coronado Mountains National Park. I did not join him on his hike due to the rumors that bears were to be found in this park. I did, however, appreciate the gorgeous drive up through the park and have shared a photo with you here.

While he dealt with the bears and the incline on his hike, I headed down to Tubac, an artist colony founded in 1752. I wish I had spent more time here. There were so many studios and shops and I found it charming that there are still mainly dirt roads in the center of town. Because of the many recommendations I received, I headed up to the country club for lunch. I wished I had stayed in the center of town! If you are ever in this neck of Arizona's desert, I would recommend that you have lunch at Sheila's, whose menu was more approachable than the club's and also you would be able to dine in the atmosphere of the art studios rather than a tourist's golf course.

After lunch, we headed north to Tucson, stopping for a beer and a snack near the University of Arizona. Our next stop was further north, Peoria, Arizona which is just outside Phoenix. Nate's aunt and uncle live there and for two nights we relaxed, swam, drank beers and tried to stay cool in the desert heat.

Those few days in Arizona were a nice break from travelling and left us refreshed for our final destination: California!

Las Cruces, NM

After leaving Texas, we went to Carlsbad Caverns National State Park which is just across the New Mexico and Texas border. The caverns were amazing and the size and beauty, all underground, were impressive. Once we emerged from the cave, we went on a quick and very hot hike in the desert. Then, we jumped in the car to head west to Las Cruces, New Mexico.

My father-in-law had recommended that we stop in this city, located in the middle of the state on the southern border, because he had heard it was beautiful. It took us 4 hours to get there and, often, we would not see a town for an hour. Much of the drive is through the Lincoln National Park, which is a lush and green landscape between two long stretches of desert.

Happily, we arrived in Las Cruces in the evening, checked into our hotel, and set out to the Old Mesilla area for dinner. Old Mesilla is the 'old town' of Las Cruces, with buildings dating back to the late 1800's. This square is notorious for holding Billy the Kid in jail prior to his being shot by the town sherriff, Pat Garrett. We wandered around the town square inspecting the buildings and delighted in the mellow pink sunset. I particularly liked the crossed Mexico and US Flags on the gazebo in the middle of the square. I've posted a picture of them above. After a bit, we discovered a gorgeous bar at the Double Eagle Restaurant and decided to eat there. We were wooed by it's original turquoise and gold tin ceiling, the beautiful original wood, and the pretty chandelier. The picture here is from this bar.

I decided on the appetizer portion of the chili relleno and grilled shrimp. When the meal came, I tasted my selections cautiously, having been let down in Texas. I was happy to find that both items were delicious. My chili relleno's sauce had a deep smoky flavor and the pepper was still firm enough to give against my teeth. When I bit into it, the cheese exploded out of the pepper into my mouth. I was truly happy!

After polishing off my relleno, I turned to the shrimp. They were beautifully prepared, but I still wanted something spicy. I asked the bartender if they had anything and was told nothing but mild salsa. I was tired of this response by now so I requested that he ask the kitchen staff if they kept anything secret back there and shortly thereafter he returned with some very spicy marinated peppers. Finally! Something that made me sweat a little. They were delicious and played well with the grilled shrimp.

Having had a perfect dinner, we headed back to the hotel for a deep sleep, waking early to go hiking in the beautiful Organ Mountains, pictured below, before heading further west.

Some Like It Hot

The Lone Star State, Texas, is known for its size and its spicy food and we were excited to experience both of these for ourselves. Texas is a massive state and I was overwhelmed by how long it took to get to the western edge of Texas. I did enjoy the drive since there are no interstate troopers to monitor my speed and I liked seeing the ranches, mountains, and fields upon fields of tumbleweed. I didn't enjoy the food as much - I was so looking forward to trying authentic Tex-Mex and spicy salsas.

After spending a fun night in Frisco, outside Dallas, with recently relocated Chicago friends, we headed west on Interstate 20. Six hours later, a roadside sign welcomed us to Midland, Texas, former home to George W. and Laura Bush. The friendly representatives at the Welcome Center suggested we head to La Mision for spicy Tex-Mex. We eagerly ordered tacos and enchiladas, which ended up being a cheesy and greasy disappointment. I thought I might be able to improve the flavor with spicy hot sauce, but was told that the mild salsa on the table was their only hot sauce. I pushed my plate away and sipped my margarita (I deserved it - I drove over 4 hours that day!), plotting to try for a spicy meal again at dinner.

After another stretch of I-20, we arrived in Van Horn, which is about two hours east of El Paso and an hour and a half south of New Mexico. Very hungry, we drove through the small little town and settled on Chuy's, where John Madden stops every year. Nate ordered the John Madden special -diced grilled chicken, peppers and onion and I ordered the catfish version of it. I liked the tortillas which were a combination of rice and corn, but was disappointed when I discovered they weren't homemade, but from a distributor like most of their food items. There is a restaurant chain out of Houston with the same name so I was expecting Van Horn's Chuy's to distinguish themselves by being unique and homemade. I was also let down when I asked for hotter salsa for my tacos. For the second time that day, I was told the mild salsa on the table was as hot as it gets.

I have a feeling that I have not tried the true Texas-style heat. I will need to return to this state and maybe head south instead of west to get authentic spicy Tex-Mex. Some like it hot, including me, and western Texas wasn't turning it up enough.....good thing I was headed to New Mexico in the morning!

Miami, Oklahoma

On our way to Dallas, Texas we stopped in Miami, Oklahoma. Usually when I hear Miami, I think of palm trees, well-known restaurants, bikinis, and Horatio from CSI: Miami.

Now that I've been through Miami, Oklahoma, when I hear Miami, I will think of dive restaurants, dust, friendly people and good catfish!

When we passed over the Missouri border, we stopped at the Oklahoma Welcome Center and asked for a recommendation from the woman at the desk. We cautiously took her advice and pulled into a little dive connected to the Best Western.

The restaurant looked like a movie set from Thelma & Louise, a dingy little diner that had seen better days. I requested the salad bar and Nate ordered the catfish, hoping for the best.

The catfish was a surprising treat. I would have expected a greasy, fried fillet, but this restaurant served it with a cornmeal crust. It was dry and crumbly and tasty on the outside, while the inside remained moist and salty. Needless to say, we were surprised to find such a flavorful treat!

If you're going through Miami, Oklahoma, head on over to this little dive with excellent catfish...

4th of July On The Lake

With our car loaded and the gas tank full, Nate and I headed out of Chicago for our road trip to L.A. Our first stop was in central Illinois to visit my family then on to the Ozark Mountains for the 4th of July. Nate's family has a lake house on the Niangua River in the Lake of the Ozarks and it is one of my favorite places to visit. It is relaxing, the scenes are breathtaking, and it is fun to spend time with family.

Going to the lake for the 4th of July means fireworks and summer grilling. My father-in-law is known for his excellent pork ribs, with the meat literally falling off the bone. First, he boils them and then, when the meat is very tender, he throws it on the grill and bastes the ribs while they are receiving a slight char from the fire. These were served with pretty grilled vegetable skewers made by my sister-in-law.


The next day, my father-in-law began cutting up a watermelon into small pieces. I requested for mine to be left in a big slice and I took it out on the porch to watch the boats go by. Watermelon is my favorite summer dessert. It is simple and refreshing and biting into a big slice reminds me of childhood summers with juice dribbling down my chin.


The weekend was fun and with our bellies full, we left for our next destination: Dallas, Texas to visit our friends and try Texas-style BBQ!

Kaze Sushi.....Last supper

I'm looking forward to an exciting summer. Nate's client is in L.A. so we are going to relocate there for the summer and stay in Westwood Village.

We love Chicago and the summer is a time of year that we are sorry to miss. I'm going to miss the festivals, my friends and my neighbors. But, the lack of humidity gives L.A. its edge so westward we will head.

For our last Chicago supper with friends, we chose to go to Kaze Sushi in Roscoe Village. I had been there in the winter and since Tsunami has closed (boo-hoo) this is my new favorite sushi house. It is not a flashy address and you might even pass it if you were not specifically seeking it. The interior decor is also unassuming, which helps you focus on the creativity and the quality of the dinner.

We ordered appetizers, nigiri, sashimi, hot entrees, soup, and dessert. Every dish is interesting and flavorful. The big-eyed tuna appetizer simply melts in your mouth. My asparagus soup was delicious and creamy and the addition of goose liver made it intense and deep. I had to share with my fellow diners.

I know that I will have excellent sushi in L.A. but right now Kaze Sushi is my standard and the west coast sushi restaurants will have to try hard to meet this standard!

Grey Goose........dirty

After leaving Calumet Fisheries, Nate and I continued our Harley ride via Route 12 into Indiana. Route 12 takes you through Hammond, Gary, Calumet City, Michigan City and the Indiana Dunes before you reach Michigan.

After crossing the border into Indiana, I looked forward to arriving in Michigan soon. I dropped my expectations on our timeline when we lost Route 12 and got lost in Gary. After 45 minutes we were back on track and I started to relax. My respite from frayed nerves was short-lived when, at least an hour from Michigan, night fell on us. The moon brought worries of deer and possums lurking in the fields of the Dunes just waiting to run out in front of our bike. Nate suggested I help him keep an eye out and I believe I didn't blink for the next hour or so.

Finally, gratefully, I cheered as we crossed the Michigan border at 10:30. Just a few miles up the road, in Union Pier, we found a restaurant named Frankie's Place that was still open for dinner. After dinner we would have an hour's drive yet to our final destination. I could tell that Nate was glad to be off the bike and considered it a treat to have a seat on the patio on such a nice night so I withdrew my decision to have a beer and opted for indulgence, a dirty Grey Goose martini.

I was served the ultimate martini. It was severly cold, with little ice chips the bartender had created while shaking the mixer. The vodka was mellow, the olive juice was subtle, and the combination of the two was soothing. Two plump bleu cheese olives were speared with a toothpick and proudly tempting me from the middle of my martini glass.

Forgetting about the dark, the deer, and the fact that we still had to drive further on the bike, I simply enjoyed this fantastic martini. I was very happy to be in Michigan and was enjoying myself. In retrospect, I think that it was a very good thing that I hadn't checked the weather forecast for the next day. I couldn't have relaxed as much if I had known about the rain that was to come!

Calumet Fisheries

I am pretty open-minded and somewhat adventurous, but last weekend Nate pushed my tolerance's envelope. He wanted to rent a Harley Davidson and drive along Route 12 to Michigan for a night. I really wanted to be a fun wife, impulsive and open-minded, so I pushed aside my fear of dying and agreed to accompany him. I'm a sucker for southwest Michigan.

We went to the Harley dealership, signed all kinds of papers saying that we wouldn't sue in case of an accident, packed our saddlebags, strapped on our D.O.T.-safe helmets, revved up the engine and took off. After a full 30 minutes I relaxed my clenched jaw and my extremely tight grip on the guard rail and started to enjoy the ride.

I stopped relaxing when we got close to the Illinois/Indiana border and Nate told me he wanted to stop at Wendy's for a burger. This is a frequent debate on road trips (he tries the 'it's fast' angle and I go for the 'it's gross' angle) and I sometimes let him have his meal - if you can call it that. But last Saturday, I could not abide with his request. I was already on the back of a motorcycle, I wasn't going to go further out of my proverbial box and go to Wendy's.

We were almost out of the city when I started shouting for him to pull over. I had spied the answer to our fast-food debate in the form a shabby little white building next to the 95th Street bridge that was featured in the The Blue Brothers movie. The building was Calumet Fisheries, a traditional smokehouse that had been on my must-eat list for several years. Recently, even Anthony Bourdain had given it his discerning approval during a Chicago taping of No Reservations.

Nate begrudgingly parked the bike and gave a weary look at the non-impressive little building, the bridge, and the river. I could tell that he was trying to calculate how he could talk me into getting back on the bike for his fast-food burger. But, since I was literally standing on the sidewalk punching my fists in the air and chanting, "Finally! Calumet Fisheries! Smoked shrimp!", he knew there was no way was I backing down.

Once inside, his eyes brightened as he reviewed the menu - smoked salmon, perch, fried shrimp, catfish and more. We ordered smoked salmon and smoked shrimp. There are no tables or stools inside so we took our treats back outside, sat down on the sidewalk, and dug in. His salmon was moist and flaky and I could tell he was no longer thinking of a greasy burger. Calumet Fisheries uses natural wood in their humble-looking smokehouse and my shrimp were infused with the flavor. They were also large and meaty and crunched when I bit into them. After Nate tasted these shrimp he started lobbying for a return visit on our way back from Michigan.

I really enjoyed Calumet Fisheries and think it is absolutely worth the trip down to 3259 East 95th Street - on a motorcycle or in a regular car. I shouldn't have put it off for so many years and I encourage you to learn from my mistake and go get some smoked shrimp for yourself.

As we pulled away on our Harley, I started to wonder about the name. Why is it plural? There is only one location for Calumet Fisheries. I know it is likely not a possibility, but I'm hoping that maybe, just maybe, they are planning on opening an additional smokehouse on the northside. Call me a dreamer.

Satisfied with our smoked snack, we headed out of the state and into Indiana. More on our Route 12 excursion to come....

Pick Me Up, Indeed!

The phrase 'tira mi su' means 'pick me up' in Italian. And since the dessert, tiramisu, has espresso or coffee and plenty of sugar, the phrase is an appropriate title for this very popular dessert. Unlike my mother and my husband, I have never been swept away by tiramisu. I have found it to be a little too boozy or coffee-flavored for me. And while I enjoy booze and caffeine as much as the next gal, they have never turned me on to this dessert.

After a successful creme brulee soiree, which you can read about here, my friend suggested we continue the pastry lessons and prepare tiramisu. A night of fun with the girls appealed to me even though the dessert did not. Also, I never pass up an opportunity to learn how to win Nate's heart through his stomach (again!).

Tiramisu is a simple dessert cake with these main components: ladyfingers, coffee, liquor, and a custard made with eggs, mascaporne and sugar. The liquor is traditionally marsala or amaretto wine or you might have tasted it with rum before. My friend, Brenda, who is our pastry chef instructor makes it with brandy.

Brenda's recipe is posted below and if you decide to try it out, here are a few tips that she gave us while making tiramisu. During the white whipping stage, she encouraged us to not overwhip as they must be a medium peak in order to create the correct texture of the custard. Additionally, when you combine the egg yolk and the white mixtures, she warned us frequently to be sure to be very gentle with the custard so that the custard remains light and soft.

The last secret is to dip your ladyfingers very quickly into the coffee mixture - I needed extra coaching on this step. If you dip the ladyfingers for too long it will give your tiramisu a soggy texture. The picture here illustrates this step and the creamy custard is in the background.

Brenda ensured me that this recipe would change my mind about tiramisu so instead of saving my tiramisu for Nate for the weekend, I served myself a small serving the next day. It was fantastic -- soft, light, and creamy. The coffee and the brandy were complements rather than the overpowering flavors I had experienced in the past. I found myself quickly finishing my portion and helping myself to a second portion. By the time Nate returned on Friday, 2/3 of the dessert was gone.

I am definitely 'picked up' by this tiramisu and since I ate most of Nate's dessert it is a good thing I know how to make more!

Tiramisu
recipe courtesy of Brenda Uraski

10 eggs, separated
1 ½ cups sugar, separated
2 cups marscapone cheese
1 cup cream cheese

~6 cups strong brewed coffee, cooled to room temperature.
brandy (or preferred liquor) to taste - we used a whole small flask
1-2 packages hard lady fingers
1.5 cups grated fresh chocolate

Starting with room temperature eggs and cheeses is best.

Begin by mixing the desired amount of brandy into the coffee and letting it sit.

With the yolks and whites separated, begin by beating the yolks in high speed. When they begin to get thicker, add 1 cup of the sugar slowly to incorporate. Continue to beat until they are to the ribbon stage......thick and pale white. Add the cheeses at this point and beat until very smooth. Set aside.

Next, with a clean whisk, beat the egg whites on high. When they begin to get frothy and fuller, add the remaining ½ cup sugar and beat until almost stiff peaks (when you hold the whisk upside down, it should almost hold a point). At this point fold the whites into the yolk/cream mixture....very gently! Try to use as many gentle folds as possible, so as not to deflate all the air that has just been beat into the whites!

To construct the cake, dunk the lady fingers for just about a second into the cooled coffee mixture and line them up in your pan, nestled snugly against each other. Top the ladyfinger layer with the desired amount of cream. If you have more cream and ladyfingers, you can create a second layer. Top with the grated chocolate, cover and let chill overnight. Enjoy!!!

To Do: Relax

Often, on Saturday or Sunday mornings, we wake up with very good intentions. "Let's exercise, go to a movie, clean the house, organize the closets, put up the rhubarb (okay, that's just me), finish our to-do list" - you get the picture. But what usually happens is that we half attempt to clean up or organize things and the other half of our attempt is spent reading or watching Food Network. In summary, we didn't really relax and we didn't really accomplish anything.

My husband has solved this problem by adding 'Relax' to our to-do list. The other morning when I woke up and started suggesting all the things that we could do, he turned down all my ideas and told me me to brush my teeth and grab a book.

I was delighted to find out that he wanted us to put all of our efforts into relaxing and chose La Sera Cafe on Wells and Division as our conduit for this exercise. Upon entering, we snagged the soft, leather love seat and ordered our coffees. They serve Julius Meinl coffee in cups and saucers and I used my cute little spoon to help myself to the delicious foam on the top of my coffee.

We had been to La Sera in the past for brunch (great menu, especially the mushroom and bleu cheese omelet) and would highly recommend it as a place for a satisfying and well-prepared bite to eat. Now we know we can also recommend it as a place to relax and lose yourself in a good book or one of their many magazines. Our server did not hurry us out the door and refilled our waters regularly after our coffee was done without trying to push us to order more to bolster the bill.

I'm so glad that Nate added 'relaxing' to our to-do list. It's the easiest item to check off which makes you feel like you've accomplished something. And with a great cafe like La Sera Cafe that serves good coffee,I even leave with a nice caffeine buzz that gets me started on the rest of my list!

Creme Brulee Soiree

Silky, creamy, light and indulgent. What's not to like about creme brulee? Nate particularly adores this dessert and since I aim to please, I learned how to make it last week in my own kitchen.

I work with a former pastry chef whose creme brulee skills were highly touted so I called on her to help me with my mission. And then I asked a few of my adventurous friends to join me in my education.

We commenced the evening with snacks and wine before our instructor began the lesson. Almost two hours later (and two bottles!) we started with separating the yolks and the whites from our eggs. Next up was heating the cream. Once that was completed, we added the sugar to the egg whites, then whisked the cream slowly into the egg/sugar mixture. (The constant whisking reminded me a little of making mayonnaise). After this was completed, we added in a hint of vanilla to our creme brulee base.

The advantage to having a chef in your kitchen while learning a new recipe is the helpful hints that she can share. The secret to my friend's creme brulee is to strain it three times through a cheesecloth prior to putting in the oven. And the final secret is to cook it at 225 for 3 hours, in a water bath. This may not seem like such a secret but so many recipes tell you 300 or 350. You can certainly try it, but you will end up with a creamy scrambled egg.

I followed her advice later in the week when I baked my creme brulee and Nate was delighted in the results. Very smooth, very silky creme brulee that has been double-caramelized (another secret!) with my brand new torch. I'm looking forward to trying out the recipe with some twists such as coffee, lavendar and chocolate.

Province

For Nate's birthday he surprised me with tickets to the theatre, sweet man! In a display of gratitude I bought a very hot black dress with a low cut bodice I knew he would appreciate, sweet me! The last element of our date night was a reservation, which I made at Province located at 161 North Jefferson.

Province was wonderful and we loved it - all of it. The decor is fantastic. Hot pink walls and accents of urban grays and blacks lend to a very modern and fresh feel. The cork tables and floors tie to the focus this restaurant has on sustainability. The enticing menu was spattered with local and sustainable farmers. Even the cocktail menu highlighted Death's Door vodka, which I wrote about here. Before I decided on my meal, I ordered a very dry, very delicious Death's Door vodka martini.

While the ambience was chic, our waiter was knowledgeable and friendly, which we appreciated. After giving us a tasty amuse bouche made of radish, pea shoots, garlic, jicama and sherry vinaigrette, he guided us into ordering excellent dinners. I started with perhaps the best oyster I have ever had. It was slippery and smooth and my martini was a perfect accompaniment. Next I tasted the asparagus and poached egg salad and was inspired - I will be recreating this at home very soon! My husband was more than pleased with his chopped steak hamburger and he allowed me to confiscate half of his super-crispy, very addictive fries, which our amiable waiter aknowledged were double-fried to obtain their texture.

I was heady with the excitement of a night out, theatre tickets, and a handsome husband (and maybe also my martini)....thanks to Province for starting our night with a delicious meal and wonderful service!

To Each His Own

Birthdays are special in my house. In my large family, having a birthday meant selecting your own menu for dinner. Whether we chose spaghetti, blueberry muffins, fried chicken or angel food cake (my favorite), my siblings and I told Mom what we would like and she would make it ---- perfectly.

Now that I am a 'grown up' with my own kitchen, I am (or so I am told) very opinionated and have a lot of preferences when it comes to my meals. These opinions include a distaste for Wonderbread, a general unacceptance of sandwiches for dinner, and a preference of homemade mayo to Miracle Whip. In addition to that, I don't enjoy making bacon and I have a heavy dislike for crumbs, which is always caused by toast (forgive me, I am my mother's daughter). Due to the aforementioned 'issues', I am not a fan of making BLTs which is Nate's ultimate meal.

As it does with each of us, his birthday rolls around every year and I ask him how he would like to celebrate. His annual response is, "BLTs with Wonderbread and Miracle Whip". This year I tried to talk him into different bread and homemade mayonnaise, but he wouldn't hear of it - a traditionalist at heart. His only allowance in my change of the menu was thick-cut applewood smoked bacon versus lean turkey bacon.

For the dinner, his brother, Trent, joined us and the three of us celebrated Nate's birthday with BLTs prepared the old-school way, just as he had requested. We finished the meal with a strawberry rhubarb crumble and ice cream for dessert. While this may not be my ideal menu, it was definitely a very satisfying way of spending the evening. Happy Birthday Nate!