Monthly Archives: August 2010

At the beginning of last week my wife, Jaime and I were deciding whether we should go to the eastern shore or possibly the jersey shore for the weekend.  During this discussion we received an airfare alert for a very reasonably priced ticket to Milwaukee.  I know what you’re thinking, unless I’m picking up a new Harley at the factory, which I wasn’t unfortunately, why go to Milwaukee?  First reason that’s where one of Jaime’s sisters lives and second, which was my true motive, is that Chicago is only about an hour or so south.  So the plan was set, we would have a quick afternoon visit with the Joan and then head to Chicago to reconnect with some friends and eat.

Saturday night we hooked up with some friends from my last restaurant in Denver.  Drinks and frites, pork rinds, headcheese and house made pretzels first at a great American gastro pub style establishment called Publican.  Here they truly pay great attention to the craft of beer making as well as the hog.  Next up more snacks and great cocktails at Gilt a great place where the gin smash would have lived up to its name if it wasn’t for my 9:45 reservation at L2o.  At L2o a very highly refined and beautifully appointed setting, we eased into our seats for what would be a two and a half hour dining experience that would focus on the perfection of seasonable ingredients being everything they could be. The service was impeccable, the wine delightful and the food delicious.  Among my favorite dishes here was the tai snapper with flavors of green curry, the chocolate surprise for dessert was an explosion of flavor as well.

Sunday morning still feeling the effects of last night, I somehow managed to get a quick workout in before brunch at North Pond.  Zucchini muffins, poached farm egg, roast leg of lamb and peach tart.  All this and overlooking North Pond, I can’t think of a better way to start a rainy Sunday morning.  After brunch the rain had stopped and the skies cleared nicely.  What to do next, its only 3 in the afternoon and dinner isn’t until 8:30.  Luckily for us there is a Calder exhibit going on at the Museum of Contemporary Art.  After spending a few hours looking at great works of art I’ve realized two things, first, I would really love to have a Calder mobile in my home and second I have a strange desire for a sazerac, so back to the hotel.  As I recline into the very comfortable chairs of the lounge and await my cocktail I can’t help myself from noshing on the olives and cheese sticks that are oh so appealing.  Now that I’m thoroughly relaxed its time to get ready for dinner.  Off to Alinea our destination for this evenings’ dinner.  Tonight’s meal wasn’t as mush dinner as it is an all consuming alternate reality.  Where throughout the meal you are called upon to participate while the entire time you are encouraged to have fun.  This was a three hour roller thrill ride that you didn’t want to end.  The meal kept you guessing what’s next? How could he top that? I didn’t think that was possible, finally when can I come back?

Chicago is a delicious town and I can’t wait to taste some more.

This past Sunday I set out on my weekly drive out of the city and headed to the shore just to walk on the beach.  About a half hour into the drive a large electronic bill board was flashing all lanes closed at exit 41.  As my luck would have it I need to get past exit 41 to in order to arrive at my final destination which was to be Lewes, Delaware.  On the positive side of that I was just outside of Annapolis and it was around 3 pm so I felt it would be appropriate to start happy hour a bit early.  Since I am not one to just drink, I need to eat as well.  I figured what better way to celebrate the perfect weather than with beer and crabs.  And the search began.

This being only the second time I have been in Annapolis I started by calling some former locals and as well as some crab lovers.  After a few texts, calls and emails the recommendations were in and it was unanimous, we were on our way to Cantler’s on the River.  It’s now 3:30 and I’m figuring it’s the perfect time to get in quickly and hang for a few hours before making the trip back to DC.  As I pulled into the parking lot there was an attendant directing me to a secondary overflow lot because lot 1 was completely full.  I park and head over to the restaurant, I’ll tell you as I approached the restaurant I knew I had been given great advice.  There was what looked like a lemonade stand selling beer right outside the patio on the river.

Walk inside and I was in heaven it was a simple old school environment nothing but canned beer and basic booze.  I put my name in and head to the bar while I wait for a table outside.  I kick back with a margarita and simply relax, the only thing missing at this point is some Buffet on the radio, Margaritaville perhaps.  As my I’m paying my bar tab my table is ready and I transition to the outside where the tables are large communal picnic style lined with heavy brown paper.  Since there are only two of us we just go for the crab boil with crab legs added and a crab cake entrée.  I order up another margarita and am starting to become giddy with anticipation.  All around me the only sounds are of the hammers cracking the crab claws and the sound of oh so rewarding slurping of people getting into the legs, back fins and cavities of the recently steamed hard shells.   About ten minutes later our food arrives and it is glorious plump clams and mussels with shrimp and of course hard shells.   As I dig in I go for the low hanging fruit first, clams, mussels and shrimp.  Then its time to get my hands dirty. Fins first little bits of heaven, then the claws crack them right and it’s the perfect cocktail claw.  Now to the body pick out the lumps of meat and dip them in the drawn butter, I could do this all day. The crabs were delicious, tender and tasted like more.  Unfortunately it was time to head back to the city so I pay up and head out the whole time looking forward to the next time I find myself in the Annapolis area so that I can enjoy a four to five hour crab fest.

Yes with hard shells there is work involved but the reward is well worth it.  Crack a couple open today.