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02/23/2025

Next stop is Casa Humilde Cervecería in Forest Park!

I am having a flight and she is having a michelada with mango and pineapple.

The taco El Pastor is excellent! My mahi mahi fish tacos were delicious. The queso fundido was good, the empanadas with chicken, applewood bacon, and cheese. The chips and guacamole were good.

Great place for craft beer, micheladas, and food!

02/23/2025

Having a La Chica Fresa from a new Craft Brewery = SomosMonos Cervecería in Chicago!

We are Whiner Beer Company who are hosting the Somos Monos launch party.

La Chica Fresa is a classic strawberry blonde ale. Fresh and fruity, Somos Monos have a hit on their hands!

02/22/2025

I had to stop at their new(ish) location - it's been too long!

I only had the chocolate croissant and Doppio Espresso sitting in their new coffeehouse.

What I am bringing home: almond croissant, 4 cupcakes, and a piece of Brooklyn Blackout chocolate cake.

The chocolate croissant and espresso were excellent.

I have had the Brooklyn Blackout chocolate cake before...it is the greatest chocolate cake on Earth. You don't believe me? Try it yourself. It is the ne plus ultra of chocolate cake.

The 4 cupcakes: from top left clockwise = Hazelnut Bomb, Mango Cream, and two (2) Brooklyn Blackout cupcakes.

The best bakery in Chicago? Jennivee's Bakery , LLC It's not even a contest.

02/21/2025

This is the BEST breakfast / Brunch place ever!

I am having churro French toast with challah bread.

My daughter is having the Rogers Park Special with blueberries and other fruit compote.

The S'mores Graham Latte that she had was out of this world!

I had my Double Espresso with honey.

02/09/2025

I wanted to grab a quick coffee from Chicago French Press ! No Espresso or Cappuccino so I got an Americano with agave.

The chocolate croissant and regular croissants were tasty!

02/08/2025

We are at Diversey House which is a joint between Moor's Brewing & Steep Ravine Brewing Company in Chicago.

She had the Smoke Eryday and I had their Kölsch. I have had their Kölsch before and it's excellent.

She had their Diversey Fries and I had their Southern Comfort Chicken Sandwich. I skipped the cheese (no lactose por favor).

Congratulations to Moor's & Steep Ravine on their Grand Opening! Cheers!

02/07/2025

Since I am out and about, I had to stop at my favorite coffeehouse = ELDER + OAT !

I had a blueberry granola bar and the banana nut muffin is for tomorrow!

The 2 Brown Butter Pecan Scones are to go!

As always, the Doppio Espresso with honey was sublime.

01/25/2025

Yep...here again ELDER + OAT

Ordered online her Brown Butter Pecan Scones... because they sell out early!

I had the Apple Turnover (top right) and the Strawberry Jam granola bar (bottom left), and a banana walnut muffin (for later).

The usual: decaf Cappuccino and Doppio Espresso with honey.

It's a beautiful sunny Saturday in suburban Chicago! Get out of the house and come over here for fantastic coffee and pastries!

01/25/2025

This taproom just opened up on Wednesday January 22nd - Tangled Roots Brewing Company

They are based out of Ottawa, Illinois and we have been to that location as well.

She had a mango margarita and loved it!

My flight: Kit Kupfer Amber Ale, Peach Vibes Sour Ale, River Raptor Tropical Pale Ale, and Blueberry YUM Fruited Hazy IPA.

My favorite (and hers) = Blueberry YUM Fruited Hazy IPA. It has blueberry, passion fruit (maracuyá), and citrus. Crisp and refreshing!

The Bison chili I had was top notch! The Bavarian pretzels were the perfect appetizer!

A fantastic addition to the Arboretum in South Barrington!

01/13/2025

Having breakfast / brunch at Paris Baguette on South Michigan Avenue.

The croissants are perfect: flaky, a hint of butter, and delicious.

The coffee was perfect on this cold Chicago day!

01/13/2025

Eating appetizers / dinner / craft beer / Mexican Coke at Cruz Blanca Brewpub on West Randolph.

I had a flight of three: Hibiscus, Vamos, and Lager Light.

We had Street Corn Ribs (no meat - wood grilled Klug Farm corn, aioli, queso cotija, and Chile powder), chips & salsa with guacamole (made fresh), and for dinner we shared Tlayuda Clásica (it's like a super thin tortilla) with black beans, Chihuahua cheese, picked red onions, salsa roja, queso fresco, and rajas.

The Tlayuda was authentic and our server said they fly in the dough from Mexico. She said it was 100% authentic!

We are stuffed! Now going back to the hotel to the fitness center / pool / whirlpool bath!

12/28/2024

Our usual weekend spot = ELDER + OAT in downtown West Dundee!

I ordered online her Brown Butter Pecan Scones and I ordered a gingerbread scone with green / red sprinkles, an apple turnover (excellent!), and banana muffin (I will eat it tomorrow).

As always, a decaf Cappuccino and my Doppio Espresso with honey.

They are packed today! The weather is wonderful for late December!

12/28/2024

Hanging out at one of our favorite spots = More Brewing Co. !

She had a sangría and I had a flight (from left): Swerski (Dunkelweizen), Sabor Raspado (Sour), Swain (Czech Dark Lager), Farm Fresh (Fruit Beer).

My favorite? The Sabor Raspado. A good sour is hard to brew and find!

We ordered a side of fries, the Quesabirria tacos (delicious!), and I had a grilled Nashville Hot Chicken sandwich.

Oh man - we are stuffed!

12/21/2024

Hanging out at our favorite spot = ELDER + OAT !

Our usual coffee: decaf Cappuccino for her and my Doppio Espresso with honey for me.

I had the cherry strudel (center) and it was delicious!

She has the chocolate covered cake doughnut (bottom right) and she loved it but couldn't finish it...so I did!

12/13/2024

Our usual stop for all things coffee, pastries, and the perfect coffeehouse atmosphere: ELDER + OAT in West Dundee, Illinois.

She had her decaf Cappuccino and I had my Doppio Espresso with honey.

She had a cinnamon doughnut (Brown Butter Pecan Scones were sold out!) and I had a vegan chocolate covered doughnut.

We always take some goodies to go!

Get over here this weekend!

12/08/2024

Had to grab a Double Espresso with honey Momentum Coffee and Coworking at Millennium Park.

I got a chocolate chip cookie and pecan Danish!

The espresso was excellent!

11/29/2024

The usual spot ELDER + OAT in downtown West Dundee, Illinois!

Our usual coffee fix: decaf Cappuccino with 2% and my Doppio Espresso with honey.

The Brown Butter Pecan Scones are perfect as always! I had a blueberry muffin (soft and delicious) plus a chocolate chip cookie bar with frosting plus a brownie bar.

Plenty of pastries to go with our coffee!

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