Me So Hapa!

Day 3 (yesterday) - Chicago, il - Dinner with my Valentine! We decided to return to one of our favorite places, Bin 36. Bin 36 offers an amazing culinary experience if you like wine and cheese. Or in our case champagne and cheese. We started off with a Bubbles Flight, which consisted of 4 different types of champagne. 1) NV Brut Gruner Veltilner, Szigeti from Austria (a tad tart and refreshing), 2) NV Brut (Chenin Blanc), Tabernero from Peru ( peachy aftertaste), 3) 2001 Chardonnay/Pinot Noir, Bin 36, “10th Anniversary Cuvee,” from California, (a bit nutty), and lastly 4) NV Rose, Varichon Et Clerc, from France ( my favorite! Nice and sweet). Next we had two different Cheese Flights. Fat Cats (super creamy and buttery) and So You Think You Know Know Cheddar. Each flight consists of 4 Cheeses. The Fat Cats flight contained: Burrata from Puglia, Italy (like butter!), Pierre Robert from Loire Valley, France (creamy and rich), Kunik from Nettle Meadow Farm, NY, and Gorgonzola Dolce from Lombardy, Italy (a blue cheese with a strong finish). Our second flight was made up of 4 cheddars. Chevys Noir from Canada, Mt. Sterling from Mt. Sterling Co-Op, WI, Keen’s from Moorhayes Farm, UK, 10 Year from Hooks Cheese Co., WI. Each of these cheddars did not disappoint. If ever in Chi-Town this is a place not to miss! Plus on certain nights you can catch a film there!
Feb 15

Day 3 (yesterday) - Chicago, il - Dinner with my Valentine!

We decided to return to one of our favorite places, Bin 36.

Bin 36 offers an amazing culinary experience if you like wine and cheese. Or in our case champagne and cheese.

We started off with a Bubbles Flight, which consisted of 4 different types of champagne. 1) NV Brut Gruner Veltilner, Szigeti from Austria (a tad tart and refreshing), 2) NV Brut (Chenin Blanc), Tabernero from Peru ( peachy aftertaste), 3) 2001 Chardonnay/Pinot Noir, Bin 36, “10th Anniversary Cuvee,” from California, (a bit nutty), and lastly 4) NV Rose, Varichon Et Clerc, from France ( my favorite! Nice and sweet).

Next we had two different Cheese Flights. Fat Cats (super creamy and buttery) and So You Think You Know Know Cheddar. Each flight consists of 4 Cheeses. The Fat Cats flight contained: Burrata from Puglia, Italy (like butter!), Pierre Robert from Loire Valley, France (creamy and rich), Kunik from Nettle Meadow Farm, NY, and Gorgonzola Dolce from Lombardy, Italy (a blue cheese with a strong finish). Our second flight was made up of 4 cheddars. Chevys Noir from Canada, Mt. Sterling from Mt. Sterling Co-Op, WI, Keen’s from Moorhayes Farm, UK, 10 Year from Hooks Cheese Co., WI. Each of these cheddars did not disappoint.

If ever in Chi-Town this is a place not to miss! Plus on certain nights you can catch a film there!

J’adore La Creperie! If you want a taste of Paris look no further than La Creperie Cafe in Belmont Shore on 2nd Street. They have a killer wine deal ever Monday and Tuesday, I’m talking half price off on their bottles of wine. You can also enjoy live music Monday - Wednesday night. Be prepared to have little conversation with your dinning companions for the music can be loud and annoying. But that’s why you order a half price bottle of wine. For starters I love their Garlic Frites (fries), served with 3 dipping sauces: ketchup, chipotle aioli and ranch dressing. If you like salads I recommend their Chopped Salad, which has a little bit of everything in it. One of my favorite savory crepes they offer is the French Riviera. Inside the crepe is Chicken breast, artichoke hearts and fresh tomatoes and mozzarella cheese topped in a sherry basil cream sauce. Tres Bon! I also love their breakfast crepes. To Your Health tastes anything but healthy. Filled with Strawberries, Bananas and Nonfat yogurt it is sweetened with honey and topped with sliced almonds. Now for the best part of the meal…. Dessert! The Latin Lover reminds me of strolling through Paris! Filled with Nutella and fresh bananas it sounds simple but the hot nutella makes this crepe oh so yummy! After you eat here you will say J’adore la Creperie!!!
Mar 24

J’adore La Creperie!

If you want a taste of Paris look no further than La Creperie Cafe in Belmont Shore on 2nd Street. They have a killer wine deal ever Monday and Tuesday, I’m talking half price off on their bottles of wine. You can also enjoy live music Monday - Wednesday night. Be prepared to have little conversation with your dinning companions for the music can be loud and annoying. But that’s why you order a half price bottle of wine.

For starters I love their Garlic Frites (fries), served with 3 dipping sauces: ketchup, chipotle aioli and ranch dressing. If you like salads I recommend their Chopped Salad, which has a little bit of everything in it.

One of my favorite savory crepes they offer is the French Riviera. Inside the crepe is Chicken breast, artichoke hearts and fresh tomatoes and mozzarella cheese topped in a sherry basil cream sauce. Tres Bon!

I also love their breakfast crepes. To Your Health tastes anything but healthy. Filled with Strawberries, Bananas and Nonfat yogurt it is sweetened with honey and topped with sliced almonds.

Now for the best part of the meal…. Dessert! The Latin Lover reminds me of strolling through Paris! Filled with Nutella and fresh bananas it sounds simple but the hot nutella makes this crepe oh so yummy!

After you eat here you will say J’adore la Creperie!!!

Vini al Bottegon in Venice! I loved Venice, especially the food! After we went to the Accadamia D’arte we were in need of a snack. We found this small family run wine shop that was packed with people. So of course I had to try what they were eating and drinking. We ordered the house white wine and the Baccala Cappuccina, which a creamy cheese spread on bread with balsamic vinegar. Very similar to cream cheese or creme fraiche. It was kinda amazing and I am determined to try and recreate it.
Jul 15

Vini al Bottegon in Venice!

I loved Venice, especially the food!

After we went to the Accadamia D’arte

we were in need of a snack. We found this small family run wine shop that was packed with people. So of course I had to try what they were eating and drinking.

We ordered the house white wine and the Baccala Cappuccina, which a creamy cheese spread on bread with balsamic vinegar. Very similar to cream cheese or creme fraiche. It was kinda amazing and I am determined to try and recreate it.