I love Chicago. My college boyfriend grew up outside the city, so I spent some time here back then, but aside from a stopover on my way back from Montana, I haven’t been here in about ten years. When I got the last-minute nod to attend a healthcare conference, AND fly out on a day that otherwise would have held some significance for me, I had to acknowledge the “fate” aspect of all of it. I crammed restaurants, Magnificent Mile shopping, a trip to the Art Institute of Chicago, gorgeous runs along Lake Michigan and around Navy Pier, an event at the Shedd Aquarium around 4 days of awesome panels, presentations and people at SHSMD. And of course, had some incredible meals, too.
First night’s dinner was at Piccolo Sogno. I had an unreal grilled calamari and radicchio salad and pumpkin ravioli. Hurraugh, it’s Fall!
Breakfast at Yolk:
I’m usually not an eggs benedict kind of girl, but my Dad loves that breakfast, I whenever I travel I’ll get eggs benedict as a nod to him. These were awesome. Right, that’s smoked salmon instead of ham.
The Art Institute of Chicago, which I haven’t been to in years. This museum has my favorite Impressionism collection in the country, and the first time I saw some of these paintings in real life it actually made me emotional.
And, one of the best (and prettiest) meals I’ve ever had in my entire life at Topolobampo. Oh, my god. I had this tuna tartare with tomatillo guac & mango, which was one of the tastiest things I’ve ever eaten, roasted cauliflower soup, this unbelievable lamb with a 28-spice mole, and the best margarita I’ve ever had, anywhere, including Mexico. Ok, two margaritas.
I had to make myself stop saying “Oh, my god”, OUT LOUD, after every bite. 
