Monthly Archives: June 2011

Lemon & Tahini Peas

I spent a busy Father’s Day weekend between Chicago and northern Illinois. My mother is renting a fantastic apartment in a high-rise near Millennium Park this summer. I spent some time enjoying the view with her on Friday, followed by a fantastic dinner at Province with Nick. Saturday and Sunday I spent at home with […]

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Mary Ann - Great picture of you and your dad! Glad you were able to spend the weekend with your family.

Mary Ann - Great picture of you and your dad! Glad you were able to spend the weekend with your family.

Gemma - Thanks Mary Ann. It was a great weekend. I’m glad I was able to spend so much time with family.

Gemma - Thanks Mary Ann. It was a great weekend. I’m glad I was able to spend so much time with family.

kickpleat - These look so good and it looks like you had a fantastic weekend with family.

kickpleat - These look so good and it looks like you had a fantastic weekend with family.

Gemma - Thanks Kickpleat, it was!

Gemma - Thanks Kickpleat, it was!

Poached Egg Soup

The sky threatened to rain all day yesterday, and around 5 am the storm we were promised finally arrived with a magnificent display of thunder and lightening. I can be a bit hard on the midwest sometimes. For much the year, it is intensely hot and humid or dangerously cold. But, nothing compares to a […]

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Ryan - A perfect morning for this here in Champaign.

Ryan - A perfect morning for this here in Champaign.

Elizabeth - If this weather keeps up, I’ll be making this soon. Looks lovely, light, and warming.
Also glad you’re digging Champaign in the summer time. It’s really so wonderful.

Elizabeth - If this weather keeps up, I’ll be making this soon. Looks lovely, light, and warming.
Also glad you’re digging Champaign in the summer time. It’s really so wonderful.

Maria - Gemma! I love to check on your blog sometimes… where did you see those birds? That is an awesome shot.

Maria - Gemma! I love to check on your blog sometimes… where did you see those birds? That is an awesome shot.

Gemma - Indeed, it was Ryan. What crazy weather this summer.
Thanks Elizabeth (I didn’t know you had a website, glad to find!)
Thanks Maria! Their mom and dad decided to build a nest on my parent’s front porch. Yikes! We were careful not to use that entrance and stayed out of their way. The neighbors cat wasn’t so kind though… :(

Gemma - Indeed, it was Ryan. What crazy weather this summer.
Thanks Elizabeth (I didn’t know you had a website, glad to find!)
Thanks Maria! Their mom and dad decided to build a nest on my parent’s front porch. Yikes! We were careful not to use that entrance and stayed out of their way. The neighbors cat wasn’t so kind though… :(

Sweet Sourdough Cake

In the last seven years I have lived in no less than seven different homes. I’m sure many of you can relate. I’ve always loved getting to know new streets and neighborhoods — enough to put up with an annual schedule of packing and moving and unpacking. My latest summer move took place last weekend […]

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Lesa - Congratulations on your new house, sounds great!

Lesa - Congratulations on your new house, sounds great!

Katie - Hi Gemma! Thanks for stopping by! You look great in your profile pic on this page, BTW. Like an old time movie star. I am going to stop by whenever I need an awesome recipe. Take care!

Katie - Hi Gemma! Thanks for stopping by! You look great in your profile pic on this page, BTW. Like an old time movie star. I am going to stop by whenever I need an awesome recipe. Take care!

Gemma - Thanks Lesa! I’m loving it.
Hello Katie, it’s great to keep in touch!

Gemma - Thanks Lesa! I’m loving it.
Hello Katie, it’s great to keep in touch!

Next & Aviary

Last weekend, I had the good fortune to visit Next and The Aviary, the new Chicago restaurant and cocktail bar from Grant Achatz and Nick Kokonas. It was an incredibly decadent evening and one of the best dining experiences of my life. The theme of the first Next menu is Paris 1906 – Escoffier at […]

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rachel @sweettarte - wow thanks for sharing–looks like an amazing meal!

rachel @sweettarte - wow thanks for sharing–looks like an amazing meal!

Courtney - If I ever visit Chicago, Aviary is definitely on my list! These photos look amazing!

Courtney - If I ever visit Chicago, Aviary is definitely on my list! These photos look amazing!

Robin - looks amazing!!!
*note: right after i typed that i saw that the previous two commenters said the exact same thing. i’ll consider myself corroborated in duplicate.

Robin - looks amazing!!!
*note: right after i typed that i saw that the previous two commenters said the exact same thing. i’ll consider myself corroborated in duplicate.

kasia - wow! I’m surprised they let you take pictures at Next – awesome. Thanks for the vicarious experience!
Did you try the pineapple drink at Aviary? That was my favorite.

kasia - wow! I’m surprised they let you take pictures at Next – awesome. Thanks for the vicarious experience!
Did you try the pineapple drink at Aviary? That was my favorite.

Gemma - Thanks Rachel, it truly was.
Thanks Courtney, I highly recommend it.
Ha, thanks Robin. It is an apt descriptor!
Kasia, why are you surprised? There are many pictures around of Next. In fact, I didn’t intend to photograph each course, but the staff really encouraged it. They kept arranging things nicely for me and placing the dishes in the best light. They even brought me out a second truffled egg custard because my egg shell broke. It was very welcoming!

Gemma - Thanks Rachel, it truly was.
Thanks Courtney, I highly recommend it.
Ha, thanks Robin. It is an apt descriptor!
Kasia, why are you surprised? There are many pictures around of Next. In fact, I didn’t intend to photograph each course, but the staff really encouraged it. They kept arranging things nicely for me and placing the dishes in the best light. They even brought me out a second truffled egg custard because my egg shell broke. It was very welcoming!

Nishta - wow. I can’t really come up with anything more articulate to say, except I’m thrilled for you that you were able to go (well played, Nick!) and thank you so much for sharing with us.

Nishta - wow. I can’t really come up with anything more articulate to say, except I’m thrilled for you that you were able to go (well played, Nick!) and thank you so much for sharing with us.

Gemma - Thank you Nishta! It was an incredible experience.

Gemma - Thank you Nishta! It was an incredible experience.