Violet Hour

Last night, Bryan and I met up with our great friend Bridget at a cocktail bar that I've been dying to go back to since I went the first time almost a year ago! Violet Hour is a prohibition era, old fashioned, high end cocktail bar.For those readers in the Twin Cities area, Bradstreet Crafthouse is a similar cocktail bar, but Violet Hour provides more of an intimate atmosphere. We loved our experience last night! Our waiter was very nice and social, providing witty comments about various cocktails and light stories about their work environment. The cocktails were amazing! We each had two, and passed them all around to taste. I personally liked the whiskey and potable bitters drinks.

The other thing that is cool about this bar is that you have to know about it to get in. The door is hidden as a part of a mural painting on the street wall (that I believe changes frequently and randomly). There are no signs. Even when you walk in, you think you're at the wrong place because there are dark heavy curtains that separate the entryway into 3 separate spaces before you actually enter the bar! I was so glad I had been there once before so I knew what to look for!

Please excuse the grainy picture - that's the iPhone 3GS hard at work.... holdin' out for the 5!

Oh, and another great aspect - the House Rules (from their website):

No cell phone use inside lounge.

Proper attire requested.

Please, no baseball hats.

Sorry, no reservations.

If you have a party of four, we'll give you four chairs. If your party is eight, we'll arrange eight chairs for you. No "party add-ons" without prior notification.

No O-Bombs. No Jager-Bombs. No bombs of any kind.

No Budweiser. No light beer. No Grey Goose. No Cosmopolitans.

And finally, please do not bring anyone to The Violet Hour that you wouldn't bring to your mother's house for Sunday dinner.

House Hunting Round 3

We went back to Cleveland yet again this past weekend! This time we went for a home inspection on the second house we were pursuing. The inspection went well and we have begun to move forward with this house! We totally love the house and it was really fun to start thinking of where we would place furniture and what projects we'll start with first. We are beyond excited! Moving day is at the start of May will be here before we know it! 


Would you like a glimpse of our new kitchen? I love it! We'll get some stools for the breakfast bar :) I really like how the kitchen is open to the dining room because we love hosting!

In other news: Tomorrow is Match Day for all the 4th year medical students! I'm SO happy Bryan is doing urology and matched early (sorry friends). The anticipation of waiting so long would do me in! Bryan and I are excited to go up to this school tomorrow for the official Match celebrations and find out where all of our friends will be going. It's sad that the majority of our friends will be leaving the Chicago area; but on the bright side, we'll have plenty of locations to visit all over the country in the next few years!

If anyone is looking for a festive cocktail for St. Patty's festivities this weekend, check out my Green Cosmo!!

House Hunting Round 2

This past weekend Bryan and I drove back to Cleveland to continue the search for our new house. As I mentioned before, we made an offer on a house and it was accepted by the seller! We had an inspection on that house scheduled this past weekend, and we also planned to see more houses to keep our options open since we knew of some large question marks on that house. We ended up walking away from that deal and are in the process of pursuing another house. Exciting times!

While we were in Cleveland this weekend, we had some time to ourselves to try some of the local establishments. So far we've tried a wine bar, a pizza place (the best ever!) and a Mexican restaurant all nearby the area that we are looking for houses. We are excited to live in this fun area with lots of restaurants and shops to explore!

On these long drives back and forth from Chicago to Cleveland, we've been thinking about the fact that we're moving away from a large city filled with excitement and things to do around every corner to a smaller city where we will have a different experience. While we are very excited about this move, we are realizing that it's going to be a pretty big change! No longer will we live in a fun destination city, but we are excited to discover all that Cleveland has to offer.

This was evident on the drive home where we saw airplane tails criss-crossing all over the sky. We're moving to "flyover country." At least the sunsets are beautiful!

Leek and Pancetta Risotto, and a major update!

Whew, where has all the time gone? Since we found out where Bryan was matched for urology residency a few weeks ago, we've been so busy and time has just flown by!! Most of our spare time was spent researching houses in the Cleveland area. Some websites we found extremely helpful were Zillow and Realtor. We also checked out a few others, but these were our favorites. We also spent a considerable amount of time on the local realtor website for the area. Bryan found us a realtor and a mortgage broker within a week, and he also got us pre approved for a mortgage! We're headed in the right direction!! I had to stop reading books that I was reading and substitute Home Buying for Dummies into my repertoire. Bryan and I both read this book prior to going house hunting in Cleveland last weekend. This book is really great and discusses everything one would want to know about home buying and I would highly recommend it!

Last weekend was quite eventful. House hunting turned out to be exhausting! It was fun, but not all fun and games. We saw about 15 houses and took it all in! There were some really great houses, and some that were sub par. The very last house we saw fit pretty well with what we were looking for, and we stayed an extra day to make an offer on it! Even better news, the culmination of events this week has led the seller to accept our 2nd offer!! It's not a for sure thing yet because we still have to go through the home inspection, which will be next weekend. We can back out if we are not comfortable with anything about the inspection. We are trying not to get our sights set on this house, since it's not a done deal yet, but the whole thing is pretty exciting :)

Could you believe that there is even more that I have to catch you up on? I'll try to be concise.

To celebrate the match, we went to dinner at our absolute favorite restaurant in Chicago - Girl & The Goat. I had made reservations back in October to surprise Bryan after the match! As always, the food was spectacular. I think I have a new favorite vegetable from the menu, the Brussels sprouts!! They were cooked perfectly and tossed in a light sauce and served as a hot salad with salad extras and nuts. Delicious!

I've been cooking off and on, but usually it's just something thrown together quickly and I've forgotten to take a picture for the ol' blog. Oops. Well, I finally snagged a picture of this delicious meal - Leek and Pancetta Risotto - a current favorite, after the 2nd time we made it in a week! The first time, we were so hungry and excited that we dug right on in before I even thought to take a picture! The good news was that once I had my first bite, I knew that this dish was going to make a semi regular appearance in our household! It's just wonderful! I totally love leeks, and we all know that pancetta is just fancy bacon and bacon makes everything better. I thought that the dish might be a little bland considering the only seasoning was salt and pepper, but it was quite flavorful! I omitted the salt considering there was pancetta, parmesan cheese, and chicken broth in the recipe and I didn't think it was necessary. It was not missed, and this dish turned out perfectly. The poached egg on top is optional, but it's totally worth it! We actually fried the eggs since it would be faster and our plastic poachers are in a cup shape and I didn't think it would look good on this dish. It turned out that the fried egg didn't look that great either, but once the yolk got mixed in, I didn't care what it looked like. It was gone before I knew it!! If you need to impress someone, make this dish and it will not disappoint! We made it last week when our friend Jen came over for the evening.

We made it again yesterday, as we had some great friends in town, and I was finally able to snap a quick picture! Bobby and Sarah (my best friend from college) visited us in Chicago for a long weekend since today is a holiday! We had a blast! They got in late friday night and we just chit chatted and drank some wine. Saturday was a full day! We started out with a casual brunch at home and then headed out to the Art Institute! On the way, mingled through Millennium Park to take pictures near the bean.

We were exhausted after the museum! The boys took a short nap while Sarah and I got our bake on in the kitchen! We made a cheesecake that a mutual friend had made for her a few weeks ago. It was a white chocolate raspberry cheesecake with an oreo crust! Each bite had the perfect amount of sweet, savory and chocolate! I can't take credit for the recipe, but I can take credit for helping put a huge dent in the cheesecake!!

After the cheesecake was ready to set in the fridge, we headed out for a fun night! We had reservations for dinner at Cafe Ba Ba Reeba, a Spanish tapas restaurant. Luckily, it's also Restaurant Week here in Chicago, so were able to take advantage of menu specials that allowed us to try many tapas! We also shared a couple of pitchers of sangria! Let's just say that we were well on our way of having a great time! After dinner, we had a little time to spare before going to Second City, the greatest comedy show ever. The show was so awesome! Our cheeks were sore from laughing so hard! At the end of the show, the actors actually stayed for a 3rd act that was completely improv and it was hilarious! Needless to say, we got back very late and were happy to get to bed!

Sunday was a relaxing day. We started out with brunch at Meli Cafe, one of the best brunch places we've found! They also have a juice bar that makes delicious smoothies! The food was fantastic and just what we needed to start our morning. We didn't have any plans, and decided that we wanted to relax all day since Saturday was so busy. We came back to our condo, started watching The King's Speech, and promptly all took a nap - except for Bryan! The evening consisted of a quick work out followed by a delicious progressive dinner. We started out with some cheese fondue that we dipped bread, broccoli and apples into. A little later, we made the infamous Leek and Pancetta Risotto, and later we enjoyed the cheesecake!! The evening was spent by drinking wine and playing our new favorite board game. Ticket to Ride is a fun game that we were introduced to by some friends and we've fallen in love with it! It's very fun and I highly recommend it! Bobby and Sarah left this morning to go back to Minneapolis and we will miss them. It was such a fun weekend!!!

Leek and Pancetta Risotto
From The Red Spoon

Serves 4

Ingredients:

1 tablespoon olive oil
2 leeks, cleaned and white and light green parts finely chopped
1 cup finely chopped pancetta
1/2 cup chopped yellow onion
1 1/2 cups Arborio rice
1/2 cup dry white wine, at room temperature
4 to 5 cups hot chicken stock
Salt and freshly ground black pepper
1 cup freshly grated parmesan cheese

Directions:

In a large sautee pan set over medium heat, heat olive oil. Add the leeks and cook until soft, about 2 minutes. Remove the leeks to a bowl and set aside. In the same pan, add the pancetta and cook until it begins to render its fat and is soft, about 5 to 7 minutes. Add the pancetta to the reserved leeks. Set aside. Drain fat from pan and melt 4 tablespoons of the butter.

Add the onion and cook until translucent, about 5 minutes. Stir in the rice and cook, stirring, until all the butter has been absorbed, about 2 minutes. Add the wine and reduce until dry, about 2 minutes.

Add enough stock so that the fluid level rises just above the rice. Continue to simmer, stirring frequently. Continue adding stock as it is absorbed so the stock just covers the top of the rice. Continue cooking until the rice is al dente, about 10 – 12 minutes. Season with salt and pepper. Stir in a bit more stock, the parmesan and the leeks and pancetta. Remove from the heat divide into four bowls, sprinkling with extra parmesan cheese. Serve with a poached egg on top.

Big News - Urology Match!

Life has been very busy the past couple of weeks! There’s been lots of excitement, so I won’t delay in getting you caught up!

On the 18^th, we celebrated my birthday by going to a nice dinner at an Italian place that’s been on our list to try for a while called Scoozi. The food was delicious and we had a great night! I got some awesome gifts from Bryan as well!! We kept our celebrations low key because we knew that we’d be having a big match day celebration the next week.

And now for the big news… It’s all official now so it can show up on the blog!

Time seemed to creep by while we waited for match day on the 23^rd. You see, throughout the fall Bryan interviewed for urology residencies all over the country and we compiled his rank list of these programs and submitted it on January 5^th. The 2 ½ week wait took forever and the weekend just before was agonizing! We tried to keep ourselves busy during this time, but we just couldn’t wait to find out where we would be going!

On Monday morning, the 23^rd, we found out that he matched at his first choice, Cleveland Clinic! He is so happy that he will have the opportunity to train at one of the best urology programs in the country! Additionally, I will be going back to school for a masters in nutrition this fall. I was accepted at Case Western Reserve University back in December!  We are both extremely excited for this new chapter in our lives!

Bryan has been so on top of things in the past week! He found us a realtor and a mortgage broker and we have an appointment set to go house hunting in Cleveland in 2 weeks! So exciting!!

Thanks everyone for your love and support during this time of our lives! We couldn’t have done it without you!

Mixed Greens Salad with Pears, Goat Cheese and Fig Vinaigrette + 1 Week Until Match Day!

On Friday, we had plans to join our great friends Ruthie, Taylor, and their 4 month old son Oliver for dinner at their house. Upon their request, we brought salad and bread. I had a taste for a pear and goat cheese salad, and with a simple online search, this recipe showed up and deemed itself exactly what I was craving. And I was intrigued by the fig vinaigrette! The salad is a cinch to put together once the vinaigrette is made and it was definitely devoured! It was so delicious! Pears and goat cheese are an obvious combination, but the figs, green onions, garlic and balsamic went together perfectly to push this salad over the top! It is definitely going to turn into my go-to salad for a while!

I've been reading the Hunger Games series and have loved them so much they've basically taken over any free time in my life. I started last Friday when I flew to CA and I'm about a fourth of the way through the last book already! If you have not read them, you definitely should before the first book comes out as a movie in March. You can see the trailer here.

Also of note - in just one week we will find out where Bryan is matched for his residency in urology! We are beyond excited and a little nervous waiting for the moment when we find out where we will be for the next 5-6 years! An update shall follow when we know...

Meanwhile, try this salad and it will knock your socks off!

Mixed Greens Salad with Pears, Goat Cheese and Fig Vinaigrette
Adapted from My Recipes

Ingredients:
Salad: 6 cups mixed greens
1 thinly sliced pear
1/4 cup (1oz) crumbled goat cheese

Fig Vinaigrette:
1/2 cup balsamic vinegar
5 dried Black Mission figs, stemmed and coarsely chopped
6 tbsp water
1 tbsp lemon juice
3-4 shallots, diced
1 tsp thyme
1 garlic clove, minced
1 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
1/4 tsp salt

Directions:
Combine balsamic vinegar and figs in a small saucepan over high heat and bring to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer until reduced to 1/3 cup (about 5 minutes). Combine the fig mixture, water and lemon juice in a food processor (or blender) until smooth.

Place fig mixture in a small bowl. Stir in shallots, thyme and garlic. Add extra virgin olive oil and salt. Stir well with a whisk or fork.

Place greens on individual plates, top with sliced pears and goat cheese. Drizzle fig vinaigrette over each salad and serve immediately.

Newport Beach, California

I spent this weekend in California visiting my sisters for my oldest sister's baby shower! It's been very relaxing and full of activity at the same time. Yesterday, my sister and I went for a run on Newport Beach, followed by an afternoon of lounging around and I spent a good amount of time reading the first book in the Hunger Games series. I'm hooked and into book two already!

The baby shower for my other sister went great today and it was great to see her baby bump and spend some quality time with her! Both Bryan and I will come back to CA in April to meet the new little boy! Nephew #2 is coming in early February!

You may see a link up to my glazed gingerbread scones on this post of Sweet As Sugar Cookies as a part of a post full of sweets! How fun :)

NYE Chicago!

As I mentioned, we had friends come visit us for the New Years weekend, and it was amazing!!! Not only was New Years Eve fun, with food and drinks, but the rest of the weekend was also great! On Sunday, we had a delicious brunch and a relaxing afternoon of coffee drinking and playing games. Late in the afternoon, we made our way to the IMAX theater on Navy Pier to see the new Mission Impossible movie. It was so intense!

After the movie, we came home and prepared dinner together. We had creamy leek and potato soup as well as grilled chicken caesar salads! Both were delicious and the perfect comfort food on a snowy January night!

We spent the rest of the evening chit chatting and playing a few games, including Just Dance on the Wii. It was legendary.

Dimitri watched from his perch above 

Mad Gabs 

First snow of the new year!

Just Dance!!! (Yes this is blurry, but it also shows the intensity of fun we were having!)

Happy New Year!

Glazed Gingerbread Scones

For New Years breakfast, I also made gingerbread scones for everyone to enjoy! I have never made anything gingerbread before, and I have also never attempted to make scones prior to this and I have to admit I was a little intimidated. However, I am proud to say they turned out perfectly and were certainly a hit with the crowd! I am actually going to make another batch today so that I can have yummy breakfasts throughout the week!

Glazed Gingerbread Scones
Adapted from The Village Cook

Ingredients
2 cups flour
4 tablespoons brown sugar
2 teaspoons baking powder
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
2 teaspoons cinnamon
1 1/2 teaspoons ground ginger powder
1/4 teaspoon nutmeg
1/4 cup softened butter
1 egg yolk (reserve white)
1/3 cup molasses
1/4 cup milk
Cream cheese frosting

Directions

In a bowl, combine the flour, brown sugar, baking powder, baking soda, salt, ginger, cinnamon and nutmeg.

In another bowl, mix the egg yolk, molasses, butter and milk.

Gently combine the two mixtures, being careful not to over mix.

Flatten dough into a 1 inch thick portion and cut into triangles or circles.

Arrange on a parchment lined baking sheet 1 inch apart.

Brush with the reserved egg white and sprinkle with sugar.

Bake in a preheated 400 oven for 8-12 minutes.

Remove while still slightly soft.

Let cool and drizzle with frosting.

Goat Cheese, Artichoke, and Smoked Ham Strata

This year for New Years, we decided to celebrate in Chicago with friends who traveled from Minnesota to visit for the weekend! We started the evening off right with some cocktails, baked brie bites, and tomato basil crostini. We walked to dinner at DeCero, a local favorite and came back to our place for more drinks and dessert of leftover Christmas goodies which included the amazing oreo cheesecake truffles! We rang in the new year with a champagne toast to old friends, a great 2011 filled with weddings and memories, and to all the new things to come in 2012!

I planned a baked egg dish ahead of time for New Years Day breakfast. I prepared it the day before and let it sit in the fridge overnight so that all I had to do in the morning was pop it in the oven! Simple and handy when guests are still sleeping! I had my eye on this strata for a while after we had it at a friends house a while back. It is so delicious and was perfect for the occasion! It is hardy and filling without being too heavy. The cheeses blend the sharp tastes from the spices and artichokes together so that each bite is perfect. Give this dish a try the next time you need to feed a crowd for breakfast and it is sure to be a success!!

Goat Cheese, Artichoke and Smoked Ham Strata
From Epicurious


Ingredients
2 cups whole milk
1/4 cup olive oil
8 cups 1-inch cubes sourdough bread, crusts trimmed
1 1/2 cups whipping cream
5 large eggs
1 tablespoon chopped garlic
1 1/2 teaspoons salt
3/4 teaspoon black pepper
1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
12 ounces soft fresh goat cheese (such as Montrachet), crumbled (about 3 cups)
2 tablespoons chopped fresh sage
1 tablespoon chopped fresh thyme
1 1/2 teaspoons herbes de Provence
12 ounces smoked ham, chopped
3 6 1/2-ounce jars marinated artichoke hearts, drained, halved lengthwise (about 2 1/2 cups)
1 cup (packed) grated Fontina cheese
1 1/2 cups (packed) grated Parmesan


Directions

Preheat oven to 350°F. Butter 13 x 9 x 2-inch glass baking dish. Whisk milk and oil in large bowl. Stir in bread. Let stand until liquid is absorbed, about 10 minutes.

Whisk cream and next 5 ingredients in another large bowl to blend. Add goat cheese. Mix herbs in small bowl to blend.

Place half of bread mixture in prepared dish. Top with half of ham, artichoke hearts, herbs, and cheeses. Pour half of cream mixture over. Repeat layering with remaining bread, ham, artichoke hearts, herbs, cheeses, and cream mixture. (Can be made 1 day ahead. Cover; chill.)

Bake uncovered until firm in center and brown around edges, about 1 hour.