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The festival!
Yesterday I attended the 16th annual Taste of Romania festival, located in Chicago’s west side. I made a mental note (which as we all know tends to not be the best way to remember things) to attend this year’s festivities after my extensive “research” on Chicago’s elusive Romanian community. Unsurprisingly, I forgot all about it until the night before, when the fates stepped in by means of a flyer for the festival. It was posted on a wall , winking me in the face. This time the mental note stuck and I woke up the following morning chipper and ready to seize the day.
Before I say anything else, I really must hand it to the one or two people who attempted to put this event on. Quite contrary to what the web site proudly insists (“thousands of people attend each year…”), it was a good effort.
Roast pig, just one of the many taste-sensations available to patrons.
The effort was there, but still the event came up short. It cost $10 to enter the fest (not a suggested donation like many other street fairs in Chicago), and the price only got you in the door. Once inside I was greeted with the sounds of a man “tuning” his Casio keyboard and a handful of people milling around the grounds. As it was about 2 pm at this point, I was pretty shocked by the lackluster outcome of the event. Not ready to give up now that my money was in the hands of the cashier, I decided to buy a few tickets to taste some of the culinary fare.
My lunch!
Ticket booth.
Meals ranged from about 10-20 tickets which, naturally, cost the equivalent in dollars. The dishes included mititei (a popular Romanian meat), stuffed cabbage, roast pig and roast lamb. There were also options for wine, beer and the authentic “beer bucket”, as well as soda, water and homemade grape juice–stomped proudly the morning of. Tickets were sold in a tiny tent, nestled in a corner by a humming transformer (captured in photo on right).
I ordered the roast pig, tempted as I was by the slow-roasted sucklings on the spit. The dish was served with french fries and pickled green tomatoes. Three, thick-cut slices of bread were served on the side. Fairly heavy and dry for a lunchtime meal, it was more of an experience than a healthy alternative to a PB&J sandwich.
Keeping in mind that there wasn’t much to do aside from eating and drinking, I sat around wondering what to do next. The music had yet to really start (the Casio player was still tapping away idly at the keys) and people were still trickling in.
Amandina pastries.
It was around this point that I decided on dessert. One tent was sponsored by Le Patisserie and served two Romanian delights, one a chocolate mousse tart, the other a profiterole-style pastry with cream. I ordered the equally pricey chocolate mousse, called an Amandina, and returned to my chair and ate once again.
I am reluctant to admit that after dessert, I had little reason to stay. The musician finally made her way to the stage and the chairs lined in front were still empty.
Walking out I took this footage of her performance for your viewing pleasure. (Please try to ignore the wind in the background!)
Long story short, it was a good, once-in-a-lifetime experience. With a little work and a little more for guests to do, it could be a success.
Have a look at the link below for some shots of the faces from the event.
-Ileana
Though today is slightly overcast and mainly humid, it makes for the perfect respite from the punishing summer sun.
After searching and searching for what felt like a lifetime on craigslist for a new (to me) bike, I finally found one the other day and have been waiting anxiously for an opportunity to ride. But as we have all recently experienced, soggy shoes and all, the weather has been less than outdoor activity friendly.
Until today! I was finally able to take my 1970′s All Pro (is that even a legit brand?) cruiser lake-side and enjoy the sites from a new place. Okay, I’m going to run off on a tangent here and relay and truly ridiculous tale of how I got my bike. As I said before, I was searching religiously on craigslist for a bike. And as we all know, second hand sites and stores are fairly hit or miss. Well, I hit the vehicular jackpot by finding the friendliest couple who collect vintage bikes, repair and then sell them. Despite my initial hesitation to go so far out of my way to see them (in Northbrook), I had a feeling this place may just be hiding my dream bike. So what, you say? Please refer to figures 1A-C below to see the extent of my bike “options” when I arrived about an hour later:
Road bikes for men and women.
Cruisers.
Kids bikes too.
Imagine my shock when I first entered the office expecting to see the solitary biked pictured online! I was like a kid in a candy shop, with every piece of candy discounted and in my price range. Needless to say, I found the bike I had been searching for all this time.
But back to today’s ride; The path picks up close to my new place in Lakeview and rides north/south. I may be stating the obvious, but it is an absolutely stunning ride that takes you out of the car/train/bus/hovercraft and right on the proverbial front lines of the city. You can stop, dip your toes in the frigid Lake Michigan, or sun in a grassy knoll. I also found that there are a medley of kitschy places to grab a drink or a quick bite. My ride only took me downtown today due to impending storms, but I’m looking forward to riding into Hyde Park in the future!
My suggestion? Get out there and enjoy the weather while we still have the chance! (I also hear it’s amazing riding when the leaves are changing in the fall.) Craigslist may be worth another look too.
-Ileana
Cell phone spamming is illegal!
If you’re wondering why you’ve been receiving spam text messages or solicitations this month, now we know why. Cell phone numbers just went public, so solicitors now have access to these formerly private listings.
But fear not! The FTC’s National Do Not Call Registry offers a free remedy for these pesky attacks. By calling 888-382-1222, you are put on a list that is activated after 31 days. At this point, you are not legally allowed to receive calls from solicitors and can file a government complaint against the company if they persist.
It’s totally worth the 2 minutes it takes to register. I just did mine today and now I’m counting down the days!
-Ileana
Chicago summers.
This why we suffer through those seemingly intolerable winters!
The other day I spent a glorious (pre-monsoon weather) afternoon in the park with my boyfriend and puppy Knox by Buckingham Fountain. I think it occurred sometime between the jaunt back from the fountain and before we found a cluster of these beautiful pink roses, that it hit me: This is summer in Chicago! As it is truly my first, I wanted to take it all in. So I ignored a bum nearby, bathing in the bird bath. I ignored the dirty and occasionally fetid remnants of Lollapalooza. And I also ignored the chest-congesting exhaust from speeding Lakeshore traffic. But c’est la vie in the windy city that provides the constant gaseous gust into my face.
But what other city provides such a breathtaking view of the lake, cupped by one of the most extraordinary city skylines one could ever see? A simple walk though the park can provide that priceless boost of optimism we may need walking to/from work in the sweltering humidity this month. Find a bit of grass in the shade and take a moment for yourself. It can really do wonders!
To inspire you, here are some shots from my “escape.”
God save the...fountain.
Some new friends.
Moi.
-Ileana
PS- Hope everyone likes the new layout! This is our belated spring cleaning, if you will. What do you think??
Dear Chicago,
I know many people complained about your summer weather. Instead of enjoying the cool breezes and thanking their lucky stars that they could still venture out in peak sun-hours, they complained about having to wear a cardigan at night and (goodness forbid!) not being able to take a dip in Lake Michigan.
They mumbled and grumbled and then finally you granted them their wish – some effing hot days.
Now what are these ingrates saying? That it is too hot and too gross outside.
(Ohhhh noooo! You mean you sweat in 90+ degree weather?! SUCK IT UP. You complained it was too cool and you finally got your wish.)
But Chicago, Chicago, I liked it better when you were in the 70s. I did not complain and now I am asking, nicely, for you to go back to your old, cool ways.
Love,
Devin xx
The delectable Crepe LaBella.
Having just moved into the city from Evanston, I cannot seem to get enough of all the multicultural restaurants seemingly just around the corner!
One such unexpectedly wonderful spot is Icosium Kafe. Replete with Moroccan-style decorations, the Kafe conveys a sense of incense-inspired warmth and candle-lit tables–a darkness even despite that fact that I came in during the morning hours.
The menu focuses mainly on crepes; A fabulous french pancake that can be filled with either sweet or savory delights. The Kafe truly brought the crepe to new levels of deliciousness with savory crepes stuffed with olive tapanade, ricotta, pistachios and pineapple (Crepa Iberica), and sweet crepes like the Crepe LaBella which holds bananas, Belgian dark chocolate, and almonds (see above photo).
The restaurant is so charming, it’s hard not to fall in love immediately with its old-world sensibilities and aesthetic.
Among other menu goodies, the Kafe specializes in homemade, fresh squeezed juices. Be sure not to miss out on, of all things, the apple juice. No Motts here, just pure, dark and thick juice that demands a side of water.
Fresh apple juice and a crisp glass of water.
Meals range from about $5-$10, and are truly appropriate for any meal. So the next time you make it into Lincoln Park, be sure to look up Icosium Kafe and enjoy la bonne vie.
Located at 2433 N. Clark St.
773/404-1300
-Ileana
Tired of staring at dinosaur bones and taxidermic animals? Then get out of that boring, old Field Museum and take a trip to Lakeview…to the Cookie Jar Museum!
That’s right, folks! Step right up and feast your eyes on some of the kookiest, the finest and the “wtf-ist” cookie jars you have ever seen! All your old favourites are here: Betty Boop, Cookie Monster, Bugs Bunny and…that weird looking head on the second shelf in the picture below!
Okay, this post is only half-joking. I have seen the glory that is the Cookie Jar museum and I am telling you right now that it is worth a visit. It only costs $1 to enter, which is refundable if you buy something, it is in a great area of the city (NEW LOCATION: 3419 N Lincoln Avenue) and it is perfect if you want to see something ridiculously entertaining by yourself or with your sig-o (or first date). If anything, you can amuse yourself by asking Mercedes, the quirky owner, how the heck she got started in the cookie jar business.
If this is not enough to entice you, then you should know that Jazz e Junque has been on the Oprah show with some of her antique jars, and it has supplied cookie jars for the movies Ground Hog Day and Home Alone.
Dev xx
