Christmas in Chicago

Justin and I spent the weekend after Christmas in Chicago just for fun. We booked this trip months ago, and I had been looking forward to it so much. We went to Chicago during Christmastime last year and had such a great time, we had to do it again. On top of that, we celebrated being together for 10 years.

Yep. 10 years. We met when we were 15. Adorable, right?

Anyway, we ate some amazing food during the trip. Check it out:

We ate breakfast at Toni patisserie almost every day. Probably the best cappuccino I've had outside of Italy.

They also served some incredible sandwiches, including an award-winning Bahn mi.




Their pastries are out-of-bounds — and just as good as their berry brioche.

To celebrate our anniversary, we went to Riccardo's Trattoria just a few blocks away from Wrigley Stadium. Sorry to sound repetitive, but this was the best gnocchi I've had outside of Italy.

Focaccia with shaved zucchini and tomato

Arugula salad with artichokes and parmesan

Papparadelle with duck ragout

Fettuccine with lobster

Free anniversary tiramisu

We even managed to go to Xoco twice — the Mexican restaurant run by acclaimed Top Chef Master Rick Bayless, and the Slurping Turtle, led by fellow Top Chef contestant Takashi Yagihashi.

Chicarrones with hot sauce

Pork sandwich with pickled onions and tomato broth

Beef sandwich with chimichurri - definitely the winner

Duck-fat fried chicken appetizer from Slurping Turtle 

Aside from the copious amounts of delectables dinners, we had an amazing time exploring the city, geeking out at the Field Museum and Shedd Aquarium, and enjoying the beautiful city lights.

 -Katie