What do you do when the mighty ice storm hits, the roads are frozen solid, and there’s no where to go?
I pipe dream. I pipe dream of food. Good food like Chicago good food. As I sit here by my frozen window in the middle of nowhere in the Jupiter-hit Great Plains, I close my eyes and imagine that I’m about to land in Chicago, the great, magnificent, dangerously never-ending, all-you-can-eat, see-food-eat-food-diet hometown of Mr. Chi-Town. How I wish I was a bird and have the capability to arrive in Chi-Town any time, any day I want. Like this.
“It’s hazy” says she.
“It’s pollution,” says he.
“It’s heavy” says she.
“It’s home,” says he.
Now that we’ve arrived at O’Hare, what do we do first? Uh oh. That’s the tricky part. After a long deliberation, I suggest Psistaria Greek Taverna. Mr. Chi-Town says “I like. Saganaki?” I say “oom-paaa!”
Time to break the bread. The waiter gets flagged at least twice for the downright simple, un-buttered, un-toasted, chewy, crusty, sesame bread that comes with or without the saganaki. The duos just can’t be beat. By the way, the word “saganaki” means “flaming cheese” in Greek. The waiter pours a shot of brandy, expertly light ups the kasseri cheese, and the cheese is on fire. As soon as the “flames” caramelize the cheese, it dies down very quickly. By the time I take this shot, the flames have gone who knows where.
I go for the end piece. It’s the most chewiest. Like the one below. Mr. Chi-Town calls it “The Cake.”
They serve a lovely lentil soup on certain days of the week as an appetizer. Slurping this soup reminds me of my very own homemade lentil stew. It’s just that mine is better 🙂
Coarsely ground black pepper and pieces of carrots and herbs make this soup. Anything close to home, I like.
We are still hungry for other appetizers. I suggest spanakopita. Mr. Chi-Town gives a thumbs up. This is how it arrives. Formally dressed. Light, crispy, and golden brown. Melt-in-my-mouth spinach and cheese filling. Oh my!
Next, we’re thinking 1/2 broiled chicken. It’s Mr. Chi-Town’s favorite. He requests for XXX-tra lemony sauce. The waiter replies “40-45 minutes wait, okay.” Minutes later, the salad arrives. The veggies are fresh, crunchy –it’s refreshing. Just what I needed after a long journey from the Great Plains. Mr. Chi-Town gets to have the juicy-looking, wine-colored olive. I keep the plump cherry tomato. See the fat feta cheese? It’s unbelievably smooth and creamy. So unlike the ones we get at the local grocery stores. So what’s the name of this secret fat feta? Anybody?
Mr. Chi-Town and I are big fans of eggplant. This particular breaded and fried eggplant is topped with caramelized tomato-garlic sauce and grated cheese; It’s out-of-this world. Gotta have it at least once a year. It can be such a delight even for the toothless.
Time’s up.
The well-broiled chicks finally arrive. Here’s a quick shot of the chicks. This is Mr. Chi-Town’s.
And this is mine. Both are nicely broiled. The XXX-tra lemony-ness gives the sauce a nice twang. Great to dip the grilled chicken meat. Great to sop up the whatever remaining XXX-tra lemony sauce with the sesame seed bread.
Dinner is done. Mr. Chi-Town gets an espresso. I’m ready to hit the sack. “So where’s breakfast?”I ask Mr. Chi-Town. Without any hesitation, Mr. Chi-Town replies “Anywhere you want.”
“How about Greece?” asks she 🙂
“Sounds great” says he.
It’s time to call it a night. Sweet dreams, my friend. Where we are right now, winter storm Jupiter is God. If all is well, I’ll continue Part 11 of my journey to “Chi-Town” tomorrow, Jupiter willing.
Much love,
Tee