Archive for the ‘Chicago’ Category
Who doesn’t love a hot soft pretzel? Well, I’m sure there are plenty of people who don’t, but I have always been a huge fan of the carbo- goodness that is these giant treats. I am also one of those people that have never really discriminated against a carb of any kind…or soft pretzels for that matter, so I am always excited when I see new places experimenting with them in a variety of ways; and I’m sure I’m not the only one out there who has fallen trap to that intoxicating scent that wafts through most malls in the U.S….you know those kiosks I’m referring to.
Ya…, I get easily excited about something as simple as pretzels, so it was not surprising that I went ecstatic when I heard about a little company in Chicago called Kim & Scotts Gourmet Pretzels. Started by a husband and wife team with a passion, they decided to create the ultimate in soft pretzels by introducing unique flavors, stuffed options, and targeting the market by selling them in stores and shipping them around the nation. We actually first heard about what they were doing through the now extinct show from The Food Network, “Road Tasted,” and it was seeing them only once that got our mouths watering and put us on the search to try these delectable looking creations. Take a look:
But the story does not end with us just venturing out to our local grocer, rather it begins with a wonderful birthday surprise from my hubby the first year we were dating. Being the super sweet guy that he is, he planned an entire day of things for us to do in and around the Chicago area; and being that we had been talking about the pretzels for a while, the first item on our list that day was heading to the Kohl’s Children’s Museum in Glenview, where it just so happened that Kim & Scott’s had a café (at the time) where you can…wait for it…you ready?….MAKE YOUR OWN PRETZELS!
We had a blast making our own pretzels and enjoying sandwiches made with their pretzel bread. Unfortunately, being so long ago, we didn’t document any of it. To make matters worse, after we moved back to the Midwest, we found out the location at the museum was actually not there anymore, so we were a bit bummed that we may never be able to properly introduce our readers to the fun and exciting world of Kim & Scott’s. I knew we could buy and make the pretzels ourselves, but where is the fun in that?
Nonetheless, leave it to my husband to continually do research and keep ideas on the back burner to surprise me; and without fail, this past year on my birthday weekend in the city, we end up stopping by none other than the newly opened Lincoln Park location of the Kim and Scott’s Café Twist. I was truly surprised, yet again, but so excited that I would get to experience these fresh pretzels again. The café was amazing too. Not only can you get any number of their pretzel flavors, but the menu is quite extensive from sandwiches, to salads, paninis, and of course the “Make Your Own Sweet” option!…just like we did that first year. I was so happy!
We had just come from lunch, so we weren’t exactly starving, but you better believe I was all about creating and enjoying my own sweet version again. We may have gotten a few funny stares from all the trendy and hip Lincoln Park folks, but leave it to Adam and I not to care and just enjoy acting like kids. When and where else are you going to twist and decorate your own s’mores or rainbow pretzel? Hardly ever I’d imagine, so we dove in and chose to do one of each so we could try the variety of sweetness.
It is exactly how it looks. They give you dough and toppings and you literally go to town until you are ready for them to bake it. We had such a great time getting to the final product, and it wasn’t long before our yummy goodies were hot out of the oven and ready for us to devour!
They were just as good, if not better than we had remembered. However, we filled up pretty fast and weren’t able to finish them off. Still, the whole experience of just creating the pretzels again was memory enough. I’m so glad to know that they are now located in the heart of the city, because after perusing the menu, I know I’m going to want to go back for another visit and try some of the other treats.
SIGNATURE DISH: PRETZELS! And what them so unique is the variety and what they are doing with them. From using a pretzel as the bread on a sandwich to stuffing them with cheese or whatever else…, genius!
TASTE: While I have not tasted every variety of pretzel that they offer, I have tried quite a few and have to say that they are all pretty amazing. Whether you are looking for a plain, sweet, or savory option, they have all of your bases covered and are offering a unique taste to a dish you already know and love.
AMBIANCE: Having been to both of their café’s now, with the one at the Children’s Museum having closed, I would have to say I enjoyed the one in Lincoln Park that much better. It truly felt like a café with its intimate dining space and simple decor. True…I may be partial because I love that part of Chicago, but it just felt like the type of place that fit the neighborhood.
PRICE: At $5.95 to twist your own pretzel, I’d say that is pretty reasonable when you want an interactive experience; and all of their sandwiches run about $7.95, which for a lunch spot in Chicago is very reasonable. Also, given the uniqueness of the whole experience, I could see where they could charge more, but it is nice to know that they are catering to their customers and offering a wonderful product at a great price.
SERVICE: Everyone we have ever encountered at either café has been super friendly towards us and very willing to help. They have never once discouraged us, being the age we are, from creating our own treats, rather they all seem to adopt the same childlike sense of happiness about it all too.
Overall, I love, love, love Kim & Scotts Pretzels, and although I rarely ever buy them when I am at the store, after writing this post I am sure tempted to pick up a box or two next time I’m there. So if you are ever in the Chicago area and looking for a unique spot to grab lunch and have a little fun at the same time, definitely check out Kim & Scott’s Café Twist. It deservedly worth a rare given PCC 5 ‘Little Piggies.’
Around this time in the summer people start to complain about the heat and crave that cold winter breeze again. Personally I’m not sure what’s wrong with them! I will take a hot sunny day over a cold one anytime…, but maybe that’s just me. That being said, this month seemed the perfect time to reminisce about a wonderful Chicago holiday experience we got to have back in December.
Nostalgically, Chicago is one of those cities I LOVE LOVE LOVE at Christmas time. There is something so festive about the city all adorned with lights, thousands of shoppers out and about, and the historical decorated windows at Marshall Fields (now Macy’s) on State Street. Ever since I was a little girl I have loved everything about that time of year in the city and visiting Marshall Fields. It is a MUST on my “Life To Do” list. Since the early 1870’s, Macy’s has been stunning spectators with its famed holiday window displays and celebratory events. As the first store to ever feature holiday windows created for the pure fun and joy of the season, Fields (Macy’s) began a tradition that still lives on today. Additionally, a guest of the store can marvel at the 45-foot Great Tree decorated with over 1,200 themed ornaments and 25,000 dazzling lights…and you can see it all in the Walnut Room. (http://www.visitmacyschicago.com/events.cfm).
The tree in the Walnut Room truly is spectacular; and although I have gone inside to the observation deck to see it many times, I had never had the chance to dine in the actual room…a dream of mine since I was a little girl. The Walnut Room opened in 1907 and has been a landmark in the city ever since. Walnut paneling adorns the walls giving the room its moniker while other standouts include the large marble fountain and beautiful Austrian chandeliers. And their famous Chicken Pot Pie…ain’t half bad either! What makes this room so magical at Christmas time though is the huge 45 ft. tree glistening around you while you enjoy a warm comforting meal. What I wasn’t aware of was just how popular this whole experience was, but I’ll get to that.
Adam had surprised me with a birthday weekend in Chicago (my birthday is a week before Christmas). Just like when we lived there, I of course had already expressed my desire to go look at the windows on our last day, something Adam was already expecting (am I that predictable). But when he suggested we see if we could eat at the Walnut Room, you would have thought he told me I had won a million dollars! Yes….I was that excited.
Our original plan included having our good friends Jenn and Bob join us for brunch there, but when we arrived at the Walnut Room at 10, an hour early to put our name in, we were told that the earliest we could eat was 4:45 in the afternoon! Yes….you read that correctly. There was a nearly 7 hour wait!!!
I was quite shocked to say the least. I mean… I knew it was popular, but I guess I just hadn’t realized how popular. Needless to say, with a quick change in plans, we had our friends pick us up and take us to another brunch spot and we decided to bop around the city until our dinner reservation was available. We figured since we were there we might as well live up the experience.
After a little time killing, shopping about, grabbing a couple of beers, it was finally time to line up for our reservation. This time around I think our wait was worth it, because as fate would have it, we were lucky enough to get a table directly next to/in the center of the restaurant, right near the tree. This may not sound like a huge deal, but a good portion of the restaurant is actually back in a walnut paneled area that really doesn’t have a good view of the tree, so we truly did get the full experience.
Adam already knew he was going to order the famed “Mrs. Herring’s Chicken Pot Pie.” I, on the other hand, mulled around for a bit before deciding upon the German Sausage Platter. The food in the Walnut Room still has its authentic German comfort food roots, however, there are many other dishes anyone would know and love, including a cobb salad we saw people order that looked amazing! Also, with my meal I decided to enjoy a festive drink called a ‘Poinsettia’, a champagne drink that truly made the whole thing that much more special. Finally, prior to our food arriving, we got to enjoy a basket of pretzel rolls, a favorite of ours.
It really is hard not to enjoy the warmth you feel seeing all of these people celebrating the Holidays under such a beautiful tree. Even better is that in addition to wonderful atmosphere and nostalgia, the food was equally great. Adam raved about his pot pie, which although very untraditional with simply a puff pastry placed on top and no crust, it was probably the best pot pie he’s ever had. Also, I simply loved the variety in flavors my sausage plate provided. Overall it truly was a very special meal and I was so glad we decided to stay the afternoon and experience it.
SIGNATURE DISH: While I wouldn’t say the Walnut Room is known for any one in dish in particular, it would seem that Mrs. Herring’s original Chicken Pot Pie is pretty widely known. In fact, it is so popular you can even order one at a few of the other dining spots within Macy’s. I would say that makes it a pretty popular dish; and who doesn’t like a warm pot pie when it is freezing outside….right?
TASTE: I was very impressed with both Adam’s and my dish, especially given how large of a restaurant it is and how many dishes they are serving up a day during the Holiday season. It would be very easy for everything to be just heated up and sub par, but everything we tried tasted like any homemade comfort food you would crave.
AMBIANCE: While I’m sure the ambiance of the Walnut Room is gorgeous any time of the year, it is truly magical at Christmas time. It’s hard not to feel festive when you are dining in not only a beautiful old architectural space, but one adorned with decorations and a 45 foot Christmas tree…, truly an experience for the ages.
SERVICE: Our waitress was very sweet and polite. I could see where it would be pretty tiresome day after day during the Holidays to serve that many people and still like your job at the end of the day. But she made us feel right at home and welcome.
PRICE: I can’t say for sure how much this meal cost, largely because I don’t remember. But I am pretty sure it wasn’t as outrageous as I was expecting. Sure you are going to pay a bit more given that it is the Holidays and they know this is a one of a kind experience. But I thought their dishes were priced fairly reasonably and well worth it.
We truly enjoyed every minute of our dinner at the Walnut Room and I when our little girl gets older, I plan to take her there for sure. SHE won’t have to wait until 28. I figure if I felt like a kid during the whole experience, a child definitely should get to enjoy it first hand. I easily give the Walnut Room … 5 ‘Little Piggies’
I was having a hard time writing this post today, not because I don’t want to tell you guys about a classic snack you may have seen featured on television shows such as The Food Network’s “Unwrapped,” but this little one in my belly is going through a major growth spurt and all I can do today is think about food! I mean…I am hungry constantly today. This wouldn’t be so awful, except talking about food just seems to make me think about it all the more. But, I will suck it up and take one for the team…I know… I have it so hard. 
Anyway, this visit is going to be short and sweet, because unlike many of the other spots we visit, Garrett’s Popcorn Shop is known for one thing….popcorn. However, this isn’t your normal corn. What they are known for is far better…and the best of all popcorn worlds.
Now I know you are probably thinking, popcorn really, what makes it that special? Well if you are from the Chicago-land area, you have no doubt already experienced all that Garrett’s has to offer and realize the amazingness. It is sort of just one of those Chicago staples (especially around the holidays) that people LOVE. Since 1949 this company has been focusing on fresh and natural popcorn treats in only a few flavors…Plain, Buttery, CaramelCrisp (which can be blended with nuts), and CheeseCorn. Having a limited menu allows them to really focus on what they do best and I think they do a pretty darn good job; and what they are especially known for around the windy city is their “Chicago Mix”…a mix of the CaramelCrisp and CheeseCorn, which if you have never tried it, I’m sure sounds weird, but believe me don’t knock it until you’ve tried it.
Garrett’s is often a holiday staple for people’s homes or even as gifts to give. It has even been on Oprah’s Favorite Things list TWICE if that is any indication. So needless to say, when people are in the city doing their holiday shopping, the lines often wrap around the corner.
Well, we happened to be in the city around that holiday time and thought we might as well grab a little bag for ourselves. You know…for the blog’s sake of course.
Lucky for us the line wasn’t awful and we didn’t have to wait outside long (which is good cause it was REALLY cold!). I know of some people that have waited in the cold for hours. I’m telling you people go nuts for the stuff!
Well, we rather quickly got our “Mix” and I promptly enjoyed a few bites on our ride back to Indiana. And, yes…it was just as good as I always remembered it! There is something about that sweet and salty combination that just melts my taste buds. Ummmm….SO GOOD!
SIGNATURE DISH: Popcorn is the name of this game and it is a name that Garrett’s does quite well. The tins of flavored popcorn they dish out aren’t like the ones you can buy at Walmart at Christmas…No Sir. In Chicago, this popcorn is taken quite seriously and you are quite aware of how much pride they take in their product with every bite.
TASTE: I love this stuff and could easily devour a metric ton of the “Chicago Mix” in one sitting. I really can’t describe how well these flavors meld together. I like it so much that I’m glad I am not around the stuff often.
AMBIANCE: Their shops are nothing to write home about. They aren’t geared for the customer to linger long, rather you are really only there to move through the line and get your items. So as far as exciting environment…I would say they are lacking. However, that being said, you would be hard pressed to find someone walk in one of these shops and probably not buy something. Heck…the smell alone is so intoxicating that I dare you to say no to it.
PRICE: I’m sure you are thinking, “Hey…it’s only popcorn, it must be cheap.” This is where you would be wrong. While this isn’t the most expensive thing we have ever purchased for the sake of PCC…, it also isn’t the cheapest. Now we opted not to get a tin of it, so our order was not exorbitant. But, just to give you an idea…, their smallest 1 gallon tin ranges from $25 – $50. Still, Garrett’s is loved around the country, and people who love it really don’t seem to care how much it costs. So from a business standpoint, I get why they charge what they do, because people will pay. Just don’t say I didn’t warn you.
SERVICE: This is another area that is hard to describe because while you aren’t really being served in a restaurant sense, you are more or less ordering you items as you move around the line. One thing Garrett’s does really well, though, is they take your order when you are five or so back from the paying counter, so your items are ready for you by the time you get up to pay. This really allows the whole process to move a lot quicker and we were in and out in no time.
So while you still may be thinking this whole famous popcorn thing has to be a bunch of junk, I still urge you to go in to a shop if you are ever in Chicago and try some. I prefer it around the holidays, not sure if it is just a nostalgic thing or what, but there is something so great about that warm yummy popcorn fresh when it is freezing outside. Either way, I think it is good stuff and I will likely always think so, which is why I am giving Garrett’s Popcorn Shops a resounding 4 ½ ‘Little Piggies.’
