Showing posts with label Gluten Free. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Gluten Free. Show all posts

Saturday, August 23, 2014

Chicago

Home for the next few weeks is Chicago. I was a bit apprehensive coming here as I am not the biggest fan of cities. Chicago proved me wrong. It's gorgeous! And clean! 

The monsoon like thunderstorms provide the best skies! 

The beach at Lake Michigan has you fooled you're at the ocean. I spent a few afternoons running by here. It was the perfect backdrop to get back into my running habit that I had thrown tothe curb   after my last marathon. 

I visited the downtown farmer's market.

All from the market! I could do this every day.

The Chicago River is a main thoroughfare for transportation. This boat was gigantic! 

 A dime! If you know me, you know this is a sign from my Dad. I nearly sat right on it!

The flowers and greenery here is gorgeous! Reminds me so much of Vancouver, BC. 

Lake Michigan can be seen in the back right. 


Chicago is known for good food. I ate. A lot.
Homemade paella

The most delicious salad at Publican Quality Meats. Baby lettuce, turkey breast, radish, fried shallots, green beans, squash, eggs, all in a dill ranch. I'm salivating reminiscing about it. 

Another run view of the Chicago River

Since finding out I can't eat gluten I have not had a real donut in over 5 years. Chicago has gluten free donuts. Imma gonna get fat here! Do Rite donuts has the recipe perfected! Soooooo good! 
Had to stop at the Harpo Studios for a tourist picture! (No, I did not see Oprah)

Sunday lunch at Little Goat

Lunch is served. Roast beef on gluten free bread, topped with havarti, cabbage, guacamole, roasted peppers and so much more! Smoked fries and corned beef hash. So. Stinkin. Good. 

The restaurant has a diner feel as well as a little shop, bar, cafe, bakery and rooftop bar. I could not get over all of the cute! 

If only I could eat these! 

Coffee bar at Little Goat

Old town Chicago is darling. It is full of all kinds of shops and restaurants. This....
My favorite place of all! It's simply called "green". 

It's like walking into a thick jungle with hardwood floors and air conditioning. 



I want to just sit in here alllllll day long. Perhaps the little old woman running it wouldn't mind? 




Flower arrangements created in the back room

And if ever I am missing in Chicago, check green! 


No visit to Chicago would be complete without a visit to Wrigley Field. 
Yes, I went to a baseball game! The people watching was wonderful and the sudden rain storm created some fun memories. 

I had no idea what was going on. In the 8th inning I had to ask where to find the score. I'm such a sports fan! 


Saw David Gray on Northerly Island 

Ate gluten free cupcakes

Had homemade gluten free pasta! 

I forgot to take a picture before chowing down, but tossed with homemade pesto was beyond delish! 


Visited the Lincoln Park farmer's market...
All edible flowers! 


That's a mushroom that was at least 15" across. The most beautiful market I have ever been to! (The location had a lot to do with it)

These neighborhoods will steal your heart. (This is Lincoln Park)


Besides eating my way through Chicago I also did plenty of yoga and tons of homework. Finished up my second summer term at Arizona State, having a week break for another trip! 



















Explorations of Ana Capri

Being up so late for the wedding was a perfect reason to sleep in on Sunday morning, followed by a mellow day. 


The elevator in the Cesar August was so fun! It felt like a step back in time.

The elevator door and front lobby.

How awesome are these wooden benches? I'd never get up, permanent nap spot!

I laid here most of the day...



My view


After I warmed myself with such horrible views, lunch was had to fuel an afternoon stroll through town. 
I should have stood in front of these doors for size reference, they were probably double the size of a normal door!



These alley ways all have street names as it is given as a person's address.


I felt like such a creeper here, but there were THE cutest little kids playing here, completely engrossed in their activities. Of course the other boy ran off as I was about to snap away.



The art walk was happening through town and the front door of Casa Rosa was open! Turns out it's a museum! 
A retired American man who had been in the war built the building and adorned it in such a quirky, artsy fashion. 

These are recovered statues from a local grotto from hundreds of years ago. Amazing how much detail could still be seen even after so many years under the sea. Imagine rowing into that grotto and seeing such amazing works of art!


Casa Rosa was about three stories with several rooms adorned with art. The stairs ultimately led to the rooftop, providing beautiful 360 degrees views. I heard a woman talking and looked down to see it was a little old woman in her house dress speaking to her cat while gardening away. So stinking cute!
I told you, time machines!!

View of the sea, complete with old lookout towers to the right.

That home up on the hill to the right completely captivated me with it's beautiful purple Bouganvilla.  And seriously, these clouds? {big sigh}

All part of the roof! My heart is in heaven!

Even the floor was pretty! I want to live here.

View of the courtyard descending the stairs.

Courtyard. If I go missing, you will know where I have decided to squat on Capri.
I'll stand real still and just pretend to be a statue. 

View of the Capri harbor and the mainland of Italy from the hotel's cocktail hour.



A little happy hour was had enjoying the views as well as appreciating the flowers.

Another for Nana taken on the art walk en route to dinner. There was a little Italian boy about 4 years old who saw a hand carved giraffe statue and he turned to his mother in awe and said, "giraffe es bellisima, mama!" It was the sweetest thing, from the mouth of a babe!

Walking to dinner at L'Angolo the restaurant next to the church.
I inquired if they had gluten free pasta and the owner, who was the ony waiter as well (& his wife did all the cooking, while his children tended to the needs of the tables), said something about it depended on what the store had. About 3 minutes later he comes from the direction of the piazza with a plate of dried spaghetti noodles, asking if "spaghetti ok?" He had ran to the store for my gluten free pasta! Talk about service! I wasn't even sure if I was wanting pasta that night, but after that I was obligated!