recommendation: grocery store Plum Market

In Chicago I had no strong allegiance to a grocery store - I would go wherever convenient, and rotate between Trader Joe's (best frozen meals, herb prices, pre-marinated meat, and jarred sauces), Jewel (cheapest overall, inexpensive flowers, good cheese section), Dominick's (good produce, bakery and salad bar), and Whole Foods (best produce, hot food & salad bar, ready to eat foods, etc.) and even Sky Grocer our neighborhood store (which prices are SKY HIGH but its a beautiful store and saved me in a few cooking binds).

Here in Michigan, I'm fiercely loyal to Busch's. They are the closest to me but really, it comes down to more. Their store is always clean and stocked, there are samples, everyone (literally everyone in every department) is friendly and helpful. Their prices might be more than Meijer or Kroger, but they are less than Whole Foods and I feel like they sell quality products that make it worth it.

OK but this post is not about my love for Busch's, ha! Its about another fantastic grocery store that is in Ann Arbor and that is coming to Chicago! PLUM MARKET! I'm so excited for my fellow Chicagoans to experience Plum.

They are a high-end grocery store, similar to Whole Foods but much smaller. I've been thinking for the past few days about what makes them different - they too source local products, are heavily organic, offer health options, have premade foods and a great salad & olive bar... and then I learned that they have a reason to be similar:

Matthew Jonna and Marc Jonna are third generation retailers who grew up working for their father’s store, Merchant of Vino Marketplace, a natural, organic, and specialty food and wine store with six locations across the Midwest. The chain attracted significant attention from competitors and in 1998 Whole Foods Market acquired the company. Both Jonna’s continued to work with the Whole Foods Market executive leadership team. Matt and Marc left Whole Foods Market to pursue developing a new grocery concept, later to become Plum Market....

Plum is opening in Chicago in Spring 2013, so sorry to get you prematurely excited, but I need you to all be aware so that when you start seeing signage and construction in Old Town, you know what's coming. It'll be located at 1233 North Wells, Chicago IL 60610.

Another reason I'm excited is because Plum is Zingerman's product-heavy, so I'm hoping this brings more Zingerman's to Chicago!

I debated whether this blog post should be about the store or my favorite dish from Plum, so I'm combining them. Let me tell you about my love for... their BEETS. Beets are a weird vegetable. My only experience of them were as a kid at Easter, seeing hard boiled eggs pickled in beet juice.

As an adult I tried them but didn't get it. They tasted kind of dirty, you know? I have a friend Brianna that loves beets, and since I adore her, it made me want to love beets more. And my friend Anne's 3 year old daughter was eating them when she was 2 so I figure, if she can eat them, why can't I? I tried them at a fancy restaurant and they weren't so bad. So when my mom brought home this beet salad from Plum Market, I was open to trying it. I can't explain to you how UN-BEET this salad is. They taste so...clean! And fresh and pure. They are oven-roasted red beets with thinly sliced red onions in red wine vinaigrette. Its awesome and addictive (and expensive - beets are kind of heavy and its from the salad bar that's charged by weight, so you have been warned). If you like beets or are willing to try, check this dish out.

recommendation: easy mango smoothie

I've decided that I'm going to try to make 'real' Indian (read: not frozen boxes) once every few weeks, so I can practice and get good. I'm going to try 1 new recipe each time and while doing this, I'm also working on mastering a few staples. Raita, the yogurt that cools your mouth down when you ordered too spicy, I've got. Matar Pulao (Rice with Peas) I've almost got. Not perfect but always fine. My last cooking session I wanted to tackle the Mango Lassi - a smoothie like drink that is super easy and is another great way to cool your mouth down! A great treat for the summer too.

I learned from my cousin visiting from India this past weekend that a Mango Lassi in India does not exist! Lassi's are made with yogurt. Shakes are made with milk. Because Mango Puree is heavier, she said its used primarily in shakes, and Lassi's are normally plain flavored. Huh! I guess we Americanize a lot of things here to make it fit our tastes better.

Well here is what you need:
1/2 cup Mango Puree
1 cup Non-Fat Plain Yogurt
6 Ice Cubes
Sugar to Taste

Yup, its that simple. The mango puree is so sweet that you don't need the yogurt to be vanilla but if you want to add some sugar, go for it. Non-fat makes it healthier, you don't miss the fat. Blend everything together and enjoy. Serves 1.

Here are a few other notes:

• Some say LAH-SEE, some say LUSS-Y. I say LAH-SEE. Either way, its NOT LASS-Y.
• This is a great base to start with and then make your own. Add spices (ginger? cardamom?), change puree flavor, booze it up, fatten it up, or keep it simple!
• Where do you get Mango Puree? :) Indian grocery stores are the easiest and cheapest, but if you are too scared to go in one, use fresh fruit! Rumor has it Trader Joes carries mango puree (might be frozen) but I have yet to see it. If you are in Chicago - Patel Brothers on Devon is my fav, Ann Arborites go to Foods of India on Broadway or Bombay Grocers on Packard.
• If you are using fresh fruit - here's how to pick a ripe mango: It will smell great, be soft to touch (but not mushy), no brown marks, and they are sometimes colored - red, yellow are good. Green is not yet ripe but color isn't always an indicator, always test the softness and scent.

recommendation: spring clean your closet

My husband left this on my pillow one night. I didn't even get offended because I know, I've got a LOT of stuff. Everywhere. I am a complete pack rat and have borderline hoarding tendencies - every glass jar, and most recyclable items have unknown and future potential uses. Don't worry, when put under pressure, I am willing to part with these items so don't feel the need to submit me as a subject for any TLC shows. I've also admitted to myself that even though we are in a house now, we really don't have that much extra storage space. Or at least not enough for me to keep everything.

My main 'stuff' problem is clothing. I keep everything - because I once loved it, I have a great memory when wearing it, it will fit me one day, it was expensive and I didn't wear it often enough... the list goes on. A high school friend is a stylist now and when I saw her recently she gave me a great piece of advice - buy what fits you NOW. I always think, I don't want to waste money on clothing for a size that I am now when I'm actively trying to work out and loose weight. So I'll wait. But wearing clothes that don't fit right in the mean time doesn't feel nice. So I picked up a few inexpensive things (think Old Navy & TJMaxx/Marshalls) that fit great and make me feel great. And that in turn motivated me to do some MAJOR spring cleaning! I cleaned my closet, my drawers, and some storage bins.

Here's some recommendations on what to DO with all that stuff!

In Ann Arbor there are PLENTY of places to donate:
- Salvation Army - the one on State next to Produce Station has an EASY drop off!
- Re-USE center on South Industrial
- Ann Arbor PTO Thrift Shop on South Industrial
- A few more from Arbor Web
- Trash to Treasures - a full list of Washtenaw County places to take pretty much everything under your roof

Try to get money at:
- Plato's Closet by Briarwood - they are seriously picky here and you have to stay while they sort, so go here first and then donate what they don't take
- Children's Orchard - across the street from Plato's Closet

Donate in Chicago:
- Salvation Army in the West Loop - this was closest to our house in Chicago. Not the friendliest or easiest but its there, they take the donations and give you a form.

Try to get money at:
- Crossroads and Buffalo Exchange are both located on Milwaukee in Buck Town. Drag someone with you because parking there sucks. But these places are close by so you can hit up both.
- Platos Closet on Clybourn
- Luxury Garage Sale - they sell your clothes on ebay and take a small cut. worth it if you have designer duds that are valuable

recommendation: ideas for chicago themed out-of-town bags

I got a question at work today from a bride/groom that has a wedding room block with us... do I have any recommendations for Chicago Themed Out-Of-Town Gift bags? Do I?? Here's what I recommend:

- Wrigley Gum: Wrigley Building is a landmark of the Mag Mile, and Wrigley Field makes the name well known!

- Goose Island Soda: Root Beer and Orange Creme are my favorites! I would put two bottles per bag, for those who are traveling with a +1

- Chicago Map: Contact CCTB or the Concierge at the hotel

- Macy's Frango Mints: Get the 4 pack, and go to the Macy's on State Street or Michigan Ave in WaterTower to get boxes that have Chicago Skyline sketch on them. Hint: Macy's coupons can be used to purchase these chocolates!! Look in the newspaper for them.

- Jay's Potato Chips

- Garrets Popcorn: Cheddar/Carmel Mix

is the way to go, but you must buy this day of arrival, it goes stale quickly. Hint: If you go to the garrets at the Merch Mart, they have mini bags that are more affordable, under $5 each, and can be pre-ordered!

-Metropolis Coffee: As these are more expensive, maybe just give to closer relatives. Although I will tell you, limit how many bags you personalize - and do not put individual names on the bags, this makes it more complicated for the hotel handing them out! Its ok if there are a few for parents, Grandparents, or special Aunts & Uncles... but it makes the process much easier to hand out general bags. Especially if the hotel has multiple wedding blocks in one weekend!

- Third Coast Collection: Makes awesome Chicago-centric stationary and reuseable bags.

- Frontera Chips & Salsa: Rick Bayless is a Top Chef Master! If you don't want to give full bags, purchase smaller clear bags and stuff them with a twist tie and print a little sticker or tag with what kind of chips they are so people know.

- CTA Transit Card: If you are having your wedding over a holiday weekend or you think a lot of guests coming will come for the weekend and explore the sites of Chicago, include a CTA pass. Even just for $5, it will get them to and from a landmark

- Vosges Chocolate: Again, expensive but a box of these would be a great thank you gift to a friend or family member who has a special role in your big day. I love the 9 pack gift boxes!

Here are 2 articles with some ideas too:
- Chicago Now
- Brides Chicago

Companies that will Make the Bag for you!
- Bagable Gifts: Dana - 312.339.4059
- Kate Parker Weddings

recommendation: favorites - pizza edition

after working out last night I was really dying to treat myself (that make sense right? work out and then eat all of the calories back? Oh well, it was Friday night) and was craving pizza. Since its lent Friday, we had to keep it veggie and decided to build a pizza at whole foods since it was on sale (such a good deal! $8.99 for a HUGE pizza, $1 for each fresh topping). Pizza was delicious, and it got me thinking about my favorite pizzas!

Big Slice: Bacci - $5 for pop and slice the size of your head. We frequent the one under the red line at wrigley. * Warning! This pizza does not have the same effect if you order it delivery. Not the same thing...

Chicago Style Deep Dish Slice: Lou Malnati's – my hubby likes their sauce best OR Zachary’s in San Fran (not just b/c same name as my hubby but they really do have amazing pizza. I would even venture to say its better Chicago style than Chicago’s pizza)

Frozen Slice: Home Run cheese pizza (and then add your own toppings!). Like this crust, its flaky like pie crust

Make at Home: TJ’s fresh dough, add anything

Best Crust: Cottage Inn (Michigan only) – their sesame seed crust is amazing

Cook at Home: Whole Foods – add any topping for $1, tastes so fresh. Tried Homemade pizza, only eh about it.

Gormet Pizza: La Madia, one of my favorite restaurants ever. One of the best pizza’s we’ve ever had and constantly crave is their triple pepperoni pizza - thin pepperoni's and topped with white truffle oil. We also had a shaved artichoke pizza there that was excellent, and order a glass of wine while you’re there. Great selection and if you want just a little bit more (which I almost always do), you can get half glasses! Add it to your MUST TRY list.

Crazy Slice: mac & cheese pizza at Ians on clark. We had an Ian’s in Madison during college so I’m a long time fan of them, but just recently discovered this flavor of pizza that a friend tipped me off on.

Pizza Restaurant with friends: Piece. Everytime I’ve ever been here, there’s been a long line, but it’s a brewery too which makes the wait easier!

Pizza Restaurant with family: Connies on Archer. Food is traditional, nothing spectacular, but what I like about this place, is that its easy. You don’t have to stress about parking zones or meters or long lines. The restaurant is huge, the menu is huge, people are friendly and the food is tasty. We love to get personal size deep dish pizza (ham/pineapple/onion mmm) and the antipasto salad is awesome here. They also deliver and have a drive through window for take-out! p.s. the meatballs are also pretty awesome.

Never been, looking forward to trying: Pequods, Crust, Chicago Pizza and Grinders

Recommendation: The Violet Hour

This weekend I returned to a hidden gem, that I forgot about, The Violet Hour, at 1520 N. Damen. It feels like a secret club inside. The decor is dreamy and the drinks make one swoon. Everything is made in-house - the bitters, the simple syrup, the mixers. Their attention to the details of each beverage makes you wish that everyone would take that much pride in the product that they send out. They spoil you here.

When you go, beware, it requires a specific mood... Don't go if your already buzzed, you won't appreciate the drink, and don't go with a large group, you'll have to wait. I would go here at the beginning of your night - it is mellow and lines can get long. Go at an off time for one drink. Choose carefully, and enjoy. Its a hidden gem in Chicago worth checking out!

"This is the violet hour, the hour of hush and wonder, when the affections glow again and valor is reborn, when the shadows deepen magically along the edge of the forest and we believe that, if we watch carefully, at any moment we may see the unicorn."
- Bernard DeVoto "The Hour"

recommendation: find a bakery

what's great is if you can find a really great bakery - one that you can trust, you know everything you get there is good. if they don't have your favorite cupcake today, it's OK b/c their sugar sprinkle cookies and peanut butter chip brownies are just as good. mine is sweet mandy b's, local to chicago. they are known for their cupcakes (my fav is banana chocolate chip with chocolate frosting) but honestly everything there is amazing. even better - the staff is helpful, the place is adorable (think happy pastels), and you can even order ahead. i love to visit with company who are in town so that we can get an afternoon snack and coffee. its also a great solution to get out of baking - if you just get something from the grocery store it might seem like you didn't put my effort in, but if you order a pie from sweet mandy b's for your husbands birthday - its very thoughtful! ;) this place just makes me happy. try it!