Annette’s Italian Ice, you are summer. Last Friday, to celebrate the end of the most academically challenging year EVER, Michael and I set out for this gem of an ice cream shop. Except it wasn’t really a shop, just a window. After looking at the extensive flavor list, I decided on Milky Way in a WaFFLe CoNE. Michael got “anniversary cake”…some kitschy sounding flavor. One would expect Milky Way ice cream to be either truly transcendent or truly revolting, with little nibs of compound chocolate (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Compound_chocolate) and measly caramel swirls. It was thankfully the former. The ice cream itself was nougat-y chocolate bliss, with ample swirls of salty caramel and big pieces of the candy. Good stuff. Anniversary cake ice cream turned out to be a buttery yellow cake batter concoction, with pieces of cake mixed in. Very celebratory. There was seating outside, so we enjoyed our creamy cones at one of the tables (while enjoying some fantastic people watching). The best part of this outing, however, was the sleek auburn haired customer devouring a cup of vanilla ice cream and enjoying it like only a dog can. I think he would’ve eaten the cup if he could. Welcome, summer. I plan on dining at many a new place for these 3 short months, so maybe an update will come more than once a quarter?
Let me begin by noting the lengthy breaks in between posts. I take full responsibility for being a blogging failure lately. But please rest assured! During my absence, I have experienced several new levels of gluttony.
This quarter at college I am taking an anthropology course based in studying world cultures through food…..as you could probably guess, I’ve found my inner epicure in the last few weeks. I’ve read loads on different cultures’ perceptions of nutrition. I’ve salivated upon the pages of my textbook describing the preparation of authentic Israeli falafel. My most recent academic endeavor for this class called for me to try a new food, and report on it from a cultural anthropologist’s standpoint as well as compose a food critic’s review. I mused upon my choices..and after consulting with our equally gluttonous friends, Max and I decided to go to Andalous, a Moroccan restaurant in Lakeview. We had heard about its generous portions and its BYOB policy. It sounded perfect…you know, for my assignment.
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Okay, Wishbone just rules. My family used to go there when my sister and I were little, and I remember enjoying the mashed potatoes, but all other memories of it are vague. Little did I know that there was a world of wishbone breakfast. Otherwise known as my favorite meal of the day. Otherwise known as the cure to all physical, emotional and spiritual ailments. I’m fairly convinced I could prove that coffee+orange juice+eggs+potatoes=happiness.
My mom and I are way into going to breakfast. It’s the perfect meal over which to linger, and it always involves coffee, which is even better. We went to Wishbone last Saturday and took Michael (my boyfriend and fellow breakfast enthusiast) along. It wasn’t particularly packed, which is pretty rare for this place. We promptly sat down and got our coffee and menus. Wishbone calls its food “southern reconstruction cooking”, which translates to “biscuits and grits” in my opinion. Anyway, I ordered the spinach and feta omelette and it came with home frieZ AND a biscuit. Sigh. Their biscuits are transcendent, and (dare I say it?) better than Cracker Barrel’s! My mom got grits (which I think look and taste like baby food, but to each her own) and Michael got a breakfast burrito which was about the size of a baby wrapped in swaddling clothes. To top it off, our waitress was attentive but not obnoxious. Good job, Wishbone. We will be back.
First of all, our school cancelled classes for the rest of the day AND tomorrow. This has never happened. Momentous occasion.
Now, on to a more important topic: fish and chips.
I am on a constant search for the perfect fish and chips. They are not necessarily ubiquitous in England, fyi. Last time I ordered them there it was a mess of batter and slightly crunchy chips (my worst nightmare is undercooked potatoes). I have tried several different pubs here- Tommy Nevin’s in Evanston, The Grafton in Lincoln Square, and various other places that are not worth mentioning, because none of them compare to The Galway Arms. I am considering taking up a permanent residence in this permanently glowing little haven. My friends and I sat down in front of the fireplace, I ordered my fish and chips, and was content. The batter-to-fish ratio is perfect- no mess of spices to smother the flavor of the fish. The chips (steak fries in this case) were seriously perfect. Whereas steak fries tend towards being undercooked, these were soft without being smushed up (technical term), and perfectly seasoned (but not excessively so). They came with peas- points for authenticity, Galway Arms- and tartar sauce, (which I personally detest, but insist upon having it next to my fish to make it look better). The only thing I regret is giving the leftovers to my boyfriend. Guess that means I’ll have to go back this week.
Cheers! (slightly douchey sign-off, check)
Maureen
P.S. mcdonald’s oatmeal=not bad. as long as you don’t get the “fruit” topping.
P.P.S. Galway arms has Irish sessions every Sunday, and all you can eat fish and chips every Friday for 10$!
