And so begins my weekend at Chicago Comic Con. I haven’t been back in several years, so it should be interesting, to say the least. I’ll be resurrecting my typical battle plan: Day One – scour the booths for 50% off graphic novels and novelty items, armed with a prioritized list; Day Two – check [...]

Tags: artists, Bruce Campbell, celebrities, Chicago, Comic Con, Ghost of the Robot, James Marsters, nerds, Patrick Stewart, Torchwood, Willy Wonka, Wizard world
Filed under: Chicago, geeky, hobbies, local spot, pop culture, press, sci-fi, tv shows

There are about a hundred different things I could dive into about the first two hours of Doctor Who: Series 6. I could easily spend thousands of words on analyzing clues and subtext, attempting to untangle plotlines and deducing the direction this season will take. But I won’t. As a wise (but maybe not quite [...]

Tags: Chicago, Doctor Who, Series 6, sneak preview
Filed under: Chicago, geeky, pop culture, sci-fi, tv shows

…and guess who got lucky enough to get on the RSVP list?!? This is turning into an annual tradition – last year the husbeast and I got to see the first two hours of Series 5 at a special screening at C2E2. Getting to see events like these on the big screen is great, but [...]

Tags: Chicago, Comic Relief, Doctor Who, Elisabeth Sladen, Hugh Grant, Joanna Lumley, Jonathan Pryce, Rowin Atkinson, Series 6, sneak preview
Filed under: Chicago, geeky, pop culture, sci-fi, tv shows

Come Saturday afternoon, some 2000+ Chicago bacon enthusiasts (including yours truly) will descend upon the University of Illinois-Chicago Pavillion to spend three hours wandering a smokey, salty, porktastic wonderland, featuring bacon-themed dishes by 50 of Chicago’s best restaurants, a bacon booze bar and exhibition hall of purveyors of all things bacon. I’m beyond excited (and [...]

Filed under: bacon, Chicago, chocolate, cooking, festivals, food, food porn, hobbies, press, restaurant

Check it out – I was interviewed by the Bacon Du Jour blog about my entry for the Chicago Baconfest cook-off. Thanks, Bacon Du Jour! The blog is running interviews of all six contestants, so it’s definitely been interesting getting a peek into the minds of my competitors. I’d be lying if I said I [...]

Tags: bacon chocolate, blog, Chicago Baconfest, cook-off, interview
Filed under: bacon, Chicago, chocolate, cooking, festivals, food

Just in case you haven’t been paying attention, I kind of have a thing for bacon. I also love cooking. So naturally, I threw my hat into the ring for this year’s Baconfest Chicago’s Amateur Cooking Contest (sponsored by Nueske’s Bacon). On the line: 2 free tickets and the chance to compete for bragging rights [...]

Tags: bacon, Baconfest Chicago 2011, cake, chili pepper, chocolate, contest, dessert, flourless, recipe, spice, torte
Filed under: bacon, Chicago, chocolate, cooking, festivals, food, food porn, recipes, teaching

Look at this! Prix Fixe, the new Lincoln Sq. restaurant that I wrote about a few weeks back, has included a link to my review on their PRESS page. I’m listed along with reviews from Time Out, NBC5 Chicago Food Blog, and the Trib food blog! To the good folks at Prix Fixe, thank you! [...]

Tags: blog, chicago review, Lincoln Sqaure, press, Prix Fixe, restaurant review
Filed under: cafe, Chicago, food, local spot, press, restaurant

If it’s not apparent by now, I’m obsessed with cooking. It’s not for nothing that negotiations often take place over food because few things generate a sense of contentment and congeniality more than a good meal. I love how the preparation and enjoyment of food brings people together and creates connections where previously there may [...]

Tags: ancho, candy, Chicago, chili, chipotle, chocolate, dessert, Edible Alchemy, education, ganache, handmade, learning, local food, non-dairy, non-soy, nuts, seminar, series, spicy, teaching, treats, truffle rolling, truffles, workshop
Filed under: Chicago, chocolate, cooking, food, hobbies, local spot, recipes, snacks, teaching

My red-headed partner-in-crime, Tippy, joined me for dinner at this hidden gem, but if our meal was anything to judge by, Prix Fixe is not going to stay hidden for long. It was only the restaurant’s third night of service, but you wouldn’t know it from the stellar quality of service and the delectable offerings that arrived at our table.

Tags: dietary needs, fine dining, local food, local spot, Prix Fixe
Filed under: cafe, Chicago, cooking, food, local spot, restaurant

It’s days like today that remind me why it’s worth it to endure the sweltering, humid summers and frigid, bitter winters in this city. Eighty-one degrees, low humidity and a few, fluffy white clouds drifting across a cerulean blue sky. This is when you get to see the city at its best, when the light [...]

Tags: Chicago, Christian Science Center, downtown, Jewelers' Building, Marina City Towers, State Street, Trump Tower
Filed under: Chicago