Mar 6

Written by: Mark Carboni
3/6/2010 7:26 PM

In  a whirlwind adventure to Chicago Friday afternoon and returning Saturday late afternoon, the end result was a very enjoyable time away.

Saw Joan Rivers in a sleepy burg called Aurora, Illinois. Sleepy in the sense that you may never want to close one eye because you may not know what is headed your way. English is the second language spoken in Aurora, I say, and a quick bite to eat gave new meaning to hole in the wall - because if there was a hole in the wall, we may have slipped right out. The food was okay but it was odd being in a restaurant on a Friday night at 6;30 p.m and NOT one person was in the joint, except the person who was making deliveries in the front door. A bag of dried peppers the size a mini-keg was just one of the items that were lumped atop the table near us.

The camera left the bag no more than a total of a half hour time. Though sun was shining, I was not inspired by most of what I saw. About a four mile walk around the city gave way for a half hour break in a horse and buggy. Have to say, though a relaxing time for my feet, it was not the most scenic. The sides and top were up and saw very little of the city. But, like I said, my feet and eyes were able to rest for a bit of time. I have been in a shopping funk - was not able to find anything I wanted, needed and almost liked during the Michigan mile walk.

The day ended with an amazing meal at Smith and Wollensky. A great spread of food that began with a rosemary and sea salt bread with homemade butter. Followed by a New York strip steak dancing in an au pauvre sauce with onion rings that were pipping hot and some of the best I have since I was at a street fair - but for totally different reasons. A complementary dessert arrived - a chocolate tore with a gi-normous red raspberry on top. From the sparkling lime water to my lemonade as the sun bounced off the rippling water just outside the window, it was a great way to end a super day of fun.

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