My Vita-Mix is going to get quite the workout this week. After a weekend of serious good eats and lots of them (our first away together post little one), it’s about to be all things green for the next few weeks.

A presentation at the Housewares Show focusing on social media given by myself and a colleague brought us to one of our favorite cities. I’ve been attending this trade show, usually on behalf of clients, for the past 8 years, and Jamie often comes with. On this visit, like all the ones before, we stayed at the Hotel Monaco (part of the Kimpton Group). I’m a huge fan of this boutique hotel chain. Whenever I travel, if a Kimpton is nearby, they get my stay. On this visit, however, we started to notice the wear and tear of the Monaco. I was glad to see that the Palomar (another in the Kimpton group) will soon open around the corner from this location.

When we landed, a visit to XOCO (pronounced cho-co) for lunch, the latest from Rick Bayless (who got his start in Cleveland!) was first on our list. Apparently, everyone else had the same thought. 2 hour wait. So we headed next door to Fronterra Grill (also by Bayless) instead. As we were planning our trip, I didn’t want to go here. Yes, it’s amazing, but I have been numerous times and wanted to try something new. Well, it doesn’t matter how many times you’ve been, it is so wonderfully good and satisfying there’s a reason we always head back. It’s fresh, he supports his local farmers and the flavors are exciting and consistently deliver. On this visit, we shared: guacamole, flautas de carnitas with local pork, dzotobichay (Yucatecan tamale of corn masa, swiss chard, pumpkin seeds and hardboiled egg in a banana leaf) plus mojitos and champagne margaritas. Enough said.

As if we weren’t full enough, as we left Fronterra Grill, we noticed the line was down at XOCO. So we did was any overly stuffed visiting foodies would do, we went inside to explore and ended up leaving with churros. Did we need that? Of course not. Was it worth it? Every last crumb.

For dinner, we took a coworker’s suggestion and checked out Graham Elliot. From the second we stood inside the space, we knew we were in for a treat. The decor itself is fun, contemporary and chic – it was right up our alley. Everything about this place is fun and laid back; you can tell the chef does not take himself, or anything for that matter, too seriously. As we perused the menu, we snacked on popcorn with white truffle oil andshaved Parmesan – their answer to traditional bread and butter, and enthusiastically listened to Guns N’ Roses, Vampire Weekend, The Cars and Modest Mouse. For dinner, I opted for the beet salad (which just may have given the one one at Lolita — my current favorite — a run for its money!) while Jamie had the potato bisque with chive mushroom, pancetta and Wisconsin cheddar. For dinner, I got the lamb cassoulet (think of a  deconstructed version) with beans, housemade sausage and kale; Jamie ordered the pork carnitas with white hominy, roasted pepper, radish escabeche and avacado mousse. For dessert, we shared poached pears with a very intense gorganzola gelato and frisee (this could easily start a meal, too).

All I can say is that this was a very memorable meal and will go down as one of our favorites. If you are heading to Chicago soon, you need to eat here. We were blown away by the presentations, taste, staff, decor and everything in between. Even if I had to, I wouldn’t be able to pick which dinner I liked better, mine or Jamie’s – they both exceeded expectations and then some.

The next day started off at The Bongo Room – another favorite of ours that we usually try to hit up for a late breakfast. We always go to the Bucktown location, but on this visit went to the South Loop one instead. We both enjoyed our breakfast, but agreed it wasn’t the same and something was just a bit off. So if you go, be sure to head to Bucktown/Wicker Park instead.

In trying to try new places on this visit, we made reservations to The Publican, the newest restaurant from Paul Kahan, the executivechef/owner behind Avec and Blackbird, two favorites of ours. We had every intention of going. And I knew we’d have a great meal and wouldn’t be sorry if we went. But Avec is our place. I’ve been to Avec every year since he opened, sometimes twice a year. We couldn’t not go.

We went rather early at were able to quickly snag a seat at one of the communal tables. We started with the chorizo-stuffed medjool dates (even though we attempt to make these at home, we have to order them because they put ours to shame) and warm red quiona salad with apples, cabbage, roasted parsnips, walnuts and raisins plus a bottle of Quindals Emporda red wine. Now mind you, this would have been plenty of food. Even though the menu classified these as small plates, we were rather full by the end of this course – and beyond happy with our selections. But of course we had more coming: housemade tagliatelle with oxtail, spinach, cauliflower, harissa and smoked orange gremolta plus wood-oven braised pork shoulder with chestnut-bacon dumplings, butternut squash, kale and topped with fresh herbed puff pastry. This weekend was almost like our fond farewell to cold weather comfort foods because each dish fits cozily into this category – especially the aforementioned pork shoulder. This dish alone, was so so good, it almost reminded me of Thanksgiving with its chestnuts and squash. And to finish it off, a small piece of edel de cleron from France (yep, this is why it’s nothing but green smoothies for the next few weeks).

Speaking of the dates, here’s the version we regularly create at home. On this visit, we learned the dates are routinely made by a guy named George (since day 1) and for the sauce, they use jarred roasted peppers (I was surprised by that, but apparently the chef has yet to find something she likes better). I use tomatoes, but will try this next time.

I’m sure it’s a cardinal sin of sorts to visit cities like Chicago and regularly go to the same places. But I don’t care. I do this at home – often and for very good reason. These places earn your continual support. When I’m in Chicago, I will always squeeze in a trip to Avec, just like I can’t visit NYC and not go to Babbo. While I still want to try The Publican, Avec  has never let us down and continues to impress year after year.

One last note, we had every intention of stopping in The Violet Hour for a drink but never made it. I haven’t been, but have heard from numerous people that this  place is worthy of a visit. Think Velvet Tango Room, but slightly bigger and more offerings (from what I gather).