Chicago Takeover: The Food- The Pizza!

Deep. Dish. Pizza.

It's what Chicago is known for, and I couldn't wait to have some. Having never been to Chicago, I've never had "true" Chicago-style deep dish pizza. Danny Boy's is about as close as we can get here, and while good---it doesn't measure up.

Several of you suggested pizza spots for us to hit up during our visit, but one seemed to stand out.

Lou Malnati's Pizzeria.

As you can see, the wait was out the door. We were also a large group, so that would make it even more complicated to get a table. With a 7:00PM start for another conference event back at the hotel, we didn't have as much time as we'd need. The answer? Get the pizza to go! It was only a 30 minute wait.

We all went right for the Malnati Chicago Classic with sausage, cheese, and a vine-ripened tomato sauce on buttercrust.

Even after schlepping it back to the hotel in a cab, and then scrambling to find plates and utensils, it was still piping hot when we dug in.

Just look at this Chicago pizza perfection!

My only complaint was that the sauce was a little bland for my personal taste. A shake of red pepper flakes would have gone a long way for me, but alas we didn't have any available since we didn't dine in. The buttercrust was divine, the pizza was all cheesy and gooey as it should be, and I personally like the sausage patty approach over the crumbled sausage. This pizza was about as good as it gets for deep dish.

So, if you've been to Chicago, what's your go-to deep dish? Giordano's, Gino's East, Pizzeria Uno, Lou Malnati's?

Lou Malnati's Pizzeria
River North
439 North Wells Street
Chicago, IL 60610
(312) 828-9800
Here is a list of all Locations. They also ship it!!!!

Chicago Takeover: The Food- Part One

Even with combining some of our Chicago meals, it's still going to take multiple blog posts. But, hang in there, because we had some good eats while in the windy city.

Day One of the conference (Night at the Expo) went much longer than we had expected. Suddenly, it was around 9:30PM (10:30 Cleveland-time), and we hadn't had dinner yet. There was no time to consult the list of suggested restaurants from you all, and we needed something quick and within walking distance of the Sheraton. Lucky for us, the concierge seemed to not only be good at his job, but also a foodie. We asked for "good food, and preferably craft beer" within walking distance, and he immediately sent us to Howells & Hood on Michigan Avenue.

This place is huge, and the patio was still hopping for a late Thursday night. We sat in a comfortable cabana-like booth, with great views of the city buildings. They boast 114 unique beers, and offer a sample or full pour of their drafts. We were both in the mood for something light to eat, since we'd be headed to bed shortly. The Fish Tacos with chili crusted Sitka Sound halibut, chipotle citrus cabbage, micro cilantro,  jalapeño puree, smoked bacon pinto beans, and house made white corn tortillas (three for $15 with a side of beans) sounded good to both of us.

These may be some of the best fish tacos that I've ever had. The chili-crusted fish, combined with a drizzle of the jalapeño puree packed quite a punch of flavor.

The craft beer list did not disappoint, the menu was lengthy without being overwhelming, and the space was comfortable, fun, and vibrant. For a casual bite to eat, I'd go back there.

The next day also brought us a late start for our dinner plans. Back to the concierge! Unfortunately, our buddy wasn't there, and we had a very unhelpful woman that pointed us to a few places on her pre-printed map. Luckily, one sounded good to us---Emilio's Tapas. Also within walking distance from the hotel at their East Ohio Street location.

We started off with a round of Sangria.

The menu is broken into several different categories of small plates, and the intention is for you to build a meal with a couple of dishes. I opted for the Queso De Cabra Al Horno with goat cheese baked in‏ tomato sauce with olives and served with garlic bread ($8.50).

And a beef tenderloin special with forbidden rice in a sherry sauce.

Both dishes were good (but not great), and I enjoyed the meal, but I wouldn't be in a rush to go back. I think there is much better food in Chicago, and we happened to end up with a terrible server (Jose R.) that absolutely ruined some of the experience for us. It's always fun to mix and match small plates, and the sangria hit the spot. But, this was probably my least favorite meal in Chicago.

Next Chicago food post: The Deep Dish Pizza!!!!

Howells & Hood
435 North Michigan Avenue
Chicago, IL 60611

Emilio's Tapas Restaurants
215 East Ohio Street
Chicago, IL 60611

Chef Gala for Autism Speaks

Well, readers, today is a double dose of blog posts. I was approached today to help promote this weekend's Chef Gala to benefit the Northeast Ohio Chapter of Autism Speaks.

Autism Speaks is the world’s leading autism science and advocacy organization. It is dedicated to funding research into the causes, prevention, treatments and a cure for autism; increasing awareness of autism spectrum disorders; and advocating for the needs of individuals with autism and their families. Did you know? An estimated one in 88 children in the U.S. is on the autism spectrum – a 78 percent increase in six years that is only partly explained by improved diagnosis. It is a cause that is near and dear to many, including celebrity chef and hometown boy Michael Symon.

Symon is hosting the Chef Gala on Saturday, August 10th at the Cuyahoga Community College- Hospitality Management Center in Downtown Cleveland. The event begins at 7:00PM (tickets are still available for $150 each), and it includes tastings from quite the impressive lineup of chefs:

- Celebrity Chef Michael Symon, Iron Chef America, Co-host of The Chew
- Chef Rocco Whalen, Fahrenheit, Rosie and Rocco’s Restaurant
- Chef Eric Williams, Momocho
- Chef Chris Hodgson, Hodges Restaurant
- Chef Brian Doyle, SOW Food and Beachland Ballroom
- Chef Jonathon Sawyer, Greenhouse Tavern and Noodlecat
- Chef Matt Mytro, Flour
- Chef Brandt Evans, Pura Vida and Blue Canyon
- Chef Jonathan Bennett, Red
- Chef Britt-Marie Culey, Coquette Patisserie
- Chef John Selick, University Hospitals Ahuja Medical Center

This unique, large-scale culinary extravaganza features more than ten of Cleveland’s finest chefs cooking their signature dishes to help raise funds and awareness for families and individuals impacted by autism, and you have a chance to attend.

They have provided me with two passes to give away to one lucky reader! Since the event is happening this weekend, you only have two days to enter. I'll select a winner using random.org on Thursday, August 8th. Here's how to enter:

1. Leave a comment below, telling me which chef in the lineup is one that you're dying to try.
2. Tweet "I want to attend the #ChefGala this weekend, thanks to @BiteBuff's giveaway at www.bitebuff.com." (leave a separate comment, you can tweet once a day for more entries)
3. "Like" the Autism Speaks Facebook page, and "Like" the Bite Buff Facebook page (leave a separate comment letting me know that you did)

Good luck!

Disclosure: Autism Speaks provided me with two media passes and two tickets to give away in exchange for this post. All opinions stated are 100% my own.

Chicago Takeover: BlogHer- The Conference

Day Two/Three of BlogHer- The Conference

I wasn't quite sure what I was getting myself into- the blogging conference "newbie" that I was. It was a packed two days, with educational sessions (with sometimes up to 14 different options during one time slot), keynote speakers, meals, and more.

Luckily, all of the agenda information was included on the conference website ahead of time, and I had mapped out the sessions that I was interested in attending. Also, they had a specific BlogHer'13 app for your mobile devices. It was one of the best apps that I've ever used, and it kept me on schedule and organized all weekend. My only complaint? The location of the event/session often wasn't included in the agenda item. Otherwise, I found it user-friendly, and full of information and ways to connect to BlogHer'13.

Friday kicked off with two separate breakfast sessions. I attended the BlogHer Newbie Breakfast, since it was my first time at the conference. My advice? Skip it and attend the regular breakfast. It was less about navigating BlogHer, and more about how to network and be friendly. Pretty sure that I know how to give a good hand shake and make small talk.

After a Welcome and Kickoff from the BlogHer founders, and blogger Pioneer Woman, it was off to the sessions.

I stuck mostly to the Marketing and Monetization track throughout the conference, with a stop in Interest & Identity.

Overall, I was able to glean some information from each of the four sessions over the two days. However, I often found myself stuck somewhere in the middle of the Beginner and Advanced tracks. If I attended a Beginner session, most of the information was something that I already knew or was implementing on my blog. If I attended the Advanced session, I was gaining more information, but yet it didn't always apply to what I'm currently doing with my blog. Where is the "Intermediate" track for bloggers like me? That's my biggest piece of feedback for the BlogHer organizers. I'd love to see more sessions geared towards those of us that have been blogging for years, but yet aren't doing it "professionally" as a full-time job or using it to make money.

Overall, I enjoyed Day Two more. We had several great speakers throughout the conference, but my favorite was the panel of speakers during lunch on the second day.

Majora Carter, Lisa Donovan, Brit Morin, and Randi Zuckerberg were all fascinating to listen to, and their career paths were inspiring.

I also really enjoyed meeting other bloggers throughout the conference. Everyone was always so friendly on the shuttle bus, during meals, and in the sessions. I even sat next to the creator of Butt Paste on the bus. He was a charming gentleman, who told me the story of owning his own pharmacy for 25 years before creating this butt paste for use with his kids (and now grandkids). However, I didn't feel that people were genuinely interested in connecting to make friendships or blog connections outside of the conference. Was it me? There were business cards exchanged, but I doubt that many any will actually follow my blog now. I certainly added a couple to my blog roll:

- Mom a la mode
- The Martha Project
- Go Sweet & Skinny
- I also encourage you to check out the bloggers that were honored at the Voices of the Year (some of them were so moving, so funny, so inspirational)

A couple of celebrity highlights from the conference were Queen Latifa hosting the Voices of the Year...

...and actress Wendi McLendon-Covey (most of you would recognize her from the movie Bridesmaids) who hosted the Fashion Show.

Overall, I do feel like the conference was worth the steep price tag. It was an experience that I won't forget, I learned some new techniques and tips for blogging, I met/heard from some cool people, and I walked away inspired to do more with my blog. Some things that you can expect to see as a result of this conference:

- Bite Buff Blunders (I'll prove to you that I really can't cook as I start to actually document my screw ups in the kitchen)

- Recipes, using as much product from the West Side Market or local farmers markets as possible (this blog may sound like "R" and I don't eat at home often, but we really do and "R" is a wonderful cook)

- Saved Google maps with my favorite restaurants, brunch locations, etc. that can be easily shared when requested

- Bite Buff Pinterest account (coming soon)

- Bite Buff Foursquare account (coming soon- I'll be leaving tips all over town)

- Sponsored posts from brands that I want to share with you (don't worry, I'll be selective)

So, that was the biggest piece that I took away from the conference itself--- inspiration to better my blog, do more, put more of myself into it. I hope that you'll like the new features. For any other bloggers out there that are considering attending BlogHer or another blogging conference--- Go For It!

The last couple of posts about Chicago will be all about the food. Ahhh, the food...

Six Years, and Seafood

A quick break from my Chicago blog posts...

On Wednesday, "R" and I celebrated our sixth (dating) anniversary. Within weeks of meeting him in Ohio, I knew that he had to be mine, so I boldly asked him to not see anyone else. I know a good thing when I see one! Sometimes, it feels as though we've been together forever. That level of comfort, ease of being together, and deep trust and love. Other times, six years ago seems like just yesterday. Where does time go?

We weren't supposed to be together on Wednesday evening, but things change and suddenly we had the evening together and free of plans. What to do? "R" proposed a bite to eat at Cork & Cleaver Social Kitchen. It's easily becoming one of our favorite spots, and I haven't had a dish there that I haven't liked. There were only two entrees left on the menu that I hadn't tried yet, and the Scallops had been calling my name for a while now. Some tempting specials had kept me from trying them during my last two visits, but I was determined this time.

With braised fennel, radicchio, warm bean salad, and tarragon vinaigrette ($21), the dish was pretty to look at and just as tasty. I absolutely loved the tarragon vinaigrette and the large pieces of braised fennel. Some of the beans were a hair undercooked, but otherwise, I really enjoyed this dish. It may not be my favorite thing in their Bigger Things section (Flat Iron, Chicken, and Pork Paprikash are up there), but I would certainly order this again. Now, that just leaves the Walleye to try.

On Thursday evening, we had scheduled a romantic dinner at Pier W. It's been years since I've been there for dinner (we love their brunch!), and with the spectacular view of the city and splurge-worthy seafood menu, it was a perfect spot for our anniversary dinner. Perched high along the lake's cliffs in Lakewood, this restaurant has one of the very best views of our city, and they are finally taking advantage of the patio area near the restaurant's entrance by adding some outdoor dining this year.

We decided to start with an order of the Oyster Sampler ($18), and they allowed us to mix and match the three types of oysters offered that evening.

It is served with your standard Horseradish Cocktail Sauce, but also a light and refreshing Mango Cucumber Relish.

I was torn between the Cod, Swordfish, and Tuna dishes on the menu, but a last minute switch led me to the Pier W's Famous Bouillabaisse ($32) with fresh fish, Top Neck clams, shrimp, scallops, snow crab claw, and mussels in a saffron tomato broth with oven-roasted garlic crostini and rouille.

Divine. I was surprised at how good the rouille was on the toasted crostini and then dipped into the broth. It really brought together all of the flavors of the broth.

We shared a bottle of one of our favorite splurge wines, and the meal was near perfect. "R's" Pan Roasted Lake Perch was exceptional, and I'd order that in a heartbeat. As we were leaving, our server presented us with two tiny cupcakes and a chocolate that said "Happy Anniversary" on top. It was a cute gesture, and appreciated. The evening was very special, just as it should have been.

Stuffed with some delicious seafood between the two evenings, we called the anniversary celebration a "success." Then we took a "staycation" day off of work today to play in our city together. More on that later!

He won't see this, because he has never read a blog post in the five years that I've been blogging, but...Happy Anniversary, my love! It's been a tough road at times for us, but they've truly been the best six years of my life. I met you, fell in love quickly, followed my heart to Ohio, and am now thrilled to call Cleveland my home. It's all because of how wonderful and special you are, and I couldn't be more thankful that you're mine. You truly are my "better half" and life with you is pretty grand. Cheers to many more!