Deep Dish Pizza

James and I walked to Giordanos Pizza for some of Chicago's ever so famous deep dish pizza. Giordanos has won best stuffed pizza several times.  They have several locations around the downtown area, but Joseph strongly suggest that we patron at the original location... along with 100's of other tourist!
Giordanos was chosen "best pizza in America" by NBC, and get this... I just read that you can have a Giordanos pizza delivered to your door anywhere in America! WHAT?>? Come on --- that takes the excitement out of getting to eat at the best pizza place in America.
So - James and walk past the location that is right where we were to get to the original... bc the original is the best ( so they say) as we are walking it starts misting rain, and the winds have picked up significantly since the morning... we just wanted to get there!! We walk in and it is PACKED - of course it is packed it is Saturday at the "best pizza place in the world!" So we are determined to wait. They have their wait times down to an art, you go ahead and place your order before you sit down so that the pizza will be ready to come out shortly after you are seated.  We decided on getting the small veggie stuffed pizza. I thought we needed some veggies mixed in with all that cheese we were about to eat.  After placing our order we inched our way toward to crowded bar, and shared a beer from the local brewery while we waited on our table. Goose Island is the name of the local Chicago Brewery in case you all were curious. They have great beer options, one that is called 312 is most like Blue Moon.
Anyways, we were finally seated and our pizza came out in a flash.  We both devoured two slices of thick, cheesy goodness! I have to say it was good - but I am not a stuffed pizza kina person! After eating there I timidly admitted that I did not see what all the hype was about and several people quickly agreed. I think stuffed pizza is something that we all need to try in our lives, but in the end think crust or regular hand tossed will remain my favorite!

CHICAGO!

James and I spent last weekend in Chicago,  and we had a great time! We stayed with our friend Joseph, who generously shared his cozy apartment with us! He lives right downtown in what they call the Loop.  The view from his Apartment was amazing, he lives on the 36th floor of a high rise.


Joseph and I realized that we shared something in common --- trying new restaurants! He has loved living in Chicago and trying the 1,000's of different dining options! I was blown away by all the different places there were to eat!!! How does one ever begin to pick where to eat! Apparently YELP is really big in Chicago, Joseph uses it often when he is looking for a new place to try.  I have never really used Yelp in Atlanta, but I think I will start!!

We did LOTS of walking in Chicago, which maybe counter acted some of the eating!!!

Falafel on Flat Bread

YUM

I bought these the other day at Trader Joe's, and then promptly purchased wheat flat bread and hummus.  I decided to make myself a Falafel wrap.  I must say it was very tasty!  James was envious! He was too hungry, so made himself lunch before I got home... if he had only waited an extra ten minutes he could have enjoyed this as well! I just heated two Falafel in the microwave for 1 minute, then put them inside the flat bread with some hummus on one side. I then used our panini press to warm it up! SO good!

1st year of marriage

I have had a request to incorporate some of my experiences with food into my first year of marriage... James is the best because he is always up to try anything... except soy. Apparently men are not supposed to eat this! Thanks to Uncle Scott, James now has several food phobias!  So the night I tried to go vegan --- he was all worried about eating estrogen! whoops - For the most part he is very go with the flow and will eat anything! Our marriage would be really different if he were a picky eater....  how sad is that?! I might like food too much...

More to come later!

Orsay In Jacksonville.

I have been slacking on all of this blogging recently. I also realized all the typos from previous entries.... whoops.

We went to Jacksonville to celebrate a slew of March Birthdays on Saturday night. On Friday night we went to Orsay, a restaurant I had heard great things about.  I was excited to finally try the new "hot spot" in Avondale.  

Spinach Salad - green apples, candied pecans, bacon, and blue cheese! 

 For our main course Gail, John, and I all got the special fish - it was really good - and much healthier than most of the options on the menu! I left feeling satisfied... not to much food - just the right amount!

Sea Bass - with fingerling potatoes, artichokes, and green beans!

James got the Duck -- it had a bed of lentils underneath, and something like apple sauce under that! The one bite I had was very good!!!

I enjoyed Orsay, and would of course recommend it for a special occasion! Like you son and daughter in law in being in town of course!! The seating can be tight, we had a table move from next to us... hopefully they just wanted more space! Otherwise I only have good things to say. The service is great, quick - and friendly... Go if you are ever in the area!

Pizza

What is your favorite pizza place in Atlanta? James and I just enjoyed a quick lunch at Fellines on Peachtree - and I just really enjoyed it! We decided to get a whole veggie pizza because whole pizzas just taste SO much better than if you just buy a slice! Yes - a little more expensive... BUT so much better!!! James likes to eat non breakfast items for breakfast, so I am sure he will be toasting pizza tomorrow morning... I am dreading my alarm clock going off tomorrow for the first time in over a week. I am excited about the time change though!!!

Cafe Istanbul

James and I went to dinner with Scotty and Lauren the other night at Cafe Istanbul.  Cafe Istanbul is a Turkish restaurant that also has a Hookah Lounge.  Scotty and Laurent were excited to have an ethnic dining experience, and we are always up for trying any cuisine! I did not realize that you literally sit on the floor at Turkish restaurants.  I had never been to a restaurant like this before - but really enjoyed it!

We started the meal with some babaganush and pita bread! DELISH! this before, it was fun! We sat at low tables with big pillows.  I appreciate chairs, but I was happy to try it for a meal!  We also had a belly dancer that would shake herself around as we ate every few minutes! 

• Roasted Eggplant Salad
• • $5.95
• Roasted eggplant with onions, parsley, tomatoes, garlic and herbs.

 Although I do not think you go to this place for the food - or the service! I enjoyed my food - but was not blown away.

• Manti
• • $13.50
• Hand made Turkish pasta shells each stuffed with broiled lamb cooked and topped with a garlic yogurt sauce,melted butter and red crushed pepper. ( what James got)

I could not find a description of what I got! 

I will say this place was interesting! A large family came in around 9:30 and they brought babies!!! and children... as a teacher I was feeling that we were out late on a school night -- -then to see little kids!!! I was annoyed.... they needed to be asleep!!!

You can find Cafe Istanbul out at 1850 Lawrenceville Highway

I imagine that this would be a HOT spot on the weekends.... I think everyone should experience this place if you are up for a cultural dining experience. James and I enjoyed dining with the Candlers and look forward to more food adventures in the future!