Christmas Weekend 2021

I finally got to have a proper Christmas holiday (i.e., not staying in a hotel by myself and getting food picked up or delivered).

Christmas Eve

Feast of the Seven Fishes

Osteria via Stato

Roasted Garlic, Balsamic Vinegar

Salt Crusted Ciabatta Bread

Baccala (Salt Cod) Spread, Crostini

Rhode Island Calamari, Hot Cherry Peppers

Grilled Octopus, Fingerling Potatoes

Seafood Stew (Seared Scallops, Shrimp, Market Fish, Garlic Ciabatta Bread)

Seafood Linguine (Calamari, Scallops, Shrimp, Spicy Tomato Sauce)

Roasted Local Butternut Squash

TIRAMISU (VERMONT CREAMERY MASCARPONE, VALRHONA COCOA POWDER, ESPRESSO-SOAKED LADY FINGERS)

Christmas Day

The obligatory eggnog

Roast Duck Legs

Italian Sausage with Cajun Dirty Rice

Roast Brussels Sprouts with Bacon, Chopped Pecans, and Maple Syrup and Balsamic Vinegar Glaze

Torta Negra & Ponche Crema (from BienMeSabe)

 Boxing Day

BienMeSabe

Venezuela Christmas Dish (Hallaca, ham bread, chicken salad, and oven roasted pork): it’s missing the ham bread, so they refunded the entire dish

Pabellon Dish (Stewed fish served with white rice, black beans, and sweet plantains)

So, reader, I am asking for your stories. How was your Christmas weekend?

As always, please keep it civil and relevant. I promise I will refrain from commenting on your experience, but I might be curious enough to ask questions to better understand your story.

Remember the victims

Dennis Zhang

Shot and killed during a robbery, his cell phone for sold for $100

Woom Sing Tse

Shot 22 times execution-style

Rae Sub Park

Shot and killed during an apparent robbery

Suraj Mahadeva

Shot in the back of the head during a drive-by shooting

Four individuals of Asian descent were killed in a little over a month, yet none had been considered hate crimes. They were easy targets. The increase in violence in Chicago must be declared a public health crisis.

So, reader, I am asking for your thoughts. Are we seeing an increase in violence or are crimes against people of Asian descent are now just more reported in the news now? Should they be prosecuted as hate crimes, since they were intended targets?

As always, please keep it civil and relevant. I promise I will refrain from commenting on your experience, but I might be curious enough to ask questions to better understand your story.

Happy Holidays?

I was reading some opinions on how non-Christians should respond if someone wishes them Merry Christmas, so I thought I’d put my own thoughts “on paper.”

As we hurtle towards the end of the year, we’re coming up fast towards the final holiday of each year. Is it a religious holiday? Is it a secular holiday? Is it just a time for family get-togethers? Is it offensive to wish someone Merry Christmas because it’s a religious holiday unique to Christians? Or is it even? 

Christmas as celebrated really isn’t very Christian-y. Of course if it’s about celebrating the birth of Christ, which we already know was the wrong date, then of course it would be inappropriate if you’re not Christian. Is it any more offensive to wish someone Happy Ramadan, Happy Holi, Happy Moon Festival, etc.? Does wishing someone Happy [insert holiday] imply you “condone” another religion?

I’d say do whatever you feel comfortable with with a clear conscience as long as you’re not being offensive or dismissive. If someone wishes you Merry Christmas, are they forcing their Christianity down your throat or just making a standard holiday greeting that happens to be around Christmas? I guess the important thing is, if you’re the type to feel offended if someone wishes you Happy Holi even if you’re not Hindu, Happy Ramadan even if you’re not Muslim, or Happy Hanukkah even if you’re not Jewish, maybe you should rethink your relationship with people of other faiths.

On the other hand, if I celebrate Christmas, is it offensive for you to wish me Merry Christmas? If I wish you Merry Christmas because I celebrate Christmas, is it sacrilegious to respond with “same to you” or something similar?

So, reader, I am asking for your thoughts. I’m not really looking for answers. I don’t think there is one.

As always, please keep it civil and relevant. I promise I will refrain from commenting on your experience, but I might be curious enough to ask questions to better understand your story.

Extended Thanksgiving Holiday 2021

My first proper Thanksgiving after COVID started: it was also the weekend I had to prepare to move out of my apartment since it was up for renovations. Maybe I’ll start cooking again after I move back?

Thanksgiving Day (11/25/21)

Tortoise Supper Club

Thanksgiving Holiday Grand Buffet

Pumpkin Soup

Scottish Style Smoked Salmon, Raw Oysters, Gulf Stream Shrimp Cocktail

Sicilian Seafood Cocktail, Grilled Asparagus, Prosciutto, Salami

Buttermilk Fried Calamari, Roast Turkey, Irish Salmon, Panseared Walleye, Sage and Chestnut Stuffing, Cornbread and Sausage Stuffing, Cranberry Jelly

Day After Thanksgiving (11/26/21)

Kamehachi on Wells

Nabeyaki Udon (thick noodles in soy broth . tempura shrimp . egg . fishcake . chicken)

Saturday (11/27/21)

Gibsons Bar & Steakhouse

Prickly Pear Blossom (Grey Goose L’poire, St. Germain, Liquid Alchemist Prickly Pear)

Lobster Bisque

Sautéed Mushrooms

Gibsons Grassfed Australian Ribeye (Aged a minimum of 75 days)

Sunday (11/28/21)

Blue Door Kitchen & Garden

ART SMITH FRIED CHICKEN & WAFFLES (buttermilk waffle, rosemary maple syrup)

Monday (11/29/21)

Kamehachi on Wells

High Flight

Uni Shooter

Ten Zaru Soba (chilled buckwheat noodles . shrimp & vegetable tempura . soy-based dipping sauce)

Sake Flight

Tuesday (11/30/21)

Happy Camper Old Town

Build Your Own 10” Pizza (Marinara, Mushrooms, Roma Tomatoes, Spinach, Artichoke Hearts, Portabella Mushrooms, Fresh Basil)

Wednesday (12/01/21)

Corcoran’s Grill & Pub

Black & Tan

ALL DAY IRISH BREAKFAST (Irish bacon, black and white pudding, sausage, beans, scrambled eggs, grilled tomato, Irish brown bread)

Bulldog Ale House

Wings (half and half mango habanero and bourbon sauces)

Cream of Chicken with Rice

HOMEMADE POT PIE (Roasted chicken, carrots, peas, onions and celery with a buttery, flaky pie crust)

Thursday (12/02/21)

Another Bite

Chicken and Waffles (1 golden waffle with 2 pieces of fried chicken wings)

Den Den Eritrean Restaurant

Den Den Mess (honey wine)

Spicy Kitfo (Fresh minced beef seasoned with spicy butter and "berbere," served raw)

So, reader, how was your Thanksgiving? What are you thankful for?

As always, please keep it civil and relevant. I promise I will refrain from commenting on your experience, but I might be curious enough to ask questions to better understand your story.

Late Night Rant

I’m wide awake, so I read comments, and then I realize how ignorant a lot of people are. I’m sure it’s the ignorant ones who tend to comment the most. If I didn’t know any better, I would conclude the self-selected were representative of humanity. 

Many don’t read the actual article before they comment, and then they double down on their ignorance when they get called out. 

Or people who engage in whataboutism. They seem to operate in an all-or-nothing world. They see an article on Topic X. They complain, why aren’t you reporting on Topic Y. They don’t seem to understand how algorithms work or that there are different types of news. 

Some people really should just stay off the Internet.

Sorry, rant over.

So, reader, I am asking for your thoughts on people commenting without having all the facts first. Do you think it is due to easy access to social media and information overload?

As always, please keep it civil and relevant. I promise I will refrain from commenting on your experience, but I might be curious enough to ask questions to better understand your story.

2021 Labor Day Weekend Staycation

HAPPY LABOR DAY

Chicago ShowPlace ICON (09/03/21)

Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings

Pacino (09/03/21)

Pre-staycation late night snack after the movie: Siciliana Meatballs (Veal, Beef, Pork, San Marzano Tomatoes)

MingHin Streeterville (09/04/21)

First full day of staycation: I had to get pickup, since I only had an hour between two appointments and didn’t have time for a sit-down meal.

PORK W. PRESEVED EGG CONGEE 皮蛋瘦肉粥

BEEF BALL 山竹牛肉球

SIU MAI 柱黄蒸烧卖

STUFFED BEAN CURD SKIN WITH PORK & SHRIMP 鲍汁鲜竹卷

MINGHIN'S SHRIMP DUMPLING 名轩虾饺皇

Broken English Taco Pub-Old Town (09/05/21)

I love Michelada!

CAMARONES TACOS (shrimp marinated in salsa de arbol, topped with pickled onion, epazote mayo, cilantro)

I’d been wanting to stay at the inn above Longman & Eagle for a long time. Since travel is minimal now, I thought I might as well do another long weekend mini staycation.

That’s a bit depressing

Interesting bathroom

Yeah, they have a real payphone.

This place feels like a hostel (6 rooms only, and very hard to book!), but it is quite unique.

Longman & Eagle (09/05/21)

BROILED OYSTER (Crab Butter, Salmon Roe)

RAW BEEF TARTINE (Slagel Beef, Smoked Oyster, Remoulade, Egg Yolk, Nasturtium)

Lardon (09/06/21)

Salumi cured in-house

CHARCUTERIE & SALUMI menu

One of everything from their charcuterie selection except ‘Nduja (calabrian chiles, smoked paprika, sweet paprika) (I don’t like ‘nduja):
Soppressata Originale (white pepper, chile flakes, white wine)
Salame Calabrese (calabrian chiles, garlic, wild oregano)
Finocchiona (fennel seed, red wine, black pepper)
Coppa (paprika, coriander, allspice)
Spanish Chorizo Secco (smoked paprika, garlic, fennel seed)
Landjaeger (caraway, paprika, mustard seed)
Fromage des Tete (rich & fatty, rosemary, red wine vinegar)
Pork Terrina (white peppercorn, coriander, senise pepper)
Truffled Lardo (black truffle, rosemary, sea salt)

AMC River East 21 (09/06/21)

Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings in Real3D

Yes, I saw it a second time during the long weekend

Friendship Chinese Restaurant (09/06/21)

HOT & SOUR SOUP (lily flowers, wood ear mushroom, chicken)

HONG KONG STEAK (filet mignon, broccoli, button mushroom, snow mushroom, shiitake mushroom, wood ear mushroom, and oyster sauce)

Chiya Chai Cafe (09/07/21)

Hot Curry Wings (Crispy local farm chicken wings, curry, spices, hot pepper sauce, lime, honey)

Prairie Bison MoMo (Distinct mix of ground bison, onion, ginger, garlic, scallions and spices)

Seven Treaures (09/06/21)

I was thinking of going for wonton noodle soup for dinner but then decided against it when it started pouring! The rain stopped, so wonton and shrimp dumpling noodle soup it is for my last staycation meal. They just simply have the best wonton noodle soup around, except maybe in Hong Kong.

Wonton noodle soup, with extra order of shrimp dumplings

So, reader, how did you spend Labor Day weekend?

As always, please keep it civil and relevant. I promise I will refrain from commenting on your experience, but I might be curious enough to ask questions.