Don't Ask, Don't Tell

These 'guys' were in the host hotel lobby and seemed very popular. They looked like Republicans to me.
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Big Parade Ending

This was the highlight where bunches of guys in white plastic march together in some sort of display of unity or something.
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Big Parade Ending

This was the highlight where bunches of guys in white plastic march together in some sort of display of unity or something.
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Reno 911?

What does this have to do with Star Wars? Anyway, you got to support the spirit of the shorty shorts.
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Yoda Pez

I love Yoda and I love Pez so therefore this is cool and ghetto at the same time.
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Booby Fett

I think her costume was not approved by the Dragoncon Star Wars council. I think she is probably the equivalent of the prom queen here.
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Me and a Red Nerd

I think this guy is from Star Wars but if he isn't then I just took a picture with a guy in a red cape with no pants. I also sent this to the Plog because I am conflicted as to where this should go.
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Have a Beer

I have heard many of you are missing my posts. I have been home for a week and therefore nothing is going on. Relax and go outside to see the 3D people and trees. There may be some posts tomorrow....
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New Beginnings

Please bid goodbye to the old method of blog posts. This is a new age filled with Blackberries and faster blogs!
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Anti-Cruelty Society

The Pro-Cruelty Society is around the corner and looks menacing.

Gordon's Dessert

The best dessert on the menu looked like my favorite - molten carrot cake. It had cream cheese, walnut brittle, and a raisin compote. This was a great interpretation of my favorite cake with a warm molten center of fresh cream cheese. It made me feel happy and warm inside like a unicorn jumping over a rainbow.

Gordon's Main Entree

My main course is a shortrib stroganoff with egg noodles, baby portobellos, shallot marmalade, and creme fraiche. The meat was so tender, a fork was unnecessary. This was an excellent take on a typically "Hamburger Helper" style dish.

Gordon's First Course

The first course is a truffled potato gnocchi with grilled asparagus, a farm raised fried egg, pecorino romano, and truffle oil. The gnocchi was large and handmade and the egg yoke melded well with the truffle oil. Very good starter.

Gordon's Popcorn

He makes a daily popcorn and this one is a curry one. It is a far cry from Garretts.

Gordon's Beer

The local brew is Two Brothers Domaine Dupage which is a sweet red ale. Pretty sweet and complex for a microbrew.

Gordon' Interior

The interior is industrial without being too cliche. I like the infinity lemons but wonder if they have a hidden meaning.

Gordon Elliot Chicago

Graham Elliot was a chef at the Peninsula Hotel before opening his own place. Looks like my kind of place.

Garrett's Popcorn

Finally found it after finding out the Michigan Avenue one closed. I bought a lot of caramel corn to bring back but my favorite is the combo of the cheese and caramel.

My Other Walk to Work - The Sequel Part 11

Finally made it to my magical temporary office with my farmers market muffin and a coffee.

My Other Walk to Work - The Sequel Part 10

I am almost there - I know the excitement is building like the last episode of The Sopranos.

My Other Walk to Work - The Sequel Part 9

Just an artistic closeup of fruit from the market. I am an artist you know.

My Other Walk to Work - The Sequel Part 7

It is unusual to find a farmers market in the middle of a downtown area but I did and figured I would get some breakfast.

My Other Walk to Work - The Sequel Part 6

The subway is surprisingly close - too bad I am walking for miles.

My Other Walk to Work - The Sequel Part 5

Passing by Macy's (formerly Marshall Field's) I see a 1980's inspired display. There will be a fashion show next week starring Cindy Lauper and MC Hammer - I am sad to miss it.

My Other Walk to Work - The Sequel Part 4

Crossing the river a bit closer to the lake and Michigan Avenue gives me a slightly different perspective but it is still nice.

My Other Walk to Work - The Sequel Part 3

Walking by the giant round building with the scary parking makes me walk on the opposite side of the road.

My Other Walk to Work - The Sequel Part 2

Walking down further we see the new Trump building. I saw a special on it and even though it towers over the river, it does try to take the surrounding buildings into context by having a stepped approach to the heights. I guess a vertical photo would have made this clearer but hindsight is 20-20 - that is what Google images is for.

My Other Walk to Work - The Sequel Part 1

I decided to take a slightly different route to showcase my navigation skills. We start at the corner of my hotel with everybody's favorite announcer.

Gage Dessert

The last course I could fit in was a sampling of mini desserts. I am glad I am walking 2 miles back to the restaurant to get everything settled. This is the best place in Chicago I have ever eaten at and I recommend you come early because it is now packed with a long line.

Gage Pickles with Burger

Another shot of the burger to showcase the perfect temperature and their house made pickles. I am jumping for culinary joy.

Gage's Brussels

This picture will make my wife weep that she did not come with me. Instead of fries I substituted a side of brussels sprouts with brie and applewood bacon. Yes - it is as good as it sounds. I am now getting the typical chef visit asking me if everything is good.

The Gage Burger

Their in-house Gage burger has prime beef covered in local camembert, a melted onion marmalade, on a toasted malt roll. It is like a layer of sunshine in a cotton candy fantasy. The homemade catsup makes it even better.

Gage Watermelon Salad with Crispy Rabbit

Who can resist a watermelon salad with crispy buttermilk rabbit, chilies, organic greens, and goat cheese dressing. This is a triumph and lighter than you would think except for the hot chilies which kicked me hard!

Gage Bread

It is homemade with a sea salt butter. Gluten is good...hee hee.

Gage - First Course

A nice Fat Tire on draft goes well with this appetizer of poutine. Poutine is a French Canadian delicacy consisting of fries, cheese curds, and gravy but they do a different twist using a reduced elk ragout as the gravy and an addition of some root vegetables. Truly amazing!

Gage Restaurant - Chicago

This was recommended by one of Cheryl's friends and it looks good from the menu outside. The beer list looks long which is good enough for me!

The Other Side

I guess Hillary has to talk to somebody. Nobody listens to her much anymore.

Hillary Clinton Sculpture

I do not think this is her but it is across from the restaurant I am going to and it entertains me.

My Walk to Work - Part 7 - I Made It!

After my nice walk I have made it in one piece and not too tired from my trek. I may try a different route tomorrow.

My Walk to Work - Part 6

I am almost to my secret financial destination and you can sense the excitement from the blank looks on the pedestrians faces as to why I am taking pictures.

My Walk to Work - Part 5 - Breakfast Excitement

Just like a real city person I am checking email while eating breakfast at the Corner Bakery. People are walking so fast they are blurry and too busy to stop.

My Walk to Work - Part 4

I am now in the Financial District and since I could not find money flying around, you get to enjoy this random urban plaza.

My Walk to Work - Part 3

I am now passing Daley Plaza - the site of my favorite German Christmas Village. There are places where I can buy African Masks but I already have too many and they scare the dog and me.

My Walk to Work - Part 2

I am now in the theatre district where throngs of drama geeks go to fulfill their dreams of mediocrity - yawn...

My Walk to Work - Part 1

I have a 12 block to the client and I figured I would chronicle the trip since my normal commute is only riddled with goats and suburban moms taking their spoiled kids to school. First I cross the river - it is about 70 degrees and it is nice so far.

Goodnight Chicago

I had a good first night in Chicago and this view made a nice picture to end the day.

Deep Dish Pizza Close Up

It is pretty good. I forget pizza here is more about the filling than anything else and this works well with both my beer and my hunger. I am still partial to NY pizza but it is good for me to expand my horizons - I feel like I am growing emotionally and spiritually.

Pizzeria Duo Spinacelli Pizza & Beer

It finally arrived! It is a deep dish of brocolli, spinach, garlic, and 4 cheeses. It had better been worth the wait.

Goose Taps

I ate at the bar so I at least I look less pitiful. Anyway, the local brew - Goose Island - is served on draft and the taps caught my eye. Since it takes 40 minutes to make my special order pizza, I have time to drink beer, take pictures, and blog.

Pizzeria Due

I asked lots of folks including the checkout people at Trader Joe's (who incidentally had a reserve Goose Island beer at a great price!) for a good place to get some pizza and they said this place was the least touristy and more local than Pizzeria Uno. The place I wanted to go to (Lou Malinati's) was too far away from where I was but I got a specific recommendation for a particular type of pizza to try. We'll see...