Krista I. posted an article on londonelicious: a london restaurant blog - Feb 6, 2012, 7:35 pm
After a few weeks of being away from home and my regular eating habits, I start to crave vegetables in massive quantities. So it was that after I returned from Brazil, all I ate every day for lunch was salad. Luckily, even though American food has a terrible reputation for heaviness and saltiness an...
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Krista I. posted an article on londonelicious: a london restaurant blog - Feb 5, 2012, 2:43 pm
I will never be a sports fan, despite going to one of those universities where all everyone wants to talk about is the football team. 4th down and huh? But selecting beer to watch the ads during the football game? Sign me up. So this afternoon, in preparation for what we’re calling the “Ad Bowl...
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Krista I. posted an article on londonelicious: a london restaurant blog - Jan 31, 2012, 7:59 pm
So many places. I really need to stop eating for a while. Or I need to only eat vegetables. Or do something about the flat tires on my two bikes. Or I need to start walking to/from work like every day. (I say this because today on my way out of work, I ran into my colleague and neighbor who has been...
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Krista I. posted an article on londonelicious: a london restaurant blog - Jan 29, 2012, 11:48 am
I might have restaurant fatigue. I might have everything fatigue. You try living in an apartment in Brazil with a broken microwave and no oven — only two electric burners — and you tell me what you think. (In hindsight, I should have held a Twitter challenge. What can I cook on my two electric b...
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Krista I. posted an article on londonelicious: a london restaurant blog - Jan 22, 2012, 4:41 pm
Cashews. I’m kinda a fan. Hate almonds, love cashews. (Also love macadamia nuts.) I will forever remember Sao Paulo because it was here that I learned where exactly my favorite nut comes from. A fruit!  (Yup. I had no idea.) And look…you only get one nut per fruit. That’s a lot of work for on...
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Krista I. posted an article on londonelicious: a london restaurant blog - Jan 21, 2012, 10:21 am
I just made one of those traveler errors. You know, where you’re not paying attention and get totally screwed. I am in Brazil. They like cashew nuts in Brazil. A lot. So I bought this bag at the grocery store, not even thinking, and then I got the bill. 40 Reals. That’s $22. Of nuts. F*ck me. ...
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Krista I. posted an article on londonelicious: a london restaurant blog - Jan 14, 2012, 2:04 pm
Hello from Sao Paulo, my temporary home for the next couple of weeks. And much like Mexico City, I haven’t been kidnapped here either. No one has tried to steal anything from me, and I walk the streets day and night with no fear for my personal safety. That being said, I’m staying in Itaim Bibi,...
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Krista I. posted an article on londonelicious: a london restaurant blog - Jan 9, 2012, 10:15 am
I’ll admit it. I was afraid. I’ve been afraid of Podhalanka since I first moved in. Let’s face it, it looks a little sketchy from the outside, doesn’t it? Would you really want to eat here? But then go inside and see this! Lacey tablecloths. Fairy lights. Van Gogh posters. And then there b...
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Krista I. posted an article on londonelicious: a london restaurant blog - Jan 6, 2012, 10:15 am
After hitting the Bahamas over Christmas, I headed to Fort Lauderdale to visit my dad. I joke that my parents saw me more when I lived in the UK; I would come home for two weeks at Christmas and not the five days that I do now. The good news for me though is I don’t go on the huge shopping binges ...
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Krista I. posted an article on londonelicious: a london restaurant blog - Jan 5, 2012, 10:15 am
I was in Mexico City for work back in September and somehow never got around to writing about it. I ate really well in the DF and the service was some of the best I’ve encountered in any country during my travels. And to make a sweeping generalization — only because of all the people who warned ...
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Krista I. posted an article on londonelicious: a london restaurant blog - Jan 4, 2012, 10:15 am
 Winter is upon us here in Chicago. And I’m not happy about that. As I write this, it’s 22 Fahrenheit outside. That’s -5 Celsius for the rest of you. Yes. No fun. So I’m heading to South America. Seriously. But in preparation for my departure, I’ve been eating where and when I can. He...
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Krista I. posted an article on londonelicious: a london restaurant blog - Jan 3, 2012, 6:48 am
None of these necessarily came out in 2011, but they’re still the five songs that got me bouncing every time in 2011. No matter what. Caro Emerald, Back It Up Toots & The Maytals, 54-46 Was My Number Florence & The Machine, Cosmic Love Aloe Blac, I Need a Dollar Mos Def, Quiet Dog What are Y...
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Krista I. posted an article on londonelicious: a london restaurant blog - Jan 2, 2012, 10:15 am
So I am an idiot. Do you know how far the Bahamas is from Florida??? Um, not far. Like really really close. Very close. So why we took an overnight cruise ship, I don’t know. In hindsight, we should have taken the high-speed ferry from Fort Lauderdale to Freeport. 2.5 hours. Instead of TWELVE. We...
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Krista I. posted an article on londonelicious: a london restaurant blog - Jan 1, 2012, 4:00 am
A huge thanks for all the link love this year, but particularly to my Top 10 Referring Sites. These are some mighty fine blogs. I love them. You should too. And you should check them out when you have a moment. Like right now, on January 1, while you’re sitting there in your pajamas, wondering why...
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Krista I. posted an article on londonelicious: a london restaurant blog - Dec 31, 2011, 11:23 am
Reflections on 2011. I ate a lot of good stuff. Here are ten of the most memorable things consumed. And here’s to more good eating in 2012. I was in Mexico City for work back in September, and on the advice of many, I dropped into Pujol for a lovely dinner for one. (I know, I know. Still have wri...
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Krista I. posted an article on londonelicious: a london restaurant blog - Dec 27, 2011, 5:24 pm
I really enjoyed writing my “Ten Best Things I Bought in 2010” post, so I thought I’d give this another shot this year. The list is a little different because I’ve had a place to live all this year, so I don’t need things like toasters anymore. I find myself buying more little luxuries. So...
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Krista I. posted an article on londonelicious: a london restaurant blog - Nov 3, 2011, 10:10 am
Yes. I am three for three. Childhood was tough. I mean, both at the time back in the late 1980s AND last night. When they put that deconstructed hamburger in front of me, I got a little ill. And the truffled Oreo? I can still smell it on me. The “foei”sting sounded like a great idea on paper, ...
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Krista I. posted an article on londonelicious: a london restaurant blog - Nov 2, 2011, 10:00 am
A big bowl of miso ramen at Noodles by Takashi in the 7th on State food court at Macy’s. I wouldn’t mind a bit more braised pork, and I certainly wouldn’t mind if they were open for dinner. I’m not a huge fan of their fried rice…that’s a lot of money for fried rice…but I’ll shell out...
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Krista I. posted an article on londonelicious: a london restaurant blog - Nov 1, 2011, 7:45 am
I spent some time in Doha earlier this month. I’ll be honest. I didn’t see much. But then again, I wasn’t there to SEE things. I was there to work. But I did go to the gorgeous I.M. Pei Museum of Islamic Art in Doha, Qatar. (I mean, it’s not really I.M. Pei’s museum. He “just” designed...
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Krista I. posted an article on londonelicious: a london restaurant blog - Oct 31, 2011, 10:00 am
I remember once ages ago, I posted my Top 10 Meals in Year X. A friend (I believe it was this one)  kindly pointed out that I must have some sort of seafood fetish because a disproportionate number of dishes in my Top 10 were all seafood. I’m from the East Coast. What can I say? I grew up on ba...
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Krista I. posted an article on londonelicious: a london restaurant blog - Oct 30, 2011, 9:14 am
Native Foods, Wicker Park: I want to like Native Foods because I want to feel virtuous all the time. And you know, as a lover of food of all kinds, I can get down with veganism once or twice a year. But my Soul Bowl at Native Foods was two-thirds cardboard.  (The Soul Bowl is made up of Southern fr...
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Krista I. posted an article on londonelicious: a london restaurant blog - Oct 25, 2011, 1:41 pm
I am in Tel Aviv. Somewhat exhausted. I probably shouldn’t be drinking this in the foreground or eating any of those in the background. But I need a break. And they’re “free” thanks to my freak of a one-off upgrade to the executive lounge at my hotel. You might know I never get upgraded. Sco...
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Krista I. posted an article on londonelicious: a london restaurant blog - Oct 22, 2011, 12:45 pm
The amazingly so-good-but-so-so-bad ham and egg sandwich at Frontier on Milwaukee, one of my locals. I probably shouldn’t be eating this. But I don’t plan on eating again until somewhere around midnight (this will all become clearer shortly), so I am justifying it all. I like Frontier. I like t...
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Krista I. posted an article on londonelicious: a london restaurant blog - Oct 21, 2011, 9:37 pm
At Mercat a la Planxa in the South Loop tonight with my old friend Lisa and her husband Matt. More reminiscing. Lisa and I have known each other for 50% of our lives at this point. Amazing. And while Mercat a la Planxa isn’t totally amazing, and the service is a little all over everywhere, it is ...
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Krista I. posted an article on londonelicious: a london restaurant blog - Oct 21, 2011, 12:46 am
Perfection is when your friend Xavi comes to town, someone you haven’t seen since 2004. And you meet up at Eno at the Intercontinental because it’s convenient. And then you drink a lot of wine and reminisce about the past. And then you order some chocolate. And it arrives. And it’s from Ec...
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Krista I. posted an article on londonelicious: a london restaurant blog - Oct 19, 2011, 11:55 pm
We organised a rather informal Tweet-up in Wicker Park tonight. At Taxim. I had stopped by Taxim a few weekends ago, just for a look at their wine list. It was interesting. And different. And all Greek. Never seen that before. Tonight’s meal was as intriguing as the wine list. The okra…unbeliev...
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Krista I. posted an article on londonelicious: a london restaurant blog - Oct 18, 2011, 1:50 pm
I’m taking a quick break while the builders are in. At Yuzu on Chicago Avenue. And while the miso soup was only tepid and the chicken and green onion skewer was just chicken and green onion, the beef short rib was fantastic and the pork shoulder return-visit worthy. Not a bad lunch if I do say so...
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Krista I. posted an article on londonelicious: a london restaurant blog - Oct 17, 2011, 1:38 pm
I’ve always been a bit addicted to Pret a Manger. I miss my old London standbys…the tomato soup, the mushroom risotto, the roasted tomato and egg baguette. The US menu is different, and the mushroom risotto doesn’t compare. That being said, the Vietnamese baguette kinda rocks. More often than ...
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Krista I. posted an article on londonelicious: a london restaurant blog - Oct 16, 2011, 2:47 pm
Hanging out at my most favorite place, Lush Wines on Chicago Avenue. Because I am the (newly-minted) mayor after all. Happy Sunday, wherever you are. You might also enjoy...Revolution Brewing, Logan SquareNYC: Antiques and Bands of TimeWest Town, Chicago by Instagram
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Krista I. posted an article on londonelicious: a london restaurant blog - Oct 14, 2011, 9:07 am
That’s $3.33 worth of cupcake from Magnolia Bakery. All they had left at 8 am this morning was vanilla with vanilla (mine), vanilla with chocolate, chocolate with chocolate, chocolate with vanilla, and red velvet with vanilla. No interesting flavors. And the queue was a stressful mess. (I did a lo...
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Krista I. posted an article on londonelicious: a london restaurant blog - Oct 9, 2011, 10:19 am
Ruxbin, Ukrainian Village. I finally went to Ruxbin. Yes, it’s right down the street from me and I’d never been. But Shanna Quinn was good enough to prompt me out of my rut. (Take-out Chinese, the exercise bike…not together, but you get the point.) We were the second to arrive on a Thursday ...
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Krista I. posted an article on londonelicious: a london restaurant blog - Oct 2, 2011, 10:30 am
In the meantime, check out my midnight snack in Doha. Love love love the middle east. You might also enjoy...American Restaurant BlogsLondon Foodie CommunityLondon Drinking
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Krista I. posted an article on londonelicious: a london restaurant blog - Sep 13, 2011, 9:17 pm
Hello Northern Line. I’ve missed you. Yes. You. Even though you totally suck at rush hour. But when you’re empty and you make the sounds that you do, I do love you. You’re efficient. Don’t let anyone tell you otherwise. You’re clean. (Except during rush hour, with all the newspapers flappi...
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Krista I. posted an article on londonelicious: a london restaurant blog - Sep 7, 2011, 10:49 pm
Upon our decent into Mexico City. Gorgeous sunset. Posted from the tarmac at Mexico City Airport while we wait for a BA 747 with mechanical issues to get outta our way!
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Krista I. posted an article on londonelicious: a london restaurant blog - Sep 5, 2011, 10:25 am
Ooh, I’m way behind. I blame the airlines. And Design Star on HGTV. And my cousin George, who was in town for all of six days and managed to completely redecorate my apartment, rearrange my kitchen cabinets, and fix anything and everything that has bugged me since I moved into this damn place near...
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Krista I. posted an article on londonelicious: a london restaurant blog - Aug 30, 2011, 8:01 pm
A few months ago, the lovely people at Chicago Food Planet contacted me and asked if I’d be interested in one of their food tours of Chicago neighborhoods. (Yes. You know. For free. Because I’m maybe a little bit awesome?) I was traveling pretty heavily at the time but the stars finally aligned ...
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Krista I. posted an article on londonelicious: a london restaurant blog - Aug 22, 2011, 10:45 am
Right. So this post won’t make me any friends. Because here you have two guys who have done the hard thing…not only have the opened up a restaurant, but they’ve opened up a restaurant in a RECESSION. And it’s not a small restaurant. It’s a big one. The guys behind Union Sushi & BBQ run a ...
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Krista I. posted an article on londonelicious: a london restaurant blog - Aug 20, 2011, 11:56 am
Avoidance. I practice avoidance a lot. Which is how I found myself going to see Bridesmaids by myself (I wasn’t the only one), massaging the chairs at Room & Board by myself, and then helping myself to the sushi at Ginza, all by myself. (I wasn’t the only person alone here either.) Clearing the ...
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Krista I. posted an article on londonelicious: a london restaurant blog - Aug 18, 2011, 11:10 pm
Sometimes you go to a place in your neighborhood — a place that’s not far — and you think “Gah!!! Why didn’t I come here sooner?? What is wrong with me?? There must be something wrong…something!!” Because I went to Lovely. A Bakeshop. And I loved it. It is everything I’ve been wanti...
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Krista I. posted an article on londonelicious: a london restaurant blog - Aug 15, 2011, 10:00 am
Recently, I turned the tables on Joe Campagna — aka Chicago Food Snob — and asked him a mash-up of the 20 questions he’s been asking chefs around town for the last few months. Actually, I couldn’t keep this to 20 so you’re getting 25 instead. Turns out…Chicago Food Snob is NOT A SNOB! He...
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Krista I. posted an article on londonelicious: a london restaurant blog - Aug 12, 2011, 9:47 am
August in Chicago. It’s been a year since my repatriation. Scary stuff, this time-flies business. I forget how HOT Chicago can be. The British person inside of me is melting. And I don’t have the clothing for this sort of weather. Retail therapy in order, then. Here’s how I’ve been amusing m...
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Krista I. posted an article on londonelicious: a london restaurant blog - Aug 11, 2011, 10:00 am
I decided kinda last minute to go to Cancun for the weekend last weekend. I was miserably pale and — although I’m not a beach person — I really just wanted to be by the water. Being a Starwood member, I could have gone to the Westin for free with all my points, but I was sucked in by this idea...
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Krista I. posted an article on londonelicious: a london restaurant blog - Aug 10, 2011, 10:00 am
The other week, I was invited to one of my first big food media events in Chicago. I say food “media” because this wasn’t just a social media event. There were people from TELEVISION there. WGN. ABC-Chicago. The only event I can think of in my seven years of restaurant blogging where they’ve...
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Krista I. posted an article on londonelicious: a london restaurant blog - Aug 9, 2011, 10:00 am
I want to love Baba Palace because they were so sweet to me. I dropped in on my walk home from work one evening — I really do need to walk home more — knowing there was no food at home and I really should feed myself. I knew Baba’s was an Indian and Pakistani place, and I am a fan of all thing...
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Krista I. posted an article on londonelicious: a london restaurant blog - Aug 8, 2011, 10:00 am
Christina & Kent are having twins on Thursday. And Kent has two broken elbows. Cracks me up every time I think about it. Yes, I’m a bad friend. Worst part? Kent broke his own elbows! Riding his bike into work one morning. But he’s feeling better and as they’re relishing these last few days of ...
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Krista I. posted an article on londonelicious: a london restaurant blog - Aug 7, 2011, 10:00 am
Just like I’m not entirely sure how I’ve been able to dine at Next not once but three times when everyone else is so valiantly clicking refresh on their browser, so too am I unsure how I was able to get into EL ideas so quickly and with such a minimum of fuss. (EL ideas, for those of you not in ...
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Krista I. posted an article on londonelicious: a london restaurant blog - Aug 6, 2011, 12:55 pm
When life’s got me down, I head on over to the 7th floor of Macy’s — yes, the food court — and I order myself some of Rick Bayless’ shrimp tacos. Truly delicious. Why more Chicago taco joints don’t add shrimp tacos to the menu, I have no idea. (Well, it’s probably a regional thing.)  ...
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Krista I. posted an article on londonelicious: a london restaurant blog - Aug 1, 2011, 6:48 pm
One of the most lovely things about the blogosphere is that sometimes, although you don’t really personally know someone, you sure know a heck-of-a-lot about them and you’re positive you could be friends. My former London blogging comrade Gourmet Traveller (in the UK, they spell traveler with tw...
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Krista I. posted an article on londonelicious: a london restaurant blog - Jul 31, 2011, 9:07 pm
Least favorite question? What’s your favorite restaurant. I hate it. Because you know what? I don’t have one in Chicago. (Yet?) I’ve yet to walk into a place here where I can say to myself, “Oh now here…I’d eat here all the time.” But I did walk into Mana Food Bar on Division the other...
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Krista I. posted an article on londonelicious: a london restaurant blog - Jul 27, 2011, 10:04 pm
I thought Yelp Week was gonna be huge. I mean, 50% off at a bunch of Yelp favorites? I made my reservations WEEKS in advance. Hah! Joke is on me. I showed up at Blue Star at the pre-appointed time and they had no record of my booking. “The reservations go to my phone,” he said. “Sometimes I fo...
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