Taste of the Town

Adieu and Bon Appétit

Two years ago when Visit Milwaukee appointed me to write this blog, I knew that someday this would come. This, being my final post ever for Taste of the Town. It’s been a fun and tasty couple of years, but times they are a changin’.

I’m now a mother and until my little one gets a little older, quality take out is pretty much the gold standard for restaurant selection these days. Once our daughter does reach an age where we can take her and her toddler friends along, we’ll probably be relegated mostly to chain restaurants where she can make a total mess of the place and we’ll have to bribe the staff with massive tips so they don’t ban us from returning.

Of greater importance, Visit Milwaukee has decided to merge the topic of this blog, namely, food, into Karen’s blog over at Play in the City. Eventually it may even become a vblog, which I think will be pretty cool.

So to all my faithful (and not so faithful!) readers, thank you. It’s been fun. Please remember to check in with me from time to time at my new blog, Beauty of Motherhood, and tap into Play in the City for both entertainment and dining news.

Thanks again and bon appétit!

Moms Need to Eat, Too

Motherhood is certainly the most crazy/demanding/rewarding thing I’ve ever undertaken. I barely have time to down a fruit smoothie in the morning, much less eat a complete meal in a restaurant these days! If you can relate or just want to find out how I’m coping with all of it, check out my new blog The Beauty of Motherhood.

It's A Girl

Lest you think I purchased a house on some tropical island and left the still-wintry streets of Milwaukee for warmer ground, let me set the record straight. I’m still here. Only now I’m spending a lot more time indoors admiring the new addition to our household. Yes, it finally happened. A few days ago our precious little girl, Eva, was born. Naturally, I think she is the most beautiful child to ever grace this earth. I’m totally smitten with her and hope you’ll understand if I take a few more days to ooh and ahh over her before returning to the blogosphere. ;-)

Tea Time

Customer Service Rule #456: Do not assume all pregnant women want decaf. Do you have any idea what a limited amount of sleep I’m operating on? I need something to help me stay awake and get this nursery organized before the child decides to arrive! 

Since Brew City Tea is right around the corner from where I get my hair done, I stopped in the other day. Having never been, I asked for advice on my selection. The only stipulation I provided was that the tea be black, nothing fruity. You would’ve thought I’d asked for advice on how to engineer a trans-Atlantic bridge. First the lady looked at my protruding tummy and asked if I wanted decaf. (See aforementioned rule.) Then, instead of taking the opportunity to educate me about the available teas or to share her favorite with me and tell me what she enjoyed about it, as their website said they liked to do, she simply turned to a line of tall, silver canisters she’d previously pointed out and reiterated that these were the black tea selections. Sigh. 

I finally decided on something, and within moments I was handed a tray bearing an earthy-green ceramic tea pot (I was told they don’t sell by the cup, only by the pot.), a timer, and an Asian-style teacup. After allowing it to steep for the preset amount of time, I poured some into my cup and took a sip. Nice, smooth. A good alternative to coffee. I might even be inclined to return for more.

But first I think I should check out one of Milwaukee's most longstanding tea places, Watts Tea Shop. (I say that as if tea shops are numerous, when, in fact, they are not.) Perched on the second floor above the George Watts china shop, the tea room offers breakfast, lunch, and an afternoon tea.

The breakfast menu features omelettes, French toast, and fresh fruit, while lunch includes a selection of salads, sandwiches, and classic entrees served with soup or salad and a roll.

Afternoon tea is served Monday through Saturday, 2:30 p.m. to 3:45 p.m. and offers patrons an assortment of finger sandwiches, pastries, fresh fruit, scones, and their choice of tea.

For parents searching for ways to keep the young ones entertained, I noticed that Watts will be holding “Breakfast with Benjamin Bunny” on March 22, a child-friendly event complete with breakfast and a reading of the Tale of Benjamin Bunny.  Later, in May, mothers and daughters can enjoy a special afternoon together at the Mother-Daughter Tea. If you’re interested in either event, you can find more information about cost and reservations on the website.

Bar Louie

I have an embarrassing confession to make: I did not vote in the Wisconsin primary. Please don’t berate me too much because my grandmother has already threatened me within an inch of my life if I don’t show up at the poll next time and take advantage of a privilege the generation before hers fought hard for women to win.

If, however, you were a good citizen and showed your support for one of the delegates, you may have felt inclined to surround yourself with other like-minded voters. And if the delegate of your choosing just happened to be Barack Obama, you might have found yourself converging upon Bar Louie with other Obama supporters.

For some reason, Bar Louie sounded like an odd choice to me for a political gathering. I don’t know why. Perhaps I’ve been wrong in overlooking chain bars and restaurants as hotbeds of political activity. At any rate, the downtown Bar Louie (There’s one in Glendale, as well.) is certainly in a prime location, right off Water Street. That in itself makes it a primo grazing ground for those in need of a mid-week lunch, a political watch party location, or your standard after-five drink, dinner, or late-night dining fix.

I suppose that the contemporary, urban atmosphere, with its sleek booths, oversized TVs, extensive selection of reasonably priced appetizers, sandwiches, burgers, and entrees combined with a wide choice of beers, microbrews, and wine make it an attractive option as well.

Just a few days ago Scott and I swung by Bar Louie for some din din. Since it was packed with the beer drinking, martini-swirling, after-five crowd, we were lucky to score a small table in the backroom. Our table was right near a now-closed-but-still-cold patio door and adjacent to the restroom. Those of you who have ever been stricken with the bloodhound-like scent abilities that a pregnant woman temporarily possesses will understand when I tell you that this proximity to the restroom was not exactly desirable! But I determined not to let this ruin my experience and perused the menu in search of something tasty.

I finally decided on the Mac-N-Cheese ($8.99), which is made from four different types of cheeses, sprinkled with a small amount of breadcrumbs and served up in a generous portion with a slice of toasted French bread. We also tried the tasty Blue Louie ($8.99), a burger topped with blue cheese, bacon, spinach, and Buffalo sauce. Service was quick and friendly, even though they were obviously slammed.

                   

To be honest, you probably won’t find me at Bar Louie very often. Not because it’s bad, but because I tend to think of it like Starbucks: The product Starbucks sells is great if that’s all that’s on the block, but if there’s an independently-owned coffee shop like Alterra within walking distance, I’d rather go there instead. Bar Louie might be perfect for you. I am admittedly a little biased since I am (or was, until I started down the mom-to-be path) more of a dive bar kind of fan. You know, somewhere that say, indie-rock fans or Diablo Cody might hang out. But if you want to mingle with the khaki-clad, college-meets-executive kind of crowd then plan to meet your buds at Bar Louie and bring your appetite for both food and drink.

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Bar Louie
1114 N Water Street
Milwaukee, WI 53202
(414) 847-1492

Happy Birthday to Me

Okay, I lied. I didn’t stay home and make something scrumptious for Scott and I to nosh on for Valentine’s Day. I was just too tired. Oh, I had plans. Big plans. I’d decided on what magazine editors would probably label “a simple but elegant menu” and even went to the store to purchase all the fixings, but then… Then I just felt too tired. Such is the life of a pregnant woman. Just looking at a menu can make you too tired to move.

We went out for Mexican instead. It filled the void, that’s about all I can say for this restaurant’s enchilada served with a pseudo green sauce. But hey, I didn’t have to lift a finger (except for the part where I sorta shoveled in an abundance of chips and salsa) and my honey was happy to get a South-of-the-Border fix.

V-day done with, we moved on to a holiday of greater importance. Namely, my birthday.

In celebration of my birthday a truly landmark thing occurred at my house: My husband took over the kitchen. And he made me the most marvelous b-day cake. Seriously. The man swears he’s never before baked a cake, but I think it’s a total front. Surely nobody makes cake this good on their first try.

               

Anyway, he also offered to take me to some swank place for dinner, but I asked for a raincheck. I’d worked all day and found myself crashing on the couch at an hour that even the under-five set would probably deem early.

You might think all this sleep would leave me feeling refreshed and ready to face another day, but you’d be wrong. I still required a pretty stout cup of coffee before hitting the keyboard morning. (No emails from the pregnancy police, please. My doc said a little caffeine was fine.) If you are lucky, I will eventually perk up and venture out into the never-ending swirl of snow we have going on and indulge in some good food later this week. Check back with me in a couple of days. ‘Till then . . . Sweet dreams.

Romantic Dinners à Deux

Cooking is an artistic expression. An expression of love, if you ask me, for the ingredients involved, the method of preparation, and for those who consume the end product. Therefore, this Valentine’s Day you will not find me at a restaurant. You’ll find me in the kitchen, whipping up something delicious for Scott and I to share.

But for those of you who want to take advantage of this holiday and indulge in the artistic culinary expression of a local chef, there are loads of great options. Hopefully you did a little advance planning and have already made reservations somewhere, but for those of you still pondering where to take the love of your life (or of the month) for a romantic dinner à deux, here are my picks for cool places to cozy up and let cupid’s arrows fly.

Coquette Café – Because almost anything French lends the occasion a little air of amour.
Sanford – A must-not-miss local gem. Rated by Zagat as one of the top ten restaurants in the country, Sanford is sure to impress.
Eddie Martini’s – The sizzling steaks are always done right and there’s something inherently romantic about the 1940s silver-screen-inspired ambiance.
Lake Park Bistro – Excellent food plus a breathtaking view of Lake Michigan.
Cuvée – Is there anything more romantic than popping open a bottle of bubbly and sharing it with someone you love? I think not. Consider hitting this champagne lounge before or after dinner.
Roots – Modern elegance and an organically-inspired menu lend this place lots of love appeal.
Tess (2499 N. Bartlett Ave., Phone: 414-964-8377)– The small, cozy dining room can’t help but foster am increased sense of intimacy.
Meritage – This one makes the cut because I think there’s nothing more romantic than lingering over a glass of good wine and stellar cuisine in a small, slightly-away-from-downtown neighborhood restaurant.

For more places to get in the mood for love with a memorable dinner, check out the following articles from OnMilwaukee.com and Play in the City. Alternately, search for restaurants offering your favorite cuisine at MKEonline.com or Milwaukee Magazine.

Twenty Years of Thai

Last night tables at The King & I were packed with parents accompanied by an abundance of people under the age of twelve, all doing their best to behave properly and keep Thai food from dropping on their cute dresses or starched khakis. Except for two boys a few tables over. Midway through their meal they couldn’t resist. They hopped up and busted out a couple of dance moves that they had obviously been trying to perfect for quite some time. That’s when I realized what was going on.

Disney’s High School Musical: The Ice Tour was set to open at U.S. Cellular Arena, and no doubt all these glowing examples of America’s youth were ticketholders. Sure enough, about fifteen minutes before the show was set to start the place cleared out and the only people left were couples and groups of people who had filtered in after work.

While I just don’t get the whole phenomenon that is High School Musical, I do get why people have been packing the tables at The King & I for twenty years. The King & I serves up some of the best Thai food in town, and its downtown location makes it a prime place to grab lunch or dinner after work or before a show.

                        

Their menu is filled with a mind-boggling number of authentic Thai appetizers, soups, noodle dishes, and entrees that fuse together the heat of curry and red chilies with cool coconut, lime, and lemongrass and are presented in an artful way that will tempt the palate of anyone enamored with color and spice. But in honor of their twenty years of business, they are offering a special set menu showcasing some of their best-loved entrees, including a seafood Pad Thai and the famous Volcano Chicken, a tangy but sweet chicken breast served on a bed of vegetables and topped with “lava” sauce. Entrees include your choice of a house wine, soup, and an appetizer. Naturally, dessert is also included. What better way to cap off a palate warming meal than with a plate of crunchy sliced bananas on top of coconut ice cream? Prices (and degree of heat and spice) vary for the fixed menu according to the selection of entrée.

A Humble Offering

What, I wondered, could I give my loyal readers this week? A week during which I’ve raced back and forth across the state for both a baby shower in Minneapolis and a freelance project in Madison. A week of mind-defying low temperatures which would’ve kept a saner woman indoors, instead of going from car lot to car lot during her spare hours, looking for the perfect mommy mobile.

I have a lot of cool baby gear and an awesome new ride to show for it, but for those of you interested in reading about a restaurant, I’ve got nada. Nothing. I simply did not have time to go out for a noteworthy meal. But I do have a little something culinary to offer until I can get back out. Something that cheered me up greatly when I spotted their bright canary color beaming from a shelf at The Fresh Market. I’m talking, of course, about Meyer lemons.

With their thin, delicate skin, aromatic, almost floral fragrance, and distinctive, somewhat sweet flavor, Meyer lemons actually aren’t a true lemon at all; research has shown they are a cross between a lemon and a sweet orange. Having previously tasted the fruit of that union and found it quite to my liking, I scooped several into a bag and brought them home where I pondered what would best showcase their delicate flavor. Finally I decided on a Lemon Curd Tart. Specifically, the one I found in Russ Parsons' book How to Pick a Peach. It’s a really informative book, and along with Alice Waters’ The Art of Simple Food, probably one of my favorite food books of the past year.

But back to the tart. Parsons' recipe for the lemon curd calls for ½ cup lemon juice and ½ cup sugar. I thought about reducing the sugar some, since I’ve always had a penchant for all things tart. Even as a child the only candy I ever asked for was Starburst; it boggled my parents' minds that a kid would turn down a pack of Big League Chew or Gummi Bears for Starburst, but something about the tart nature of it appealed to me. After brief consideration though, I decided to stick with Parsons' original measurements and I’m glad I did. This is one spectacular tart.

                     

The crust requires a bit of effort to make, due to the chilling and baking times required, but the creamy, rich curd, chilled inside the resulting crisp, buttery shell is worth the effort. It strikes the perfect balance between both sweet and tart and is the perfect ending for any meal, especially one featuring heavy winter fare. I can’t get enough of it. If Scott is lucky, I will set some aside for him, otherwise, too bad.

If you want to try it for yourself, here’s a link to the recipe. For one hundred (Yes, 100!) other ways to use Meyer lemons check out this article in the Los Angeles Times.

Meritage

Fans of Jan Kelly, former head chef of now-defunct Barossa, were excited when she opened her own restaurant back in Mid-August. Located just west of downtown, in a cozy little space on Vliet, the casually chic Meritage serves a creative medley of contemporary fare that changes seasonally.

                           

I myself loved Barossa and was equally delighted with my experience at Meritage a couple of weeks ago. Appetizer selections are reasonably priced from $4.50 - $7 and include the typical bruschetta, salad, and soup, as well as a leek and ricotta tart, lamb sliders or Chinese BBQ lamb ribs for the more adventurous. I started with the House Salad ($4.50) which is served in a deep bowl chock full of crisp, leafy greens and seasonal vegetables with the vinaigrette of choice. Two of the other people in our party had bowls brimming with a hearty pot roast and sauerkraut soup. Frankly, the combination didn’t sound that appetizing, but after sampling a small taste, I found the meaty texture highly appealing for a cold winter’s night.

                                      

Entrées range from $14 to $20 and offer something for both vegetarians and meat lovers. We sampled the grilled Caesar and scallop salad ($17), made from a combination of scallops wrapped Wilson farms pepper bacon and (seared) romaine lettuce. It may sound odd, but trust me people, it works. The beer braised short ribs ($18) and the veal meatballs also found favor with our table, but I think my dish was the best. One of the specials for the evening, the stuffed eggplant was filled with diced tomatoes, spices, and what I’m pretty sure was chopped fresh spinach; it abounded with flavor and was so filling that I could only finish half.

With affordable prices, attentive service, and menu that embraces organic and locally grown fare, Meritage should certainly make foodies from Milwaukee and beyond sit up and take notice.

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Meritage
5921 W. Vliet Street
(414) 479-0620

Late Nights at Cafe Luna And Lounge

The yellow brick road may pave the way to the Emerald City, but in Milwaukee, it’s the orange glow you want to follow if you’re in the mood for some out-of-this-world dessert or a chill place to linger with your date or a group of friends over after-dinner drinks. Apparently, not many people are aware of the recently opened Café Luna and Lounge, the new after-dinner/dessert lounge located right on the waterfront offering a spectacular view of downtown and the Historic Third Ward. But they will be soon, because Luna’s blend of contemporary décor, live music, creative drink menu, and selection of sweets combine together to create a stunning setting for schmoozing.

Last night a couple of friends ventured downtown with me and Scott to check it out for ourselves. Due to all the construction going on, parking was a little confusing, but finally we found a spot around the corner and made our way past in-progress condos to the beckoning glow of warm orange light shining forth from Café Luna’s large glass windows. We were a little disappointed to find only a few people inside. Not because we wanted to party things up with a large crowd, but because the place is so cool that people should be there, hanging in the hip atmosphere, with hot dates in the dimly lit corners, or clinking cocktail glasses while draped on the low-slung black lounge chairs.

                        

But for last night at least, it appeared that only a few other people besides our little party were taking advantage of the new hot spot. Since I have to shy away from the bar for a few more months, I went straight to the dessert menu. While the selection is small – Heath bar pie, chocolate pecan bourbon pie, carrot cake, and a few more – there are plans in the works to add cheesecake, cheese plate, and some pastries at a later date. I myself was immensely impressed with the rich, velvety slice of chocolate pecan bourbon pie, even though it was served up on a very humorous pink and brown colored rabbit-shaped paper plate. (According to our waitress, the real serving plates are supposed to be in later this week.)

                         

The drink menu is loaded with a nice selection of champagne, port, and wine, as well as an excellent array of coffee drinks – think Café Cubano, basic espresso, Café au Lait, etc., which may appeal only to those in serious need of a stay-awake solution right now, but should Café Luna ever be open during daylight hours it could prove a popular place for condo-dwellers to get their morning caffeine fix.

Scott ordered one of their specialty drinks, a Cigar, which was a balanced blend of scotch, coffee, and tawny port, while one of our friends sipped on an amaretto based martini and the other stuck with an 18-year-old scotch that he says went down smooth after having instructed the bartender not to shake it over ice (!) before pouring as he’d done at first. Despite the few small gaffs, we enjoyed the sweets and the drinks and look forward to lingering in the warm orange glow again soon.

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Café Luna and Lounge
106 W. Seeboth Street
(414) 403-0686

Dinner at Tess

Over the holidays I read Hemingway’s A Moveable Feast for the first time. How it’s possible for someone to be granted a degree in English without having read this book is beyond me. Most likely, I was assigned one of his novels instead, The Sun Also Rises or For Whom the Bell Tolls, and mentally checked him off the list. This was a grave mistake because I found A Moveable Feast to be completely engrossing and wished I’d discovered it sooner. Naturally, I was horrified at how pathetic my beloved Scott and Zelda Fitzgerald came off, but I was enthralled by a glimpse of la vie boheme of 1920s Paris.

If you have read this poignant picture of Hemingway’s earlier days for yourself, you’ll understand my sudden urge to spend the afternoon sipping small cups of espresso at my local coffeeshop, or to slurp fresh oysters out of the shell in between swigs of dry white wine. Being too cold to walk to Alterra and too pregnant to consume oysters and wine, I did neither, and instead settled for getting a good dinner at Tess.

                     

Located on the East Side, Tess offers an affordable blend of dishes inspired by several corners of the globe. The small interior is graced with rich, ruby-hued walls, bold artwork, and close-set tables flickering with candlelight during the evenings, but should you find yourself there on a warm, summer day, you might want to take advantage of the popular patio seating.

Since patio dining isn’t an option for several more months, Scott and I made ourselves comfortable at one of the tables and started our meal with a slice of the French onion tart ($8). Made with caramelized onions, Gruyere cheese, and smoky Nueske’s bacon, there’s no way to go wrong. Other appetizers included baked brie, crab cakes, and steamed mussels, all ranging in price from $8 - $10.

I followed up the onion tart with the seared duck breast ($19) glazed with a sun dried cherry sauce, and served with a tarragon rice pilaf and some sautéed French beans that were just a tad too dry. The duck, however, tasted moist and I’ve always been a fan of the cherry pairing.

Our favorite dish turned out to be the Lemon Zest and Port Wine Ravioli ($17). The ravioli were stuffed with a blend of Ricotta and Parmigiano Reggiano cheeses and a small amount of spicy Italian sausage was sprinkled on top and followed by just the right amount of sauce made from white wine, truffle butter, herbs, cream, and lemon zest. I love lemon and appreciate the way it adds just a hint of summery citrus flavor to the warm, rich blend of cheese and sauce.

I’m actually still craving more of the ravioli, but beef and fish lovers will be glad to know they can get a grilled New York strip steak, pan seared scallops, or some fish stew instead.

Moving on to sweeter fare, we’d heard that the crème brûlée was exceptionally good at Tess and ordered some for dessert. Flavors change daily, and on the evening we were there they featured an orange-citrus crème brûlée that lived up to all those recommendations. It also reminded me that I have several small ramekins and a blowtorch sitting in my own cabinet that beg for use. Maybe later this week I’ll pull them out and attempt to make this Pear Rosemary Crème Brûlée I discovered on the Chocolate and Zucchini blog. Then again, maybe I’ll just go back to Tess and order more of theirs.
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Tess
2499 N. Bartlett Ave.
Milwaukee, WI  53211
(414) 964-8377

Belated Happy New Year

We’re in the middle of a big melt-down and I couldn’t be happier. I know some people who love the brutal cold and snow of Midwestern winters, but I am not one of them. Being able to see patches of grass gives me a more optimal sense of joy. The lack of ice also means I can exchange heavy, fur-lined boots for more stylish high heels. Shallow? Maybe. But I don’t care. I like high heels and took up too much trunk space hauling home several pair to sport over the holidays.

Speaking of holidays, I hope yours were nice. Scott and I drove 13 ½ hours in order to spend Christmas with my family. We then proceeded to consume unholy amounts of delicious items laden with butter, sugar, and chocolate. Scott went down to Dallas for a couple of days and I went with the grandparents-to-be on a major shopping excursion for the baby. They insisted on buying all manner of too-cute outfits for their soon-to-arrive granddaughter; hopefully, she’ll at least be able to wear them long enough for us to snap a few photos before outgrowing them and entering whatever stage of growth kids hit nowadays before becoming Hannah Montana ticket-obsessed tweens.

Following Christmas, New Year’s Eve was incredibly chill. I never thought I’d say this, but I actually found myself excited about the prospect of ordering Chinese take out, putting on my favorite pajamas and watching a movie. No outrageous cover charges. No crowded dance floors. No trying to wade through hundreds of people at the bar to score an overpriced glass of cheap sparkling wine served in a plastic flute. (I.e. The “champagne” advertised as part of the evening’s special event.) It was absolutely lovely.

                     

Office Party at Benihana

‘Tis the season for parties and other festive affairs. Scott’s office party was last week and naturally I took full advantage of the situation to try and make my pregnant-self looks as chic and festive as one possibly can while sporting a stomach resembling something more akin to a basketball. To start things off, everyone convened in the atrium of the Hyatt Hotel, where his employers had kindly reserved rooms for those who wanted to stay downtown overnight.

From there, we walked a couple of icy blocks to Benihana and proceeded to take over several hibachi tables in the room upstairs. The waitress got our drink and food orders in, and then the knife-wielding chefs rolled out their silver, food-laden cards, turned up the grills, threw down some shrimp, chicken, steak, and veggies, and proceeded to bedazzle us with their chopping and juggling skills.

                        

We sipped a mild onion soup and munched on salad while our chef masterfully sliced the shrimp into bite-sized portions while it seared to pink perfection on the grill, and was then dolled out in fair proportions to each plate, along with various dipping sauces. 

The shrimp appetizer was followed by the preparation of our entrees and grilled vegetables. Most people at our table opted for the hibachi chicken grilled with sesame seeds and lemon or the filet mignon, sliced into small pieces and grilled alongside some mushrooms. I, however, had yakisoba. Despite bearing the word “soba,” yakisoba are made from wheat flour rather than buckwheat and are pretty much the same as ramen. The noodles are then sautéed and tossed with some sauce and tiny pieces of chicken and vegetables.

                 

For dessert I also veered from the majority, who wanted the tri-colored sherbet, and chose to have the artfully arranged strawberry ice cream roll. Encased in a paper-thin layer of dough, the mildly sweet ice cream was a nice way to end the meal. And after applauding the antics of our chef and polishing off our plates, we made a mass exodus from Benihana and headed down the  block to an upstairs room reserved at Mo’s Irish Pub.

That’s where the party started in earnest. Well, for everyone but me. I tried to make myself feel festive by sipping on a wine glass filled with cranberry juice but all you other temporary teetotalers don’t kid yourself, it’s just not the same as wine! A troupe of actors from Comedy Sportz showed up and entertained us with their improv skills for a while, and by then I was done. Completely wiped out. And it was only 11:30.

I don’t know what has happened to the girl who used to be able to stay out ‘till the wee hours of the morning and then get up at 6:30 a.m. feeling just fine, thank you very much, but apparently she has been replaced by someone whose sleeping and napping needs more closely resemble that of an aging cat. Anyway, Scott and I said our goodbyes and took our leave. We waited right inside Mo’s entrance for a few moments until I spotted a cab heading our way, at which time I sprang out the door, quickly hailed the driver, and we rode the few blocks back to our hotel room in comfortable warmth. Cheers to parties. And to soft flannel pajamas and a cozy bed waiting for you afterwards.

This Explains A Lot

I have news I want to share. Big news.

I am pregnant.

I guess that’s actually old news for those of you who know me personally, but for those of you who might have been wondering how on earth a woman could crave chocolate banana cream pie and falafel all in the same hour, it probably explains a great deal.

Besides, I’m actually six months along and since my tummy is now undeniably pregnant-looking, I thought it was time to tell you.

                      
                     
Naturally Scott and are both incredibly excited. And anxious. And  while I’ve probably started to bore my family and close friends to tears with all kinds of baby-related talk (Who knew stroller and car seat selection could prove to be hour-long conversational items?), I will try not to bombard you with overabundant references to this soon-to-arrive little one or all of the new equipment purchases that the arrival of said person entails. I will, however, probably still find myself craving strange food combinations and may be inclined to make mention of them once in awhile. I may also start to sound a slight bit neurotic, but at least now you’ll understand why!