Fete Hive

the life of every party

A lover of all things celebratory, parties are always on my mind. I spend my days and nights in search of the next great inspiration for the next big bash. Join me on my journey as I taste, sip and host events all in hopes of making people happy and most importantly having fun. 

It Takes a Village

May Vendor Showcase -   The Revel Group 

Those of us in the event industry know we are only as good as the people we surround ourselves with. The vendors we select become more than just a vendor, often a partner and if we are a lucky, a trusted friend. That could not be more true than when you choose to work with the companies in the Revel family; they all work hard, play hard and are always innovating which in this industry is key in my eyes. Like a shark, if you aren't always innovating and moving forward you will almost certainly meet an unfortunate fate.

So here's a inside view of the on how The Revel Group is taking the event industry by storm, leaving their mark on everything they touch and of course why you should be working with them. Because if you aren't, I can guarantee you aren't having any fun. Just take a peak at their site, I am obsessed with the team overview section. Scroll over their image - it's like a mullet business on the front, party on the flip side. 

Revel Global Events at the Field Museum for The Cubs 100th Anniversary 

Revel Global Events at the Field Museum for The Cubs 100th Anniversary 

Revel Global Events 

Lead by the incomparable Britt Whitfield, Global Events can make your event needs a reality no matter how outrageous or outlandish. 

Why I love working with them: They will NEVER say no. 

What is their most memorable event moment: They just produced the Cubs 100th Anniversary Event, need we say more? 

Revel Decor 

Clint Paton and his team of uniquely inspired floral and decor specialists create environments that capture the essence of the event and always include an unexpected flare. I love them for their edgy design style and creative mix of unique materials used in ways you have likely never seen before. 

Vibrant ceremony setup at the Art Institute's Modern Wing 

Vibrant ceremony setup at the Art Institute's Modern Wing 

Why I love working with them: Edgy, contemporary designs - unlike anyone else out there. 

Revel Decor's inspired take on a centerpiece.  

Revel Decor's inspired take on a centerpiece.  

Favorite event moment: when you stand at the back of the party and "take it all in" - when the music is going, when the colors of the floral and the lighting come together, the guests begin to arrive and the "hustle" of the party really gets underway. Its a very proud moment, no matter how big or small the party is. 

What trends are they loving: COLOR. We've been seeing so much sepia and pastel floral for so long now, the return to the bold pinks, oranges, reds, yellows just makes me so happy. Its fun, its celebratory, to me color screams "now this is a party".

I recently asked them if they would help me with create some terrariums for my home in some vessels I purchased and what I got back was AMAZING. They brighten my day, everyday. 

Limelight 

Always a caterer that I admired for their modern and fresh take on event cuisine recently got even better with their partnership with Revel and of course when one of my favorite people joined their team - Cindi Webber. Just look at their site and you will smile - their bright, seasonal, contemporary food is like edible art. And their mixology program has me thirsty with their seasonal offerings. 

Why I love working with them: The people, they can do anything!

What is their most memorable event moment: When you have done so many amazing events, why pick just one? 

Grant Park on Election Night 2008!- the city was illuminated, visually and spiritually

Lollapallooza- feeding VIP guests, watching Rita on stage with Eddie Veder-Pearl Jam singing "Rocking in the Free World"

Retirement Party for corporate client's Chairman of the Board on Millenium Stage under Chicago Skyline

Private B-day party for 900 on Private Estate in Lake Geneva- 60"s theme- client arrived in convertible bug, Jimi Hendrix tribute band, Laugh-in comedy-wall speech routine, British invasion dance band.

What trends are they loving:

Regional cuisine i.e. specialties from New Orleans, Savannah, New England...lobster roll               anyone?

Veggies! Local (of course), but now Hyper-Local - bee hives, never-heard-before specialty heirloom varieties

Fusion/Mash-ups - Ramen burger, dessert pizza, Cronuts 

Homemade hot sauces, especially sriracha!

 

Vodka Spiked Heirloom Tomato Bloody Mary Shooter with Blackened Rock Shrimp Skewer

Vodka Spiked Heirloom Tomato Bloody Mary Shooter with Blackened Rock Shrimp Skewer

Revel Space 

Looking for some of the most unique spaces in Chicago for events - Revel can do that too....what can't they do really. If you haven't already check out Revel Downtown, a sleek and clean venue that can really transform and it couldn't be in a better location at 440 W. Randolph

Chicago's hottest new venue - Revel Downtown 

Chicago's hottest new venue - Revel Downtown 

Coming soon are Revel Motor Row which I can tell you will be THE venue once it is completed. I had the unique opportunity to get a little sneak peak and even in its raw state had my creative gears turning imagining all the spectacular events bound to come. I also hear through the grapevine of a little (big) something coming in Fulton Market - what's more can these guys do?!? 

Revel Cares 

Who doesn't want to give back and when you can have fun doing it, even better! We love that Revel puts so much emphasis on helping others and coming up with the most creative ways for us to be part of it. Starting with the party to end all parties - Revel Bowl. As you can see, we didn't have any fun at this year....

Revel Bowl 2014 

Revel Bowl 2014 


One of those days....

We have all had them, one of those days....some of us more often then we would like. Today was one of those days, after spending the morning bouncing back and forth between calls with attorneys like a ping pong ball trying to hammer out a last minute contract for a large event tomorrow night and sadly not coming to a resolution I found myself with a massive headache and utter lack of motivation to conquer the remainder of the day.

In a hope to clear my mind and fill my stomach with something other than coffee I wondered into the kitchen. After searching the cabinets and fridge and determine that yes, it was still too early for wine I realized that I had all the ingredients to whip up a batch of Pimento Cheese that would surely take me right to my happy place. 

I have promised this before and am finally ready to share my recipe. While I love it, feel free to improvise. Switching it up is half the fun - smoked paprika, roasted red peppers, jalapenos all jazz up this "starter" recipe. 

pimento cheese

1 package Cracker Barrel Extra Sharp Cheddar, grated 

1/2 - 3/4 cup of real mayo - Hellman's or Dukes if you can find it. Less or more as I like mine a little creamy 

2 tbs diced pimentos with juice

3-4 dashes of Worcestershire Sauce

3-4 dashes Tabasco Sauce

1/2 tsp onion powder & garlic powder

Salt & Pepper to taste  

Mix it all up, spread it on some bread - if your feeling frisky pop it in a 400 degree oven and toast it up. Take a bite and and watch you problems fade away. I like to wash it down with some ice tea. 

Pre-oven, just as delightful. 

Pre-oven, just as delightful. 

Toasted up and ready to do the trick!

Toasted up and ready to do the trick!

The Thaw: Part 2

Once the holidays drew to close and the dull drums of winter set in, Tony and I ventured out to brave through the elements. We tended to stay close to home hitting some of our solid neighborhood gems like Longman & Eagle, Lula, Billy Sunday, Telegraph and Reno – it's hard to go much further when we have these amazing meals just down the street. 

But on occasion we got adventurous and traveled outside our comfort zone. Here are my journal entries from our expeditions:

Eataly

WTF were we thinking attempting to conquer this mammoth on week ONE?

What happens when I drink wine and shop...

What happens when I drink wine and shop...

Wine - I never complain about wine.

Food - Couldn't get close enough to tell you.

Groceries - Anything looks good with enough wine. 

Crowds - There is not enough wine in this world to make it enjoyable.

 


 

Boka

Sir Bill 

Sir Bill 

Gorgeous remodel, I want to move in. Food was intriguing and surprising with some of my favorite attributes in a good meal. Highlights - crudo, whole hog entree, gnuddi. But my favorite is Bill. You will be mine.

 

Look at those glorious creatures. 

Look at those glorious creatures. 

GT Fish & Oyster Brunch

Bloody Mary was perfection and paired with oysters on the half shell. Those who know me understand that’s all I need to say.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Great beer selections. 

Great beer selections. 

 

Dusek's

Well HELLO Pilsen, you little hipster enclave you. We felt right at home coming from Logan Square. Great space, love the open kitchen, fantastic selection of oysters, cured meats were delightful and so abundant. We had leftovers for days.

 

 

 

 

 

Parson's Chicken & Fish

Okay, so it's not new to us but brunch was and it was the perfect cure for a wee hangover. I know they are famous for their chicken but get the burger – you won't be disappointed. Also, I discovered new bloody Mary Ingredient - Maggi Sauce. Who knew? Try it! You’ll thank me.

Parsons - It's always so sad when it's over. 

Parsons - It's always so sad when it's over. 

Trencherman

Brunch again (I'm seeing a trend here.)

Drink - Liquid Advil

Eat - The Burger. Wait another trend... Sheez! I need a new season STAT!

The bloody and burger diet is not encouraged for swimsuit season – while hard to believe, take my word for it. 

My new addiction - burger, special sauce. 

My new addiction - burger, special sauce. 

The Thaw: Part 1

With the official end to winter upon us, I have decided it is now time for me to emerge from my annual hibernation. While it sounds restful and refreshing, we all know this winter was anything but as we tried our best to avoid the bone chilling cold, snow, snow again and more snow. To spare you all from what was most likely going to be an inevitable bitch session about the weather, I decided to take a brief hiatus from my writing to reflect and... oh screw it, we all know I was just being lazy.

But with each new dawn is an opportunity to start anew, so here we go again.

The Good Book - Billy Sunday

The Good Book - Billy Sunday

I would have been content to stay bundled up in the house behind closed curtains to avoid the snow globe that we all apparently now reside in. However, I ventured out, more accurately I NEEDED to venture out to experience a little human contact, a glass of soul warming Scotch (check out The GOOD BOOK at Billy Sunday), and a few special meals along the way.  

Here's a look back at what kept me sane and full the past few months. Now where did we leave off?

 

Ah yes, Thanksgiving - so like all couples who have yet to mandate their own holiday traditions we alternate back and forth between families. This year, we stayed close to home and joined Tony's family. I decided to try something new and honor his undeniable Polish heritage and attempt pierogis for the first time. And not just any pierogis: sweet potato with maple, sage and brown butter.

Little pockets of love

Little pockets of love

Sounds good, right? They were thanks to a chef friends top secret dough recipe and a little love from myself. But as usual you wouldn't have known it if weren't for Tony and his father, apparently my cooking style is a little too adventurous for the rest of them. Oh the joys of the holidays! 

Food lovers paradise - West Side Market 

Food lovers paradise - West Side Market 

Next, we were off for a brief and unexpected trip to Cleveland to check out the city we (for a hot minute) thought we might be relocating to for a job opportunity Tony had. But thanks to whoever-or-whatever is up there for making it only a bad dream. But I kid, Cleveland isn't all that bad or so I told myself. I did fall in love with the city’s West Side Market - a food lovers’ paradise. Plus, we had some good meals at Lolita and The Green House. But that's about it.

 




A man, a robe and a glass of champagne. 

A man, a robe and a glass of champagne. 

Christmas brought a trip to North Carolina for a little holiday cheer – as per tradition Christmas Eve is all about cocktails and hors d'oeuvres with Christmas Day spent in your pj's and robes sipping on Spicy Bloody Mary's, a wee bit of champagne and enjoying ridiculously rich food like eggs Benedict and beef tenderloin. Sprinkle in a nap or two and you have one hell of a great day! We wrapped up our trip with a night out at a glorious French bistro Vin Rouge thanks to my parents - oysters, beef tartar, bouillabaisse, crème brule – all the star players were there. I was also able to convince my mom to whip up a batch of Ma Po Tofu - my "I know I'm home" favorite dish. I did my best this time to try and document it so I could recreate at home but it just is never the same. I swear my mom has a little Chinese woman inside her that emerges to prepare this dish.

Getting excited.....

Getting excited.....

A pot of umami goodness 

A pot of umami goodness 

 

Last but not least on our holiday journey was New Years Eve, spent as we do every year snuggled up on the couch with a seafood feast. Check out the highlights.... 

King Crab - yes please!

King Crab - yes please!

Oyster Rockafeller

Oyster Rockafeller

Scallop Cake 

Scallop Cake 

With a touch of Grace

Happy birthday to me! For my recent birthday celebration I was lucky enough to have been treated to the most divine dining experience I have had well.....ever. 

On October 31st (a few days before my actual birthday) my love took me to Grace for a dinner unlike any dinner I have had, and I have had a few show stoppers but this one hit all the right notes. From the sanctuary like lounge sure to make even the most stressed of us take a deep breathe of calm to the dazzling bathrooms that will make you come up with reasons to excuse yourself over and over so you can see what is behind the next door, each and every element was as close to perfection as you can get without it being annoying. 

 The evening was what fine dining in this day and age should be - inventive, decadent, approachable yet thought provoking, artistic, playful and most importantly mind-blowing-ly delicious. From the first bite of crab and butter to the last chocolate truffle - perfection. I have caught myself replaying the courses in my head and even asking Tony on multiple occasions "do you remember.....wasn't it amazing". 

Beyond the food, the service made my experience a delight. It was precise and elegant, it took our experience from great to phenomenal. It was real and personal with just the right amount of playfulness and humor. I applaud them and thank all them for making it a night to cherish. 

No pictures to share with all of you, I wanted to just immerse myself in the experience but I will share my signed menu from the evening with you all, it is going to make a great memory to reside in my kitchen for the ages and remind me to put just a little more thought (and grace) into each meal I make. 

Thank you Curtis Duffy and your entire team - you blew my mind and I can't wait to return and I would be remiss to not thank the love of my life for the treating me to this experience. 

 

In a New York Minute

Back in July we took a quick jaunt over to NYC for a 2 day food extravaganza. No plans, no reservations – just a few days to explore the city and eat whatever and wherever our feet could take us. It was fast and it was good - only an acceptable description for a trip – never a girl and rarely a meal but NYC, hell ya! So to keep with the theme, here is a photo journal of our favorites and our not so favorites. We don’t have time for my ever so witty commentary here but you can count on its return…in a New York minute.

 

NEW YORK CITY 2013

Dear Summer

Dear Summer, 

Can you slow down?

Love,

Me 

Lula Café

beets, blackberries, buttermilk, basil

beets, blackberries, buttermilk, basil

Lula has been our go-to spot this summer. As I mentioned in a previous post, the west facing patio is one of my favorites in the city allowing me to soak up the sun late into the afternoon which will also put a smile on this sun-seekers face but it is food and inventive cocktails that really get me going. We find ourselves there for brunch after shopping the Logan Square Farmers Market, a late afternoon snack and cocktail or a mid-week dinner. Each meal seems to somehow surpass the last as I am always fascinated with unique flavor combinations and textural contrasts in their thoughtful and seasonal offerings on their daily specials and the continually satisfying café menu. While the food is out of this world (maybe my favorite in the city right now), it is the environment that makes it even more delightful; comfortable and unpretentious combined with outstanding services makes it a true Chicago gem.

My summer play list…

Chilled Peanut Satay Noodles

On a warm summer Sunday this bowl of slightly spicy, peanutty goodness with bites of tangy homemade pickles and tofu was just what I needed to ease myself back from vacation. Paired with a glass of gruner veltliner, you can’t do much better.

Baked Feta                         

It’s feta, it’s baked, it has olives – need I say more? I didn’t think so.

Vegetarian Tasting Menu

corn flan

corn flan

I am a red-blooded, meat eating girl but every now and then when the summer heat spikes and veggies from the farmers market are rolling in with wild abandon I am more than happy to ditch my carnivorous ways especially when I am tempted with things like corn flan with peaches, wax beans and fried sage or a salad of beets, blackberries, buttermilk and basil and the strikingly spicy yet refreshing melon soup.

6 courses of veggie delights for $45 is not only one of the best deals in town but one of the most delicious meals we have had this summer.

Wet Your Whistle

I have never met a cocktail I didn’t like and Lula never disappoints. Before the leaves start changing – head to the square, grab a patio seat and sip on at least one of these delights.

THE ‘11AM SUNDAY, 54 EAST 1ST STREET’ BLOODY MARY - letherbee gin, smoked oyster, horseradish, caperberry

drinks_lula.JPG

THE JEAN SEBERG - st. germain, grapefruit, bitters

Wine – anything rose, sparkling, interesting varietals that are always a great value

So bottom line – before we are all bundled up in coats and sweaters grab a seat on the patio, order a cocktail and dig into some seriously delicious seasonal food and do it again and again and again….

You can't eat just one

Chef's Counter

Chef's Counter

We love exploring restaurants that are off the beaten path and more importantly in or close to our neighborhood.  Bread & Wine on Irving Park is one of those places. We have been going here for a while now – everything from a Friday date night to Sunday brunch and even a friends 40th birthday celebration. We were actually there on back to back Friday’s which is saying a lot coming from us. Its relaxed laid back vibe is always welcomed but it is the often surprising food that keeps us coming back again and again, not to mention a really unique wine list that in my opinion is totally affordable. When you like wine as much as I do – this is key to not going into bankruptcy!

 

So here are a few of our recent highlights:

Balls 

Balls 

Southern Fried Duck Balls – I had an idea what we were ordering when I suggested we try them but had a feeling Tony probably did not immediately clue in so when we ordered these for the first time a few weeks ago the waitress was kind enough (or not) to tell us “you know they are actual balls, right?”. I immediately saw Tony glance back at me with a raised eyebrow but knew he would be game – you have to try everything once! So when the plate came, they looked yummy – come on they were fried, anything is good fried. Severed with hot pepper jelly, a buttermilk sauce and cabbage chip as a singular bite they were really good, I especially loved the hot pepper jelly. Tony dove right in and had a few even after announcing that he was a little perplexed thinking he was eating Donald’s testicles. When we were back the next week, we were talking them up and a few people were curious so we ordered them again. One friend never heard our explanation that they were testicles until #3 but she was a trooper (insert joke here) and Tony even went back for two more explaining that “you can’t eat just one.”

Anything Charcuterie – All of their house-made meats and pate are to die for. I could honestly just sit there all night nibbling on meats and cheese while drinking copious amounts of vino. I especially loved the Mortadella and Pig Face Pancetta.

Pork Belly 

Pork Belly 

Brunch – I know, that doesn't really narrow it down but if I had to our favorites would be the Cured Pork Belly with crispy poached egg, cheddar grits and fresno chili hot sauce and the Corned Beef Cheek Hash Brown with fried eggs, mustard hollandaise, pickled chilis which was close to a religious experience. God, I wish it were Saturday right now – I’m gonna dream about mustard hollandaise.

Fines Herb Pappardelle – This homemade pasta which is served perfectly sauced with duck confit, asparagus, queso fresco and natural jus and finished perfectly with a sprinkling of fleur de sel almost had me licking the bowl – swear. Go early if you want this, it was 86'd on our last visit and I was heartbroken.

Pantone 7621 – A surprising cocktail that immediately caught the attention of my ad man/artist boyfriend was superbly sippable. Made with bourbon, combier kummel, combier orange, lemon, fresh beet juice and ginger syrup  - it was a not too sweet and nicely balanced drink that is the most amazing blood red color. I am guessing it would be a great pair to the above mentioned brunch items…see my brain is still on that damn mustard hollandaise.

So those are some of our favorites. If you haven’t been, be sure to check out this little gem, it’s worth the trip. Oh, and sit at the chef's counter if available. You get dinner and show. 

The aftermath. 

The aftermath. 

You had me at Slushy

I started hearing rumblings of a new fried chicken place near our Logan Square neighborhood a little over a month ago and as the chatter grew louder I knew we had to check out Parson’s Chicken and Fish. Tony, my main man, has a love for fried chicken similar to my love for pimento cheese and when I heard word about their negroni slushy it quickly moved to the top of our Must Eat list.

We attempted to go on a few occasions but it was obvious it was already on everyone's Must Eat list. Tony was always a little too hungry to wait it out (if he is hungry, you must give him food or he will turn into a pouting, snippy 5-year old). So finally, last Friday afternoon we were both working from home and decided that we had worked too hard all week and deserved to cut out a little early. We arrived right before they opened and got our name on the list – finally I was going to see what the buzz was all about!

Parson's 

Parson's 

Once inside and posted up at the bar, we always prefer the bar if we can get it, we immediately ordered our negroni slushies while we perused the menu. It was to my delight that it was more than just fried chicken, A LOT more. This made me happy because I will admit here and now that I am not such an avid fan of fried chicken – it has something to do with bones, tendons, my teeth touching said bone. Now this might sound odd for someone that claims to be an adventurous eater which I am, I promise. I will try anything at least once but it is just one of my weird idiosyncrasies. I have a feeling more may come to light as I continue to write. 

fried chicken and negroni slushy

fried chicken and negroni slushy

So, as we mapped out our order I noticed a chalkboard to my right that featured oysters which got me excited. I had a feeling they would pair perfectly with the slushy. So we ordered 8 Sting Rays and they came out with lime and mignonette. These were the best oysters I have had in a long, long time and created quite a revelation that lime is the perfect accompaniment – I will no longer use lemon. We continued on with pimento cheese toast, one of my all-time favorites and they did it justice followed by hush puppies. Then on to the main event, the chicken came out and had the most perfect brown crust so I put my bone issue aside and dove right in. It was well worth it! I also loved the sauces they offered on the counter; I considered trying to sneak the green one into my purse. Instead of dessert, we decided to try the yellowfin tuna which was the perfect palette cleanser – we’re strange that way.

I will admit I had probably 3 slushies – I dare you to stop at one but we also tried a few other bevies;  the margarita made with mezcal that gave it a mouthwatering smokiness was fantastic, and the pompelmo that was light and tart. After dinner, we decided to move outside to what is sure to be the place to be once summer finally decides to stick around for more than a day or two. I was delighted to see Stiegl Radler on the menu and can’t wait to come back on a steamy, sunny afternoon and soak up some rays with one of these in my hand.

Since our visit, I have also been daydreaming about what other classic cocktails I could turn into a slushy – a manhattan, a gimlet…? How cool would it be to have slushy machines churning out cocktails at an event?!? Don’t worry, I will find an opportunity and hopefully you will get an invite, if not just get to Parson’s and indulge in a negroni. 

Parson's outdoor bar. 

Parson's outdoor bar. 

Stiegl Radler at Parson's 

Stiegl Radler at Parson's 

Step Right Up

As an event planner or caterer there are often no more dreaded words than “open house”. An event that we put on in the middle of the week when it would likely be one of few evenings of normalcy. It is attended by our industry colleagues and we just hope to out-do one another and analyze what the other did or didn’t do and discuss how we would of course do it differently. So when the National Zoo came to us to participate in an open house it was met with a bit of hesitation and thoughts of the dull chit-chat that was bond to ensue. That was until I decided to take it into my own hands and step out of the boring, stuffy, open house box and have a little fun.

Born was “Step Right Up” a Nourish Events production.

entrance.JPG

Often in the event planning world we take ourselves so seriously and think that the only way to flex our planning muscles is by serving caviar laden morsels washed down with over thought specialty drinks among vignettes of overly white pleather lounge furniture. Believe me, I have been guilty of this myself but vow from here on out to never venture down that path again.

So back to the event…We had our selection of locations like the new Elephant House or the Tiger exhibit but I decided that the Great Meadow would be ideal complete with a rolling green lawn and peaked white tent. When I mapped out my theme for Chef Ramsey he gave me a reassuring “I got you” and went off to create and create he did! The menu featured items like black pepper funnel cake with avocado mango crab salad, heritage farms red wine braised pork shoulder spoon with chorizo pop rocks and my favorite – a deconstructed pb&j with champagne grape smear, fried peanut butter and brioche crisp. But the show stopper was the dessert station that centered around the 5-foot canister of liquid nitrogen where the chef was serving nitrogen frozen kettle corn pops.

deconstructed pb&j

deconstructed pb&j

bashbooth.JPG

I moved onto making the vision in my head come to life. I worked with Syzygy Events International who supplied rustic picnic tables, a shabby chic credenza for a retro candy display, a lemonade stand that doubled as our bar and playful centerpieces made up of mason jars, rolls of tickets and pinwheels. The bar would serve up coupes of sparkling wine poured over clouds of cotton candy which would make even the jaded among us smile. Drape Kings created a rich red entry way and guests were entertained by the coolest photo booth by Bash Booth DC and animal encounters from the zoo’s special guests. Of course it wouldn’t have been complete without the jam band-y sounds and Grateful Dead tunes.

So all in all the event was a success, clients were introduced to the zoo’s new in-house caterer and most importantly people had some fun. Moral of the story - don’t be afraid to break out of the typical corporate box and surprise people with the unexpected, childish and playful – we all long to be a kid again don’t we?  

candy station

candy station

chefs having fun with liquid nitrogen

chefs having fun with liquid nitrogen

Centerpieces

Centerpieces

Special Guests

Special Guests

The Pimento Cheese Diaries

For those who know my background, know that I grew up living overseas in Southeast Asia. There I developed a deep love for all kinds of crazy foods like Khao Pad Gai, Ma Po Tofu and Tom Yum Goong. They are still among my favorite comfort foods but nothing can compare with my unwavering love for a southern classic – Pimento Cheese.

It all began long before we ever moved oversees at my grandparents house in Kansas City. I spent a lot of time there as a kid and each time the car pulled up in the driveway on St. Andrews Drive I couldn't wait to climb out, run up the pebbly front steps and through the huge front door right to (I should say to the loving arms of my meme and papa which I did do) but the refrigerator was my main target. After a hug from their beloved Sarah-bell it was off to the kitchen because that is where my true love awaited my arrival. I would swing open the fridge door and go on a hunt for that small tub of orange, creamy goodness. Once located along with some fluffy white sandwich bread it was off to make the world’s perfect snack. I would spread a little too much on one piece of bread, gently fold it over on itself but before taking that first glorious bite I would lick the knife of course.

 

West Egg Atlanta 

West Egg Atlanta 

Over the years anytime I have seen it in on a menu, it is without question going to be ordered. I have been lucky as of late with the resurgence of classic, comfort, southern influences on cuisine because it seems to be popping up everywhere. On a recent trip to Atlanta and Savannah I enjoyed it just about every day. My favorite was the Pimento Cheese and Bacon Omelet at West Egg Cafe. It was the perfect remedy after a night that concluded at that Claremont Lounge (if you know what that is then you know why I needed it). I also had the Pimento Cheese & Bacon Marmalade jar at Empire State South which was divine and a truly delectable sandwich at The Gryphon in Savannah. 

 

The Gryphon in Savannah 

The Gryphon in Savannah 

Back home in Chicago, a new favorite that you must try came from Parson’s  where they have a great Pimento Cheese toast that is topped with a perfect pickled companion. More to come on our visit to this new neighborhood joint – it is worthy of its own page of love.

Next up I will be making my own – maybe tonight, I have an insane craving. 

Parson's Pimento Cheese Toast 

Parson's Pimento Cheese Toast