Oh No, You Didn't! Pork-on-Pork-on-Pretzel Roll at B&tB

Now, you guys already know how much I enjoyed my last trip to Butcher & the Burger on Armitage in Lincoln Park.  It was awesome, there was Mexican Coca-Cola, yada, yada, yada...

The burger I had this time was just as good (house prime blend with steakhouse seasoning on a split-top butter egg bun, lettuce, goat cheese, mayo, grilled onion, grilled mushroom...all ingredients that make for a soupy, delicious burger that runs down your wrist and dribbles onto your lap).  But it was my sister's sammie that surprised me the most.

She ordered the pork burger.  To me, that didn't sound all that impressive.  I WAS WRONG, KIDDIES.  I am so, so sorry for doubting.

Because this was no ordinary ground pork patty.  It was seasoned like a sausage patty.  Delicious.  Like, seriously awesome.  Add to that the bacon she ordered on top, plus barbecue sauce and cheddar?  Insane.  Delicious.  All on a pretzel roll.  It was a little country-western-Oktoberfest, and I mean that in the best way.  And it was so clean to eat.  No running cheeses or mushroom juice...what a sensible gal.

Of course we got a big ol' basket of the Kennebec fries to split, and I got the glass-bottled Coke.  And we snarfed it all before I thought to snap a photo.

I'll be back for ya in the fall, guys.  I just ate there this afternoon.  I'm already hungry for more.

Happy Summer!

~AF

Food + Art (Part 2!)

Well, kiddies, I've gone to the Park Grill yet again.  This is the...third time?  Once again, delicious.  This time there was tapenade and rustic bread, which I am so happy about.

The bread basket came with a too-small bowl of superb olive tapenade, one that tasted strongly of vinegar and Spanish olives and citrus.  I could've just eaten it with a spoon.  As you can imagine, it was gone before I could snap a photo.

Pear Salad at the Park Grill,
with Chicken

My entree was a lovely pear salad with bleu cheese, reconstituted dried cherries (the waiter never told us what they were soaked in, unfortunately), hazelnuts, and chicken (an added charge, but a wise addition).  It is because of this salad that I'm adding mesclun greens to my list of foods that you cannot eat while still managing to look classy.  Spinach stems hanging out of the corners of your mouth unless you turn every lettuce leaf into a work of origami?  Too.  Much.  Work.  And decidedly unattractive.  No me gusta.

Reuben at the Park Grill.
Anybody else hungry?

Mom finally made it to lunch with us!  She had an awesome reuben sandwich on super-toasty marbled rye, topped with a very pickle-y thousand island dressing.  It had just the right balance of meat, cheese, and kraut.  Well done, PG.  Well done.  It was served with a dill pickle spear and a mound of those excellent fries (which essentially meant I really had pear salad and french fries for lunch, but let's not get too technical, okay?).

My sis got the Grand burger again, and it was grand.  Equally as good as the last, not to worry.  You know what it looks like.  If you don't, check my last lunch-at-the-Park post.

My aunt had the spring risotto, which was lovely and creamy with a strong garlic flavor.  It was made with peas and mushrooms.  I was jealous of her lunch, I'll admit.  Especially since you could eat it and still look sophisticated (darned mesclun greens...).  I forgot to take a picture.  And I'm so, so sorry, lovies.

Our purpose in meeting at the park/AIC was to see photographer Abelardo Morell.  He's hilarious.  And so honest and upfront about his photography.  What a cool guy.  Check out his website!  His photos are fabulous!  His retrospective exhibit will be on display at the Art Institute until September 2.

I know the food photos pale in comparison to a well-executed camera obscura.  But the New York skyline rarely makes me drool...

Peace, Love, and Good Eating!

~AF