We dined in Chicago.

While in Chicago we had a few good meals.  Good?  Oh, no sir, not even close to good.  How about over the top, out of this world, smack me momma I want to scream it was so good.
First up - lunch at Bar Toma.

                                       We did not eat outside since it was 9,000 degrees.

We had several scrumptious appetizers before the pizzas hit the table.  Things like mozzarella slices accompanied with a few sauces and shaved prosciutto.  I was so excited I forgot to take pictures of those.  You'll have to use your imagination.

                      This is where we had dinner.  It's called "q" and is known for it's BBQ.

                           It was still 9,000 degrees out so we opted for indoor dining.

 
We were seated in an almost private room.  There were only 4 other people in there with us and here they are.

I was captivated by these people.  They exuded class and a spirit of happiness that drew my attention immediately.  I don't want to be obnoxious but . . . I think I love them.  Hi, Dawn.          

                                                          I think they love me too.

This was my plate.  Half slab of ribs, pulled chicken and corn bread.  I couldn't eat the corn bread I was way too full.  I brought it home and ate it tonight.  OMG!!!!!!!!!!!

                                         These are the sauces they served with the ribs, etc.

My great niece, Amanda, ordered this skillet of mac and cheese and it was amazing.  Above it and to the right is a bowl of potato chips they brought for us to munch on.  Another bowl to its left is filled with tasty pickles.

Amanda picked this place for lunch today.  She thought it looked interesting and it was definitely a good call.

When we arrived this restaurant was nearly empty but that didn't last long.  The manager was told by our server that we were new to The Big Bowl so he brought us some summer rolls.  Thank you Mr.Manager!

Amanda wanted stir fry so she made her selections from this area and they whipped up her lunch for her.

Mike ordered more summer rolls and some pot stickers.  Things Petey and I have never eaten before.  We stuffed our little faces.  We had to bulk up for the trip home, ya know.  One wouldn't want to face a 3 hour drive on a stomach that wasn't sufficiently full.  Right?

This was Peter's dish.  Something from China that had the number "7" in the name.  He was smacking his lips.

I ordered a Pad Thai salad.  Amazingly tasty.  The flavors bursting in my mouth made noise, I swear.

This trip was wonderful made even more special because of the delightful food.

Puttin' on the Ritz

We went to Chicago this weekend to meet our nephew and his family and we stayed at the Ritz.

That's Petey in the foreground in the blue shirt.  He's trying to look calm but you know he's so, so very excited about staying at the Ritz.

                
                                                                  Our room

                                                                  The bathroom - 2 sinks!!!

                                                        Foo-foo stuff in the bathroom

                                                              
                                                           Our view.  Can ya stand it?

                                                       Chandeliers in the damn elevators!

                                                   The lobby.  Restaurant towards the back.

                                                                 Skylight in the lobby.

                                                           Sculpture and fountain.

                                                          Lounge area.  We lounged here.

Another lounge area.  I walked through this spot on my way to the restroom.  No lounging.

This is our nephew, Mike, his lovely wife, Michelle, and their wonderful kids, Andrew and Amanda.
Thank for so very, very much for treating us to The Ritz-Carlton.  A memory we'll hold dear forever.

We didn't even act like the Clampets.  Not even once.  We're very proud of ourselves.                

Inside our "five and dime."

 Locals are still referring to this store as "Huff's."  A new corporation bought it a few years ago but we have chosen to ignore the new moniker.

 Yes, back in the day, this kind of store was referred to as a "Five and dime" or just "the dime store" but I believe you'll have a hard time finding anything with a 5 cent price tag on it.

                                                        Candy counter - love it.

             Don't you just want to dig your hands into the bins?  Don't - it's frowned upon.

 Now for the departments.  Here's the undie aisle.  When I look at these garments the words "over the shoulder boulder holder" come into my mind.  Remember saying that?  No?  Jeez, how old are you?

                                                Fuzzy, comfy socks in a vast array of colors.

                                                              The craft department.

                                                                 More crafts.

                                     This is the wall 'o yarn.  We're talking the whole dang wall. 

                                        Material by the yard.  There's more on the far wall too.

                                       Kitchen supplies.  I don't spend a lot of time in this area.

                                      Here's an up close and personal of the fabric I mentioned.

                                              Cards galore and they don't cost $9.00 each.

    Clothing for when/if the temperature ever descends.  I love the lime/hot pink color combo.

   These are darling summer dresses/beach cover-ups.  They're selling like hot cakes.  Hurry!

          The toy aisle.  That little girl gets $10.00 an hour to demo the hula hoop.  Not really.

                                                       Customers waiting to check out.

                                                                  Future customers waiting to check out.  Hey, kids!  Wake up, it's time to pay.  Where are your purses?

These stairs will take you to the basement for way, way discounted items.  I just bought two (2) fly swatters there for $1.29.  What a deal!!!

Guess who else loves to come to Huff's?  Lynn Huff is a real sucker for dogs.  Augie never leaves the place hungry.  Thanks, Lynn.

Our "hang out" - The Grill House

The Grill House is right outside of town; a short 3-ish mile ride.  It's like our "Cheers."  A fun place with good food and music on the weekends.

The reason it's called The "Grill" House is because there's a big ass grill inside.

                                                                See?  I told ya.

So, here's the drill.  You go into the grill room and select your dinner meat: beef, fish or kabobs.  If you're not sure how long you should grill your choice, the "grill master" will guide you.  It's a very popular activity and people come from far and wide to participate.

If you're not into grilling you can always order from the pub menu.  Wraps, burgers, pasta dishes, etc., and always specials to pick from.


                  Let's go back outside.  When the weather cooperates, this is my favorite place to be.

                                                              This is the courtyard.

 If you want to have dinner in one of these coolio gliders you either need to get there at 3p or make a reservation.  They're very popular.

This fountain is in the middle of the courtyard.  If it's breezy out there it's not a good idea to sit too close to it.  Ask me how I know.

 To one side of the courtyard is an outside bar with tables and chairs.  Hey, look, there's Dave and Diane.

                                                 A "Buffet" feel to the whole area.

I don't know these people but they looked like they were really enjoying themselves so I asked if I could take their picture.  Immediately, the guy on the right stuck his fingers in his nose.  Who let him in????

 This old silo has been there forever.  When Dan and Marcia (the owners of the Grill House) decided they needed a place for wedding receptions, etc., they attached a building and called it . . .

                                                 That's right!  Boy, you guys are smart. 

                        This is the back of the Silo.  There's a beautiful deck and plenty o' parking.

                                              A nice "country" flavor, doncha think?


                                                            Let's go back inside.

This area is the lower level of the Grill House called the Rock Bottom.  This place "rocks" with boisterous folks.  Take my word for it.  You can't hear them but they were loud.  Having a good time, though.

This is where you can find us when the weather isn't cooperating.  I didn't get a shot of the tables in the bar but there are several and windows all around.  Again, the whole "Cheers" feel.

I mentioned music earlier; during the winter there is music in the Rock Bottom and during the summer?

Famous singers perform on the stage in the courtyard.  If this fantastic woman ever graces the stage again, you do NOT want to miss her.  I'm telling ya, the crowd went wild when she sang.  Standing ovations after each and every song.  Her voice was being compared to . . . have I gone too far?  A little much?  Sorry.

If you're ever in the area come on out to the Grill House.  Oh, yeah, I forgot to tell you that it's haunted!  And the Grill House has been featured on two different "food" shows on TV!  How cool is that?