Quiet moments.

Yes, it's been quiet the last few weeks.  As the seasons transition and we hop what seems like from Summer to Winter, I'm letting my body adjust to the change of seasons, temps, weather, etc.  I have a trip to NYC coming soon, and had to juggle my work schedule to help some guys do things with family and side jobs, which benefitted me.  So, I will be back into the swing of things shortly, and I will be focusing on some great Chicago eats.  I've also been hitting my kitchen a little more which is therapy to me and the fact that I can feed others, that makes me happy.  Digging through cook books and recipes that have been burning holes through my fingers has been a good thing.  Although I have a small galley kitchen, it works, for now, until I can afford to move somewhere with a larger kitchen.

So, now I ask of my readers a challenge.  Send me some recipes to try, something new, something different.  Because as the temps drop, the best way to warm my apartment is to heat up the kitchen.  So, send in your recipes and I will try them, and photo document them and post them here and on Facebook.

Looking forward to the challenge.

Ciao, ciao!

Motivation and Direction. What the hell happened to it.

A few years ago, I could write. I could write things that would make you want to eat your computer monitor, that would enable you to smell the food that I was describing, that would make you want to go out and eat that Shiz now! But over the last few years, I lost it. I could blame a couple of people that just sucked the motivation out of me, but that would be a cop out. It's not like I've stopped eating, because I have to say, I've had some amazing meals over the past few years. Amazing would be an understatement though. On my trips to New York City, Nashville, and the local restaurants here in Chicago, they have all provided meals well worth putting in writing and sharing my experiences with you all that may not normally eat such things. Things that would make most people turn their noses up, but I could convince you to at least put just a smidge on your tongue.

Over the past few years I've converted people from eating something as simple as Veggies to what some would consider Extreme, such as Sushi. There is a wild world of food out there, just waiting for eager diners to consume. I am fortunate enough to live in a city that is on the cutting edge of food. The restaurant industry here is booming and some say it's paving the way in the US. Not bad for being land locked in the middle of the US. And I've also had the good fortune of being able to travel to New York City and experience their Restaurant scene. I've met Executive Chefs, Sous Chefs, and Pastry Chefs. It's been a truly brilliant experience.

The biggest surprise I've had was the Nashville scene. Although it's young and up and coming, it's going to be competitive. Maybe not to the level of NYC or Chicago, but it will be on the US Map of excellent foodie destinations. From the simple Cuban Sandwich from the Tin Roof, or the Fresh Soft Pretzels and Beer at the Flying Saucer to the comforting Po Boy's and Steam Pot of the South Street Crab Shack and Dive Bar, all for the casual diner. Then going a bit upscale, you have the Stuffed Peppadews at Rumba, grilled South African peppers, stuffed with Goat Cheese and Chorizo, chased with a Hard Cider with a shot of Jack Daniels Honey dropped in or the House Made Belly Ham, Mozzarella, Grana Padano, Oregano, Chillies Pizza, artfully decorated and finished off with a Farm Fresh egg placed right in the center right before being pulled out of the oven, which was prepared by Chef Tandy Wilson of City House. Chef Wilson was nominated in 2010 by the James Beard Foundation for Best Chef SouthEast. As you can see, there is so much more than Country Music and wanna be cowboys in Nashvegas!

Here we are, November 2011, and I believe I've rediscovered my motivation, thanks to some friends and a mission to help someone else rediscover their mission to write. So now, with camera in hand and a small notebook, I will begin again my love of writing and photography to go along. If you are going to nibble on your monitor, you should at least have a visual. And this that I provide will be much less expensive than Internet porn. I hope to provide what the great Anthony Bourdain has termed "Food Porn". If you see me out, I won't be one of those annoying bloggers, critical of everything, verbal about the smallest things. No, I have a genuine love of good food, and I want to share it with you in hopes that it will motivate you to maybe leave your comfort zone of Burgers and Fries and maybe try a bit of Sweet Breads or Chapulines.

Until next time....