It’s cold out. OK, it’s in the ’60s, but it feels cold today (or maybe I just feel a cold coming on?). Anyway, I was overjoyed to hear from a friend that Starbucks has officially introduced its oatmeal and it actually rivals Milk & Honey Café’s. Thems fighting words! I will check it out (along with some of my other favorite oatmeal around town) and report back.
Random foto Friday
OK, so I don’t only take pictures of cupcakes. It may or may not be food-related, but every once in a while “random foto Friday” will feature a low-calorie shot I captured around town during the week. Spotted a bit of randomness yourself? Drop me a line to submit a photo. Here’s a shot of Andrew Bird’s spellbinding performance at Millennium Park’s Pritzker Pavilion this week.
Don't let the projection fool you, look closely to spot Bird and his video image.
Filed under random foto
Not known for: Lobster burger at Rockit
If there was one food I could eat for the rest of my life it wouldn’t be cherry-flavored Pez, rather the sweet potato fries at Rockit. Yet everyone associates the River North bar/restaurant with their burgers. Along with the fries, there is actually one specialty burger (the restaurant’s recent “Burgerfest” award-winning one, in fact) that I’d like to mention as one of the lesser known highlights of the record-album-morphed menu, the lobster burger. First off, everything is better with avocado, and this burger piles it on with lettuce, tomatoes, and a thick juicy, lobster meat patty all on a soft bun with lemon crème fraîche and, of course, sweet potato fries on the side. Runner-up NKF menu items include the barbecue salmon and the bread basket (pretzel roll!). 22 W. Hubbard St., 312.645.6000
The lobster burger with sweet potato fries
Filed under not known for
Mystery mirror
Which Chicago bar has a bathroom mirror that offers a digitally enhanced reflection? First to answer correctly wins a guest blog spot. 
Filed under mystery spot
Guest blog: The Kinder hippo by Toki
As winner of the Tom Selleck/Burt Reynolds challenge (Note: Who mistakes Magnum P.I. for Burt?! I’ll let it slide this time Elizabites), I have the esteemed privilege of being the first guest blogger on this site. When I’m not designing jewelry for my line, Toki, there’s a good chance I’m on an eating adventure with Elizabites. While there are many highlights to talk about, one that particularly excited our taste buds happened far away in Prague while we were visiting our dear friend, Catherine. Although our expat crony was militant about how much money we spent on bottled water (apparently $1.25 was outrageous, so we were forced to dehydrate until we found a bottle for $1), she welcomed our interest in the plethora of decadent chocolate available at every corner market. We quickly discovered the Kinder Happy Hippo. A wafer on the outside, with the “underbelly” coated with frosting and hazelnut filling on the inside. It’s almost too cute to eat but you’ll get over that quickly once you take your first bite. And then it’s, “see ya later Mr. Hippo!” You’ll find that the filling is a bit reminiscent of Nutella. That wouldn’t be too far of a stretch since the same folks that make Kinder Happy Hippo also make our favorite hazelnut spread. While I was misinformed that I’d NEVER find these in the states (I have since discovered them in Brooklyn at Lassen & Hennigs), I haven’t been able to find them here in Chicago. So, much to my dismay, I was forced to ration these hippos as long as I could. And then, I found them on Amazon. Does a girl with a serious candy fix have to resort to the internet or fly to NYC to satisfy her hunger? I would hope not. So, for all you Chicago markets out there, help a sister out and stock your store with some Happy Hippo! 
-Love, Toki
Filed under guest blogger
On the table: The Violet Hour
Single candle. 1520 N. Damen Ave., 773.252.1500
Filed under on the table
La Perla patio
The view from the patio at Mexican restaurant, La Perla, 734 S. 5th Street, Milwaukee, WI 
Filed under random spottings
The Milwaukee Public Market Report
Oy. Let me start by apologizing for a bit of overzealousness on my Milwaukee blogging expectations. Being a holiday weekend, and a Harley-filled one at that, many places I wanted to check out were closed (At Random) or filled to the brim with bikers from all over the world. Plus, my parents totally failed on their annual home-pickling endeavors. But luckily one of my favorite markets around town was open and I had a chance to check it out. Once inside, I was surprised and saddened to encounter probably the worst red velvet cupcake in history of elizabites. 
The colored sprinkles and paper American flag ensconced via toothpick should’ve tipped me off, but it’s the Milwaukee Public Market! And everything else there rocks, so why wouldn’t the cupcakes? Their version was just really dark red, bland, dry and I had to try the frosting a few times to detect if it was cream cheese or vanilla. Maybe I should’ve given the Harley (or Halloween?)-inspired orange and black “Harley-O’s” a chance instead. 
Anyway, don’t let the bad bakery dissuade you from visiting this place if you ever do make a trip to MKE. They have the requisite Wisconsin cheese curds, sausages and other local gems, but they also sell fresh crab legs, dry-aged meats, spices, great wines and more including a confectionary and fresh produce. There are plenty of indoor and outdoor tables to enjoy lunch items from curry rice to sushi and salads before you hit up the Calatrava.
Filed under I like to eats
ELIZABITES 
