RPM Italian

For some time, I've been wanting to try out RPM Italian. Not necessarily because of the food rave reviews, but because being the pop culture junkie I am....it is Guiliana & Bill Rancic's new digs (and every celebrity to come through Chicago has made a stop).

Last week I made a reservation figuring I would find something gluten-free and edible on the menu, but was pleasantly surprised they had an entire gluten-free menu. A big one at that. I could have a flurry of appetizers, pastas, meats, fished, sides etc. 

Since I was with my alternative eating partner in crime, my Dad, I convinced him to go gluten-free and pescatarian for the meal so that we could share everything (he being the non-meat eater).

We decided on 4 dishes:

-A mushroom risotto

-Homemade g-free pappardelle w/ an Italian cheese, pepper  and ramps sauce

-Salmon w/ a pesto sauce

-Grilled prawns

What can I say, we absolutely dove in and couldn't stop eating. The risotto was perfectly cooked and seasoned. The mushrooms were so flavorful and plump. The pappardelle was so delicate and light you couldn't believe it could be any better (meaning non-gluten free). The Salmon was light, but could have used a touch more pesto sauce (but I fared perfectly fine by pairing the bites w/ the pasta or risotto). And lastly, the grilled prawns were good sized, flavorful and meaty.

A Mackey being a Mackey, we both ordered dessert: gelato (for Dad) and sorbet (for me). As you can tell by the photo it was a mountain of chocolate sorbet that I only successfully made it through half....and let me tell you it was so smooth is tasted like ice cream (and don't you just love that long spoon?).

Well done RPM, greatly exceeded my expectations for a "Celebrity" restaurant.

Food or Fuel

Today was a day that at times...I had two distinctly different needs for food.

Mid day, after running various errands, I needed fuel. I needed meat specifically. My meal did not have to be heavy, it just had to be protein rich, quick and sustainable. And what I mean by sustainable is that I wanted to abstain from hunger for 5 hours. I had plans to hit the dog park and had work to do. I decided on chicken salad from Whole Foods. No bread, obviously. I chose the curried salad filled with delicious Indian spices, big chunks of chicken, slivers of almonds and tiny raisins.

Later, for dinner, I needed food for the soul. When I was also at WF I also picked up one of my favorite frozen pizzas (Against the Grain). I chose the version with a pesto sauce as I'm trying to reduce my acidic intake. I needed a carb loaded rich flaky indulgence. I needed something to trigger all the senses. I mean it was Saturday. This day of all days is the time to do so. The weekend begs for indulgent foods that you can enjoy and lust after the rest of the week to get you excited for the next.

Your body tells you what it wants. Listen to it. Not your brain, it can lead you astray. It's not about what you should have, it's about what your body needs.

Prasino~ Brunch

I'm not sure what came first, Sex and the City or the weekend ladies brunch craze...but it has become a staple.

At least a few times a month I get together with girlfriends for gossip, mimosas and brunch, emphasis on the mimosa. (My friend Nicky post brunch pictured below)

Chicago is an amazing brunch town. There are endless options in each neighborhood. Although I've spent most of my time in Lincoln Park, I've tried to branch out to other areas of time to seek out new options.

I've found myself at the same brunch place twice in the past couple months due to some key elements...

Prasino offers:
-Fairly easy neighborhood parking
-Delicious classic mimosas and bellinis
-A gluten free marked menu (and vegetarian). And all the food is amazingly delicious and a ton of gluten free options including pancakes.
-The ability to make a reservation! This is killer as most places the hostess will greet you with an hour and a half wait list.

You'll find it on Division in Wicker Park or La Grange if suburbia is more your scene.

Debunking Paleo @ Ted

While trolling through Twitter, I found this great link to a Ted video where an Archaeologist (Christina Warinner) debunked the Paleo Diet. I've been intrigued by this diet as I have friends who have tried it and lost weight....and it seemed healthy. The net of the story is that it would be impossible to eat a Paleo diet with how the foods have evolved over centuries. There is no way for me to explain the details that she does so well, so enjoy the video:

Most anyone can debunk any fad diet, but the key point is to have reminders of good habits to move forward with:

1) Diversity~to absorb the best mix of vitamins. Most grocery shelf items contain the same three: Wheat, corn & soy.
2) Fresh Seasonal Foods~ Avoid preservatives. There is such a thing as good bacteria which keeps your gut healthy. Seeds & nuts are great sustainable foods to help you later in the week after your veggies may have spoiled.
3) Whole Foods~ Fiber & roughage is what processes the foods in your system and speeds up/maintains your metabolism.