Chicago Chocolate Tours

Do you ever feel like Groupon just gets inside your mind sometimes?  It's like Groupon knows there is something that has been catching your eye in emails so it just keeps emailing about it.  That's what happened here.  I kept getting Chicago Chocolate Tours deals in my Groupon emails.  And who doesn't want to walk around Chicago and eat chocolate for 3 hours?!  As I mentioned before, my office is big on team building, so (after 17 Groupon emails) I eventually organized a chocolate filled outing for all of us.

Since we were going as a group, I contacted customer service for a group rate.  They were always quick to respond and very helpful.  We decided on taking the group rate on a public tour, but Chicago Chocolate Tours also offers private tours for any event, like a birthday, bachelorette party, etc.  When 12:45PM rolled around on Monday afternoon, we were all pretty excited to partake in the Downtown Loop tour.  The first stop was Macy's (previously the famous Marshall Fields) where we tasted the signature Frango mint and also indulged in other chocolates from the world assortment.  The tour went up the Walnut Room, showcased one of the original Frango machines and highlighted a chocolate sculpture.  We stopped to admire the Tiffany's ceiling on the main floor, and then we were on our way to Toni's Patisserie.  What a cute cafe!  I definitely plan on going back there to enjoy a bite to eat.  The brownie we sampled at Toni's was rich, chocolate decadence.  After enjoying the quaint shop, the tour guided us to Fannie May, where the employees were by far the most generous with the samples.  Naturally, we tried the famous turtle, but we also tasted the new artisan line and were given a couple chocolates to take home as well.  Around the corner, the tour came to the last stop - Argo Tea.  Who would have thought, right?!  But yes, we drank chocolate chai tea and it was delish.  Overall, it was a great experience!  The guide was really informative, so we learned about chocolate, little tidbits about the city, and of course also got to try all kinds of chocolate desserts. 

Chicago Chocolate Tours has several additional routes and during the winter they offer a gourmet hot chocolate tour too, so I have feeling Carl and I may make a date night out of another tour sometime!

Accounting Chefs in the Kitchen

What do ya think about that title?  Not happening, am I right?!  But it did!  The company I work for puts a huge emphasis on team work so they encourage team events.  Sometimes we plan smaller specific team events and other times larger outings.  This time was the latter option; our entire financial services team competed in an Iron Chef of sorts!  And it was a blast!

We walked down the street to Kendall College because they offer 'Home Chef' classes for those not looking to obtain a degree.  They split us into two groups and from there into smaller sections to work on protein, starch, veggies, and (of course) dessert.  It was great!  We had an hour in the kitchen with a legit chef helping with ideas and students also helping out.  Ultimately we split the food winnings; my team taking starch (my group!) and dessert with the other team swiping protein and veggies.  The tie breaker was which kitchen was cleanlier, so we conceded the win.. womp, womp.  BUT we did get to enjoy all the food.

What I'm really excited about is finding this new college.  I looked up more of their 'Home Chef' offerings and they sound really interesting.  Classes are split between beginner, intermediate, and advanced.  Some of the beginning classes are one night, 6-9PM, while some of the advanced classes have a more 'boot-camp' type name and feel stretching over both days of the weekend.  Seriously, once we move into the city I am definitely participating in these!  Artisan pizza, beer enthusiast, and pies and tarts?!  You guys, they're about to have a regular!

Restaurant Review: Three Floyds

If you live in the Northwest Indiana/Chicago-land area, have you been to Three Floyds Brewing Co?  If not, you should definitely go!  The brews are awesome and the food is good too.  If you happen to go on a Saturday, you can even get a tour. 

Visiting breweries and wineries is something Carl and I love to do together.  With that said, this is where we had our Valentine's Day meal with a couple beers and a sampler flight.  Yum.  On the sampler (consisting of four of their beers), the Pride and Joy was definitely my favorite.  It's an American Mild Ale and the menu describes it as a "smooth, medium bodied session beer with bright citrus hop aroma and finish."  Out of the others that we had ordered glasses of, I favored the Czech Booty Kamp, a Czech-style pilsner and Carl loved the Gumballhead, their traditional wheat beer with a citrus finish. 

Food wise, we got the Triple Threat and the Schnitzel.  The Triple Threat is a spicy pork sausage...seriously spicy, but good if that's what you have a taste for.  The Schnitzel was awesome.  We also ordered two sides of their Crispy French Fries (with herb butter) and let me tell you...you must order these if you go!  We are not particularly 'fry' people; we can usually take them of leave them.  But not these, we finished every single fry!  As a bonus, since we both had our military IDs, they gave us a whopping 50% off our entire bill, including the drinks and sampler flight!  I do believe that's the best military discount we've ever received.  Big props, Three Floyds!

What's your favorite Three Floyds beer?  And have you tried the food?  I'd love to know!

Christmas-ing Around

I love Christmas.  Every year I try to find tons of holiday activities to do throughout the whole season.  Needless to say, I've tried to do a bunch already and there are some really good events in both Chicago and Northwest Indiana.  It's just something about the season that puts me in such a good mood!  Take advantage if you're around any of these.

Christkindlmarket - Tons of booths from all over the world are set up in Daley Plaza downtown Chicago.  We looked at beer steins handcrafted in Germany and purchased an ornament from Israel.  We took advantage of all the authentic German food and had legitimate German bratwursts, spicy kilometer sausages, the best sauerkraut I've ever had in my life, and delicious potato pancakes.  They also have hot spiced wine (which comes in a souvenir boot) and dark Spaten bockbeer.  As a bonus to all the booths, beer, and brats, the Daley Plaza Christmas tree is up and there is a beautiful manger seen too.  Definitely worth finding your way through the crowd!

Christmas Around the World at the Museum of Science and Industry - From November 15th through January 6th, the museum will have this beautiful exhibit on display.  This year there are over fifty trees representing different customs and traditions from countries all over the world.  The grand tree is Snoopy themed and has over 30,000 lights and 1,000 ornaments.  The museum has even coordinated falling snow every so often during the course of the day.  This display is absolutely breathtaking!!

www.michigancityparks.com

Festival of Holiday Lights - From early December to early January, Washington Park in Michigan City turns their entire landscape into a stunning light show.  There are all kinds of lights from snails and lighthouses to carolers and dancing Santas.  Entrance into the park is free and it's a drive along event, so no need to leave the warmth of your car!  Furthermore, while trying to find a website with the information regarding the 2012 lights, I noticed that every year on their press release they include the above picture with the caption "Please take a moment to remember our soldiers, who bravely give up so much, including time with their loved ones during the holiday season, so that we may spend time with ours."  Well said, Michigan City!

Ice Skate the Plaza - Deep River Water Park in Crown Point makes an Ice Plaza out of some of their kiddie pools.  This year, the park is open for skating from November 23rd to February 24th.  Obviously I can't take Carl along to this event (he's still in a sling from his surgery) but I will definitely be seeing if my Goddaughters want to go; ice skating is always a good time!

Macy's Holiday Windows - This year the theme for the State Street Macy's windows is The Magic of Christmas, which highlights the traditions Marshall Fields began long ago.  If you plan on taking a stroll by the windows, this article has good information on other happenings going on inside Macy's.

ZooLights - The Lincoln Park Zoo in Chicago does a seriously fascinating display of lights every year!  Admission is free and you can purchase hot drinks and warm food to snack on while walking around the beautifully lit pathways.  Some of the lights are coordinated with music and there is an ice sculpture area to enjoy as well.  I love this holiday activity & cannot wait to go this year!

Hope you all are out there enjoying your holiday season too!!!