The Siberian American: Life Update: Nine Months in Chicago

Wednesday, March 2, 2016

Life Update: Nine Months in Chicago

February in Chicago has been all about trying new restaurants (let’s face it—that’s pretty much our favorite thing to do in the city).


We started off the month by trying a new barbecue place close to us: Belly Up Smokehouse & Saloon. As displaced Texans, we never pass up a chance for Southern barbecue, and thankfully, this place didn’t disappoint. We had loaded brisket fries (which were truly loaded with brisket), and I had the half brisket plate, which was tender and delicious. It's definitely not the best brisket I've ever had, but it was still good. The best part of the meal to me was the Windy City Sauce, which was one of the best barbecue sauces I’ve ever had. They told me they are going to start selling it in bottles, and I will definitely be buying some!


Chris had to work on Valentine’s Day, but he still made it special. It was snowing on Valentine’s Day, and he took Skyler to the dog park in our building once he got home. I was watching them (I can see the dog park from our balcony) and noticed Chris stomping around. When he finished, I realized he had written C ❤ O with his feet in the snow. The little things are truly the best things. 


Chris had the Monday after Valentine’s Day off, so we went on our Valentine’s Day date to the Bohemian House, a delicious Eastern European restaurant. We had Hungarian langos as an appetizer, and I had lobster egg noodles with a pistachio sauce as my meal (seriously amazing). I would love to go back to Boho, but there are so many amazing restaurants in Chicago, so I don’t know if we will make it back.


One of my favorite days in February was when Christopher had a Saturday off on a gorgeous 50-degree day. We spent the day going on a long walk to the Chicago River and then walked the Lakefront Path along Lake Michigan. It was the first warm day we had enjoyed in a while, and there was no better way to spend it than by the water with my love.


Our last new restaurant in February was an invite from a childhood friend who has lived in Chicago for several years. We joined her and her fiancé for a fun night of Irish food and live music at Galway Arms, a pub in Lincoln Park. The food was delicious, the music was fantastic, and the company was even better.

20 comments:

  1. mmmm irish food :) yum! how cute is that dog park c loves o. so cute!!

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  2. Aww :) It definitely is the small things! So sweet.
    PS Give me all those brisket fries!

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  3. Yes, please to those fries! Chicago has some of the best food.

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  4. The message in the snow is just too sweet for words!

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  5. That sucks that Chris had to work on Valentine's Day, but it sounds like he still found a way to make the day very special for you! That's so awesome that you found a good BBQ place in Chicago! What are the chances, right?

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  6. I feel you on wanting to try new restaurants! Portland is a major food city and I feel like we've been repeating restaurants too much. Trying new places is always so fun!

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  7. How cute is the snow Valentine?! I love that! And have you guys been to Smoque BBQ? My favorite in the city!

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  8. Yummy eats! That message in the snow is absolutely adorable! What a sweetheart. :)

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  9. Chris' message is sooo sweet! He's a keeper!

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  10. The eastern european restaurant you guys went to for v-day sounds great!! Love that sweet message he left you! xo, Biana -BlovedBoston

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  11. As another displaced Texan - it is so hard finding good brisket! When me moved, my parents actually opened & ran a "Texas style" bbq restaurant and there was an alarming amount of people who didn't even know what brisket was.

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  12. That snow is crazy! When my husband and I lived in California, we had the hardest time finding bbq. We even went to a a place called Texas BBq...and it was NOT at all! As Texans, that is the hardest part about leaving...the food never can be replicated :)

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    1. You are so right about Texas food! I especially miss Tex-Mex! :)

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  13. How creative and special of Chris to leave you a valentine's note in the snow! Sounds like you've tried some great restaurants and a variety of cuisines.

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  14. Such a sweet message. :) We went to the Bohemian House back in May during our anniversary trip, and LOVED it. Everything was so authentic and good.

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    1. Bohemian House was so delicious! I might have to take my in-laws there when they come in a few weeks. :)

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  15. that is SO sweet that he wrote in the snow!! Super cute!

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  16. The writing in the snow is SO cute! :D It just goes to show you that the little gestures can mean the most. I've always wanted to go to Chicago--I'd been eating everything in sight! :D

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