We moved!
I can’t believe we’re back in Chicago. It took a solid week to set in, that this is where I live now. Our apartment in St. Louis grew so familiar to us, for the longest time it felt like we should be getting ready for the 5-hr drive back at any moment.
On our last few days, we’d packed our whole house, scrubbed the kitchen clean, and barely cooked and used only repurposed plastic take out boxes and drank wine out of delis. On the last two days, we ate only take out. It was fun.
There’s a lot I miss about our old living situation. Rosie’s pack, her reliable walk schedule, the familiarity of our neighborhood, the comfort of knowing everyone in your neighborhood. Not having to share 4 small elevators with 500 other units. People not wearing masks as they walk past you in a cramped sidewalk. There’s no feeling of safety here. We did so well quarantining for 3 months, and in one shopping trip in Joong Boo, it was all down the drain. SOO many people in such a crowded space on a Saturday. I don’t know why I even went.
Rosie is adjusting well enough. Of course she peed on the carpet within her first five minutes. But as soon as she found her giant bed, and climbed back onto the couch next to us, it was business as usual. Occasionally, she gets confused by noises and tries to look out the many windows we have. Noah had to run an errand today, and it was difficult for her not to watch him go from her spot on the window ledge.
But overall, everything went as smoothly as it could, and we’re starting to settle in.
We have been wasting no time getting take out here. I’ve lost all the will to cook again, after eating all my favorite foods in quick succession. We got:
Minghin, the old standby. They opened a swanky looking outpost mere minutes away from our new building. Noah drove by on the uhaul, so we ordered because it was the only thing that came to mind after a whole morning of moving in without any food.
Perilla for Korean food, the feast for 4 LOL. With dumplings, soondubu jjigae, spam fried rice, chicken wings, fire chicken, and side dishes. Very good soup, not too salty, but super savory. Perfectly fermented kimchi.
Galit, an israeli place we’ve been wanting to try. The hummus is just as ethereal as Zahav’s, maybe even lighter. The labneh was not as smooth as the one we had in St. Louis. Very aromatic falafels and addictive amba sauce. Delicious harissa chicken, though I tend not to order chicken and probably wouldn’t do it again.
Elske because we love Anna Posey’s food. Super amazing cultured butter with koji salt, it was almost cheesy. A halibut dish that made me wish I lived closer so the food didn’t have to travel as far. Very light almond cake and rhubarb kringle.
Alinea at home! Had to order in advance for this one. It was 6 courses including dessert, with 2 sides to go with the “entree.” It took actual work to plate the food. Two of the courses required reheating. They made it as easy as possible (saving no plastic in the process). And while it wasn’t three michelin starred, the food was delicious, perfectly cooked, easy to execute at home. Somehow, they managed to make the home experience special, fun, and memorable in a whole new way. I was so impressed.
Carnitas Uruapan, from one of my favorite memories during our last real month in Chicago 4 years ago. We didn’t revisit enough in our past trips back, but I’m so glad we could simply take home 2 pounds of pork in less than 45 minutes round trip.
Alinea at home! Beef out of frame
In between, we visited the in-laws with Rosie, ate burgers and Korean chicken outdoors, sat on the patio in the sun, and tried to enjoy some fresh air. And when we were starting to spend too much money on take out, I promptly purchased ramen and frozen dumplings, so it’s like we never went anywhere.
Same old couch
Same old ham