Harlem Avenue Italian 101: Caponies Trattoria

By Vanessa, June 20, 2010 10:26 pm

No Chicago food education is complete until you’ve logged some man hours on Harlem Avenue.  

Over the next 3 posts, I’m going to take you on an educational journey down Harlem Ave.   We’ll start at Addison and Harlem, and head south from there.  

Although the real Little Italy is down by UIC, this stretch of Harlem Avenue is a close runner-up.   Everywhere you look, you see Italian people, Italian grocery stores, and bumper stickers proclaiming “FORZA AZZURRI!”   But among all of the Italian restaurants in the neighborhood, Caponies Trattoria sets the bar.

Continue reading 'Harlem Avenue Italian 101: Caponies Trattoria'»

  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Share/Bookmark

Wordless Wednesday: Go Hawks!

By Vanessa, May 12, 2010 6:32 pm

  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Share/Bookmark

Tap into Sap – the North Park Village Maple Syrup Festival

By Vanessa, April 25, 2010 10:58 pm

I love the North Park Village Maple Syrup Festival.  It is the cure to the common Chicago March (which is typically cold, wet, and boring).  You can usually tell how rough our winter was by how many people show up at the Maple Syrup Festival.  If we had an especially bad winter, it will be crawling with people, anxious to finally spend some time outside.   

The crowd wasn’t too bad this year. (What can I say – the older I get, the more tolerant I am of strollers.)

 

Continue reading 'Tap into Sap – the North Park Village Maple Syrup Festival'»

  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Share/Bookmark

Elliott’s Dairy – The End of an Era

By Vanessa, March 28, 2010 12:40 am

As you may know, my blog is a thinly veiled love letter to Chicago’s Northwest Side.  

But this entry may sound more like a eulogy, as I paint you a picture of Elliott’s Dairy – a great little store, and the great little neighborhood it serves.

Continue reading 'Elliott’s Dairy – The End of an Era'»

  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Share/Bookmark

Happy Birthday to the Daily V!

By Vanessa, March 20, 2010 7:47 pm

“…I like to start my notes to you as if we’re already in the middle of a conversation. I pretend that we’re the oldest and dearest friends as opposed to what we actually are.  People who don’t know each other’s names…”

 

Well, that’s not entirely true. You know my name. :)

Some people may tell you that blogs are reserved for only the most self-absorbed people.   In the process of writing this blog, I’ve found the opposite to be true.  

The Daily V has forced me out of my comfort zone.  It has taught me so much about my friends, family, and the wonderful city we live in.   And as long as there are new things to learn, The Daily V will be alive and kicking.

I started this blog with little consideration as to what I’d write about, how long I’d write, or who (if anyone) would read it.  

But 1 year, 67 posts, and 6,835 hits later, I’m still here.  

I don’t know much about my readers.  But if I’ve helped one person bake a cookie, or made one person laugh… then I consider The Daily V a success.

A huge thank-you to my friends, family, and everyone who has stuck with my little project from the beginning.

But just in case you’re new, I present you with:

 The Daily V’s Greatest Hits: Volume 1

 

Best discovery:  Whatever, Martha! (8/2/09)

Best product plug: Ode To KitchenAid Customer Care!  (3/25/2009)

Most popular post (don’t ask me why this post received the most hits):  There’s a Fungus Among Us (5/11/2009) 

Best Wordless Wednesday: Simon’s Cat – “Let Me In!” (1/13/2010)

Post that required the most work: Costco prices vs. Jewel prices (7/12/2009)

Best Chicago-related post: Where’s the Beef? Apparently it’s on Nagle Ave. (7/4/2009)

Here’s to another year of kitchen messes,  new stories to share, and fun around Chicago! Thank you so much for your support!

:)

Soundtrack to this post:  Frank Sinatra – Young at Heart

Coming Soon:  Saying goodbye to Elliot’s Dairy

  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Share/Bookmark

The best cure for the winter blahs: Farmers Markets!

By Vanessa, March 13, 2010 9:37 pm

Every year around this time, I start to get cabin fever.  The novelty of winter wore off about 3 months ago, and it feels like spring may never come.   It’s this time of year when I am especially thankful for Farmers Markets!

This year, the Rogers Park Winter Farmers Market was held on the third floor of the United Church of Rogers Park.   While not as colorful as a summertime farmers market, it was a nice reminder that the worst days of winter are behind us. 

Continue reading 'The best cure for the winter blahs: Farmers Markets!'»

  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Share/Bookmark

Wordless Wednesday: This may be the greatest cupcake ever!

By Vanessa, March 3, 2010 10:06 pm

  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Share/Bookmark

And they say I’m hard to please…

By Vanessa, February 25, 2010 10:07 pm

I used to be one of those girls who asked for jewelry and flowers on Valentine’s Day.   But nowadays, I’m old and boring and somewhat of a cheapskate.  So this year for Valentine’s Day, I asked Brian for something that was low on cost, but high on effort - I asked him to make strata!

Believe it or not, I’ve never had strata.  Apparently there’s a whole world of casserole-style dishes that I was never privy to until recently.   Brian actually had to explain to me what Strata is.  Can you believe it?   Let that be a clue of how unqualified I am to write about cooking.  I should be stripped of my blog! :(

Continue reading 'And they say I’m hard to please…'»

  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Share/Bookmark

Wordless Wednesday: Sandwich Art

By Vanessa, February 24, 2010 7:08 pm

  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Share/Bookmark

Wordless Wednesday: Prosciutto Guard Cat on Duty

By Vanessa, February 17, 2010 8:34 pm

 

  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Share/Bookmark
Page 1 of 812345...Last »

Panorama theme by Themocracy