Two fun updates before I continue with regularly scheduled programming.
First of all, Bryan and I are two of the first-time homeowners profiled in the June/July issue of ReadyMade magazine. I love the issue (which is dedicated to first homes) and I really enjoyed reading about what others went through and the advice they had to share. There are some great photos of our apartment (mostly our kitchen!) and even a sweet shot of us eating breakfast. Eating your breakfast in front of a photo/design team and trying to act normal is not an easy task—especially for jokers like us.
This week was also my second dinner at Floriole. I had a great time working in the kitchen and getting to connect with those of you that joined us for our spring meal. It was such a pleasure to see/meet some of my fellow Chicago bloggers (Sara, Elizabeth, and Caroline!) as well as other readers and friends who made the trip up from neighborhoods as far away as Hyde Park (Katie and Octavian!), were sent to the dinner by friends in other cities (Melina!), or showed up despite feeling under the weather because they are true-blue friends (Katie!). And of course I had so much fun working with all of my friends at Floriole.
This time around, Melissa Yen (remember her?!) of Jo Snow syrups crafted us a beautiful rhubarb and basil syrup that we turned into a delicious beer cocktail. We all agreed we would be drinking this one all summer long.
We used Goose island Sofie (a Belgian-style ale that they describe as “tart, dry, sparkling”), a splash of soda water, and some of the rhubarb basil syrup. All of that on ice with a sprig of basil and a slice of rhubarb. A great contender for the official Drink of Summer, or at least of early summer.
Thanks to everyone for the good times this week! I’ll keep you posted on future events.
Next up, rhubarb mania sweeps my kitchen. Again.
Kimberley says:
May 26th, 2011 at 12:46 am
No joking on camera, huh? Can’t wait to check out the paper version. Also can’t wait for the next episode of rhubarbery. I too am obsessed.
Ruth says:
May 26th, 2011 at 1:25 am
Love the photo of you both! Your home looks amazing. Can I visit?
{in the interests of being understood, I actually live in th UK, so visiting is out of the question, but it doesn’t stop me wanting to…}
Michelle says:
May 26th, 2011 at 7:28 am
Very cool! Looks like a great spread in the mag.
Caroline Shields says:
May 26th, 2011 at 7:50 am
Hey Tim! Thanks for the mention! :) I just read your ReadyMade article, love that the doughnuts sealed the deal! Your place looks fabulous.
**I had the best time at the dinner. The food was just lovely.
A perfect night.
Maria says:
May 26th, 2011 at 8:04 am
Dinner was amazing and I now have a new obsession for poached eggs.
Allison says:
May 26th, 2011 at 8:08 am
Tim, My boyfriend and I were also at the dinner (and all the way from Hyde Park!). We had a lovely time, enjoyed the meal and the drinks as well as your continued enthusiasm and knack of pairing great ingredients to make great food. Thanks so much!
Tim says:
May 26th, 2011 at 8:32 am
Allison and Maria- so glad you made it out!
Allison, there were an unusually high number of Hyde Parkers at those dinners, which I loved.
Ruth- yes, come on over!
Caroline- it was great seeing you and yes, the doughnuts were a real selling point.
Katie says:
May 26th, 2011 at 8:40 am
Hi Tim!
The dinner really was fantastic. Octavian and I savoured every last bit. Looking forward to the next!
By the way, your kitchen setup looks great. We dream of the day we can really make a kitchen our own.
jordan says:
May 26th, 2011 at 8:57 am
congrats on your dinner and article! wish i lived in chicago…. maybe you should do a dinner here in la!
olga says:
May 26th, 2011 at 9:43 am
Oh I love your profile!! Sad I’m in NYC and can’t come to one of your fabulous dinners.
Kartik @ Bakeology 101 says:
May 26th, 2011 at 2:27 pm
Congrats on the magazine spread Tim! Might I suggest a food truck that you could take around the country and share your dinners with everyone :). We don’t have enough of them in NorCal.
Julie says:
May 26th, 2011 at 2:44 pm
Love x one million. I can’t wait to get this issue. and seriously that ravioli. Congrats!
Tim says:
May 26th, 2011 at 3:15 pm
Kartik- I like the way you think. Lottie + Doof National Tour!
Thanks, Jules.xox
Melina says:
May 26th, 2011 at 8:33 pm
Tim! What a wonderful dinner! I am so glad my friend Sarah in SF got me hooked on your blog. I can’t wait for the next dinner.
I look forward to Rhubarb Mania!
SMITH BITES says:
May 27th, 2011 at 6:42 am
Tim ~ i cannot wait until The Professor and I can make it to one of your fabulous dinners . . . well that AND meet you of course!!! Lottie & Doof is one if the very first blogs i started reading almost 2yrs ago and i quietly (sometimes) sneak/stalk here just checking out what you’re up to. Congrats on the magazine article and that beer recipe sounds absolutely wonderful!!!
Neil Butterfield says:
May 28th, 2011 at 4:23 am
Congrats on being featured in the magazine. You should always act the way you are, even if it is crazy. :-)
Anne says:
May 28th, 2011 at 9:02 am
Tim- I loved the article about you and Bryan in ReadyMade magazine, congrats! I love your blog and its a great inspiration for my vegan cooking blog. I must confess I have an obsession with rhubarb so keep those recipes coming!
Kartik @ Bakeology 101 says:
May 28th, 2011 at 4:55 pm
Tim, the Lottie + Doof National Tour would be really awesome – As long as I get to be first in line to try your best stuff :)
yooni says:
May 31st, 2011 at 4:12 pm
Congrats, ReadyMade sounds like such a wonderful opportunity! Your kitchen is so beautiful. Rhubarb basil cocktails sound too good to be true ♡__♡
Kendyl says:
June 19th, 2011 at 3:18 pm
Even as a long-time reader, I didn’t realize that was you guys! I got that issue, it fell open to your page, and I gleefully exclaimed, “One or both of these guys must be bartenders. Or boozehounds like me! Or both!” after being able to identify most of the bottles in your liquor cabinet. Way to go! Your pad looks great!
Cheers!
Tim says:
June 20th, 2011 at 7:46 pm
Kendyl-ha! we are boozehounds, although Bryan is also a certified bartender- so I guess it is a little bit of both. Thanks for the nice message.
baobabs says:
August 5th, 2011 at 1:32 am
congrats on being new home owners and the feature!! i LOVE your blog, your photos and your kitchen looks absolutely fab! like a showroom kitchen!! very inspired to do more work on my blog. Thanks for sharing and the inspiration!