A Chicago Weekend

Early in October we took two days off work to run the Chicago marathon, and then eat our way around the city. Well, not really around the city: before the marathon we didn't want to move our legs and after the marathon we couldn't move our legs, so our eating was restricted to places we could easily get to from our AirBnb in the Loop.

When not running, napping, or stretching, we squeezed in many meals and some touristing. Here were our faves:

Lunch/Dinner

Au Cheval: Yes, there's a wait. Yes, the burgers are amazing. But also, the mille-feuille was the best thing we ate all weekend.

Crisp: Awesome fried chicken. Awesome bibimbap bowls. Perfect post-race nourishment. (Would also be good for a hangover. The feelings are similar.)

Cruz Blanca Brewery & Taquería: We went here while we waited for our table at Au Cheval (perks of marathoning = 2 lunches). The tacos were great, the beer was enjoyed by the boys, and the Bloody María was perfection.

Little Goat: This was my favorite place. The bakery is incredible and lunch here was perfect whether you want mac and cheese, a reuben, or kale salad (or all of the above).

Pacific Standard Time: A super elegant, chic, California-style restaurant. Wonderful pizza, beautiful veggies, and a beautifully designed space.

Sweets

Bobtail Ice Cream: Peanut butter and cookie dough in a cone please.

Stan's Donuts: Go for breakfast or second breakfast. And then go again the next day. The doughnuts are awesome.

We tried to go to Doughnut Vault but they'd sold out by the time we hobbled over there. However, it looked adorable and if the sold out sign is anything to go by, worth visiting early!

Culture

Architecture Tour: I generally hate tours (or any kind of organized touristing/activity), but this was great. It's a boat tour along the river which is beautiful, super informative, and a wonderful way to spend the morning and learn a little about the city.

The Art Institute of Chicago: Whatever you want to see, they've got it. The museum is huge. I loved Chicago's America Windows.

The Bean: Obvs. Anish Kapoor's Bean deserves the attention it gets.

And if you want to run a marathon, the Chicago marathon really was great. Well, I didn't think the last few miles were so great, but I think that's more the fault of marathons than Chicago...

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The City of Spires

A weekend in the city my little brother calls home for half the year. A parallel to the life I led for three years in the lighter blue city. Walks from one side to the other (us staying at the north and he living in the South); glimpses of majestic colleges; crushing colourful leaves on Christ Church meadows; early morning runs round the University Park; crisp, bright light in the botanical gardens; warming coffee at Quarterhorse and 2 North Parade, accompanied with the odd pastry here and there; catching up with family and friends over a wintery, warming meal at Turl Street Kitchen; late nights clutching a glass of mulled wine at The Bear; long dinner and a few bubbles at T's house; a small glimpse of the eclectic items at Pitt Rivers; healthy salads at Will's Deli; tea in A's college room; dreams of future studying for B; wandering in and out of shops and cafés for me; imagining maybe running a little bakery here one day. I never thought London life would become a bubble. But when you step outside and look around, it becomes clear that there is life elsewhere that had been forgotten. The thought floated across my mind  that maybe this less polluted, slightly calmer mode de vie may be what we're searching for.

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