The gang at Floriole Cafe & Bakery never disappoint. Jeremy, Jack and I enjoyed their baked goods at the Green City Market - snacking on sweet raspberry teacakes - all last summer. They recently opened a storefront in Lincoln Park, and I took Jack for lunch today.
The space is airy, light and modern. Exposed brick walls, stainless steel and a beautiful reclaimed wood table are all highlights. "This is just like Gack's house," my pint-sized lunch date declared. (I wish!) The cafe features two levels with lots of sunlight on the second level. On the first level, there is a big window to see into the kitchen. The cafe has counter service, and I ordered a pizzette with grape tomatoes and basil for Jack and an egg salad sandwich for myself. The bakery case was filled with cakes, tarts, pots de Creme (a silky custard dessert) and cookies, but Mommy resisted. Jack loved his mini-pizza, and my egg salad was mustard-based and was topped with fresh spinach leaves. Floriole uses many seasonal, local ingredients, and they bring a lot of creativity to their work.
They are child-friendly with booster seats at the ready and a very snazzy stainless-steel changing station in the bathroom. This is the perfect place for a steaming cafe au lait and a decadent croissant in the morning or for a salad, sandwich or piece of quiche for lunch. It caters more for the girlfriends getting together to talk or to work on your laptop (they have free wifi) but I totally felt comfortable being there with my young son. Their prices were a bit high but hey it's Lincoln Park. Get thee to Floriole and be sure to try the teacakes.
Floriole, 1220 W. Webster, Chicago
Open: Tuesday-Friday, 7 a.m. -3 p.m.; Saturday & Sunday, 8 a.m. - 4 p.m.; closed Mondays
Friday, May 7, 2010
Friday, April 30, 2010
What I learned today
Today, Jack, his nannyshare friend/close bud Nate, and nanny extraordinaire Maria took me on a lunch date to one of their favorite places: Borinquen, a Puerto Rican restaurant somewhere between Chicago's Humboldt Park and Logan Square neighborhoods. This is what I learned:
1. I might have too short of a leash on Jack. When Maria encouraged the boys to run across the (small) room to take a look at the large fish tank, they both took off. Jack then froze, turned around and came back to me with a look like, "is this cool?" In that instance, I realized I don't give him much freedom in public to explore but our circumstances often dictate that in the city. Must put that on my mommy to-do list to reconcile.
2. Jibaritos are just plain awesome. This sandwich uses fried plantains rather than bread, people. That is an amazing, decadent discovery. Ripe, red, August-looking tomatoes, lettuce and onions top the flavorful steak, cheese and a dab of mayo. The service was extremely friendly, and it's BYOB to boot. I'll be back....maybe you'll join me?
1. I might have too short of a leash on Jack. When Maria encouraged the boys to run across the (small) room to take a look at the large fish tank, they both took off. Jack then froze, turned around and came back to me with a look like, "is this cool?" In that instance, I realized I don't give him much freedom in public to explore but our circumstances often dictate that in the city. Must put that on my mommy to-do list to reconcile.
2. Jibaritos are just plain awesome. This sandwich uses fried plantains rather than bread, people. That is an amazing, decadent discovery. Ripe, red, August-looking tomatoes, lettuce and onions top the flavorful steak, cheese and a dab of mayo. The service was extremely friendly, and it's BYOB to boot. I'll be back....maybe you'll join me?
Monday, April 26, 2010
Hey, and it's not even Thanksgiving
If you have a moment today, celebrate all you have. I'm celebrating having loving family and friends, a job, a home and dinner on my table tonight. I'm celebrating my parents finally selling their house. I'm celebrating Jeremy's parents' 35th anniversary today. I'm celebrating good times with friends this weekend and lots of fun coming up this weekend. A family I know is having a game-changing moment as their son has a critical surgery today. Seeing their joy and their faith keeps my perspective on life in perspective.