Dining Out: Chicago Edition

Analise Gregory November 11, 2019

“Eventually, I think Chicago will be the most beautiful great city left in the world.” - Frank Lloyd Wright

This is my final recap of my Chicago trip, and I had to end this series with the post I’ve been asked about the most - Dining Out: Chicago Edition. Chicago had some pretty amazing places to eat, and out of all the places we dined, G and I only had one spot that was a little lackluster (that place is obviously not featured on this list, ha). To say that our food experience was wonderful is an understatement. Also, there is such a wide variety of food choices to choose from, this city is so diverse that you’ll be sure to find something that is beyond enjoyable.

If you have been reading along so far, I’ve recapped my experiences indulging on some of the best donuts and drinks the Windy City has to offer. Now, we are diving into some wonderful restaurants that we had the pleasure of enjoying during our trip in October.

RPM Steak

RPM Steak was so wonderful, and G and I totally splurged on this restaurant during our fancy date night out for his birthday. The space is stunning - from the bar to the dining room. This spot was super packed when we went on a weeknight, and having a reservation is an absolute must for RPM. Our waitress was amazing, and the in-house sommelier guided us through the wine list, which had spectacular options to choose from. We were super impressed with all of the options on their menu as well.

Take a peek at what we ordered below!

The sommelier assisted us and selected an amazing wine for us to enjoy during the evening.

An amuse-bouche provided by the chef, a potato cake with smoked tuna, and caviar on top.

Roasted Ora King Salmon + Tarragon Aioli

When it came to the dessert, I was dying to try the 14K gold chocolate cake. It was featured on “The Best Thing I Ever Ate” on the Food Network, and ever since I saw it, I knew it was something I’d have to order at RPM. This decadent chocolate cake did not disappoint whatsoever, and it was totally worth the wait.

The cutest cotton candy setup for Carlton’s birthday surprise.

Portillo's Hot Dogs

Portillo’s Hot Dog is a relaxed spot, that serves up Chicago classics, like the city’s iconic hot dog. This place is very popular with the locals, and gets crowded super quickly. Also, we loved how casual this spot was, it was set up cafeteria-style, and once you place your order you’re able to grab any table you want in the restaurant. This place is casual, fun, and a great way to try some of Chicago’s popular dishes.

Nutella Cafe

Who isn’t in love with Nutella? This chocolate hazelnut spread is one of my favorite treats. The Nutella Cafe has a marvelous storefront right in the heart of Michigan Avenue. Visiting this spot was super easy for us, as it was right across from our hotel. The cafe gets very crowded during peak hours, but we arrived shortly after they opened for breakfast, and were able to get our order in very fast. We were given excellent recommendations by the staff and enjoyed some delicious treats during our visit.

Pound Cake “Panzanella” with fresh Berries

Nando's

Nando’s is a chain, but it was the first time G and I tried this spot. Also, it was super convenient, as this spot was also right by our hotel, and it was the first spot we tried when we arrived in the Windy City. I was actually super surprised at how delicious this place was, but I should have known this place was a hit with so many people flocking to the restaurant! Nando’s has excellent options on their menu and with such a wide variety. Now that I know there are some locations close to home I’ll be visiting them again for sure.

Getting ready to try the PERi-PERi Wings for the first time.

Giordano's

Giordano’s was so so good and absolutely worth the 45 minute wait it took for our deep dish pizza to get to our table. This restaurant rivaled another popular deep dish pizza restaurant - Lou Malnati’s. The only difference between the two places is: Giordano’s uses a traditional dough based crust, while Lou Malnati’s uses a cornmeal base mixture. If you visit Chicago you’ll see both of these places everywhere, but Giordano’s was my absolute number one pick. The best advice when getting a deep dish is to arrive early to the restaurant. There was a wait for patrons to be seated by the time we wrapped up our meal, and there was no empty seat in the place! G and I went to Giordano’s around 11AM, as it takes 45 minutes to 1 hour for your deep dish pizza to bake. Also, we skipped on ordering any appetizers so we could really enjoy our dish! We opted to order a small deep dish to share, which yields 6 slices, and was more than enough for the two of us. Also, our experience was so nice. The staff was super kind and really did their best to make our experience enjoyable.

Grabbing a slice of the delicious deep dish pizza - look at the ooey gooey mozzarella cheese!

XO, Analise

When In Rome, Part II

Analise Gregory February 6, 2019

“Rome is not like any other city. It’s a big museum, a living room that shall be crossed on one’s toes.” – Alberto Sordi.

In Part II, (check out Part I) of our wonderful trip to Rome, I am sharing all of the places we visited. G and I tried to fit as much as we could into our week long trip in Rome, while making sure we living and enjoying in each moment.

There are so many stops to make in this city. Visiting during the off-season was an excellent decision. We were really able to enjoy each monument, and not have to rush or be overcome by large crowds of people. Going during the month of January was the perfect choice for us, and luckily a lot of tours were not booked or crowded.

Also, if you are interested in vacationing in Rome, bring your walking shoes! We rarely took a taxi in the city, and literally walked everywhere. I brought a lot of comfortable sneakers, and was so grateful I did.

First, I will start with where we stayed …

Hotel Artemide

*The gorgeous how restaurant, Ambrosia.*

Colosseum, Palatine Hill, and Roman Forum

This was such a cool experience and a dream come true for G. We were able to learn so much about these wonderful monuments and how they became to be. There is so much history on these stops, and we actually did a combined tour that highlighted each area.

*G & I decided to take the extended Colosseum tour, we were lucky to go into parts of the arena that were not accessible to the public.*

*One of the many arches erected in Roman Forum and Palatine Hill.*

Milivio Bridge

My best friend, Alisha gifted me a locket to put on the Milivio Bridge. It has G’s and I initials engraved on the front, and our wedding date on the back. We were able to secure it on the bridge, and it was such an amazing way to cement our memory and spot in Italy.

*Our gold locket secured on the bridge.*

Trevi Fountain

The Trevi Fountain was gorgeous and breathtaking, we instantly felt calm as we approached this stunning structure. This is where visitors make their wishes by throwing coins into the fountain, also there are people who drink the water as well, as a form of good luck. It was a bit crowded, but we were able to make our way to the fountain to make several wishes.

Altar of the Fatherland

This historic museum not only was breathtaking, but filled with artifacts from the Italian Unification. Also, the monument is dedicated to king Vittorio Emanuele II, and his resting place is inside the Altar of the Fatherland. This museum has some of the most amazing views of Rome. They even offer an elevator ride at the top of the building for visitors to enjoy the landscape from up high.

*G standing in front of the Altar of the Fatherland.*

Spanish Steps

The Spanish Steps consists of 174 steps, and when you finally reach the top, you're literally in awe of the gorgeous city and overlooking Piazza di Spagna. In front of the steps you'll find the Fontana della Barcaccia which is a work of art. Also, in this area you'll find a ton of high end shops - Fendi, Gucci, Hermes, Valentino, and so much more. During this stop I treated myself to my very first Fendi bag! Visiting this city, I really wanted to buy a special piece from Roma, and I'm so glad I did.

*In front of Fendi with my very first bag from the iconic store.*

Vatican City

This stop was one of my favorites. The city is amazing, and the bridge leading up to this area is stunning. The church was nothing like I've ever seen before and encompassed such great detail and design. Also, services were being conducted during our visit - if you are interested in attending it was super easy to find a seat and be a part of it. Cameras and videos were not allowed during services, as well as in the Sistine Chapel. We toured the Vatican Museum which connected us to the chapel super easily.

The Pantheon

This former temple, now church is simply lovely. The architecture for this building was so neat to see in person. It was very easy to get in and walk around. When visiting you'll find many artists sketching the iconic features of the church.

*In front of the fountain by The Pantheon.*

Teatro Dell’Opera

Our hotel was right around the corner from this amazing Opera house. G and I went to see La Traviata and the show was absolutely wonderful. Also, they provided English and Spanish subtitles during the show, which was super helpful to follow along. The interior and design of Teatro Dell'Opera was stunning. Also, there was a small museum inside that displayed the buildings history.

*Getting ready for the show, La Traviata.*

Thank you so much for reading part two of our Italian vacation!

Our trip was so much fun, and we are already thinking about planning another vacation soon! What are some of your favorite places to visit? Share below!

XO, Analise

Philadelphia Travel Guide

Analise Gregory September 6, 2018

"The best education I have ever received was through travel." - Lisa Ling

Before the summer ended, C and I decided to take a quick trip to Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. I've been a few times before, but this was my first visit doing a more tourist-like trip. The city is stunning, and there is so much to see and do.

We decided to stay outside of the city for our trip, and selected one day where we toured all of downtown Philadelphia.

Below I'm sharing the highlights of our trip!

We decided to do the Big Bus Philadelphia tour. It was the quickest way to see absolutely everything! Also, it was great because we were able to get on and off at any stop in the route.

It's perfect for the person who just wants to ride around the city, or if you want to dig deeper into a specific site, the option is available. The entire tour takes about 90 minutes. Also, you can sit on-top of the bus, or inside if you prefer to not be in the elements.

Our bus was packed, and it is highly recommended you get setup on a bus early in the day - especially if you are in a larger group and prefer to sit together.

The tour guides were awesome, super knowledgeable, and they provided excellent commentary along with viewing the city's stunning architecture.

Favorite Spots

Liberty Bell - You cannot go to Philadelphia without seeing the Liberty Bell. There are two ways you can it. First, you can do a tour and get up, close, and personal with the bell, or you can view outside the building, between a glass barrier. Viewing it outside the museum was a popular option, as many viewers were able to quickly see the bell and hear the audio along with it.
Penn's Landing Waterfront - This lovely waterfront is perfect to visit at night or during the day. During the warmer months, live bands play. Also, they have food trucks and amazing vendors that setup along the water. It's so much fun to walk around and relax. It's such a cool spot to visit.
Philadelphia Museum of Art - I've visited the museum last year, and it is simply breathtaking. Of course, this is home to the iconic "Rocky Steps" on the east side of the building. So many people were running up and down the steps. Off to the side the Rocky statue stood very tall - and there was a very long line to get a photo with it!

*Philadelphia Museum of Art & "Rocky Steps"*

*The famous Reading Terminal Market, that has over 80 amazing food vendors*

Reading Terminal Market - One of the largest markets in the United States, and is a National Historic Landmark Building. This market has an outstanding selection of food - ranging from fresh produce, seafood, meats, delicious desserts, cold-pressed juices, and gourmet sandwiches. Also, you'll be able to find some amazing kitchen and home items to include in your household.

Pro Tips

There is limited seating in the market, so when you find a seat, grab it quickly! Also, some restaurants do have a few seats allocated for their business, so check before walking away.
Not interested in eating there, or want to take some ingredients home? Ask the vendor for to go options, as well as packing up fresh meats or seafood to go.
Get there early! It gets crowded quickly, so make sure you tour the market and find the restaurant you'd like to try.
There will be lines for popular places - so be prepared to wait. Many popular vendors has extremely long lines! So be patient, and the lines do move pretty swiftly.

Favorite Vendors

Profi's Creperie - Their crepes were so light and fluffly! This place was very popular, but so worth the wait.
By George! Pizza, Pasta, & Cheesesteaks - C tried two cheesesteaks, and this one, won! His favorite cheesesteak this visit was actually not at the market, but Tony Luke's was the standout during our trip.

*Observing the gorgeous architecture in the city*

Our tour of Downtown Philadelphia was great! This was my third trip to this wonderful city, and each time I find or learn something new.

I'm looking forward to another trip to this amazing city in the future.

Have you ever been to Philly? If so, what's your favorite thing about it?

XO, Analise

Vegas Vibes

Analise Gregory July 19, 2018

"What happens in Vegas, stays in Vegas ..." - Unknown

G & I have been planning a Vegas trip for a little while now, and we met up with my best friend and her husband, for a quick weekend getaway!

We all wanted to do new activities that everyone hadn't experience in their previous Vegas trips. So, it was a blast creating new memories with one another.

Today, I am sharing a few highlights on our recent trip!

Checking into the gorgeous Palms Casino Resort.

G & I stayed at the Palms Casino Resort it is currently under construction, but the parts that aren't are simply stunning. Renovations should be fully complete sometime next year, but the staff did an amazing job in ensuring our safety, as well as the venue being fully functional. They have really upgraded the hotel and it looks great, also there is in on-site movie theater! The staff was great and very accommodating. They have included some wonderful art installations - including the large piece outside that I'm standing in front of, that really elevate the facility!

Enjoying the music and vibes at the Marquee Dayclub at the Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas.

Our favorite day club and pool party was the Marquee at Cosmopolitan. The set list was amazing, and DJ Mustard was the guest DJ for the event. Pool parties typically start at 11 AM and end at 6 PM. We actually bought our tickets in advance, and were able to skip the super long line! I do recommend getting on a guest list, or having tickets prior to arrival, so you can get right to the party. Also, the dress code is pretty strict, and make sure to take as little items into the event as possible.

This pool party had about five bars, a poker table, and food made to order. Also, they have a cool down station, which included plenty of water, and space for you to relax as you are dancing and drinking all day. The best part, is that the day club has an indoor and covered dance floor - this section connects to the pool and outside space. Which is perfect, because it does get pretty hot, and having access to air conditioning is a must!

Grabbing a quick bite to eat at In N Out Burger.

The best kept secret is off the strip - The Linq Promenade has the best shops and restaurants. Also, the area is shaded, and it was nice to walk down this cool alleyway and see all that it had to offer.

One of the greatest finds was In N Out Burger. I opted for the secret menu item - Grilled Cheese! The line for this place was very long, but they turn out orders very quickly. Also, there is inside and outside seating!

Strolling down the Linq Promenade, and hopping onto The High Roller!

After we indulged in some fast food, it was time to continue the adventure - The High Roller was our next stop!

This wheel soars about 550 feet above the Las Vegas Strip. The wheel is massive and the 360-degree views of the Las Vegas Valley and The Strip are breathtaking. We spent about 30 minutes on the observation wheel. Also, we selected the Happy Hour option - $40 for unlimited drinks, and a complimentary shooter when you reach the peak on the wheel! The cabin is spacious, and our bartender was fantastic, and had plenty of drink options to choose from on the ride. Also, they make you a to-go drink upon exiting the cabin!

Enjoying a live concert by Future at Drai's Nightclub at the Cromwell Las Vegas & Casino.

Our favorite nightclub was Drai's, where we were able to see Future perform live. Again, we did purchase our tickets ahead of time, which was very helpful. Also, they are very particular about what you can bring inside the venue - so check out their site upon arrival.

Also, similar to the Marquee, Drai's has an inside and outside section. So if you prefer to stay inside on the dance floor or go outside by the pool, there are plenty of options to choose from! The weather was much cooler at night, so we hung out by the pool. Also, there are huge monitors that showcase what is happening on the main stage!

Enjoying the most delicious meal at Gordon Ramsay Hell's Kitchen.

This was the first big activity we did upon our arrival! Hell's Kitchen was absolutely heavenly. Our group loved everything there - from the food, wine selection, and incredible staff, this place is a total winner! If you want to read more about our restaurant experience, feel free to check out my previous post highlighting this gem.

Ordering the most delicious cocktail in our hotel bar at The Palms Casino & Resort.

Our hotel bar had the absolute cutest setup! They had an amazing selection and the staff was so kind.

Overall we had an amazing time in Vegas, and there is so much to do there as well! We are definitely looking forward to our next getaway.

Enjoy!

XO, Analise