Date #17 & Restaurant #10

just a quick nite out to see the movie JOBS.  We used a Groupon to check out the new Star Cinema Grill.  Should this count as a Restaurant too?

Date #14 & Restuarant #9?

I had hoped to go sailing with Jared, but I wasn't sure we wouldn't capsize and you have to have prior sailing experience.  So instead we went out on the paddle boats.  Great weather.  Jared had never been to Lake Arlington before!  He was happy with that change.  Then we went to Bill Goat Tavern in Randhurst.  I was surprised how limited their menu was, but it was a great cheezeborger!  We walked around the mall a little since we had a little time.  We decided to go see the Wolverine movie, since we had some time to spend.

Date #12 and Restaurant #8

We  saw Five Course Love at the Metropolis Arts Center and then dinner at Armand's

I thought the show was creative, the sets imaginative, the music and costumes good, but I didn't always believe the characters.

Dinner, we were seated right away with no reservation.  Garlic Bread, Pasta Fagioli and Minestrone soup, and Lasagna and Meat Ravioli.  Nothing super excellent, but good enough and we discussed meeting Jared off the train for Friday night pizza some time this summer.

Date Night #11 and Restaurant #7

Lincoln Whiskey Kitchen

made a reservation on open table and the reviews on yelp were good.
we arrived a little early and they apologized for having a wait.  But we were seated practically right at our reservation time.  Lots of people had arrived before us and were still waiting as we sat down.  All through dinner people were waiting for tables.  Good thing we had a reservation.

Flirtini and seasonal beer to drink
wild mushroom soup and market salad to start, were delicious
i ordered chicken crepes and Jared the shrimp special.  We loved both.  I also had the seasonal spaghetti squash for my side (with raisins and pistachios) and Jared ordered the carrots.  I though they were too sweet, steamed carrots are delicious!
Bourbon sliders for dessert.  Too bourbon-y

Chicago Indoor Racing for fun
we had found this on a groupon, otherwise we never would have known it was there!  but we only got one groupon, so we had to pay the extra.  But Jared loved it.  20 laps.  raced around a track.  best lap.  I was always the last!

Date #9: Pottery & Dinner

Instead of Dinner and a Movie, we mixed things up based on some blogs (http://fridaywereinlove.blogspot.com/  http://shannonbrown.typepad.com/life_in_general/featured.html) I had checked out.

We went and painted some pottery, which we had done when we were dating. Thrown Elements had a special rate for the night; though it was a girls night out, they honored the price for Jared!  It was kind of funny to get dressed up to work with pottery and paint, but we had fun.  When we were younger, I had painted salt and pepper shakers and Jared a flour pot.  I know we also had an IU picture frame at some point too.   This time I painted a plaque for the house and Jared a cereal bowl.  It was fun, but took a bit longer than I had budgeted, and we were a little late for dinner.

We went to Mago in downtown Arlington Heights.  We had made the reservation on opentable, which I love to do!  We called them to let them know we would be a little late, but we didn't have to wait too long and everything was speedy after that!  We enjoyed Margaritas on the rocks, chips and guacamole made at our table.  Jared had the salmon special and I had the Carne Asada Tampiquena, both were excellent.  I had never had fried ice cream, so I ordered that for dessert; surprisingly I liked the strawberry the best.  Jared ordered pumpkin cheesecake to go.    The restaurant was in the same building as the Metropolis Performing Arts Center.  I have been there before for a performance with some former co-workers...I added a show at the MPAC to our list of date night ideas.

It was nice to have a whole night to talk and I realized what I already knew - doing something is always more fun than just watching a movie.  Though we are going to see a movie next.  I think part of the reason we seem to alternate movies and doing something is that there is always some movie out that we want to see and it feels so adult to get to see a movie together.

Birch River Grill

Had a Groupon, purchased for $25
made a reservation on open table
hard to find, no big sign, but from reviews I had known it was in the Hilton holtel.  it was a doubletree
promptly seated
riesing wine and a beer for Jared
chicken quesadilla, was kind of plain but toppings were good
i had salmon - great
jared had pork tenderloin also great
dessert cookies and milk!

great deal,  great food, good service.  would recommend

10 Restaurants #4

I can't believe we haven't tried a new restaurant since September, but I think we'll be trying quite a few more in the upcoming months.
I had gotten a Groupon to the Prairie House Tavern, so since Mimi was in town for her spring break, we got out on a date night!

It's a little place, the family room of an our prairie style home (hence the name), only about 15 tables.  We got there about 7:30 Saturday night and found a table quickly.  We had draft beers and our waiter took our order. Jared ordered the beef barley soup, a special. And I ordered a salad to start. the croutons were missing, but it was a standard salad.  I ordered the skirt steak sandwich with sweet potato fries and Jared had the chipotle burger, made with buffalo meat.  He really enjoyed his, so much so he said he would like to come again.  Mine was also good and I ate the whole thing.  For dessert, they brought out what are commonly called cinnamon dough boys.  OH MY GOD!  SO GOOD.   They are basically dough fried, sprinkled with cinnamon sugar and drizzled with the icing that you put on cinnamon rolls.  Plus they bring out a container more.  It was a large plate and I couldn't finish it, because Jared only had one piece.  I don't know how he has such restraint, but I had them for breakfast again the next morning.  Reheated for about a minute, just as good as the night before.  We'll probably go here again.

10 Restaurants #3

Wednesday was our 8th wedding anniversary, so on Saturday night, my parents came over, and we checked out Seasons 52 in Schaumburg.  Jared insists we went here in Orlando a few years ago.  The mini desserts sound familiar, but I am going to count this as a new one nonetheless.

I made a reservation on open table about a month before.  We had driven by it and Jared had said we should go there for our anniversary.  So I hopped on the app on my phone and made the reservation...being sure to note that it would be our anniversary.

We arrived just before 7pm and the parking lot was full...thank goodness for complimentary valet service!

We checked in for our reservation, but since we were a little early, they gave us a pager and we waited for a bit.  We were quickly seated in the dining room and given an anniversary card!  It was very generic, but I appreciated the gesture.  Our waiter Eric came over and congratulated us on our anniversary, asking how many years it was.

Since I'm pregnant, I couldn't order anything to drink, but Jared enjoyed a glass of the Anna's Merlot.  He later had a second!

We ordered the garlic chicken flatbread, the arugula and mixed greens salads, and the scallops and filet for dinner.  The flatbread was so good, it was gone in a couple of minutes...Jared enjoyed his arugula salad - it had a truffle dressing on it.  I ordered the mixed greens salad since it had a white balsamic dressing...I was kind of curious about that...it was just a bit lighter than a regular balsamic...in retrospect I could have passed on the salad and saved more room for the desserts. I didn't finish my salad.

The filet was done perfectly and the mushrooms were delicious!  Some of the carrots were undercooked but most were soft.  And the garlic mashed potatoes were heavenly!  Jared said the scallops were so good, they melted!  Neither of us really ate our asparagus.

We had four of the mini indulgences: Chocolate peanut butter, pumpkin pie, carrot cake, and key lime pie.  All were delicious and 2 were complimentary for our anniversary!  They were the perfect size, just a taste.  We also had some coffee which was great too...wish I could have drank more...I had no more room in my belly!

The room was dark, but lit in just the right places.  It seemed a lot of couples came there, with friends...perhaps next time we can revisit with some friends

10 Restaurants #2

I checked out the Long Grove Cafe on Thursday.  Since Jared was out of town the whole week, my week was very long.  I had to wait a little while until my server came, I sat on the patio and enjoyed the Tilapia fish.  I don't remember much else since I never finished this post.  I doubt I'd ever return since I wasn't completely won over, but perhaps that was my mood for the day more than the food or the restaurant.

10 Restaurants: #1

1 Down. We checked out Francesca's Tavola with Andy & Lori.
didn't take any notes but we were served quickly and the food was good.  http://www.miafrancesca.com/static.asp?path=3115,3246