[Chicago Dining] Fashionable Brunching at Little Goat!

In my continued quest to petition for 'Brunching' to be added as the next Olympic sport I've been staying busy with a rigorous training schedule (I know, I know it's not realistic but hey if they cancelled wrestling you never know right?).

My most recent visit was to Stephanie Izard's latest addition, Little Goat.  It did not take much prodding for me to add Little Goat to my long list of Chicago treasures to nosh at.  One of my absolute favorite restaurants is Little Goat's older sister, A Girl and The Goat.  Foolish me believed that I had experienced a number of food-gasms before but did not realize until that moment that I ate Izard's 'sauteed green beans' that I was experiencing my real first.  So naturally once I heard that she was opening an extension to her food concept with an American diner it was a definite given that I'd be making a visit.

Little Goat is nod to the vintage American diners of the past with a wide variety of food options and most importantly breakfast is served all day long.  The key difference of what separates Little Goat from any other diner is that everything is made from scratch.  This is Izard's signature attention to detail that swept me off my feet in the first place.

Not sure what to wear? Don't worry, I have you covered.  Draw some outfit inspiration from key Spring/Summer trends that you can wear now:

Items pictured above: ONE by Marna Ro Maxi Dress/ Givenchy Shark Tooth Earring/ Clover Canyon Printed Blazer/ Maison Martin Margiela Ankle Boots/ Givenchy Braided Shark Tooth Bracelet 


Check out my pics from my visit to Little Goat:

[Chicago Dining] Valentine's Day Dinner is so passe, so Brunch it up with Love!

This Valentine's Day I'm advocating a non-traditional approach to this holiday of love ladies & I hope that you all will join me.  Year after year this holiday rolls around and each time I fall victim to the belief that if the man in my life truly loves me he will show that by planning an over the top romantic dinner and shower me with gifts, flowers and whisper sweet nothings in my ear all night long.  Well, here's the reality check: it never happens.  My husband either forgets but won't fess up to forgetting so it leaves me to live out my romantic fantasy by planning it out myself and needless to say it's always a crap show because I'm bitter he didn't do it and I had to "plan everything myself".

This year join me in skipping all of the passe romantic dinner stuff & plan a brunch of love.  I've picked out my Top 3 favorite brunch spots that not only have the perfect ambiance, decor but most importantly the food   does not disappoint.

P.S. To help you plan your "Brunch of Love" with ease I've even picked out an ensemble of inspiration to wear that would be perfect for each locale! xo


1. Terzo Piano

Items pictured above: Sigerson Morrison Booties/Azure Bib Necklace/ Balmain Top/ ASOS Striped Jeans/ DVF Lips Clutch


2. Nellcote

Items pictured above: Markus Lupfer Top/ Richard Nicoll Pencil Skirt/ Camilla Skovgaard Sandals/ Gold Wrap Bracelet/ Fallon Jeweled Bracelet


3. RL

Items pictured above: Monika Chiang Top/ Valentino Bracelet/ Eddie Borgo Earrings/ Thakoon Skirt/ Commando Tights/ Bass Oxfords

[Chicago Dining] Roka Akor Winter Menu Preview!

Anytime I get to infuse food and fashion together it's always a match made in cosmic heaven.  Roka Akor extended me the opportunity to join them recently to preview their food & cocktail winter menu.  As an appreciator of artistic cuisine featuring premiere fresh seasonal, natural and local ingredients it was definitely an event I was looking forward too.  The tasting menu was comprised of 5 different courses, a dessert and 3 different cocktails.

Being a contemporary Robatayaki Japanese restaurant, it was so refreshing to see "food as theater".  Of the 5 courses that were served my favorite was the Robata grilled Wagyu confit Short Rib with truffle maitake mushroom; grilled sweet potato with ginger teriyaki sauce.  Roka Akor is most notably known as a sushi master, but their impressive offering of succulent steak cuts is what left me craving for more.

This new seasonal menu will launch this Friday with the Winter Solstice, on December 21st through March 20th.  Check out my pics below (warning, may cause drool):

Wondering what to wear to this contemporary eastern experience? Play up the fun and sleek vibe in this "Edgy Sparkle" ensemble:

Shop the look here:

[Chicago Dining] Fashionable Brunching at Nellcote!

Sundays in Chicago are synonymous for one thing: Brunching!  In a city known for it's eclectic food it only makes sense that a meal time is given the adjective of action and therefore qualifying it as an actual event.

Personally I'm hoping that one day it will become an Olympic sport, but until then I guess all we can do is continue to practice until we are experts.  After all doesn't the saying go "Practice makes Perfect".  So, for this Sunday's brunching edition we ventured over to Nellcote in Chicago's West Loop.

Why Nellcote?  Easy, all of the reviews and press surrounding this establishment's authentic locavore experience that is defined by humble dishes that focus on simple yet approachable dining.  To compliment the  stellar menu the setting is just to die.  Ornate luxury was the apparent design concept with its Italian marble stairs, extravagant woodwork, crystal chandeliers, etc.

One charming quality I immediately fell in love with was that with all of the opulence in decor and rich foods, Nellcote has personality.  Being that Chicago is a major sports city (probably a total understatement) it was really refreshing for my husband and other fellow football fans to see that they were able to dine in luxury while at the same time not miss a minute of Sunday NFL football.

Needless to say today's brunching pick was a total touchdown (I know, I know total cliche).  Enjoy my pictures from today's #FashionBrunch:

*Disclosure: This is a sponsored post.  All of my comments and this review are completely my own opinion and no one else.