Well here I am in Chicago for the week. TOMCAR is exhibiting at the Work Truck Show this Wednesday through Friday and I came in today to handle load-in.

Chicago is like a sweater…it’s just familiar.  All the weekends spent partying, the time working here with Feld Entertainment, I got used to this place.  I haven’t had reason to be here for almost a year though so it’s good to be back.

I say this even while I maintain my love/hate relationship with this place…like many Detroiters I just can’t completely embrace Chicago.  I really do like it here, I believe it’s one of the best cities in the US, but…it’s still Chicago…home of the Bears, Bulls, Blackhawks and the smugness that comes with those teams.  I can’t stand Chicago fans…almost as worse as New York fans.  Aside from sports, there’s also a bit of why not us when you see this midwest city on a great lake. 

Anyhoo, I’ll be here all week and I have to say I started the week off pretty good from a culinary standpoint.  Right around the corner from my hotel is a relatively new place called Farmerie 58. They were still working off of last week’s “Dine Chicago” menu so I got a great three course dinner for $32.  Now looking over the menu, I was almost ready to go with the safe bets – chopped salad, spare ribs, chocolate tart – but after my first martini I got a little adventurous and went with –  butternut squash soup, pork chop with cranberry reduction, apple chutney and fingerling potatoes and the white chocolate bread pudding with caramel popcorn and vanilla cream.  WOW! 

All three were fantastic!  But since we love the pork here, let me tell you that pork chop was just tatsy!!  I don’t typically eat pork chops, we don’t buy them at home and it’s always easier to run with a steak when I go out, but last night I was glad I switched things up.  What really made it was the cranberry and apple.  There was a nice crispy glaze over top the meat and the apple chuttney was stuffed inside, bringing wonderful flavors to the meat.  You just can’t go wrong with those classic tastes!

Based on my dinner tonight, I’m giving Farmerie 58 EIGHT piggies eating bacon.

Weekly Deals for Detroit Area Stores  - 3/2/09:*

Kroger - Kroger Bacon, Any Variety, 16 oz. (2 for $5 w/ card) AND Tyson Bacon, Select Variety, 16 oz. (2 for $5 w/ card)

Meijer - Plumrose Bacon, 16 oz. (2 for $4)

Hiller’s – Gusto’s Thick Sliced Hickory Smoked Bacon, 20 oz. ($2.99)

Busch’s – Spartan Bacon, 16 oz. (2 for $5)

AND since I am in Chicago this week…

Dominick’s - Hormel Black Label Sliced Bacon, 12 oz. – 16 oz. (BOGO)

Go Get Some!!

Need to see another store on the list…let me know!

* I don’t believe in Wal-Mart, so if you grocery shop there, you’ll have to find out about the specials your own self!