Redecorating a bit here at Small Things. Hope you like the new banner image!
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Had dinner last night with a good friend for a belated celebration of her birthday. We went to Nightwood Restaurant in the Pilsen neighborhood in Chicago. It’s a cozy, chic place with leather chairs, great drinks and a hip and attractive staff. I drove there directly after work and quickly lamented the frazzled/counselor look I was (not) rocking as soon as the hostess asked me if she could take my coat. I relented, gave up the coat, smoothed back my loosening ponytail and took my seat to wait for the guest of honor.
Chicago was in the middle of a little lake-effect snow fall and my friend was running late. At the server’s recommendation I ordered the Warsteiner lager and glanced at the menu. Nightwood writes their menu by hand each day and focuses on local meats and veggies. This is from their website and pretty close to our menu from last night:
We split the mixed greens salad which was fresh and crisp with the most amazing homemade croutons. they were buttery and crunchy and for some reason kept reminding me of a summer carnival (??) I’m going to have to go back and think a little harder about that one. For my entree I ordered the Spit-roasted half-chicken. It was just the right amount of food and left me feeling perfectly satisfied.
But we had dessert anyways.
I mean, they had bread pudding, for pete’s sake. Salted-caramel bread pudding. You try to pass that up. and we shared it by the way, so there.
Aside from being one of the best meals I’ve had out in a lonnngggg time, it was just a good night in general. It’s been such a long time since I’ve gone out on a Friday night after work. I’d forgotten what a fun, kinetic energy the world has going on right after work on a Friday night.
I’m thinking I’d like a few more Friday night’s out after work. Who’s in?
