Oon

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On Sunday, after my makeup artist came over and turned me into a movie star, my fiance took me out on a date. After all, when you've got full makeup on, a date is a must.

Hey there Handsome. Let's date.

We went to Oon, which is a new restaurant that just opened up in the West Loop, on Randolph Street. We heard of the restaurant through a friend, who recently moved to Chicago and started working there as a sous chef. Out of all the restaurants in this great city, he had his heart set on working in Oon's kitchen - which indicated to us that there was something really good going on there (check out their menu here if you're interested).

We were seated at a table in the front, with the Sears-I-Mean-Willis-Tower in sight. I always appreciate being able to see city landmarks from my table, because it reminds me of how blessed we are to live in this great city and to be out and about, enjoying its amenities! 

We started with a cocktail each. I had the "Toga, Toga, Toga," which was a tequila based drink that I loved. When it comes to drinks with tequila in them, a lot of restaurants load up on syrup and sugar in order to try to mask the tequila flavor, so I appreciated that they didn't over-do it in that arena. The flavors complimented the tequila flavor enough to make it even more delicious.

My fiance had a drink that was also delicious, called "Stroh Your Boat To China" or something like that. It was creamy and had cinnamon hints, and reminded me of a White Russian (which doesn't mean much because I rarely drink those, it's just all I could compare it to.

We started with the Grilled Short Rib Appetizer. The description read "Daikon Radish, Maggi-Soy Glaze, Mango Chutney." It was delicious and the Maggi-Soy glaze had a completely new flavor to me.

For our main courses, our friend came out and brought the head chef and owner with him. They briefly explained our meal and we dug in. I had the Halibut, with "Toasted Coconut, Cauliflower Two Ways, Zucchini Puree, and Yuzu." I was impressed by the toasted coconut topping, because it complimented the halibut very well without overpowering it.

My better half went with the Flank Steak, with "Herb Crust, Curried Noodles, Stone Fruit, and Ruby Steak Mustard Greens." Because this dish had noodles and I am currently eating gluten-free, I only had a bite of the steak (which I probably shouldn't have done anyway). My fiance was raving about it, though, and I will admit that the bite I tasted was wonderful.

For dessert, our friend sent over doughnuts with a chili chocolate sauce and an orange cream sauce. I didn't try the doughnuts (that was all for Justin), but I tried the sauces and they were amazing. Seriously, I need to make the chili chocolate sauce because it was so good that I was digging in with my fork.

Weekend Things: 4th of July Weekend

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We kicked off the long weekend in the best way: Yoga. We drove up to the suburbs to visit my family and joined my mom for a yogathon at Fitness Loft on Thursday morning. 

Long live America, the land of the free and the home of the yogis.

"It's early and I'm tired" face.
Note: My sock bun stayed in place all night! Winning.

After yoga, we proceeded to grill out (read: burgers. this is not called a barbecue, people. it is grilling out.) and lay out. There were a few beers consumed.

I tried to make a cake I found on Tone It Up (Not sure if it was their recipe or if they just posted it). Basically, you take a watermelon and lop off the top and bottom of the oval and then cut the center out, making it a "cake" like shape.

You're almost a cake, but deceivingly healthy. Keep doin yo' thang, watermelon.

The recipe called for cool whip, but I don't trust cool whip anymore (chemicals... blegh), so I went with good old whipped cream. Only whipped cream isn't the same as cool whip. So, while it looks gorg in this pic, it sort of... sagged. #ohwell #stilldelicious

You are so beautiful and festive. Get in my belly.

To be honest, my fiance and I spent most of the rest of the weekend laying out in our backyard (YES! FINALLY!). We are super blessed to have a fairly private back yard in the city with a lot of green space and a view of the Sears-I-Mean-Willis-Tower.

Our dog was in heaven because it meant she got to chill outside all flipping day. Sunbathing dogs are so precious.

Nose to the wind

Other things that happened (you know, besides tons of sunscreen and drinking sparkling water in the sun, which is obviously the highlight of life):

1. DRAAAAAAAAAAAANKSS. Cocktails. A few of them. At Farmhouse. At the Silver Palm (pictured -- and the best drinks of the weekend). At Grandview.

I seriously cannot rave enough about the cocktails at The Silver Palm and The Matchbox (they are next door and connected and serve the same cocktails, but The Matchbox tends to be more crowded so we hit up The Silver Palm). Their drinks are only $8 and they are delicious and strong. They also usually  bring you your own cocktail shaker with almost another full drink in it. All for $8, I remind you. #GOTHERE

The most delicious Gimlet I've ever had, and a Manhattan with seriously boozy cherries.

2. FOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOD. More burgers. For my fiance. Not so much for me. (Pictured: Burger from Farmhouse with gouda and crispy bacon)

Fun fact: My fiance always asks for not just bacon, but "crispy bacon" on his burgers.

Some... uh... yogurt. With maple syrup and PB2. It looks gross, I can see that now. But it tasted so good.

Why do you look like brain matter?

3. WEEEEEEEEEERKOUTS. A long run. A spin class. Body pump. Another spin class.

Post-run, Pre-shoulder burn out.

Spin, spin, baby.

4. MAAAAAAAAKEUPPPPPPPPP. My makeup artist came over and we played around with some wedding makeup ideas. Lesson here? makeup is fun. 

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After playing with makeup, my fiance took me on a date (how could he not? i mean come on) to Oon, in West Loop. IT WAS AMAZING and I'm going to post pics tomorrow to make you jealous. :)

Everyone else... How was your weekend?!