Sometimes it takes the Midwest a little time to catch up with the coasts on certain trends like, say, tart frozen yogurt-like substances.  While we still don’t have a Pinkberry to speak of, I’m pleased to say that over the past year or so Chicago has welcomed literally dozens of shops specializing in similarly tangy treats. 

We compared two such franchises this weekend: Yogen Fruz, an established favorite, and Starfruit, the newer kid on the block.  To ensure a fair competition, I ordered my standby at each: plain soft serve with fruity pebbles!  Results are below.

YOGEN FRUZ:

The Place:  Per usual, we visited the branch at 333 South State Street.  This store tends to stay open later than many Loop shops and eateries, which makes it a good place to end the evening.  It’s a little sterile inside, especially as compared to the super fun

The Frozen Stuff:  Yogen Fruz offers low fat frozen yogurt.  The franchise advertises its yogurt as being made fresh, high in fiber, full of vitamins, probiotics and/or antixoidents.  Original probiotic soft serve has 25 calories per ounce, with a small serving (pictured above) containing about 5 ounces

Yogen Fruz offers several different serving options including Top It (yogurt with toppings), Mix It (swirled with fresh fruit flavors), Nu Mixes (Mix it with more decadent flavors), smoothies, and some seriously delicious looking milkshakes.  Available toppings include fresh fruit, candy, and several different cereals.

The Texture:  It’s thinner than traditional soft serve frozen yogurt, but thicker than regular yogurt.  My issue with regular yogurt (you know, the truly healthy kind) has always been a texture thing, so I’m glad Yogen Fruz eliminates this problem for me.  I find this yogurt goes perfectly with a crunchy topping like Fruity Pebbles.

The Taste:  Delicious!  Yogen Fruz original frozen yogurt provides a fabulous combination of tangy and sweet that is downright addicting.  I love the way it smells, too. 

The Price:  Expect to pay at least $5.00 for anything beyond the smallest, barest scoop of yogurt available.  However, I recently bought a bunch of coupons on Groupon that will allow me to get a bunch of $6.00 treats for $3.00 each.

STARFRUIT:

The Place:  We visited the Starfruit branch located at the new Block 36 complex, an in-progress indoor mall and entertainment facility located on State Street.  The mall is still eerily quiet, but Starfruit itself is bright and fun, with a “kid in a candy store” type of vibe. 

The Frozen Stuff:  Starfruit serves kefir, a fermented dairy product similar to yogurt.  The franchise claims that Starfruit is distinguished from frozen yogurt because it contains a whopping 10 “probiotic cultures” aka “good bacteria”.  Starfruit claims these cultures aid digestion, boost immunity, promote weight loss, and so on and so forth.  Both original and flavored Kefir weighs in at 22 calories per ounce.

The menu at Starfruit includes soft serve kefir in flavors like peach, green tea, chocolate, and raspberry.  Topping options are similar to those at Yogen Fruz except Starfruit seems to have more types of candy and cereal.  Patrons can use the same toppings to make a smoothie drink or granola parfait. 

The Texture:  Starfruit’s soft serve looks very similar to Yogen Fruz’s except it is a slightly brighter white and appears just a little bit grainier.  Its appearance isn’t deceiving, because it tastes almost icy compared to the smooth, creamy, yogurt-like substance to which I am accustomed.  The icy texture made my Fruity Pebbles seem like a less than ideal topping choice, so I’d probably go for some fresh fruit instead next time.

The Taste:   May take some getting used to.  My original soft serve had none of the tang and tartness I’ve come to associate with this type of treat.  What little flavor there was can best be described as “watery,” like a the way a snow cone tastes after you’ve sucked most of the syrup out.

The Price:  A little cheaper than Yogen Fruz.  Also, they were handing out dollar off coupons the day we visited, making it possible to get a good solid treat for about $3.00.

FINAL VERDICT:  While I appreciate Starfruit’s aesthetically pleasing storefront and slightly lower prices, I must prefer the actual product at Yogen Fruz.  Yogen Fruz wins!

*No Yogen Fruz near you?  Make your own like I do!  Just combine a 32 ounce tub of Greek yogurt (many foodies swear by Fage, but I use the cheaper Greek Gods) with 2/3 cup sugar and a teaspoon of vanilla extract.  Stick it in an ice cream maker for 30 minutes and freeze for another half hour.  This will make at least 4 servings.  Top with fruity pebbles and enjoy!  The texture is obviously different from the soft serve treats described above, but the flavor is practically identical.  Delicious!

Created by Tony Tasset and entitled “Eye,”  this giant sculpture will be “keeping watch” over Pritzker Park through October.  I had read about it online a couple of weeks ago but promptly forgot about it until I stumbled across it during a trip to get some Yogen Fruz.  Fortunately (or unfortunately, for those with an aversion to the work) this piece of art is tough to miss.

I was glad to see quite a few tourists enjoying the art despite the late hour.

Judging from the articles I have found online, Chicagoans’ reviews are mixed.  One comment comparing the sculpture to Sauron made me laugh out loud!  I personally kind of liked the piece, although the blood vessels around the back are kind of creepy.  Your mileage may vary but it’s at least worth a trip down State Street to give Eye the stare down.

Well, it’s been four months and we haven’t died yet!  Our weekly mileage is up to 20-25 per week.  We actually completed our ten mile long run at the Chicago Lake Shore without too much difficulty, despite a night of eating and drinking before it.  I really enjoyed on the Lakefront Path, even if it was a little crowded. 

On impulse, we also signed up for a mini-marathon next weekend – the Twenty Valley Wine Country Half-Marathon!  It’s in Niagara-on-the-Lake in Ontario, Canada, where we will be vacationing anyway, so we are viewing it as a long run with support.  Also, there’s wine tasting!  Every 2K!  I just hope we make it to the end still able to walk. 

One thing we are in need of is some sort of mechanism to carry water, money, etc. on these longer runs.  Can anyone recommend a good gear belt that won’t slow us down too much?

Looking for something fun and FREE to do in Chicago?  Rain or shine, the Garfield Park Conservatory east of downtown is a great pick.  We popped into this indoor garden on a rainy March morning and immediately felt happier, thanks to being surrounded by flowers.

The Garfield Park Conservatory is open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. every day except Wednesday, when it remains open until 8:00 p.m.  Parking at the conservatory is no problem, with plenty of street-side spots available.  Upon our arrival at around 10:00 a.m. we saw quite a few large busses, so I was a bit worried about crowds.  Fortunately, these groups seemed to be on site for special events and we rarely saw them during our tour.

This facility is rather sprawling, with one room leading willy-nilly into the next.  Visitors must choose between 1) touring each room in its entirety before backtracking to move onto the next; and 2) heading down the left (or right) side of each room until reaching the end of the road and heading back down the opposite side.  We picked the latter method of touring but in retrospect I think the former would probably have been easier.

When we visited the conservatory, the Spring Flower Show was in bloom, making for a nice contrast to the dreary day.  This space smelled fabulous and had plenty of benches from which to sit and contemplate the foliage.  The floral displays themselves were not as elaborate as those in the show garden of Milwaukee’s Mitchell Park Domes, about an hour north, but the overall effect was still quite pleasant.  This show ended in mid-May, but you can see the Summer Tropical Flower Show beginning May 29, 2010.

We also spent some time in the desert garden, which was chock-full of cacti large and small.  That cactus to the far left apparently lives for 100 years, then shoots up a single blossom, then dies.  Way to go out in a blaze of glory, I suppose! 

There are also several “green” rooms at the Garfield Park Conservatory.  The Moss Room, to the left, was my favorite.  It was wet, humid, and tranquil, with moss clinging to virtually every available service.  The Koi Pond pictured at center was also awesome because it had tons of fish and a Dale Chihuly sculpture!  Finally, the Palm House at the right was pretty standard, but of course every greenhouse has to have some tropical plants and flowers.

The Garfield Park Conservatory’s outdoor gardens weren’t really up and running when we visited.  We’d definitely consider returning to see these and to attend one of the facility’s many events, which include everything from an evening Walking Club to a gardening class for kids.  This conservatory is truly a hidden gem and I love it that it doesn’t cost a penny to enjoy.

I LOVE Whole Foods.  I know it’s overpriced, blah blah blah, but the shopping experience is so clean, organized, and aesthetically pleasing that I’m willing to pay a premium for it once in a while.  Don’t worry – I share equal love for World Market, Jungle Jim’s, Trader Joe’s, and Sam’s Club.  There’s nothing like mass quantities of unique food to make a girl smile!

We regularly pop in at different branches of Whole Foods when we travel.  My current goal is to visit all the Chicago locations.  We recently visited the North Halstead store for lunch and to brows around, and had a blast.  Hooray for hand-made marshmallows, bulk cashews, and made-to-order noodle bowls!

The point of this post, though, is to point out a particularly fabulous “local” display that I’ve never noticed before – cookies from around the world, all made fresh in Chicago bakeries!  There are literally dozens of varieties, and we filled a good-sized box for less than six dollars. 

As you can see, I picked lemon meringues (made in store and AMAZING), kolaczkis (polish favorites, with jam!), chocolate and almond macaroons (should have bought more almond ones – best of the bunch!) and pistachio sugar cookies (epic fail).  Disregard the holiday plate – these were bought in March 2010.

The cookie selection apparently changes seasonally, so be sure to stop by soon, and often, if you are in the Chicago area.  Just what I need – another reason to go to Whole Foods!

Sorry the blog has been down a lot lately, Hostgator support staff assures me this issue is now resolved.

We finished our first 5k of the year in about 32 minutes.  Slow, yes, but we ran the whole thing and it was FREEZING so I am actually still proud of myself!  I also completed a 4 mile run on my own recently, which is a new record for this lazy bum.

We may squeeze in another local event before we head out to Kings Island on the 22nd.  There is actually a 6K in Chicago called the Dow Run for Water, which is intriguing.  The date for that is April 17th. 

I’m a little surprised that I haven’t yet blogged about the Chicago area institution that is Giordano’s.  After all, it’s been around for decades and my family has been dinning there at least a few times a year since I was probably fifteen or so.

There are Giordano’s locations scattered all over the city and its suburbs.  We nearly always visit the Prudential Plaza branch (directly off Michigan) but have also stopped in for a pie at the Randolph Street location and, most recently, the Oak Brook location.  All the branches have a similar feel and equally delicious food, although the Oak Brook site did seem a little newer and less “authentic” than the downtown ones.

Here’s an interior shot.  Giordano’s has pretty traditional “pizza joint” decor, with red and white checkered table cloths and a mixture of tables and booths. 

We usually start our meal with an appetizer, which we sometimes regret by the time the pizza comes!  These are the mozzarella sticks, which have an excellent texture.  For a larger group we tend to order the combo platter which comes with fried mushrooms, zucchini, and mozzarella sticks.  A slightly healthier alternative is the antipasto salad which comes with a variety of meats, cheeses, onions, and olives.  Most appetizer items cost $7-$10 and all are very sharable.

Now, for the main event – PIZZA!  There are several types available, but you want the stuffed variety.  Although we often play around with toppings at other pizza places, here we usually get extra cheese and that’s it.  After all, you can’t improve upon perfection.  Expect to pay about $15-$30 per pie, depending on size and toppings.

Giordano’s pizzas take at least 30-40 minutes, but the end result is well worth it – ooey, gooey cheese, firm yet flaky crust, and flavorful tomato sauce topping it all off.  A single piece may fill you up, but I usually try for two.  DELICIOUS!!!  No wonder Giardano’s is a Chicago institution!

If these pictures have somehow failed to sell you on Giordano’s, you can read my in-depth rave about the restaurant here.

We don’t usually venture out on Valentine’s day weekend, but circumstances require us to be out of town this year.  After waiting until the last minute, we (unsurprisingly) had trouble snagging a dinner reservation.  If you’re in the same boat, don’t panic – opentable.com still shows availability for a party of two at quite a few of my favorite midwestern restaurants.

Act fast, as these reservations won’t be available for long!  Keep in mind that some of these places may feature a “special” (i.e., limited and extra expensive) menu, so be sure to call ahead to avoid disappointment.

1.  Scholar’s Inn -  Indianapolis, IN – February 13th and 14th, availability from 8:00 p.m. onward.

2.  La Scala – Lafayette, IN – February 14th only, scattered availability between 6:00 p.m. and 9:30 p.m.

3.  Kil@Wat – Milwaukee, WI – February 13th, availability from 9:30 p.m. onward; February 14th, scattered availability all evening.

4.  1913 Room – Grand Rapids, MI – February 14th only, availability at 6:00 p.m. and from 9:00 p.m. onward.

5.  Cielo Restaurant – St. Louis, MO – February 13th, availability at 5:30 p.m. and from 9:15 p.m. onward; February availability from 8:30 p.m. onward.

6.  Rhapsody – Chicago, IL – February 13th, availability at 6:00 p.m. and from 8:30 p.m. onward, February 14th availability through 7:45 p.m.

In the alternative to venturing out for dinner, you can always do what we usually do and curl up on the couch with a pizza and some movie theater-sized boxes of candy!  One year we even went to McDonald’s, and it was a blast.

Happy Valentine’s Day!

I love IMAX movies, to the point that I regularly watch them in video when I can’t find one in theater that I want to see.  Well, now through March 18, 2010, my all-time favorite IMAX – Wired to Win: Surviving the Tour de France – is playing at the Museum of Science and Industry’s Omnimax theater.

This film follows racers Baden Cook and Jimmy Casper of France’s elite FDJeux team throughout their preparation for and riding in the 2003 tour, while also teaching about the brain and its role in athletics.  While this may not sound particularly interesting, this movie is seriously SO good that I am still raving about it more than two years after seeing it.  You can read my full review here.

Wired to Win is currently playing at 10:00 a.m. and 11:40 a.m. Monday through Saturday and 11:40 a.m. on Sunday.  You can buy tickets online on the museum’s website.

Yes, I know Christmas is long past, but consider this tardy post an early entry for next year’s holiday season!  Chicago’s Museum of Science and Industry is well-known for its annual holiday celebration – Christmas Around the World.  We visited for the first time this year to check out the decorated trees as well as the museum’s newest exhibit, “You! the experience.”  The final verdict?  I would definitely return for the Christmas display, if not for You!

The Museum of Science and Industry is located about ten minutes from downtown Chicago. We often ride the Southshore Railroad and exit at the museum stop. The museum is also accessible via Metra from downtown. If you drive, there is a nice attached parking garage available.  Current museum hours are 9:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. every day except Sunday, when the facility opens at 11:00 a.m. 

Standard adult museum admission costs $15.00, which is a substantial increase from a few years ago.  Kids are $10.00.  The Christmas Around the World display is included with standard admission, but there are always several extra cost experiences.  During our recent visit these were The White House: A Look Inside ($5.00), U-505 Submarine optional on-board tour ($8.00), and Omnimax movies Wired to Win, The Human Body, and Mysteries of the Great Lakes.  Because of the museum’s large size, we rarely do the extra charge exhibits.  I will say that I saw Wired to Win in Louisville and it was fabulous. 

The Christmas Around the World display is dominated by a central giant tree flanked by dozens of trees dedicated to countries around the world.  We explored the trees in a counter-clockwise pattern.  It took about forty-five minutes to see them all, and we didn’t even read every word of the plaques detailing holiday customs in various countries.

Here are a few of the trees.  My absolute favorites were Greece (far left) and Japan (far right).  I’m not sure how “authentic” any of the trees are in terms of being what would actually be on display at the holidays in the listed countries.  They seem more like symbolic representations with iconography specific to these places.  In any event, they’re very pretty.

We had a very difficult time finding the tree for Poland, where my people are from.  Finally we reached it – it just happened to be the last one we came to!  Near the display, there is a little gift store set up where visitors can buy ornaments representative of their heritage.

After we finished admiring the trees, we headed over to check out You! the experience.  This newish exhibit is an “interactive” look at the human mind, body, and spirit.  Quite frankly, it seems a little redundant to me in that some of these themes are already touched on in the museum’s Genetics display. 

The You! gallery, while offering some interesting exhibits, suffers from many of the same problems as most displays of its type – long lines and frequent malfunctions of the interactive experiences.  We very much wanted to try a game where visitors can move a ball back and forth with their brain waves, but after waiting fifteen minutes behind a mother and son who had camped out there we gave up and moved on.  We attempted to play with a touch screen maze but found the table to be non-responsive to our touching.  I did like the simple display pictured to the bottom right which allowed guests to lift the weight gain associated with eating the pictured snacks each day for a year.  Not that it had much effect, in that I’m drinking a soda while writing this entry and will probably enjoy a candy bar shortly!

After fighting our way through the crowds at You! we stopped in to experience two of my favorite things at the Museum of Science and Industry – the Brain Food Court and Mold-A-Rama!  The museum’s food court is one of the best I’ve seen at this type of facility, offering a wide variety of tasty healthy and not-so-healthy foods.  My mom opted for the taco salad, while I had a tasty pretzel bread sandwich.  Christmas cookies were also available during our visit. 

As for Mold-A-Rama, The Museum of Science and Industry offers several different types.  This visit, I made myself a lovely grey wax U-505 submarine to add to my collection. 

We had a great day at the Museum of Science and Industry.  Although we don’t visit here as often as the Field Museum or Shedd Aquarium, we are going to make an effort to make the trip more frequently.  Perhaps we’ll go in March to see Science Storms, the soon-to-be-opened addition to the museum’s collection.