Greetings all,
Well it is now Monday morning and I thought I would take the time to update the blog from the weekend. James is doing a few hours of work in the hotel room and I have just finished an hour of work for Cisco as well. So now seems to be the perfect time to put my feet up, have a cup of coffee and to write to all of you!
I promised you an update on Saturday night, and so, dear readers, you shall have it. I should point out that the reason for my addiction to the Four Seasons can be blamed entirely on my good friend Ilona with whom I spent a week at the Four Seasons Hualalai resort in Hawaii back in 2001. Since then it has become a place that I love to go to for drinks and cocktails when possible. The last time was in Las Vegas with Ilona during Cisco Live! However this time was to be for dinner, an experience I have been looking forward to for a very long time.
After the graduation party, we checked into the Swissotel and started to get ready. A quick shower and a change of clothes later, James and I were off and out the door on our way. The Four Seasons is down the opposite end of Michigan Avenue to the Swissotel so we took a leisurely stroll along the road, gazing as always at the fabulous shops on the way. Michigan Avenue really is one of my favorite streets in the whole world to walk. The shops are great, the tree lined foot paths are gorgeous, and the atmosphere always seems to be special. Watching all of the other people on their way somewhere is also a delight. I like to try and guess where people are heading. The person in front of be at one point must have been going home for a bath as he smelt a little fragrant....
But enough of such frippery. Before long we had arrived at the entrance. The Four Seasons in Chicago is a little unusual in that the entrance is at street level but the hotel lobby is actually on the 7th floor. So you are quickly whisked up in the elevators (I like to think of it as being raptured, as I am sure that Heaven is going to be run by The Four Seasons) and deposited in the lobby. The photo attached is of the large display of flowers. The bunches are all just perched at an angle in the vases so that the stems are barely underwater. The effect is very artistic and quite fascinating. Flower arranging as art....something new to try at school maybe?
Quickly, as it was 9.30pm, we headed into the restaurant and were seated by the window. There were about 12 other people there for dinner, but no celebrities. Knowing that the Spice Girls have all stayed there on multiple occasions did make me excited, but there was nary a single platform boot or union jack dress to be seen. So I busied myself with the menu instead. And oh what a treat it was. In the mobile uploads album on my Facebook page you will find a picture of James perusing his menu. Martinis arrived (Tanquery), wine was ordered (Stags Leap Merlot, 2006, tasted and decanted at the table), and heapings of fresh bread rolls and cheese snaps were delivered, devoured, and digested. The wait staff were divine, the atmosphere sophisticated and elegant, and James and I looked fabulous in our Dunhill and Brooks Brothers combination outfits. This, dear readers, is why we will never be able to retire.
And then the food arrived. Many of you have asked what we had, so here goes.
James - 63 degree Farmers Egg & Petite Greens, Artichokes, Serrano Ham, Lucques Olives, Piparra Chilies, Aged Sherry Vinaigrette,and Green Goddess Dressing.
Wild sockeye salmon, suckling pig sausage, candy striped beets, Yukon gold potato gnocchi, watercress, and champagne and order caviar sauce.
David - Bison carpaccio, bay scallop ceviche, black garlic, Daikin tempura squash blossom, frozen violet mustard.
Dietzler Farm 35 day aged strip steak, porcini mushrooms, garlic scapes, roasted Vidalia onion pomme puree, Australian winter truffle, and a bourbon bordelaise.
All this was followed by a fabulous dessert tray of chocolate, foams, fruits, and creams. Marvelous is all I can say....but of course I can, and will, say more! Dinner dispensed, we were then delivered (I seem to be stuck on an alliteration streak) to the lounge, along with the rest of the wine to listen to jazz. The jazz was great, although it is my least favorite kind of music (I find the whole solo thing like watching musical masturbation - fun for the person doing it, but a little dull for everyone else) and the company of course was excellent. All in all a super evening. It was everything I had hoped for and a fitting start to our trip! The only thing that would have made it better was if Ilona had been there with us as I felt a little guilty going there without her...
And that, dear reader, takes you back to the blog post of the gorgeous James fast asleep in bed at the hotel. Sunday, the next day in our odyssey, will be documented tomorrow, as will Monday. Suffice to say we are having a super time!
So with that, I'll bid you adios! It is lunch time, and guess where we are going....yes, back to The Four Seasons, but for something a little different! They are participating in National Hot Dog month and they make their own hot dogs! I can't wait!
Big love to all!
D&J
Well it is now Monday morning and I thought I would take the time to update the blog from the weekend. James is doing a few hours of work in the hotel room and I have just finished an hour of work for Cisco as well. So now seems to be the perfect time to put my feet up, have a cup of coffee and to write to all of you!
I promised you an update on Saturday night, and so, dear readers, you shall have it. I should point out that the reason for my addiction to the Four Seasons can be blamed entirely on my good friend Ilona with whom I spent a week at the Four Seasons Hualalai resort in Hawaii back in 2001. Since then it has become a place that I love to go to for drinks and cocktails when possible. The last time was in Las Vegas with Ilona during Cisco Live! However this time was to be for dinner, an experience I have been looking forward to for a very long time.
After the graduation party, we checked into the Swissotel and started to get ready. A quick shower and a change of clothes later, James and I were off and out the door on our way. The Four Seasons is down the opposite end of Michigan Avenue to the Swissotel so we took a leisurely stroll along the road, gazing as always at the fabulous shops on the way. Michigan Avenue really is one of my favorite streets in the whole world to walk. The shops are great, the tree lined foot paths are gorgeous, and the atmosphere always seems to be special. Watching all of the other people on their way somewhere is also a delight. I like to try and guess where people are heading. The person in front of be at one point must have been going home for a bath as he smelt a little fragrant....
But enough of such frippery. Before long we had arrived at the entrance. The Four Seasons in Chicago is a little unusual in that the entrance is at street level but the hotel lobby is actually on the 7th floor. So you are quickly whisked up in the elevators (I like to think of it as being raptured, as I am sure that Heaven is going to be run by The Four Seasons) and deposited in the lobby. The photo attached is of the large display of flowers. The bunches are all just perched at an angle in the vases so that the stems are barely underwater. The effect is very artistic and quite fascinating. Flower arranging as art....something new to try at school maybe?
Quickly, as it was 9.30pm, we headed into the restaurant and were seated by the window. There were about 12 other people there for dinner, but no celebrities. Knowing that the Spice Girls have all stayed there on multiple occasions did make me excited, but there was nary a single platform boot or union jack dress to be seen. So I busied myself with the menu instead. And oh what a treat it was. In the mobile uploads album on my Facebook page you will find a picture of James perusing his menu. Martinis arrived (Tanquery), wine was ordered (Stags Leap Merlot, 2006, tasted and decanted at the table), and heapings of fresh bread rolls and cheese snaps were delivered, devoured, and digested. The wait staff were divine, the atmosphere sophisticated and elegant, and James and I looked fabulous in our Dunhill and Brooks Brothers combination outfits. This, dear readers, is why we will never be able to retire.
And then the food arrived. Many of you have asked what we had, so here goes.
James - 63 degree Farmers Egg & Petite Greens, Artichokes, Serrano Ham, Lucques Olives, Piparra Chilies, Aged Sherry Vinaigrette,and Green Goddess Dressing.
Wild sockeye salmon, suckling pig sausage, candy striped beets, Yukon gold potato gnocchi, watercress, and champagne and order caviar sauce.
David - Bison carpaccio, bay scallop ceviche, black garlic, Daikin tempura squash blossom, frozen violet mustard.
Dietzler Farm 35 day aged strip steak, porcini mushrooms, garlic scapes, roasted Vidalia onion pomme puree, Australian winter truffle, and a bourbon bordelaise.
All this was followed by a fabulous dessert tray of chocolate, foams, fruits, and creams. Marvelous is all I can say....but of course I can, and will, say more! Dinner dispensed, we were then delivered (I seem to be stuck on an alliteration streak) to the lounge, along with the rest of the wine to listen to jazz. The jazz was great, although it is my least favorite kind of music (I find the whole solo thing like watching musical masturbation - fun for the person doing it, but a little dull for everyone else) and the company of course was excellent. All in all a super evening. It was everything I had hoped for and a fitting start to our trip! The only thing that would have made it better was if Ilona had been there with us as I felt a little guilty going there without her...
And that, dear reader, takes you back to the blog post of the gorgeous James fast asleep in bed at the hotel. Sunday, the next day in our odyssey, will be documented tomorrow, as will Monday. Suffice to say we are having a super time!
So with that, I'll bid you adios! It is lunch time, and guess where we are going....yes, back to The Four Seasons, but for something a little different! They are participating in National Hot Dog month and they make their own hot dogs! I can't wait!
Big love to all!
D&J
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