Hope your 2016 is off to a great start! January was an exceptionally slow month for me for several reasons; I was busy planning my special birthday bash and I came down with a horrible cold that knocked me out for nearly two weeks (still recovering from that by the way). Not to fret…my February schedule is pretty packed already so I think I will be making up for lost time very soon! Here are a few things I did do in January:

Cochon Volant

Cochon Volant– As a vegetarian, when someone suggests a French restaurant for dinner, I usually just go ahead and suggest a different cuisine. That’s only because I have normally found French restaurants to not be very veg friendly. That was until recently. I finally made my way to the restaurant Cochon Volant located within the Hyatt Centric Hotel downtown in Chicago’s loop. And, let me tell you,  there are some awesome options for us veggie folk! One of my favorite items was the burrata and toast which was topped with a pea salade, pickled onions, fine herbs and maldon. Something so unique and delicious and unlike anything I have tried before. The beet salad was light and tasty as well as the puttanesca pasta with lots of great flavor. And, don’t leave without trying the chocolate mousse dessert. It took me on a trip down memory lane to my trip to Paris 15 years ago with 7 friends where we ate some of the most decadent, delicious chocolate mousse at a cute Parisian bistro in the heart of the city. Since I don’t have any current plans to jet off to Paris (let’s hope this changes), I will do the next best thing and head to Cochon Volant. I’m excited that I now have a go-to French restaurant!

Chefmade

Chefmade– What a cool concept; having chef prepared meals delivered to you at the beginning of the week to set you up for eating healthy the rest of the week. You place your order by midnight Friday, choose your delivery window for Sunday evening or Monday and voila, delicious food delivered right to your door. Since this was my first time trying out Chefmade, I was anxious to see how I liked the food. The verdict: absolutely delicious! I was very impressed with each dish I ordered and I loved that there were so many vegetarian and vegan items to choose from on the menu. Everything was very fresh and all the nutrition info and ingredients were listed on the website. Some items I ordered included the coconut serrano lentil soup (vegan) with a cilantro, orange and serrano gremolata, bean and corn enchiladas in a poblano cream sauce as well as a buffalo chickpea salad with avocado ranch dressing. It was nice to know that for most of the week, I didn’t have to think about what I was going to eat and I knew I would be eating healthy and well. I know I will be ordering again from Chefmade, you should check it out too!

Butter Bella Cookies-First Look For Charity

First Look For Charity– I’m so excited that I have the opportunity again to attend the coveted black-tie gala of the Chicago Auto Show called The First Look For Charity, which is on 2/12/16 this year. I attended the media preview event in January that showcased some of the restaurants that are participating in the event and I tried some of the food items that will be served at this year’s gala. I tried lots of absolutely delicious dishes from warm, creamy mac and cheese to toasted pretzel bread with beer cheese to roasted artichoke hearts with parmesan cheese to my favorite Butter Bella cookies (pictured). What will surely be a night of indulgence will also be a great fundraiser for 18 local charities and the chance to look at some of the newest concept cars and models that will be unveiled at the auto show. Can’t wait to tell you more after I attend the event! Stay tuned.

Tickled Pink For Bright Pink

Tickled Pink For Bright Pink– I’m writing about this event in advance because I would love to see you all there to help support a great cause. On Friday, 2/19/16 join me at Morgan Manufacturing to help support Bright Pink, the only national non-profit organization focusing on the prevention and early detection of breast and ovarian cancer. The event will be from 8pm-1am and will have chef stations from over 50 of Chicago’s best restaurants, open bar, live music, dancing, raffles and so much more. It sounds like such a fun event for such a great cause. I really hope you consider joining the fun and if you do, please use the code SDTP4BP to save $25 off your ticket price! Let me know if you can make it so I can keep my eye out for you.

Please Note: While I was invited to these events, all opinions are my own.