I have a secret.

I am having a summer love affair…and I thought you should know.

Floriole Cafe and Bakery is my obsession.  It is Paris in Chicago, and I simply cannot make it through a single day without popping in for an inspired and soulful bite.

My crush first developed over the years at Green City Market, on Wednesday and Sunday in Lincoln Park.  We loved waking up, riding our bikes down Clark Street to the park, and enjoying a delicious, chewy croissant or pastry for breakfast.  Sadly, the market packs up right after lunch…so our time together was numbered.  But now, oh boy, now it is a full on love fest – errrr – feast with their Lincoln Park cafe open 6 days a week (yet another reason to begrudge Mondays).

At first I couldn’t get enough of the BAD sandwich, Bacon, Arugula, Dates and Goat Cheese on Yeasted Corn Bread (above right).  I found myself laying in bed at night, dreaming, wishing, stomach growling.  As if it doesn’t taste INCREDIBLE, it is dressed in the most charming little white paper wrap…perfect for a picnic in the park or in my case, lunch on the go.

Then I became hooked on their mouth watering, salty and sweet Ham and Sharp White Cheddar Cheese Baguette.  It is so flavor packed, I cannot believe it is simply ham and cheese alone.  It goes to show with fresh, natural ingredients, the simple foods make the best foods.

But now, those old flames are behind me.  Yesterday, they sold their first summer Peach, Basil and Lincoln Log Goat Cheese Baguette.  I savored, I smiled, I almost didn’t want to even eat it – it looked so fantastic and smelled beyond heavenly.

I did of course enjoy it after admiring it lovingly for awhile.  It was pure heaven.  Seriously.  I wanted to go back and get another one for dinner.

But, I restrained myself.  I went today for lunch instead.

I prayed it would be on today’s ever changing du jour menu again…and when I walked into the cafe…there it was!  Front and center on the chalkboard.

Imagine my shock and surprise when the woman in front of me ordered the last one in the case.  Ugggh.

However, their staff being so top notch, Nick behind the counter quickly asked the kitchen to make up another batch.  Phew.  Life is good.

I am so inspired for our big Summer Picnic in the Park Gala next weekend…

Bon Appetit!

Debi Lilly, aperfectevent.com

Wow.  All I can say is w-o-w.

It was the most beautiful wedding yesterday – complete with the most gorgeous and happy bride – soft, elegant color palette of blush and champagne – and candles, candles, candles.

The bridal bouquet featured stunningly scented blush English Garden Roses, Champagne Roses, Blush Spray Roses, and Champagne Spray Roses.  It was a vision of springtime, and frankly I couldn’t stop staring at it lovingly all day long.

Just as lovely – the Maid of Honor bouquet featured the season’s finest:  ruffed blush Parrot Tulips, pink Hydrangea, blush Spray Roses and Garden Roses, and Champagne Spray Roses.  Yum.

Almost as sweet as the stunning bride, the Flower Girl and Petite Attendants carried blush raw silk pouches, with champagne swiss silk ribbon handles, filled with blush Rose Petals to scatter down the aisle as they processed.

I fell in love all over again yesterday – these girls were just plain delicious.  I couldn’t get enough of them.  If you think they are darling here, you should have seen them twirling all over the dancefloor with their dads and the rock star bride all night long.

There is so much – like the length of a novel – that I want to share about Nicole, my beautiful bride.  Like how she so beautifully created a family centric wedding day for everyone, making the celebration all the more meaningful for each and every guest.  Like how she was always so inclusive – insisting both of her fathers – dad and stepdad walk her down the aisle together, arm in arm.  And to make it all the more important, we had mom and stepmom waiting at the middle of the aisle, to meet the three of them, and all five – all the parents who raised and guided her through life, gave her away at the altar.

Like how she dreamed of a cocktail style, lounge reception, with warm, intimate candlelit lanterns filling the entire space.  And how she spent the entire day, laughing, embracing, dancing, exclaiming, grinning ear to ear – and herself being the very vision of warmth and romance.

The lounge was a chic respite with alternating submerged and arranged rectangular vases and hundreds of votive candles.  The fabulous artwork collections in The Tasting Room, along with the amber uplights and well worn exposed brick walls created the ultimate canvas for the uber chill wedding reception.

Next up…The Tasting Room nosh and drink in fine detail.

DL

This delicious italian chop salad was amazing – served from vertical black bowls with a long "handle" to hold while you nosh and nibble with a fork.

The bowls were displayed from acrylic stands – making the presentation fantastic.

They served a second salad in white vertical bowls – they were lovely too.

How fun is that?

DL
This delicious italian chop salad was amazing – served from vertical black bowls with a long "handle" to hold while you nosh and nibble with a fork.

The bowls were displayed from acrylic stands – making the presentation fantastic.

They served a second salad in white vertical bowls – they were lovely too.

How fun is that? Design Cuisine – triple kudos.

DL

Also on tonight’s menu – a mini steak and eggs (albeit quail eggs).

So darling and petite and SO easy to pop right in your mouth. Trust me, I had more than one.

The crouton was the perfect combination of garlic and butter – with a sharp crunch to offset the chewy steak and egg.

What a fun hors’d for weddings, dinners, brunch…any occasion.

DL
Also on tonight’s menu – a mini steak and eggs (albeit quail eggs).

So darling and petite and SO easy to pop right in your mouth. Trust me, I had more than one.

The crouton was the perfect combination of garlic and butter – with a sharp crunch to offset the chewy steak and egg.

What a fun hors’d for weddings, dinners, brunch…any occasion.

Again – fabulous job Design Cuisine!

DL

Tonight is the gorgeous WIPA launch at uber chic Chicago Illuminating Company.

And what to my wandering eyes did appear as we entered through the cobblestone courtyard…

A chilled spring soup sipping bar adorably set with demi cups of bright green sorrel soup with a chevre and microgreen and carrot soup with a brie crouton.

Absolutely delicious to see and to taste – bravo Design Cuisine!

DL
Tonight is the gorgeous WIPA launch at uber chic Chicago Illuminating Company.

And what to my wandering eyes did appear as we entered through the cobblestone courtyard…

A chilled spring soup sipping bar adorably set with demi cups of bright green sorrel soup with a chevre and microgreen and carrot soup with a brie crouton.

Absolutely delicious to see and to taste – bravo Design Cuisine!

DL

What says spring more than a fresh, crunchy panzanella?

This italian favorite always includes brea and tomatoes, plus garden vegetables of the season.  These can vary, but typically include peppers, cucumbers, onions, artichokes, garlic, capers, black olives, and even anchovies.

I love the story behind this popular salad.  You know the Italians, never allowing food to go to waste.  This salad celebrates the always present kitchen staple, stale bread.  Back in the 1500s the poet Bronzino, waxes poetic about the salad, making it a true Renaissance classic for the table.

This soup/salad duo was another tasty Blue Plate Catering dish, and just so happens to be the one my darling bride and groom chose for their spring wedding menu.  The salad, with just the right balance of crunch and chew, combines queso panella cheese, cucumber, tomato and red wine vinaigrette with warm chunks of ciabatta bread (did you know there are over 250 types of italian breads?).

But it was really the soup on this plate that stood out – with a zing of garlic.  The chilled Cucumber and Mint Soup with yogurt and garlic was the perfect spicy sip.  Served in a small coffee cup, it presents in chic style, yet uses simple plates/cups that you can recreate at home using your own tabletop collections.

Happy Spring.

DL