One minute I am sitting at my desk, dreaming of my weekend. The next...in the car heading toward Chicago. That is what happened yesterday when I found out that Fabio Viviani was going to be at Fox & Obel, a delicious gourmet market, for a demo and book signing. I picked up the phone, secured myself a spot in the demo and had to run, run, run for my life to get there in time.
After nearly 3 hours in the car; traffic, traffic and more traffic, I found my destination, scored some quick parking (amazing) and walked into the demo almost a half hour late. The reward, and yes there was reward, was a fantastic little lunch of the demo'd linguini and pancetta with shaved brussel sprouts. Yes, Fabio made me lunch...ok, me and the others in the demo, but that was only about 25 people. Nice little group.
Also on hand was Jacopo Falleni, Fabio's business partner and best friend from Italy. It was Jacopo that brought Fabio to America to start their Italian restaurant, Café Firenze in Moorpark, CA. They are in Chicago for a whirlwind book tour promoting their new book of the same name. It was thrilling to see Fabio again, especially after his generous hospitality while I was in CA in May. I am already planning a trip back to Café Firenze in December when I am home for the holidays. (Note: Fabio's cookbook is now available on Amazon.com as well as at the Café Firenze web site.)
After the book signing, I decided I couldn't be in Chicago without a stop for a cupcake! Of course. So I hopped onto Clark Street and cruised north to Boys Town. I had stopped by Phoebe's back in the beginning of June and they were closed on Monday. So today was the day. Oh, what a treat! They make some damn good cupcakes.
I had a Salted Caramel cupcake, as well as a Maple Bacon mini and then took a half dozen variety home to share with my friends later that night. All I can say is WOW... thats some good cupcakin' going on at Phoebe's. So good that while the guy behind the counter was packing my cupcakes to-go a woman threated to KILL ME if I took the last Salted Caramel cupcake. Seriously, she said "I will kill you if you take the GD cupcake." But I had already ordered it and wanted my friends to share it and darn it, I drove 3 hours to get down there and another 3 to get home. I WAS TAKING THAT CUPCAKE! She literally stormed out of the bakery. Everyone in there was in shock and then joked about it. Kind of like the Marble Rye episode of Seinfeld! LOL!
The cakes are dense and rich, the Sugar Creme and Butter Creme frostings are just the right sweetness. Me and my friends were quite impressed!
Even our four-legged friend, Jack, enjoyed his Puppy Cuppy that was brought home just for him. As for me? I still have one in the fridge that I will be enjoying later tonight.
So a little bit of Fabio and Jacopo, a little bit of Phoebe's, a whole lot of time in the car; but it was a fantastic spur of the moment adventure. (My apologies for the photo quality, all I had was my phone in this random treck to Chicago)
Fox & Obel
401 E. Illinois
Chicago IL 60611
312/410.7301
http://www.fox-obel.com/
Café Firenze
503 W. Los Angeles Ave.
Moorpark, CA 93021
http://www.cafefirenze.net/
Phoebe's Cupcakes
3327 N. Broadway Ave.
Chicago, IL 60657
http://www.phoebescupcakes.com/
3 comments:
Oh that is awesome, and hysterical! Wouldn't it have been funny if right after you took that last coveted cupcake,that they brought out an entire tray right after the witch left- HA! Unbelievable she had the you know whats to say that!
Wow! They like it rough in Chicago!!
I'm invited to Cafe Firenze in December right? Right?
SANDY? I'm invited right? Are you listening??
HELLO???
Is this thing on???
SANDEEEEEEEE??????????
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