The season of gluttony continues

The season between Thanksgiving and New Year's is the season of gluttony. We all eat too much, that is just part of the season.

Just got back from spending ten days in Chicago for the holidays seeing family and friends. The weather was the nicest it has ever been in December, no snow and sunny the entire time.

We got the most inspired Christmas gift from my in-laws: an evening at Charlie Trotter's! We went on the Wednesday after Christmas for a near four experience. The service was wonderful, they had an exotic juice pairing for the non wine drinkers, and all in all a wonderful evening more later after I review the menu.

A couple of other interesting restaurant highlights from the trip were trips to Avec and Mia Francesca.

Avec is a hip, small plates restaurant with a great bar. The pork shoulder was amazing. Definitely a great place for a fun night out with friends.

Mia Francesca is more of an old school Italian place for the younger generation. It was suppossedly the hang out for Jennifer Aniston and Vince Vaughn while they were filming the Break Up in Chicago. Place was packed and the pizza was really nice.

Both are recommended.