Dinner in the Kitchen

June 2008- a weekend in Chicago

Dinner on Saturday night was held in a kitchen in Chicago's Pilsen neighborhood- specifically the kitchen table of Ora & Patrick. After a day that started with breakfast at a restaurant ( what was that name- sweet----?), a short walk thru the farmers market on Armitage( fresh basil for pesto and planting, chocolate tomoates, garlic buds, organic cheeses, and fresh flowers) and then a movie for some, house hunting for others, and oh yes....work for even others, we gather in this neighborhood in this wonderful new 2nd floor apartment for dinner.

Beer on the back porch, a chat with the downstairs neighbors as the ice cream truck passes and finally we gather at the kitchen table. A toast by Patrick, a wonderful meal( grilledchicken, Franks Rice, bread and a salad) followed by a plate of different desserts( chocolate mouse, flowerless choclate cake, key lime pie, carrot cake, rum ball, tera ma sue, and Strawberry roule ). It just doesn't get much better than this.

While Patrick and Olivier grilled, Ora & Frank made a salad and rice.

Some of us just appreciated the view from the back porch...a family gathering for dinner in the garage to the north- lights on, a multi-generatioanl table, food from somewhere quick and local; the foundation of a garage once built or imagined; the ornate post of a railing; the window from next door. Everywhere remants of real ife- there's nothing pretend here .

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