Holiday Hospitality in Chicago's Gold Coast

I’m finally back home after another 30 hour travel odyssey which took me from Oslo to Stockholm to Copenhagen to Chicago, and finally at 3 a.m. this morning, back to Tampa. I’m ready to buy my own jet like John Travolta!

Before I tell you about Norway’s festive holiday food and fun, I need to start at the beginning of my journey in Chicago. I visited the Gold Coast B & B (www.bbchicago.com) which is located just a few blocks from the lake in one of Chicago’s nicest neighborhoods filled with old brownstones. The cozy townhouse has four bedrooms, each uniquely furnished with an eclectic mix of antiques and collectibles. The kitchen is open 24/7 for guests to make a cup of tea, cocoa, or coffee or pick up one the fresh pastries that proprietor Sally Baker always keeps on hand. The breakfast room just off the kitchen is stocked with cereals, fresh fruit, and more goodies for the start of your day. Guests get their own key and come and go as they please, making the Gold Coast their own personal pied-a-terre while in the city.

Sally invited me to a neighborhood Christmas party a couple of blocks away at Mario’s Ristorante (www.mariosgoldcoast.com). Every year residents, business owners, and community leaders bring new toys to Mario’s for a wrapping party. Sponsored by the North Dearborn Association, the toys go to a local school in a neighborhood where the hardworking parents are hard-pressed to give their children the kind of magical Christmas they deserve. It was snowing heavily as we walked over from the Gold Coast, which really put me in the mood for some holiday cheer.

Mario pulls out all the stops and puts out a complimentary spread of his best food. Fried cheese ravioli with marinara sauce (my personal favorite!), several varieties of the house pizza, penne with red sauce, salad, and a beer, wine, and soda bar are his gift to all of the wrap party participants. It was tough to get a picture of the food since it disappeared so quickly when the servers brought it out, but I managed to catch Mario on the way to the buffet line. As I understand it, not only does Mario do this event every year, but also supports several other local charities and special events. It was first class all the way, as was the food!