Apples

Pretty simple title and a pretty simple blog today. It is Fall, we're in the Midwest, and that means apple season. Find your local orchard and either take your kids to pick some fresh apples or hit their on-site shops to buy whichever kind your heart desires. There are many wonderful variations and a good orchard will let you taste each and every one. Some quality kinds currently in season include the Ginger Gold, Gala, McIntosh, and Cortland varieties depending on the taste and use you're looking for. One tip that I would like to pass along is to check the firmness and taste that you like and try a new apple variety. If you like Honeycrisp (and most people do), find another firm sweet-tart variety that is locally grown. The reason you can't pick Honeycrisps for yourself is because they're grown in Michigan. Lucky man Neush, lucky man. Sure the ones from the Orchard are better than the grocery store, but they aren't fresh from the site. Why pay almost double when you can find a similar variety grown at the orchard. Also, I know that their pies are probably great, but buy a bag of apples, use half, and make your own. You'll be able to eat it warm out of the oven and save a ton of dough. There is no better time than this weekend to head out to Maple Park, Harvard, Malta, or any other apple orchard in the Chicagoland area. If you want Honeycrisp really bad, take a road trip to Michigan, lord knows they could use the tourist dollars.

Restaurant Recap

No better way to start a weekend than a hearty Saturday morning breakfast, so why not head out to one of the multiple Egg Harbor Cafe locations throughout Chicagoland and southern Wisconsin. While they have a few spots, these are certainly not chain restaurants. They offer superb breakfast and lunch food everyday for a very reasonable cost. Personally, I think the best option is the scrambler combo which gives you a scrambler of your choice with meat, veggies, potatoes, and cheese, banana bread french toast, and a side of fruit. You've got everything you need right there on one plate. If you pair that with the Strawberry-Orange juice carafe, you've found a winner. The seasonal fare is outstanding with pumpkin/pecan pancakes, numerous fruit offerings, and other changing items. For lunch, I'm a fan of the chicken/brie wrap. You've got apples and other goodies tucked inside that wrap as well. They have all the heartwarming favorites you want and a website to boot. Find the closest establishment and get your grub on.