Time for some summer eating!

The sidewalks, streets, and farmer's markets are more packed than ever in Chicago, and it's not hard to understand why.  After the winter that we all faced (Snowpocalypse! Lake Shore Drive Closed! Spring never even came!!!), Chicagoans are chomping at the proverbial bit to get outside and enjoy some sunshine (even if it is only 70 degrees most days, butttt beggars/choosers etc.)

I am someone who truly enjoys eating.  Even more so than that, I enjoy eating things that make me feel good, and usually browse a menu looking for just such things. Case and point, I love me some Ann Sather cinnamon rolls, but I hardly ever indulge because I spend the rest of the day feeling like i've just consumed a cinnamon and frosting covered cinderblock.

Over the weekend I did some primo summer eating, so I thought i'd share some of my favorite spots with you! On Saturday I had my first dress fitting for my July wedding. Nothing makes you want to eat a salad more than looking at yourself in a 365 degree mirror and having eastern europeans poke and prod at your chest. So I headed to Floriole Cafe & Bakery with one my bridesmaids.

This delightful little tartine was just what the doctor ordered.  An asparagus, ricotta, and goat cheese number on some delicious grained bread.  Accompanying this little ditty was some fresh greens with the slightest bit of dressing, and an iced black tea infused with hibiscus - so light and perfect for a summer day. 

Sunday, I took myself and my black lab Dayton down to the Logan Square Farmers Market.  It is my humble belief that the L.S.F.M. is one of the best in the city. It's not too big and never too packed (read: Green City Market) and they have some fine food vendors to quell your hunger while you look for the perfect summer peach. We went through a scary time for a minute there when a wayward alderman tried to flex what little political muscle he had to close it down (forget about the street crime - it's these damn FARMERS MARKETS we should all be worrying about!) but he had a change of his teeny tiny grinch like heart and decided to live and let live. Phew!

One of my very favorite vendors is Vo (who unfortunately does not have a website).  The springrolls are just so fresh, you feel like you're eating something that just came out of the field.  This is a truly a food that makes you feel good. I'm sorry for the poor quality of this photo (yes i know, photography blog...) but when you're trying to wrangle a 65lb lab while drinking a Vietnamese coffee and chowing on some spring rolls, things can get messy quite quickly.

YUM.

My favorite vendors at Logan Square include:

• Mint Creek Farm - best meat around. They literally tell you about the animals the meat came from ("this pork came from a young pig, so it won't be fatty," etc). Try and get that experience at your local whole foods.
• Radical Root Farm
• Vidonevich Farms - did our CSA through these guys last year, great experience
• Crumb Chicago - wonderful breads baked in a community kitchen

Here are some of my other favorite shots from Farmer's Markets Past:

What's your favorite farmers market?