First time trying squid ink pasta
Twas spicy. And different. Good in a unique way. Zman and I had date night at RPM Italian (owned by Giuliana and Bill Rancic) and after hearing rave reviews, I decided to try this squid ink pasta topped with crab which tasted great and made me feel fancy. I’ll definitely be back to try another dish because everything looked incredible, but I wasn’t blown away by the place – especially by the service. As a former server I know the little tricks of the trade when you’re trying to rush a table and our server was definitely rushing us. She brought out our appetizer WITH our entrees and asked if we’d like to see a dessert menu while we were still eating. Not impressed. But hey, now I can say I tried it!
First time making French Toast
It took an hour, way too much butter, and I wanted to go back to bed afterwards. The effort was worth it though, especially for leftovers, because this was killer. So delicious (and this is coming from a girl who’s never loved french toast in the past).
First time doing a squat-a-thon
Because it’s T-minus 2 weeks until I need to squeeze myself into a bikini and I’d rather squat til I drop than do something crazy like give up pizza.
First lazy “summer” weekend in Chicago
A beautiful run, a two hour adventure walk and $5 worth of frozen yogurt.
And last but certainly not least, first time signing a lease! (No, college doesn’t count)
Zman and I are officially moving in together in Lincoln Park! We came, we saw, we conquered. In other words, we toured an apartment, fell in love, and signed all within six hours. We didn’t ask nearly enough questions but it’s next door to a Starbucks so I don’t really see what could go wrong.
Big things happening here! So tell me…did you have any “firsts” this weekend? If not, what was the best thing you did all weekend?
Have a great Monday!
i had a big lunch 
OMG, congratulations and NEXT TO STARBUCKS!!! That’s fantastic!! Seriously exciting news!!!
That french toast looks absolutely yummy!! You always make my mouth water!!! Fantastic and I know you’ll look just fabulous in our bikini!! XOXO!
Aw thanks you’re so sweet! The french toast was great and Starbucks will definitely test my willpower haha
Haha, oh boy, I think I’d give in a lot!! I’m about to get Starbucks now!!! 😉 😉
Congrats to you two! Alex and I are eyeing Lincoln Park for our next lease, but living next to the hospital is just too convenient for now. And I TOTALLY AGREE WITH YOU–RPM Italian is all hype, no follow through. Alex and I shared the Dover Sole special when were went there–it was greasy and had no flavor…um it’s Dover Sole…. how is that possible? The best thing about it was the ragout sauce that came on one of the pastas, but otherwise? Not worth it! So glad you had a great weekend!
I don’t blame you for wanting to be next to the hospital haha that is way too convenient! He’s been in Streeterville since July though and now that we’re moving in together it’s time to try out the neighborhood thing. I know we’ll love it out there! And I’m glad someone else agrees about RPM – I don’t know it was really good and the prices weren’t bad so I’ll try again but that waitress left a bad taste in my mouth.
Oh my gosh congrats on moving in with your boy 🙂 That is so exciting! And a new apartment just equally as exciting! And hey I agree you can’t go wrong with a Starbucks next door, ok maybe your bank account but hey you have to spend your money somewhere!
I am kind of jealous you got to try RPM Italian for the simple fact I watch Guilanna and Bill all the time and I love them! They have the kind of relationship I hope to find someday, all goofy and fun loving 🙂 ! Sad that the service sucked! Send them an e-mail haha! But glad you did enjoy the pasta!
Your weekend sounded fab 🙂
I know I was so upset because Giuliana and Bill visited RPM the night AFTER we went. Bummer! It would’ve been so cool to see them cuz I love them too! So goofy!
Oh man! That would be the worst! Hey maybe next time, although with that service I don’t know if I would go back haha
Congrats congrats congrats!!!! I can’t wait to see the new place! This weekend sounded awesomeeeee for you!!!! 🙂
THANKS!! It was definitely a busy one haha. Can’t wait to see you soon!
Ooooh French bread French toast! Very cool. I’ve seen that on a few blogs, I’ve never actually made it myself. I don’t often make my own French toast, though, since I find it’s a hard thing to make for just one person.
Also, Forever Yogurt is one of my favorite places…ever. Mmm. Such a good life choice.
Forever Yogurt is #1 in my book. Especially the one on Clark…they’re so friendly and never give me the stink eye for taking 2,357 samples!
I keep hearing bloggers talk about that restaurant, I’m glad the food was good, but I would have been annoyed about the service as well! Also, I made french toast for the first time a few weeks ago– you should try baking it– it was so easy 🙂 So exciting that you guys found an apartment- sounds like a productive weekend all around!
Baking it! What a great idea. That would be sooo much less stressful (and washing the dishes afterwards wouldn’t be nearly as horrendous) haha
Cute pic of you two! Mmm froyo…I had some this weekend too!!!
It was the perfect weekend for frozen yogurt here! I see a lot of it happening in the future this summer 🙂
aww, you had such a fun wknd full of great stuff! i was in San Antonio for the first time this weekend, and salsa danced in Texas for the first time, and wore a new jumper for the first time…those were all exciting for me. 🙂
I cant wait to read your San Antonio recap! I’m a HUGE fan of Texas. Sooo much good food 🙂
My first this weekend – going self hosted with my blog! Quite stressful but so worth it!
How exciting moving in together! and yes a local starbucks is a winner, I love being a 3 min walk from mine! 🙂
Congrats! Stressful but worthwhile, I’m sure.
congrats!!! i love living with my boyfriend and while it can be stressful at times, the hilarious shenanigans and goofing off together is totally worth it. so excited for you!
Haha good to hear!! I can’t wait to be out in the neighborhood area 🙂
How exciting to sign a lease! Nice one, buddy. I hope you also stayed extra long at that restaurant….stupid server.
$5 got you that much frozen yogurt…don’t come to australia. You might get a sample size taste for $5. That French toast looks epic. Never too much butter 😉
I can’t even imagine it getting more expensive than that! It’s already hard to think about it financially when I pay $5 for a cup of yogurt instead of $5 for a gallon of good ice cream. At the end of the day it’s worth it though!
Congrats on the lease!! Next to a Starbucks would be bad news bears for this girl. Its already bad enough that I have one literally right next door to my work…
And my froyo is pretty much always $5. I just fill that baby up!! I don’t even get toppings really, maybe a random brownie bite on top, I more just want that tasty froyo!!
I don’t think I’ve ever gone in and not put any toppings on! Although in the summer I might have to since it’ll be so hot and I just want as much yogurt as possible. But other than that I love adding something crunchy to my froyo, either nuts or sprinkles or, in this case, crushed up oreos 🙂
Congrats on the new lease!
Also, I absolutely hate when I feel rushed at a restaurant. I mean, I understand that more customers = more money, but I feel like when you go to nice places it should be an experience, not something to feel stressed about.
You should tweet this at G! I am sure she’d fire that employee on the spot for being super PUSHY!!! I know I WOULD!!! I totes wanna try RPM one day though. She needs to open one in LA stat!
Agreed about tweeting at G!
You’re right I bet she would! She’s the best. I feel bad though haha
Yayyy I am so glad you found a place!! I’m coming next month and hopefully I’ll be able to do the same! I want to try RPM as well…we used to have squid in its own ink when I was in Spain (it wasn’t even a delicacy; my host mom used to make it for dinner). The ink was fine (they serve it over rice), but I don’t like squid.
Haha I never thought anyone would serve squid ink casually but they do things differently in Europe that’s for sure! Can’t wait until you’re in town!
Congratulations on the apartment!! That is so exciting 🙂 Awesome that you were able to try out G&B’s restaurant. It looks amazing! Also, the Ryan Gosling squat inspiration – hysterical 🙂
I loved it – truly an inspiration haha
Ok fellow former server here – that’s the most annoying thing ever… Like since we have been there, we know what you’re doing, dude! SO frustrating. I hope you made sure to linger after you paid, haha! That’s the worst. 🙂
CONGRATS on getting a place together! I am so excited to visit Chicago (in like 6 months haha) and I love all your pictures of your runs in that awesome city! ❤
I tried to linger but I just felt so awkward that I wanted to get out of there. It was a late dinner reservation (10:30) so by the time we left it was 11:30 and a verrrry different crowd. Maybe I was just too tired to ruffle some feathers haha. That’s so exciting that you’re coming to visit!!