What a weekend!! Yes I’m in great shape after my outpatient back procedure!

🍳 Sunday we brought Alyssa’s sister and all the cousins to Butcher & The Boar for brunch (they’re doing it again next Sunday at B&B. Loved the smoked prime rib and the green eggs & chorizo especially- they hosted us and it was great!!

🇻🇳 At night we meet my friend and former TV food critic Steve Dolinsky & his wife Amy at Hai Hai - fabulous! Steve works with Levy now, upping the food game at venues around the U.S. (Wolves & Wild here).🎄 We hung ornaments on our tree.
🧑‍🎄 Saturday we went to the Christkindlmarket at North Loop Green.
👗 clothes shopping at MartinPatrick3 & Requisite. Alyssa looks good in everything.
🥐 our friend Esther just graduated nursing school and still held her annual neighborhood cinnamon roll party! Even former 86th Ave peeps come back for it!
🥩 and met our friend Sunny at 801 Chophouse - an old school filet and causal wine vibe for us.
🍔 Also Maple Grove got the newest Northern Taphouse where one of the owners said: “We’re not trying to win Bears awards here” and well, no. AND it was really well executed bar food - exceeded expectations — with the nicest server we’ve had in a while. we’ll be back! Less