Inspiring Kitchen, Author at InspiringKitchen.com - Page 24 of 32

Sep 02
0

Solution to Hard To Get Reservations

Posted by | Education, Restaurants, Technology, Tourism | One Comment

How often does it happen that you are on a business trip and in a city that has a restaurant you are dying to go too. But, when you call, there are no available reservations for weeks. No sweet talk or cajoling gets you that much-coveted table.

Well, Table8 has found a solution to this frustrating culinary challenge. A new restaurant reservation platform launched in major cities across the country that gives you access to the best restaurants in the city even if they are fully booked.

Inspiring Kitchen Table8 Reservations Solutions(Balena Restaurant, Chicago)

By joining the Table8 program, you will have the opportunity to dine at top participating restaurants across the country on short notice.… Read more

Sep 01
1

Debut of Chicago Food + Wine Festival

Posted by | Culinary Event, Education, Festival, Travel, Trends | 16 Comments

In a food town like Chicago, having the opportunity to learn about new restaurants, dishes, foods, wines, spirits, beers and cocktails is always a reason to gather. Food makes us happy after all. Something that the Chicago Food + Wine Festival knew as they launched their first fest this weekend in Chicago’s Lincoln Park.

Inspiring Kitchen Chicago Food + Wine Festival

This two-day food and wine celebration highlighted our local chefs and their restaurants including those that are soon to be opening in Chicago. (See Monteverde from Chef Sarah Grueneberg and Earl’s Kitchen and Bar). The fest was held in a beautiful park just to the north of Chicago’s famed Magnificent Mile.… Read more

Aug 25
0

Spill Proof Containers for Meals on the Go

Posted by | Favorite Finds, Organization, Storage | 17 Comments

Depending where you live, your kids may have started school already. Notebooks, pens, backpack. Check. Lunch box? Not yet. Looking for food storage containers that won’t leak and will keep your child’s lunch at the right temperature? Check plus! FUEL Collection has designed portable lunch container options with your kids in mind.

With FUEL, each container is specifically designed to exceed your expectations. No need to worry that the thoughtful lunch you have prepared will have escaped the plastic wrap to be all over the inside of the backpack or on homework. What is particularly helpful with these products is that they cover multiple types of lunchtime favorites from sandwiches to soups to salads to snacks in re-usable, sturdy and tightly sealed containers.… Read more

Aug 19
0

Virgin Hotel Launches in Chicago

Posted by | Hotel, Tourism, Travel | 32 Comments

Ready to stay in a hotel that does not feel like a hotel? Where you feel like you are staying in an exclusive yet creative space. Leave it to Sir Richard Branson to launch Virgin’s first US based hotel in Chicago. And he thought of everything!

The Chicago property, located just off Michigan Avenue in the business district, has a history of it’s own having once been the Old Dearborn bank building. In fact, throughout the hotel you will see hints of what the building’s previous business was just adding to the hotel’s ambience.

Inspiring Kitchen Virgin Hotel

From a business traveler’s perspective, it’s all in the details of how the hotel is run.… Read more

Aug 14
0

Explore Chicago Architecture Aboard Shoreline Tours

Posted by | Education, Tourism | 21 Comments

When you think of visiting Chicago, what are on your list of must-do and see sights? You might think of our diverse food scene – restaurants achieving international accolades – to our sports teams from the Bulls to Cubs to Sox to Blackhawks – to the “Magnificent Mile of Shopping” on Michigan Avenue. But what you may not have thought of is the breathtaking architecture that is Chicago.

As locals, we rarely see our city for all its glory as we are just going about our day-to-day life. So, for the first time, my friends, family and I boarded the Shoreline Architecture River Tour  to see the city from a new perspective.… Read more

Aug 13
0

Entertain with La Croix Sparkling Water

Posted by | Beverage, Entertaining, Recipes | 29 Comments

Quick run to the grocery store today and found myself wandering in the water aisle. I am one of those people who always have water in my hand (or located close by) for a quick drink. What I find myself doing in my ever-present containers of water is to add flavors like fruit or herbs. But, how convenient would it be to be able to grab a can of water already flavored with bright flavors aside from lemon and lime?

 

Inspiring Kitchen Cherry Lime Mocktail

You may have already heard of or enjoyed La Croix carbonated waters but when was the last time you took a look at the huge variety of flavors they now offer?… Read more

Aug 05
0

Chocolate Raspberry Rice Pudding

Posted by | Entertaining, Recipes | 36 Comments

The sweetest part of summer is the opportunity to spend time with close friends just relaxing and catching up. No matter how much I love to cook, in the warmth of the summer, the last thing I want to do is heat up my kitchen. So, when it comes to dessert, I found the easiest and most delicious option that appeals to every guest: Chocolate Raspberry Rice Pudding.

If you’ve been following my Kozy Shack pudding recipes for June (Chocolate) and July (Tapioca), you’ll notice there’s been a theme known as the Summer of Pudding. Well, in celebration of National Rice Pudding Day on August 9, I am sharing my recipe for my Chocolate Raspberry Rice Pudding using Kozy Shack’s Original Rice Pudding.… Read more

Aug 04
0

Start The Day With Plenti Yogurt

Posted by | Favorite Finds | 6 Comments

Thanks to Plenti for sponsoring today’s post. As always, thoughts and opinions are exclusively my own.  

 

Are you a breakfast eater? I am. Breakfast is the meal that I count on to give me a good start to the day, both mentally and physically.

Getting ready for work every morning usually leaves me with very little time to make breakfast. (Yes, I know I could get up earlier but that just never happens) As a result, I am always on the look out for quick healthy solutions to start my day off right. Lucky for me, I am a big yogurt fan.… Read more

Aug 02
1

Vodka Cocktail for Breaking Bad Fans

Posted by | Alcohol, Bar, Foods | 2 Comments

When did you get hooked on the cable television series, Breaking Bad? When it first launched or after watching multiple seasons’ worth of episodes at a time wishing it wouldn’t end? (I was the latter). Either way, the landmark series about a chemistry teacher who heads into the dark drug world becoming a murderous kingpin with the code name, Heisenberg, now has vodka named after him.

Inspiring Kitchen Breaking Bad vodka

The limited edition line of Heisenberg Blue Ice Vodka was inspired by the Breaking Bad series and launched by Sony Pictures Television and 21st Century Spirits. For devoted fans of Walter White, you can buy the three special blue bottles each with a catch phrase from the show and a silhouette of Walter on the bottle:

Inspiring Kitchen Breaking Bad vodka

  • Tread Lightly
  • Say My Name 
  • The One Who Knocks

 

If you are a vodka fan, here are some interesting details.… Read more

Aug 01
1

Kitchen Remodel Step 2 The Details

Posted by | Design, Home Design, Interior Decorating, Kitchen remodel, Remodel | 22 Comments

We have made the exciting decision to remodel our kitchen, found our talented interior designer, discussed our ideas, goals and budget and are now ready to move forward into the details of the plan. For this next step in the process, we are going to talk about the kitchen’s layout and materials in our question and answer style with interior designer, Jack Ovadia.

Inspiring Kitchen:

How is a kitchen layout determined? If we want to add an island, what kind of space do we need?

Jack:

Generally, people with smaller families have smaller kitchens. When we start looking at family environments we see pantries, higher cabinets, major cooktops equipped with ranges, extra countertop space for serving and entertaining.… Read more