2 years

We can't believe it's been 2 years since we started Zucchero&Butter. I created the blog when I was senior in college and asked allison to join me. Sorry we haven't been posting on the blog the past few months. allison and I have full-time and part-time jobs so we're always busy working. But we promise to be better this year! Below are a few pictures of what we did this year. We did a lot of eating, cooking/baking, inventing ice creams, shopping at farmers markets, and traveling {to New York}.

click here: October 27,2012

jeni's in chicago

We're so excited that Jeni's Ice Cream finally opened a shop in Chicago {Lakeview, Chicago}. Jeni's is originally from Ohio. The first time allison and I tried the delicious ice cream was in Dublin, Ohio.

Ever since I started making homemade ice cream, I didn't want to buy ice cream anymore. However, jeni's is the exception! She uses the freshest ingredients. I made her goat cheese ice cream w/ roasted cherries.

there's always room for pie

 blueberry pie

We were craving pie so we stopped by Bang Bang Pie Shop {Logan Square, Chicago}. So glad we did because blueberries are our favorite fruit. Also, the summer squash pie is delicious!

 biscuit w/ ham

summer squash pie

the 23 layer chocolate cake

During Restaurant Week back in February, we got to eat at Michael Jordan's Steak House. We were not disappointed by the delicious food. The garlic bread was a-m-a-z-i-n-g! The waiter poured the blue cheese fondue over the bread in front of us. I can eat this bread everyday. Of course we chose steak as our entree. And for dessert...we chose the bread pudding and chocolate mousse. But we had to order the famous 23 layer chocolate cake too! It was a good night.

 garlic bread

 carpaccio

 filet mignon

 ribeye

 vanilla bourbon bread pudding w/ caramel cinnamon gelato

 chocolate mousse pyramid

23 chocolate layer cake

happy pi day

{from left to right: hoosier mama pies, bourbon chess pie, snickers icebox pie from magnolia, passion fruit meringue pie}

little goat breakfast

 smoked corn beef hash with eggs

Now you can try Chef Stephanie Izard's creation not only for dinner, but also for breakfast and lunch! You have to try their corn beef hash. The corn beef is made in house. Little Goat is located Near West Side, Chicago.   

 bull's eye french toast

 breakfast spaghetti n clams

 brandade and belly benedict

 tempura mash potatoes

the little goat coffee

the house bloody mary w/ kimchi

flirty cupcakes

Flirty Cupcakes started as a cupcake truck, but now it has its own shop in University Village! You must try their pie cupcake!

mitsuwa

Japanese cuisine galore can be found in one place! Mitsuwa Marketplace {Arlington Heights, IL} is a Japanese supermarket-heaven with an amazing food court.  Japanese must be one of our favorite cuisines.  We can find everything we crave for at Mitsuwa from sushi to mochi.  Today we're featuring two restaurants at Mitsuwa: Santouka and Gabutto Burger.  The Ramen from Santouka is authentic and delicious.  Today we ordered the Toroniku (pig cheeks!) with miso soup. 

Gabutto Burger is the first Japanese-style burger place in town.  The January special burger of the month is the Chicken Naan Burger with honey glaze.  And don't forget to try the Gabutto Stuffed Pancakes!  The pancake flavor of the month is Nutella with a Ferrero Rocher in the center. YUM.  Get stuffed pancake while you can!

munching on...

start the new year with macarons!

{egg nog, red velvet, honey almond, white chocolate lychee, gingerbread, peppermint}

bang bang

So happy to finally try Bang Bang Pie Shop {Logan Square, Chicago}! First of all, their biscuits are amazing...crunchy on the outside, and soft & buttery in the inside. Plus they have a lovely selection of homemade butter and jam.

Each day, Bang Bang has a selection of only four flavors of pie...four creative and delicious pie flavors: today's flavors were gingerbread, eggnog cream, chocolate pecan, and pear brandy mince.  We did tried them all.  How can you resist pie made with love and lard? Also pie with their house-roast coffee is a perfect pair.

chocolate pecan

gingerbread

eggnog cream

 pear brandy mince

christmas glazed & infused

 we couldn't resist trying to the holiday specials

 gingerbread old-fashioned

 mint chocolate