STORIES
Explore Every Day
Pinpointing the extraordinary in the routine. Getting lost in the complexities of the many things we take for granted. Finding the common ground that connects us all.
Rayan
The evening was cinematic. The amber glow of candlelight flickered against velvet tablecloths and brassy chandeliers as piano music accompanied percussive rain on window panes. The crowd was boisterous, their voices and cheers filling the dance hall of the Refectory at Columbus Park, each course served a new reflection of Midwest autumn.
Harvest Season Spritz
Today, we are taking a moment to toast this micro-season that holds the harvest. Be it a pause before the abundance of autumn, a last look at lazy beach days and lingering back porch dinners as the sun sets, or just extending the feeling of al fresco season a little bit longer, take a break and make yourself a cocktail that connects the freshness of summer with the warmth of fall.
Sea Smoke
After wandering the botanical gardens with seasonal welcome cocktails, lacy leaves glistening with water droplets against grey skies, we gathered in the greenhouse. We listened to the patter of rain on the roof and the chatter of good conversation while the chefs stayed warm over hissing cooking fires just outside the translucent walls.
Heritage (Grains) and Griddle Cakes
These cakes have been popular for hundreds of years in part due to their versatility — “a pancake is just an avenue for sauces, or to add things on top,” Brent explains. The toasty flavor of cornmeal caramelizes on the outside of these griddle cakes to create a delicious, subtly sweet pancake perfect for topping with any variety of sauces or garnish.
Where to Eat in Chicago
With a robust collection of Michelin stars; signature dishes like deep dish pizza, peanut butter egg rolls, and Italian Beef; and countless neighborhood spots serving simple, great cuisine, Abby is hard pressed to find other places that have better food than Chicago, even on her extensive travels. “No other place really feels like this,” she says, “there are beautiful landmarks, our architecture is unmatched, but what we do here is eat.”
Amor Fa-Tea
Bri created a summer-to-fall cocktail that encourages us not to rush the seasonal transition, but to embrace it. It’s inspired by sweet tea, but full of warming spices. We can fight against the coming of winter or rush the slide from summer to fall — or we can embrace this moment for all it has to offer. “We have to be ready to receive what the season wants to give us.”
A Maven’s Guide To Minneapolis
Kelly intimately knows the city’s outsized culinary scene. “New restaurants are opening constantly, it’s hard to keep up,” but unlike some bigger cities, it’s never too hard to get a table, even at the buzziest places. “It’s full of artists and creatives here,” Kelly asserts, “people aren’t afraid to try something new.”
Doppelgänger
There’s a very short window of time when the days blend together with blissful regularity, the sun shining steadily over warm days and the farmers market. We took inspiration from the languid mingling of summer days and hosted two Suppers in a row celebrating the height of Maine summer.
Summer Paella Party
This dish is designed to feed a group, cooked and served all in one pan. Paired with a crisp Txakolina or fruity red wine and a summer salad, it makes the perfect summer dinner. Throw down some festive linens and a trivet, present your paella, and linger as everyone helps themselves to seconds. Enjoy a sobremesa that lasts long into the evening; the Spanish tradition of post-dinner conversation around the dinner table is almost as good as the dish itself.
Cultivate
A few of the farmers, like Akilah Zuri Campbell, who grew the gorgeous Alabama Blue collard greens featured on the menu, were even able to join us at the table to experience the fruits of their labor and connect our guests to the source of their meal. The evening ended with a stunning mountain sunset, summer finally winning the war of seasons that had been waging all day, while everyone lingered at the table to stay connected a little bit longer, to this place and each other.