Puerto Vallarta - March Mexico Trip

Just returned from a week off in Mexico - was a wonderful, relaxing, sun-filled vacation south of the border. C and I packed up on a cold, snowy Chicago morning and headed to a family vacation in Puerta Vallarta. No one in the family (aside from a college spring break trip for Hil) had visited before - so it was a great place to explore and relax for the 6 of us. We spent the week at the Westin, in the Marina district, and ate our way through the breakfast and lunch menus (go for the Muesli, and the Veggie and Fish sandwiches).

After doing some general restaurant searching, we started with a list...and we ate our way through it and then some. Outlined are the highlights:

Super Green Salad, Salmon Zaradorado, & Dessert Delux @ Cafe Des Artistes

Margaritas, Asparagus salad, Grilled Sea Bass, & Beef Carpaccio @ Trio

Chile-rubbed Sea Bass, Tuna Sashimi, Veggie Symphony, & Pomegranate martinis @ La Palapa

Cuatro salsas, Margaritas, Chipotle-Tequila linguini & to-die-for Chile Relleno's @ Los Xitomates

Fish tacos (grilled and fried), the guacamole, and the authenticity @ Sayulita Fish Taco's

After the week, we still weren't sick of guacamole, tortilla chips, or margaritas...but it was nice to come home to a cheesy, "American" pizza on Saturday night (complete with a cuddly pup). Thanks to my parents for organizing and funding an amazing warm-weather-family-trip. Love you! S&C

Springtime in Chi-town

Well, it's spring in Chicago and we've yet to have a week that so truly announces it's arrival as this past week - sun, rain, warmth, brisk breezes. If with the good, comes the bad, then I'd say we had a pretty 50/50 split this week of either. I'm enjoying the flowering trees and the tulips and daffodils I see everywhere - here is a shot of LP near our house with the green grass and the budding trees:

So far, I think springtime in Chicago is a lot like the past 6 in Boston, though we haven't had a late snow (well, March was late for ME). Only 6 more weeks until it's officially summer!

I for one am quite excited for the outdoor Green City Market this weekend. After a false alarm last weekend, we are very ready to peruse the stands once again and scramble home to put it all together in some sort of veggie delight or fruit salad. I love, love, love the options and the freshness of it all. Plus, it's a fun activity with C and the pup! This weekend kicks off their 11th anniversary of bring local produce to the city. How better to celebrate it than with a 'lettuce fest'?