Windy City Blogger Wed Nov 18 2009

Windy City Blogger Wednesday: Homemaker's Habitat

By Whitney Merritt

This week I would like to introduce Rebecca of Homemaker's Habitat.

What brought you to Chicago?
I've lived in downtown Chicago for about 8 years but grew up in Rockford, IL, which is about 90 minutes northwest of the city. After college there was no question in my mind that I would move to downtown Chicago because I love the pace of the city, the eclectic neighborhoods and, of course, the amazing food!

What do you do when you aren't blogging?
I work in public relations, so my day job keeps me pretty busy. At the end of a long week though, my husband and I love nothing more than spending a quiet night at home, creating an amazing meal and enjoying a glass of wine.

Favorite restaurant in Chicago?
This city has so many incredible restaurants, its hard to narrow it down to just one. We live in Wicker Park and I am grateful to have so many amazing places within walking distance of our condo. I guess my favorite depends on my mood and the night of the week. West Town Tavern is perfect for a comforting weeknight dinner. Green Zebra is a favorite for a birthday or other celebration. And, for a weekend lunch or a quick dinner before heading to the movies, I absolutely love Jerry's Sandwich Shop.

Favorite restaurant in Chicago, if you aren't paying?
Where to even start with this one? There are so many places I've NOT tried but would love to if someone else were paying. In particular, I've heard so many rave reviews about Schwa. Of course, in addition to someone else paying, they'd also need to get us a reservation.

Favorite recipe and/or post?
My Hearty Goulash recipe was recently chosen by Saveur.com for their "Sites We Love" list, which was incredibly flattering. Plus, it's a great recipe for fall; warm, hearty comfort food that can be easily pulled together on a weeknight. Also, I took the photo. Many of the pictures on my site were taken by my husband, since he's a pretty talented photographer. But for the goulash, I took the picture myself and it turned out pretty well. I've very proud of that fact.

How do take your coffee?
I like my coffee with half & half and 1 packet of Equal.

Cubs or Sox?
Cubs, especially if we're going to the stadium. I always insist on getting a hot dog with grilled onions.

What is the one thing/place/restaurant that you recommend to your out of town guests?
Skip the typical tourist spots downtown and instead visit the neighborhoods. There are so many amazing restaurants, parks and architectural gems waiting to be discovered if you take the time to leave the Mag Mile. For example, one of my absolute favorite spots is the Garfield Park Conservatory. It's off the beaten path for sure, but definitely worth the trip.

One (or two) things that you can't live without in your kitchen
As a newlywed, I'm still enjoying the spoils of my registry, so there are a number of new pots, pans and tools that come to mind. But far and away my favorite is my Kitchenaid mixer. It was a gift from my parents when I graduated college and, frankly, I think it's had a significant influence on my sense of bravery in the kitchen. I don't think I would have ever had the inclination to learn to bake bread if that dough hook hadn't been staring me in the face. I received the pasta maker attachment as a wedding present, so the next project I want to tackle is making my own pasta.