By Deena BustilloPLAY Editor
For a fleeting second I contemplated blowing you all away by writing my last column about a place filled with health-conscious delectables – spinach salads splashed with fat free dressing, whole grains, vitamins…but what fun would that be?
Instead, I’m doing the opposite: A rundown of all my sinful favorites that will enhance your culinary endeavors – plus, I selfishly figure if you all eat the horribly fattening things I love, I won’t have to worry about being the only one waddling down Sheridan. Let these babies soak in.
A caveat to my calorie-loaded fave foods is I hate plain butter. I’m not against a stick or two thrown into a hunk of shortbread cookie dough, but butter as a condiment is a big no go. I can probably trace this to my great grandfather buttering plain cake doughnuts (with sprinkles on top) for me as a child – scarred for life. Now it ruins bread, corn and pancakes just like peanut butter destroys a good jelly sandwich (I know, I’m alone on that one). But, like any rule there’s an exception: I could eat the mouthwatering butter at the Park Grill (11 N. Michigan Ave) at Millennium Park like it was ice cream. The restaurant serves the incredible butter with a basket of warm bread along with olive tapenade – bliss.
A little closer to home, but probably with just as much butter, are pumpkin whoopee pies at Kim’s Kitchen (815 Noyes). These seasonal treats are moist, subtly pumpkin-flavored cakey “buns,” with a massive dollop of cream cheese frosting in the middle. They’re way too big to eat in one sitting (even for me), but knowing you have another round of frosting almost makes it better. I’ve been meaning to try the chocolate cake that resembles a small tower as well.
What I have tried – many times – are the rich milkshakes at Moonstruck Chocolate Co. (320 N. Michigan Ave). The near solid ice cream wonders almost give you a head ache because it’s that much work to suck the rich “liquid” through the tiny straw. The Mint Tingle has pieces of honeycomb in it, adding a unique snap. It’s the perfect midpoint pick-me-up between Michigan Ave shopping and the gigantic Macy’s on State Street.
With Turkey Day coming and my best friend’s constant harrassment, “The average American gains seven pounds over the holidays,” maybe it is time to buck the butter and bite into the greens – but hey, I’m pleased to announce that through 10 weeks of eating solely for the sake of journalism, I still fit into my “skinny” jeans.
Medill junior Deena Bustillo is a PLAY assistant editor. She can be reached at [email protected].
