1126 East Washington Street, Grayslake, IL 60030 Somethings _____________________. (a) Brewing (b) Cooking (c) Making me thirsty (d) Making me hungry (e) All of the above There are cafes that brew and pour rich, bold coffee. There are restaurants that prepare and serve delicious, flavorful food. There are bakeries that offer up fresh muffins and … Continue reading Somethings Brewing
1000 Lake Cook Road, Glencoe, IL 60022 In October of last year, Lisa and I received an invitation in the mail from Chicago Botanic Garden to purchase advance tickets for Night of 1,000 Jack-o’-Lanterns. We were members and so were afforded this choice opportunity. Never having heard of this event, on a whim, we decided … Continue reading Night of 1,000 Jack-o’-Lanterns
1N145 Watson Road (Apple Orchard), Maple Park, IL 60151 Of all my blog posts on The Simple Luxuries, there is one place that goes back in time the furthest. We need to revisit time before 2003, when Anna Shea Chocolates & Lounge was under construction… …to 2002 when Kuipers Family Farm stood as a single … Continue reading Kuipers Family Farm
2175 Deerfield Road, Riverwoods, IL 60015 On our way to the Chicago Botanic Garden, Roy and Adele introduced Lisa and me to Cafe De Oro. This conveniently located cafe in Riverwoods surprised us all by their range of menu items, including Jeni’s Ice Cream, and the most excellent coffee from La Colombe Coffee. Lisa and … Continue reading Cafe De Oro
1825 Waukegan Road, Glenview, IL 60025 Who or what is Boba? I thought Boba’s last name was Fett. Apparently, there is a Club, and it’s not run by the Mandalorian. Boba Club is a place where you can go to relax or be productive, and enjoy one or a few of their many menu items. … Continue reading Boba Club
1490 South Lake Street, Mundelein, IL 60060 Summer is coming to a close. You can feel the cool air hovering over you like a silk sheet. You can smell the distant firepit drifting closer. The sun seems like a close friend who must now pack up for their return trip home, so far away. Greg’s … Continue reading Greg’s Frozen Custard
701 North Milwaukee Avenue, Suite 312, Vernon Hills, IL 60061 Nothing Bundt _______________. (a) Sacrifices (b) Singles (c) Cakes (d) Tchotchke (e) In case of emergency, break glass Let’s get educated. A bundt cake is a ringed piece of flavorful goodness. It is the bright, warm sunshine on the 13th consecutive day of road salt, … Continue reading Nothing Bundt Cakes
9245 Gast Road, Bridgman, Michigan 49106 Over the years I have picked blackberries, cherries and strawberries in Michigan, peaches in Georgia, and apples and raspberries in Illinois. By far the nearest to my heart is picking blueberries in Michigan. It’s so easy and enjoyable. And there’s only one place that will do. It’s circled on … Continue reading Starbuck’s Blueberry Farm
755 North Milwaukee Avenue, Libertyville, IL 60048 “A long time ago at a former employer far, far away….” My friend Sandra and her husband Mark told me about a coffee roastery tucked in the back of a building at the north end of downtown Libertyville. It was Hansa Coffee Roasters. Sandra went on about how … Continue reading Hansa Coffee Roasters
240 Hawthorn Village Commons, Vernon Hills, IL 60061 The summer’s getting hotter. And the treats are getting larger! You could fly on an Airplane! to South Korea, home of Milkcow Cafe, to experience the new Premium Milk Soft Serve sensation. Or you could go to Vernon Hills or a few other select locations in North … Continue reading Milkcow Cafe
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