VittlesVamp

Thank Full

You're expecting a photo of a turkey. I get it. Hate to disappoint. In truth, I made a gorgeous bird on Thanksgiving and then - as I traditionally do - turned the carcass into gorgeous gumbo. But, thought I'd take a breath post-turkey-palooza to reflect on some of the tastes I've been particularly thankful for over the past year...

For example, I can't help but smile thinking about that plate of juicy Himalayan lamb dumplings from a Momo truck in Jackson Heights, Queens.

Then there was the classic Porteño breakfast of a freshly baked Medialuna served alongside a serious cup of coffee, which I consumed fairly regularly when I was living in Buenos Aires this summer.

Once home, I tried my hand at recreating Argentina's great steak dinners at a pal's Brooklyn apartment, complete with wine from Mendoza and a Mallmann-esque fire pit in the backyard.

Just a couple of weeks ago, I made "all gone" when presented with a plate of chilled Gulf shrimp at Peche in New Orleans.

And then there has been the spirted New Orleans-style indulgence of a well-crafted Pimm's Cup at my Brooklyn local, Jack the Horse Tavern.

Can only hope that I'll have a few more food and drink memories to regale you with before the year is out.

And Ampersand Chicago

They say a picture is worth a thousand words. Maybe so. But, I can promise you that a picture is not worth a thousand tastes. Not even a handful of tastes. Yet, these photos will have to suffice in terms of regaling you with my recent dinner with Chicago gal pal Tatiana at the Windy City's hottest new wine bar -- Ampersand.

Well, I'll throw in a few words for good measure.

For example, above is a snapshot of an opener merely referred to as a "Meat and Cheese Board" in the Ampersand menu.

Let's get something straight. Nothing is "merely" when it is served at Ampersand. That's especially the case when you're lucky enough to have the restaurant's wine director Victoria Vanourek working with you from behind the open kitchen counter. It's hard to resist her wine savvy and exuberance as she's pouring you a glass of floral Andeluna 1300 Torrontes.

Then there is more food. Below, a Chicken Torchon with Roasted Brussels Sprouts and Savory Bread Pudding. (Or is that "& Savory Bread Pudding?)

Follow that up with Beef Short Rib with Cauliflower and Chile, and Victoria will switch out your glass of Torrontes for Calatrasi et Micchiche Syrah.

And, then there is dessert, of course.

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Just your typical cookie plate.

Well, your typical cookie plate at Ampersand.

And (&), you can definitely assume that I'll be back the next time I'm in Chicago.