wish granted

The birthday banner -- just like what my mom used to hang for our birthdays while growing up.

My husband's birthday was last week.  I won't say which birthday because he doesn't want to count anymore.  Fine.  He doesn't ever like to celebrate it but of course I insist ... So, I pried for ideas of what to do and he suggested lunch at Calumet Fisheries.

Calumet Fisheries is located in South Chicago, not far from Lake Michigan or from the Indiana state line.  I first heard about it on an episode of Check, Please (our favorite PBS TV show that reviews local restaurants).  This place is a family-owned business that smokes fish right outside of their point of sale.  I'm calling it that because it's hard to refer to it as a restaurant.  When you walk inside the building, you find yourself at a counter with glass cases of fish before you.  We crowded inside with about a dozen other customers when we arrived around 2pm on a Saturday.  We found out they only take cash.  We had just over $9.  It was enough for a half-pound piece of smoked trout with peppercorns.  They wrapped it up for us and we were on our way.  There aren't any places to sit down and eat inside Calumet Fisheries so we decided to wait and dig in at home.  Before we left though, we scoped out the ice on the river and their smoker hard at work.

Check out their Kudos page to find out Calumet Fisheries' link to the Blues Brothers, Anthony Bourdain, and the James Beard Award.

And the verdict?  We both agreed it was delicious.  We will definitely return.  There was a long line for the smoked shrimp so maybe we'll try that next time.

My husband selected Yuzu sushi for dinner.  Another restaurant that came pre-approved from Check, Please.  This Wicker Park sushi spot was tiny (what is it with us and seafood in small spaces on this day?).  We called ahead hoping to get a reservation and they told us on the phone that it was first come, first served.  We headed over anyways and were greeted by friendly staff who immediately asked us if we had a reservation (?).  We said no and they squeezed us in at the bar, which we determined was more surface area than their tables for two.  Sitting at the bar also offered us some entertainment as we watched the chefs prepare rolls right before us.  We were really happy with the freshness and quality of the sushi, not to mention the creative flavor pairings.  This was a welcome change from our usual sushi place.

Since the best birthdays are the ones that never end, we will celebrate again in March when we see the Book of Mormon!