Third day in the U.S. and I’m so itching to get out. I missed one day, yesterday, to go see something. It is sad to say, but I spent the whole day in the hotel, not stepping out even just one bit. 

Came the third day, the redemption. I made arrangements with my friend Jacq to accompany us to Downtown. This time with open restaurants and all. Seven in the evening is not yet late to see something. I expected a perfect evening.

We went out and it’s still bright outside, it was a perfect weather. The challenge that we had was the rush hour and it took us longer than we should. That includes the time it takes to drive to Downtown and to get a table at the Brick Oven Pizza.

The neighborhood of Chicago Pizza and Oven Grinder Co. is like that of New York. Red brick and gated houses. One even looked like haunted and the streets are lighted with yellow, so it’s a mix of warm and lonely feeling. If not for the pizza pot pie of the restaurant, I wouldn’t feel so happy on the start of our tour. (Yes tour talaga hahaha)

The pizza was the star of the menu. It goes in two different sizes and can be shared by four people at most. It is served in a deep bowl making it look like a pie, well it is since the crust went to the top and the savory filling is so thick in the middle. But it’s pizza, okay?

The pizza’s crust and sauce was all the hype, and we knew why. It didn’t taste complicated, it taste simple but it’s the best. It’s all the sauce that I’d want in my pizza, not too sour, not too sweet. The crust, though a bit crumbly, worked best with its partner. It’s not the damn crust we’d want to cut off our plate. It has its own flavor that complimented the sauce. I’m not good with describing taste, but let’s say I gave you one restaurant to check out, there.

Photos care of Jacq

We ordered a meat platter and flat bread as appetizer. When it came to us it’s more like a main dish cause of the quantity. The three of us obviously will not finish it, the next table said so with their glimpse. Anyway, we proved it wrong since our 1 hour of waiting made us eat MOST of our order. Haha

We left with full stomach. So full we need to walk for hours. Then the weather gave us what we needed, a run. It suddenly rained so hard we needed to run for cover but all that’s there was the tree leaves that cross over the sidewalk. The rain can soak us in seconds so we just stayed there. 

We’re starting to think that our other friend Cy has bad luck. Sorry Cy. The parking lot is a couple of blocks away and I’m about to give up on that day until our Uber came. My friend Jacq is so smart to have thought of that. I normally wouldn’t book an Uber if I can walk to the destination (I’m a bit of a cheapskate you know).

This and add some rain

So on with the Uber. Another luck came to make it up for the night, our driver was bubbly and entertaining. He said “Maganda ka!” (You’re pretty!) and “Pogi” (Handsome) haha. The ‘pogi’ he delivered as ‘pogieeeee’ in a high note. It was funny! It turned out he had worked with a Filipino for a long time so he got some pinoy words on his sleeves. We had a short time but it was fun. Plus I finally saw an Uber taxi with a credit card terminal. Everything in Chicago can be paid and mostly require it, through credit card. How I wish we have that in our country. 

Even though it’s raining, we still have time for dessert. Our friend treated us some ice cream cause it DOESN’T choose a weather. I eat ice cream even on cold nights and I so love it I can eat it every day! Don’t judge.

The ice cream parlor is called Jeni’s Splendid Ice Cream. I chose two flavors and they even asked me which would go on the top or bottom. It adds to the experience because they have flavors that can ruin the second one. You don’t want to not taste the bottom flavor just because the top is too sweet right? But yeah it’s your choice.

The ice cream flavors are rich but not too thick. I still had a fast run down on the sides. They have mouthwatering selection. Gooey Butter Cake? I can have a couple of that. LOLS

The passed by the Skyline view point (we finally found our way in) on our way to Downtown, but it was a fail actually. (second time around) It was raining so we can’t get out to take photos. But no I still went out, I’m taking that back. Haha

It was a quick shot because I don’t want to break my friend’s camera. (Again, cheapskate – I borrowed) I’m frustrated because it’s the second night and I can’t still take a proper picture of the skyline, with me on it. Hahaha (of course) But coming from the car the view is still beautiful. Oh how I love to sit on the grass and eat as I watch this night.

We went to Millennium Park right after. The rain stopped but it’s no use since the PARK IS CLOSED. Yep, the famous line. We still think it’s too early to end the day so we went to Cindy’s Rooftop to have one drink. This bar supposedly features a top view of the city but the veranda was closed that time. We then just drink and talk during the last one hour before the bar closes. 

This day was not perfect but we enjoyed it. We made it through the night and we satisfied our taste buds with pizza and ice cream, and a bit of rain on the side.. and a cocktail.. and a skyline. Think I need to update the title of this post.