restaurant week

Not ordering an appetizer, when eating out, is a sin. 

Appetizers rule the city of Chicago.

Which, is why desserts get so easily overlooked.

After a smorgasbord of appetizers and a decadent main dish, the last thought through our mind is, “sure, feed me some more cals.” 

Cals, being short for calories, of course. …Don’t we all think in shortened words? 

However, the lack of actually needing to order dessert, doesn’t make us want dessert any less. 

We just need a reason to order it… 

Ta da! Restaurant Week. 

trio of oatmeal cookies: plain / garam masala-ginger / chocolate-marcona almond

The most glorified, most talked about, foodie obsession in all of Chicago. Allowing Chicagoans and visitors alike to eat at the most desired places in Chicago. 

dulce de leche / coconut / espresso / mandarin

The Restaurant Week prix-fixe menus, that are served at all participating restaurants, subtly force restaurant-goers to try a dessert.

No complaining here. 

After devouring the oatmeal sandwich trio from Table Fifty-two, tears were brought to my eyes as I finished the last bite of the chocolate and almond flavored oatmeal cookie filled with rich butter cream icing. 

And the housemade truffles from Aria exposed me to how a truffle should truly taste. 

Until next year, dessert, when we meet again during Restaurant Week.

money, money

Yesterday, at The Executives' Club of Chicago's Annual Economic Outlook, a panel of top economic forecasters (3 of the 4 are Chicagoans) shared their tips on how to stay ahead of the curve in 2014. For the past 30 years their financial predictions have never been wrong.

Here are some of the key takeaways:

- Invest in marijuana distribution. Jon Najarian noted that he bought the Medbox stock on Wednesday (1/8/14) for $35 and Thursday (1/9/14) it was up to $90. He expects there to be great opportunities in this space. However, you should patiently wait and observe the trend before diving all in.

- Job growth in 2014. All three panelists agreed that there will be more job opportunities this year. Diane Swonk expects between 2.5 million and 3 million more jobs will be created this year due to companies beginning to rebuild supply chains.

- Bitcoin is risky. When asked about the new digital "currency" Douglas Holtz-Eakin said that it is very dangerous thing and doesn't know why the treasury has not come out against it. He advises to stay clear for the time being.

Thanks to the talented finance gurus who shared their wisdom:

Photo Credit: Emily Cikanek for Joe Gallo Photography

Jon Najarian, Co-Founder, optionMONSTER
Diane Swonk, Chief Economist, Mesirow Financial
Douglas Holtz-Eakin, Economist and Former Congressional Budget Office Director 
Terry Savage, Financial Author and Nationally Syndicated Columnist.