All posts tagged pizza

With children in (and near) Chicago – part 1

by noel.piper on February 8, 2012 in North America with 11 Comments

Last weekend we were with one of our sons and his family in the Chicago area. In the process we discovered some to-do-with-the-grandchildren activities that we all enjoyed.

Friday outing to downtown Chicago–Grandaddy, Grandmama, Mommy, Daddy, & 2 girls

The girls are very familiar with their local Metra station because of dropping Daddy off in the morning sometimes or picking him up in the afternoon. (And from going with Mommy to Starbucks across the street).

But to actually ride on the train themselves . . . too exciting for words. Well, not actually. Both were gushing words and anticipation.

 

At the end of the train line, a 10-minute walk (or longer if following a 3-year-old’s path, instead of the straight line of an adult) took us to Giardano’s for Chicago-style pizza. This is just a block or two from the Sears Tower, America’s tallest building. Some other time, we might go up to the Skydeck.

 

 

On the way back to the train, the plaza alongside the river is good for watching and running.

 

 

 

Back at Ogilvie Transportation Center, Mommy’s stop at Mrs. Field’s provided a satisfying end to a sweet outing.

 

 

 

QUESTION FOR YOU: What have you enjoyed doing with children in or near Chicago? Or what do you wish you could do?

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Scottsdale Old Town

by noel.piper on October 24, 2011 in North America with 3 Comments

I had thought today might be a good do-nothing day between the busy-happy Grand Canyon/conference week and diving back into normal home activities. But when Talitha heard that Old Town Scottsdale was nearby, she wanted to see it, and she wasn’t going to let me forget the most important piece of gear: “Be sure to take your wallet, Mom.”After I checked things out online, I planned to take her to the Sugar Bowl for lunch. It’s a favorite of Bil Keane, who’s featured it often in his Family Circus cartoons that we both enjoy. Also, our hosts confirmed that ice cream at the Sugar Bowl is an outstanding way to end a family walk-around in Old Town.We did stick our heads in there, but pizza was calling Talitha’s name. So we left the pink palace of the Sugar Bowl and headed across the street to Grimaldi’s for New York-style pizza baked over a coal fire in a brick oven. That adds up to toasty, thin crust and deliciousness.

At first, we were a little wary of Grimaldi’s menu prices till we realized that what were listed as single meals were more than adequate for both of us. We divided the “small” caesar salad between us and had some left over (see the next photo). The “personal” pizza is 12 inches, larger than a dinner plate. After salad, we ate our fill of pizza and still had a piece wrapped to take with us.

All 4 of our thumbs are up for Grimaldi’s.

We wanted to visit the Scottsdale Historical Museum and the Mission, but they were closed–for Monday, I guess.

So instead, we went shopping–window-shopping mostly. We spent most time and money in Mexican Imports. I found a small creche to add to my Christmas collection and ceramic Nativity figures in a cutaway gourd to give to our children for Christmas (shh, don’t tell them).

The Old Town Scottsdale area is relatively small. Two-and-a-half hours was just right for us to stroll, window shop, eat lunch, and do a bit of real shopping. But for people who don’t get tired of shopping as quickly as I do, the fun could last all day. The businesses range from classy galleries and jewelry shops with Southwestern-style art all the way to more typical touristy souvenir shops.

A free trolley runs every 15 minutes through Old Town and downtown Scottsdale. Someone told me it’s a 35-minute route if you don’t get out anywhere along the way. Three-hour parking is free in Old Town, so you could leave your car there and take the trolley around to get a look at Scottsdale beyond Old Town.

The Scottsdale Convention & Visitor Bureau has a room lined with brochures and a friendly person to answer questions. It’s at 4343 North Scottsdale Road, Suite 170, Scottsdale, AZ 85251, practically on the edge of Old Town.

Pizzaroo and Pizzadile

by noel.piper on September 1, 2011 in Oceania with 6 Comments

As we’ve made our way through the days in Sydney, I’ve asked now and then, “Is there somewhere you can get kangaroo on the menu?” The answer is always yes, but somehow we never find it.

Until yesterday’s lunch, a fine blending of  a uniquely Australian meat with a menu item very familiar to Americans–kangaroo pizza. And what I hadn’t known to ask about, crocodile pizza was also on the menu at the outdoor cafe of Australia Hotel.

So Sally Lloyd-Jones (also visiting Sydney right now) and I were the culinary adventurers. She ordered Pizzadile and I ordered Pizzaroo and we shared. All credit goes to Sally for coining those names. (Actually, Sally, I hate to tell you, I do find the word pizzaroo on Google. But I don’t think it has anything to do with kangaroo, so we’re okay).

I found the crocodile surprisingly tasteless–I mean, not in bad taste, but having hardly any. The kangaroo, on the other hand, was good. I was expecting it to be gamy, but it just tasted like — how do you describe what meat tastes like? Kangaroo tasted like meat.

Here’s our women-on-the-spot  video review.

(We’ve heard that Australia is the only country that eats its national animal–one that’s represented on the national seal. Is that true? Can you think of any others?)

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I’ve been adding some cool and definitely-Austrailian gifts, so there will be several winners when I get home. Now there are six opportunities to enter your name for the Mystery Prizes from Down Under -–just check out what to do at each of these: #1 and #2 and #3 and 4-6. Easy to do.