Meinl!

Yes, yesterday was the election. And Mardi Gras. But it was also my birthday. It was a good day for me as well as for my fellow (non-native) Chicagoan, Barack Obama. Last week's incident notwithstanding, I feel very blessed. I have a wonderful husband, loving parents, cute and funny kids, and great friends, most of whom called me or sent me birthday wishes throughout the day yesterday.

One of those birthday wishes came from my friend B., in the form of an invitation for dessert and coffee at Julius Meinl on Addison & Southport. We went after all the critters were in bed and it was great. Although we used to go there fairly often when we all had only children, I hadn't been to Meinl in quite awhile. The menu has expanded significantly since I was there last. I got two jam crepes and they were quite good. I ordered a very decadent latte, to which the lightness of the crepes complemented nicely. And I love that they still serve coffee drinks with a side of water because I am always thirsty after drinking coffee. My one and only complaint about it was that, although they close at 10 p.m. on weekdays, the staff did everything in their power to clear the restaurant at 9:30 p.m. -- dimming the lights, putting them brighter and brighter, killing the music, etc. I was annoyed primarily because I rarely get to go out in the evening with the peeps!