If you have been following my Chicago adventure you will have read about the flight, the first evening and the first full day where we tried the most amazing Pizza (Chicago Style) that I have ever had.
Now it was actually the day of the wedding which is completely why we went there in the first place!
Saturday dawned very early for us with the wildest thunderstorm I have ever seen. It was coming up to 0530 and the sky was as dark as pitch.
It seemed like it was the middle of the night except for this huge light show that went on for around 40 minutes.
It was so dark and stormy that several of the huge sky scrapers that normally made up our view were completely hidden.
As we were already up we decided on an early breakfast and to take out the rollers that we had worn all night ready for the wedding.
The same breakfast fare was on offer, so I availed myself of a big bowl of granola, fresh berries and apple juice.
Finishing off we headed back upstairs to get the rollers out and start organising ourselves for the wedding we needed to be at for 3 o’clock.
Taking both sets of rollers out took a couple of hours and we decided to go for a walk about town and have an early lunch before getting ourselves ‘dolled’ up.
Boo had been chatting to some of the guests on Friday and had a suggestion for lunch which was the Siena Tavern.
Taking a wander around town we soon found The Tavern and asked for a table for two.
The plan was just to have a main course and drink and then head back to the hotel to do hair, make up and get dressed.
Boo was looking like a throwback to the reign of King Louis XIV with long ringlets cascading down her back. It was a different kind of look, however I was convinced that all would be well once I styled it.
We ordered mocktails and pizzas. Boo went with the Roasted wild mushroom, garlic cream, mozzarella and white truffle oil. I being a bit of a carnivore went for the Carne.
This may have had a few meats on it; Housemade fennel sausage, sopressata, pancetta bacon, prosciutto, sausage and mozzarella.
What a feast of flavour!
The pizzas were not the Chicago deep dish style, but more of the Tavern style pizza which is a thinner crust, and very tasty.
They were also huge and I certainly knew I wouldn’t be able to manage the whole pizza. Luckily everywhere in Chicago seems to offer boxes for all the leftovers.
We left the restaurant with our goodies and bumped into a couple of our new friends, The Bonnies. They were certainly more au fait with Chicago and I asked them about grocery style stores where I could possibly find bags of Flamin’ Hot Cheetos which Little Chick is addicted to.
Not only did they direct us in the right direction, they also suggest to try Takis as they were similarly flavoured and may hit the spot.
We headed further down the road till we hit the CVS and made our purchases before heading back to the hotel.
There was only 90 minutes before we needed to be leaving so the hair and make- up became a priority.
I put a couple of victory rolls in the front of Boo’s hair and did a quick brush out on mine as I wanted to retain a lot of the curls that I had.
Putting on our ‘faces’ we left the dressing part to the last minute as it was still pretty hot in our rooms, even with the AC on.
I had commissioned an outfit for the wedding which I had given sneak peeks on Instagram to, but now it was time to wear the dress(es) for real.
The Costumiers at the Portsmouth New Royal Theatre had done a sterling job; Naomi had sketched the dress, try on sessions had been conducted and now I was going to the Wedding event of the year in my bespoke tiki style dress with added overskirt.
I had taken the bolero jacket but it was just a little too hot for it and settled for just the dress.
Adding my Miss L Fire shoes and a dolly bag that had been made with some of the dress fabric and I was ready to go.
As it was over 34 degrees outside, we took an uber the couple of blocks to their apartment where the ceremony was going to be held before heading to a local restaurant for dinner, then drinks and evening reception at The House of Blues!
The wedding was absolutely stunning.
Held on the 40 something floor, the balcony was draped with tulle and flowers and the Bride and Groom reduced us all to tears with their vows.
Nibbles and Champagne/pink lemonade fountains were set up for the guests and we spent some time chatting, drinking and nibbling whilst the photographer took shots of the assembled party.
Eventually it was time to head to Tortoise, a nearby restaurant where the Wedding repast was to be served.
We walked there en masse. The table was set up with long glass vases filled with Carnations. A name card was set at each place along with a menu for our delectation.
For the first course we were treated to their Signature Tortoise boule stuffed with Mascarpone and Gorgonzola cheese, drizzled with garlic butter and a choice of Lobster Bisque or hydro Boston bibb salad.
The second course had three options; Dover sole meuniere, Amish chicken or a 20oz bone-in rib eye steak with Lawrys rub.
All of the dishes were accompanied by buttery mashed potato and grilled asparagus.
If I am honest it was difficult to decide on the main course, however I had to go with the steak as it just sounded delightful.
The third course was either the Tortoise pie or cherry pie.
I had never heard of the Tortoise pie, but was a combination of chocolate, candied walnuts, bourbon caramel sauce and whipped cream.
The cherry pie was served with Madagascar vanilla ice cream and so that was what I plumped for.
Every single course was delicious. The bread was absolutely outstanding; the garlic butter dripped down my fingers and was so fresh and hot that I could have eaten just that for the rest of the meal.
The lobster bisque was rich and flavoursome. I had never had it before, but thoroughly enjoyed every mouthful.
I asked for the steak rare and it was perfectly cooked. The mash was possibly the best mashed potato I have ever eaten; smooth, buttery and more of a puree. The asparagus still had a little bite to it and rounded off the meal perfectly.
When the cherry pie came, I was already stuffed to the gills. However I had to at least try a mouthful as it is a favourite of mine and I wanted to compare with pies I had previously eaten.
Of course, once I had one mouthful, I couldn’t stop and soon the plate was empty.
Jorge was wonderfully attentive and arranged mocktails for Boo and I whilst the other guests sipped on various cocktails, including Manhattans.
We all sat chatting and getting to know one another and the hours simply flew by.
Eventually it was time to move onto the House of Blues where the VIP Foundation Room had been reserved. Walking in through the doors, it was a riot of colour, sounds and decor.
The concierge for the Foundation Room checked all our ID to ensure we were old enough to drink. I had to laugh based on the fact I have children OLD enough to drink in the USA!
We were then guided up to the fourth floor where the Foundation Room was situated. Large sofas and comfy area filled the whole room and again everyone chose cocktails and mocktails.
The private wait staff advised that there was a burlesque show on a couple of floors down; “Christmas in July”.
Now as Boo and I love a bit of burlesque, we decided to pop down and have a look to see if it was any good. A couple of the other guests decided to have a look too so we headed along to the rooms where it was being held.
The first performance we saw was from a stunningly beautiful plus-size babe; Deeva Rose. She absolutely knocked our socks off with her skills and I fell in love with her confidence and her underwear set!
After a couple more performances (sadly I didn’t get the names of the wonderful performers) there was the bravest of dancers come up to the stage.
Dressed in a full gingerbread man costume, she danced and posed, slowly taking off her outfit whilst still wearing the padded gingerbread man head!
Given that it was over 30 degrees still, and the sweat was running off me EVEN with air conditioning, I was really amazed by her dedication.
She also had a stunning body and was roundly cheered for her performance.
The groom had come down near this last act and we then rejoined the wedding party. The gig that had been on in the main auditorium had finished and the after party was taking place.
Next to the Foundation Room, the area was absolutely rammed with people singing and dancing to Hispanic music and there was a real party atmosphere.
It was getting quite late so the suggestion was to move to the bar within the apartment block the Bride and Groom lived in.
The area was classically contemporary and had a lovely feel about it. Smooth American standards were gently playing and the Bride and Groom had a dance or two, one of the first of their married lives.
It was so romantic and I may have shed a little tear.
Eventually it was time to drink up our mocktails and leave the newly married couple to retire to their chambers.
After all, there was only a few hours till we were to meet for the Wedding Breakfast Brunch!
Till next time,
SPSG xxx
*** As previously mentioned the married couple maintain a No Social Media presence.
Hence the lack of photographs of them in my writing***