I thought I'd share how I spent the day yesterday. I didn't go to any fireworks, but I had a wonderful time having some lunch and visiting Abt Electronics. Yes, I know I'm weird, but they are a huge store full o' displays like you wouldn't believe. You need some megabucks to get some of their stuff, let me tell ya!
First, I want to share with you my lunch food porn from Jölane's Cafe and Wine Bar in Glenview, IL. No, I didn't have any wine, but they have a decent lunch. I would post a link to their menu, but their site is acting wonky. I had to mention Abt and Jölane's in the same post because the guy who owns Abt owns this place, named after his mother.
I had their Quiche of the Day with a side salad. Not your typical "throw some lettuce on a plate and call it salad" salad. It was a choice of one of their main entrée salads as a side portion. And let me tell you, it was HUGE for a side salad. Why don't I stop blathering and show you?
This is the first food porn I'm testing with my new camera. Not bad. The quiche was asparagus and swiss, and it was very light and creamy! Last time I was here, I had an asparagus and mushroom crepe dish, also very tasty. But this was your basic quiche, prepared very well. No soggy crust here.
The side salad was their version of the Chopped Salad, with chicken, avocado, bacon pieces, gorgonzola cheese, wonton strips, and a slew of other greens and veggies. Again, what a huge lunch. The price? $9.95. Very nicely priced for what I got. Yum. They had a huge pastry area with fancy cakes and coffees, but I was good and did not indulge. But I did get a sneak indulgence later.
There's a Viking Cooking School / Culinary shop a few doors down, so I took a peek in there before heading over to Abt. I'm glad I went in. They had a brochure for the different classes they hold, and they have everything from BBQ and grilling basics, to everyday kitchen basics, to ethnic classes ranging from Asian/Indian, Mexican, Italian. Dinner party meals, and even one called "Girls' Night Out". They are all hands on, and they prepare a full meal. Most of the classes are $99, but some are higher if you're doing the three day cooking class. They look awesome.
Anyway, after a buying a new spatula (needed one anyway), I dropped it off in my car and walked into Abt Electronics. This place is beyond huge. If you want any appliance known to man, there are rows upon rows to choose from. Not to mention the home theater and audio areas that have everything for any budget, low to obscenely high.
Beyond the main showroom, there's a calming oasis of an atrium, where the kitchens are showcased. There's a little gourmet store inside, for all your kitchen appliance needs, too. Because I saw the drink machine pics, I thought I'd take a couple of some booze helpers that I found. Unfortunately, I should have taken the pictures on the "long" direction. OH well.
Here's a personal beer tap. Heineken mini keg not included.
The next looks like just a blender, but there was a contraption up top for ice and other dispensables. I guess I'll show the second (and more expensive machine, too. You can sort of see the top portion I cut off in the second photo.
These machines will set you back a few hundred bucks. Yikes.
And now my favorite part: Free Cookie Weekend!
They bake chocolate chip cookies on weekends, and they give them away to their customers. Free. I didn't get coffee, but I could have. I took my cookie and asked them to pose for me. That was my little indulgence I mentioned earlier.
But in this area of the store, there are rooms connected that show various setups of what I'd call "dream kitchens". All the bells and whistles thrown in. One such area was set up by Wolf and Sub-Zero, and I swear it was like a Disney attraction throwback to House of the Future or something. You decide.
But first, I passed one of the Man's Natural Habitat Areas:
Here we go: The Living Kitchen, sponsored by Sub-Zero and Wolf:
But wait, we need to enter "the pavilion":
Oh, there's the ubiquitous sponsor plaque:
Random display of interior. Woman near an interactive kiosk:
Side view of the dream kitchen I see upon entering:
Ooh, combination wine cellar/humidor in the kitchen!:
Front view:
Here's another dream kitchen with boozy appliances. Big honkin' booze area in back:
Closer look at that larger wine cellar fridge. Paging Brenda...:
Now the last two items were things I associated with Food Networks stars.
First up: Alton Brown's fridge:
Paula Deen's deep fry station:
And that's the end of my tour of this "attraction". I relaxed in the home theater section, trying out the electronic recliners. And I ended my visit relaxing for 10 minutes in one of those $4000 massage recliners.
When I win the lottery, I will furnish my kitchen and home theater VERY well.
I hope you enjoyed my 4th of July festivities.
) Off to the cul-de-sac party now, hope everyone has a fun & safe 4th of July!!!!
I had no idea this was even possible but now that I do have a hole in my heart (or is it my liver?) that cannot be filled until I have one. How perfect for a beach vacation! And your kiddos are adorable!
Hope this weekend was better! 
One of the things I want to do when I grow up is to plan kitchens, so I would go for the kitchen porn. THEN, I would go for the cookies.
