Walk for Autism

Sunday morning we met up with Dee, Josh and Aiden for the first-annual Walk for Autism in Sacramento.



(I'm sure that Aiden would have preferred to ride this all the way there!)



A successful finish!

Calling All 80's Fans...

Ardie got us tickets to see Heart and Journey, playing at Shoreline this past weekend. We met up with friends and bbq'd in Walnut Creek, and then drove to Palo Alto to pick up Shadi and Babak.



Here are some pictures from all of the fun:



"Don't Stop Believing"...

Farnaz's Book Signing

Farnaz is Ardie's cousin's girlfriend, and she is so amazing. She wrote a book called Waiting for an Ordinary Day.



The book is based on her experiences as a Wall Street Journal journalist, and it's already got rave reviews. (Just check out this review from the New York Times' notorious Michiko Kakutani of Sex in the City fame.)

Here are some pictures of us in San Francisco for her West Coast book signing tour! Here's Ardie and Nikou w/Farnaz:



And portions of the Zahedani's!

Adventures in Chi-Town - Day Four

The weather had gone from bad to worse at this point, so Ardie and I tried to do as many things indoors as possible! The Tribune Tower was a must-see on our list of Chicago landmarks.



The building's design was the result of an international competition for "the most beautiful office building in the world," held in 1922 by the Chicago Tribune newspaper.



This winning entry, complete with a crowning tower of flying buttresses, is derived a French cathedral and gives the building its striking silhouette.



The base of the building is studded with over 120 stones from famed sites and structures in all 50 states and dozens of foreign countries. They range from the Parthenon, Taj Mahal - and even these stones from the White House and the Alamo:



In the courtyard you'll see this great statue of American revolutionary Nathan Hale:

In 2006 the McCormick Tribune Freedom Museum opened, occupying two stories of the building. It's filled with all kinds of trivia - and even opportunities to hop on your soapbox!

Can you say "President Ardavan Zahedani"?

We had a fantastic lunch at the Nordstrom Café, and bought some amazing chocolates from Vosges Haute Chocolate - wow... Their Naga Chocolate Bar features sweet Indian curry, coconut and deep milk chocolate, and it is without a doubt my new favorite!

Then with coffee in hand, we set out again into the weather...

To finish off our Chicago experience, Ardie took us to see Jersey Boys - one of the best new musicals on Broadway, and the winner of 4 Tonys in 2006!

The musical is based on the lives of one of the most successful 1960's rock 'n roll groups, Frankie Vallie and the Four Seasons.

Here is one blurry picture of the stage, and another of the interior of the Bank of America Theatre - simply another amazing building here in the city:

Then it was back to the loft to pack - but not without me snapping up one last pictures of Chicago...

Just another reason why we will always love the skyline and the city of...

Adventures in Chi-Town - Day Three

Thursday the rain began in earnest, but that didn't dampen our spirits! We took the metro to Orange - one of the best breakfast places in the city. We have to come back!



Just take a look at their menu - they feature a BYOB policy, so you can make your own mimosa with their selection of fresh juices...yummy!



Ardie had the Popeye's Breakfast (eggs scrambled with spinach, oven-roasted tomatoes and white cheddar cheese) and I had the Green Eggs and Ham (eggs scrambled with basil pesto, pancetta and mozzarella). Here's a picture of the Fruity Pebbles Pancakes that we [also] had!



Next we went to Wrigley Field - here is the front of one of the brownstones we saw along the way...can you say Cubbies spirit?



Well, then it started POURING rain...so we ducked into Harry Caray's Tavern right across the street for one of the best Bloody Mary's that we've ever had!



Yikes...then it was back into the crazy weather...



And onto the subway!



We began at the Magnificent Mile - probably the most amazing selection of stores and boutiques that I've ever been to...and guess where Ardie took me?



You guessed it - we walked out of there with a little blue box, and an Elsa Peretti "l" inital pendant...thanks, honey!!!



Afterwards, we went to Rosebud on Rush - a fantastic Italian restaurant. We split the most fantastic stuffed mushrooms, and a meat ravioli to die for...here's a picture of us running in the rain to get there!



That night we got ready to go see Wicked - one of the best Broadway shows for 5 years running!



We got to the Ford Center for the Performing Arts, Oriental Theatre in time for a vodka cran and a glass of champagne - or two!



The theatre is truely phenomenal...these pictures really don't even do it justice!



The set before the play began...



It was simply spectacular!!! And as they say...



Our last stop of the night was to Second City - one of the best comedy and improv shows in the country. It was soo much fun - we couldn't stop laughing!!!

Here's the view of the lobby - complete with pictures of past and present comedy icons, like Tina Fey and tons of Saturday Night Live fav's!




We got home at 3 am - and couldn't resist some late night pizza...one of the top 10 foodie reasons to visit Chicago! We ordered a pizza from Ranalli's on Clark (founded in 1937) - made of cheese, pepperoni and artichokes...yumm-o!

Adventures in Chi-Town - Day Two

Friday was a very busy day! First we had coffee at Intelligensia - one of the best coffee houses in Chicago. Their mocha and banana bread was the best start to our morning!



Here's the hubby getting his java on...



Next, we went on the city's Architectural Boat Tour - what an amazing history the city has - and phenomenal buildings to boot. It really does take 1.5 hours to see it all.

Below you'll see the Trump International Hotel & Tower - from the first seasson of Apprentice fame...



A mixed-use structure, the Civic Opera Building houses both a 3400-seat auditorium and more than half a million square feet of office and retail space.



And the best part of the ride...the bar onboard! ;)



We had lunch at Reza's - and their lunch buffet was crazy...nothing like a little Persian food when you're far away from home!



Yummy kabob...but nothing like Nikou's! :)



That night we met up with Jon and Stephanie, who moved to Chicago so Jon can go to business school. They are such great friends!



They took us to Tsunami - a fabulous Japanese restaurant in the Gold Coast, and can you say sushi...what a fun night!