I would consider making a mustard potato salad. Those are easy on the mayo and the other ingredients aren't too heavy at all. You could package it in small tupperwares to bring to lunch this week.

I swear by the recipe in the Silver Spoon cookbook. It is a staple in my house!

All the menus can be found here

http://www.timeout.com/chicago/blog/o...

I've enjoyed Phil's Pizza on 35th and Aberdeen as well as John's on Western and Charleston (I think Charleston--btw Fullerton and Armitage).

buffalo chicken dip and taco dip, at least. Not sure what else yet. It depends on where we're going and how many people are showing up.

I have had the most success using lard.

Tonight my boyfriend is making Tandoori Chicken. It's been marinating since yesterday. This is his first time making it. He hopes to become an expert at it so he can bring it for tailgates and grilling this summer.

I am preparing some duck confit for a cassoulet later this week tonight as well.

I greatly enjoy Gio's on I believe 28th and Lowe in Bridgeport. Great homestyle Italian food and is BYO. They're also a store and a deli so you can pick up imported Italian foods to bring home as well. The atmosphere isn't really romantic due to that though so I'd keep that in mind, although I had a lovely date there.

I just ate at Clarke's last night and had my favorite tomato soup there. I googled around for the recipe with no luck. Does anyone happen to have this recipe now, a year and a half later?