Sweet Maple Cafe

Another nut-free destination for me! The owner has nut and fish allergies, which are my allergies, so that's pretty awesome. This was a fun place, there was a big line but luckily we got there early in the day so it wasn't too bad. I got blueberry pancakes and they were tasty, but lots of food (I got two and shoulda just got one). I also got one egg on the side which was amazing, lol. The coffee was good but they kept refilling it constantly so it was too hot to drink much! But overall, a really great place, like sinclairs but safe. Wowow.




Overall
Cost: 6/10
Taste: 8/10

Frío Gelato

This was probably the pinnacle of my Chicago trip, which if you are a nut allergy trago you might understand. Nut free gelato!!! In a regular store, in a cone, at the pier!!! What!!! And it tastes great, just like regular ice cream/gelato must taste. I wish with all my heart I could go to a place like this whenever I wanted, but I guess it's good for my weight or whatever. (I don't even believe that, I just eat frozen meals sadly instead).

So: gelato! They have vanilla and chocolate cones, both are good and don't really taste that different. I got trifondo which was like, caramel and chocolate and vanilla, and it was tasty and sweet and lovely. Then I got raspberry and marscapone, which is probably my favorite flavor. I also tried the cafe con leche, which was "fine" but not my favorite. Sadly then I had to leave the time zone so I could only try three flavors, woe. All were so fun and creamy and melty and great. I love you, frio gelato.

Overall
Cost: 6/10 (IDK, maybe 7 dollars each? Who cares)
Taste: 9/10

Romano's Macaroni Grill

I probably didn't have a conventional Macaroni Grill experience, because I went to the one in the Chicago airport (ORD) and I was also alone, so I felt a bit awkward and like I was taking up a seat. My only previous experience with the MG was a long, long time ago when I went with my family, and I remember you could draw on the placemat with crayons but I didn't like the food. Child me might be too hasty, though. They have an allergen menu on line, plus it's Italian, so I felt pretty good about going here during my long layover. This place definitely had a smaller menu than the online one, but they still had Corona (8$) and I got the chicken marsala, which I knew was safe. They also put bread on the table but it looked potentially seedy. Anyway, the marsala was good. It was filling for sure, but not a crazy Olive Garden massive portion either. 2 medium size chicken pieces, some angel hair pasta, and mushrooms and garlic wedges(2) in a lightish marsala sauce. Overall tasty. I think if I weren't rushed/weren't alone I would have been pretty into it. Would go back to a real one someday! But even at the airport alone I would go back, I just need to relax more about taking up space. Life lessons.

Overall
Cost: 4/10 [About 40$ for airport me but in general probably average]
Taste: 7/10