Spring has arrived in Chicago. Not with Facebook posts of daffodils blooming in Missouri or vegetable seedlings sprouting in Texas, but with the bracing midwestern air that greets you at the front door as you scurry out for the Sunday paper. Breathe deep, arms spread wide and face to the sun, sighing deep relief…so good to be alive!

With the end of winter hibernation in sight, we decided to venture downtown to play tourists for a day. After a leisurely breakfast and a decadent stop for a stress relieving massage, we headed  to the Chicago History Museum to take in a new photography exhibit entitled Vivian Maier’s Chicago.  We both love black and white photography, history and Chicago, so this was sure to be a great outing.

We fortified ourselves with skim lattes and a crispy delicious cranberry oatmeal cookie in the museum cafe and then perused the thoughtfully selected offerings in the gift shop. Coffee, cookie and shopping.  Begin with the inevitable necessities and everyone will travel a little happier.

The original boxcar styling music of the Sanctified Grumblers drew us up to the second floor where we soon found the Vivian Maier exhibit:

Ms. Maier was born in 1926 in New York City and spent her early childhood in France.  Much of her life was spent traveling with her camera to Canada, South America, Europe, Middle East, Asian and and the Caribbean.  She spent decades of her free time capturing street shots of real people, immigrants, children, the wealthy, and noteworthy events of the time such as parades, tornadoes, and riots.  Vivian had an amazing eye to capture and document extraordinary images with her focus seeming to be concentrated on people in struggle.

Vivian settled in Chicago in 1956, supporting her secret photography passion by working as a nanny.  She remained here until her death in 2009 whereupon her photos were discovered.  The massive collection includes more than just the Chicago neighborhoods and faces of the 1960s and 70s which are displayed at the Chicago History Museum.  There are currently Vivian Maier exhibits in France, Belgium and Sweden as well as a documentary: Finding Vivian Maier.

Click here for more information and inspiring photographs.

After satisfying our thirst for Vivian’s Chicago, we checked out a few more interesting Chicago history exhibits before eagerly departing for a late lunch at Eataly.  This is a one-stop European market spread out over two floors at 43 E Ohio Street. Although not the creators of Eataly, Mario Batali and Lidia Bastianich are involved in the hospitality areas of the business, which I could have guessed after perusing the Lidia cookbooks, cookware, and foods.  Bastianich brands and Grano Padano cheeses were much in evidence, which reinforced my enthusiasm  for this market. I do love to watch Lidia’s Italy on public television and she occasionally inspires me to cook with more passion.

We bypassed all of the tempting treats on the first floor: Nutella and gelato counters, sweets, Panini, Lavazzo bar, BAFFO Ristorante Enoteco, and chocolate, and headed up the escalator for a little vino and sustenance.  There are nine restaurants as well as counters for cheese, fresh pasta, butcher, baker, salumi, wine department and a separate birreria.  So difficult to choose, but we found a marble standing table at La Piazza and enjoyed a couple glasses of Guado Al Tasso Vermentino 2011. Fresh and fruity with a little mineral and quite tasty, so we bought a bottle for home. The service was attentive with various wait staff plying us with warm bread and olive oil for dipping while we decided on appetizers. We were soon enjoying a half dozen oysters and a prosciutto sampler plate.  It was difficult to not indulge in the fresh mozzarella, but sampling the incredible cheese selections is a great reason to return.  Besides all of the great shopping, eating and drinking, Eataly offers cooking classes and hosts private events.  We will be back playing tourist soon while enjoying Le Bon Vie!