It's Raining Women! (Hallelujah!)

The Setting: A gorgeous sunny Saturday in downtown Chicago...

The Location: Tizi Melloul, named one of the 10 best looking restaurants in America (Fine Living - The Insider's List)...

The Hostesses with the Mostest: Katy (left) and Aberdeen (right), sisters of the bride.

The Event: A superfantastic bridal shower!

The Guests: A superfantastic group of ladies, both family and friends, from near and far. Let's meet them, shall we?

Alexis (left), Caitlin (center), and Danielle (right), cousins of the bride.

Shannon (left), sister of the groom, with Amy (right), friend of the bride.

Brittany (left), cousin of the bride, with Denise (center) and Neela (right), aunts of the bride.

Ally, cousin of the bride.

Sharon (left), mother of the bride (shown here with Aberdeen).

Betty, stepmother of the groom.

Maryalice, aunt of the bride.

Jean, friend of the bride.

Katja (left), friend of the bride (shown here with Katy).

Tilney, the bride!

Food, Glorious Food!

The decor Tizi Melloul was unique and beautiful, and the food was outstanding, too. In keeping with the atmosphere of the restaurant, our lunch was a treat for the eyes as well.

On the menu for the afternoon were...

• Starter: Mezze of Greek country olives, hummus, baba ghanouj, flat bread
• Salad: Fattoush salad, romaine lettuce, feta cheese, lemon-oregano vinaigrette
• Entrees:
  • Crispy pork belly with roasted potatoes, cauliflower, fava beans, and citrus soy
    
    
    
  • Homemade potato gnocchi with asparagus and saffron cream sauce
    
    
    
  • Chicken bysteeya - roasted organic chicken breast, traditional Moroccan chicken stew, currants, almonds, and seasonal mushrooms
    
    
    
  • Grilled hanger steak with potatoes, haricot vert, and wild spring onion vinaigrette
    
    
    
  • Crispy skin salmon with skordalia, pickled mushrooms, rapini, and roasted shallot coulis
    
• Dessert: Semi-sweet chocolate fondue with seasonal fruit and cardamom poundcake

Let's Not Forget the Entertainment...

What's that you hear? Is that the ting-ting-ting of a belly dancer's skirt as she shimmies across the floor? Oh yes -- here she comes! Shake it!

Strange coincidence: Our belly dancer bears a striking resemblance to Lauren Graham, star of the hit TV series "Gilmore Girls."

Where the Boys Are

Now remember, everyone...