Sub the pickle relish for chopped dill pickles, and our recipe is the same! Sometimes I will add a pinch of Colemans dry mustard.

Back before I got lazy, I would add chopped sweet gherkins instead of the relish. I’ve done it with dill pickles but I crave the sweetness since I don’t get sugar from too many sources.

I would have loved to see the type of Oysters served in Illinois

Prarie oysters. :D [For those who don't know, google it]

I have seen those, especially on Dr. Pol. However, GB did say on the half shell, which those will never be.

Mutton & pork satays with ketupat & cucumber , crispy squid rings , tauhu goreng , white chye tau kuay and “ baun “ mee in soup , .. at the country club - sorry forgot the photos except some sunset ones and order our drinks too !

You could put them on a half shell. There is no requirement for them to be on a self made shell. They waste half of an oyster shell every time they shuck'em...

You forgot to get a cupcake from Sweet Mandy B's! My favorite cupcake spot in the city.

I'm trying to figure out if you're being serious or snarky, but presuming you're serious, most places that have raw bar options in Chicago typically have 4-6 varieties daily, split between east and west coast oysters.

It's tough to find the actual varieties listed on menus, since they may change daily and go out of stock quickly.

GT Fish and Oyster today lists:

• Cascadia - WA - medium, firm, medium brine, melon

• Coromandel - NZ - medium, plump, briny, cucumber

• Fanny Bay - BC - medium, tender, medium brine, sweet

• Beau Soleil - NB - medium, delicate, light salt, mineral

• Cotuit - MA - medium, firm, medium salt, sweet

• Wellfleet - MA - medium/large, tender, salty, savory

Hugo's Frog Bar only has two -- Kumiai from CA and Beau Soleil.

Eddie V's has:

• Bluepoint - Norwalk, CT – Firm, Medium Brine, Light Mineral Finish
• Sea Kist - Dutch Harbor Jamestown, RI - Firm, Full Brine, Umami Finish
• East Beach Blonde - Charlestown, RI - Silky, Sweet Brine, Deep Mineral Finish
• Malpeque - Malpeque Bay, PEI – Firm, Moderate Brine, and Clean Finish
• ​​​​​​Henderson Bay - Henderson Bay, WA - Full, Sweet Brine and Mild Finish

my spouse got a cupcake
I really prefer the non-cupcake items. I love cookies and bars. Granted everything is a winner there.

I'm sure it is, but I can't get past the cupcakes! (I kid, slightly. I've also had the chocolate topped peanut butter rice krispy treats, which are also excellent.) Sadly Sweet Mandy B's is now a bit out of the ways for me, and there's a great local bakery that we support, but I am always happy when a friend comes over bearing their treats.

Grilled cheese sandwich with havarti and Muenster.

Herman, Lily or Eddie?

I had a grilled cheese with havarti and gouda.

Toasted pumpernickel with melted havarti (open faced) is a guilty pleasure of mine.

Dinner tonight was osso bucco with risotto. Delicious, but probably a few more calories than either of us needed in anticipation of Thanksgiving. Mr. CE cooked.

Grilled cheese is probably my ultimate comfort food.