Trader Joe's Olive Tapenade Spread

Two thumbs up for Trader Joe's Olive Tapenade. We've recently become hooked on the stuff as the oppressive heat has made us want little more than a cold turkey/Provolone sandwich with a layer of this delicious tapenade for dinner. This little jar would fit perfectly in a picnic basket to make your sandwich a little more haute than mayo or mustard.

There's an interesting tidbit on IBJ's Property Lines that a new Italian restaurant is going into that cool space that we last visited as Leland's restaurant. We really hope they do it up right because that building has such potential.

Scenes from... Valparaiso, Indiana

Years ago, we enjoyed sangria at the Don Quijote restaurant: We like the signage of the Valparaiso Pet and Hobby Shop:

The upstairs of our favorite Valpo store, Lifestyles. Be sure to stop and browse here if you are anywhere in the area. They have a great selection of gifts, home decor, kitchen gadgets, and beautiful things that you didn't know you needed. The cool facade of Bistro 157:

We really can't recommend the Old Style Inn (located in this stretch of Lincolnway) but our group did try a couple of interesting things there. On the appetizer menu, there were deep fried olives (that was a new one on us- they tasted like jalapeno poppers) and Bloody Marys. We should have been tipped off that something was a little out of the ordinary when the Bloody Marys were listed on the appetizer menu instead of the drinks menu. The Bloody Mary came with the standard olives and celery, but the most unique touch was a Slim Jim-esque slender beef stick that was in the glass.

Lincolnway downtown:

We like the Temptations Gifts sign- it looks like they've been in business a long time:

Happy Independence Day Weekend!

Spaghetti Dogs

We decided not to call these pasta dogs because, for a recipe this low-brow, our childhood moniker of spaghetti is much more appropriate. Hot dogs are such a ubiquitous summer food that we started thinking about non-traditional toppings for them. We're sure that we aren't the first ones who've tried this but, we decided to see how they would be topped with spaghetti along with the Castleberry chili sauce and melted cheese.

We broiled our hot dogs until they had a nice dark crust. While they were broiling, we boiled some pasta until it was al dente, drained the water, and added the chili sauce. Once the dogs were done, we lowered the oven temp to 300 degrees, put the dogs in whole wheat buns, topped them with the chili pasta, then covered them with sharp cheddar cheese. Once the cheese was melted, we took them out of the oven.

It seems like it wouldn't really work, but the baked pasta on top of the dog really did. You had the snap of the dog, baked pasta, and cheesiness all in one bite. If you're weary of the traditional hot dog preparations this summer, you might want to give it a try.

TCM is getting into the Dillinger spirit of things tonight. They are airing Manhattan Melodrama at 8PM. It's the movie that Dillinger had just viewed in Chicago at the Biograph theatre when he was killed by federal agents. Evidently, Dillinger was a big Myrna Loy fan (who isn't?). You'll want to watch it tonight (or record it and watch it on July 22nd, the 75th anniversary of his death) but maybe not with a lady in red.

Scenes from... Crown Point, Indiana

We are so excited about the movie Public Enemies that opens today. It was a happy coincidence that we were in Northwestern Indiana this weekend so we could take a look at downtown Crown Point where some of the movie's scenes were filmed. We only wished that we had more time to take this cute town all in- we'll have to go back when we aren't so rushed.

The "Grand Old Lady" Crown Point courthouse:

Did you know that Rudolf Valentino was married here? There's a Valentino's restaurant and ice cream parlor in the first floor of the courthouse.

After we browsed at the shops on the lower level, we went to the upper levels of the courthouse. Even though the museum wasn't open, it was still worth taking a look at just to see the gorgeous woodwork and floors. This directory is engraved:

We adored the Crown Theatre building:

We've heard good things about The Circle restaurant. They had lovely outdoor seating right across from the "Grand Old Lady":

At 223 S. Main St. (just a quick walk south of the town square) is a lovely Carnegie library:

There was a street fair going on the day that we were there so it was hard to get a long shot but this is the Lake County Criminal Court building (across from the Carnegie Center). According to this page, there is a Dillinger pub and grand ballroom inside.

At 201 N. Main Street is A Conservative Cafe.

With good reason, the businesses of Crown Point are eagerly anticipating the Public Enemies movie too. These special screening posters were in a lot of shop windows. What a great city this would be to view the movie.