Ditka's

Brent and I hired a babysitter for the very first time. Up until now we've either used our parents and family members or we've done "babysitting exchanges" with other families that have kids the same age as ours. I didn't really feel comfortable with the idea of a babysitter until we moved here. The bishop's daughter gave a talk on our first Sunday in church and we immediately got a good vibe. Since we needed a sitter for the adult session of Stake Conference anyway, we decided to make a date of it. Driving away from the apartment sans children made me feel so grown up! You'd think with 2 kids I feel that way all the time, but somehow I don't. Anyway, we headed to the Ditka's in Oak Brook for dinner.

It had been lightly snowing and the temperature was dropping. We passed a couple of accidents and traffic slowed down. While we eased along the Elgin/O'Hare Expressway, we witnessed 3 more. One car slammed into a cement wall and spun around with smoke filling the interior. There were lots of screeching brakes to avoid that one and then two more cars slammed into other vehicles. Even though it was on the opposite side of the freeway, it really rattled us. When we pulled up to Ditka's, we noticed a sign for complementary valet and I jumped out of the car before Brent could convince me to find a spot on my own. I needed a break from driving. Plus I was in heels and it was slick.

The restaurant itself was nice without being pretentious. In our Sunday clothes we were the dressiest people there (aside from the manager). I felt a little bad for not being a Bears fan when we walked past a display case with Superbowl trophies (both from 1985) in it. Brent heard from a coworker the pot roast nachos were to die for. Sound a little strange? We thought so too but we're game. Oh my deliciousness! Our waitress told us they cook the meat over 2 days in different marinades. It had an amazing combination of flavors and the meat was phenomenally good. They're addicting too... I was glad I ordered a salad for my meal. Ditka's dinner menu has my second favorite salad-the wedge. They didn't disappoint, it was fresh and the presentation delectable. Brent got the fridge burger (so named because it has everything in the fridge for condiments). He let me have a bite and it was juicy without being drippy. I wish we'd had room for dessert but the pot roast nachos really filled us up.

The service was top notch. We decided they were optimists because our glasses never reached less than half-full (and Brent drinks like a camel!). When we were finished with the nachos they whisked them away in a take home bag so we didn't have to stare at half-eaten food while waiting for our entrees. Clean utensils seemed to magically appear on the table. My salad came with a cold fork... I loved that touch. The valet was the fastest I've ever seen and he was sure to call me "Miss" and take care helping me into the car. When they tried to seat us near the kitchen I asked to be moved to a booth and they immediately obliged. They were even nice about the fact we were only drinking water. At many restaurants in Boston I could tell that irritated our server. At Ditka's our waitress just swiftly took the wine glasses from the table.

I can't wait to go back. Next time I think we'll do lunch when they serve my very favorite salad- nicoise. Brent wants to try one of their steaks which all the reviews rave about. The dining room was filled with huge tables seating up to 10. There were a number of families there and the staff was so polite, I'd have no hesitation taking the girls with us. Ever since we moved to Chicago, I've been chompin' at the bit to try out some of the best food in the nation and Ditka's did not disappoint. I was hoping to get around to Dancing Zorbas from My Big Fat Greek Wedding but it doesn't exist! Not in Chicago anyway. That's okay, I'm sure we'll find a substitute.