Several years ago, I interviewed local chef Enrique Cortes for a documentary. He described the shock of coming to a Chicago winter from Mexico via San Diego, and he said that the city of Chicago should issue new residents a kit for dealing with winter upon arrival, like a snow shovel and an ice scraper. Lincoln Square’s Fine Wine Brokers provide excellent instructions on how to build such a kit.
On another night I might stay in and drink red wine – the nice man at Fine Wine Brokers recommended several inexpensive bottles that pair well with lamb – but I’m due to read at Story Club. Fortunately Uncommon Ground knows how to deal with winter, and soon a giant bowl of spiked coffee will be mine.
The Girl Who Ate Everything 
Ha! Love it! (The Blizzard Survial Kit, that is.)
My friend Sandy, who works at Fine Wine Brokers sent me a bottle of wine for the holidays, which I received on a nice snowy day. It was perfect for survival of this winter season.