Olio in Iowa

Eats: Santullo’s

All Rights Reserved Megan BannisterIf there is one thing to know about my father, it’s that he absolutely loves New York style pizza. Yes, I’ve spent my entire life in Chicago, where not liking deep dish is a cardinal sin. But with both of my parents being native East Coasters, it’s no wonder that pizza is a touchy subject around our house.

Always in search of the best thin-crust pizza, I finally believe that we’ve found an adequate, local substitute. So on Thursday, after I picked my dad up at the airport, we headed north to Chicago’s Wicker Park/Bucktown neighborhood for a slice at Santullo’s Eatery.

Everything about the pizza was phenomenal: the perfectly melted cheese, the light, airy crust, down to the pie’s thin layer of sauce. I realize that it’s a bit strange, the way that my family obsesses about different types of pizza. I grew up in a fairly pizza-deprived household – delivery or otherwise – mostly because my parents couldn’t fathom settling for Pizza Hut or Papa John’s. Now, as a fairly competent person living on my own, I find that I don’t share my parent’s obsession with the perfect pizza. But – like my father – I can certainly still appreciate one.

Santullo’s, 1943 W. North Avenue, Chicago

Nerding: The Chicago Pedway

All Rights Reserved Megan BannisterAlong with the same soft spot that I have for Chicago, I have an equally profound love for the city’s history. From city planning to legends of hauntings and favorite mob boss hang-outs, I can’t get enough quirky factoids about my hometown. 

Consequently, my mom absolutely loves to buy walking tour Groupons – generally with the intention that I’m going to be the ones using them as both walking and organized touring don’t usually appeal to my dad or brother. So naturally since I was in town for a few days we decided to embark on an urban adventure and explore the twisting tunnels of the Chicago Pedway.

Under the direction of a fabulous guide from Chicago’s Finest River Walk Tours, we set out across the Loop to see what the elaborate tunnel system had to offer.

All Rights Reserved Megan Bannister

Though I’m not the largest fan of enclosed spaces or underground structures, I absolutely loved the random bits of trivia that we collected along the way. For instance, I now know that prior to the building of the Michigan Avenue bridge, the north part of the famous thoroughfare was named Pine Street because of the large number of pine trees in that part of the city.

While I don’t have many days left in Chicago, you can rest assured that there will be another walking tour waiting for me the next time I come home. Still to come: a chocolate tasting tour and a expedition to try some of the best cupcakes in Chicago.

On the Road: Chicago

All Rights Reserved Megan BannisterLike any true lover of adventures, I am a large fan of road trips. I love the quirky attractions, the unique town names (I’m looking at you, What Cheer) and finding the perfect compilation of music for the open road. So what better way than to start the summer with a much needed road trip back to my hometown, before any real summer responsibilities kick in.

For the next week you can find me bumming around the western suburbs, or even the city itself, playing with my puppy, catching up on some much needed afternoon napping and taking full advantage of my parents’ free washer and dryer. In all honesty though, Chicago is one of my favorite cities and I’m slightly crestfallen to be missing out on its many summertime charms. So in the wake of NATO summit preparations, dentist appointment and family obligations I plan on taking advantage of every Chicago Tribune I can get my hands on and savoring glimpses of my favorite skyline for my window when at all possible before heading back to Des Moines on Sunday.

The First Days of Summer

All Rights Reserved Megan BannisterRegardless of the year or my current location, the first days of summer are always my absolute favorite.

Maybe it’s the sudden freedom from schoolwork and responsibility and everything else that would normally be weighing on me. Maybe it’s the fact that this morning I didn’t set an alarm for the first time in I can’t even remember how long. Or maybe it’s the absolutely perfect feeling that can only come with a summer night, driving in the car with the best people – listening to not always the best music – and remembering what it means to really stop and enjoy life.

Whatever the reason, summer has always had an indescribable quality of reminding me what I really love: popsicles, early mornings, late nights, live music, well-worn library cards, home-cooked meals, laughter and old friends.

So before life invariably gets away from me – and all of my summer obligations officially begin – I decided it was necessary to write this tiny ode. If for no other reason than to remind myself to enjoy every little thing. To remember that summer is no time for routines or monotony, and that every day can – and should – hold a new adventure.

Why “Olio”?

olio (ˈō-lē-ˌō)

a miscellaneous mixture or collection

I am a lover of spontaneous adventures and, in my personal opinion, there is no better time for adventuring than the summer. This year I made what I would consider to be a fairly large decision—I decided to stay in Des Moines instead of moving back home. So in honor of newfound independence and a summer that is sure to be filled with exciting adventures I decided that it was high time for a new blog.

Last September I documented the adventures I had in Barcelona on my “siesta semester.” But a few weeks ago when I decided I wanted to start a new blogging endeavor, I couldn’t seem to decide on a singular theme. As anyone who knows me well can attest, I tend to think in a fairly non-linear manner—or what some might classify as conversational ADD. That’s where the beauty of the “olio” comes in.

Meaning that this blog will likely be…

  • One part Des Moines discovery,
  • One part foodie reviews, recipes and DIY crafts,
  • One (but most likely many) parts spontaneous musings,

But more than anything, Olio in Iowa will be 100% about adventures.