1. Charcuterie at Il Buco Vineria. Probably the best I’ve ever had.

2. Gorgonzola cremificato at Murray’s Cheese. Molly and I arrived early for our class so we went two doors down to the cheese bar. Yep, we had more cheese plus charcuterie…before a cheese class.

3. Banana tiramisu at Saranello’s outside Chicago. The chef said it was inspired by his mother’s banana pudding. Italians might scream ‘sacrilege’ but it was so delicious that I can’t make myself care.

4. Fennel sausage pizza at Nellcôte. Diandra and I got ours sans mushrooms.

5. I can’t stop thinking about this wine I drank during the class at Murray’s Cheese. It was so unusual and wonderful that I’m tempted to buy a case!