Great Expectations

Rarely in life are expectations matched with the substantial actualities of reality. This is a fact. More often than not, experiences fail to meet expectations or they exceed them entirely. No matter which way you dissect this truth you are certain to deduce one common principle: it is for the best. If every possible expectation was met with precisely what was anticipated, feelings of shock and surprise would be obsolete. On the flip-side of this coin you will encounter letdowns and feelings of disappointment, but these too can be good things. After all, letdowns and disappointments provide education so that behavior may be properly corrected. Don't think of it as being disenchanted, but rather enlightened.

Understandably, you may expect that I, myself, had a few great expectations of my own when I relocated from Columbia, Missouri- population of just over 100 thousand- to this city which shelters nearly 3 million inhabitants. Before we delve too deeply into philosophies which few are to understand, myself included, I would like to share two occurances which blew my expectations out of the frickin' water.

Occurance number one: Whole Foods Market, 1550 North Kingsbury Street

Before I begin, you must first try and wrap your mind around the magnitude of this grocery. The Whole Foods of Lincoln Park is the third largest in the world. The site encompasses 75,000 square feet and houses a parking garage that boasts some 400 parking spaces. My God man, this place is a culinarian's Disney World. It makes a Costco or Sams Club look like your grandparent's pantry.

I first traveled to this particular Whole Foods Market weeks ago. I, accompanied by my friends Danny and Tyrone, voyaged there for your average, everyday lunch break. There was nothing average or ordinary about this trip, it was a trip. We entered from the second story. Escalators guided us down to a produce department that was so beautiful I remember asking myself, "What is this place?" To the right, a full service bar doling out glasses of wine and pints of Belgian beer. After navagating many aisles, a seafood department which made me contemplate moving to somewhere a bit more tropical and a second wine bar, we had reached our destination- the delicatessen. Only this was no deli. It better resembled a gathering of restaurants. On that day I feasted on some of the best brisket, collard greens and mac & cheese I have ever come across.

Since my initial excursion to that Whole Foods Market, Allison and I have returned for what can only be described as a date. We sampled Kumamoto oysters from Japan. Together, our palates traveled to South America and Western Europe as we sampled a flight that included Chilean and Argentinian wines and cheeses from Spain.

I could have never expected a grocery to be like this.

Occurance number two: The Violet Hour, 1520 North Damen Avenue

The Violet Hour is nothing short of a spectacle. This establishment's creed says it all:

"This is the violet hour, the hour of hush and wonder, when the affections glow again and valor is reborn, when the shadows deepen magically along the edge of the forest and we believe that, if we watch carefully, at any moment we may see the unicorn." - Bernard DeVoto "The Hour"

With an unmarked, unpolished exterior, you arrive with the thought that it may be in your best interest to depart instantaneously. Uncertain that you are in fact where you should be, you open the door only to be blinded by a single massive violet curtain. You brush it aside- a second massive violet curtain. Now intrigued beyond belief you confidently remove this second curtain from your path. As your eyes wonder in amazement, it hits you. Without question you are where you belong.

Set in speakeasy style, the Violet Hour makes all who visit feel truly welcomed. Each chamber exudes personality. No bartenders are employed here, instead mixologists demonstrate their craft. Everything from the seat backs to the light bulbs to the glassware intoxicate you- and then there are the cocktails. Cucumber, house-made tonic, lavender syrup, Rose water, St. Germain and Yellow Chartreuse were but a few of the unique ingredients that accompanied the gin, vodka and tequila that graced our table. I experienced the Violet Hour for myself less than twenty-four hours ago and I anticipate that I will return very shortly.

I most certainly could have never expected a bar to be like this.