Night Out with Cheri Oteri & Friends

A couple years ago on a trip to California, my good friend Dominique introduced me to her friend Cheri Oteri. We hit it off right away, bonding over our Italian and Irish heritage, our love of home-cooked Italian food, and how much fun we had with our friends Dominique and Marie.

We would all go on girls’ trips together—we’d go to L.A., spend a weekend somewhere beautiful, and enjoy the California fare. And we always make a point to go swimming whenever we get together! When I’m with the girls it’s really all about relaxing, enjoying good food, toasting craft cocktails and making new meaningful memories together! Laughter and spontaneity nourish the spirit—so we do a girls’ night (or weekend) out as often as we possibly can.

There’s always a good excuse to get together with your girlfriends!

When Dominique found out she had to come to Chicago for work, it was the perfect excuse for a girls' trip! Cheri and Kelsey quickly booked their tickets, and I couldn't wait to start planning. For me, being a great host means showing off all the gems my city has to offer—not just whipping up a fancy dinner at home. P.S. We missed you, Marie!

The girls were here for four days, and we packed in sooo many fun activities! We made sure to get some swimming in (even if it was just a dip in the hotel pool), and treated ourselves to a relaxing spa day—because what's a getaway without a little pampering? We also squeezed in some shopping, clinked some homemade craft cocktails, and even got our ears pierced to commemorate the trip!

Girls’ Night Out in Chicago with Cheri Oteri & Friends

When we’re in California, we usually go for lighter dishes like sushi. But a trip to the Windy City isn't complete without sinking your teeth into a juicy, tender Chicago steak. RPM Steakhouse is one of my favorites, so we enjoyed a hearty Midwest dinner there. Our next meal out was at Aba, where the California-influenced Mediterranean food reminds you of sunshine even on a cloudy Chicago day. Andros Taverna has my favorite authentic Greek food in town, and we couldn't miss out on Tre Dita, a Tuscan restaurant with incredibly delicious food that just feels like home.

Cheri Oteri’s favorite Italian dish? Homemade stuffed artichokes!

After bonding over our heritage, Cheri and I couldn’t resist making some Italian food ourselves. She suggested stuffed artichokes, one of her grandmother’s signature dishes, and I was totally on board—every Italian family has their own stuffed artichoke recipe, and I love them too!

While we cooked, Cheri shared stories about her grandmother, the true heart of her family. Her home was always open: She welcomed everyone, from family and friends to the neighborhood kids, with delicious home-cooked food. Cheri reminisced about the way her grandma balanced love and discipline, treating people with respect and kindness no matter what. When we met Juliet Yera, Director of Development at the Hephzibah Children’s Association, we got to see those qualities in action again. Click the link below for more on our visit to the Hephzibah Home, one of my favorite places in all of Chicago!