Our normal inclination for zesty food has turned into a hunt for all things exotic. I should add that when we say we love the heat, we really love the heat. So last night after a nice afternoon at the symphony, we attempted to hunt down some excellent Thai food. Let's just say that were disappointed with our choice. But this coming weekend offers us a new restaurant that comes highly recommended by one of our favorite people (hi Donna!).

Friday night (after seeing the Farnsworth House and Ghiberti's Doors) we will be dining at Tizi Melloul, purveyor of fine Mediterranean cuisine in downtown Chicago. Tizi was voted one of the "10 Best Looking Restaurants" in the US by Fine Living magazine. My eyes and my taste buds are already on fire with anticipation.

I plan to open with the pan roasted crab cake served with fennel scallion salad, romesco sauce, followed by the arugula and sunchoke salad and finish with either the medallion of beef served with pearl onions, root vegetables, bacon, roasted shallot vinaigrette or seared ahi tuna with braised veal shoulder, field mushrooms, pea puree, chili oil. We'll see what I'm in the mood for come Friday night.

According to my girlfriend, the Moroccan dining experience offered at Tizi is not to be missed. You can dine ala carte or enjoy the excitement of family style dining in the crescent room. And as is custom, dining utensils are optional in the crescent room. It should be a great time.

If you see anything on the menu you'd love us to try (especially if you've been to Tizi), drop a comment. One word of caution, in our book the spicier the cuisine the better the cuisine. So be prepared to select something flavorful!