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The Dining Divas Discover a Mac and Cheese Heaven In University City

By Lisa Kampeter

I’ve always been fascinated by inventors.  I can’t even fathom what went through the minds of men like Thomas Edison or Alexander Graham Bell.  What about the person who created the World Wide Web (no, not Al Gore)?  Or the person who created the gas pump clip so you don’t have to stand there and hold the nozzle to get gas?   Why didn’t I think of that?

For me, ranking right up there with Edison and Bell is the person who invented Macaroni and Cheese.  (Italians may say Marco Polo.  Others give Thomas Jefferson the credit.)  Kraft Mac and Cheese is a staple in my household like sugar and Smarties (aren’t Smarties a staple in most households?).  Once again, why didn’t I think of that?

For the owner of a new restaurant in The Loop called Cheese-ology, who invented Mac and Cheese isn’t as important as who’s perfecting it.

Cheese-ology does one thing really well.  Macaroni and Cheese.   Think of a combination, and they probably serve it.  Mediterranean, The Hill, Philly Cheese.  For bacon lovers, there’s Bacon, Bacon Mac and Cheese.  For the finicky eater, there’s the Classic Mac and Cheese with just cheese.

This Diva wasn’t the only Diva excited about this restaurant.  We all were.

It didn’t matter that the Diva night interfered with work schedules.  We moved it.  It didn’t matter that a Diva’s husband couldn’t baby-sit.  We brought the baby.  It didn’t matter that the restaurant didn’t take reservations.  We’d squeeze together.  We just wanted to try out a Macaroni and Cheese restaurant!

At Cheese-ology, the main course is served in iron skillets, small or large.  I’d recommend a small, especially if you’re meal is followed by birthday cake.  Most of us ordered larges because we were so intrigued by the menu, and most of us left overly full.

The Tuna Macaroni and Cheese tasted like Mom’s tuna casserole according to the Mommy Diva.  The Santa Fe with chicken, corn, salsa, and spices had a southwestern spirit we all enjoyed.  Everyone was envious of the Shrimp Scampi Mac and Cheese.  It was a cheesy delicacy.  You can order it with chicken if you’re not a fan of seafood.  I wouldn’t change a thing.

The Educator Diva tried the Black and Bleu version.  It had steak, American and bleu cheese, and Cajun spices.  Several curious Divas were excited to see what she thought of it, but she was disappointed.  It was average compared to the rest.

We shared birthday cake with the staff and offered some to the owner.  He had to save his taste buds for new inventions that evening as he tries out new ideas after hours.  The ones he likes, he offers as specials.  The Pulled Pork BBQ Macaroni and Cheese special was very popular this summer.  It may eventually make the menu.  We decided Mac and cheese combinations could be endless.

Of course, we couldn’t think of any that night.  And I’m sure the next time I go, I’ll be saying “Why didn’t I think of that?”

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