Posted by Some weekends are for relaxing. Others are for going all in. Ours? A bit of both—with a touch of smoke, salt, spa steam, and just the right amount of scoreboard celebration.
This is the story of a whirlwind escape that took us from the candlelit glamour of Maple & Ash in Chicago to the roaring stands of Camp Randall in Madison, cheering on the Nittany Lions to victory.
Because sometimes, you need your weekends with a side of decadence and a touchdown.
🥩 Friday Night: Dining in Firelight at Maple & Ash (Chicago)
Let’s just say… this is not your average steakhouse.
Maple & Ash feels like someone threw a party for fire, flavor, and flirtation and told the kitchen, “You better show off.” The energy is vibrant—dim lighting, chandeliers with attitude, and a menu that reads like it was written by a charming butcher with a sense of humor and a Michelin star.
We went big.
Like, “I Don’t Give a F@k” tasting menu* big. (Yes, that’s literally what it’s called.)
Each course landed like a mic drop:
• Raw seafood tower that looked like Poseidon’s charcuterie board
• Steaks seared to perfection, rich and primal
• A tableside Sunday Service, made your sweettooth beg for mercy.
If indulgence had a headquarters, it would be this place.
🌫️ Ancient Indulgence at AIRE Spa (Chicago)
Following all that delicious excess, we needed redemption. Or at least, relaxation. So we headed into the AIRE Ancient Baths, tucked away in a historic West Loop building, where time slows down and whispers in steam.
It’s not a spa—it’s a temple.
Candlelit corridors, hushed voices, and pools of every temperature—from icy plunge to molten relaxation.
We drifted between thermal waters like floaty little royalty, melting in the saltwater pool, then being snapped back to life in the cold plunge.
By the end, we weren’t even speaking in full sentences—just content sighs and knowing glances. That’s how you know it worked.
🏈 Saturday: Onward to Madison – Game Time
Spa glow intact, we hopped in the car and made the drive north to Madison, Wisconsin, home of cheese curds, loyal fans, and some of the rowdiest tailgates you’ll find in the Big Ten.
We were there for one reason: Penn State vs. Wisconsin.
Let’s be clear—we were deep in enemy territory, surrounded by a sea of red and white. But we repped the Nittany Lions proudly, knowing this was more than a game—it was fall energy incarnate.
The atmosphere was electric. The chants. The marching bands. The smell of grilled brats in the air. Camp Randall delivered on every level—and watching Penn State pull off a win on the road? Chef’s kiss. It was loud. It was gritty. It was glorious.
Victory hits different when you earn it in another team’s house.
🚙 Sunday: Rolling Home, Still Buzzing
By the end of it all, we had packed a ridiculous amount of magic into one weekend. Fine dining. Candlelit baths. Road trip laughs. Cold beer. Stadium screams. A win.
We drove home tired but completely refueled—with sore legs, full hearts, and a deep appreciation for a region that offers both charred wagyu and gridiron grit within 24 hours.
Midwest, you showed up.
We’ll be back.
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