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photography by galdones photography from left: The Tortoise Club's walls boast paintings of lively Chicago historical figures, including this one of John "Bet-a-Million" Gates; the restaurant's quinoa and beet salad. "Gray Mcnally is such a talented chef, and it's been a joy to see the faMily's success here at the tortoise club."—eve rogers Have you both dined at Tortoise Club before? MKP: When they were working on the concept, [owners Megan and Keene] Addington were introduced to me by a dear friend of mine who passed away, Nora Marra. When it opened I started coming here for lunch and dinner. ER: I was brought to the restaurant by our friends the McNallys. Gray McNally is such a talented chef, and it's been a joy to see the family's success here. Any favorite dishes? ER: I love the crab cakes. MKP: At dinner there's a steak frites dish with blue cheese that I love. How much planning goes into each Evergreen Invitational? MKP: The first time it took a good two years of working every week on some element of it. Now that we've done it a few times, it's a bit easier. Eve, what does Graff have coming up in the fall? ER: We have a couple of new pieces with carved colored stones, like a 100 -carat carved emerald and diamond brooch as well as a carved ruby and diamond brooch. They're exquisite—you'll never see anything like them again. [Quinoa and beet salad with goat cheese and pine nuts is served.] MKP: The colors [of this salad] are so pretty—and I love vegetables. What do you enjoy most about the invitational? MKP: Getting to work with members of The Women's Board at Northwestern Memorial—a fantastic group of women. And I love having people at the farm. ER: To be able to watch the horses, which is not something I get to do all the time, is special to me. [tortoise club sandwiches with applewood-smoked bacon, egg, avocado, free-range chicken, and french fries are served.] ER: These French fries look amazing. It's fall fashion season—how do you each describe your personal style? MKP: I'm definitely high-low. I love wearing my Graff diamonds, and I also love Target. ER: My style is simple, tailored, elegant, and sophisticated. I have to go from meetings to work to events all in the same day sometimes, so I try to wear things that will carry me through and won't fight with the jewelry. MKP: [Taking a bite] I'm a big club sandwich person. The chicken is really fresh and delicious. ER: And the egg and avocado are excellent. How did you first get interested in horses? MKP: When I was a child my grandfather had a farm and would take in retired horses. I used to go sit on the fence post. Then I got braver and braver, and would sit on a horse's back—that's how I started. When J.B. ran for Congress [in 1998], I started to take lessons and got hooked again. So what's the verdict on lunch? ER: Good! I usually come here for dinner, but as I've been watching people come in, [the atmosphere] is really great. It has such a cozy, intimate feel. MKP: It really is a great place. The food is terrific. And I would like to point out that the décor is a tad horsey, so I feel very comfortable here. [Laughing] the evergreen invitational is saturday, september 6; evergreeninvitational.org. tickets are $500 per person, by invitation only. MA continued froM paGe 114 116  michiganavemag.com taste On the town

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